The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-28
A CENTENARIAN.
Interesting Account Of . Connecticut
Woman IO3 Years Old.

Woman IO3 Years Old.
Mrs. Clarissa Davenport Raymond, of
Wilton. Conn, completed the 10Sd year
of her are recently. When a reporter
OF the Times called and was presented
to the old lady she shook his hand cor
daily. and was as ready to talk as the
reporter was to listen. She remembered
all about an interview with the writer
last year, and although another year
has been added TO her remarkable age
there was no percepti5le change in her
appearance. She wore black cambria
dress. small light-colored shawl was
thrown carelessly over her shoulders.
and a white lace cap set off her features
to advantage. During the interview
Mrs. Raymond was seated in her old
armchair. while she grasped the long
birch staff which she uses when walking
The staff is fully six feet long. Mrs.
Raymond is ! ready and fluent talker.
and nothing pleases her more than to
narrate "reminiscences of her early life
to patient listener. She is 4 member
of the Congregational Church, but the
last time she attended service was on
the communion Sunday following her
one hundredth anniversary. She has
not been able to ascend the stairs during
the last four years. Her sleeping apart
ment is on the first floor. Up to year
ago she insisted on taking care of her
room and dressing herself without AS
sistanee Last fall she was able to walk
h. o,-1 ht- har IL
son, but during the winter the old lady
has remained indoors. She eats with
relish three meals day. and retires to
bed and rises with the regularity of
clockwork. Mrs. Raymond never
drinks anything stronger than tea or
coffee and has scarcely been sick a day
during her long life. Within the past
year her sight has become dim and her
hearing has failed. The beginning of
her one hundred and fourth year finds
her mind clear, her memory as distinct,
and her physical strength apparently AS
good as when, three years ago she cele-
brated her one hundredth birthday. Up
to a wear ago Mrs. Raymond was able
to read coarse print, but she has
abandoned the custom, and her children
now read to her.
| Mrs. RAYMOND was born in Stamford.
When Washington died she was seven
teen years old, and she frequently re-
lates incidents which occurred during
| his lifetime. of the War of 1912. and OF
| the several wars later on. In 1904 she
was married to Samuel Raymond, and
removed to Poundridge, Westminster
! County, in this State. During the war
| of 1912 she removed to Hester Street, in
this city, which was then little more
| than a country lane, and was considered
outside the city. Mr.. Raymond died in
1916. and his widow removed to Wilton,
where she has since resided, making
her home with her only daughter, Mrs.
Comstock. Mrs. Raymond was the
mother of five children, of whom the
Youngest, aged seventy-nine years, an(
widow of the late Nathan Comstock, is
the only one living. In 1882 the family
group, including five generations. was
photographed, Mrs. Raymond forming
the central figure. In that year also
she did considerable knitting. repaired
her own clothes. and wrote her name
very legibly. Mrs. Raymond is lineal
descendant of the Rev. John Davenport,
who was born at Coventry, England. in
1897, and who preached the first sermon
ever delivered in New Haven. This
was on April 16. 1858, under an old oak
tree which stood at the corner of George
and Church streets. The tree was cut
down by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
and was used for firewood in his shop
on George Street. Mrs. Raymond is of
a genial disposition and rarely forgets a
face. When asked recently as to her
health, she said: "Well. believe am
getting old" The esteemed lady has
no lack of visitors. many persons call
ing simply from motives of curiosity.
She has a pleasant word for every one
and appears to enjoy life.-HGrgord
Times.