Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-26
ST. AlbANS WOMAN g
Met Husband when He Was Napo8eon's
Gunrd-saw vain Kniser ms Lit
tie BOy,-Mother Of II children

Sl' RlDanS, feD. 24.-N1nety-tWO years
old to-day was one Of st. Adams resi-
dents. Mrs. F. !. e. Harding. who lives
with her daughter, Mrs. Ruth H. Geer
and granddaughter, Miss Jennie +. Geer,
on Lower Welden street, and whose tales
of her native country. England, where
she spent nearly the first half century of
her life, are an unfolding Of history and
romance of nearly century gone by
which few are privileged to hear from the
lips of one who lived in those times.
Mrs Hardings father. Joseph Welch.
a soldier in the time of Napoleon. fought
in the battle Of Waterloo and when Ma
poleon was exiled to the Island of st.
Helena was sent there as one of the guard
over him. At st. Helena young Welch met
Mary Ann Drew, daughter Of Col. Drew,
military governor Of the island. Soon af-
ter Napoleon was sent to st. Helena Col.
Drew arranged for his daughter to en-
ter boarding school in London, but be-
fore she had completed her course there,
her father died. An attachment had
sprung up between the girl and Welch
and soon after the fathers death the two
were married at st. Helena.
After their marriage Welch's wife Sc
cured his release from the army and they
went to England, where Welch learned the
carpenters trade
To the couple II children were born. The
birth Of Marry Ann WEIGH. the subject Of
this sketch, occurred III little house in
st. Peters street, Westminster just back
Of Westminster Abbey. In 1S45. when she
was only II years old, she was married to
Frederick James Edwin Harding of Lon
don. In 1872 they came to the United States,
and st. Albans. where the eldest son.
Frederick, had been established in bus
mess about two years.
Although she dreaded to come to the
United States, expecting to scalped by
Indians, she thought when she arrived In
st. Adams that she had never seen such
a beautiful spot before and soon she be-
came contented here.
Mrs. Harding well remembers the crown
ing of Queen Victoria, and also remem-
bers Wilhelm. afterward Emperor OF
Germany. and now perhaps like Napo-
leon TO be exiled. when he began as a
lad of about II years to visit his aunt. the
queen. at Buckingham Palace. Every year
for several springs he was a guest there
He was a fine looking little fellow" said
Mrs. Harding. and everyone used to feel
sorry for him because of his withered
arm. He was vain, however and con-
ceited. He used TO love to get up on the
velvet cushions of the carriage, where
he could be seen. and where he would
stand. doffing his hat to the crowd. He
was also very high tempered and we'll
remember how angry he was because he
could never secure permission to &c
through the navy yard
Mrs. Iiardings husband died about II
years ago and Mrs. Geer is the only one
left of II children born to the couple
Mrs, Harding is in excellent health ex.
cept for n rheumatic trouble and al
though she has been blind many years
she does good work with her needle vet
hemming towels, napkins and tablecloths
\ year ago last Christmas she gave away
10 aprons which were her own handiwork
Her mind is remarkably clear and she is
interested in the events of the day. al.
lough naturally she dwe!ls more upor
tho past and her beloved England where
she wishes she might go once more befor,
she dies.
| Sine mas four granddaughter and foul
grandsons. Mrs. Lawrence r. Newland
| Miss Jennie +. Geer, +. Arthur Bostw!cl
and Albert Bostwicil of this city. Mrs
Hon erL. Wilson Of Fast Berkshire. Mrs
Edward Osborn of Revere. Mass. Henr,
II. Harding of Boston and George Hard
ing OF Andover. n. H.; also three grea,
grandchildren. Ralph Wilson Of Eas
Berkshire and Lawrence and Norman Os
born of Revere.
! When Mrs Harding came from Eng LAND
she had five sisters and one brothe!
there. but she thinks none is living nov
as sne has not heard from them for SOM
| time.