Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-12-28
NEwFANE.
Mrs. Mary N Black, a centenarianr Native
OF Newfane.


! Mrs. Mary Norcross Black, who lives with
her daughter. Mrs. A. o, Amdon, in keene,
| y. H.. was 100 years old Sunday Although
hampered by partial loss Of sight and hear
| ing Mrs Black is up and about her room
every day and looks and feels well.
Mary h. Nureross was born in Newfane,
| Dec 20. IsuG Her father was a farmer
and she was brought up to weave and spin
and do the work which was required OF
| farmers daughters in those days Newtane'
She remembers. was the only market for
produce for a large section Of the surround
ing country, and she recolleets helping to
nick the peas and other vegetables to sell
and doing her share Of the domestic work
She frequently recalls interesting events that
happened early in the past century, some Of
which, like occurrences at the time Of the
war of 1872. she probably remembers from
what she afterwards heard as 4 girl, rather
than what she comprehcnded at the age Of
six years or whereabouts, but many things
happening not so very much later she re-
members.
Mrs. Black was married July 5, 1896, to
the late Sumner Black, then OF Chesterfield
Mr. Black was shoemaker, After two
years he moved to Keene, where he lived
the rest Of his days, working for Mr.. ia
auth, the late David liutchins, and Others
and living for some time in the old tannery
house where Lamson block now stands. lie
died June 25 1873, at the age of 10 years.
Mrs. Black was the mother Of five children,
all of whom died young except two, Hora.
ito Black, of Wesimoreand now 90 years
of age. and her daughter Mrs. Amidon. She
has one brother, Nelson Norcross of West
moreland, who is SO years old. of her de.
scendants there are three grandchildren and
six greatgrandchildren, her grandson Lucius
f. Amidon Of Florida, having two boys, and
her granddaughter, Mrs. Emma Blanchard of
Keene. four little girls. Mrs Blacks moth
er lived to be 95 years of age.
Until few years ago, when her sight
failed very much, Mrs. Black was able to
do many things about the house besides
sewing, knitting and the like. She used to
help with the ordinary homework until,
about three years ago, she fell in the house
while attempting to cross some boards laid
over newly painted floor. Although she
broke no bones, the fall famed her and
frightened her a good deal Now she re-
mains most of the time in her room. She
is up every morning in good season, dress
ing herself mostly, and she prefers to make
her own bed. She has an old clock of which
she thinks a great deal, but she tells the
time now by touch rather than by sight
She keeps track of the days of the week
and month remembering birthdays of her
children and grandchildren, and is inter
ested in what is going on in the family.
D. A. Benson has been on the sick list
his week. ...
Colds and coughs are prevalent in town
1t present.
j. NJ. Miller of Brattleboro was in town
,ver Sunday.
Miss Eta Marsh of Townshend was in
own Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. W. G, Balou were in
Springfield Mass, last week.
William Johnson was home from his work
Ii Springfield for the holidays.
Claude Maher of Wilmington was in town
his week for the Christmas holiday.
II, A. Carpenter was home the first of
he week from his school in Marlboro.
Mrs. G. W. Underwood entertained party