New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-16
MRS DURAND A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
SHE TAKES WALKS ALONE AND KNOCKS DOWN
GRAPES WITH A STICK.

SHE TAKES WALKS ALONE AND KNOCKS DOWN
GRAPES WITH A STICK.
Mrs Phoebe Durand, widow of Cyrus Durand. the
former chief of the Bureau Of Engraving and Printing,
celebrated her Tooth birthday at Irvington n. j. yes
terday, among her children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren. She is living with her married daugh-
ter Mrs. Julia p Baker, in large and handsome cot
tage In Springled-ave., about half mile above Irving
ton, and on any pleasant day she may be seen In the
avenue, taking her strolis unattended and visiting
her relatives, whose homes clustered around hers
reporter called yesterday at Mr. Bakers house to
offer his congratulations 10 the old lady. Mr. Baker
verges seventy years but is vigorous and straight
as an arrow. While he still talking to the reporter
the folding doors from the back parlOr opened and two
women entered the room. Mrs. Durand walked to the
middle Of the and heartily shook hands with the
reporter. She wore new black silk dress and pretty
little white lace cap with green spray in II. She
looked very bright cheerful and lively. Her hearing
Is impaired but this IS the only defect of which she
complains Her memory is bright and goes back to
the early years OF her life. She remembers her
died wlel. she young she prdes herself on never
having been a OF income to doctors and druggists
While she was talking to the reporter she showed that
she took pride in her appearance and dress. The
strings OF her lace cap were not tied to suit her, so
she united them and arranged them differently. Tho
cnly sign OF impatence which she gave was when Sic
could not find the pocket In her fashioned dress
Then she tucked her dainty handkerchief under the
waist OF her dress.
Mrs Durand does not look older now than the ma
iorty OF women do at sixty, and her daughter. Mrs.
Baker, who is sixty four years old, might easily be
tken for portly matron OF forty years. Her son,
Elias W. DuIand. and her grandson, Cyrus Durah'
Chapman photographed her in different positions
Visitors throngcd the parlor all the morning ana
afternoon. One Of them, Mrs. Sheridan, was eighty
two years old. Mrs. Dnrand has been in remarkably
good spirits for the last few days. On saturday she
felt so young that she ate two snplcrs She eats
heartily the same dishes that her grand and great grand
children eat She Is particularly fond Of grapes, ana
only few days ago seen in tie vino arbor pehino
the house. knocking the Grtpes of the vne Win long
stick where they we're too high for her to reach.
She Is full OF fun and spirit. On Saturday she mad
tln with her grandson, Harry who forgot to remove
his hat when coming into the rOom and refused to
acknowledge him Of her kin II lie did not Innd
his manners. She is formal observer Of the stately
etiquette Of thrce-quarters of century ago. AS yes
teday was Sunday the formal celebration Of her birth
day has been postponed until to-day. when reception
will take place from 10 o'clock in the afternoon.
Mrs Durand was married twlccfrst to Richard
Woodruff who left her a widow when she was young.
she was born in springfield, ~ j.. and lived there until
her second marriage TO CYRUS Durald. with Whom she
went 10 New York In 1886 they moved 10 lTvingt0n
She has had six children has eight grandchildren ana
seven great grandchildren Her Oldest daughter Is Mrs
j. w. Chapman. the widow Ci the Rev DR.. John L..
Chapman. She lives The street from Mrs
DuriInd The next is a son. Elias W. Durand, the
artist Then follow Mrs. Baker and the Rev. Cyrus b..
Durand OF st. Jamess Church. Newark.