Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-05-29
Aged Lady Celebrates Birthday.

A reader sends the COURIER the follow
ing clipping from the Austin MINI.
Daily Herald, which will be interesting to
many Bethel readers, especially the older
| ones.
Esther (Bowen) Fairbanks was for many
years resident Of Bethel, and at the
/ breaking out OF the War Of the Rebellion
she had six sons, all Of whom entered the
i service of their country. Four OF them,
Luke, John, Alfred and Charles, enlisted
/ from Bethel and served through the war.
/ Luke and John were both wounded and
/ Charles was captured at Gettysburg and
I was for some time a guest of the Johnnies
at Libby prison and at Belle Isle. He
I does not speak highly OF their hospitality
4 When he took up his abode with them he
weighed one hundred and forty pounds
+ and was brought away in a blanket, weigh
/ ing at the time Of his arrival in the Union
lines about seventy pounds. Mrs. Fair
banks was married the year the bridge
was built at Bethel, the one thst was car
ried away this spring, and although It has
been many years since she has visited YER
mont. when she heard the news she said
she felt as though she had lost an old
friend.
Her grandfather, Nathan Bowen. came
from Wales and settled in Rehoboth.
Mass, and died there. Two of his sons.
Jonathan and David, went 10 Vermont
and bought a farm together and built
long log house, the two families living in
opposite ends. In this way they lived for
some time, when they divided their land
and each built a house and farmed by
themselves. When Nathan, the father
died, the sons were called to his bedside
and he had brought to him a half bushel
OF silver dollars which he took and divid-
ed between them with his own hands. He
did not intend to have any attempt made
10 set aside his Will. Jonathan Bowen
was the father of Mrs. Fairbanks and
David Bowen was the father Of Orville
bowen, who died about year ago at
Bethel, aged ninety-one years.
Sew live so near the century line as to
celebrate the ninety-fourth anniversary of
their birth. But with children, grand
children and grandchildren about
her Mrs. Esther B. Fairbanks celebrated
that event in her life today.
The house was decorated with palms
ana cut howers. The rooms were veritable
bowers OF roses and carnations sent i'm by
friends and children. Prom many Of her
Old lady friends she has received messages
OF love and cOngratuiation.
Feeling sure that not many more birth
day celebrations could be in store for her,
her children planned to make this as
much OF gala day as possible. About so
invitations have been issued and aside
from the family reunion few Of the life
long friends were present. From two to
four she was the recipient Of scores Of con- 4
gratulations ana well wishes. Misses
Nora Earl and Esther Fairbanks served
irappe and waters during the afternoon.
Mrs. Fairbanks has four bows and one
daughter, Mrs. Dennison, living. p grand
children and IS great-grandchildren. most
OF whom were with her.
Mrs. Fairbanks is remarkably well and
has retained her faculties to a remarkable
extent. She reads without glasses, hears
reaolly and = able 70 walk and ride about,
enjoying much Of life
That the remainder Of this long. we'll
rounded life may be pleasant and painless
is the wish Of the HERALD