The Republican journal., 1903-09-24
uRs. ELIZA BECKETT RUNNEwELL

Has Attended Campmeeting for 7s years.
Mrs. Eliza (Beckett) Hunnewell,
whose pleasant home is on the corner
of Charles and Park streets in this city,
where she and sister and niece live
together, is supposed to bear the palm
for constant and regular attendance
upon the campmeeting OF the Metho-
diStS in eastern Maine.
Mrs. Hunnewell began when these
annual gatherings were held in Lincoln
Vile, and afterwards went to Bucksport
yearly until 1913, when campmeetlng
was held at Islesboro, at which a CON-
mittee was appointed to select per
manent location.
East Northport was chosen, and in
June of the following year the Wesleyan
Grove Campmeeting Association was
formed, land purchased on shore site,
and the place named Northpcrt Camp
Ground
Mrs. Hunnewell was present at the
organization and the first camp meet
ing in the new grove, and has been a
jealous participant in all the services
there ever since. This year, therefore,
will round out the 73d Of this camp
meeting devotee's uninterrupted service
in these ''first temples of the Lord.
Mrs. HunneWell was born IN OrOno,
Nov. II, 1914. Her father was William
Beckett, a captain of light infantry IN
the war of 1912. Her father was born
in England and settled in Salem when
he came to America Beckett street IN
that city was named for him. Mrs.
Hunnewell relates that he became su-
percargo of an American merchantmen
at the time of the war of 1872, and
when he sailed away his wife quilted a
belt full of gold coin and secured it
around his body underneath his cloth
ing. The vessel was captured and Mr..
Beckett taken to a British hospital on
account of illness. He died there and
the money disappeared.
Capt. Becketts wife was Mary Meyer
before marriage. They moved to Bel
fast in 1916, when Eliza was but years
old and Mr. Beckett engaged in the
cooperage and lumber business. The
daughter was educated at the Belfast
academy and her life was spent in the
family of her parents until 1866, when
she married, at the age OF -, John Hun
newell of Scarboro and went there to
live.
After four years of married life Mrs.
Hunnewell returned, widow, to her
old home in Belfast, and has lived here
ever since.
She was converted at the age of 81,
and was at once united with the Meth
odist Episcopal church of the town and
has been member ever since.
Mrs. Hunneweli was connected with
the first temperance society ever form
ed in Belfast, has been member OF
the Sons of Temperance and Good Tenn
plars. She has also been active for
many years in the Women's Christian
Temperance Union, being at one time
superintendent of its evangellstic work
among the lumbermen and frequntly a
delegate to the State conventions. She
was also devoted to the work of the
womens auxiliary of the Y. NJ. c. A.
She has been specially interested in
the Women's Foreign Missionary So
church, and was president of the local
branch in 1872. As delegate she has
attended many annual meetings of the
State society, and eight years ago took
a prominent part in the national con-
yention in Lynn.
With clear and pleasant voice well
modtllated, she is atfable, but rather re-
tiring in private conversation, but
ready enough in argument, eXhortation
OF prayer, whenever the occasion de-
mands speech Oh public occasion.
Her large circle of friends and ac-
quaintanceS has constant recruits from
year to year, and grows larger, notWlth-
standing the departure of the friends
OF earlier days.
Her hearing is perfect, her health eX-
ceptiOnal, and thus far no optlclan has
had her upon the list Of his customers.