The Portland daily press., 1898-02-07


on other days when the weather has been
so cold that few people care to venture
out.
Mrs. Henry's memory is remarkable.
She remembers dates, facts and events
which others have forgotten. She can
tell about many things which are now al
most forgotten or which can only be veri-
fed by turning back the pages of history.
For the benefit of PRESS reporter,
Mrs. Henry told the story of her life Sat
urday night. 1t was genuine pleasure
to talk with her, she remembers so well
and talks so entertainingly. While she
answers the few questions which were
Henry's hearing is as upilnpaired and
as perfect as ever, the old lady held in
her lap one of her great grandchildren,
of whom she is very fond and answered
the questions of the child with as much
care aud as much patience as she did
those of the older people. Patience and
happy disposition has had great deal
to do with Mrs. Henry's longevity, and
many people half her age have lost their
store of these admirable qualities long
years ago.
II was born in Courtmasherry, Conn
ty of Cork, Ireland, February 6, 1899.
This town is only little distance from
the city of Cork, and near the Bay of
Cork. My maiden name was Mary Ann
Harley and my father was school teach
er in that town. had two brothers and
three sisters, all of whom are now dead.
My sister Margaret lived to be "a yea
old and died on her birthday. / can az
member the town in which was born
and in which I lived very we'll, and also
the names of many of my old friends and
schoolmates, although | left Ireland in
1929, when was % years old. One Of
the first things I can remember was hear
ing my father and mother tell about the
rising of '9s, which took place the year
before WAS born, but which even when
grew old enough to pay any attention
to such matters the people in my town
had not done talking about. My father
was of English descent and was Pres
byterian, the church in which was
brought up.
every we'll can remember the day on
which two big ships of war sailed into
Cork harbor, their decks crowded with
men and their mast gay with flags, bring
ing us the first news we received of the
battle of Waterloo, in which that terror
of the world and ogre of history, Napo-
leon Bonaparte, was defeated by our own
Duke of Wellington. The people went
crazy with JOY when they heard of the
great victory. The bells Of the city of
Cork were rung and big bon fires lighted
in celebration OF the event. These ships
brought home the wounded Irishmen
who participated in that great battle,
and there was great rejoicing at their
return. Three of the officers Of one Irish
regiment were quatered at my fathers
house for many days, and can remem-
Der some of the stories they had to tell of
that terrible fight. Their bright uniforms
and handsome faces made great i'm
preston upon me.
"In 1922, I went on visit to lady
friend of my family who lived in Queens
town. While was there there came into
that harbor the first steamboat ever seen
in Irish waters. Everyone turned out
and lined the docks to see the strange
craft which moved so swiftly through
the water without sails or oars. 1t was
a wonderful thing then, but / suppose
the people Of Queenstown see enough of
such craft now. While was in Queens
town 1 got letter from my brother,
William Harley, who was in America.
He was a government surveyor and want
ed me to come over to him as soon as pos
sible, as he said he had young, hand
some and wealthy husband waiting for
me over there. went home to my faith
er's house and it was soon decided that
should sail for this country. / was one
of about $50 passengers on board a sail
ing ship which left Cork May 7, 1922. 1t
was terrible voyage. I was sick about
all the way across and glad enough to
sight land, after seven weeks and three
days on board that ship. landed at q
place called Pockshaw in the Bay OF
Chaleur. 1t was a very small settlement
then with only very few houses, and
they were all built of logs. My brother
expected me and was there waiting for
me. We had to walk rs miles to get to
his home. There were no roads. no con-
veyances of any kind. not even path. 1t
was trackless forest, in which not one
tree had been cut. We made our way by
aid of compass over wind falls and
across brooks to Newcastle. We were
three nights on the road and we had to
sleep in the woods without any shelter.
On the fourth night we got to Newcastle
and here we found a very small settle
ment. Eight months after my arrival at
this place I married John Henry, who
was the agent and business man for a
big mercantile company. l had nine
children. seven of whom grew up and
were married. I don't know how many
descendants 1 have, but they will num-
Der up into the hundreds. My husband
died 2S years ago. I lived ON the
Miramichi until after my husbands death
and then came to the states where some
of my children lived. had brother
named John Harley, who built ships on
Roltar's island near NeWcaStia -