The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-11-02
OBITUARY..

Capt. Robert 7. Emery died at his home
at the corner of Church and Grove streets
in this city at 1.40 p. NJ, Oct. 25th, aged 76
years, months and 16 days. He was born
in Belfast, a son of Dennis and Jane Emery.
and spent his boyhood on the farm. In
early manhood he began going to sea and
soon rose to the command of some of the
largest and best ships on the ocean His
first vessel was the ship Eastern Queen In
1861 the ship Living Age of 1880 tons was
built for him in Belfast, he being a large
owner. Sept. 49, 1863 while in command of
this vessel, on a voyage from Liverpool to
San francisco, he was captured by the Con-
federate cruiser Tuscaloosa, one of the ves-
sells of Admiral Semmss fleet. When cha
lenged by the cruiser, Capt. Emery, being
in an unarmed merchantmen. promptly sur
rendered and was taken on board the cruis-
er as a prisoner. The commander of the
Capt. Emery found him a very agreeable
man with whom to do disagreeable busi-
ness. The matter was discussed between
them and it was finally arranged that Capt.
Emery should give bond for the value of
his ship and cargo, payable to the Coufeder-
ate States of America when they should be
recognized by the United States as nation :;
the ship to be allowed to proceed on her voy-
age. Capt. Emery signed the bond, at the
same time remarking to his captor that the
conditions named would never call for its
fulillment. The ships were together three
days and parted company, the captains
each having the highest regard for the other,
personally Lieut.. Dow, commander of the
c. s. bark Tuscaloosa, in reporting cruise
in that vessel under date of Liverpool,
March -, 1864, says:
After seeing number of neutral vessels, |
captured the American ship Living Age,
but hnding she had neutral cargo on board
and bound for neutral port, | took a ran
som bond for S160,000 aud allowed her to
proceed on her voyage.
Capt. Emery soon after left the vessel and
in 1868, when he was in Belfast superintend-
ing the building of the ship Chandos, the
Living Age was burned at sea while on
voyage from Shields, England, to Bombay
The Chandos was of 1865 tons and at the
time she was built was one of the largest
and best ships ahoat. Capt. Emery super
intended every detail of her construction,
buying all the material and looking after
the work in the yard. He sailed the Chan
dos until 1881, when he retired from the
sea He did not, however, lose his in
terest in maratme affairs and was often
called upon to serve an adjuster for
marine underwriters. He had visited nearly
every part Of the habitable globe, and his
4
OF business, etc. given from his long and
varied experiences, We're always of interest
and value, After retiring from the sea he
devoted himself to his home, where every
thing was kept in ''shipshape and Bristol
fashion " His lawn was always neatly clipped
and he took a justitiable pride in his garden,
which yielded abundantly under his careful
cultivation, neighbors and friends sharing
literally of the fruits OF his labor. In 1854
he married Elizabeth S. Ross of Searsport,
who died few years later, ieay ing him one
son, Ralph Emery, now of Detroit, Mich. In
1863 he was married to Eliza Il. Ritchie of
Searsport. who survives him. He leaves
two sisters Mrs. William O. Alden and Mrs
Isaac NJ, Boardman, both of Belfast. He was
t'CNttt'
to assist either friend or stranger in trouble
or need man strong in his likes and dis
likes and positive in his convictions. A bet
ter friend or d better neighbor could not be
desired He member of the Club of
Thirty from its organization to its end. His
friends are many and located in all quarters
of the globe, as his long and honorable
hrOupht him iptn
close relations with sea-faring and CONNER
cial men everywhere. The funeral was held
at his late home Saturday afternoon, Rev
j. NJ Leighton officiating, and was argey
attended. The floral offerings were of the
most beautiful and artistic nature, and
represented the warm friendship and high
esteem IN which he was held. The otficiat-
ing clergyman spoke feelipgly OF the de-
ceased as friend and as neighbor, paying
well deserved tribute to his many good
qualities.
Lois Burns Gilkey died at the home of her
daughter Mrs. A. V. Sawtelle, Oct. 9th,
after long Illness of paralysis, at the ad-
vanced age of 50 years, months and %
days. She was born in Northport one of
the ten children of Alban and Sally Pendle-
ton Elwell. In 1881 she married Otis Gilkey
of Islesboro, who died in 1915, leaving her
with two children, Otis Byron Gilkey and
Evelyn L., now Mrs. Sawtelle. The son
died in 1862. Shortly before her husbands
death they moved to Northport, where she
| lived until a few years ago, when she sold
| her place there and came to Belfast to live
with her daughter. Mrs. Gilkey was known
| far and wide as a skillful and efficient nurse,
and she went wherever she could be of SER
| vice to others. She never refused call to
go to the assistance of any one in sickness or
| trouble. AS she ministered to the wants of
others in their last hours, so was she in turn
| lovingly miristered unto by loving friends
| in the long and weary sickness which pre-
| ceded her passage to the other world The
| funeral was held Sunday afternoon and was
| attended by many sincere mourners. Rev
r. T. Capen otficiated and his words were in
| keeping with life work of the deceased
| Many floral offerings testified to the esteem
and love in which she was held. The inter-
ment was in the family lot at Saturday
| Cove NorthDOrt