The Republican journal., 1902-04-24
TRIPLErs 70 YEARS OLD.

The Globe can settle beyond all rea
sonable doubt that the Oldest living
triplets are residents of New EnglanC
and end the controversy Wn1ch mas
spread from Chicago to the state Of
| Maine.
| The discussion first started IN Chi
cago, when a newspaper in that city
stated that the Oldest living trlplets
were residents of that city and were A
years old. The next triplets VINO beat
the Chicago record were discovered at
Plttsburg and were As years old. FINAL
ly triplets were found living in West
moreland who were 81 years old.
1t now remains for the Glove to pre-
sent in this article triplets who are
10 years old, all living and in good
health. They are Mrs. Martha Hagar
of 10 Edmunds ST., Winter Hill, Somer-
vile, Mrs Sarah Fossett and Mrs. Mary
Fossett, both of North [ Mon, Me.
1t was Mrs. Hagar, at her home in
Somerville, who told the Globe man in
brief the story of the remarkable fam
lily of which she is member. The fam
lily numbered 13, and all were the chill
dren of Isaac and Sarah Townsend of
North Union Me-
The mother was a Parsons and traces
her ancestry back to William Parsons
of England. who removed at the time of
Queen Bess' reign to Ireland, where in
1902 he succeeded Sir. Geof. Fenton,
surveyor general of Ireland, and was
made baronet in 1920.
Isaac, the father of the present
townsend family, was a farmer and
lived to be over 10 years of age. His
wife lived to be 80 years old, and might
have lived much longer had she not met
with an unfortunate carriage accident.
Their first born was Gilbert, who
made many voyages after attaining
manhood, and died at the old home
stead. William was the second born.
He finally went to Iowa, where he
owned many acres and died leaving a
large family.
David, the third born. spent most of
his life in Maine, and died in Washing
ton, Me, the father of a large family.
Two of the sons gave up their lives for
the Union, dying in Libby prison.
Then came the first twins. They were
James and Nancy Both grew up,
James, dying in Searsmont, Me-, and
Nancy living to be Sc years old. Isaac
was the next in line. He is dead but
his son, Ellery B., is now on the old
homestead in Maine.
Then the next pair came along. They
were two boys, Oliver and Reuben.
Oliver is dead, and as far as the family
know Reuben is also deceased. He be-
came an army surgeon, and was last
heard from in the field
Following the birth of the twins came
the birth of the triplets, three girls, 79
years ago. Early in life they ell
gagged in work in a factory at Waltham
| and were employed there when the late
Gov. Banks was bobbin boy in the
same establishment. Gov. and Mrs
Banks attended reunion of the triplets
at Waltham many years ago.
| Fifty years ago the three girls re
turned to their home in Maine to live
Martha married Thomas Hagar, who p
years ago moved to Somerville. HI
died several years ago. Sarah and Mar,
married two brothers and have since
made their residence in Maine
The last two children born to Mr.. ant
Mrs. Townsend were John and thel
Caroline both of whom are now dead.
Grandchildren and possibly grea
grandchildren are living throughout tn
country.
Mrs Hagar is in excellent health an,
says that some days she feels ''smar
enough to Jump over tive-rail fence.