The Washington herald., 1907-03-31
The Oldest Woman in America
Born When George Washington Was President, She Is
Still Hale and Hearty and Loves Life After 112 Years

once at tted Bank you fotloR QohDt-
/ ful trail up the mountainside climbing
steep rocks and being forced often TO a
circuitous route to avoid deep ravines
says Jack Temple in the Pittsburg Post.
Far up the side of the mountain a little
home nestles snugly in a wealth of foli-
age-high above Red Bank Creek and the
Allegheny Rivera home that shelters
the Oldest woman In the State Of Penn
syIvania. perhaps in the United States.
Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman has just passed
her one hundred and twelfth milestone,
having celebrated this anniversary on the
fourth Of the present month, upon which
occasion there were gathered about her
at the simple mountain home seven chill
dren. twenty grandchildren. hfty-f1ve
great-grandchildren. and three great
grandchildren, while she herself
was as enthusiastic contented and active
as any member of the company
n this day, when natures laws are de-
fed and perverted. when marriage means
the selfish seeking of pleasure and the
attachment Of ambition, such a family
seems the more wonderful Mrs. Free
man has contributed dozens of happy
homes, and more contented inmates Of
homes. to the American nation, and is
yet well. hearty, cOntented, and happy,
living her life as she did 100 years ago,
right at the heart Of nature-simply.
The tiny rocky path that winds through
and around the hills is so beautiful in its
autumnal glory that one almost forgets
n -.
Through crimson. gold, and bronze the
heights are ascended, and with each step
there comes the low distant music of the
stream that rushes down the side of the
mountain, bearing in its onward course
the leaves of the dying summer,
COmmercialism cries Cut out the bah
bling brook business and the man who
advocates this doctrine dies at the age
of sixty with some unnecessary nervous
disorder. Elizabeth Freeman spent her
childhood in the forests, attending the
little country school. The later years
took for their strongest influence the
songs Of birds, the beauty Of the woods.
and she has yet to realize that she has
nerves. The years have not dulled her
mind nor weakened her sensibilities; her
faculties are all as bright and clear to-
day as those of any woman half her age.
save. possibly her hearing; she Is slight
ly deaf, but not uncomfortably So
I found her carrying huge pumpkins up
the hill to their winter storage. Her
eyes kindled with humor as she turned
first to me and then 10 her burden.
why did God let those pumpkins grow
so big?' she questioned. She IaughingIy
refused my offer TO assist her In their
transportation.
I've been carTyin' them these many
years, an / low they wouldn't kinder
understan' Iettin' strangers tote en- in"
She waited a full minute before she
spoke again. and added: 7 guess they
needn' mind, fer theys goin' 10 be ct. 7
don keer who totes 'em ter the barn."
I saw the load safely deposited in their
usual storage place in the barn, and pro-
testations on my part proved Of no avail.
Mrs. Freeman insisted upon carrying
them herself, and I watched her sure
step and wondered at her spontaneous
wit
Down the little path leading from the
house an old man slowly hObbled toward
Us. and ! turned questioning eyes upon
my hostess-rny very antiquated hostess
Of the mountains She was quick to read
the unspOken Interrogation.
That's Tom, she volunteered.
Your brother?''
She laughed. and her laugh was as low
and musical as a note of the mountain
stream.
My son." she said
Truly. he looked every bit as old as his
mother.
Toms over eigaty," she informed me-
Hes mighty sot In his ways"
The man under discussion paid no atten-
ton, but went about some work at the
barn, whistling a tune
He looked like Rip Van Winkle after
his twenty years of sleep but who can
conceive Rip Van Wrinkles mother-her
very living presence? rubbed my eyes
to be sure that I was not asleep and
dreaming. as I followed Mrs. Freeman
into her coy home.
Yes" she began reminiscenty. folks
thinks it strange that I've lived all these
years. I reckon not. Folks to live has
got to live right, eat right, sleep right.
and have the natural things of God aroun'
them"
Tell me of your early life" I asked.
We'll. the fust I kin recoIlec' clear is
los years ago. I was four years old then,
an my sister, what's next ter me, was
born.
Il was born in Fayette County, Pa.
october 4, 1923 112 years ago. Twas DUR
in the second administration OF George
Washington. I was Elizabeth Mcknight
Ny daddy was native of Ireland, an
my mother was a German"
The first part of her statement sur
prised me. I had not thought what Il2
years really covered.
George Washington" I repeated after
her.
''Yes'um. I've lived through the time Of
every President since Washingtons sec
ond administration. 7 recoliec's them all,
from Washington to Roosevelt. sane's
twas yesterday
She tells thrilling tales Of the Anne acan
Revolution drawn from her persJnal
recollection and experience.
Elizabeth Freeman's parents lived in
the neighboThood of Connellsviue, at the
time when it was only hamlet of five or
six houses; when there was but one iron
kettle in the entire neighborhood for max