New Britain herald., 1926-04-12
PEARL ST. WOMAN
 IS 9I YEARS OLD
Mrs. Mary J. Stanley Observes
 Her Birthday Tomorrow

Mrs Mary J, Stanley of 7l Pearl street will quietly celebrate her 9lsl birthday at her home tomorrow. She was born here on April l3, 1885 and 'has practically grown up with the city, She was married at the age of IS years to Walter II. Stanley who was proprietor of the Cedar Hin farm. Her husband spent the latter part of his life retired from business and passed away in August, 1916.
 She was the mother of eight chil- dren, seven boys and one girl, three of her sons having died. Those now living are Albert W. of Brooklyn, N. r., Robert II. of Montclair, N. J.: Mortimer D. of Short Beach; Walter F., an organist at Newark, x. l., and Miss Isabelle Stanley who resides with her mother. She has Q grand children and nine great-grandchil- dren.
 She was the daughter of Mir. and Mrs. l.. Nathan Peck and as a child, she resided in the old Peck home stead on East Main street Tho house In which she lived still stands. It is on the South side of East Main street short ways east of Elm street. She attended the old Ledge school which was situated on Elm street around the corner from East Main where buildings Of the Lan- ders, Frary X Clark Co.,, now stand
 Except for the effects of a fall sustained four years ago and failing eyesight, Mrs. Stanley's health is generally good. But the most re- markable thing about her is her vivid memory of her life and she is able 10 relate many pleasing remin- iscences of her childhood in New Britain.
 She remembers when the only newspaper in New Britain was Hartford weekly which was brought into town by stage coach via East street 10 East Main street. Here they were left at a blacksmith shop and Mrs. Stanley, as a child, used to mako a weekly trip 10 secure the one belonging to her family.
 She attended the Old North church which stood on the present site of tho old Burrtt school. It was Con- gregational in denomination and on each Sunday. two services were held, one In the morning and one in the afternoon. She vividly remembers the farmers driving their horses in for services from the outskirts. hitching them under the shed in thc church yard and going into church. At noon, they would all gather on the lawn under the trees and have their lunch, attending divine services in the afternoon.
 The children Were grouped in the gallery and were kept ruly under the stern eyes of q perfect whose sole duty was to keep them from tittcring and childish pranks while the holy word was being preached.
 A remarkable instance of the viv- idness of her memory is her ability to quote poems and hymns learned in her childhood. She believes that ir the days when she went to school the children were drilled more strictly In hymns and in verse. In class in those days the children did great deal more singing than they do now. Singing school was held on Saturday afternoons and at this day Mrs. Stanley can sing nll the old ia- voritcs of years gone by and can quote verse after verso from the authors whose fame was gained at that period.
 Mrs. Stanley Is the oldest mem Der in point Of membership though not in age, of the present South Congregational church. She never took an active part in public life believing that tho duties at her home were more pressing than public ones, Her children attest 10 the devotion with which she kept her household together. She was also remarkable in that she planned inc homo in which she now lives and also q summer home at the shore.
 Usually each year on her birth day. those Of her sons who are able to leave business. spend the day with her while her old neighhors never fail 10 pay her cali. She is the recipient Of cards from many states wishing many happy returns of the day.