Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-02

FRIDAY MORNING. NOV. 2. 1894.
LOCAL.
Americas Oldest Christian.
A Stanton Woman ia Her Tooth Year.
The ''Christian Herald of New York,
Rev. t. De Witt Talmage's paper, publishes
portrait of, and long interview with
Mile Jefferson, colOred. aged one hundred
and nine years, who formerly lived in
Stanton, ard now lives at No Il. West
9th street. New York. She WAS born
March Both, 1855, Oh the estate OF Thomas
Jefferson, and was married 1T S.aaawell,
Albemarle. TO Peter Jefferson, WHO belong
ed to President jefferson. She has two
daughters with her, the youngest of " HON
is seventy-siX years cid. She is tie neither
Of Taylor Jefferson, formerly we'll kliown
character in Stanton, Wiu moved TO iowa,
and OF George jefferson. Sl.e ard her hus-
band Peter, came into the possession of
Maj. George Eskridge ct Augusta Gather
Of the late Maj. VIM. EskiGye so long at
the National Valley Bank, AID when Pc
ter died, Maj. Geo. Esl;iis!ga had him
buried in the addition to the white cemete-
~ i'll Stanton, and had 4 stone crec!ed to
bis memory as q faithful servant. The
stone is still there. Many of our older
colored citizens remember Nj lille when she
lived here. She is blind, and the Christian
Herald found her out in New \ ork, through
its Food Fund, which is being distributed
to the suffering poor. The account in that
paper says SHE had line children, three of
whome are still living; fifty seven grand
cuildrer, AID tWenty-siN great grand chill
dren, 1t says:
''Grm:dma" Jefferson has surprising
men y, and can readily recall events that
happened over a century ago. Her hus-
band died mary years age. When the
Civil Var bfohe out size was in Staunton,
Va, where she WAS cook and house-ser-
want. At the conclusion OF the war, she
and her children were liberated. They are
now scattered in different parts of the
Union, some Of them being in Oskaloosa,
Iowa, Where ''Grandma" Jefferson lived
with item, until she came to New Y DIRK to
be with her youngest daughter, Mrs.
Davis, seven years ago.
The Old WClnan has IN exceedingly intel
iieelt f;ce, with a fine forehead, crowned
will 81 ow-white hair. The cheeks are
sIs.tke.i, aud the light of the eyes has gone
ont from this world; yet the face beams
"jt:l enthusiasm as she speaks. Her voice
is clear, with very little Of the tremulous
:sii;!Eer peculiar to most aged people, and
Ter hearing and memory are phenomenal.
Indeed, her ''chil7ren, - as she lovingly calls
her daughters who wait upon her, declare
that she can recall many events which they
have forgotten.
'Ch, yes" she said pleasantly, after a
eoltial exchange Of greeting, II can mem
Der everything. You can't member back
OF de last war, eh?'' with q little laugh.
de war closed jest twenty-nine years ago,
on April 81
IL am glad to see you SO happy" said
the caller.
us always happy, cause has the Lo'd
with me- replied '"Grandma' Jefferson.
''Dere's nothing to make yo' unhappy, if
yo' has him. I has him in my heart for
iol 6. ltrg years, and will have him till go
to be with linn where he is.
cit S jest fifty-nine years ago." she adj
fifty years ole. How was 1 converted?
Well, it was jest like this: My mssus
was Christian woman, and her teachings
were what opened my eyes fust. But it
came upon me all very sudden like. The
change in my heart came when heard MIR.
Cresa preach at the Methods Conference.
took straight hol' of my Saviour, and
been holdin' right along, bless de Lo'd!
Yo' see, it was matter o. faith. De Lo'd
Jesus tole me to trus' him, and l jest
trus ed. Yo' know. we's. tole to put our
trus' in the Lo d, and he will never forsake
us, nor deny us any good thing. So jest
reached out an trus ed, and | have trus ed
ever sence." And a bright smile lit up the
aged face like ray from heaven.
''But you must have had a great many
experiences in these fifty-odd years, Gram
ny %
''Oh, yes, but bless de Lo'd, Is all right,
chile! We may slip back ninety-nine
times, but eff we ask him TO help us even
the las time, he Won't refuse, bless his
name! Now my wo'k here is done.' And
she held out her hands, palm upward, IN an
attitude of supreme resignation. 81 jest
Waitn', jest waitin,. Every thing is finish
ed, clean up and all nice, four years ago,
and right up till now." The sightless eyes
turned to the visitor as though seeking to
emphasize the beautiful faith that found
on the lips.
"You have a strong hold on Christ,
Grandma ?"
The old woman raised herself on one ell
bow in bed, with strength that was SURE
prising, and turned her face toward the
speaker.
"Well," she said with emotion, sits jest
like this: The Lo'd tole me to trus him
and to believe what he says in the Bible,
eEery wo'd Of it. Now / can't read nor
neber could, but he has written it all here
right in my heart, and believe it all. He
will never forsake me-never!'
'sYo on are very patient, too, lying there
so long. Do you think much Of the heaven
to which you are going 20
''Yes, does, chile often; al is b'ess-
ed lynn here. It's all cl'ar to me- VI hen
we reach dere, dose who have KEEP the faith
and given themselves to him, will have no
recollection Of dis POI sinful, mo'tal body,