St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-05-15
PEACHAM.
Ninetieth Anniversary.

May Sth, 1896, was day long to be
remembered by the children and grand
children of Mrs. Myra J. Blanchard, who
completed her ninetieth year on that day,
and to few above the age of three score
years and ten is given more vigor of
mind and body than Mrs. Blanchard
possesses.
Having passed her entire life in
Peacham and having been active in all
good works, she has made herself an es-
sential part of the church and town.
Living with her son Edmund c. Ban-
chard she has so infused her patient
CHEEKY nature into the family that it is
impossible to think OF the home with
out Grandma" and it was with devout
thanks to God for her spared life that her
children saw her enjoyment of her birth
day.
Those of her children and grandchi-
dren who took dinner with her were
Mrs. Ira McClary and family, numbering
ten, among whom must be mentioned
her great grand daughter Elizabeth Will
son. ten months old, the Youngest guest
OF the day, and the family of Edmund C.
Blanchard. During the afternoon and
evening she received many calls and quite
a number younger than she overcome by
the infirmities of age excused themselves
from calling lest she be wearied by too
much company.
Her invited guests for the afternoon
were the following persons: Mrs. Asa
Sargent, aged Sc years and 9 months;
Mrs. Emeline Bailey, 81 years and 5
months Mrs. Mercy Hooker, II wears; ;
Mrs. Jacob Way, 76 years and
months Miss Sarah A. Hand, 76 years;
Mrs. Sanford Hooker, II years and 10
months; Mrs. Lafayette Strobridge, 70
years and months; Mrs. Moses John
son OF Barnet, &c years; Mrs. John
Welch of Barnet, 60 years. Including
Mrs. Blanchard S age of 90 years with
these the total is 757 years and months,
giving the average of rs years and 8
months for each guest.
1t was remarkable fact that to each
caller she gave marked attention, rising
and warmly shaking each one by the
hand when leaving, following to the door
and hoping to receive another call.
Among her callers were Rev. ]. X. Will
liams and wife, Dea James EMERSON,
Dea. Ashbel Martin and wife, Moses
Martin, Mrs. Hand, Mrs. John Varnum,
Mrs. Hebblethwaite, Mrs. Plynn Bolton,
Mrs. Hidden, Mrs. Herbert Hooker, Mr..
and Mrs. Bunker, and Miss Tirzah Guy.
Beautiful flowers were carried by Mrs.
Sergeant, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. McClary,
Mrs. Hebblethwaite, Miss Guy and Mrs.
Bunker To see Mrs. Blanchard is to
realize the sunny side of old age. Her
sight being such as to permit her to read,
to sew, and to knit, her hands are seldom
idle, while her mind stored with facts
pertaining to state, town, church and
family history is to herself, as well as
others, continual feast, To go to Mrs.
Blanchard for information concerning all
such matters is the proper thing torevery
one to do.
Her life has not been free from care and
anxiety and many sorrows have been her
portion, but her trust in God has been
steadfast, and to be cheerful and useful
while she lives is still her ruling desire.
Miss Clara Holmes has returned home
from Portland where she has been for a
few weeks.
Some of our singers will attend the
musical convention at st, .Johnsbury
next week.
Miss Jennie Mackay was home from St.
Johnsbury over Sunday.
The road machine with the usual num-
Der of men, started last week, toimprove
the roads.
Mark Adams, who lived in Scott Far
NUNS house at Ewells Hollow, has
moved onto the Charles Greenbank's
farm.
Miss Jane Blanchard, who spent the
winter in Baltimore, has returned home.
Jesse M. Clark was chosen delegate to
attend the Christian Endeavor conven-
ton at Corinth this week.
Mrs. B. S. Hooker, who has been in
Boston for the past two months, returns
home this week.