The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-25
REVOLUTIONARY WIDOWS
According to a Philadelphia Paper
Two of Them Are Still Living
in Pennsylvania.
Supposed to Be the Only Two ir
tho Whole Country East Of
the Alleghanies.
Mrs Young and Mrs. Betz, Though Rich in
Years, Still Have a Strong Hold
on Life.

On the rolls of the pension Office of this
city are the names of two old women, and
W alone, whose husbands fought in the
Revolutionary war, says a Philadelphia
paper. Neither of the two is far from 100
years old, and they are. as far as is known.
the only Revolutionary widows in Pennsyl-
vanis, perhaps in the whole country east of
the Allegheny mountains.
Mrs. Anna Maria Young is next to the
oldest resident of eastern Northampton
county, and resides with her daughter, Mrs.
Elizabeth Retzler, of Lehigh street. She
is the widow of the late Captain Jacob
Young, of Revolutionary fame, and on
Sept. Is next will be 80 yenr5 of age. She
was born in Germany on Sept. Is, 1893, and
came to this country when about the age of
% years. Prior to coming to America her
parents removed to France, whore she
resided for seven years, and then returned
to Germany again, after which she came to
this country, and for forty-seven years has
been living in Easton.
She was married three times. Her first
husband, whom she married in Germany,
waE John Mabacher, who afterwards died.
Her second husband was Jacob Shill, who
at one time resided in Phillipsburg, N. j.
Her third husband was Captain Jacob
Young, of revolutionary fame, who died
forty-oieht years ago. BY the second union
one daughter-Mrs Hetzler, above referred
to-survives. Mrs. Young has twelve
grandchildren, twenty REORGANIZATION
and one great-great-Srandchild. She is en-
joying comparatively good health. Despite
the fact that she has passed the allotted
term of life she retains all her faculties, al
though she is somewhat deaf. She is able
to help herself about the house, however
and can converse quite freely. Her form IL
quite bent with the weight OF Year,.
AT Ne. 1923 of q row of noaern-looklne
frame dwellings, on BartiEe avenue, harris
burg, resides Elizabeth BetZ, the widow
since September IS, lS47. of Peter Betz
who served four years and nine months al
u drummer in the Revolutionary war, I'M
der Gen. Washington, and participated II
neGrly all of this battles taking place dur
ing ms rerIod of Sc vice.
Mr.. BetZ. or GRANNY" as she is NOR
20 ularly known, was born in Lancaster or
January Il, 1895, ana al the age of l6 mar
rieo George Epp!ey, who did not long sur
viva the union. the fruits of which was on
child, Margaret. now living, and employe.
at the residence of Mrs. Henderson, OF
Market street, harr shur2. At the age o
q AIRS. EppleY married Peter Betz, VIII,
wss himse!f q wido"er Is years old. AM
hailed fforn Philadelpn a. The wedding
did not take place until after Betz' return
home at the close of the war. 1t was bles
with one child. Louisa, now dead.
Mr.. BetZ died on sept. l6, 1S4T, at his resi-
dence in this city with the request on hi
lips that his wife should remain a widow
She has done so ~ TO the present time. an
ls hardly likely at her great 'sa to mar
again, although rs active and hearty q
many people tiltv yenrs he" Junior. ha
MIR. BetZ lived two mouths longer rs woul
have attained the mellow age of 80 year,
Like his widOw, his WAS u a very hardy an