davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
MRS. NANCY DOWNEY.

Mrs. Nancy Downey was born in
Skull, county Cork, Ireland, Oct. 80,
1903 of Irish parents, James and Nancy
Hazel. She came to this country 43
years ago, and settled in BrookfeId.
She was married to William Downey
when she was n years old, and two
Children came to them. Only one is
now living, James Downey, a merchant
at North BroOkfied. Her husband died
in 1879, Aug. II, at the age of 81. She
has since lived here, and now has her
home on River street.
Her general health is very good but
she is not able to move about the house
except by the aid of chalrs. She is
blind and slightly deaf, and complain.
little of rheumatism. Her memory
is good, and she we'll remembers the
names of persons whom She knew IS
years ago. The daily paper is read
to her, and she takes a keen interest
in the doings about the town and coun-
try.
AS long as she was able. she attend
ed services at St. Mary's Catholic
Church, but has not been able to go
for ten years.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

worked in a general store. In Decem-
per, lb4S. he married Eliza Ann Broad
ana on January 1st. 1S4s. he moved TO
Biandford and remained there until
LeSV' Wnen ne came TO West Brookfield
"nere ne has lived ever since.
Mr.. knowlton has had three chill
aren. one boy, who was born in Rut-
iand and died in his infancy at Bland
IorG; another boy, VINO was born In
Bianford, died in 1872; and a daughter
Lizzie, was born to him in 1862, who
Is now the wife of David A. Wilson Of
Albany. who has for years been con
nected with the principal hotels in
that city. They have one son who is
now about p years of age, David A.
Wilson, Jr.
Mr.. Knowlton was one of a family of
three sons and four daughters. and
within a year there was living one
sister, aged 81 years, one aged 81. one
- and two brothers, aged respectively
Ss and Is years. In spite OF this re-
markable exhibit OK longevity. Mr..
knowIton, while ever enjoying the best
OF health, was always of q fraiI phvs-
lque, and although he has made sever
al applications for life insurance com
menclng when he was q years of age
he was never able 10 find a company
willing to insure him.
1t is related of him that while quite
young, he was very attentive to a Ger
tain young lady, who, upon being spok-
en- to about it, said that "She liked
Tommy Knowlton very much, but she
would never marry him, as she did
not like the idea of being left young
widow"
In 1855 Mr.. Knowlton purchased the
general store Of Chandler Giddings. but
was burnt out in about a years time.
and owing to some defect in the polf-
cies. was never able to collect his In
surance.
Mr.. knowltons wife died In 1867. and
since then he has made his home at
the West Brookfield House occupying
one room in that hosiery for % years
January 9Th, 1874, a public library was
established in the town and he was
appointed librarian and served most
acceptably to all until 1894, when he
found the position too burdensome for
ms advancing years, and he resigned
he was never a member of any Sc
cret society, except the Know Nothings.
which he joined just before they died
Neither has he been very prominent IN
the religious world CVinciuS no prefer
ence for any denomination living his
calm and uneventful life with love for
all and malice toward none" and with
nothing to disturb mis- serenity, he bids
fair TO spend many more years in the
midst of his many friends.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
HENRY PROCTOR BARRETT.

Henry Proctor Barrett was born in
what is now West Brookheld on the
18th day Of June, 1872. His father, af-
ter whom he was named, enlisted in the
army during the war of 1872 and being
sent south died there Of yellow fever
His mothers name was Ruth Brigham
She died about 20 years ago. at the age
OF IS years, 10 months and % DAYS
On the goth day of SeptemDer, 1896
he married Celuria White futile and
moved to the farm where he lives at
present; his wife will be SO years old
on the 18th day Of February. They
have had seven children, Of whom four
are now living-Jabez G. Barrett who
lives on a farm in West Brookfield.
Daniel Proctor Barrett, who resides in
Connecticut; Mrs. Ruth Prouty, who
lives in Hardwick, and Henry w. Bar
rett, who lives at homo with his pa
rents. Mr.. Barrett had one sister. So
phia Adeline, who lives in Brookheld.
and is 80 years old. His grandfather,
Capt. Benjamin Barrett, was a captain
in the revolutionary war and died Feb
II, 1851, at the age Of so years. Capt.
Barrett was familiar figure about tho
town within the memory Of many OF
its citizens.
Mr.. Barrett is well-preserved man
"
although he cannot get around as MIN
bly, as he did a few years ago. vet he
takes an interest in everything going
on about the farm, and the buying and
selling Of cattle, which has been his
business for many years. Many a drove
has he gathered together aud driven
to Brighton in the good old days, and
many times he has had between 100 and
200 head on his farm.
He saw Gen. Lafayette when he
passed through the town in 1924. and
one of his best recollections is of going
TO Barre TO meet Daniel Webster when
there was a great dinner given In his
honor, In 1870 lie celebrated the 4bth
and 50th anniversaries Of his marriage
and a picture Of the family was taken
at that time, Of which he IL very proud.
II is said or Mr.. Barrett that when
young man his great ambition was to
own more land and pay more taxes
than any man in West Brookfield and
for Is years he has owned 93j acres of
land. which is more than any other
one in town owns, and with the ex-
ception OF three years OF the time he
has paid the largest taxes of any one
in town.
When Mr. Barrett was young man
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
MRS. ARBA BRIDGES.

