New-York tribune., 1902-08-10

light and novelty to many Of the old people.
The car remained for hour alongside the
broad platform at the lower station OF the
Mount Tom inclined railway, and there light
luncheon was served. The return trip was made
without special incident, and the car drew intQ
Florence at 8 o'clock with every guest beaminS
with pleasure. A majority of the "threesccii
and tenners' lad looked forward to the event
with keen anlcpations, and there was no q les
ton that these had been fully realized
a dozen members of the party We're over
eighty years Old and the oldest present
was Austin Packard, aged ninety-twO, who mas
voted for President every four years since the
election of James &. Polk By coincidence
the day happened to be the eightieth birthday
anniversary of another Of the guests, Isras
Graves and Mrs. Johnson gracioUsly shared
congratulations with him. Throughout the "trip
the hostess was remarkably vivacious an{
happy. at times laughing and jesting like .
girl of seventeen. The unusual experience,
with it's excitement did not appear to tire her.
and before the party broke up she invited al
her guests to call upon her at her home The
party was a success, and memories Of it VIII
afford recurring pleasure to the venerable par
ticipants.
Mrs. Johnson has the distinction of being one
Of the few surviving true daughters OF tina
Revolution and is the oldest member Of Betty
ton. Her father. Aaron Hall, left his studies at
Harvard College soon after the beginning II
the Revolutionary War and served his country
six years He Witnessed the execution Of Mayor
Andre. and was afterward taken prisoner and
transported to England Mrs. Johnson recalls
many Of his stories Of the war and his expert
ences in captivity. Mrs. Johnson's grandfather,
Captain John Richardson. Of Templeton, Mass.
vas also one OF the patriots. serving as minute
,fr,4rT 4llf cor
HuI Roth her father and grandfather We're
representatives 70 the General Court at Boston
fur several terms, and her grandfather vas one
of the committee which drew up the present
constitution OF Massachusetts,
After the Revolution Aaron Hall settled at
Norwich. now Huntington. Mass and there
rh, daughter DrusIi,a was born July 80
l>u5 she was tn" last Of seven daughters. and
is the only surviving member of her fathers
family There were also two brothers. one Of
whom. the Rev Samuel Hall. distinguished
himself As one Of the early pioneers in the
abolition movement. After attending district
school DrusiiIa Hall finished her education at
Hopkins Academy. in HadIey, at that time one
Of the foremost schools in New-England- 20
which pupils came from distant cities and
towns. She IS to-day the Oldest graduate OF the
academy and was the guest OF honor at a spe-
ciaI reunion Of the graduates in June, IDOL
She taught school for several years. and occi-
,.ouaIlv meets gray haired persons who were
once her pupils. Among them is oscar Ed
wards president Of the famous Old Northamp-
ton National Bank and Of the citys wealth
lest residents Miss Hall married to Alfred
Johnson of Hadley. on May l. 1884. and for
over a half century they lived in the quaint
little hamlet of Hockanum. between the Con
ne,t.cut River and the foot Of Mount Holyoke.
After Mr.. Johnsons death, in 1889. Mrs John
son and her daughter Sarah came to North
arnpton To live. and later moved 10 Florence.
She reared a family OF five children, losing two
others in their infancy. Two sons fought with
the Union army through the Civil War. and 4
grandson served as chaplain in one Of the regi-
uents that saw service in the Spanish Ameri-
can War. Mrs. Johnson is proud OF what she
IaughingIy calls her war record" Ten srane-