The Newtown bee., 1903-02-27
CIRCULATION:
Ten Pages.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
EAsToN-
43OO
 600

| field Deborah Staples. February 2l, l 1903, Mrs Deborah Staples Silliman | celebrated thelO3rd anniversary of her birth, surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. At the time of Mrs Silliman $ birth and youth our country was in it's infancy comparatively. To-day it is one of the wealthiest and most pros porous nations in the world. Mrs Sil- lman has always lived very simple and'quiet life, not going any distance from home and living within five miles of the place of her birth throughout her life. Mrs Silliman was born in Fairfield in the house now occupied by MT Jennings near Wilson's Mill. At that time Fairfield was the county seat and Bridgeport was small settle ment with big tribe of Indians located on the Golden Hill reservation. The town was then called Newfeld instead of Bridgeport. The house where she was born stood in Fairfield but after the placing of the division line the house stood in EastOn. Mrs Silliman was married to Nathan Silliman in 1921, who only lived five years, one son being the result of their marriage. There are three, grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild now living. Mrs Silliman is in full possession of her faculties. Her actions are not automatic. Her health is good. Her mind is clear and active. Her memory is perfect and her greatest delight is to recall the in- cidents of the past, both in her own life and the public affairs. She is able to read and spend much of her time with her Bible, not caring for current literature of the day. When she was young railroads were unknown. When she was 50 years old the first railroad was built in this locality. Mrs Silliman occaionaslly would patronize the cars for business trips to Bridgeport but she preferred the old mode of travelling. She has never seen trolley car. Some time ago some friends coming from Bridgeport in an automobile to call on her invited her to take ride on the automobile, but she positively refused. She is a member of the Baptist church but of course is unable to attend the services. She has neverIknown any sickness until a year ago, when she suffered from an attack of the grip. She is about every day and out in the yard unless the weather is stormy. In her youth she was good sized woman but she seems to be de- creasing in size, not weighing over 5O poundsat the present time. Mrs Silli- mans age is not to be wondered at when we consider her perfect life, her tranquil good nature and the faculty she has always had of looking on the bright side of life. She comes of a long lived family, her parents living to an extreme old age. One brother, Horace Staples of Westport, died in 1897 at the age of 96. Another brother still living in Westport who is 96 years old. On her anniversary recep- tion was held and many little gifts were left by her many friends.
 REMARKABLE FAMILY RECORD. The Beach family, of which Charles B. Beach of Rock House is member, have record of which they are justly proud. Of the seven children who are now living all are in good health and 1+; hot fnrrnf h0r make'5O5 years. Charles B. Beach. the oldest, is g. years, John Beach of Mon- roe is 79 years, Baldwin Beach of Eas- ton, 76 years, Mrs Marietta Beach Green of Port Jervis, N. 'Y., 69 years, Mrs Maria Beach Cornell of Easton, 59 years, Nelson Beach of Bridgeport, 66 years. The old Beach homestead was near Wakeley s dry ponds where George Klein now lives. This is record that can not be surpassed in this vicinity. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTES. At the service, Sunday morning, at the Congregational church, the pastor, Rev E. P. Aver, preached an interest ing sermon from the text "Thy king dom come.'' John z. Mellen was chos- en delegate to a fellowship meeting at the South church, Bridgeport, to be held Friday evening.
 Miss Louise B. Turney led the En- deavor consecration meeting, Sunday evening. The subject was "Home Missions," Mrs B. P. Aver will lead the meeting March and it is expect ed that a male quartet will sing. The topic will be, "Lessons from the Ser mon on the Mount," Matt. 5: 1-5. A business meeting will be held after the service.
 | BAPTIST CHURCH INTERESTS.
 Communion and covenant services will be observed on Sunday, March l
 LOCAL AFFAIRS.
 John F. Sammis Jr., of Bridgeport has moved here and will have charg' of his fathers mill.
 John F. Sammis, Sr., has been suffer ing with felon on his thumb.
 Charles F. Turney had fine fO, hound come to his home about thre,
 months ago. He would ,like to hav'
 the owner come and take the dog away