Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-16
SHE IS IO2 YEARS OLD.
Grandma Wray Celebrates With Her Many
DESCENDANTS.


One OF the most interesting OF recent
events here says a Fairbury Qll) letter
to the Chicago Tribune, was the ceiebra-
ton of the 1929 anniversary of Grandma
Wrays birth. which occurred on last
Sunday. The event was particularly IN
terestng not only because of her great
age and wonderfully preserved health, but
also because OF the number. age, and
health OF her descendants. Usually the
celebration of Grandma Wray's birthday
anniversary IL a public affair, but mas
much as the entire family are church
members, beginning with the Oldest down
to the last dhe fifth generation the day
was passed quietly, the general public
staying away. The family gathered at
the home OF Mrs. Crouch. daughter Of
Mrs. Wray.
The correspondent for the Tribune call
ed at the Crouch residence. in the north
ern part OF the city. where Mrs. Mary
Wray has been making her home for more
than twenty-five years. The venerable old
lady was sitting In a comfortable reclin-
ing-chair. and without the aid OF glasses
was viewing the fine scenery through the
windows of her apartments. When APP
prised of the callers reason for visiting
her she arose and drew up "A small table
close at hand. Then placing a chair near
the table she again seated herself in her
own chair and said:
80 you come to find out about olden
times. Wei, l could tell you OF things
that l remember from as far back as the
Jackson. Harrison, and Van Buren, presi-
Dental times. l hear people talking OF
hard times now. Why, IL those who are
indulging In that kind of talk should see
half as hard times as i have experienced
in my life the insane-asylums would have
TO be established in every county and
would be enlarged 10 hold the crowd.
Many times have l taken the axe and
gone with my brothers and sisters to the
hills of Virginia and cut wood. We girls
used to cut just as much wood as the
boys. We would swing the axes with
every bit as much vim as they. Where is
there a girl of Is years nowadays that
will do work like that? Many times
have taken hired mans place in the
field with hoe. cultivating tobacco, corn,
and even cotton"
WORK ON A VIRGINIA FARM
Grandma Wray continued. saying she en-
joyed the tobacco-gathering most. al
though the labor attached to II was more
severe than anything else. In the eve
nings the hest OF the leaves were gathered
ups NOuuu ia OuAuit, ticu W a
and in this way carried home TO be taken
care OF. After doing this kind of work
her household duties were cared for.
The centonarian thus carried on a con-
versation for over an hour. 1t is likely
that Grandma Wray will live to see many
more birthday anniversaries. Her eye
sight Is phenomenal. She has great
liking for piecing quilts. and has done
much or that sort OF work. Since passing
her l0oth year many persons have come
and asked her TO piece lust a SQUARE
for souvenir. Her last fancy sewing
was piecng "a square" for a fine silk
comforter. which the Benevolent Society
is now working on. She did no. desire to
visit the Worlds Fair herself but she pre-
pared fancy apron made out Of cambria
and cent 1t. 1t was placed In the Illinois
Building. and admired by many.
TEN CHILDREN LEFT ORPHANS.
Mrs. Mary Wray was born at Rocky
Mount. Va. February 4, 17s2, her parents
being Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Abshire. Her
father was killed by falling down stairs
In his old log cabin. Her mother died soon
afterward, leaving ten cbildren-six girls
and four boys-to care for themselves.
But three out OF ths ten are now living.
These are Grandma wray. George Abb
shire. LOG years old, and Anslem Abshire,
who Is younger than Mrs. wray. Both
the others reside In Michigan George.
when last heard from. was weak and
blind. Grandma was married 20 Preston
Wray at the age Of n. They lived on
farm In their native State until the people
began to move westward, when they quit
the billy country Of Rocky Mount and
settled In Tippecanoe county, Ind. Seven
children were born to them. of whom six
are still living, Lctitia Ann Wray died
IN Infancy. Those living ere Garland
ryray. aged 70, and Onslem Wrsy. aged
60. who stiIl live In Indiana: Spar Wrny,
aged ~ who stiIi lives IN Michigan; Mrs,