Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-15
FATHER EASON.
The Man Of a Ceutary--S som sthiag of III
Life aud Experience.

memary travels back almost to the time when the
foundations of the republic were laid ain tears
aud agony and blood" We refer to Mr. John
Eason, the colored man, better known As Father
Esson," or "Parson Eason." lie lives with hi,
daughter, Mrs. Williams. on Cushnoc heights, in
this city. The other day, in company with his
beloved pastor, Rev. Mr.. Penney, we visited
Father Eason. and spent a delightful hour in his
company. The cottage in which he resides on
Washington street. is an humble though a com.
Portable one, a one story wood colored domicile
Kindly hands, prompted by warm hearts, minister
to him, and perform those loving offices so com
forting to person in his present condition.
The old bible in the chimney corner. bears this
record: "John Eason, born MAY lith, l776, max
ing Mr. Eason one hundred and one years old the
l4th of May last. II is Just to say that the old
gentleman doubts the reliability of this record, and
believes himself ten years younger, but the evil
dences against his theory. lie is still straight as
an arrow and has the appearance of enjoying good
health, though appearances In this case are decep-
tive, for he has almost constantly excruciatiDg
pain in the head that is quite uncomfortable. lie has
pleasant face the hair is still quite thick upo his
head, "de place whar de wool ought to grow" no
bald place appearing a. yet the hair and whiskers
are OF an iron grey color. The mind, always clear.
mas apparently lost none of its distinctive charac-
eristics, though the family can see that there is
occasional limpng and hating of the memory.
de always enjoys the calls of the minister and
hose who "love de Lord" "Bress de Lord. |
love every body who loves God, is born of His
spirit, and is trying to do better
He was born in old Wareham, Mass, and in his
youthful days often sported in the vicinity of Ply
mouth Rock. His memory goes back to the age
OF four or five years. can recall distinctly to mind
Baptist minister who at that time preached 10 his
town-Elder John Drew, who afterwards took to
drinking, working Sundays and "behaving like
any other backsdden critter," and finally left the
ministry. Whes John was ABOUT Is, his father
removed with his family to Belm INT, in the east.
ern section of Maine. The town is now named
Morrill,, in honor of Gov. Arson Z. Morrill,. He
remembers when Washlngton's fune al took place
and all the men wore Grape on their sleeves He
vas then some IL years old and this establishes
his present great age.
At the age of II wears, John was converted
after most wonderful leading, and in q manner
'uio7N "7 Ni""hbN Gnu Wv Va as tudt Oh 81 Et0l :
A poi ton OF this wonderful experience we will let
the venerable father TEL in his own language, As
nearly as we recall it II first felt a change of
spirit in fall of the year, when was II years old
There was Calvanist Baptist preac hing in town
40 Free Will Bsptists. / was under worriment of
mind for long while thot could be a christian
and not let anybody know it, howsomever the
Lord had his way. The Freewiers were made
tun of; when one was seen coming, the people
would sing out 'Runs run, the Freewiers will
axe you and tear you all TO pieces was work.
ny shaving out shingles, in camp; and was al.
ways dreadful critter TO fulfil my word. The
nan was at work for wanted the shingles right
away. The other boys had been invited to 20 to
a certain place, but felt as though | ought to
make the shingles as | had promised. Mother
says. John, you are a dreadful afraid of your
word, and SO you may go. As was passing on
to work loud voice seemed 10 speak to me from
Heaven, saying, He that being often reproyed
and hsrdeneth his neck, shall suddenly be de-
stroyed, and that without remedy | cried, Lord
have mercy on mel u de very one. Cause me
t. be convinced what my duty is, and W ill 10 all
can Still did not fnd peace, and while under
great consarn of mind, next day before | was
converted, had dream. | dreamt was rid.
ing along, expecting and fearing that the devil
would take me and drag me down to hell. l
looked up into the heavens and saw three suns.
hang ing in an angling position, the biggest one
At the top. (rhis represented the Trinity, Father,
Son and Spirit.) | thought the day of Judgment
had come. sure, 10 deep distress, and begun
TO cry and beg for mercy. Got into the edge of
a wood and met a woman, whom had seen when
a boy. pointed to the suns and asked her VIVA,
this all meant. Way she said. this is the dsy
Of judgment! again cried for mercy, 20. Lord
have mercy on my soul! turned little in my
course, and all ut once saw three men, very ia H.
standing between me and the suns. They said il
was the day of judgment, and that they were go
ing to hell. They snapped pistol at me, but it
didn't go off. l soon got on to milk white steed
and the men disappeared. l soon reached my
own home, and saw by the door my mother and
and family and neighbors assembled there and
prasing God. Then l avoke and found nv
pillow wet with my tears. The very next night
went to hear the Free Will Baptist preacher, Ell.
der Ebenezer llamblen, who is buried in the In.
sane Hospital cemetery, and who baptised me.
They had got him down from Knox to preach, to
make fun of. lie came with some deacons
and number of young converts; meetings were
held in the tavern. l had to walk two miles, and
the minister was done with his sermon when
got there. As l sat down my dream came to me
the day of Judgment and | felt as though
ought to pray for mercy. Something said to me
Perhaps if you get up and 20 to that dark cor
ner and pray, God will have mercy did so,
but was in much agin distress as before. Then
thought if 20 into the front room where chris
tians are, would find peace; but as stood on
the threshold, it seemed as though the floor open.
ed and let down into pit. fell and was caught
in the arms OF lady. The hole in the floor shut
up; recovered strength and stood upon nv feet
Converts were praying and a shouting; Deacon
Smith, the Baptist, was so mad th4t he told them
if they wanted to make such touse they had bet
ter 60 out of doors. | walked out into the ktch.
en-, in the deepest distress, not caring whether
went to hell or not Well, chil'ren, when got to
the outside door screamed out from the bottom
of my heart. God have mercy on my soulp and
fell PROSTATE upon the stone doorstep. Then. as
was helped up, everything seemed changed 1t
looked like a summers day. 1t was bright