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 Jervls.

day in Port Jervls.
PORT JERvIs, N. Y, June 3O.-Mrs. Phebe
Gainford, a 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 dau ghters Of Jabez Rockwell, soldier Of
the Revolutionary War Is to-day celebrating
her tooth birthday In this place at the home
OF her daughter. Mrs. 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 we're by the
first marriage. Mrs. Lucinda Valentine,
Mrs. Gainford's youngest sister, died in 1901,
in her seth year, and Mrs. Catherine Bowden,
the second sister, died in 1904, at the age OF
90. For many years these three sisters
enjoyed the unique distinction Of being the
only three living members Of family who
were daughters Of a soldier OF the Revolu-
ton. In recognition OF this fact the Ma
tional Society Of the Daughters OF the
American Revolution presen ted each with
golden memorial sou venir spoon, designed
by and emblematio Of the, society.
There were present at to-day's family
reunion the children. grandchildren and
Observation-Disclosures 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. Gainford's memory is still fairly
good. striking proof OF which she gave
70 the reporter by repeating accurately
in his presence a favorite hymn Of her
father: which she had learned many yenrs
ago by hearing him sing It, Her mind
frequently reverts to the period Of her early
childhood Her earliest re collections are
Of the stories which her father used to tell
Of his experiences as soldier in the army
Lafayette and other distinguished soldiers
and statesmen Of the period; OF how. he
obtained the famous powder horn in
guessing contest Mt Valley Forge. devised
hy Gen. Washington, which horn now
forms one of the most interesting relics
at 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 supercilious hotel clerk, he
of how courteously he was treated on that
Of which he deviated from his lifelong
political faith and voted for Clay when he
ran for PRESIDENT OF me tnlteU N'ates.
The Lafayette incident occuI1 ID while
Jabez Rockwell was resident OF Milford,
Pa, where he WAS honored for forty years
with the office of Justice Of the Peace
Rockwells veneration for Lafayette was
second only to that for Washington. AT
the time Of Tafayette's visit he was SO years
old. After having walked from his home,
distance of seve nty-two miles, to New
York city. in company with three other
veterans of thu Revolutionary Army,
permission was denied them by the naughty
hotel clerk to see Lafayette. They pleaded
that their long walk was for no other
purpose than seeing their beloved General,
h.. .hc clerk was ohdu-ata and n,dered
them away. This aroused the ire Of Rock.
we'll. In tones that would brook no opposi-
ton he aaid:
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
If 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, or
which Henry Clay was a member, and the
| General requested Clay to invite them in.
They received hearty welcome. and it
| 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 Clay.