Mrs. Abigail Welch of Groton, Vermont, mother of Darling Welch of this city, died at her home in Groton on Dec. 24th. last. She was 100 years, four months and 24 days at the time of her death, and the only living person of her family is Mr. Welch of this place. The Groton Vermont, Times, says that she was born on the old Renfrew farm on the July 31st, 1797. Her early life was full of the perils of the early settlers and the hardships they overcame. She grew to womanhood with a strong, robust health that the frugal, although healthy fare and outdoor exercise gave to children in those early days. She married Medad Welch March 9th, 1815, at the early age of 18 years. Eleven children were the fruit of this union. She joined the Baptist church in 1840, and was ever an earnest consistent Christian. She was able to read without the use of glasses until she was 98 years of age. Her husband died Sept. 1, 1872, and after that she lived with her son, Hosea Welch, 2d, until he died, and then lived with Hosea N. Welch until her death. A son, Frank Welch, died just a month before her death. She was a direct descendant of Aaron Hosmer, Sr., one of the early settlers of Vermont, and her father, Aaron Hosmer Jr., was the first child born in the town of Ryegate and the first born in Caledonia county. Printed in The Redwood Falls Gazette (Minnesota), Thursday, 6 Jan. 1898, page 9.
Aunt Nabby Dead.
On Friday Mrs. Abigail Welch, aged 100 years and 5 months, died at the home of her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, in Groton. Mrs. Welch had been failing for a number of months and her death had been expected for a long time. She leaves 38 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She had been a member of the Baptist church since 1840 and was able to read her Bible without glasses until two years ago. During the past few years she spent most of her time in bed, her mind gradually fading away.
She celebrated her 100th birthday anniversary on July 31, over 800 friends and relatives being present. There was probably no woman in that part of the state more widely known than "Aunt Nabby." She was born on a farm and had always lived on one. Printed in The Bellow Falls Times, Wednesday, 29 Dec. 1897, page 3.
Abigail died in her centennial year, having been a life long resident of Groton, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Her death certificate lists the cause of death as old age, having died at age 100 years, 4 months, and 24 days! She was the daughter of Aaron Hosmer and D. Darling.
She was wife of Medad Welch, who died 25 years before her.
From the Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT; 1764-1887, compiled & published by Hamilton Child; May 1887, Pages 189-201:
Abigail and Medad reared eleven children, viz.: George, Aaron, Hosea, Medad, Martha, Clark, Darling, Benjamin F., Abigail, Merrill, and one who died in infancy.
Please see the memorial for Medad for a more complete list of their children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KEEPS THE BIBLE HANDY
Vigorous Vermont Centenarian—Five Generations Do Honor
GROTON, Vt., Aug. 5—This town has just seen an event such as it has never seen before, a 100th birthday celebration. Mrs. Abigail Welch, who is the centenarian, is the first person of this place to reach the 100th milestone, and the occasion has brought together from 300 to 400 descendants, friends and neighbors from far and near. The celebration was a great family reunion for the 100 or more direct descendants, and many met here almost for the first time, the relatives are scattered over so wide a territory. Five generations were represented in the company. A dinner table 100 feet long was spread under a big tent near the house. Mrs. Welch lives on a farm with her grandson, H. N. Welch, in the house which has been her home for 75 years. She has been a member of the Baptist church since 1830. Her home has been the stopping place for Baptist ministers who have come this way for several decades. Mrs. Welch was born in Groton, July 31, 1797, the year in which Washington's second term as president expired. She was the oldest of 11 children. Although all lived to be old, she is the only survivor. She married Medad Welch, who was a native of Kennebunk, Me. She had 11 children, of whom only two are now living. They are Darling Welch of Redwood, Minn., and B. F. Welch, who is a resident of the same state. There are 40 grandchildren living. Two live in Boston, C. D. Welch and E. M. Welch; two more, B. F. Welch and Lizzie B. Welch, live in Lowell. There are 60 great-grandchildren, and there are two great-great-grandchildren, one of whom, Ralph W. Welch, lives in Boston and is about 23 years old. Mrs. Welch's father built the first hotel in Groton, and also the first grist mill to which she carried the first grist. Her husband when a young man worked at Lowell, walking to that place in the spring and coming back in the fall, bringing with him a supply of groceries. He died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 79. Mrs. Welch has never worn glasses, and can still read her fine-print Bible, which she always keeps handy on her table.
Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, Vermont), 7 August 1897, page 4.
100 Years Old.
Mrs. Abigail Welch celebrates her 100th Birthday. A large number pay their Tribute of Respect.
Abigail Welch or "Aunt" Nabby as she was called, was born July 31, 1797 on the old Renfrew farm. At the age of 12 years her father moved to the grist mill, and she took the first grist from off a horse's back and carried it into the mill that was ground there. She married Medad Welch March 9th, 1815, at the age of 18 years. They had eleven children born to them, only two of whom are living, Darling and Frank Welch of Redwood, Minn. She has had 28 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. In 1840 she joined the Baptist church and the bible has ever been her guide, which she was able to read until 98 years old without the aid of glasses, for she never used them. Her husband died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 70 years and 6 months. Since then she lived with her son, Hosea Welch, 2nd, until he died and is now tenderly cared for by her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, on the old home place which she moved to 82 years ago. Her life has been a model for christian charity none went from her threshold hungry. "Aunt" Nabby has lived in Groton all her life and her incidents of its early settlement and growth have passed before her in the steady pride of civilization.
Her ancestors were among the early settlers of Vermont.
History mentions her grandfather, Aaron Hosmer, Sr., as living in Charleston, N. H., about 1740, and being one of Capt. Hobb's company who were attacked by the Indians, being then sixteen years old. In 1754 he was at Fort Dummer, Vermont. History states that Aaron Hosmer and Susanna Chamberlin were the first couple married in Newbury. No date of this marriage is given but it must have taken place previous to Sept. 1763, as Col. Jacob Kent married a couple at that date. After his marriage he went to Ryegate, living there several years, before he was found by General Whitelow in 1773. In 1759 Aaron Hosmer, Jr., was born, being the first child born in Caledonia County. At the beginning of the Revolution, he moved back to Newbury where there was a fort and joined Capt. Thomas Johnson's company of minute men May 16, 1775. In Newbury records, we find he took the Freeman's Oath with others in 1778. March 3, 1781 he sold his farm in Ryegate for 200 Spanish Milled Dollars and then moved to Groton and built a house that same year on what is now Charles Ricker's meadow. Later we find him living in Barnet, returning to Groton where he died in 1803, being 79 years old.
Her father, Aaron Hosmer, Jr., married Dorothy Darling and settled on what is now known as the old Renfrew farm. From there he moved to the Darling farm where he kept hotel for a few years, after which he moved to the village grist mill and became its first miller. He was elected road commissioner at the first town meeting ever held in Groton, and laid out many of the roads now existing in town. He was a leading member of the Baptist church. Aaron and Dorothy Hosmer had eleven children of whom Abigail Hosmer Welch is the oldest and the only one now living. From The [Groton} Times, Saturday, August 7, 1897, Page 1.
Biography by Tom Brocher; last updated on 5 January 2022.
Aunt Nabby Dead.
On Friday Mrs. Abigail Welch, aged 100 years and 5 months, died at the home of her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, in Groton. Mrs. Welch had been failing for a number of months and her death had been expected for a long time. She leaves 38 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She had been a member of the Baptist church since 1840 and was able to read her Bible without glasses until two years ago. During the past few years she spent most of her time in bed, her mind gradually fading away.
She celebrated her 100th birthday anniversary on July 31, over 800 friends and relatives being present. There was probably no woman in that part of the state more widely known than "Aunt Nabby." She was born on a farm and had always lived on one. Printed in The Bellow Falls Times, Wednesday, 29 Dec. 1897, page 3.
