The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-10-10
PERHAPS OLDEST WOMAN
IN NEW ENGLAND
Mrs. Mary TiIlotson, Who Died Fr-
day in West Topshain, Was Over
1o2 Years old-Always Lived
in Orange County.

Mrs. Mary Tillotson, perhaps the old
est woman in New England died last
Friday afternoon at her home in West
Topsham, at the age Of l02 years and
four months The funeral service was
held in the same place yesterday aft
ernoon at o'clock. Rev. Irving Tows-
ley, pastor of the Ulniversalist church,
in Washington, oiileiated The bearers
were Frank Mills, Herbert Clark, Wal.
ter Burgn and T. b. Bailey. The re.
mains were laid to rest ir the cemetery
ut West Topsham.
The house was filed with friends and
neighbors, who gathered with the mem
bers Of the family to pay the last trib-
ute of respect and love. Many gifts Of
flowers testified, without ostentation,
the sincere feelings of those who brought
them. OF the more immediate rtla-
tives, there we're present George Tillot-
son, the only sons his sons, Dr. Henry
Tillotson and Eugene Tillotson of Grot.
ton, with their wives; his daughters,
Nellie and Grace, also three nieees, Mrs.
Clara Calef, Mrs. Oscar Waterman end
Mrs. William Gale. John Hood the son
of another niece, was also present, with
his wife and two daughters. Two grand
nieces were also present. Mrs Stous
Noyes and Mrs. G. + Haywood and
daughter.
The following simple sketch Of Mrs.
Tillotson's life il furnished by mem.
bers OF the family. She was born in
the town Of Corinth, Orange county,
Vermont on the 18th day Of June, 1909,
four months after the birth Of Abraham
Lincoln. Her girlhood name was Mary
Currier Eastman For a great many
years she has been known as Aunt
Polly Tillotson. On Washington's
birthday, in the year 1870, she joined
her life in marriage to that Of Jona-
than Tillotson, Of the adjoining town
OF Orange, and their happy married life
covered a period Of % years. They had
two sons, Henry, who died az the age
of twelve years, in 1861, and George A.,
now living in West Topsham, who, will
his daughter, Nellie, has tenderly cared
for the elderly woman in her recent
peaceful years
In the year 1908, the Boston Post
having made enquiry concerning mar
old people awarded prize TO Mr. aud
Mrs. Tillotson as the Oldest married eou-
pie in New England. Each Of them was
given a comfortable arm chair and that
Of Aunt Polly was left empty at
the funeral service. After receiving this
testimonial from the Boston Post. the
period OF their married life was extend
ed two years longer, until the death
~. s,f.s, ats
A number Of years ago Mrs. Tillotson
fell and sustained injuries that made
il difficult for her to get about. But
until a short time ago her mental facul-
ties remained in full power, 10 that her
remarkable memory oh events aud her
happy outlook on lid made her de-
lightful company to a large circle Of
friends. Her life was without any great
changes, being who'll yspent in the coun-
ty OF her birth. in the pleasures and
duties Of a New England housewife. To.
ward the last. when little else could
be or needed to be done hy her. she
kept her hands busy with rug making
and her mind happy with her Bible
reading. In early life she had united
with the Methodist church
Standing beside her casket on the day
of the funeral, one OF the oldest men
present said, "She represents a kind Of
woman Of which few remain; she be-
longs to type Of woman that has
passed from the earth"
Even after her death her memory will
be cherished by the young people who
knew her az 4 beautiful survival of the
plain but romantic days that are gone.