The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-01-12
NEWFANE.
Death Of Miss Mary Newton.


Miss Mary Newton, who has been in
failing health a year past and serious
ly i'll during the last few weeks, died
Wednesday morning, Jan. Q, in her
Newfane home, where she was born
Oct. 9, 1916, and has always lived
She was the daughter of Marshall
and Nancy (Tufts) Newton and one
of seven children of whom two only
now survive. One brother, James New
ton, died in the Civil war, and two
others, John and Charles, returned from
the war and were members of the G..
A. r., but died years after from the
effects of their military service.
The spirit of patriotism was kin
died in those early years in the heart
Of this sister and she has never been
lacking in her love for her native
land. -
She was educated in the public
schools, Monson academy in Massachu-
setts, and Glenwood Ladies' seminary
~ West Brattleboro, being a student
there in its prosperous days of the
oVs. For several years after she was
a successful teacher in Newfane and
other Windham county towns.
during the later years of her life
she had been engaged in public serv-
ices Tor the community, being one of
the founders of the Ladies Library
association, of which she was an Off
Ger until IT was merged in the Moore
free library, and in this she has held
the Offices of trustee and secretary, be-
ing also q member of the executive
COMMITTEES. Her interest in literature
was marked, and her ability to select
desirable reading for young and old
was ,undisputed.
For many years she was the local
correspondent for The Vermont Pboe-
NIX and all enjoyed the ably written
items and articles from her pen. Not
only did she give time and service in
/ TINS direction but She manifested hen
| devotion to God and home and native
land by her activity i'll the Woman 5
I Christian Temperance union which con
! tlnued from the time of its organiza
/ tion until her death. She was the first
! president of the Newfane union and
since 1884 has been its most faithful
| secretary, also she had held several
county Offices until she was well known
! by White Ribboners' at home and
abroad.
! In early life she became a member
( of the congregational church and fol
/ many years served as church clerk very
| acceptably. Her efficiency as a teach
/ er in the Sunday school was so mucl
/ appreciated that her class of Iadie.
/ held her in highest esteem and only
/ consented 10 her release from service
/ until her health demanded it.
/ Among other public interests which
! engaged her attentions was that of tn,
4 mon hall III Newtane, and as secre
! tary OF the Union Hall Helpers Aocict,
She was very faithful and was eve,
/ willing to give time and assistanc,
when needed
with her sister, Fanny, she ha
! helped to maintain the old home al
these years, where brothers and sis
ters' nephcws and nieces could gathe
from time to time. Her special deligh
was in gardening and in exercisinl
her mechanical skill, while the eide
sister was the house mother, and To
gethrr they have preserved the New
ton home ~ as a landmark in whicl
Newtanc people and former resident
have always rejoiced.
In addition to the immediate family
of whom only one brother, Henry New
ton, a retired banker, and one sister
Fanny Newton, survive, a large circl
Of friends will mourn her loss. as Mar
Newton was one who made friends b
her thoughtful attention to the need
OF others and her interest in ever
good work
The funeral will be held in the HON
Friday afternoon at O'Clock. Rev
F. NJ. Wiswall faulty friend an
the present acting pastor, will conduc
the service, and the burial will be i
the family lot in Newfane cemetery.