The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-06-08
The Late Mrs. MeEowen.

Harriet Cornelia tNorton) Mellow
en- was born July p, 1922. Her faith
er was Jonathan Buel Norton who in
turn was the son OF Captain John
Norton OF Revolutionary fame. Cap
tain John was born on the 10Th day
of November, 1853. He was one OF
the earliest settlers in Bennington
and became captain of militia during
the Revolution. After the war was
over, he returned 10 Bennington. mar
ried Lucreta Buel and turned farmer;
but the Nortons were rather fitted for
commercial than an agricultural
life, and Captain John. as he was al
ways called, started pottery in 1893
which became famous as the first pot
terry In Vermont and which continued
to manufacture all kinds OF earthen-
ware for many years. He died on
August %. 1928, leaving a numerous
progeny whose descendants have
spread abroad into many distant
states and some OF whom have filled
DISTINGUISHED positions in public life.
Mrs. McEowen was six years old
when Capt John died and 1t is re-
markable TO reflect that the lady who
passed away from US only yesterday
could remember so well an ancestor
whose birth recalls the early years
Of George Washngton's life and
reaches back almost to the year Of
Braddock's defeat and Of the French
and Indian war. The two lives that
thus overlapped during the years be-
tween 1922. when Mrs. McEowen was
born, and 1928. when Captain John
Norton died. cover period of l52
years.
Jonathan Buel Norton, Captain
Johns son. lived in Pownal, whittier
Inc had removed from Bennington. He
was engaged In the iron business and
was an exceedingly promising young
man, being reputed one of the best
business men In the state. He died
in 1891 at The age G "a, leaving a
widow and iiree yClrs daughters.
Mrs. Meow en-. the gldcs OF them,
was but nine Years old when shn lost
her father. Al II she WIS baptized
and received into the Batist church
where she remained for over 40 years
la faithful and devoted member.
The Rev. Frank r. Morris planned
an appropriate service. which on the
l2lst OF last September. should cole
brate the 10th anniversary OF hei
baptism. but he was not permitted tc
carry out his purpose. On October Z
1886 she was married TO Daniel Me
Eowon and bore him a son, Buel, an
only child. on August 2S 1862. il'
was removed from her on November
ms, 1850 and on the 2nd OF January
1894. her husband was also taken an6
she was left alone Sh' vas then II
her 72nd year and henc forth unit
her death i6 years later, her III,
was not only solitary but secluded, al
Il was rarely and with difficulty tina
she could 20 out from her own house
But though alone she was never lone
ly. Her love OF flowers was almos
passion with her and her garden II
summer and her conservatory In win
ter afforded her a delight that iille'
up many OF the waste places IN he
life. Friends and relatives, too, wer,
attracted to her by her cheerful, nm
selfish character. aud We'd with eacl
other IN the enjoyment which they de
rived from her really intellectual con
versation: for until the very end o
her life her remarkable mind wa
alert and acquisitivo OF information
: which she received and impaired will
genial courtesy that endeared he
to all who knew her intimately.
In a volume OF poems which wa
her frequent companion and which &
before me as | write these words. sh,
had marked the following lines will
the simple words. Dan, January
1894" quote them because the,
, seem singularly fitting for her MS wei
az for the loved one whom she hal
In mind>when she marked them.
When faith aud love. which parte,
from thee never.
Had rlpened thy Just soul to dwell
, with God,
Meekly then didst resign this earthl
load
or death. called life, which us iron
, life doth sever.
THY works and aims, and all thy goo
endeavor.
+ Stayed not behind nor in thy gray
were trod.
hut. as faith pointed with her golde
rod,
, Followed thee up to JOY and bliss fol
ever"