Litchfield enquirer., 1873-03-27
Plymouth sketches.-no. iss.

At the beglnnlng of the year 1872, while there were but few men in the town over eighty, and not even one up to ninety, there were no less than five women, all widows, aged between ninety and one hundred years; besides sixth one who arrived at ninety within three months from that time. The oldest of these was Mrs. Samuel Smith. She was Hannah, daughter of Nathaniel Stacey, of North Haven, where she was born Sept. 23d, Hs8. She was married at the age of about 9 years, and with her husband, who was by trade cooper, but also worked at farming moved to this town Tn April 1880. She was the mother of at least four children, three of whom are now living. She was left widow in her Fist year, and died Sept. 7th, 1872 It is said that much of her time-especially in her later years-was spent ill outdoor exercise and labor. Mrs. Smith was & niece of those sturdy ''New Light" minis ters of the 18th century, Benjamin and Elias Beach. On the evening of the 18th of January, next preceding her death, your correspondent, desiring to visit the oldest person in town, called to see her. He found her suffering from a severe cold and the infirmities of old age combined, in much distress, unable to occupy the bed to advantage, and scarcely able to sit up. Indeed. she seemed to be near the close of her mortal life. Although a stranger, she eagerly grasped my hand, apparently rejoiced that some one had come to see her. ''Who sent you ?" she asked, 'Was it the Lord? ?" could not certainly answer the question, for at that moment I felt that it might be even so. "Will you pray with me ?" she further interrogated.' The request was reason able one; it showed the yearning of her heart for some spiritual food which this world could but poorly supply; but she being partially deaf, and your correspon- dent not in the habit of praying-unless mentally yin other peoples houses he felt obliged to decline her request adding, however, that if he could not pray scih her, he<would pray .for her. ''To what denomination do you belong?' she en- quired. ''To the Episcopal" was an- swereds "T thought so, " she replied, prob ably supposing that an Episcopalian could not pray excepting by book. Judging by her distress of body and mind, she considered that she had but a short time to abide in the flesh. She evidently dreaded to depart. and yet she appeared to be imbued with trne Christian philosophy Sitting by her, with her shriveled hand in mine -gazzing upon her somewhat haggard features considering how few of the living would reach the great age to which she had attained offering up silent prayer in her behalf, that her closing days might be peace, and her future life happiness. The old lady at length exclaimed, "When I look into the grave all is dark, and dreary, and dismal; but when I look be- yond the grave, all is bright and beauti- full, and lovely, for Christ is there 7
 PLYMoUFHEAN.
 March 24th 1873.
 Woodbury.
 George Camp has sold his place to J. T. Salmons price, 6, 900.
 The Mrs. Pangman place has been sold to J. T. Capewell price s1, ,450.
 Under the auspices of the ladies sew ing circle of ike First Congregational Society, an antique reception was held at the town hall, .on Tuesday, the 18th inst. The entertainment consisted of 8 concert by the old folks. speaking of the past and present spinning bee &c.; with a supper for the sustenanse of the body. Net proceeds s97.
 Our sleighing is about done up. We have had one hundred and three days of good sleighing, and the rest not so good. sstE ENo.
 Collinsville tobacco raisers send as far as Albany for manure.