The Newtown bee., 1908-07-03

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 somewhat amusing. They would pay a dollar every time they could have the privilege of kissing the little glrls in the family. Mrs B. remembers the
 breaking up of the French camp. on the departure of the troops for New Ha- ven and of seeing the glistening of the sun upon their bayonets, as they
 marched up the hill near MT Frederick
 Sanford's. These things are for us
 matters of history, and yet there IS
 here with us venerable woman who
 saw them with her own eyes. Her
 father was a Tory,as were many other
 residents of Newtown; and he suffered not little persecution for his adher. enee for King George, He and others
 had places of concealment in the woods,
 to which they were accustomed to retire
 whenever a search was made for the
 Tories. Sometimes they remained in their hiding places for weeks. A cer- tain negro, who was accustomed to ex- ercise his musical propensities in blow ing shell, gave them warning in this
 way from time to time, of the move
 ments of the Wings. A party of them
 came at one time to the house of MT Glover for the purpose of procuring this obnoxious shell, but Mrs Glover contrived to put them upon the wrong scent. On another occasion they made
 free with a batch of pumpkin pies which
 Mrs Glover had just taken from the oven. and threw a piece to the house. dog; whereupon Mrs Glover command ed them to desist, saying, "the pies are not good enough for the dog. they
 were made for you." At another time MT Glover's prosecutors found him at home, and in bed. and amused themselves by pricking him with their bayonets.
 These incidents, though trifing in themselves, help to fill up the picture of the Revolutionary times. Mrs Birch has a distinct recollection of the proc lamation of peace, and of its celebra- tion in Newtown, by the roasting of an OK at the head of the street. When the roasting was complete, the OK, having ribbons attached to its horns, was carried on levers by several men through the street, and the inhabitants were allowed to cut from the carcass such pieces as they pleased.
 Mrs Birch was confirmed by Bishop Seabury at the age of fifteen. She thinks that preparation for confirma- tiun was not as thorough in those days as it is now. At the age of sevI enteen she was married to MT James Glover, at her fathers house, by the Rev Philo Perry, the second minister of this parish. MT Perry also baptized on the same day her youngest sister. After her marriage she went with her father to New York to purchased furn- iture, sailing from Bridgeport in a packet. On their return they exper- fenced a severe storm. and were sev- eral days on the passage. Our modern brides who fly to New York in few hours on the wings of steam would doubtless think this formidable prep aration for housekeeping. ...
 For twelve years after her marriage Mrs Birch lived in the house next to this, at which we are now assembled, and then removed into this house. Here she reared her large family of twelve children, all of whom lived to be of age, and nine of whom are now living to greet their mother on her ninetieth birthday. The whole number of her descendant is one hundred and thirty.-of whom one hundred and twelve are now living, namely: nine children, forty -one grandchildren, fifty nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren or three of the fifth generation. Mir Birch's first husband died in the year 1886 and after living widow sixteen years she married MT Lason Birch, who deceased in 1859. Mrs Birch still lives, and re- tains in remarkable degree. the use of her faculties. a.M
 We speak of the infrmities of old age creeping upon a person. They have crept very slowly indeed upon this venerable woman. She is not helpless old person, dependent upon the arms and feet of others, though there are so many arms that would be outstretched to aid her, if she required assistance. She can kindle her fires, cook her food, and do washing, which is more than some young ladies can do in these days. Within the last year she has knit forty pairs of socks, and pieced the beautiful bed quilt which hangs yonder beneath the flag of the union. 1 can bear witness that she is remarkably animated and entertaining in conversation. She has a store of memories of olden times, which ought to be gathered up and preserved, as of the habits and manners of our ancestors. And this venerable . woman is alive, and among us to-day our sole link with the ties of Beach anC Perry, and the scenes of the Rev olution. There is not person in this whole town whose life dates back as far as hers! Not person in this district of Hanover is here now, (with one exception, who was living here when she came, as a bride, into this There is not person here to-day, with the exception of her own brother and sister, who can re- when our present church edi- flee was erected; yet Mrs Birch was married the year following. Dr Bur hans commenced his labors in this par ish sixty-six years ago, long before most of us were born. vet she was