Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-09-16


ly mentioned having fought under
George Washington, whom he idolized.
The succeeding so years in the life
of Mrs. Damon were comparatively un-
eventful. During most Of this period
she supported herself by sewing for
a tailor and nursing the sick. A few
years after the death of Mr.. Damon
she was granted pension OF $50 per
year, this amount score Of years ago
having been increased to $12 per
month, the amount she has received
up to 1905. This 40 cents per day,
since she became too old to work, has
been inadequate to provide even the
most necessary food and clothing, and
although neighbors have not permitted
her to actaully want for food.
During the early years of her widow
hood Mrs. Damon had several offers
of marriage, but she turned a deaf ear
to all proposals.
In 1890 she became acquainted with
Mrs. Snow, like herself an aged wild
ow, who fortunately owned little cot
tage on the mountain. These widowed
ladies seemed strangely drawn toward
one another and the visit, intended for
a day, was protracted into week, and
then 1t was agreed they should con-
tinue to live with each other for an
indefinite period Mrs. Snow was to
furnish the house and garden, and the
s12 pension money of Mrs. Damon was
to go into the common fund; the story
of Damon and Pythias reduced to fem
ininity in the closing days Of the nine
tenth century.
Until 1901 Mrs. Damon and Mrs.
Snow lived together in the little white
cottage among the clouds, and never
we're bride and groom in a mansion
more happy and contented than they.
BY the exercise of the strictest econo-
my and the gift Of an occasional cord
of wood, sack Of -four and dress pat
tern they got along on the 40 cents
per day allowed Mrs. Damon by Uncle
Sam.
Mrs. Damon recalled without heslta-
ton the names of practically all Of the
presidents and many Of the great
statesmen since 1880 and is informed
in a remarkable degree concerning
events contemporaneou with the ad-
ministration of each president. Not
only does this widow Of the revolution
possess a memory which is literally
an encyclopedia of events for rs years,
but she has original ideas and eonvic-
tions upon the great questions that
have occupied the public mind during
that period and commands language
and force to express these views clear
ly and Interestingly.
The 81 years of Mrs. Damon's life
have been spent in one little spot on
the mountain top. In her earlier life
she occasionally iourneyed TO Cuttings
vile or other railroad towns, and she
has upon a few occasions made trips
to neighboring stations on the cars,
but aside from these Interruptions for
a day. sandwiched in between decades
Of years, she has known no other sur
roundings all these fourscore and ten
years except the pine-clad green noun.
taIns.
Mrs. Damon has oftentimes ex-
pressed q desire to visit Mount Vernon
the old home and present tomb Of
George Washington, and to see the
capitol and white house in Washing
ton. She had also wished very much
to visit Mrs. Rebecca Mayo. Of Viz
ginia. her partner on the roll OF revo
lutionary war widows. who died last
year. but the slender means Of 20 cent,
per day would not permit the neeessar-
expenditure for railway transportation
and until Mrs Mayo's death the two
last widows Of the war for American
liberty were compelled to limit theil
acquaintance within the scope OF tbs
mails. exchanging an occasional let
ter.
OF all the strange features IN con
nection with the remarkable story Of
the life Of this aged woman. perhaps
the most striking is the fact that hei
4 existence has been practically IN.
known In the state where she was bon
and where she has lived for nearll
81 years. Ten miles from her noun
tain home. not a dozen persons could
apparently. be found Who had eve
heard Of Esther Sumner Damon. IN
solitary surviving widow OF the revo
: