The Monitor-register., 1897-03-26
Death of tsAunt' Hannah Chard, the
Centonariam.


Aunt Hannah Cbard, said to be the
Oldest woman in Southern New Jersey,
| died on Tuesday afternoon at the resi-
dence of her son, Joel Chard, at Ferrell,
Gloucester county, aged los years.
The aged woman had an attack of the
| grippe the past winter, but had apparently
recovered and was looking forward with
much pleasure to the celebration of the
100 IN anniversary of her birth, on April
20, next.
These anniversary celebrations, which
nave been held for a nun ber of years
past, have been largely attended by rela-
tives and friends, and were looked upon
to a large extent as a holiday in that
section of the county.
Mrs. Chard was one of the most inter
teresting characters. She was seen in all
her glory at one of her birthday reunions,
when su -rounded by 80 grandchildren,
80 great grandchildren and ID great.
great-grandchildren, she received the
congratulations of nearly 800 relatives
and as many more neighbors, including
many -octogeparians and no~nogenarians.
Mrs. Chard lived with her son Joel,
who is II years old, in a quaint old farm
house at Terrell, and did nearly all the
1Uu50 WOshs ouuoOu q q III oOo1
at da W n she was up and busy preparing
breakfast. She could not tolerate lazi-
ness, and visitors were required to rise
with the chickens if they wanted break
fast.
She had strong ideas that could not be
changed as to her manne of living. She
slept IN a cold room, with the windows
hoisted on the coolest night. She elung
to old associations. One bed has served
her for rs years, aud though it was fast
falling to pieces, she refused any other.
o d china that was broken was cemented
and cemented. She ate off the same
plate, used the same knife and fork for
more than a half century.
Among the chickens she always had a
favorite, and the fowl fortunate enough to
win her favor was never killed. This
was tina only pet she ever tolerated.
Since she was % years old Mrs. Chard
enjoyed a corn cob pipe. Each morning
as she left her bedroom she had it be-
tween her teeth. Pipes of every deserip-
tion were presented her, but she refused
them all, preferring to make her own
pipe from corn grown on her farm.
Often she received letters asking the
secret of her longevity. She invariably
answered these, saying: Study nature
and live close to her. " adding that ''smok-
ing a pipe does no harm" She was
very devout, and it was her delight to
have her picture taken with a Bible rest.
ing on her lap.
After her birthday reunions she had all
the extended reports 10 newspapers read
to her. Then she asked, how nue. they
said about the President. When told her
reunion was given more space she ap-
peared satisfied.
She never Travelled IN a railroad train,
and when she visited her son William, at
Port Norris, 60 miles away, she rode
behind a slow horse.
Mrs. Chard was born in Brandywine,
Chester county, Pa. Her father was
Peter Mildebeger, captain of a mar-of-
war. He died when 8 9 was a baby. Her
mother married again, but her stepfather
treated her SO badly that she ran away
from home, and supported herself selling
flowers on the streets in Philadelphia.
While she was selling flowers, she says
she saw George Washington, and that he
patted her on the head. Mrs. Guard sub.
sequently returned home. and was then
bound out to service, and for a while
lived on the ground where the battle of
Brandy wine was fought. At the age of
90 she married William Chard. Her us-
band died IA years ago. when he was 81
years old.
Mrs. Chard remembered distinctly the
excitement incident to the wal of 1912.
Sitting in a big arm chair, with her pipe
between her teeth she would tell stories
for hours about the early history of New
Jersey. She darned, sewed and prepared
meals, and always looked after the well
fare of her guests.
Mrs. Chard claimed her family is re-
lated to General Sickles, of New York.
She says her husbands grandfather and
sister owned about 1900 acres of the land
on which the city of Brooklyn is now
situated. She entered suit against Brook
Ign for $16, 600, 900. An attempt was made
to press the suit 81 years ago. when,
members of her family allege, their
counsel was bought off by officials of
Brooklyn.
Wouldn't you like a beautiful portrait