Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-11-18
Johnson,
Centennial Birth Paw.

nuuloeT ol relatlVes ann Irlenus assem0led
10 the Baptist vestry, Johnson, in the af-
ternoon, to commemorate this event. Her
home has been with her son Mr.. Seth h.
Pike since the death of her son in Stowe.
No plan was made for observing the
day until quite recently, thinking it would
prove more than she could endure but as
the time drew near, the desire of friends.
and her own interest in it increased, and
accordingly dinner was prepared, aud
such exercises arranged as could be in SO
short time.
On arriving at the vestry photograph
was taken of her aud group of friends,
including Mr.. and Mrs Thos. Waterman:
he in his 64th year, and she in her s9h
year. Fsf
Within, four tables were bountifullv
spread, and soon the friends we're placed
around them.
At the FIRST table were the old lady and
six of her childreo, three SONS and three
daughters; DR.. Dougherty aud wife, and
her physician, DR.. Barrows Of Stowe
At the second were Mr.. and Mrs. Thos.
Waterman. aud other relations. At the
third, 26 grandchildren. and at the fourth,
% great grandchildren. All the children
of Mrs. Pike now living, were present ex.
cept one. Mrs Porter of Williamstown.
The exercises we're under the direction
of S. S. Pike. Esq. A prayer of thanks.
giving was offered by DR.. Dougherty. A
poem, entitled "Grandmother's Birthday
was then recited by Miss Mabel Porter, a
great. g,andchild, who presented her with
boquet and some beautiful clusters Of
grapes. A blessing was invoked by Rev
G. II. French. Few have ever sat around
a table with one hundred years old, and
all realized that such q privilege might
not be granted them again. Not little
merriment prevailed the company, when a
large wedding cake was passed to her to
he cut.
After ample satisfaction from the
"brthday dinner" the audience, led by
the choi'. joined in singing the hymn.
"Thus far the Lord hath led me on
The hymn was first repeated by the
centenniaR herself. in clear tone, and
with deliccay of expression which woult
have been remarkable for one much young
er. Never did that hymn seem so appro
pirate as then, with every sentiment ex
pressed as though it were felt. She also
joined in the singing, her voice being dis
tinctly heard above the softened notes O
others This is Only one of the man,
hymns which she can repeat, besides many
passages of Scripture from all parts of the
Bible, evincng remarkably retentiv'
memory.
Next, the following brief sketch of hel
life was presented by Miss Lizzie NJ. Ray
mond, a granddaughter. a...
DEAR FRIENDS We are met to com
memoratc tn" Tooth birthday of our dea
and venerable relative, Mrs. Mary Pike
Seldom does such an event occur in the
history of any family. 1t is therefore
highly be6iting to notice briefly some por
tions of her l,te-hsiory.
She wa: born at Hamrden. Conn, Nov
10, IVA Her mai len name was Mar,
Flint. She removed with her family II
Randolph. VT, at the early age Of tel
years not in the easy car of to-day, o
the more tedious conveyance OF the coach
but in slow showing horse.tcam. The,
were seventeen days on their journey
The last day, being more rugged than TIL
other of the children. she was sent on foot
her parents thinking to soon overtake her
but she, with that energy that has eve
been one of her chief chara cterstics. res
olutey walked on. and passing over tn
last ten miles, through the snow, wit
frozen garments. arrived at her nncle's
and was snugly tucked in bed before th
coming of the family.
In those early times, when the countr
was new and provisions scarce, she, wit
her brothers and sisters. was often sen
supperless to bed, that they might furnis
, food for their poorer neighbors.
Thus passed her childhood and girlhood
and on Nov. Is, 1904, at the age of 2
wears, she was married to Seth Pike, wit
whom she lived nearly ffty-6vc years
!, After her marriage she removed to Brook
field. Whilst living here she became tn
mother of seven children removing theme
to WILLIAMSBURG, FIVE more were adde
to the family, making twelve, eleven Q
whom lived .o'be men and women. Y
this large number five are gone. Will
seven. with the aged mother, tarry an
wait.
That her physical strength has Away
been great is shown by her remarkabl
powers of endurance. For shortly aftc
her marriage, retuUing with her husban
o.. . .,;a,t IN Hont tho auOW hayIn