The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-12
wAsHINGToN's PARTNER,
STORY OF THE LADY WHO DANCED A MINUET
WITH THE FATHER OF HIS CoUNTRY-A HUN
DRIED YEARS OLD.

WITH THE FATHER OF HIS coUNTRy--A HUN
DRIED YEARS OLD.
From the Philadelphia Times Jan. Ill
The centennial anniversary OF the birth OF Mrs Mar
gare Boggs celebrated yesterday in tho residence
OF her nephew, Dr. Stephen Beale, al No SO Tulpe-
hocken street, Germantown Mrs. Boggs was born In
this city the 10th OF January, 1776 Front street.
below Queen, at that time fashionable part of the
city She is the daughter of William and Sarah DON
aldson, her mother being the fourth daughter OF
Samuel and Rebecca Grscom of whose family of eight
children Elizabeth, who married, successfully, Mr.
Ross, Mr. Ashburne and Mr. Claypoole, was the eighth
Elizabeth olaypooe the maker OF the FIRST Ameri-
can flag bearing the stars Samuel Griscon was
OF Tobias Griscom who was son of Andrew Grlscom,
or, as the name was formerly written Grscombe, or
Yorkshire, who came to Philadelphia in 1861, and
who known in history as the builder OF The first BRICK
house in this city Samuel Grisoom had a ship yard,
which extended from Race to Vine streets and from the
Delaware to Fourth street He was also q master
builder and IN that capacity assisted in the erection OF
the old State House. most OF the wood work being done
by him. Her father Captain William Donaldson,
also ship builder, and had yard the Delaware at
Queen street. Whom seventeen years old Margaret
Donaldson married Joseph Boggs, a conyeyancer who
died two years afterward, and she has remained
widow for eighty years. She bad ohld-a son-who
dcd Of cholera In 1881 After her marriage she lived
Cor time at ISIS Chestnut street. She and her aunt
Mrs Claypoole though OF Quaker descent attended the
then fashionable Christ church. where they occupied
the pew adjoining that of General Washington, from
whom they never failed to polite bow. She
aferward attended the meeting OF the Fighting
Quakersn at Sixth and Arch streets, and about
sxty years ago she joined the Presbyterian church.
on ihe death df her husband she entered the uphol
stery shop of her aunt Mrs Claypoole where she
learned the business and acquired competence She
gives vivid descriptions Of the appearance Of Phadel
pha in her gIrlhood when Fourth street the limit
OF the built up portion and when afternoons walk
10 the Pennsylvania Hospital was a long journey into
the country and when they used TO 90 out to Seventh
and Arch streets 10 pick backberries She remembers
we'll review of the British troops at which her father
held her up 50 that she could see and when eighteen
years old she danced tho m1ust with General wash
ingon. She tells an anecdoto Of how day, when
the British occupied this city, her father aud mother
went out sailing the Delaware and took hor with
them she being about year old They wore hailed
by some officers and ordered 10 come ashore father
refused saying to his wife, who had become alarmed,
''Why those officers dised with us last week; they
won't do anything 10 harm us The officers again
ordered him to como aboard and saying that unless
did so they would lro on him. Fre ard be damned"
replied the STURDY old captain, and nre they did The
captain was shot through the chest and his wife had
her wrist shattered by ball. bot colored servant,
who aboard, caught the child in his arms and laid
down in the bottom Of the boat and she escaped with
out Injury. Her Ather and mother tainted, and the
boat noated down past the ship yard where they were
seen by some Of the workmen, who brought them
ashore.
Up to the time OF the Chicago FIRE Mrs Boggs at.
tended church regularly, aud belonged 10 a Dorcas
society, but her health was impaired through anxiety
at that time and she gave them up, though she has
been to church within the last two years About i've
years ago she csmo into the city alone and had her pic
ture taken, her friends being ignorant ofwhat she bad
done until the picture appeared. Until within year
she has taken her meals down stairs with the family
and last summer she walked with a nephew on the
lawn IN late years che occupied her time In making
bed quilts showing m1ch taste In the selection and
arrangement Of coors Last week she scwcd without
using her glasses, threading her needles She
si reads and her faculties are generally good though
she Is slightly deaf She is quito cheerful and greatly
enjoys visits from her friends Yesterday she shook
hands and convcrsed With than l50 persons She
received In her own room, reclining an easy chair,
and when her friends went 10 her side she took thom
by tho hand aud talked with thom showing by her con-
markabc degree. Possessing yvacious disposition
and warm, gentle nature her have cndeared
hor to large circle Of friends and relatives She has
lived to sixth generation OF nophcws aud pcccs,
and hopes 70 see the Centennial Exhibition.