Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-11-09
MRS.. ADDISON BROWN
Death of the Oldest Brattleboro
Resident.

Aged More than go Years--a Woman Of
Remarkable Intellectual Attachments,
Developed and Maintained During a
Long Life Of Practical, Everyday Work
and Service.
Mrs. Addison Brown. the Oldest resi-
dent OF Brattleboro. died at her home on
Grove street n few minutes before s
O'CLOCK Wednesday evening. She was
born August 20. 1907. making her age 20
years. months. ~ days. Mrs. Brown was
native OF Boston. and was the daughter
OF Abiiah and Betsey Wilder Wetherbee
Her grandfather, Paul Wetherbee. was a
Minute man OF the Revolution. and her
great great grandfather. Joseph Wilder. on
her mothers side, was a judge Of the Mas
sachusetts courts. In her early child
hood the Wetherbee and Wilder families
moved TO New Ipswich. n. H.. where they
and their descendants built up the neigh
borhood known Wilder village Mrs.
Brown grew up In New Ipswich. receiving
her education In the district school, at
tending afterward New Ipswich academy
and private schools In Keene. n. H.. and
Groton. Mass. She taught In private
school in Fttchburg, Mass, and In the
common schools in New Ipswich.
Mrs. Browns husband was the Rev.
Addison Brown. n native OF New Ipswich.
born in 1893. and the first pastor OF the
Unitarian church In this village. which
was organized In June 1882. Her mar
rtage to Mr.. Brown cook place al her
fathers house in New Ipswich December
10, 1882. and was solemnized by Rev.
Abel Abbott OF Peterboro. one OF the
early ministers OF the Unitarian denomi-
nation. The next day they drove 10 Brat
tleboro by way of Keene and Chesterfield.
and IT is a record OF the time that the
weather was chen mild and pleasant and
| there was no snow on the ground. Mr.
! Browns pastorate over the Unitarian
| church continued until 1S45. and he re-
| manned a resident Of this village until his
| death, which look place in May. 1872
| After retiring from active pastoral work
Mr.. Brown devoted himself to educa tional
| interests, acting as superintendent Of the
| schools OF Windham county and after
ward as superintendent OF the Bra ttleboro
schools He also taught private school
! In this village, In the work Of which Mrs.
| Brown gave him efficient assistance. In
1862 Mr. Brown became the editor and one
| OF the owners OF The Vermont Phoenix
! and continued In that position until fail
Ing health compelled his retirement in
| 1871. In his editorial work. also. Mrs.
| Brown gave her husband valuable aid
after III health disabled him
Five children were born TO Mr. and Mrs.
| circumstances Allen, Ann Elizabeth.
| who became the wife OF Christian F.
Schuster, Addison. jr.. who died in 1865
as soldier OF the civil war. Charles
Wetherbee and Mary Hannah, the wife
| OF Col A. 7. Dunton. OF these children
| Charles Wetherbee Brown OF Rockford,
| Ill, and Mrs. Dunton, with whom Mrs.
| Browns home has been for n long term
or years, are the survivors. Seven grand
children are livlng-Paul F. Schuster OF
Rockford, Ill. and Mrs. Lizzie schusteI
| Twitchen OF Dorchester. Mass. the sur
viving children OF the second daughter
Melancthon S. Brown. Mrs. S. F. Need
ham. Mrs. II. w. Williams, and Miss
Alice Brown Of Rockford. H., children OF
Charles w. Brown, and Mrs Ovingtor
Ross OF Sheboygan. wis. daughter Of
Colonel and Mrs A. T. Dunton. There
are 10 great grandchildren.
Mrs Browns long life twas one OF
ceasless activity and of constant devo-
ton to her family and friends so Ions
as her physical strength remained. INIT
past her SOth year she did her household
work and had charge of all her affairs
To the last her mind was clear and she
retained her Interest in all the intellect
ual pursuits which had been the grea
source OF enjoyment of her whole life
There is probably no person in Brattle
boro who has read so constantly all o
the worlds best literature all current lit
erature worth the while and kept 81
fully in touch with the whole trend o
modern thought-in religion and theology
In politics. in science, i'm history, and OF
all social questions-as had Mrs Brown
She was especially versed In astronom,
and was an expert botanist, possessing
an innate gladness in the wild flowers, TIT
birds, and all free outdoor life. She wa
an accomplished linguist reading will
ease in Latin, German and French. Sh
had true artistic perception. In he
earlier years she sketched from natur
with skill and taste and instructed he
pupils In this art.
During the last half-dozen years OF con
hnement to her room Mrs. Browns enjoy
ment Of all these pursuits has continue,
undated and she has been constantly Fl
touch with all affairs in the village an,
the world outside. The final weakness
and decline of old age has come onl
during the past summer. Within tel
} days Of her death she had sat up In be-
to read the village and daily papers, an,
on the day of her death she asked in al
interval Of consciousness for news OF tn
elections and expressed her pleasure tina
Mr.. Hughes had been elected governor o
New York.
, Along with her intellectual attainment
} and capability for affairs, Mrs. Brow
: possessed a bright strong sunny nature
sweet and good to the core, which mad
companionship with her delight, an
chased away all the minor cares an
worries OF life. The women who wer