The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-09-25

| We took occasion to meution lew month";
since that Mrs Abigail Horton, one OF the
most aged persons in this city, had auainec
the pipety-nipth anniversary OF her birthday
mentionioo some interesting facts relative Il
her And now just four months afterwards
we are called upon to record her deeease. On
the day alluded to we had the pleasure to pass
an hour in the company of this aged apd most
estimable woman, and to listen to her CONVEX
sation, affected more by the encroachment Of
disease than by old age. 1t was an informal
| gathering of her descendants to greet the at
tainment of another mile stone in her life's ex-
| tended journey, and it was extremely enter
| tanning to hear her allude with mind so clear
and memory SO correct partly in answer to
| questions, to the events that had transpred
| during the nearly one hundred years of her
life. She spoke of the immortal Washington
| as having seen him when he made his grand
progress through the country in 1899, which
was such triumphant patriotic ovation to
"the Father of his Country" And then to
| that only less manifestation of gratitude and
patriotism, the tour of Gen. Lafayette, the
companion-in- arms of Washing ton, in 1924.
Abiding in this connection to distinguished
men, she mentioned that she had seen no less
than eight other Presidents of the United
States, vz:-Madison, Monroe, John Quincy
Adams, jackson, Polk, Pierce, Buchanan and
Grant. Among prominent men OF the relig-
ions order she had seen Elias Hicks. the leader
of the Hcksite branch of the Quakers, and
under whose preaching her husband was con-
verified; Stephen Grellet, the French Quaker
preacher; the Hoass and the Lawrences, prom
inent men in other days, and many other
worthy old ministers of the Society of Friends
She attended the first meeting OF the Metho-
dist preacher-Rev. Jesse Lee, that was held
in Portland, and this was gathered in private
room, opened for the occasion. She knew the
poet Whittier well. The great unexplained
phenomenon, the dark day of May 10, 1880,
she often spoke Of being then eight years of
age.
Mrs. Horton was a native of Ipswich, Mass,
having been bern on May 20, 1772 Her maid
en- name was Lord, and she was sister Of the
late William Lord, for so many years our City
Treasurer. She first came to Portland in 1901,
in company with newly married friend and
while here formed the acquaintance of MIR.
Rufus Horton, one Of the prominent merchants
in store built by Capt. Peter Warren, having
a commanding view CT the harbor, aud which
was destroyed in tue great conhagraton. He
had as partners In trade, at d ifferent times,
John Hobart, Isaac Mcclellan and his brother,
the late John Horton of philadelphia
She was married in Ipswich in 1772, and came
here on her second journey bride herself
The newly married couple moved iu the best
society of the place, Joining in the gay parties
of that day with zest, but soon her husband
aud then herself were brought under the in.
fuence of religious principles as taught by the
Friends, and they joined the Society, of which
the subject of this sketch has ever remained a
most exemplary member, seldom speaking in
the meetings, but when she did it was decided
ly to the purpose. She has had seven chill
dren, one son. the late Rufus Horton, and six
daughters, four Of whom are living. They
married respectively the late Messrs. Dummer
Bean, Moses Little of Windham, Nathl. Mot
ley, and our worthy citizen Joshua Dunn,
Esq, and it is singular that lady, having so
many married children should only leave as
her present descendants four children, ten
grandchildren and seven great grandchildren,
twenty-one in all.
We have frequently conversed with Mrs.
Horton, and she always ma. herself very
agreeable in relating interesting "reminiscences
relative to historical matters in general, and
those pertaining to old days in Portland in
particular. Sometimes she would relate the
career of Friend John Tabor, who flourished
in Portland about the beginning of the CEN
fury, and who did large business, establish
ing private bank, issuing bills which we're as
current as those of any chartered bank, but
when one day the Quakels refused to take
"the Tabor bills he suddenly burst, like the
South Sea bubble in England. She spoke of
having the first ride in the first flour wheeled
carriage either public or private, that was
brought here by Mr.. Peter Warren for a pub.
lie hack, and which produced great sensation
in those early days. But when she turned to
religious subjects her mind exhibited its won't
ed strength and Gle arness, and if any one ever
had true and vivid comprehension of the
genius aud spirit of Christianity, she had it,
We have heard an aged Quaker minister say
that her remarks in meeting would be accepted
in point of doctrine and experience by mem
bers of any sect of the Christian church. She
was great reader of the Bible and other re-
ligious books, enj ying those put forth by all
denominations, AID she winnowed cut the
grains of wheat from each. Indeed, since she
was ninety years Of age, she would pass the
long winter evenings in reading aloud for
three hours to her family, and especially to a
blind daughter. And much of the strength OF
her mind and physical constitution is attribu
ted to that studied calmness of the mind and
that Pauline temperance in all things
which are some of the peculiar teachings of
the Society of Friends.
She has suffered somewhat for the last year
or more with cancerous affection; otherwise
her long life has been singulaily BIZ ssed with
health. And now, with what more appropri-
ate words, would she leave this for another
state of existence, than those expressive ones
of good Mrs. Barbauld:
'Litei
We've been long together,
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather,
lis haru to part when friends dear,
Perhaps twill cost a 81 gh or tear;
Say NOT good night, but i'll some happier cline,
me good morning..