Mrs Arba Bridges was born in War
rem in 1907, daughter of David and
Mary Shepard, a prosperous farmer of
this town. On March 9Th, 1884. she
married Arba Bridges, also of War
rem The result of this union was two
children George Bridges of Warren
and John Bridges, who is now in the
west They both learned the carpen-
Ter $ trade and were reliable, substan
ual men in that trade.
Mrs. Bridges memory has failed bec
considerably of late years. but in Other
ways her health holds good, she being
up and around the house.
EARLY i'll life she Joined the Congre-
gatlonal Church Living some miles
from the village and of homelike dis
position, she never had much time to
enter into the pleasures Of society
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

was married to Sally Hart, in Spencer,
by whom he has had five children two
OF whom are now living, besides seven
grandchildren.
On Nov. Is, 1861, we find him in
Danielsonvllle, Conn, where he enlisted
in Company It, Eleventh regiment,
Connecticut volunteers, and re-enlsted
Feb. q, 1864, as a veteran volunteer.
but only served for a short time when
he was discharged, Dec. 81, 1864. Soon
after he moved to West Brookfield and
has made his home here since, working
most Of the time at his trade of shoe
making.
He has for 1G years been a member
of Alanson Hamilton Post, No. 100. G.
A. r.. and for years has held the office
Of guard and was regularly at his post
as long as his health permitted He
was also a regular attendant at the
Catholic church, but age has overtaken
T. and to-day he is confined to his
house, and it is probable that in very
short time the G. A. f. boys Will be
called upon to perform the last sad
rites for Uncle Peter German
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

10 o'clock and then go home" He is a
man Of determination, of pleasant dis
position, quick to grasp ideas, always
ready for joke and a good hand to
make one. -,
His mind is storehouse of facts of
me town history and dates of events.
He has great memory. which serves
Wen the townspeople, who often refer
to him for facts regarding their ances-
tors. Mr.. Combs has been deputy
sheriff of the town 81 years in success
sion, overseer of the poor 9 years and
on school committee in the time when
the school divisions We're called dis
trlcts, Ior years. Hell always voted
the republican ticket Mr.. Combs is a
| Well-preserved man for his 81 years.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

returned 70 West Bro5kfeld in 1919.
where she has resided ever since. Her
husband died in 1SS- aged 20 years
OF the II children which she has had.
seven Of them are SIN living: Thomas
P. Shaw OF Springfield. Mass Anna Z.
Daley Of Spencer. James Nsnzies Shaw
% West BrBokleld. Leidy 4. Shaw Of
South Norwalk. Conn, Clara D. Shaw
Of West Brookheid- :. Jalaua N Shaw
of West Brookheld, Waldo ". Shaw q
Boston.
The house in which she resides was
built before the revolutionary war and
Is one of the ancient landmarks Of The
country. Mrs. Shaw's health i very
good. She eats we'll ana sleeps well, and
Is not very deaf for one of her years,
but her memory has failed somewhat
Of late years. She is very proud Of being
the first woman who ever rode on the
Boston * Albany railroad. and says
4 thar the passengers stopped TO pick
blackberries on their way to Boston.
She was present at the laying of the
corner stone Of Bunker Hill monument
in Boston. and shook hands with Lafay-
cite. She says that a little girl al that
time, about years old, made a short
address TO Gen. Lafayette in French,
and he responded and presented her a
ring.
Mrs Shaw was at one time a member
Of the Congregational church in this
town, but her religious preferences were
never very decided and she has affili-
ated with the Episcopalians and the
Presbyterians at different times in her
life as circumstances required.
Ever since her marriage her life has
been that Of thousands of other women.
Finding her pleasures and her duties
in her home. and IN the bringing up of
a large family OF children, and with
charity to all she rests content that
when life's long journey is over she will
enjoy the reward BETTING her long life
Of usefulness to others.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
WILLIAM FOSTER.

