The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-01
DAUGHTER OF THE REvOLUTION.
Mrs. Gainford Celebrates Her tooth Birth.
day in Port JerytS,

PoRr JRRvls, N. Y, June 30.-Mrs. Phebe
Gainford. real daughter Of the American
Revolution and the last surviving men,
Der Of family Of three sisters who four
years ago were living under one roof.
all daughters Of Jabez Rockwell, a soldier Of
the Revolutionary War, ia to-day celebrating
her Tooth birthday in this place at the home
OF her daughter, Mira. Emma l.. Crime. 227
East Main street. Mrs. Gainford was born
in Pike county. Pa, June 80, 1905. She
was twice married, first to John Kimble
and second to William L, Gainford, who
died many years ago She was the mother
OF ten children, three Of whom were by the
first marriage. Mrs. Lucinda Valentine,
Mrs. Gainfords youngest sister, died in 1901,
in her seth year, and Mrs. Catherine Bowden.
the second sister, died in 1904. at the age Of
92 For many years these three sisters
enjoyed the unique distinction Of being the
only three living members Of a family who
were daughters of soldier OF the Revolu-
ton. In recognition Of this fact the Ma
tional Society Of the Daughters Of the
American Revolution presented each with
a golden memorial souvenir spoon, designed
by and emblematic of theisociety.
There were present at to-days family
reunion the children. grandchildren and
great -gra ndchildren OF Mrs. Gainford, and
there were a number Of callers who paid
their respects, She appeared to be in good
spirits and fairly good health and shows
no marked signs Of physical breakdown.
Mrs. Gainfords memory is still fairly
good striking proof of which she gave
TO the reporter by repeating accurately
In his presence a favorite hymn of her
father. which abe had learned many yeors
ago by hearing him sing it,. Her mind
frequently reverts to the period Of her early
childhood. Her earliest recollections are
of the stories which her father used to tell
of his experiences a soldier in the army
Of the Revolutions of Washington and
Lafayette and other distinguished soldiers
and statesmen Of the period; OF how he
obtained the famous powder horn in a
guessing contest at Valley Forge, devised
by Gen. Washington. which horn now
forms one Of the most interesting relics
ut the old stone house at Valley Forge: OF
how in 1924, he walked from Milford. Pa,
TO New York city 70 see Gen. Lafayette,
then on visit TO the United States. and how /,
in spite of the superclious hotel clerk, he
secured an interview with the Gene al
of how courteous'y he was treated on that
occasion hv Hen Clay. and because
of winch he deviated from hi. lifelong
political faith and voted for Clay when he
ran Tor fTeSlucHt Oh me Illttu N'tltS.
The Lafayette incident occura while
.Jabez Rockwell was II resident OF Milford.
Pa, where he was honored for forty years
with the Office of Justice of the Peace.
Rockwel's veneration for Lafayette wa
second only to that for WaahnRto At
the time of l.afayette's visit he was 80 wears
old. After having walked from hi" home.
a distance of seventv-two miles. to New
York city in company with three other
veterans of tn" Revolutionary Army,
permission was denied them by the naughty
hotel clerk to gee Lafayette. They pleaded
that their hong walk was for no other
purpose than seeing their beloved General,
nut the clerk was oDdurate ana otuered
them away. This aroused the ire of Rock
we'll. In tones that would brook no opposi-
ton he said;
Young man. we have travelled on foot
two days to see Gen Lafayette. We fought
under him before you were born; we are
now under the same roof with him, and
II 1t is necessary to have another fight to
see him we are ready"
This had the desired effect. Their names
were sent up to Lafayette's room, where
he was comforting with the Mayor of the
city and Congressional committee, OF
which Henry Clay was a member. and the
General requested Clay to invite them IN
They received a hearty welcome, and II
was because Of the courteous treatment by
Henry Clay that Rockwell, who was life
long Democrat, in his eighty third year cast
his last Presidential vote for Henry cay