Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-28

1--WE spend our years as a tale that Is told"
Died in North Mansfield, Connecticut, on the
evening OF October 10, Robert Foss, aged 81
wears, months and IA days father of the pub
Usher Of this journal.
A native of Derby, England, he cmigrated to
the United States in the year 1876, and landel
at New York on the 4th of February. Prior to
his emigration he had been clerk ut the AllretOn
iron works in Derbyshire. After sojOurning i'm
the city of New York seven or eight months, he
removed his family to Holden, Massachusetts,
where, in company with George Slater, a brother
Of John and Samuel Slater (the latter the father
Of the American cotton manufacturer, he opera
ted a small cotton mill, which was owned and
stocked by John Slater. For reasons unknown
to the writer, this partnership of MeSSrs Slater
and Foss was dissolved in 1921, and George
Slater returned to England, while the subject of
this notice removed TO the adjoining town of
West BoylstOn, in February, 1921. Here he was
clerk of the cotton manufacturing company
comprising John Slater Robert Rogerson (the
founder of RogersOnyille, North UXbridgel, and
John Lee.
In the year 1927 John Slater induced Mr..
Foss TO remove to SlaTerSvile, Rhode Island,
where he continued the clerk of that gentleman
until the year 1888, serving faithfully and ac-
ccptably in that capacity, including his resi-
dcnce at West BOystOn, for seventeen wears
He was thus connected and familiar with tile
early history of the cotton manufacture of this
country, and enjoyed the friendship of its
founder, Samuel Slater, Thirty of his years
had been spent as an accountant. Impaired
health now induced him to change his Occupa-
hon, and he bought small farm i'll Mansfield
Connecticut. This continued TO be his home
until the day of his death. A strong lover of
nature in her various aspects, rural pursuits
had charm for him which lightencd the rigor-
Gus toll incident to farm life on the sterile soil
OF New England. His industry was proverbal;
his WORKOUT acres were made to Weld
nlUnHnnfIVH lao me-, =
compelled him to desist, those persistent hands
we're never idle. Simple in his tastes and
habits, a little was his wealth, and he enyied
not the greater accumulatious of others. In
health he possessed buoyancy of spirits that
spread its cheerincss over social life, and made
him very companionable even to those far less
advanced on lilies pilgrimage.
As husband and parent he was most allec-
Tomato and udulgent. Reared in the belief and
usages of the (Episcopal) Church of England
he long adhered to them; but in later life he
leaned 10 still greater liberalism, and il was a
precious thought to him that Heavens gate can
NOT be closed by theological dOgmas or by Sec
tartan ideas.
In the good providence of God five of his nine
children were permitted TO survive him, and to
look upon his loved countenance after the
spirit had fled. Ii was their sweet privilege to
minister to his wants. in his declining years and
TO cheer the days that border on the night of
death. After he passed the allotted span of the
psalmist, he was still comparatively vigorous
but after four score years he realized that sad
situation wheni'the grasshopper shall be bur-
zen, and desire shall fail" and the physical
decay incident to old age crept steadily upon
him,
ST. Til, like clock worn out with eating time.
Inc wheels Of weary life at last stood still"
He was buried upon the farm, in an enclosure
which his own hands had prepared and adorned
where he had deposited the mortal remains
Of his faithful wife and youngest daughter, and
beneath the trees which his hands had planted
As the sun Of his lie set with the worlds lumi-
nary, so on its third setting his dust was com
mitted TO its mother earth, to await the resur-
rection morning.
ellis life was gentle; and the elements
So mixed in HIM, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, This was a man.'h