Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-12
A Centennial Reunion.

Mrs Susanna Gilman Clark Of New Sharon,
was 100 years old Dec. lst, 1875, and her children
and relatives, thinking the event worthy Of celt
brating, N ct at her old home on Hampshire Hill,
on Thursday, Oct 9Th, TO the number of seventy
| five.
Mrs. Clark was the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
David Smith, was born in Exeter, \. H. and
when quite young moved to Chinatown with her
parents. She was married when about twenty
years of age, to Ebenezer Clark, and two years
after, in 1898, they, with several other families
moved to New Sharon, and settled in the cast part
of the town, on a hill which they named lamp
shire Hill, where she has always lived. In the
same fall, Mr.. Clark hauled lumber on a crotched
stick from New Sharon village, distance Of FIVE
miles. following the road by spotted trees, and
built the house where she now lives with her
daughter Mrs, Susan Gordon.
Mrs. Clark has had nine children, FIVE of whom
are living, viz. John Clark aged rs, Mrs
Betsey Chandler, "a. Mrs. Susan Gordon, II. Eben
CLARK, 20, and Mrs. Catherine b. Chandler, 81,
and all were present at that time, except Mrs
Betsey Chandler, who was kept at home by sick
ness. Eight of the children were born in the
room which she now occupies. She has twenty
grandchildren, thirty-;hree great grandt hildren,
and one great great grandchild, Nellie, daughter
of Reuben and Lizzie Gordon of Paris. She e1-
perienced religion and joined the Baptist church
at New Sharon about seventy five years ago, being
baptised by Elder Taylor.
AT the request of the aged lady, prayer meet
ing was held in her room, and she was much
pleased and interested in the prayers and remarks,
~ tar fa.a
heavenly smile. She related some Of her christian
experience, and spoke of her hopes Of the here
after.
Mr.. John Clark spoke Of this occasion as being
perhaps the last tine he might see his mother and
he also made very earnest PRAYER for her and
her descendants.
Mr.. Eben CLARK, in very feeling remarks, spoke
Of his mind being carried back to his younger
days, when his father and mother gathered their
children together in the old kitchen, every Sab
BATH and held family prayer meeting; and he
spoke of the influence of those meetings on the
lives of the children.
Remarks were made by others of the friends
present. All her children and nearly all Of her
grandchildren are protesting christians. 1t is
remarkable fact that not one of her descendants
uses Intoxicating liquors.
Although so aged, Mrs. Clark retains her facul-
ties to great degree She can hear persons near
hear talk in an ordinary voice, nearly as well as
ever. Her eyesight is quite poor. though she can
see to walk around the house quite well. She
used to card and spin her wool. ard weave her
cloth. She has been a great kniter, but gave it
up some two or three years ago. At the time OF
the reunion, after eating her dinner, she commeLc-
ed to help clear off the table, seeming to think she
was as young as ever. Her memory Of passing
events Is poor, but she can recall many events
which happened in her younger days, and often
speaks of them, and of leaving home, &C. Her
mother lived to the age Of ninety-sy, and before
her death she was able to see her descendants of
five generations gathered around her. Her grand
mother Gilman lived to be about l02.
Although the day was rainy and dismal outside,
yet within the house all was bright and happy and
those who were there will long remember it as be-
ing a very enj 1yable occasion.