william Foster was born on Ragged
hill. WestNBrookheld, on the 23d day Of
August, 1909, ON what is now known as
the Prouty farm. and lived there for 43
years when he built and moved into
his present house where he has lived
for AZ years, thug living in the one town
for his whole long life Of 80 years He
married Miss Rebecca Gilbert Ross by
whom he had one boy and one girl The
son is living with him now He has
four grandchildren and four great
grandchildren, and there IS no day in
which one can call on Mr.. Foster with
out meeting four generations.
Mr.. Foster Is in possession Of all his
senses and is a perfect physical type
OF manhood. He has been engaged in
farming and the lumber and saw mill
business all his life, and worked in the
field haytng and moving with the boys
last summer, although he admits that
he did not try to keep up with them.
He is as straight az an arrow, his mem
DRY Is good and he enjoys reading the
news and is well informed on all the
topics OF the day. He has used tobacco
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
THOMAS S. KNoWLToN.

The subject Of this sketch was born
in Winchendon, Mass, May 10Th, 1873
Of American parents. and lived there
until he was 8 years Of age, when his
parents moved to Hardwick and re-
NAMED there for +hree years, when
tney returned to Winchendon. At the
age of IS years, young Know lton started
cut for himself and went 10 RoXbury,
where he worked in a grocery store for
year, after which ne came back 70
Acton, Winchendon and Fitzwilliam,
where he remained until he was =
years Of age.
He was next engaged in the manu-
faoture Of shoes at 43aldwinviile and
went to Rutland in 1899. where he
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

years, after which time she moved to
West Brookfeld, which has since been
her home.
Only one son was born to them, who
died at the early age of nine years.
Her husband died in 1884. and since
then she has resided with her niece
who is the wife Of John q. Shackley.
prominent business man of this town.
Mrs. Paige has always been a mem
Der OF the Congregational church. and
UP to about four years ago had never
missed a Sunday in church. Her mem
Dry is remarkable for one of her wears
and she delights in relating reminis-
cences Of We olden times. one of her
most vivid recollections is OF going to
Boston about 1924 to see Gen. I.afay-
cite. She relates most infinitely about
standing in line with other children
and dropping a courtesy as he passed
by, and she recites a coupet or verse
which was placed upon one of the
arches under which he passed, as fol-
lows:
1--WE bow not the neck, we bend not
the knee.
But our hearts, Lafayette, we surrender
to thee"
Up to within a year she has been
very smart, and walked up to the store
several times last summer but this
winter she has been content to spend
her time IN the house and receive the
calls of her many friends.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
MRS. BeTSEY JANE WHITING

Mrs. Betsey Jane Whiting was born
Sept. 12 1918, in Rutland, Mass Her
parents were Jeduthan and Betsey
Eliza Green. She was one of two
daughters and four sons, none of whom
are now alive She married Albert
Whiting when she was % years old.
and moved to Barre She lived in
Barre 81 years, and then moved to
Worcester, and lived there several
years, moving to Chicago. Then, af-
ter living in the Windy city for two
years, she moved to Wheaton, ILL.,. and
lived there four years.
From Wheaton, Ill, she moved to
Worcester again, and lived there I'M
til 1882 when she moved to Brookdeld,
and lives in the same house she first
occupied on Grove street. She is now
in good health, and assists about the
household duties. She is q member of
the UniVersalist Church at Worcester.
but attended the Unitarian Church at
Brookfield until about two years ago.
She has two daughters and one son.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

