The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-12-15
MRS. ANN HEWITT DEAD.

MRS. ANN HEWITT DEAD.
Elkton's Oldest Citizen Coma
Beautiful Life.
On last Friday evening, the ttu inst.
at quarter before five O'Clock. whcr
Mrs. Ann Hewitt breathcd her last al
the residence of Miss Jane Turbrrt, u.
1 East Main street, long and useful litr
closed and faithful steward was called
to her reward. "Aunty' Hewitt, as She
was universally called, had been sinking
for several days previous, and for forty
eight hours prior to her decease wa, con
sciOus only at intervals. She suffered
from complication of diseases, aggla-
waited by the frailty of old age, she being
within sixt, en- days of 81 years old. She
passed away very happily. For months
she had longed for the summons, and
waited anxiously for the time when She
would be called to her heavenly home
'1'm just waiting, just waiting tie
Masters call, was the reply she nt-
quently made TO enquiries as to her con-
dltion. Seventy nine years were spent by
her on earth in the Masters service. and
during all that time she was Il 2cala;..
and indefatigable worker. For neal,
seven years she had been confined to Ecr
room from injuries received by falling
upon the ice in February, 1917. Herroom
was real Bethel, place where chris
tians loved to tarry, and from which nouc
emerged without feeling that they mad
been benefited by being there. The
church commanded her greatest love, and
the one great aim of her life seemed 10
be to point men and women to the say
Jour. Scores and scores of persons III
this and other localities ascribe their first
religious impressions to the earnest plead
ings and faithful warnings of ''Auntl"
Hewitt. Surely in the heavenly lard
her crown will contain many bright stars.
Only four weeks ago the writer hear, Al.
earnest and faithful christian gentleman
of this town say as he left after IL visit tn
Aunty Hewitt: Il love to 90 lLear:
always come away strength,
Mrs. Hewitt was born in Kent county.
Delaware, on December o3d, 1872 Just
one year after General Washington 10
signed his commission at Annapolis, an
she has consequently lived under e,cIy
President from Washington to Arthur.
When only twelve years of age she vas
converted at her home while kneeling at
the knee of Father Boehm. wl,n was 1t
the time conducting revival meeting at
Purnelrs Church near by. Her father
was Major James Purnell, a soldier of tie
war of 1912, and her mother was "A wi:iuw
Neal, of New Jersey. The late Roy.
Father Neal, of the South New .Irl>,y
Conference, was her step brother, aud the
late Greenbury and James Purnell. Of
this county, were her brothers She dis
tinctly remembered hearing the reports
OF the cannon at the time of the bonn
bardment of Lewes, Del. by the British
in 1912. In 1918 Mrs. lIewitt's parents
moved to Elkton and took up Their resi-
dence i'll the dwelling on Main street pow
occupied by DR.. r. F. Tull, whcr. hen
father kept hotel or stopping place fer
travellers. She often related the incidents
OF this removal, and said that at the ti,,:
they came here the majority OF the inn41-
ltants of the town had fled from Tear .l
the British. and they had almost an mn
opposed choice of houses. IN 1873 h.
married William Hewitt and lived hap.
PLY with him in the old stone mans! u
at Elk Landing until about 1910. h. oe-
ing engaged i'll the ireiohting business
between the landing and Baltimore. Own.
ing two schooners in this trade.
In the winter of that year she accom-
panied Mr.. Hewitt to Wilmington in =
sleigh, and while there Il rain rt,,,,. ,s
and took away the SHOW. Her !,.,.i,a,.G
placed her in the stage for cou>v,ans.
home and he undertook To ride IT,. i.,.-,..
The stage came over the pike hn; Mr.
Hewett went by way OF Newark. H..
and on what Is now North street, "a. q
point just north of where the raii.n,: d.
now located. as he rode into tow; L.. ., B..
from his horse stricken with hra,t .E'.-
eaee. and before aid could reach han :, p.
dead. This was the first great ahi'y'i ~
| OF her life. During her life at the l.,t..:-
ing she had taken into her care v. II.
Ricketts,, then young lad an, brought
him up as her own child. lie afterwards
became Clerk of the Circuit Count. ri d
died about 1872. In 1871 Mrs. li,o IL
removed to Port Deposit, where She G.
sided in the family OF he: brother, ,;r,, IL
bury Purnell. She afterwards ,prri, .,.y-
eral years i'll the families of Coz. j.. Il H.
mer and Mrs. Margaret IIollrl>war:a
To the latter she was very mucI, atta.l.,,
looking upon her as one Of il 40: i,.r
dearest friend. From 1861 to 1861 ,;
resided in the family of Rev. Henry +.
Hurn, and for thirteen wears past lg.
lived with Miss Jane Torbert. e. g0i~
town, who, though not related 80 .,r. il.
any wise, or account of her brautE,ri
christian character gladly gave hrT d },f..r,
beneath her roof, and attended h.,.v;.-.
as much care and affection as thar i, six.
had been her mother.
Aunty Hewitt often related intrr..:a
"reminiscences of the past particuIa.'s e..
the stirring times during the warut e, =.
she very distinctly remembered hearing
the salute fired at Elk Landing. ~ the
time Of rejoicing over the l"cIaro.i, , !
peace in 1914, when IA cannon |urs' ard
Captain, afterwards Judge Chambers. Of
Chestertown, was injured. Her memoI V
Of occurrences away back at that time
was much more vivid than of t!iin.s E.I.-
pening at later date
Her funeral took place on Monday ait
ernoon at 3 o'clock The remains. ate.
t being looked upon by many friends al u.
; residence of Miss Torbert. were taE,i. /,
the church where, after the service. .
large concourse of persons awaited chem
selves of the privilege Of gazing one.
more upon the face of this ycanra.I
christian woman. Revs. Sheppard Trj.
and Heberton made remarks app.orri4t,
to the occasion. Before she died IN:
| Hewett requested that no fears I,n 81. .