Abigail died in her centennial year, having been a life long resident of Groton, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Her death certificate lists the cause of death as old age, having died at age 100 years, 4 months, and 24 days! She was the daughter of Aaron Hosmer and D. Darling.
She was wife of Medad Welch, who died 25 years before her.
From the Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT; 1764-1887, compiled & published by Hamilton Child; May 1887, Pages 189-201:
Abigail and Medad reared eleven children, viz.: George, Aaron, Hosea, Medad, Martha, Clark, Darling, Benjamin F., Abigail, Merrill, and one who died in infancy.
Please see the memorial for Medad for a more complete list of their children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KEEPS THE BIBLE HANDY
Vigorous Vermont Centenarian—Five Generations Do Honor
GROTON, Vt., Aug. 5—This town has just seen an event such as it has never seen before, a 100th birthday celebration. Mrs. Abigail Welch, who is the centenarian, is the first person of this place to reach the 100th milestone, and the occasion has brought together from 300 to 400 descendants, friends and neighbors from far and near. The celebration was a great family reunion for the 100 or more direct descendants, and many met here almost for the first time, the relatives are scattered over so wide a territory. Five generations were represented in the company. A dinner table 100 feet long was spread under a big tent near the house. Mrs. Welch lives on a farm with her grandson, H. N. Welch, in the house which has been her home for 75 years. She has been a member of the Baptist church since 1830. Her home has been the stopping place for Baptist ministers who have come this way for several decades. Mrs. Welch was born in Groton, July 31, 1797, the year in which Washington's second term as president expired. She was the oldest of 11 children. Although all lived to be old, she is the only survivor. She married Medad Welch, who was a native of Kennebunk, Me. She had 11 children, of whom only two are now living. They are Darling Welch of Redwood, Minn., and B. F. Welch, who is a resident of the same state. There are 40 grandchildren living. Two live in Boston, C. D. Welch and E. M. Welch; two more, B. F. Welch and Lizzie B. Welch, live in Lowell. There are 60 great-grandchildren, and there are two great-great-grandchildren, one of whom, Ralph W. Welch, lives in Boston and is about 23 years old. Mrs. Welch's father built the first hotel in Groton, and also the first grist mill to which she carried the first grist. Her husband when a young man worked at Lowell, walking to that place in the spring and coming back in the fall, bringing with him a supply of groceries. He died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 79. Mrs. Welch has never worn glasses, and can still read her fine-print Bible, which she always keeps handy on her table.
Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, Vermont), 7 August 1897, page 4.
100 Years Old.
Mrs. Abigail Welch celebrates her 100th Birthday. A large number pay their Tribute of Respect.
Abigail Welch or "Aunt" Nabby as she was called, was born July 31, 1797 on the old Renfrew farm. At the age of 12 years her father moved to the grist mill, and she took the first grist from off a horse's back and carried it into the mill that was ground there. She married Medad Welch March 9th, 1815, at the age of 18 years. They had eleven children born to them, only two of whom are living, Darling and Frank Welch of Redwood, Minn. She has had 28 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. In 1840 she joined the Baptist church and the bible has ever been her guide, which she was able to read until 98 years old without the aid of glasses, for she never used them. Her husband died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 70 years and 6 months. Since then she lived with her son, Hosea Welch, 2nd, until he died and is now tenderly cared for by her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, on the old home place which she moved to 82 years ago. Her life has been a model for christian charity none went from her threshold hungry. "Aunt" Nabby has lived in Groton all her life and her incidents of its early settlement and growth have passed before her in the steady pride of civilization.
Her ancestors were among the early settlers of Vermont.
