The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-15

tenarlan. Sue ~ the mother u fourteen cnlldren,
OF whom one son ana three daughters are no"
living, and one OF the latter, charming maiden
OF between nifty and sixty. lives with her at her
home In Charestown. As may be suspected, tnls
matrony nonagenarian Is
A PERFECT ENCYCLOPAEDIA or THE REVOLUTION,
and she never tires in discussing the stirring
scenes.which were related to her IN her youthful
DAYS. Mr.. rockingham was greatly indebted to
this lady for much OF the material which he mas
Incorporated into the 'History OF Charlestown."
She does not boast or any ancestors VINO took an
active part in the events OF the Revolution but
her father had cause TO remember and regretH
until the day or his death. He was one OF the
principal goldsmiths and jewellers in Charles
town. so the old lady relates "and he went
among the Hessans and sold them ABOUT all the
articles he had. When he came home ne had
$2s,OoO but 1t was paper money and was not
worth scarcely cent. You can Judge something
OF its value,n she added, with smile, .wnen you
know that nfty dollar bill would buy only one
loaf or breadu Among her Revolutionary remlni-
SCIENCES she stated that she had been told that
there were many false alarms here in Charlestown
before the troops actually came down upon them.
'THE REGULARS ARE coMNGl"
was the word OF warning, she said and when IL
was sounded through the town the citizens aban-
doned every thing and ned Tor their lives. When
tney unallY came most OF Jne people went 10 Mite
ford and towns in that direction. Her own
mother she says, got separated from the rest OF
the family in the excitement or the hight and
becoming confused rushed rapidly in the direc-
ton OF the enemy. She discovered her mistake
only when she had reached the shores OF the
Charles River, on the north side OF Bunker HILL
There was boat load OF her neignbors just push
ing way and she asked TO be taken on board.
They told her that il she got In the boat would
sink, and then started to go away without her.
she jumped into the river and started 10 wade
toward them and finally they turned about and
came to her assistance, and the whole party
were then rowed safely up the river
in the direction OF Cambridge. she also
told me about her "Aunt Bradshaw as
she termed her VINO ned from the city when she
heard the regulars were coming. She left her
home and every thing and, bareheaded and bare
footed, ran clear to Milford without scarcely
stopping When she got there she laid down on
the grass completely exhausted, and said TO her
companions that she could go no farther, II the
BRUSH came they must Kill her. In few mo.
ments there was fresh ALARM and aunty gath
cred herself up and made double-quck time to
Woburn almost without stopping Tor breath or
even slowing her pace to a common walk.
THRILLING EXPERIENCE.
The experience OF her uncle. Rlclard Austin, on
that occasion was thrilling and interesting. He
lived IN Salem, AID on one or the eyentful days OF
the Revolution he was In charge OF an
ammunition wagon, and In order to
save it from falling into the hands
or the enemy he started for Worcester with It.
He was accompanied by loud talking hero. whose
name Mrs. Hooper has forgotten. When about
halfway to Worcester messenger overlook them
and told them that the enemy was close upon their
heels. Uncle Austin Immediately tore down a rail
NV md Ito n
ammunition into neighboring forest and calmly
awaited future developments. The other warrior
meantime took 10 his heels and reached Worces-
ter as soon as possible, and In most graphic
manner described the capture or the ammunition.
the cruel murder OF Uncle Austin, and his own
hairpreadth escape from similar late. As maj
be supposed, he was the hero OF the hour. and
hundreds and nunureds gathered around hun
TO listen TO the details oil the exciting engage.
ment. All this time Uncle Austin was himself
on his way TO Worcester alive and wen, and
bringing with him his load or ammunition. IL
seems that by secreting himself in the grove he
caused the Britons TO lose all track OF him, and
after looking around for wnile they gave up the
pursuit and retraced their march to Salem. Uncle
Austin then came from his hiding place and pro-
ceeded to Worcester. where he arrived in Time TO
refute by MS own presence the thrilling narrative
which his cowardiy companion had related.
'MARM RAYHoRr AND HER BABY.
During the Revolutionary period, Mrs. Hooper
says. there was an estlmaole lady living IN
Cnarlestown who was universally known aa
"Marm Raynor,n ana her experience and adven.
lures on the nth OF June. 1875. are wen worth
relating IL seems that when the battle was
raging most iurlously the women OF tine town
were rushing around wildly in all directions
old Mother Raynor was among the number. and
IN ner hight she happened 70 pass down that slope
OF Bunker Hill which was held BY the American
troops. With q mothers instinct she mad her In
FAINT concealed where sne thought there was the
least DANGER and that was In the folds OF nel
dress which she held up before her In her rapid
descent down the bill. when about half way
down the slope an American soldier cried out "a
her that 'some one had lost baoy.n
Turning around she saw upon the ground
behind her crying infant. she hes
itated moment, and feelings Of tender
ness overcoming the fears OF safety sne went
back TO gather II up AID take il away safely with
her own child. When she reached the little wall
she unIolded her dress ana was astonished 70 md
her own child missing. The little one wnicn she
had come back 10 rescue was no other tnan her
own Guild, whom she had unconsciously dropped
In her nasty descent down the Mill. This little
pride OF q mothers heart was aiterward john
Raynor who nty years ago was one or the lead
ing anu most lnuueubldl IAtLcuS VI DVsk0hs
Raynor continued her flight TO Woburn, and few
days after the battle she came back TO Charles
town on horseback and got some articles OF clotn-
ing which she lett in her hasty departure nom
home.
GLIMPSE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.
Mrs. Hooper has vivid recollection OF George
Washington, and describes him In most glowing
terms as one OF tine most noble and attractive men
sne ever gazed upon. The last time sne saw nim
was when he rode at the head or the procession
on the day celebration OF the opening Of toe
Charles River DrldIe, between CnarlestoWn ana
Boston. Her husband, who accompanied ner on
the occasion, also very much impressed with
the ape arance OF the c0untrys paterna ancestor.
In all ner conversations the venerable widow Ire
quenuy aludes In tender terms 10 her
late partner IN life, and says that she
sometimes thinks that IL - his spirit
that preserves aud reireshes her memory MI.
Hooper was a great lover OF music, and many Oi
ma leisure moments were spent Ia comp sing