The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-12-14
MISS MARIA HASWELL.
Interesting Memories Of Some EARLY History Of
Bennington.


The funeral of Miss Maria Henry
Haswell at The Old First church on
December 5th was an event of more
than ordinary significance. 1t practi-
cally closes a period by which we have
had living connection with the early
settlers of this town. Miss Haswell
was born Sept lst, 1917 and, as girl,
had often seen many men who had
shared in the early history of the town
such as Gov Isaac Tichenor; Samuel
Stafford, the first man over the breast
works in the Battle of Bennington,
Benjamin Harwood, the first white
male child born in town: General
David Robinson and many others.
Her grandfather Anthony Haswell,
who was born in Portsmouth, England,
was founder and proprietor of the Yer
mont Gazette. Her father William
Haswell was for many years town
clerk and clerk of the Old First
Church. On her mothers side she was
the great granddaughter of the pioneer
settler Capt Samuel Robinson She
was we'll educated and kept a private
scho ! at the Center for time and her
innate refinement made her influence
of great value to her pupils.
Before the war she went south to
visit relatives and remained with them
throughout the war and returned short
ly after the close of the war. She had
many interesting stories to tell of her
southern experiences when Sherman's
raid passed through the town where
she had been, and her memories of
childhood we're well worth hearing.
AS girl of twelve she experienced
a snow storm when the drift in front
of the Geo Robinson homestead was
so high that it was tunnelled for pass
ers by. She was generous according
to her means. and some say that no
word was spoken Of her save OF praise.
She was especially even tempered and
kept friendly with all. have before
me letter written by her Cd May 3lst
of this year land seldom get letter
of cleaner penmanship) when she was
nearly 81 years old.
In this she tells of one of The most
interesting events that ever occurred
in this town. 1t was communion Sun
day Sept 4th 1881 at the Old First
Church. The church was without a
regular pastor at the time but there
had been a revival and different mini.
sters, among whom was Pres Griffin
of Williams College, had been here to
take part. On this occasion a previous
pastor, DR. Absalom Peters, came back
for the day to ofiiciate. There were
one hundred and thirty-one people
from l3 to 10 years of age
who united with the church at that ser.
vice. OF these 70 were baptized and
this part of the service took two hours.
The wide center aisle and space in
front of the pulpit was crowded with
the new members and after the bap-
tism they marched down the side aisles
singing, Were Marching to Zion,"
and then all partook of communion.
Miss Haswell then girl of fourteen
was one who united at that time an
until Dec Sd 1904, the day of her pass
ing. for little over 70 years was a
faithful member of the church. Her
brother Hiram died recently and she
had made her home for two or three
years with her helpless nephew Sher-
wood Haswell at Hoosick Falls.
Many friends will miss her and ever
cherish the memory of her refined
Christian life.
Warren Morse.