History mentions her grandfather, Aaron Hosmer, Sr., as living in Charleston, N. H., about 1740, and being one of Capt. Hobb's company who were attacked by the Indians, being then sixteen years old. In 1754 he was at Fort Dummer, Vermont. History states that Aaron Hosmer and Susanna Chamberlin were the first couple married in Newbury. No date of this marriage is given but it must have taken place previous to Sept. 1763, as Col. Jacob Kent married a couple at that date. After his marriage he went to Ryegate, living there several years, before he was found by General Whitelow in 1773. In 1759 Aaron Hosmer, Jr., was born, being the first child born in Caledonia County. At the beginning of the Revolution, he moved back to Newbury where there was a fort and joined Capt. Thomas Johnson's company of minute men May 16, 1775. In Newbury records, we find he took the Freeman's Oath with others in 1778. March 3, 1781 he sold his farm in Ryegate for 200 Spanish Milled Dollars and then moved to Groton and built a house that same year on what is now Charles Ricker's meadow. Later we find him living in Barnet, returning to Groton where he died in 1803, being 79 years old.
Her father, Aaron Hosmer, Jr., married Dorothy Darling and settled on what is now known as the old Renfrew farm. From there he moved to the Darling farm where he kept hotel for a few years, after which he moved to the village grist mill and became its first miller. He was elected road commissioner at the first town meeting ever held in Groton, and laid out many of the roads now existing in town. He was a leading member of the Baptist church. Aaron and Dorothy Hosmer had eleven children of whom Abigail Hosmer Welch is the oldest and the only one now living. From The [Groton} Times, Saturday, August 7, 1897, Page 1.
Biography by Tom Brocher; last updated on 5 January 2022.
Mrs. Abigail Welch of Groton, Vermont, mother of Darling Welch of this city, died at her home in Groton on Dec. 24th. last. She was 100 years, four months and 24 days at the time of her death, and the only living person of her family is Mr. Welch of this place. The Groton Vermont, Times, says that she was born on the old Renfrew farm on the July 31st, 1797. Her early life was full of the perils of the early settlers and the hardships they overcame. She grew to womanhood with a strong, robust health that the frugal, although healthy fare and outdoor exercise gave to children in those early days. She married Medad Welch March 9th, 1815, at the early age of 18 years. Eleven children were the fruit of this union. She joined the Baptist church in 1840, and was ever an earnest consistent Christian. She was able to read without the use of glasses until she was 98 years of age. Her husband died Sept. 1, 1872, and after that she lived with her son, Hosea Welch, 2d, until he died, and then lived with Hosea N. Welch until her death. A son, Frank Welch, died just a month before her death. She was a direct descendant of Aaron Hosmer, Sr., one of the early settlers of Vermont, and her father, Aaron Hosmer Jr., was the first child born in the town of Ryegate and the first born in Caledonia county. Printed in The Redwood Falls Gazette (Minnesota), Thursday, 6 Jan. 1898, page 9.
Aunt Nabby Dead.
On Friday Mrs. Abigail Welch, aged 100 years and 5 months, died at the home of her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, in Groton. Mrs. Welch had been failing for a number of months and her death had been expected for a long time. She leaves 38 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She had been a member of the Baptist church since 1840 and was able to read her Bible without glasses until two years ago. During the past few years she spent most of her time in bed, her mind gradually fading away.
She celebrated her 100th birthday anniversary on July 31, over 800 friends and relatives being present. There was probably no woman in that part of the state more widely known than "Aunt Nabby." She was born on a farm and had always lived on one. Printed in The Bellow Falls Times, Wednesday, 29 Dec. 1897, page 3.
Abigail died in her centennial year, having been a life long resident of Groton, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Her death certificate lists the cause of death as old age, having died at age 100 years, 4 months, and 24 days! She was the daughter of Aaron Hosmer and D. Darling.
She was wife of Medad Welch, who died 25 years before her.
From the Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT; 1764-1887, compiled & published by Hamilton Child; May 1887, Pages 189-201:
Abigail and Medad reared eleven children, viz.: George, Aaron, Hosea, Medad, Martha, Clark, Darling, Benjamin F., Abigail, Merrill, and one who died in infancy.
