Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-19

DEATH OF A MAN WHOSE AGE WAS co-EQUAI
WITH THAr oF THE AMERICAN RrpunLIC

DEATH OF MAN WHOSE AGE WAS co-EQUAL
WITH THAT OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC.
The Troy, N Y, Times of Wednesday, 10th
inst, contains the following notice of the
death in Geneseo, ILL.,. of Peter Hammond,
who was for many years prominent and re-
spected citizen of West Wardsboro, and who
is yet well-remembered by the older people
of the town. Mr.. Hammond's birth took
place just as the opening events of the war of
the Revolution were transporting, and in the
immediate vicinity of the scene of those
events. That Mr. Hammonds life was spared
to the remarkable age of 1O2 years, and that
his death took place just at noon on the lO2d
anniversary of his BIRTH are facts so singular
and unusual as to be worth more than pass
ing notice Our West Wartsboro correspond
ent writes that Mr. Hammond lived with his
wife for j3 years in the house which he built
at that place. and which is now occupied by
d. A. Hammond. His remains We're, by his
request, brought to West Wardsboro, where
they were buried on Monday:
Peter Hammond. father-in-aw of Alfonzo
Bills of this city, died yesterday at Geneseo,
Henry county, ILL.,, aged lO2 years. He was
born at Newton, Mass, April ., 177G, and his
death therefore occurred ON the anniversary
of his 1O2d birthday. Until within a few
months Mr.. Hammond, despite his great years,
enjoyed almost perfect health retained the
full measure of his faculties, walked to church
nearly a mile on pleasant Sundays, read with
out glasses and seemed as happy and content
ed with life as any of his children. Two
years ago he celebrated his own and our coun-
try's centennial with great glee. and entered
upon the second century of his life with every
apparent prospect of surviving some years.
His death, however, occurred yesterday, and
full of years as he was his life was, crowned
with the love and benedction of all who
knew him
The father of Mr.. Hammond was one of the
patriots of the revolution, and took part in
the destruction of tea in Boston harbor. Sub
sequently he removed to Wardsboro, Wind
ham county, Vt, then Wilderness where he
died in 1872, aged % years. Peter remained
at Newton with his grandparents until his
mother made the journey on horseback after
him, II distance of 12j miles, and returned
with him. he walking the entire way by her
side. In 1902 he married Charlotte Holbrook,
daughter of prominent citizen of Wards
boro, and for j3 years they continued to re-
side in the house which he built and occupied
soon after their marriage. Mr.. Hammond
was the first postmaster of West Wardsboro,
then called Hammonds Mills, holding the of.
fce Is years, and besides occupied many 9th
er positions of local importance and response
bilty. In the fall of 1893 he took the first
degree in masonry, and it is believed he was
at the time of his death the oldest Free Mason
in the United States. He was master of
Mount Moriah lodge of Wardsboro for mum.
Der of years, and until the disarmament of the
lodge, much against his wishes, ut the time OF
the excitement attending the disappearance OF
Morgan in this state. Mrs. Hammond died in
1856, at the house of Mr.. Bills in this city
At her death Mr.. Hammond removed tc
Geneseo, ILL.,, and became an inmate of the
family of his son. who was the first mayor OF
the city and one of its most active and infu
entail residents. Subsequently lie took NJ
his residence with his oldest daughter. Her,
he lived in peaceful contentment and sur
rounded by the happiest and tenderest minis
trations until he died. At the age of ION
years his physician declared that there wa
not n diseased organ in his body, and it wa
not until few weeks since that his menta
and physical faculties were Frustrated to sucl
n degree as to indicate the near approach o
death. Mr.. Hammonds long life was marked
by temperance in all his habits and enjoy
ments. In his early days he laid the founda
tons for strong and vigorous constitution
and these were never impaired by subsequen
acts of indscreton. He used tobacco in nom
of its forms. but he was not in other respect
what is known as n teetotaler, though his in
dulgences were rare and always moderate.
Born with the Republic, the old gentleman
lived to see it become one of the foremost na
tons of the earth. He felt double allegianc
to his country, and the principles of patriot
ism and good citizenship were always impel
ing causes in his life and conduct.