The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-03
Ninetieth Rirthdav.

MOnudy evening, Dec, ISL, 1hrSMarla Uaruener |
Russell celebrated her Goth birthday. by recep-
tion at her home on Day street, Among those |
present were Albert Russell and wife. Mrs. Ann
Meader. Rev. S. w. Meek. of the Congregational |
Church. and Mr.. and Mrs Wells Woodbridge.
Mrs Russell is in full possession of her faculties
and Is preserved to a green old age. She was
born on water street. Nantucket Island. Mass.
her father, Amaziah Gardiner, member of very
large family who among the earliest settlers,
and her mother was Elizabeth 0ofin. one of the
| lineal decendants of Dionis and Tristram Ccfin.
| who enjoyed the reputation of Patriarch of all
| the Collins. Her grandfather Peter Coffin
and her grandmother. Judith Coffin. figures in
history the beautiful child who was hid when
| the British sailors landed on Tuck ernuc. during
| the Revolutionary war. as child stealing was
pastime and the valuables were duly tucked in
| the chimney closet for security. Maria Gardener
was the second child of Amaziah, and the family
| were Presbyterian always. while the Russell fam
| lily were Quakers. and their presence upon Nan
tucket was by order of the Missionary Baptists,
who delegated one John Russell from the church
at Swansea to teach the Indians Nantucket
Island how to capture and secure the whales
which came in about the shore The Quaker be-
lief followed the prosecutions of the Puritans and
Mary Starbuck. eldest child of the first Trstram
Coffin, was the first convert to the Quaker faith.
heuDen russell. tne nuSDanu OF MdTld UdTUeueF
Russell, and father of Albert Russell and Mrs
Ann NJ eader. commanded a vessel Wnen 70 years
of age. going 70 Havre. France. to fit out for a
voyage. though the company usually lived in or
about New Bedford.
They were married by Rev. Abner Morse. on
Dec. 2lst 1921 and she lived in Nantucket until
lS47, when Captain Reuben becoming tired OF
sea farng. Joined the colony in Rootstown. Ohio.
where. in company with his brother. Capt Charles
Russell, he occupied farm on the line between
y kootstown and Edinburgh.
n Of Capt. Reuben Russell's voyages much might
be told. The Brazilian banks. off the coast Of
e South America. was a favorite fishing ground
g where the trip could be made in a season, from
d Havre but the Pacific coast occupied from three
to four years. It was on one of these voyage.
Capt Russell formed the lasting friendship of the
/ Missionary, Rev. Coan. who was doing thu frs
|, great work in the Sandwich Islands, and in thu
: history of Pitcairn Island, Capt. Charles Russell
n is referred to as the Good Captain. and who's
r. memory is now cherished by those hardy deeend
m ants of the survivors of the mutineers of th'
IF ship Bounty Albert Russell has the log of thes
IS voyages, which is intensely interesting. Th'
landing place on the Alta California coast wa
l. Monterey, and after 1916. the whale fishing di
of minished, there was much communication be
tween Nantucket and California, as the whalin
e. vessels were equipped for the oceans. and toda
ic many defendants of Nantucket are in Californi
7n attracted by the gold. and discouraged at hom
at by the low ebb of whale oil.
at Nantucket was nearly destroyed by fire in lS4
m the storage of OIL slaves and lumber, and the al
e. sence of an efficient fire department, resulted
ty almost complete demolition of the business, an
a. the year following, Reuben and Maria left.
re end their days in the wilderness of Ohio. tt
to colony of Nantucket people had been precede
on by the pioneer Capt. Isaac Brayton. who can
We with the Tappan's. Capt. Wyer came next al
Die and in all forty families included in Il
an settlement of Rootstown, Ravenna and Charlie
7er town But one man of that colony remain
m, Capt Gardener, of Rootstown. who is not r slat
of to Maria Russell. except by marriage. Her 81
,re Reuben C and Emily are deceased. Ann Loui
EN- Gardener and her daughters Helen and Emily
wife and children of Reuben c., live with tal
vi Gardener, in Rootstown.
ian Mrs Russell was the recipient ofbeautiful gi
of books, fruit and flowers. from kith and ki
pie chief among them a collection OF texts. whl
eep she. thoughtful praying Christian. willcherl
are as her daily treasure, having sermon and hyr
ing for each day in the year. This was from M
the Emily Swift Morrison and a lovely basket
the fruit and flowers from her sister. Mrs Ma
the Swift Wait. and the united family were donors
rrv a large degree. Mrs. Mary A Woodbridge W
the was native of Nantucket, and who used.
on childhood to sing to Mrs. RUSSELL took the dc
,ev old friend by the hand and addressed her in t
in sweetest, tenderest language possible. Amo
oil the words were these: None but those who ha
all lived can tell how high the zenith is from su
or rise. and those only who die have proved h
I796 late may be the setting SUI. so great mystt
TER to everyone is life. But amid all its trials Ma
ned Russell has borne the sun mark of cheer fuln
elf for herselfand tenderness for others. Miss W
onv fired Wait recited, in her inimitable mann
tho !" Brushwood." and Rev. Meek made touch
ian prayer. the hymn Olivet was sung by the conn
ny. and the meeting closed with the doxology.
1850 life so perfect and old age so free from
oye irmities is seldom seen and no one who knC
zod and enjoys the friendship of Mrs. RUSSELL
fail to respond to God bless you. and may y
happiness be eternal, as she often assures b
self she has never failing Friend. when one h
IS taken and another there. her hope is fixed
lent yond this world and she is certain she is 20
that waiting" A copy of the beautiful hymn, ''Ab
lave with Me, was among the gifts. and surely n
cart Russell has much to assure her of friend;
au- earth. as well as the guardianship of the Z
lnce versAl Comforter.