The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-15
Breathing Relics OF the Glc-
ricus Revolution.
MEMORIES OF OLD MASSACHUSETTS,
The Battle OF Bunker Hill GlimpSeS Of
George Washington.
TWO REMARKABLE WOMEN
HANNAH HAWLEY.

tlons VINO are more pert ana chlppeE' IN tner
Old age tnan ''AunIy" Hannah Hawley, who lives
in comfortable and humble way IN that part OF
Boston known as the Highlands. but which was
until recently the city OF Roxbury. ON the 20tn OF
August, 1874. she became a centenarian, and II
she IS spared until the same date or the present
year she Will have attained the remarkable and
ripe old age OF l0l years. Physically and mentally
the indications OF the end OF lie no more per-
ceptioe or striking than they we're half century
ago, and the venerable lady herself seems
TO indulge in confident belief that
she Will hold out for long time
yet Aside from the fact that she
has rounded the unusual score OF q hundred years
and upward, she is IN many other respects most
remarkable parsonage. She was born and reared
IN the immediate locality renowned Tor Revo-
lutionary events, IN which her own immediate an
cestors prominently participated, and she pos
sesses one or the very lew memories and lntellecs
capable of narratlng and discussing the eventlul
periods OF her youthful lie. TO say that she Is
passonately iona OF conversing upon these enter
tanning events former generation but family de-
scrbes the enthusiasm with winch she enters into
the conversation. Her memory Of incidents and
details. anu ner graphic and comprehensive man.
ner OF describing them and comparing them with
the events OF the present age are simply aston
lshng. All her faculties ana senses seem clear
and vigorous as II she were but graduating miss
OF some New England seminary or normal school,
and WISHING stranger ~ at once and irreslstiby
charmed by her conversation.
VISIT OF HERALD CORRESPONDENT.
The foregoing conclusions are me result OF a
visit TO the able lady. which paid a few days
since. found her al the residence Of her nephew,
Wlnsow s. Rollins. No. 227 Roxbury street, a neat
and modest little cottage in the immediate vicinity
OF the famous Norfolk House. or Roxbury. twas on
a pleasant Saturday afternoon. and In the absence
or q school session the half dozen or more direct
and indirect juvenile descendants OF the old lady
were having snow carnival IN the front yard.
The bell was answered by Mrs. Rollins. and your
correspondent briefly stated that the purpose OF
ms visit to obtain an interview with the ven-
cradle Mrs. Hawley. was ushered into the sit
ting room, and Mrs. Rollins went TO the Kitchen
below TO INFORM the centenar1aness that
representative OF the HERALD had called to see
her. "rel him l am glad he has come"
replied the old lady, In cordial
manner, "but, II 1t makes no difference. | would
rather he would come down here instead OF ask
ing me 70 climb up stairs 10 the sitting room"
This was the message which Mrs. Rollins brought
back, and, OF course, / descended to the kitchen,
and there In one corner, near the stove. was the
LIVELY AND CHEERFUL coUNTENANcR
OF q woman over whose head had passed hun
dred summers and a hundred and one winters.
The wrinkles OF time were there, OF course, but
one frequently sees the marks OF old age more
coEsplcuousy In persons or seventy-nye and
eighty. The cheeks were slightly sunken. hut the
eyes were as clear ana bright in appearance the
oros OF q maiden OF twenty. and, with the excep-
ton or the leap OF ye ancient tyme.n which COW
cred o bountliul growth OF nair OF snowy white,
her dress was not materially direrent from that
worn by elderly ladies OF the present period.
the GREETING
was most cordial. Hall arising from low chair
in winch she was sitting she extended her hand
with the hasty EXPLANATIONS OF show do you dof"
and al am glad to see your
/ recirrocated tBe pleasure OF the meeting, and
expressed my delight at finding her so well.
she tnen went on 70 say, ayes, / am feeling
pretty well. but this has been an awful hard WIN
ter on me, and sometimes begin to think spring
will never cOme.p
wax about admitting my own suspicious OF an
endless WINTER when the old lady broke In with
an lnrerruptlon:-
II am glao YOU have called to see me-tnat Is,
n you wanted TO see me; but can't see for my
life what a young man like you wants to come
ana visit suca an old woman as l am
for;" and then. with a merry and sgnin-
cant twinkle or the eye she broke out
into long and hearty laugh. Is was
unmistakabIe that she meant 10 intimate that
perhaps tine society o. a younger woman would
be more congenlal 10 one OF my Years, and with
this nearly manifestation OF wit and nattcry
your CORES pondent let himself at once perfectly
at nome IN the society Of the venerable dame.
FAITH IN THR ALMIGHTY.
Iarain assured ner OF my delight In finding her
50 ca seriul In BODY and mind in her old age, but
was again cut snort with another Interruption
TINS time In a more serious strain.
''Yes,n she said ~ am ceiling very well, and
- n
so long. | don't know why it Is, bat have no
doubt 1t is for some good purpose. Tor my iaith in
Gods goodness IS constant and arm, and / pray
continually for HIS support. | know from the
nature OF Things tnat IL - impossible for me TO
1--we great while longer, and yet | don't
NOW but / feel about as well as | have at any
time during the last twenty-five or thirty years.
The only trouble have with my eyes, and that
LAY 10 dimness caused by the snow which 1 see
when look out Of the windows. | never wore
glasses In my life, and don't think | ever shall
In fact" she added, with smile, Il don't sup
pose could nnd pair the whole Town that
would suit my eyes, wnen the snow goes away
and can see the black ground guess they viii
be all rignt again."
HER own HISTORY OF HERSELF.
In o Conversational sort OF way the venerable
lady then proceeded to give your correspondents
an account OF neT ancestors and ner own early lie
and experiences. In her narrative ner mind
at an times seemed perfectly clear, and
with ner bright, undImmed eyes sue looked the
interrogater at all times square In the face. occa-
slonalIy sue seemed reflective, but at all times
cheerful, ana frequently sne was witty and Jolly In
her references ana comparisons Of the past WITH
tue present.
"where we're you oornv was my nrst question
IN the line 81 a formal interview.
up IN stratham, New Hampshire" she quickly
answered, ana supplemented the remark Dy ask
ing your correspondent wnere ne was born.
"In aInsdale. ia the western part OF Massachu-
settsn answered.
asked.
set1s fesdenoe now it Is over IN Cnarlesto wn,
under the Bunker nill monument"