The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-01-30


9th, Rev. Noah's SON, Lieutenant Elisha
Alden, an officer In the Colonial army
during the Revolutionary war, and who
is buried In the cemetery at Stafford
Springs; Elisha's son, Elisha, Jr., who 10
also buried in the Stafford Springs ceme-
terry; Elisha, Jr., was the father Of Lydia
Shepard Alden, the deceased. Lydia was
one OF family Of sixteen children, and
was born September 80, 1915. Her
grandfather, Lieut.. Elisha Alden, In his
time, was considered one OF the wealthiest
and most prominent citizens Of Stafford.
He owned nearly all Of what 10 now the
borough OF Stafford Springs, and furnish
ed the lumber for the building Of the first
Springs house. Notwithstanding other
assertions, one Of his sons, Darius Alden,
built and operated the first practical
wooden mill Ia this town. It stood where
the tenter bars of the Foxville mill now
stand. 1t was the custom of Lieut.. AL
den, as soon as any Of his sons married
to divide portion of his estate and pre-
sent 1t to his son. The portion given to
the father of Lydia was the section lying
west of the Solva Converse place, and the
house opposite OF the entrance to the
Catholic cemetery was the farmhouse In
which the childhood days of the deceased
were spent. The school house where she
attended school is still standing just q
little south east of the residence Of the late
George Cleaveland, but at that time 1t
stood q little farther down, across the
road, In the corner, where a dwelling
house now stands. At that time there
we're only some three or four houses
In what is now the borough, the principal
settlement being In this corner, which
contained besides the school house, the
church, store, shoemaker's shop, etc., the
most palatial residence being that of
Lieut.. Alden, torn down few years since
by the late Josiah Converse. In 1880 a
great revival of religious interest was ex-
perienced in Stafford and frequent meet
ings were held in the little red school
house. Lydia Alden attended these meet
ings and became converted to the Meth
odist faith and joined that church at the
age of fifteen, being its first convert, and
at the time of her death we believe the
oldest member, with one exception, Of
that body. A few years later the iron in
dustry at the Hollow caused that village
and number of the Alden brothers, ac-
companied by Lydia, moved to this place.
She was married little later to Henry
Wilson and the couple for time made
their home in Ellington, returning to this
village, where Henry Wilson died In 1870.
For nearly half century the home Of
the deceased had been In the house where
she died. She Is survived by one BROTH
er, Washington Alden of jamestown, N.
Y, now over eighty years of age, and
twelve nephews and nieces. Funeral SER
vices were held at her late residence Sum-
day afternoon at 1.30. Rev. G. s. Davis,
pastor Of the Methodist church at the
borough, of which the deceased was such
a devoted member, officiated. A quartet
composed of Mrs. e. 81. Pinney, Mrs. 81.
F. Cady, Frank Lasbury and E. H. Pin
uey beautifully rendered several selec-
tions. She was laid to rest beside the
body Of her husband In Hillside cemetery.
Stanor6lviIle.
Rev. 81. M. Vail is again on the sick
list.
Mrs. Glare L.. LeMonde's son-in-law,
Mortimer FL. Paine, has position as
principal Of the Moody academy at North
field, Mass.
A kitchen dance was held Saturday
evening at the residence Of VIM. Clayton
which was attended by quite number OF
people from this vicinity.
Charles F. Eager, Mrs. George An
drews and Mr.. and Mrs. A. Arthur West
went to Wales Sunday to attend the flu.
neral of Mr.. Eager's nephew, Samuel
Eager, of Springfield. Mass, who dice
very suddenly Thursday Of last week.
Miss Isabel Eaton of New York city
who has been spending month at thu
home of her uncle, Rev. II. M. Vail, re
turned to New York the latter part O
last week. During her visits in the pas
Miss Eaton has made many warm friends
In this place who regret her departure.
The Congregational Ladies' Aid societ!
will give conundrum supper and enter
tainment In the vestry Thursday evening
Feb. 9th. Supper from 6 to 8. Mlsse
Eva and Myrtle Brown and Mrs. W. d
Roberts hostesses. After the free enter
tainment social time will be spent II
games, conversation, etc. A cordial In
vitation is extended to all to attend an,
enjoy an excellent supper and goo'
time. 40. .---..-.
At the annual business meeting of tn
Congregational Ladies' Aid society tn
following officers were appointed for tn
year 1902: President, Mrs. James Swift
first vice. president, Mrs. Frank A. Brown
second vice-president, Mrs. W. D. Rob
erts third vice-president, Mrs. Free
Sanger; social committee, Miss Eva A
Brown, Miss Myrtle e. Brown, Mrs. w
D. Roberts, Ernest Cooley, George II
Eaton, Samuel Heck : solicitors, Mrs. r
M. Chamberlin, Mrs. Willard Dimmick.
! The young people Of Stafordville, un
der the auspices of the Ladies' Aid 60
ciety of the M. e. church, will give a.
entertainment In the vestry of the Con
gregational church Tuesday evening, Feb
4th, consisting of cantata, "Who Kille
Cock Robin,'' also farce, ''Love in
Flue." Cast of characters:
Hon. Mortimer Langley, country magistrate,
Arthur Wes
~. Ed. Harrington
} Miss Langley, AUNT Griselda), hygienic reform
ef. Mrs. IT.. g. Dunbar
Lady Catherine Brakespear, widow, 80
Mrs. M, e. Hughe
Phyllis Langley, Miss Grace M. Boot