Bridgeton pioneer., 1886-12-09
s. NICHOLS, Publishers.
CEDARVILLE SKETCHES.
"AUNT SUSAN"

We suppose that country town does
not exist but has among it's possessions
| one or more village aunts. A natural
belonging, a feature in and of itself, no
hamlet would be complete without
one, for it's local history would have no
embodiment; there would be no shrine
around which precious memories might
be clustered.
With these personages all may with
propriety claim relationship. for herein
common custom makes the law. Strict
ly speaking, it is more of a joint pro-
prietorship, in which all hold stock.
They are of the resources of place,
the institutions that help to make it's
name and fame.
Cedarville proves no unworthy ex-
ception to the general rule, and pos
sesses one who has been aunt" to
everyone for several successive gener-
ations. In its possession it appropri
ately rejoices, for the one who is
honored by the title is especially
worthy. 1t even goes farther than
mere rejoicing, for with it's keen sense
of valuable ownership, it boldly chal-
lenges any other village, in or out of
the county, to produce q better or
more genuine article.
Our ''Aunt" is Mrs Susan Howell,
who has been resident of Cedarville
all her life, and is known not only
here, but even through, and beyond
the borders of the county you will find
her early and late acquaintance.
And further, those having once known
her, residing in Cedarville, and having
changed their residence, always carry
away with them, with their other rec
elections, pleasant memories of her
genial and social qualities. AS an evil
dence of this, just meet one of them in
your travels, and among the many
natural inquiries concerning the peo-
pie and place, the one always comes:
elbow is Aunt Susan?" And when one
of these wanderers from their native
heath returns to it, seldom is it that
visit is long delayed to the old-fash-
ioned house where she has lived nearly
all her married life.
A brief sketch of her life may not
prove uninteresting to the many
readers of the PIONEER.
Susan Howell was the daughter of
Asa Fish, who many may remember
was carpet weaver, carrying on bust
ness in long, low house that origin
ally stood where Enos s. Candy now
lives, and was one of five children, be-
ing the only one surviving. Three
sons, Nathaniel, Ca ong-time resident
of Bridgeton), Asa and Lucius, two
daughters, Sarah and Susan, com
posed the family. Susan was born on
the 9Th of June, 1905 and consequently
her next birthday will make her sew
enty-eight years of age.
Her father lived in the same house
for sixty years, and was living within
the recollection of the writer Here
she also lived until her marriage with
Isaac Howell, April 9th, 1888, when
she lived one year in the Esley Bate
man house, now owned by jeremiah
Burk, then moved to her present loca-
ton, on the south side of the dam,
when the house was only story and
a half building, with a shoemakers
shop in one end. 1t may be interest
ing to note that this part of the house
was purchased by William A. Smith,
moved on the street leading to North
Cedarville station, and was afterward
destroyed by fire, being owned at the
time by Nathan Duffield. Her house,
then, on the removal of this part, was
enlarged to its present size. On the
lot adjoining used to stand wheel
wright shop, where her husband
carried on the business until physical
infirmities compelled him to desist.
On September 18th, 1888, after hav-
ing lived together long enough to
celebrate their golden wedding, Uncle
Isaac, who was known by this title
almost as universally as she by hers,
was suddenly called away.
Aunt Susan has been member of
the Presbyterian Church for many
years, joining the Old Stone Church in
company with seventy others Com
ing from there, she used to attend SER
vices in the schoolhouse, and is now q
member of the First Presbyterian.
Kindly and sympathetic by nature,
no distress but arouses her compassion,
and with her the widows mite is often
Forthcoming. She is great lover of