The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-10-28
DEATH OF DAVID B. REID.
One of the Oldest Residents of Newbury
Died Saturday.

The death of David b. Reid. one OF
the oldest residents of NewbuTy, occurred
at that place Saturday after an illness
with stomach trouble which had con.
fined him to the bed since the middle OF
August. Although very infrm from rheu.
matism for the past ten years, he had
continued life Of activity when many
hampered by the same difficulty, would
have chosen life of ease. From his
back door a platform was built the
height of an ordinary farm wagon and
from here he entered and left the vehi-
Gle, and Travelled about in surrounding
towns dispensing farm produce, doing a
large amount OF business, although he
was not able to leave the wagon, ex-
cept by the high platform. He was a
man of affairs and his advice was sought
and relied upon by his acquaintance.
Although 81 years old, he always seemed
young and remained active until the
last.
Mr.. Reid was born in Bannockburn,
Scotland, in 1881, and came to Lowell
Mass, with his parents in 1882 and to
Newbury in lSd3. In 1850 he went to
Boston and worked sometimes as a
sailor and part of the time in Newbury.
In 1850, he went to New Jersey as a
track layer on a railroad and there en-
listed in the United States navy and
was sent to the receiving ship North
Carolina, then transferred to the torpedo
boat Canoe and went up James river
and was in the "Caseoe" at the surrender
of Richmond. This boat going out of
commission at Washington, he was sent
to the Boston navy yard and served as
guard on the ship Ohio, then transferred
to the ram Dictator, then to the Balm
bridge and later to the monitor Monsd-
mock, which was ordered to San Fran
cisco and was the first monitor to take
a long sea voyage, in company with the
Tuscarora and Powhatan.
They left the navy yard at Philadel-
phia May 2, 1865, and were absent three
years. During this time, Mr.. Reid kept
A careful diary, recording with minute
ness his observations OF the countries !
and cities which he visited and, incident
Ally much OF the war between Spain |
md Chill. They touched at the principal |
ports on the eastern coast and entered |
The straits of Magellan Feb. 3, 1866, |
-eaching the harbor of Valparaiso March |
.
1ardment OF the city and the withdrawal |
II the Spanish feet, which they followed |
o the harbor of Calao, Peru, and there I
Jaw the bombardment of Callao, May 2, /
md the repulse Of the Spaniards. They |
cached San Francisco June %, and Mr.. I
Reid remained on the Pacific coast, being
tationed on different ships, till Febru
ny, 1868, when he returned to New
Jury and bought farm at what is
.nown as the four corners, between Boil
onville and Wells River, intending, as
e said, ''to pillow the land instead of
he sea for the rest of his life" Since
aaving the life of the water, he has
kept in touch with the sailors
ome in Boston and has furnished the
Institution periodicals.
Mr.. Reid is survived by his wife, Isa-
ell NJ, daughter of Hugh Gardner of
'ewbury, whom he married Feb. o 1869,
nd to them were born two sons, Arthur
r, who lives in Piermont, n. H., and
harles, who lives in Newbury.
A brother, John Reid, has made his !
Dme with him since his own home was
roken mp and is now in an unconscious I
ate being taken i'll about the time !
his brothers death, of which he is :
navarro. His recovery is not expected.
David Reid is known in Barre through !
sits to his nephews, William Reid and a
ugh Boyce OF this city and to his !
usin, Mrs. j. b. Darling. The funeral
as held to-day at his late home in
ewbury.