The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-11-18
SHE CARED FOR SENATOR PAGE
Sutton centennaran Talks Of Her
Long Lifetime.

oultOn NentenndTldn dlho OF 1SI
Long Lifetime.
ST. Johnsbury, Nov. 1S.-Mrs. Betsy
Foster, of Sutton, on Wednesday
celebrated her one hundredth birth
day anniversary. The story Of her
long life is certainly a remarkable
one and has been filled with many
notable incidents.
Looking back over the events of
the century, one of Mrs. Fosters hap
piest memories and one on which she
delights to dwell Is the fact that she
rocked the cradle that held a future
governor of Vermont and United
States senator, Carroll S Page In
her early thirties she worked in the
home of Senator Pages parents and
when in 1S43 son was born there,
she was one Of his first nurses.
Countless are the tales Of early
days and their priyations that Mrs.
Foster can relate, particularly of the
agonies OF the times of the Civil war
when her husband and son fell vic
Tins to the horrors of Andersonvllle
prison.
In the quiet OF a little farm home
, perched high up on the hills OF SUIT
ton, this woman is passing her last
days and while her mind dwells much
on the past, she still retains an ac-
tive interest in all about her
! Mrs. Foster was born on Sterling
Mountain in the town OF Johnson,
November 16, 1910. Like many others
born Of New England parents in
those early days, she was early
thrown upon her own resources At
the age of eight, at a time when pre-.
sent day parents are starting their
chi dren in the primary schools Mrs
Foster took her few belongings and
went out to work her way in the
world. She worked for her hoard
and attended schools such as they
were, until she was sixteen, at which
, time she married Thomas Stacey Of
Groton. Mr. Stacey died OF Consump-
ton and some years later she mar
ried Haskell Foster of Swanton. Mr.
Foster died in Andersonville prison
and at the same time and place, Mrs
Fosters son by her first marriage, a
mere boy, who had enlisted only six
months before at the age OF fifteen,
passed away. Two of the other chill
fancy. Another grew to manhood DIV
fancy. Another CRED to manhood dy.
ing at the age OF 40.
There were four children by the Sc.
cond marriage, Mrs. Olive McGaffey
Of Inglewood, California; Charles Eos
ter of East Enfield, n. H.: Mrs. Min
ME Alien of North Troy: and Mrs
| Della LeClair OF Sutton. After the
death Of Mr.. Foster, the children with
the exception OF the youngest, now
Mrs. LeClair were put out to work
and Mrs. Foster kept her little home
in Eden. and worked out to support
herself and daughter. Later the
daughter married and moved TO SUIT
ton and 1t e In this home that Mrs
Foster is now happily passing the
evening of her life
Two months ago she fell. cuttins
cash in her forehead. This result
ed in a partial shock which has Sigh
ly affected her mind. Aside from
that she is surprisingly well and &C
tive. Up to the time OF the fall she
took a great interest in her son.in
laws farm, worked about the hous,
busying herself all day with the nu
merous household duties. Her hand,
so early trained TO labor were neve
idle. Last winter she pieced and pu
together n quilt. did much knittin,
and mending for the family. beside
sharing her household cares with he
daughter.
This remarkable woman, who ha
lived TO see the fourth generation 1
enjoying he's second sight. The glas
es which she wore for years she ha
now discarded. She enjoys lookin
over the papers and likes to waite
the passing teams on. the highway,
= distance Of forty rods from the house
Her appetite is excellent, her hear
ing good and she sleeps well. He
!. mother lived to be 10i years old an
Mrs Foster gives every indication @
o riyallng her She retires every nigh
! at . o'clock, rises at six and Is pra,
r tically Independent in caring for hel
p self