Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-05-06
Celebration of His 1O1st Birthday.

Gardner Upham of Wiadham was 1O1
wears OF age Tuesday and is without doubt
the Oldest person in this state. The day
was celebrated very fittingly by the citizens
of the town in honor of the centenarian,
and was called "Old Folks Day." the first
gathering under that title having been held
one year ago, upon the Tooth birthday OF
Mr.. Upham, and it is the intention OF
Windham people to observe the I'd day OF
May each year.
Mr.. Upham carries his 101 years lightly,
and is fne specimen of hale and hearty
New England manhood, and is not day
over 80 # bis age Is reekoned by the old
rule that "a man is only as old as be
looks At noon dinner was served in
the church vestry from baskets filled with
eatable, cooked in the old style by the
women of the place.
After dinuer everybody went to the au-
d1ence room, where the exercises were
held. Owing to lameness Mr.. Upham did
not 90 to the5church, but remained at home
where during the day many relatives and
friends called to extend to him their con-
gratulations. Mr..eUpham comes OF old
| English stock, his first family record being
that of William Upham, who was mem.
Der of the Hull colony. MIR. Upbam'
father was one of the first settlers of Gull.
ford and in that town Gardner was born
There were IL children in the family and
he was the fifth. In 1927 he married Mis-.
Eunice A. Emory, a daughter OF Amo.
Emory, one of the earliest settlers ano
prominent in the affairs OF his country
Mrs. Upham died in 1S4S, and of the
seven children born to them three only
survive. They are Mrs. II. M. Bemi, o
Windham. Mrs. T. w. Dodge of Malta
ILL.,, and Miss Hannah E. Upham, who ba.
for many years cared for her father ant
does at the present time.
An interesting feature of the day was {
loan exhibition, consisting of many relic
of great antiquity and value. Among these
were ancient books and diaries, samples
warming pans, candlesticks holding thu
old-fashioned .'tallow Dip" toddy cups
punch bowls, pictures, china and home
spun linen. There was also foot-warme,
used in the old Windham church befor,
stoves were introduced.
He was q member OF the Charlestowl
company of militia and one of the few mel
living who took part in the Boston recep
ton to Gen. Lafayette in 1924. Asked a
to this event, Mr.. Upham said:
] The first / saw of Lafayette he wa
coming out of the state house arm-in-arn
with Gov. Brooks. The governor had {
life guard Of about 80 men. They marched
down to the market on the common to tn,
center of the division that turned out t
honor him. Then be mounted horse ant
reviewed the troops"
I Mr.. Upham was present at the grea
gathering on Stratton mountain in 1910
where Daniel Webster addressed the lar
gest audience ever gathered in Vermont
lie graphically relates how Webster, &C
compfnied by Gov. Inland Hall OF Ben
nington, came from Greenfield in coacl
drawn by four white horses with gold
plated harness. Fifteen thousand people
from Massachusetts, New York, New
Hampshire and Vermont were there tc
| greet them. aud Mr.. Upham says thai
4 while Gov. Hall was by far the most pleas
ing speaker, every word Daniel Webster
said meant something.
Should Mr.. Uphsm live until January l.