The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-01-14
In Memory of Mrs. Harriet HOlley
Gilbert.

! The subject of this sketch was one oil
the company-none too large --of those
who in the nineteenth century exhibited
here in New England that simplicity,
balance and serenity of life which we
associate with the typical Puritan wo;,
men of two hundred and fifty years
ago. She was one of "the quiet in the
land" always active but in the sphere
of the home and the neighborhood,
possessed of that gift which the poet
calls excellent" a voice that was
lever gentle, soft and low"-and illus
trating in her manner and life that
principle which was priced by the an
cient Greeks OF Nothing too much. f"
Born in the upland valley of Dorset
on the second of November 1914, she
passed here seventy-eight of here nine
ty-four years, the remaining sixteen,
which covered the first of her married
life, being spent in the equally secluded
town of Cavendish. There seven OF her
nine children were born, of whom five
survive her.
During the past fifty-four years, with
the exception of two brief trips IN the
West. and two visits in Boston which
were made some forty years ago, she
has rarely been out OF sight OF her
native mountains.
Mrs. Gilbert was a daughter of JUS
| n IL No.. fVraIlddAnnhfar
of Jonathan Holley of Hartford, Conn,
and in the sixth generation from John
Holey who settled in Dorchester, Mass,
in 1913. On her mothers side she was
a granddaughter of Amos Field, one of
the first settlers in Dorset, whose wife
with her little daughter Elizabeth in
her arms, then two and a half years
old came on horseback from Connect
lent to their future home, much OF the
wav through primeval forests.
Both the father and fathers father
Of Mrs. Gilbert served in the Revolu-
tionary War, the latter being enrolled
| in Connecticut and the former IN what
is now the State of Vermont. Inc
father was connected for short periods
with two regiments at Saltwater; and,
what is of vet more interest TO his de
scendants, he was IN service, as boy
of thirteen years, at the battle OF Ben
nippton. Mrs. Gilbert remembered
hearing him say that, on this historic
occasion. he played a fife and helped
cook for the soldiers. Mrs. Gilbert was
therefore real daughter of the Reyo-
linton. but il was characteristic OF her
thar she never made any account OF
| - NDLa., ell. satpad fhA ardlr
of the ID. A. r.. It was SIMPLY to graf
ify a later generation. her member
ship was in the Chapter OF Deborah
| Champion. Adams, n y.
On the last day Of the Old Year, IN
the midst Of beautiful Dorset land
scape, now white and still, she closed
her long but Joyous pilgrimage, 10 en-
ter. with the New Year. on the new
aud beatific life. g. II. @.
The last services IN memory OF Mrs.
! Harriet Holley Gilbert, who died IN
Dorset on Dee. 3lst, st the age OF nine
ty-four. were conducted with great sim
plicity by Rev. Mr.. carhart on Satnr-
'day afternoon.
Mrs. fiiIbert's husband, Oliyer G.
Gilbert. died in 1872. OF their nlne
children five survive. aud there are
twenty grandchildren.
A departure from the usual custom
which may have seemed strange 70
some was beautiful 10 those who an.
derstood the desire Of the near kindred
a. perform the last act for the precious
form Of the departed. On simple
home made bier borne by three sons
and three grAndsons with the aid of a
relay Of nelghbors and friend, the
easEe, was carried over icy roads and
across the valley to the Old cemetery a
1, ile and 4 half distant. The minister.
Who vas also on foot, preceded the
her ard little group Of grandchildren
and friends followed II 10 advance Of
nc sleighs. AT the grave the fresh
yougg voices Of the ehildren's children
sang heaven-inspired hymn. aud
amid the fragrance o. white hyaeinth
sud nhrcissus blossoms the dear form
wss In Of her who for 20 msny years
I bad borne about the white flower Of a
I blsmsless life. y. n. =