The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-23

An unusually interesting reunion Of thu
Woodman family WAS held ct the residence of
Hon. J. j. Woodman, on Wednesday, Nov.
14th. 1877. ao ....sf
From records now before me, II would APP
pear that this has been remarkable family,
not only for numbers and longevity, but for
uniform morality. Their ancestor, Edward
woodman, came from England and settled at
Newbury, Mass, in 1886. in 1856 his descend
ants numbered seven thousand four hundred |;
and we have been unable to ascertain that any
one OF this vast multitude or their descendants
down to the present time was ever arrested for
crime. As an example Of longevity take the
twelve children Of Joshua and Eunice Wood
man, who settled in Kingston, n. H., about
1855. or this family, one died at the age OF
ninety seven, one at ninety three, two at eighty
SIX, two ct sighty-four, two Ut sighty-one, two
ut eighty, ono at seventy-mx and one ut SIXTY
eight, The combined ages Of the twelve
amount to nine hundred and ninsty-six years.
Among those present on wednesday of last
week were four brothers and two sisters whose
oA~Asca 80 AAee0 Nv nsA&&o@ ~ 49, $50 J~S> -
They are Rev, Joseph woodman, father Of
Hon. ]. j. Woodman. and who y nearly eighty
eight years OF age, and whose descendants now
living number hfty-two; Mrs, Polly Gilman.
almost sighty-six David Woodnan, eighty
four; Peter Woodman, sishty-thres; Susan
Morrison. eighty-ons; Rev. Jonathan Wood
man, OF Vermont, father Of DR.. L. G. woodman
NJ psw De- .rd -. caS.th>v - n T;ltop
OF the law firm Of Richards, Mills Il Co. This
venerable clergyman is now in his sightieth
year ne has been Waterman on the walls Of
Zion for more than sixty-two years, and yet his
voice gives no uncertain sound.
Besides these, . goodly number Of younger
guests, made up . company of eighty, who will
mark that day as one to be remembered.-
Among the guests was Mrs. Martha Harris,
mother OF Mrs. David woodman 2d. The
SHOWS OF eighty-fve winters have woven for
her, too, silvery crown.
At eleven o'clock the guests were all there,
the last to arrive beng the venerable father OF
our host. He was led to the parloT, where
pleasant surprise awaited him. On the walls
hung hfe-size portraits of himself and the wife
Of his youth-the mother Of his children, who,
though not lost. Is gone before. After looking
anthem earnestly and well, he simply remarked
Z" Yes, yes, that's Triphena, and-yss, that's
me-" No better compliment could be paid the
artist Miss Lydia Hunt. To add TO the in
terest OF the occasion, an artist had set up his
tripod on the lawn IN front OF the house, and
we were all invited out, and were soon favored
With sight unique indeed. Near the centre
Of a group was Rev. Joseph Woodman, the
eldest Of his family, on his left were his three
and two SISTERS, arranged according to
their respective ages, on his right were, first.
his daughter, Mrs. Sabrs Luce, then Mrs.
Emily Abrams, daughter Of Mrs. Luce, then
Mrs. Ella Wattles, daughter OF Mrs. Abrams,
and lastly, little son Of Mrs. Wattles, making
i've generations. Behind this group stood the
other guests, ostensibly to have our pictures
taken but more intent on the living picture be-
fore us. Just think Of it, seven octogensrians
On the one hand. and five generations on the
other! But dinner was announced, and our
picture became dissolving view. And that
dinner! Well, 1t would require whole column
TO do it justice. However. the guests adjusted
the balances, aud did it we'll.
In the course Of the afternoon the great
great -grandfathe took Master Wattles in his
aims, kissed him and remarked facetiously that
he couldn't see rs the race was degenerating
any. But the lengthening shadows reminded
us all too soon that the happiest day must have
an end, and we parted from those dear friends,
never to meet them all together again until we
shall gather on the banks OF the beautiful
river, and the aged will be clothed with immor
tai youth. E, Il. =.