New-York tribune., 1876-04-08
A CONNECTICUT CENTENARIAN.
JOHN MOsELEY OF sOUTHBURY, NEw-HAyEN
COUNTY conn.


COUNTY, conn.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: John Moseley died in the village Of
southbury, Ncw-Hayen County, on the fourth day Of
the present month. He was born the 23d day Of
October 1775 and so at the date OF his DEATH Lad at
tanned the good old age of 100 years months, and 10
days. He bOn lived. and died at the homestead
where his father before him lived and died He was per-
mtcd TO vote ut the election every President OF the
United states except Washington and at every State
election III Connecticut since the year 1896. Besides
other surviving repr senayes, he left son 76 years
old, granddaughter "a years old, greagranddaugh-
ter 80 years old, and granddaughter OF ~
Summers. A person passing his house last Summer
mi m have witnessed the exharating spectacle of boy
76 years old grinding scythc, and his father, 100 years
old, turning the grndstone. II was my privilege
to visit esquire Mosccy" after he attained his lOlst
year. and it surprising that living to this advanced
G. he was permitted to retain his physical and raonal
powers In such health and activity that life was To hln
from day day. a OF rejoicing and not burden
He cheerful and socaDe happy in the remembrance
the past and in expectations OF the future His near
ing was slightly Impaired while his voice WAS firm and
clear and his eyesgbt not abated. His pulse was 52
beats to the minute and clear and regular the beat
OF the 1OOyear-od clock that stood by his bedside He
enjoyed reading several hours every day canyased the
news spapcrs thoroughly and kept well informed on the
events OF the day The leading points in his con-
YcFsatlOn can pest DC given 10
them down & the time
Twas never a thoroughly rugged man have been
quite active all my life but generally not really hard
worker; have had my share o. aches ana rheumatic
palms. but, with single exception, never had positive
sickness. This fever IN my younse days, and was
brought on by Iew dys e5 o s where m @
born. and for moment wished 10 move or chagr
and then only few miles away. / write as much as Is
required in my ordinary business affairs reai good
deal; have read the Bible through ever so many times,
20 consecutive DAYS; use sectacles sometimes but coa
read without them any day OF my life.
My memory of oldlme events Is clear and distinct.
I remember the fear aud panic occasioned by the
burning of DanbuIy, though was then quite young.
| remember seeing the French army under Count
Rocnambeau 1t passed our house on its march
from Newport 10 the Hudson River. This was
IN June, 1881. You never saw liuer sight; their
line stretched from the rise in the woodbury. road,
TIL 1t disappeared over the mi yondcr as they marched
the Housat0nc River, which they crossed Just
below the present Bcnnets Bridge As they passed the
house some called Tor drlnh ana drew spruce Deer ior
them till the kes empucd. As they left, one OF the
soldiers gave me piece OF MONEY but my father tod
me give 1t back, rs II was wrong To take money rom
soldiers all the way from France To light Tor
u.s. aud gave 1t up out with slow hand and heavy
As TO my habits OF fe formerly drank cider and, in
tine odc time. something stronger but gave up the
latter iorysx years ago, ana joined tue Congregational
Church ABOUT the time. l0lned the Tst temper
ance society that formed III tnis town. chewed
tobacco small doses than seventy years, never
than pound year, ana later not more Than half
that At SO years OF age dropped 1t entirely. have
always been very regular my habits oi sleep my al
lOwance is eight hours IN tWentyfour For the past
thirty years
and have seldom in all my life sat up later than
O'clock nave been moderate eater; IN the last thirty
years nave taken but two meals Il day, with meat at
breakfast only also weak tea or coffee, which must be
hot.
The main points to be noted characteristic of this
prolonged and useful lite mlnfesty these Wonder
full regularity Of lite in all Its regimen and personal
habits, systematic moderation in eating and drinking
labtual checruness and cOntentment aud such mOder
alton ply steal labor seldom to allow fatigue and
exhaustion II. q.
New-Hdren, Conn, March -, 1876.