largest farm and pays the largest tax
IL WeSE Brookheld.
Mrs. Stoweu has always lived in
Brookheld. She married Luther Stow
ell when she was 20 years old. One
child was born. but died soon after its
birth. She has no near relatives eX-
cepling the one mentioned. She is able
10 be about the house on River street
but does not do any Of the work. She
reads the new papers. She attended
the Unitarian church until two years
ago with regularity. She is a member
of the social and benevolent societies
connected with the church.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

and she died in July, 1894 Mrs Pow
ers still makes her home with her SON
in-laW, Mr.. Ford. She was member
of the Baptist church, but in recent
years she has attended the Methodist
church. She is quite feeble and very
deaf, but mentally her mind is perfect,
and she reads the Lewiston Journal
regularly, having been a reader for the
last 40 years.
She took great pride in showing your
correspondent some handmade tow
els and table cloths Of her own handi-
work which have been in her family
from GO to IS years.
Her life has been a simple home life,
living only for the care and comfort of
her husband and family. and today
reaping her reward and enjoying all the
comforts Of happy home and the care
attentions of a loving son in her deugh-
ter's husband.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
MRS. ABIGAIL BALL POWERS,

Abigail Ball Warner a daughter Of
Jonathan Warner and Patty Ball War
ner, was born in Berlin, Mass, Jan. Is
1909. Her fathers family consisted Of
seven boys and six girls, Of whom four
are now living. Soon after her birth
her father moved his family TO Maine
and they resided in Livermore Falls
Welton and that vicinity for many
years.
In 1891 she was married to Henry
Powers, at that time a contractor and
builder, and in 1859 they moved to
West Brookheld, where her husband
had charge Of Lewis milk factory I'M
til his death, which occurred Jan. 3.
1893.
Three children were the result Of this
union. only one Of whom lived to be
married, to L. w. Ford Of this town.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
MRS. HENRIETTA CUTLER.

Mrs. Henrietta Cutler, who has reach
ed the age of So, was born in Canton
Mass, in the wear 1911. The daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. John Tucker.
In lS4S she married Thomas Fiske
Cutler farmer of this town. Six
children were born to them. two of
which are living, James Cutler. who
carries on the old farm on the Brimfeld
road, and Miss Ellen Cutler who lives
with her mother. Mrs. Cutler has en-
joyed very good health. and has been
active in home duties. She is a mem
Der of the Congregational Church. She
has been active in its affairs in her
younger days. She is woman of
quiet. retiring nature, much taken with
home duties.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

whence he moved to Sturbridge. and in
1888 he moved to West Brookfield
where he has since made his home. In
S36 he married Clarissa Adeline
Washburn, and three children were the
result of the union, all OF whom are
now dead. He has Eve grandchildren
ing Nv
MT Alnsworth is exceedingly smart
ior ms age ms memory is good, and he
is able to do considerable LIGHT 1Jorl,
whenever he finds 1t TO do, and last fail
ne walked to Athol to see some friends
lie has always been a member az NE
Conversational Church. but has never
joined any secret organization, and
seems happy and contented in his Sc,
rene old age.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
REBECCA RICE PAIGE.

Rebecca Rice was born in Brookfield.
Mass, Nov. II, 1911, her father, William
Rice, being prominent man in the
town, interested in the politics of the
town, and the recipients of many IA
vors from the townspeople He died
at the age Of "a years, and her mother,
who was a daughter of another citizen
Of Brookileld, died at the age of &C
years. Mrs. Paige had five brothers and
five sisters, only one of whom is now
living, Mrs. William Bush of Worces-
ter.
oct. q, 1884, she was married to Will
liam Paige and moved to North Brook
field, and remained there for nine
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

there We're no secret societies in this
Immediate vicinity, consequently he,
with the rest, never joined anything Of
the kind. He has attended the Congre-
gational church, which was for many
years the only church in town. Age
has dealt kindly with Henry Proctor
Barrett, and he still looks forward to
many more years OF life in the com
partnership Of the one who has helped
him to enjoy the pleasures and bear the
burdens Of his life for nearly SO years.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
PETER WILSON

Peter Wilson was born in Copeck. N.
Y. June 9th, 1872, both of his par
ents being Americans In 1885 he had
moved as far east as Norfolk. Ct,
where he married Lucinda Hotchkiss
on Oct. "a of that year to whom there
have been born four children, three of
whom are still living-Mary Il. Black
mer, who lives at home and cares for
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
PETER GERMAN.

