The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1905-07-28

we're made for you." At another time
Mr. Glover's prosecutors found him at
nome, and in bed, rsand amused them
selves by pricking him with their bay
)netS.
These incidents, though trifling in
help to fill up the picture
Of the Revolutionary times. Mr. Birch
has distinct recollection of the proc
lamation Of peace, and Of it's celebra-
ton in Newtown, by the roasting of |
an OK at the head of the Street. When |
the roasting was complete, the OK,
having ribbons attached to it's horns,
was carried on levers by several men
itants were allowed to cut from the
carcass such pieces as they pleased.
MRS BIRCH WAS CONFIRMED BY BISHOP
sEABURY
at the age of Is. She thinks that
preparation for confirmation was not
as thorough in those days as it is now.
At the age of II she was married to
James Glover, at her fathers house,
by Rev Philo Perry, the second min
lister Of this parish. Mr. Perry also
baptized on the same day her youngest
sister. After her marriage she went
with her father to New York, to pur-
chase furniture, sailing from Bridge
part in packet. On their return
they experienced a severe storm, and
were several days on the passage. Our
modern brides, who fly to New York
in few hours on the wings of steam,
would doubtless think this formida-
BILE preparation for housekeeping.
For IL years after her marriage Mrs
Birch lived in the house next to this,
at which we are now assembled. and
then removed into this house. Here
she reared her large family of II chill
dren,-all of whom lived to be of age,
and nine of whom are now living to
greet their mother on her Goth BIRTH
day. The whole number of her de-
scendants is $780, of whom 112 are
now living, namely: Nine children,
Al grandchildren, SO great-grandchil-
dren, and three great-great-grand-
children, or three of the fifth genera
tion. Mrs Birch's first husband died
in the year 1886, and after living a
widow 16 years she was married to
Lamson Birch, who deceased in 1859
Mrs Birch still lives, and retains in a
remarkable degree the use Of her fac
ulties.
We speak of the intirmities of old
age creeping upon a person. They
have crept very slowly indeed upon
this venerable woman. She is not a
helpless old person, dependent upon
the arms and feet of others, though
there are so many arms that would be
outstretched to aid her, if she required
assistance. She can kindle her fires,
cook her food, and do her washing,
which is more than some young ladies
can do in these days. Within the last
year she has knit 40 pairs of socks, and
pieced the beautiful bedquilt which
hangs yonder beneath the flag of the
Union. l can bear witness that she is
remarkably animated and entertaining
in conversation. She has store of
memories of olden times, which ought
to be gathered up and preserved, as
illustrative of the habits and manners
of our ancestors. And this venerable
woman is alive, and among us to- day
011p cor 1INK WITH Tur TJNus OF
BEACH AND PERRY,
and the scenes of the Revolution.
There is not a person in this whole
town whose life dates back as far as
hers! Not a person in this district
Of Hanover is here now with one ex-
ception), who was living here when
she came, as bride, into this neigh
borhood. There is not a person here
| to-day, with the exception of her own
| brother and sister, who can remem Der
when our present church editice was
erected; yet Mrs Birch was married
the year following. DR. Burhans COM
menced his labors in this parish &c
years ago, long before most of US we're
born; yet she was "a years old when
he came here. The battle of Bunker
Hill is an event far down the dim vista
of history for most Of US; yet the re-
verberation of its guns had scarcely
ceased when she was born. Such.com-
parsons as these help US to a more
definite conception of the length of
her days.
When Pharaoh asked Jacob, how
old art thou? Jacob said unto Phara-
oh, the days of the years of my pill
grimage are a hundred and thirty
years; few and evil have the days of
the years of my pilgrimage been, and
have not attained unto the days of the
years of the life of my fathers in the
days of their pilgrimage. Though
Jacob was an hundred and thirty years
old, he called his days few. He also
called them evil. He was greatly af-
flicted the more part of his life; and
many Of his affections were the early
fruit of his wickedness in grossly de-
ceiving his aged father. l remember
that our venerable friend, when l once
asked how old she was? gave me an
answer very different from that which
Jacob gave to Pharaoh. She acknow-
lodged that her days had been many,
and that her life, upon the whole, had
been happy. She had enjoyed it, and
continued to enjoy it. Life was pleas
ant to her, and she had no wish to
yield it up until it should please God