Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-18
WILMINGTON.
Death Of Mrs. Esther Smith Forbes


The death Of Mrs Esther S. Forbes
occurred at her home in this village Sat
urday, Jan. r. at 4 p m. The end was
not unexpected for she had been in de-
clining health a long time.
She was the daughter of Orgen and
Azubah 5. Packard and was born i'm Will
mington, north easterly part, June IA,
1917. Her grandfather was Rev. Winslow
Packard. the first settled pastor in the
town, in 1879. She had three sisters and
one brother who died many years ago.
As "a child she showed strong intellectual
faculties which rapidly developed. At the
age Of l3 she went to Bennington where
she attended school four years She then
went to Massachusetts and taught for
three years very successfully. From
MasSa chusetts she went to Saratoga n.
Y. where she continued her vocation
Returning to Wilmington, she was
married to Nolney Forbes i'm 1870 She
continued teaching in the public schools
with marked success until about 1854.
Her mother died in Wilmington Feb "a,
1865, and her father three days later. Her
husband died June II, 1873.
She possessed a rare charm of person
atty and force of character. Her mind
was of unusual vigor and acuteness Study
was q pleasure and delight to her. The
best books were read with eager interest
and discussed with keen intelligence. She
was a frequent contributor to the local
press and magazines.
Her fund of informal ton and retentive
memory made her a most agreeable COM
paniOn. Her unselfsh regard for the well
fare and happiNess of others was a prom
inent characteristic. To the poor she was
sympathetic and helpful friend She
was interested in all public improvements
and benefits and was ever ready to as
sist to the full measure of her ability
She and her husband united with the
/ Universalist church in 1S43-the year Of
great religious awakoning-and Of the 40
that We're baptized at that time only one
person survives Mrs Perlina Carley. In
all these years she led a consistent
Christian life, her faith sustaining her 10
the last in perfect confidence and peace
/ Though unable for several years to attend
public service she took a deep interest in
everything pertaining to the welfare Of
the church. She was one Of the original
members Of the w. c. r. L. and never
/ failed to assist the cause in every manner.
Enemies she had none, friends she had
many. She was remembered on each
7 Christmas day. and especially so on the
/ last. some three weeks ago. She received
numerous gifts from friends at home and
| at a distance.
/ The community Is both richer and poor
/ er that she lived-rcher in the wealth Of
/ her example and her life Of unselfish
| goodness. poorer because she IS no longer
/ with us
The funeral was largely attended at the
/ Tniversalst church Tuesday. Rev. Mr..
/ Blackfori the pastor, paid an earnest
tribute Rev Mr.. Slower OF the Baptist
[ church assisted in the services. The pail
/ bearers were Nicholas Mcdonald, Don o.
/ Butterfield Fred A May and Albert c.
Z Buell. Mr. and Mrs Henry D. Castle OF
Boston were present. The floral offerings
were numerous and beautiful. The casket
was placed in the tomb at Riverview
/ cemetery.