1t is impossible to obtain the exact
age Of Uncle Peter, as he is Familiarity
called by most of his friends, but il
is learned that he was born in St
Cezaire, Canada, and left there when
he' was II years old; from the history
of events which he recollected as hap
pening the year he left, this must have
been in 1926, so that he was born in
1909
He worked in different places in Yer
mont and Massachusetts in the cotton
mills and at shoemaking, and about 1S4(
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
A REMEDY FOR THE GRIPPE.

A remedy recommended for patients
afflicted with the Grippe is Kemp's Bal
sam, which is especially adapted to dis
eases OF the throat and lungs Do not
wait for the first symptoms Of the disease.
but get bottle today and keep it on hand
for use the moment II is needed If neg
lected the grippe has a tendency to bring
on pneumonia. The Balsam prevents this
by keeping the cough loose. All druggists
sell the Balsnm.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
WILLIAM COMBS,

William Combs is the oldest man in
Warren. Born in this town, July o.
1872, he has always lived here and has
lived a useful busy life. His father
was John Combs. his mother Mrs. Fu-
nice Shepard Combs.
Oct. 3, 1888, he married Elizabeth &
Watson of Ware. His first wife bav-
ing died, he married the second time
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
SUSAN ANN SHAW.

Susan Ann Menzies was born in Bos-
ton, July 10, 1913. Her fathers name was
James Mehzies and her mothers name
was Susannah Hunnewell They were
the lineal descendants of a distin-
guished Scotch family and her mother
was, member of the well known Hun
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

in 1884,, Mrs S. E. Rowell of Worces-
ter.
Two daughters We're the result,of the
first union-Mrs. Martha A. Brecl5en-
ridge and Mrs G. H. Walker. both Of
whom live In Warren. Mr., Combs has
had remarkably good health and as
he says; Il have not lost a meal of
victuals for more than a year" Mr.,
Combs is an undertaken, and since 1890
has buried over 5000 bodies. II can line
a casket with any younger man" saws
Mr.. Combs, land do all my own trim
ming at the present time"
Mr. Combs has always attended the
congregational church, for a number
OF years being one of the parish COM
mittee In his young days he was the
life OF social gatherings of the vounS
people Mr.. Combs says: "In those
days the young fellows would chin in
20 cents each to pay the fiddler, old
Uncle Burbank, We would dance I'm
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
EV ENING
OF LIFE.
Notable Careers of the Aged
La Five County Towns.
UNUSUAL LONGEVITY.
UNUSUAL
L0NGEV ITY
Warren, West BrooEfield North Brookfeld
Brooktield and East Brookfeld Repre-
sented by Interesting Chapters.

The 0
and Brookhd lead the list numerically with North
Brookhed
the biographies
of distinction of having been
suct Nearly all the remarkably good
health and
time Hence the old
among the most entertaining
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
ON HAMPDEN'S BORDER,
Warren Has Not Many Over IS, But They
Are All Hale and Hearty.

The town of Warren, which borders
on Hampden county, has a small list
of persons s. years oh and upwards,
which it is doubtful can be duplicated
in any of the neighbormg towns in the
border county. AT all events, Warren
is justly proud Of her aged people.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27
EMERY R. AlNSWORTH,

Emery r. Ainsworth was born in
uXbridge, Mass, March g. 1912. and
was one of eight children, Of whom two
are now living. His father moved to
charlton when he was very young, and
remained there for twelve years
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

during his whole life and likes it as well
today as ever.
Mr.. Foster was never a member of
any secret organization, but he has at
tended the Congregational church
whenever the opportunity was his To
look at him today one would say that
he was entitle to live many mora years
Of life and enjoy the repose which his
many long years of usefulness in this
world has earned him
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-27

newell family Of Boston, There were
several members of the family, Qale
and female, but Mrs. Shaw was unable
to give their names. Her father and
mother both died when she was very
young, and she was adopted by fam
lily by the name of Darling, and as
Susan Ann Darling she was known TO
her friends, but the family name of
Men2ies was given to two of her child
rem. She came to West Brookfield when
she was 10 years old, but shortly after
moved to Ware and learned the trade
OF tailoring, and in August Of 1894 she
married George w. Shaw of Ware. In
1885, theJ lao,9d To- Pennsylvania, but