The Newtown bee., 1894-09-14
DEATH OF MRS HARRIET L. GILBERT.

Early Friday morning, September z, death terminated most useful and mo- ble life in the passing away of Mrs Har- riet l.. Gilbert, wife of Rev William T. Gilbert, pastor of the Methodist church in Sandy Hook. Mrs Gilbert's death was in sense expected, as she has for many weeks been lying in critical con- dition; but death must always be sud- den, and it's approach come as shock, especially when, as ID this case, it's blow falls upon devoted mother and loved head of beautiful home. Four daugh- ters have grown up in this home, as it has been established, during MT Gilbert's pastorates, in Sandy Hook and else where, and they all now live to call the memory of their mother blessed; their names are as follows: Mrs Mary Curtis of Nichols, Mrs Kate Marsh of New Mill ford, Miss Emma Gilbert and Miss Nellie Gilbert. Besides these there are four grandchildren.
 The funeral services were held at the Methodist parsonage, last Monday morn- ing, at 10 o'clock. The day was beau tiful one, perfect summer day still lin- gering in the lap of fall; the rest and peace of the day seemed fitting symbols of the sweet peace that had come to a worn body, bruised and broken through long contest with weariness and pain. Rev Joseph O. Munson, of the Method ist church in South Britain, conducted the service; MT Munson spent his child hood days in Sandy Hook at the time when MT French and MT Goodhue were principals of the old Newtown Academy :; he also supplied the pulpit of the Sandy Hook church through the winter of 1890. He was assisted in the service by Rev 0. O. Wright of St Johns church, Sandy Hook, ard by Rev Otis w. Barker of the Congregational church, Newtown. No testimonial could possibly have been more fitting and more surely have ex- pressed the worth of the character and es- timable qualities of the deceased than the memorial prepared by her life-part- ner. Rev MT Gilbert, read during the service. It testifies of the heart-life, and that no friend, however, dear may know. It reads as follows:
 The life whose close we now deplore com. ago. Shortly after, however, the family re- moved, as the head of it entered upon the duties of the Gospel ministry but while his compelled him to return to his native place Here she grew to fair young womanhood with only such absences as the enjoyment oi higher advantages for education required. Thirty eight years ago, at the age ot 19, she became wife and Identified herself with
 
 cordiahand sympathetic friend and helper in rs spiritual and things temporal and his fal~A.al ally in all the work of his vocation A large portion of this period has been spent \ in regions contiguous to his present field | more than 20 years having been passed in Nichols, Stepney, New Milford, Southbury | and his present charge.
 l Her domestic life was enriched by the ac cession of four daughters, one born in Wes, Granby. one in Ridgefield and two in South | bury. all still living, and four grandchildren all loving and beloved.
 With patience, courage, industry and con l stancy she addressed herself to the rearing l and education Of her family. Her childreT rise up and call her blessed and hold her self forgetful devotion to their welfare in unfail ing remembrance.
 In the days of her childhood she accepted as her own the precious faith in which sh, had been reared and her subsequent life wa. development of the gracious character it il adapted to produce. She increased in knowl | edge, and understanding, in judgement ana w1sdoms In readiness for every good wOrt ana efnc1ency in every good work. She wa fond of reading, of conversation and music ana Tn earlier life her voice was tuneful ans strong.
 From 1ife's sorrows and trials she was no exempt. Friend after friend was remove. from the circle of loving fellowship Tn innrm1t1es of an aged father pressed heavil, upon her. Her own health was long and se
 r1ouely impaired. But under all these a1Ili(
 ttons her heart was chAsteped, and her spiri