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


ner birth, she continued :-'I was born IN Stratnam
100 ears ago the 26th OF last August and u I'VE
until the 26th Of next August shall De III years
old. Ny maiden name was hannah Rollins. ana
was among the youngest Of family OF
fourteen children, and the only one
who has ever lived 10 be particularly OLD. came
10 Boston 10 live sixty-four years ago, put hau
often been here before with my iather. Wny'
bless your soul, there wasn't nothing but woods
and bushes up around where the Common ana
Public Garden are now. Many time nave
PICKED HUcKLEBERRIEs on BEACON HILL.
right around where the State House and all those
grand house are now.n
here ventured TO remark that she found things
very different around there now.
"Dinerent Why yes, you know l do. DON'T
you ana Things changing every Year, or course
you do. Tue fashions change twice or three times
year. The people change. Some die and move
away and others come and take their place.
always notice these things and often think OF
them. The greatest changes. though, are IN the
fashions, both among the men ana women
notice some new fxlngs almost every day."
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Speaking OF her ancestors she SAID :-"My Rther
fought in the battle OF Bunker Hnl, and was only
a lew feet rom General Warren when he fell.
have often heard him tell OF the tight,
and l remember the incidents that he
used 10 relate as well rs If 1t were
only TINS morning. lie once took me to
see General Washington, and / remember just
exactly now he looked. He was splendid look
ing man ana when he wason horseback he looked
ike a regular king. was IN New Hampshire
them and 1t was the last trip that Washington
made through New England was about fifteen
years old al the time and cried so that my father
took me along TO see him." The old lady seemed
to refer TO this circumstance with great deal OF
PRIDE and she repeated time and time again her
distinct remembrance OF the appearance OF the
patriot hero. Tne sight was one winch even the
space OF nearly a century could not wipe from
memory's eye. She told me over and over how
handsome ne looked-oi nis fair complexion and
his commanding figure when mounteL on horse.
Mr.. Hawley, her husband, she related, was
soldier IN the war OF 1872. lie fought all through
that struggle and died soon afer at Fort Warren,
in Boston Haruor.
A LONGING TO VISIT THE CENTENNIAL.
Later in our conversation l expressed the hope
that her health would be spared TO permit her TO
visit the great Centennial In Philadelphia Ia 1875
she paused Tor moment and then said Eyes, II
the Lord would only spare me until then, and the
journey would not be loo much, should like 10
go but / am afraid that is too much TO expect. 1
know I am leelng very well now, and know, too,
that 1t Is unreasonable for me to expect TO live
great while longer.n She spoke THESE words with
great deal oil feeling. ana II seemed Tor the nrst
time that there was indeed something solemny
grand In being in the presence OF one who was
born before he American colonies declared their
independence, and wno has lived all through the
BIRTH, early struggles, wonderful. gigantic
growth and various vicisstuaes OF this now
great American Republic.
ANXIOUS TO SEE GENERAL GRANT.
During the In.erview she inquired about the
Concord. Lexington and Bunker all Centennials,
which are TO take place this spring and summer,
and seemed anxious to know II President Grant
would be present told her that sucn was the
understanding now, and she seemed very much
elated. IL have seen Washington she said, 'and
l should Ike also to see Grant, and II the weather
Is pleasant and am feeling well shall go to the
Centennial celebrations IN Concord and Charles
town." In reply TO urgent and searching ques-
lions assured her that there would probably be
no difficulty IN the way OF her being introduced 10
the President, II she was able TO be present the
occasions referred TO. one other matter that
troubled her about going 10 the Concord and
Lexington Centennials was travelling IN the steam
cars. she was very much concerned that they
would not want to stop long enough for an old
woman like her 10 get IN and out. l found It
necessary TO assure this point several
times, for, never having INDUCED In anything
more IMAM q horse car riue, she was very doubtful
about her ability TO keep up TO the rules OF more
speedy railroad conveyance. The matter OF the
Centennials she was very much interested In, and
she frequently expressed the wish that she would
be spared lie and health to visit all OF them.
wnen joined with ner In that happy hope her
countenance beamed volumes OF delight, and Ia
her enthusiastic anticipatIons she intimated TO
her niece who was present, that II she was going
TO see General Grant she supposed she would nave
to have a new gown.
STRUGGLES OF LIFE OF A HUNDRED YEARS.
Inc career or century through which Mrs.
Hawiey has passed has oeen one OF many hard
ships although she has never the one 10
complain Of her lot in life. She has almost always
had good health, but poverty she Is more familiar
with than luxury Her legal residence Is the town
OF Medlord. and, according to the laws OF Massa-
chusetts that town Is .ponsble for her support.
Up to within very few years she managed to earn
her own living, but when her age ana lnnrmities
would not admit or TINS she was offered refuge
in the Medford Poo house. Her nephew, Mr.. Rol-
Inns, though himself poor man ana idle nearly
ali the winter, would not submit to this, and took
her into his own family, wnIcn Is, indeed a very
large one. Recently a subscription In her
behalf mas met with but indifferent success and
concert Ior ner benefit netted only a small amount
above expenses The Oh lady herself was the
cniel attraction OF tho OCCASION and AFTER climb
ing two lights OF stairs TO the hail. without assist
ance, she was greeted with more applause than
dollars. Contributions IN ner benalf, ii forwarded
10 her at NO. ~ Roxbury street, Roxoury, Mass,
VIII probably be gratefully received.
A VIGOROUS CONSTITUTION.
That the venerable lady is possessed OF what
may well De termed an iron constitution is Illus
trated by several events OF lato years. When she
was between sixty ana seventy years OF age, while
gathering clothes from the roof OF q three story
mousse she made misstsp and iel TO the
ground. II was considerably Jared" she says,
''out managed 70 iron the clothes the next day.n
len years ago, while crossing Court street, near
Sudbury, IN Boston, sne was rua over by an ex-
press wagon and 80 badly injured that her life
despaired OF Tor several days. Two months alter
ward, however sne was around. as sound and well
as ever. During last summer she visited Boston
In the morse cars as often as once week, aud In