The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-11
HAS LIVED
FOR FULL
CENTURY
Mrs. Phsbs R. Clifford CeIe.
bratad tooth Birthday Yes
tarday In This City.

The completion OF FIVE score years OF
yesterday by Mrs Phebe r. Clifford OF 80
Larch street. who bears the distinction
Of being the Oldest recorded minister OF
the Society OF Friends living at the pres
ent day Mrs. Clifford resides with her
son. Robert p. clifford. and during the
entire day she was recipient OF congrat-
ulatory letters and kilograms as well as
those personally delivered by relatives
and friends as well as numbers Of the sect
of which she has been such an ardent
worker.
She was formerly Phebe Rushmore and
Rushmore, coming from a long line of
Quaker ancestry which extends back to
the early days Of Mammalian.
She was born at westbury. L. l.. June
10. 1903 In her 30th year she married
Isaac r. Clifford Of New Bedford, who
died about ten years ago at the age OF
90.
For many years they resided at North
Dartmouth, Mass Mrs. clifford having
lived here since her husbands death.
During her early life she spent many
years in the west among the frontier
settlements and was largely Instruments
in establishing a strong branch OF the
Society OF Friends there.
She comes OF stock that is noted for
longevity. She was the youngest OF
seven children. OF whom she is the only
survivor. and all of whom lived beyond
| the age OF so. The Oldest Mrs. Sarah
/ Hicks. lived to the ripe age Of l02 years,
| 6 months and days. Her mother lived
/ beyond the age OF 9s and her father was
\ more than 90 when he died. Her mother
\ lived long enough TO see three great
/ great grandchildren. Mrs. Clifford has
/ not had this distinction. but she has a
! great great grandniece. who lives in the
west. and the receipt OF a photograph o
this diminutive young lady was one of the
| pleasing features Of the present ami
versary celebration.
She had had six children. Of whom
three survive. They are Mrs. Thomas
w. Ladd. who is one OF the board o
managers of the Young Women's Chris
| tian association on Fountain street ant
of the Childrens Friend society OF Tobel
street; Robert p. Clifford an Insurance.
agent in the Industrial Trust building
and Mrs u. Wheeler Swift OF Worcester
Mass. Three grandchildren live in. thi
city, Messrs. Walter j. and Rushmor'
clifford. and there is one great grandson
John Lippitt Ladd, 10 years of age.
Her portrait as she is today woul,
show a sweet faced woman. with the Sc
renity of expression which comes witt
the consciousness OF long useful an
peaceful life. to ell appearances goo'
score Of years younger than she reall,
is Her face bears few OF the pro
nounced marks Of extreme age and tn
sweetness OF expression and the clear
ness Of her eyes are very noticeable.
Nearly 20 years ago Mrs. Clifford hai
an attack OF Illness. when she was at
| tended by Or. @. s. stevens who as
sured her az that time that she still ha
TIE prospect OF some years OF life, an
50 Id in a jovial way that he confidentl,
expected to live TO congratulate her OF
the attainment of her Tooth birthday
Yesterday DR. stevens called at the hous
as he had promised 20 years ago. an
brought with him a handsome bouquet o
roses as q reminder OF his words on tn
former visit.