Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-07-14
Revolutionary Soldiers.
SETH sTURTEVANT.
MOSES DUNHAM.
JouN pApTT.E TT
JOHN BARTLETT.

Several years ago brief biographical
sketch was given of these three revolu-
tionary soldiers by request but, with
one exception nothing was said Of the per
sonal appearance of either and it is my
purpose on this 4th of July to give fash
light glance of these men, who did so
much to make this day and our country
what they are.
Some time ago my cousin, Mrs. Max
i'm, gave me a brief description of her
grandfather Sturtevant, in which she
says in part: "My grandfather's hight
was feet 10 inches, weight 1870 pounds.
He had forid complexion, gray eyes,
and nose somewhat on the Roman order;
he was noble and manly in physique, Of
strong and quick intellectual powers, OF
warm generous. impulses, respected by
all and beloved by many and held a
large place in the affectionate remem-
brance of his kindred. Those who were
nearest to him he told to put their trust
In Jesus and prepare to meet him in
heaven"
The last time saw the good old man
when visiting my uncle, H0pestill Bis
Bisbee, and only few weeks before his
death. Going into his room we found
him sitting in his easy chair, from which
he soon arose and travelled across the
room to wind up an old fashioned clock.
While on his feet my uncle said to me,
If you live as many years as that man
has, do you expect to be as straight as
he is ?" do not remember my answer,
but it was probably in the negative and
would probably be the same to-day:
Only few weeks later he was found
sitting in the same chair, but his spirit
had gone to God who gave it, aged 81
years.
Nv grandfather, Moses Durham, lived
in my fathers family during the last five
years of his life (; consequently became
pretty we'll acquainted with him during
that period of time. When In the prime
of life he must have stood six feet In
height and weighed 200 pounds COM
plexion light, eyes blue and expressive.
But he was not "cast in natures finest
mould" like Washington, being long
favored, with a nose to match his
whole face pitted from the effects of
small pox while In the army. In addi-
ton to all this, instead of preserving an
upright position like his comrade men.
toned above, the weight of years had
caused him to become somewhat bowed
in form, as old people generally are.
Grandfather had an average gift for
telling stories when in his best, and &C.
casionally liked to play joke when
there was given an opportunity for it. !
remember one day man and wife called
on us, accompanied by little boy about
four years of age soon the little fellow
climed into his fathers lap, when along
came grandfather, and after looking him
over few moments, inquired What
do you expect to make of that little
chap ?" ooh" said the father, "he will
probably be farmer" "Well," retort-
ed the old gentleman, whether farmer
or lawyer, I hope he will make better
man than his father" $50 do l." said
the other with hearty laugh, "and that
makes two that hope 3d." Died at the
age of IS.
John Bartlett lived with his son in the
west part of Hartford, several miles
from the old homestead, so that 1t was
seldom that I saw him except when
visiting away from home. He had a son,
Nathaniel Bartlett, who lived in our
neighborhood only short distance to
the south, and also daughter, Mrs.
Elisha Stetson, who lived somewhat
further to the north. These two chill
dren he would usually visit twice year,
in the spring after the roads became set
tied, and again in the fall before cold
weather came on.
Although so many years have rolled in
between that time and to-day, can still
see him with my minds eye, as he slowly
travelled along the road and always with
a lusty cane in hand. In person he was
the smallest of the three, not more than
five feet six inches in height, and $50
pounds weight; complexion somewhat
darker than the other two, and with
regular features. He always wore an
entire black suit, from hat to boots or
shoes and after reading or hearing the
story about The Little Man in Black, az
we have it in the National Reader, and
so we'll told by Washington Irving, he
always reminded me of that mysterious
parsonage. Died at the age of 95.
Thus have endeavored to give some
idea of the personal appearance OF the
three revolutionary soldiers who lived
large part of their lives and died in Hart
ford. l.. ID.