The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-06
A CENTURY OLD.

THE ANNIVERSARY OF HUNpREDrH BIRTH
pAY.-"AuNr POLLY" JERoME's F1vE-scoRi
YEARS OF LIFE
In The somewhas old fashioned yet, witha, busy
city Of New London, Conn, lives a woman who, on
Friday last attained tho extreme age, as human ages
90, Of 100 years
On tho 4th day OF January, 177s, Mary Frink was
born In tho town OF New London. There she was
married. there she has always lived and there Will she
be buried when. At the end OF few more months,
her eyes, dim almost sightess with the misls
OF many years, viii be closed forever.
When Polly-by that name she Is best known the
name OF Mary having long ago degeneraied into tho
nckname-was twenty years old sho married An
tome Jerome Spaniard, who, when but SIX years OF
age, was picked up al sea by American vessel ana
brought TO The port OF New London. Their married
life covered period OF n.ty.lve years and was ter
minated by til death Of the husband AT the green old
age Of seycuty.nvc. by him she bore ten children.
OF these four arc ving-the eldest being over fifty.
five years oil age He followed the sea-for nine years
he was in the United States navy-and during his long
voyages from home the care and support OF the
children fell upon Polly, and by going out at
london she managed TO comfortably pro-
vide for them. In the of the sick
she was invaluable and her services were always in
aemand She Is quite proud Of having been called TO
wait upon tue "hrst people, OF the town. ana relates
18th little wivac,ty the fact oil hcr having nursed
honorabes', Senators and judges families. Yet At
times there Is Infinite palhos In the old grand
uamc's In reminiscent way she speaks ten
Derby OF this or babe she cared Tor when came
INTO world, aud OF its going out thereirom when II
had grown TO perfected wOnanhood.
AS she advanced IN years the soDriqret OF ''Aunt"
was applied Polly, and TO this day she bears that
TILE OF affection Aunt Polly is glad to have rienus
or visitors call upon her. With these she readily and
pleasantly converses IN quaint old-lashioned speech.
She very lame that only by the help OF those OF
her household she move about, and her eyes,
though bright are almost useless so iar as sgnt Is
concerned, yet under these innctlons soc bears
bravey up and her piping, Sremulous voice IL CHEEKY
and kindly.
A "REMINISCENCES OF 1872.
But once ia her lifetime has she been outside the
borders OF New London. When. during the war OF
lsl2-i4 the British ships blockadei New Lon
don hurbor and prevented the neet OF Decatur from
putting out sea- the w0men anu children OF the be-
eagured Town were sent beyond It's limits for their
family returning only when peace had been declared
She has ridden ~ railroad car or ON steam
boat and knows nothing OF modern facilities for travel
AND STILL FURTHER BACK.
Save tor aud momentarY intervals oil ior
gellulness ncr memory would be considered very
good She iaintly remembers being Carried about IN
her mothers arms and looking upon the
burned and blackoned ruin wrought by Ben
TO The town OF New London. Al that time she was
not Tour years old. She distinct Impressions OF
Whatever important events have occurred IN the place
oil nativity since she was old enough TO remember
much varscd In book larnin'.' she yet very fond
OF hearing the news OF the day read, ana the local
daily paper is TO her y source OF real delight
Aunt Polly is simple. honest SOUL who I'm her
day has done deal OF hard work, has known little
OF ease and has borne many cross and heavy bur-
den. Sucn is the commonplace history OF one whose
years exceed IN number the years OF those who by
reason OF much strength reach Jour score and ten.