Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-04-23
DEACON NATHAN PIERCE.
Death OF "A Man Long n Loved and Re
spected Resident of TOwnshend.

Deacon Nathan Pierce died last Friday April
IL, at his home with his son in Sunield, Conn
aged 90 years, one month, 10 days. Though his
home had been in Connecticut for the past -
years there are many in Windham county who
will read the announcement Of his death with
saddened hearts for Deacon Pierce was one of
Townshend's prominent men for more than so
years.
Who that has driven up through the lovely
West river valley but will remember the large
white house and pleasant grounds mile below
West Townshend, at the foot Of the cone-like
mountain in front, which stood like a sentinel to
guard from all harm, while the thrifty farm
stretches away to the mountains on the west
This hospitable home came to be, and was for
years a vertable saints rest" where all classes
from a doctor Of divinity TO the rowing band OF
gypsies found sheltering roof and homelike fare
in need; for Dea. Pierce ever had kindly word
for the humble, while there were few OF them Of
the "cloth" who could crack a dish of theological
nuts with more experiences than he.
| dare say there are still on the road some of
the officials or workmen of the marrow gauge
who will remember how he used TO flag the
train" about this time of year and have them
stop and help sugar or for the sugar house
stood near the track, while the accommodating
conductor OF the train, in turn was ever ready to
SLOW up and drop OFF at the door the visiting
friends.
Coming from his birthplace, in Windham, to
this valley home with his bride, Anna II. Burnap.
March is, 1880 for more than so years they lived
here their happy life, loved and respected by all
who knew them. Here were born TO them seven
children, three sons and four daughters. Of whom
four-Desides an adopted boy, George--with their
mother, live TO mourn the loss of devoted hus-
band and beloved father. Two daughters, Mrs.
Lucia Baldwin and Mrs, Julia Washburn live in
Mortified, Mimi, Mrs. Marcia Kendall's home is
in Dunstable, Mass, George lives In Brattleboro,
while the son, Albert lives in Sutlield, where the
parents have lived in the house with him since
they left West TOwnshend in 1884.
While Dea. Pierce was not a pushing politician
,,fy,a ria 1gan md Iavra ~,
kinley man in the last campalgn,) he was active
and interested in everything that concerned the
good Of the town and state. and at times had to
suffer the persecution of the wicked because of
his activity in the cause of temperance, though
such persecution never dampened his ardor or
slackened his zeal.
But il was especially as a loving husband, af.
fectionate father, kind neighbour and upright
consistent Christian man that his light shone in
all the region round about. Before the Congre-
gational church was formed in West TOwnshend,
the summers heat or winters cold seldom pre-
vented his driving with his family, four miles to
East Townshend as regularly as the Sabbath
came and though a very busy man with his large
farm, yet few the times that he did not leave
his work to attend the mid-week afternoon prayer
meeting, making IL the first thing to seek the
kingdom of God and his righteousness After
the formation of the West Townshend church he
was chosen one of its deacons, and such he re.
NAMED to the day of his death, almost a half
century, What was church without Dea Pierce
at the head of his pew, and what prayer meet
ing without his voice and eXhortation, or what a
county conference" for years and years unless
he answered present" at the roll callf Known
and read of all men, his light was as the rising
sun, shining more and more unto the perfect day.
And thus il shone to the close, which was as the
setting sun, dropping at close Of day behind the
| western horizon
His strength, both Of mind and body, had been
failing in some degree for year, but he was still
quite vigorous to all appearance, and the day be-
| fore his death had walked a fourth of mile and
| back TO the church to see the repairs that are
being made, and to sit once more in his accus
| toned seat. Friday he seemed as well as usual
| happy and cheerful. Going in TO dinner he sal
down in his accustomed place, but a moment
after threw up his hands, gasped two or thre'
| times and In five minutes was gone without
struggle, fit and peaceful ending of good anC
noble life. CON.