The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-11
EIGHTY EIGHTH BIRTHDAY.
Memorable Event in Life of Mrs. B. A,
 Church Yesterday,


 Church Yesterday,
 Yesterday marked the passing of the eighty-eighth milestone on this journey through life by very estimable resi- dent of New Haven, Mrs. Betsey Arm stead Church, In consequence of the importance of the event an exception ally pleasant reunion of the children, grandchildren, great and great-gfeat- grandchildren was arranged and sue cessfully carried out at the home Of son-in-law, George l.. RoWley, we'll known patrOlman connected with the central station, and who resides at 2S Gibb street. It was held last night and the hours were from until o'clock. During those hours the pretty home was filled with the members of the sev- eral generations and with invited friends and other relatives, who called to extend their congratulations and well wishes to the celebrant.
 Mrs Church was born in Norway, New York state, on June 10, 1874. She was the daughter of a school teacher. At the age of fourteen Mrs. Church, with her parents, whose name was Armstead, came to New Haven to re- side. This city had been the home of Mrs. Church's mother whose maiden name was Howell. Miss Armstead be- came the wife of Martin R. Church and soon after moved with her husband to Willimantic and later to several other cities in this state. MT. Church died at the age of twenty eight years leaving four children, the youngest being only three weeks old Mrs. Church's father had departed this life shortly before the death of her husband, and she was left to care for and rear the children by her own efforts. She returned with her family to New Haven in 1857 and has lived here ever since. She is at pres ent making her home with a son, Mar tin L. Church, of 173 Division street. The four children are all living and were present at the reunion last night. They are Mrs John June, Mrs. M O. James Martin l.. Church and James A. Church, the latter being the Well-known builder. There are also ten grandchil- dren and they were also present, They are Mrs. George Curtis Mrs. A. Me- Gregor, Mrs. Seibold, wife of pr. Sci bold; Mrs. George l.. Rowley, Mrs. John B. Kennedy Mrs. Frederick M. Augur, of Branford, John F. James, Edward P. James, Walter N. Church and Arthur Church. There are also twenty-five great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
 Mrs. Church has always been a very active and energetic church worker, be- ing member of the Methodist denom- ination at present attending the Sum r1J rt hoe thusiastic and assisted in every way possible to increase the power of the church She has by her many lovable and admirable traits of character en- deared herself to a large circle of friends. She retains all of her facul- ties almost unimpaired, her sight fail- ing her to a certain extent.
 Mrs. Church was the recipient of of suitable presents, especially of large number of flowers. Among them was a magnificent bunch of roses in which there was one for each year of her age, eighty-eight. Light refresh ments were served and a thoroughly de- lghtful and informal evening was spent.
 Among those noticed as being present
  J. B. Kennedy, MT. and Mrs. J. A. Church, MT. and Mrs E. P James, Miss Jessie Armstead, Miss Selma Armstead, MT. and Mrs. Shackleton, MT and Mrs John June, Mrs. M. o. Jaines, of Bran ford, MT. and Mrs. William Armstead Ernest Armstead, Willie Armstead Mrs Trecartin, Miss Maud Bouton, MT and Mrs. Bouton, Mir and Mrs John J. osborn, Miss Eunice Armstead Mrs James Armstead, Mrs Pen, MT. and Mrs. Preston, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs Brown ing, MT. and Mrs. Rowley, Mrs Row. ley MT. and Mrs. Baxter, MT. and Mrs. John James, MT. and Mrs, Lutz, MT. l and Mrs Frank Shaler, MT. and Mrs. ! Walter Church. Mrs. Sheldon, Mir. and Mrs. F.. F. Robbins, Mrs. Jordan and Mir. and Mrs. A. McGregor.