The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-07-10

it did the second century of life to one of
its honored citizens. Bartholomew Coles,
ST.. of Piesgrove. The celebration of this
event has been the talk of the country
side for weeks and almost every one we
met had announced an intention to be
present. The day dawned with threaten
ingS of rain, but early i'll the morn
ing the clouds rolled by and preparations
were made at the grove near the county
line, about half a mile from Mr.. Coles res
idence, for the days enjoyment At an
early hour the members of the family, who
are legion, began to assemble. Carriage
load after carriage load drove up and soon
the hustle of dinner getting and making
ready set the forest in connection. Album
dance Of tables were provided for those
who brought with them the materials for
the MONDAY meal, and the boards fairly
groaned beneath the weight of the good
things spread thereon. The old veteran, in
whose honor the gathering assembled,
rested quietly at his home until near the
dinner hour, when he was taken i'll car
rage to the picnic ground, and sat at the
head of one of the tables in the presence of
his children, grandchildren gFeat-grand-
children, nephews, nieees and relatives
without number, erect and vigorous, and
enjoyed his meal with the best of them.
Dinner over the fragments of the feast
were cleared away, and soon the grove be-
gan to fill up with friends and neighbors
from far and near. Every road leading to
the ground was black with carriages which
met i'll perfect jam at the front of the
grounds, and, discharging their living
freight, moved slowly aside to make room for
others yet coming Upon low platform
i'll the centre of the ground constructed of
rough boards. seated in an arm chair with
his broad-brmmed Quaker hat upon his
head, just as we have been accustomed to
see him i'll his place in Friends meeting on
First-day mornings since our earliest recol-
lection, sat Mr.. Coles, gazing curionsly at the
tlrong around him. Near him was his old
time neiglbor. Samuel DUEL, now in his
Sfth year, who also is specimen OF hale
and hearty old age, and Samuel Gaunt, Of
Mulica Hill, who has passed his four
score years and looks not more than sixty.
The ceremonies We're few and simple, after
the quiet fashion of the Friends. Allen
Flitcraft, Of Chester, addressed the gath
ering in few wel-chosen remarks, and
Rev. G. +. Garrison. of SwedeSboro Aaron
Borton and John L. Davidson also spoke
in appropriate terms of the event, and OF
the one i'll whose honor it was celebrated.
after which Mr.. Coles chair was moved to
the edge of the platform and the people
passed by to grasp the hand of one who,
like the strong oak of the forest. had sur
vived the storms of many winters while
those around had been Frustrated by the
relentless hand of death. Mr.. Coles had a
cheerful smile and pleasant word for all
who approached him. His failing sight pre-
vented him from recognizing many but
upon hearing their names he wenld have
no hesitation i'll recollecting any that he
had before known. The little ones too
came in for share OF his recognition and
it was an Interesting sight to see his hand
outstretehed to take the plump myers oil
| little toddlers hardly Ole enough to know
the why and wherefore oil the gathering.
1t seemed like long reach over inter-
venipg years, this clasping hands between
the child of FIVE or six summers and the
venerable patriarch Of a century. The
crowd thronged around until all who de
sired had shown their respect or gratified
their curiosity and an improvised choir led
by Simon $. Wentzell. assembled the plat
form and for half an hour the woods re-
sounded with we'll rendered sacred song,
after which the people separated to eN-
change greetings with friends and to ENJOY
as best they might the sultry afternoon.
But the low rumbling OF thunder in the
distance and the ominous darkening of the
sky about four O'Clock. warned the gather
ing to take their departure. and the crowd
rapidly thnned ont, not so soon, however,
but that the storm which came with sudden
power overlook the larger number and
compelled hasty retreat to carriages and
such other shelter as could be hastily
found, Mr. Coles being taken to his
house before the rain began. For half an
hour the rain fell, then the sun come out
and the atmosphere was wonderfully
cooled The fugitiyes emerged from their
shelter but the celebration was over and
one after another they took their departure
for home with pleasant memories of the
day and the occasion. There must have
been upon the grounds during the day
from 1900 to 1900 hundred people. Among
others we noticed Sheriff Packer, of Glou-
eester County, and A. 5. Barber ST., of
the Woodbury. Constitution, Bro Patter-
son. of the Standard, Joshua Thomson. OF
Salem, Mayor Dubois, Lawyer Shepherd
and Dir. Potter of Bridgeton, and j. Dowler
and wife, of Philadelphia Michael Pot
ter. the Willow Grove centennarian, was
prevented by rapidly increasing iniirmities
from being present.
Accompanying this all too brief sketch
of a very pleasant occasion a short account
of the early life of Mr.. Coles may not he
ont of place His father was Thomas
Coles, of English descent, and he himself
was born July It'll, 1873, near Williams
town. Gloucester, (then Camden,) County.
He remained at his fathers until he was
h., fn Iap