The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-11-16
NeWbury Centre.

/
win of this place, was an event of rare 10
| cal interest, which has long been antici.
pated, although it has often been feared
that he would not live out his century.
Much has been said and written about
thlS remarkable man, and more complete
account Of his life will be of interest just
now. lci g a
He was born Nov. 9, 1894, on the old Gray
farm IN Ryegate; his father, Moses Good
win, is said to have been a Revolutionary
soldier, and his mother was Tryphena
daughter of James Laid, who was born in
Haverhill in l772. There are manv who
VIII remember "Aunt Phebe Goodwin, y
1881, in her lO2na year. She was da ugh
ter OF Jonathan Goodwin, a cousin of Moses.
This Jonathan served in Captain (after-
wards General) Jacob Bailey's company in
the old French war. Soon after HIS birth
his parents returned to Newbury, and lived
on wallace HILL" where they had other
sons and daughters born to them, who are
all long dead. 1t seems strange that man
100 years old should have an aunt living,
but such is Mr.. G0odwin's case, as sister
of his mothers Mrs. ROxanna (Ladd) Mar
tin, born in 1900 is still living in Corinth
Mr.. Goodwin enlisted Feb IL, 1873, for
eighteen months in the 18th u. s. Infantry
of which Moody Bedeil of Haverhill was
Colonel, and was ordered to service in Can
ada, where the regiment saw hard fighting
He took part in several skirmishes, and the
important battles of Prescott, Chippewa
and Lundy's Lane. This last battle was
fought on the brink Of Niagara Falls, July
%, 1874, and was one OF the most holly CON
tested actions on this continent before the
civil war. In this battle he received a
wound in the leg, which has troubled him
ever since, and for which he received in
1878 pension of four dollars per month,
dating back to his discharge from the army.
This was increased in 1852 to eight and a
few years ago to twelve dollars per month.
He has thus drawn pay for military SER
vices rendered the United States, eighty
one years and nine months, most remark
able thing for man to do. There are be-
lieved to be about forty survivors of that
war on the American side, who have not
yet gone over to the majority.
He settled at Ryegate Corner in 1878 on a
farm and carried on the shoe making bust
ness, in which he was esteemed a good
workman, who made boots and shoes that
fitted and wore well.
He was married at Haverhill, Oct. 3, 1919,
by Rev. Grant Powers, to Lydia, daughter
of Daniel and Martha (Merrill) Heath,
who was born in Salem, N. H., Nov. s,
Just one day older than himself. Their
married life lasted 68 years, l month and
IL days, until her death, Dec. 9th, 1887, in
her Gath year..
sly danohfprs If whom two sons and three
danghters are known to he Iiviu@ Thar
other dasoandonts nnrhar t,Ean+,, fon,
1rand- oh;Idran and saUantear rroot grand
si,Ido,, i;,;,, "d Sood d u,
Ryegate until about 1S47, and have since re-
sided in this town, excepting few years in
Haverhill and Corinth.
ne retained uhtil TWO or three years, a
his life, and the events of the century I'M
impaired; He could remember the death of
istration, and has voted at twenty presiden-
tIal elections. 1t has been claimed that he
owes his long life to his having ALWAYS VT
ed the STRAIGHT Democratic ticket hut as the
writer has an uncIe almost az old who nav
or cast a democratic vote in his life he ia
narst1sded that Mr.. Goodwin owes his last
fe uaors IN the affectionate care of i his
biS 6nIitios vi IF Ie,otb Of Iars ;S tha n r W.
,,ta 4 Of fiiaI deviation she viii snreIV live
tn he n hIndred ,yoarS IA barsoIf NV
In narSnn he IL ehnnt fva foot j., ba;ob+
If a ronnd weII.l1nit frame. bIue ewes and
oervouS temnerament He iS sowe1y hot
leaf and his aves are dim hit the weight io of
ears have NOT comneiiad him TO nsa q sSto& Fl
IaI vas nreat raadar " and r S." 10
axtreme old Ace regular at church few
years aoo he nIaced a Suitable stone in the
,.emeteTy at the Town Honse and made ali
necessary ARRANGEMENTS for his funeral
Last Friday was stormy and the travel
ng bad. which kent away many. especially
he old people, but about rs persons called
n the course of the day. at the farm house
If j. G. Leavitt, dwelling nearly if not
Iuite as old as its venerable occupant, to
Jay their respects to the patriarch of New |
Jury.
Mr.. Goodwin does not remember any
hing he is told, but observing an unusual
tlr IN the talnlly In the morning he asked /
what IL meant. Ihey t0ld ann ne was lOO
ears OLD tnat DAY. us that SO "' SAID he,
we ought 10 nave celebration" Some
ne suggested tnat ne nre OH gun. he
lea ana travellhg BACK through the long
ears, ana Wnen alone III MS room was