Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-03-14
CENTENARIAN.
ROBBINS, HANCOCK
COUNTY'S OLDEST CITIZEN.
PASSED HUNDREDTH MILESTONE OF
HIS LIFE JOURNEY YESTERDAY
A REMARKABLE MAN.

SOUTH DEER ISLE, March IS (special)--
"Uncle 'Thaniel" Robbins, OF this place, is
his townsmen and neighbors to have a
public celebration of his birthday at the
church, but owing to the changeable
weather and his great age, his friends
were afraid that 1t would injure his health,
SO only calls were in order.
athaniel Robbins was born March 10,
1900. He Is the oldest person In Hancock
county. His birthplace was the farm now
owned by George Robbins. He lived on
the farm till the age OF fourteen, W hen he
commenced to go fishing, going to what
used to be called the Bay OF Chaieur,
though the vessels stopped far short of
that bay. In 1921 he was in the vessel hat
brought the first load Of herring ever
brought to the states from the Magdalene
islands.
In 1925 Mr.. Robbins married Miss Bet
sey Babbidge, daugh of Stephen Bah
bidge, Of Deer Isle. The ceremony was
performed by Hon. Richard Warren, 1t
being the first time he off1ciated on such
an occasion. By this marriage there were
tiers. OF these one son died of consump-
tion when . young man, and one was
killed in the war. The rest are living.
Mr.. Robbins wife died when their
youngest child was an infant, and some
years after, in 1850, he married Mrs. Mary
Sylvester, widow OF Joseph Sylvester.
This ceremony, too, was performed by
Hon. Richard Warren, and it is little
singular that this was the last time he
ever officisted in that capacity.
Mr.. Robbins bought q large farm about
a mile from his birthplace, where he has
always lived since his first marriage.
After the death Of his second wife his
youngest son lived with him for some
years and on this sons removal his young
est daughter, Mrs. Kate B. Stanley, came
from Swans Island to care for her father,
and with her husband and family still
lives at the old place.
REMEMBERS WAR OF 1912.
"Uncle Thaniel", as he is familiariy
called, is Of very genial, jolly disposition.
probably one reason for his great age. He
remembers events OF his youth, and 1t is
interesting to hear him tell Of them. lie
was present at the skirmish at Small's
cove in the war OF 1872, when Yankee
privsteer chased a British vessel into that
harb Dor and drove her ashore.
The English vessel was loaded with
h ,H IL, ha Ent
deck load OF lumber, bound for the West
Indies. The privateer was watching for
her and as she came down the bay, the
Englishmsn saw he was in trap and
ran into this cove, with the privateer
after him. A crowd soon collected. The
crew OF the English vessel got ashore
and mingled vii h the people, and most OF
them escaped, though at least one was
taken.
The commander OF the privateer told
the crowd they might have the lumber il
they would unlos d 1t TO tighten the ves-
sell ~ hich they did. The next morning
she tioated, and the privateer took her to
W i-casset. The pilot OF the privateer
came ashore snd got lost, and wandered
about TIL nearly morning when he came
out near where "Uncle Thaniers" father
lived. He was tfrsid TO show himself at
first, but they soon convinced him that
he Was among friends, and afterwards
took him over to the main land in boat.
The privateer WAS obliged to sail without
him. The capita in offered hundred dol
lars for any one to pilot him to Owls
Head, but no one cared to do it for fear
the British would find it out and burn
their buildings. as had been done in some
cases. The writer's father WAS present at
this skirmish, and got some of the boards.
Oae of he floors OF his house was laid
with them.
Another snecdote of this war is told by
Uncle Thaniel. Two British officers from
Castine were in this place. aud they offer
ed him a dollar to show them tue way to
Babbidge's point, near Oceanville, W here
they were going to see some girls. He
took them there all right, and the officers
tried to induce the girls to go back with
them, but their father in a stern voice an
nounced: "Ges, you can go, but you will
never darken my doors again" That was
loo much, ana the girls stayed at home.
Uncle Thaniel got his dollar all the same.
REMARKABLY WELL PRESERVED.
Uncle Thaniel Is member Of the first
Congregational church. and has always
been interested in church work, aiding
with his money and his presence as long
AS he was able to attend. Up to within
about three years he would walk from
his home to church, distance of about a
mile.
He is also interested in politics, and
has voted at every presidential election
since he came OF age except the last one.
He is democrat Of the old school.
He reads without glasses, and is starting
a new coat Of hair on his hit herto bald
crown. He had his picture taken last