The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-13
Mrs. A. III. Chase Dies
at the Age Of Nine.
ty-one Years.
BORN IN WORCESTER IN 1903
She Saw the Place Grow
From a Settlement to
a Great City.

Mrs. Achsah H. Chase. who passed
her 91st birthday June &c. died yester-
day noon at the home of her son-in-
law, Hon. Edwin T. Marble at $50 Main
street, where she has lived for num-
Der of years, receiving the best of care
and attention. At the time of her
death Mrs. Chase was the oldest MEM
Der of Union church, and showed &
keen interest in the welfare of the
church at all times.
Mrs. Chase was the daughter of Moses
and Beulah Trowbridge Clement, and
was born June 16, 1908, in a house
which is still standing at the corner of
Main and Lake streets in New Worces-
ter. She was the Oldest of six chill
dren, only one of whom. Mrs. r. x.
Merriam Of Charlton, now survives.
Early in the SOS she left Worcester,
and while away she passed some of the
time in Concord, N. H, Shelburne
Falls and Greenfield. She met Henry
Chase, and they were married Dec.
II, 1927. After 20 years of happy we'd
lock, Mr.. Chase died in Boylston on
Christmas day, 1856.
One of the daughters, Mrs. E. T. Mar
bic, died seven years ago. Four chill
dren were born of this marriage, and
but one now lives, Henry G. Chase of
New York.
When she returned to Worcester, in
1853, she made her home with her SON
in-law, and it has been her home ever
since
Her father was born in Haverhill, and
came to Worcester in 1903 He was
one of the pioneers of New Worcester
starting on his own account as a black
smith where Loring Goes now has his
shops for the manufacture of knives
Later he started the making of blades
and knives. which is now carried on
by Mr.. Goes
She became a member of Old South
church in 1927, but removed her mem
bership when she left Worcester, and
when she returned she threw in her
lot with Union church, which was then
on Front street, ana she has remained
a member of that church ever since,
until it is believed now she is the old
est member of the society.
For a woman of her advanced age,
Mrs. Chase was possessed Of a re-
markedly keen intellect, and there was
probably not one nonogenarian in Wor-
cester with so few physical disabilities
resulting from old age.
Owing to an accident about three
years ago, which affected her hip, she
was unable to walk around as much
as she would like during the latter
years of her life, but this setback never
hindered her from enjoying life and at
all times she was able to regale her
visitors with interesting "reminiscences
of Worcester as it was three-quarters
of a century ago. She often remarked
that when she was first attending the
Old South church on the common
while she was vet in her teens there
were only eight houses on Main street
between her home at the corner of
Main and Lake streets and the church.
She never failed to be interesting in
her conversation. and, notwithstanding
Ter advanced age, was possessed of a
remarkable memory.
Up to short time before her death,
her comparatively fresh features, black
hair tinted with gray and her bright
eyes, all tended to make her resemble
more woman of 70. In all her life
she had never been aboard Of an cleo
trio car, and although oftentimes ia
ken into the country by Mr.. Marble or
members of the family, did not par
ticularly enjoy the experience, and was
never happier than when at home.
An experience which she often re-
lated and which she always took much
pride in telling was the visit of General
Lafayette to Worcester while General
his way from Boston to Springfield and
New York. She remembered his visit
perfectly, and at that time was attend
ing school at Webster square The
gallant French general paid particular
attention to the school children on his
passage through the city, and the chill
dren who attended the comparatively
few school houses in this city at that
time We're arranged in front of the
buildings and the general shook hands
with every one. Many times she re-
lated this episode and nothing seemed
to please her more than to say that
she had shook the hand of the man
who helped materially to drive King
Georges army from the United States
forever.
The school which Mrs Chase attend
ed at that time was situated on the
site now occupied by A. w Barrow's
grocery store, at Webster square. and
she often referred to the broad roads
which Worcester possessed at that
time.
Mrs Chases mother was Mrs. Beu-
lah Trowbridge, and Trowbridgeville
was named after her family.
On her last birthday a reception was
held at Mr. Marbles house. 1t was
of an informal character, and six
grandchildren and ten great grandchil-
dren were present. She received sew
eral appropriate gifts and was at that
time very much pleased to see her
friends. Among those present We're
Rev. DR. John E. futile of Union
Church and Rev. DR.. Willard Scott of
Piedmont Church. Her son, Henry G..
Chase Of Holland Patent, N. Y, sur
wives her, and has been in Worcester
for the past few weeks with his moth
err She has lived with Mr. Marble for
the past 40 years and until about three
months ago was In good health.
The funeral will be Saturday after
noon at 2.30 o'clock with services at her