St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-06-30
WEST BARNET.


Mrs. Alexander Shields, formerly lean
Calderwood. was born in Fenwick
Scotland, Feb. 8, 1918, and died at the
home OF her daughter, Mrs. A. w. Nc
Lam, in Ryegate, June IS. We say
another old friend gone" and forget
that she was ever anything but an aged
grandmother. But between the two
dates given what long days journey
has been taken, many miles, many
miles" as-she several times said during
her last illness.
Mrs. Shields was a descendant of
David Calderwood, a Scotch historian
OF the 18th century, and of John HOWE
OF Lochgoin, the author of "The Scots
Worthless" From her Scotch ancestry
she inherited many gifts. Prominent
among these were humility and useful
ness, which characterized her whole life.
her hrst long journey was to cross the
ocean to America, when she was five
years OF age, when it took months of
discomfort to make the journey. In
west Galway, n. Y, the morning of her
was spent in active, willing, helpfulness
in the family where there were seven
brothers and two sisters, besides the
parents to be helped. From the good
mother she learned to sew and spin and
weave in the long afternoons after the
homework was done, and from the old
tailor in the village she learned
tailoring. All these accomplishments
were OF great service to her later on in
life, The weeks work was finished early
on Saturday, that preparations might
be made for the Sabbath, and early on
Sabbath morning the walk of IL miles
to the church at Duanesburg was often
taken, although sometimes services were
held nearer home. Early in life she
united with the Coyenanter church and
was lifelong, consistent and intelligent
member of it. June 9, 1S47, she was
married to Alexander Shields and went
to his home in Glover. Here "a happy
years were spent and here their four
children were born. OF this time. the
prime OF her life, it might have been said
OF her, "She grdeth her loins with
strength and Strengthened her arms"
She looketh we'll to the ways of her
household and eateth not the bread of
idleness. She stretcheth out her hand to |
the poor and reacheth forth her hands
to the needy" She took the orphan |
into her home and fed and clothed him
and gave of her own clothing to the |
widow and suffering. Her household
were clothed with garments of her spin.
ming and weaving and she waited on the
sick. This work was kept up when the
home was changed to Peacham in 1871
And thus the midday of life was spent
She loved the House of God and was a
constant attendant there even in old
age. She loved His day and His word.
she loved the early morning of the DAYS,
me sunrise and the sunsets, and the
beauty of nature. Twenty-four wears
ago her husband entered into rest;- Five
Iears ago her only son. David, went
Home, and the long afternoon of her life
las been filled with both sunshine and
hadow. She is survived by her three
daughters, Jennie, Mrs. A. W. Nolan,
agnes, and Christina, Mrs. 7. c. Morri.
on and nine grandchildren. In the eve.
ing OF the day she rested and waited for
ne call to go up higher but she was
lways busily engaged in sewing or
eadlng or helping Others. The loneliness
II her last years was greatly lessened by S
many nieces and nephews and Others t
Who visited her and cheered her when
ar away, with letters and birthday 7
emembrances, thus Frightening and =
mooth'ng her pathway as the shadows t