Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-31
,rIsER NEWTON oUTwITTED.
How His Wife Charity saved Her Rights
-, FEse naath-RRd

How His Wife Charity Saved Her Rights
ON His Death-Bed.
Ven Rassa fconn.l Special to Y. y. Ti1ses, S0tA
The little hamlet Of Ledyard Centre, in
this State. has lost its most important
factor i'm the death Of John Newton. The
townshin embraced many Of his broad
acres, but from them the hamlet itself de-
rived little benefit. as John was mlSer.
The first money that he ever earned was
for chopping wood in the pine swamp.
The amount was $50. and he Immediately
put il in a bank, where II has remained
to the present day, having increased 70
5000. In shaving notes ana loahihg
money John has accumulated fortune
of $50, 900. His residence among the rocky
hills of Ledyard Centre was simply a
howell. which is on the verge OF tumbling
down.
As careful a miser as John was, he was
outwitted at last. Among the visitors at
his fathers house when ne was young
man was spinsteT named charity Nor
man. She was country tallofess, anu
went from house to house TO replenlSh the
mems wardrobes for the winter. johns
father was unlike his son and loved Jolly
company and good clothes, and frequently
Charity would be called upon 10 spruce
up mis- old garments and make new ones
according to the latest fashion. one day
Colonel Newton" as he was called, died
very suddenly Charity lent a helping
hand to John Newton, the son, IN his
Bereavement. She cooked the dinner,
made the butter, and proved such
valuable housekeeper IN every respect
that John was 10th to part with her. lie
finally persuaded her to become his wife.
However. before the wedding day had ar
rived John suddenly changed his mind,
and tried to get rid of her. Charity
had a big brother, and to tins brother
she appealed for advice. he became IN
dignant and in an interview with John
threatened many pleasant things, among
them a breach OF promise suit, if he did
not carry out his former intentions. Inc
damage done to his sisters heart he
claimed was $500 worth. John considered
the subject and finally concluded 10 save
the $S00:by marrying her, which he did.
A few DAYS ago, when johns NE was
drawing to -fslOse, he sent for Philadel-
Dbia relative to whom he intended to give
his property. The relative came and be-
gan arranging matters with him. His
| wife Charity learned enough fTom their
talk to convince her that certain worthless
mortgages would be given her as her
share, while the relative received the cash.
She resolved to circumvent that little
plan, and, going up stairs, she discovered
| John NewtOn's private savings bank I'M
der the caves in the garnet. She found it
contained $500 in gold coin, $500 in silver,
and S27 900 in bonds and securities. She
went quietly to a lawyer in Norwich for
advice. Returning home she continued
her household duties and later visited the
| chest in the attic, taking with her big
dinner pot, and, raising the lid of the
| chest, she transferred the contents to her
| kettle and then returned to the kitchen,
| placing.the treasure under the sink.
In the morning John Newton became
aware that he was dying, and, wishing to
settle matters, requested that his wife go
| and get his chest of money. She refused,
| and in strong terms upbraided him for
| trying to take away her lawful portion.
| The lawyers present became wild, as did
/ the relative, but to all their entreaties
| she turned a deaf ear. She would not go
/ for the money. AS last resort John
| asked her how much she would take TO
| relinquish all claims to the property, and
| she promptly replied $4,000 in cash. The
/ papers were drawn up and duly signed,
! whereupOn Charity produced the kettle
/ and poured out the contents before their
astonished gaze. The $4,000 was count
| ed out and paid her, and hardly had the
/ will been signed before John Newton
! breathed his last.