The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-16
A CENTURY OLD.
AUNT Polly" of Connecticut.
New York Herald

new 10TH
In the somewhat old fashioned, vet withal
busy city OF New London, Connecticut, lives
a woman who, on Friday last, attained the
extreme age. as human ages go, of 100 years.
On the fourth day of January, 1873, Mary
Frink was born in the town of New London.
There she was married, there she has always
lived, and there will she be buried when, at
the end of a few more months, her eyes, now
dim and almost Sightless with the mlsts OF
many years, will be closed forever.
When Polly-by that name she is best
known, the name of Mary having long ago
degenerated into the nickname-was 20
years old she married Antoine Jerome, a
Spaniard. who, when but six years of age,
was picked up at sea by an American vessel
and brought to the port of New London.
Their married life covered a period OF 90
years, and was terminated by the death of
the husband at the green old age of 10. By
him she bore ten children. OF these four
are living the eldest being over 55 years of
age. He followed the sea-fOr nine years
he was in the United States navy-and dur
ing his long voyages from home the care and
support of the children fell upon Polly, and
by "going out at work" among the wealthy
families of New London she managed to
comfortably provide for them. In the care
of the sick she was invaluable, and her SER
vices were always in demand. She is quite
proud of having been called to wait upon
the first people" OF the town, and relates
with no little vivacity the fact of her having
nursed honorables, senator's and Judges
families. Yet at times there is an infinite
pathos in the old granddame's voice as in a
reminiscent way she speaks tenderly of this
or that babe she cared for when it came
into the world, and of its going out there
from when it had grown to perfected woman
hood.
As she advanced in years the sobriquet
of Aunt was applied to Polly, and to 5his
day she.bears that title of affection. Aunt
Polly is glad to have friends or visitors call
upon her. With these she readily and pleas
antly converses in quaint old fashioned
speech. She is so very lame that only by
the help of those of the household can she
move about, and her eyes, though bright,
are almost useless SO far as sight is concerned,
vet under these infections she bears bravely
up and her piping, tremulous voice is CHEEKY
and kindly.
A "REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR OF 1872.
But once in her lifetime has she been out
side the borders of New London. When,
during the war of lS12-14, the British ships
of war blockaded New London harbor and
prevented the fleet of Decatur from putting
out to sea, the women and children of the
beleagured town were sent beyond its limits
for their safety's sake. With them went
Polly and her little family, returning only
when peace had been declared. She has
never ridden in a railroad car or steamboat,
and knows nothing of modern facilities for
travel.
AND STILL FURTHER BACK.
Save for occasional and monetary inter.
walls of forgetfulness her memory would be
considered very good. She family remem-
bers being carried about in her mothers
arms and looking upon the burned and
blackened ruin wrought by Bendict Arnold
when, in September, 1871, he set fire to the
town of New London. At that time she was
not four years old. She has distinct i'm
pressions of whatever important events have
occurred in the place OF her nativity
since she was old enough to remember
at all, and, though-to use her words-she
is mot much versed in book larnin'," she is
yet very fond of hearing the news of the day
read, and the local daily paper Is to her q
source of real delight.
Aunt Polly is simple, honest soul, who
| Sin her day. has done deal of hard work
has known little of ease aud has borne many
a cross and heavy burden. Such Is the
commonplace history of one whose year
exceed in number the years of those whC
'by reason of much strength reach foul
| score and ten"