Please see the memorial for Medad for a more complete list of their children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KEEPS THE BIBLE HANDY
Vigorous Vermont Centenarian—Five Generations Do Honor
GROTON, Vt., Aug. 5—This town has just seen an event such as it has never seen before, a 100th birthday celebration. Mrs. Abigail Welch, who is the centenarian, is the first person of this place to reach the 100th milestone, and the occasion has brought together from 300 to 400 descendants, friends and neighbors from far and near. The celebration was a great family reunion for the 100 or more direct descendants, and many met here almost for the first time, the relatives are scattered over so wide a territory. Five generations were represented in the company. A dinner table 100 feet long was spread under a big tent near the house. Mrs. Welch lives on a farm with her grandson, H. N. Welch, in the house which has been her home for 75 years. She has been a member of the Baptist church since 1830. Her home has been the stopping place for Baptist ministers who have come this way for several decades. Mrs. Welch was born in Groton, July 31, 1797, the year in which Washington's second term as president expired. She was the oldest of 11 children. Although all lived to be old, she is the only survivor. She married Medad Welch, who was a native of Kennebunk, Me. She had 11 children, of whom only two are now living. They are Darling Welch of Redwood, Minn., and B. F. Welch, who is a resident of the same state. There are 40 grandchildren living. Two live in Boston, C. D. Welch and E. M. Welch; two more, B. F. Welch and Lizzie B. Welch, live in Lowell. There are 60 great-grandchildren, and there are two great-great-grandchildren, one of whom, Ralph W. Welch, lives in Boston and is about 23 years old. Mrs. Welch's father built the first hotel in Groton, and also the first grist mill to which she carried the first grist. Her husband when a young man worked at Lowell, walking to that place in the spring and coming back in the fall, bringing with him a supply of groceries. He died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 79. Mrs. Welch has never worn glasses, and can still read her fine-print Bible, which she always keeps handy on her table.
Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, Vermont), 7 August 1897, page 4.
100 Years Old.
Mrs. Abigail Welch celebrates her 100th Birthday. A large number pay their Tribute of Respect.
Abigail Welch or "Aunt" Nabby as she was called, was born July 31, 1797 on the old Renfrew farm. At the age of 12 years her father moved to the grist mill, and she took the first grist from off a horse's back and carried it into the mill that was ground there. She married Medad Welch March 9th, 1815, at the age of 18 years. They had eleven children born to them, only two of whom are living, Darling and Frank Welch of Redwood, Minn. She has had 28 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. In 1840 she joined the Baptist church and the bible has ever been her guide, which she was able to read until 98 years old without the aid of glasses, for she never used them. Her husband died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 70 years and 6 months. Since then she lived with her son, Hosea Welch, 2nd, until he died and is now tenderly cared for by her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, on the old home place which she moved to 82 years ago. Her life has been a model for christian charity none went from her threshold hungry. "Aunt" Nabby has lived in Groton all her life and her incidents of its early settlement and growth have passed before her in the steady pride of civilization.
Her ancestors were among the early settlers of Vermont.
History mentions her grandfather, Aaron Hosmer, Sr., as living in Charleston, N. H., about 1740, and being one of Capt. Hobb's company who were attacked by the Indians, being then sixteen years old. In 1754 he was at Fort Dummer, Vermont. History states that Aaron Hosmer and Susanna Chamberlin were the first couple married in Newbury. No date of this marriage is given but it must have taken place previous to Sept. 1763, as Col. Jacob Kent married a couple at that date. After his marriage he went to Ryegate, living there several years, before he was found by General Whitelow in 1773. In 1759 Aaron Hosmer, Jr., was born, being the first child born in Caledonia County. At the beginning of the Revolution, he moved back to Newbury where there was a fort and joined Capt. Thomas Johnson's company of minute men May 16, 1775. In Newbury records, we find he took the Freeman's Oath with others in 1778. March 3, 1781 he sold his farm in Ryegate for 200 Spanish Milled Dollars and then moved to Groton and built a house that same year on what is now Charles Ricker's meadow. Later we find him living in Barnet, returning to Groton where he died in 1803, being 79 years old.
Her father, Aaron Hosmer, Jr., married Dorothy Darling and settled on what is now known as the old Renfrew farm. From there he moved to the Darling farm where he kept hotel for a few years, after which he moved to the village grist mill and became its first miller. He was elected road commissioner at the first town meeting ever held in Groton, and laid out many of the roads now existing in town. He was a leading member of the Baptist church. Aaron and Dorothy Hosmer had eleven children of whom Abigail Hosmer Welch is the oldest and the only one now living. From The [Groton} Times, Saturday, August 7, 1897, Page 1.
Biography by Tom Brocher; last updated on 5 January 2022.
Aunt Nabby Dead.
On Friday Mrs. Abigail Welch, aged 100 years and 5 months, died at the home of her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, in Groton. Mrs. Welch had been failing for a number of months and her death had been expected for a long time. She leaves 38 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She had been a member of the Baptist church since 1840 and was able to read her Bible without glasses until two years ago. During the past few years she spent most of her time in bed, her mind gradually fading away.
She celebrated her 100th birthday anniversary on July 31, over 800 friends and relatives being present. There was probably no woman in that part of the state more widely known than "Aunt Nabby." She was born on a farm and had always lived on one. Printed in The Bellow Falls Times, Wednesday, 29 Dec. 1897, page 3.
Abigail died in her centennial year, having been a life long resident of Groton, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Her death certificate lists the cause of death as old age, having died at age 100 years, 4 months, and 24 days! She was the daughter of Aaron Hosmer and D. Darling.
She was wife of Medad Welch, who died 25 years before her.
From the Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT; 1764-1887, compiled & published by Hamilton Child; May 1887, Pages 189-201:
Abigail and Medad reared eleven children, viz.: George, Aaron, Hosea, Medad, Martha, Clark, Darling, Benjamin F., Abigail, Merrill, and one who died in infancy.
Please see the memorial for Medad for a more complete list of their children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KEEPS THE BIBLE HANDY
Vigorous Vermont Centenarian—Five Generations Do Honor
GROTON, Vt., Aug. 5—This town has just seen an event such as it has never seen before, a 100th birthday celebration. Mrs. Abigail Welch, who is the centenarian, is the first person of this place to reach the 100th milestone, and the occasion has brought together from 300 to 400 descendants, friends and neighbors from far and near. The celebration was a great family reunion for the 100 or more direct descendants, and many met here almost for the first time, the relatives are scattered over so wide a territory. Five generations were represented in the company. A dinner table 100 feet long was spread under a big tent near the house. Mrs. Welch lives on a farm with her grandson, H. N. Welch, in the house which has been her home for 75 years. She has been a member of the Baptist church since 1830. Her home has been the stopping place for Baptist ministers who have come this way for several decades. Mrs. Welch was born in Groton, July 31, 1797, the year in which Washington's second term as president expired. She was the oldest of 11 children. Although all lived to be old, she is the only survivor. She married Medad Welch, who was a native of Kennebunk, Me. She had 11 children, of whom only two are now living. They are Darling Welch of Redwood, Minn., and B. F. Welch, who is a resident of the same state. There are 40 grandchildren living. Two live in Boston, C. D. Welch and E. M. Welch; two more, B. F. Welch and Lizzie B. Welch, live in Lowell. There are 60 great-grandchildren, and there are two great-great-grandchildren, one of whom, Ralph W. Welch, lives in Boston and is about 23 years old. Mrs. Welch's father built the first hotel in Groton, and also the first grist mill to which she carried the first grist. Her husband when a young man worked at Lowell, walking to that place in the spring and coming back in the fall, bringing with him a supply of groceries. He died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 79. Mrs. Welch has never worn glasses, and can still read her fine-print Bible, which she always keeps handy on her table.
Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, Vermont), 7 August 1897, page 4.
100 Years Old.
Mrs. Abigail Welch celebrates her 100th Birthday. A large number pay their Tribute of Respect.
Abigail Welch or "Aunt" Nabby as she was called, was born July 31, 1797 on the old Renfrew farm. At the age of 12 years her father moved to the grist mill, and she took the first grist from off a horse's back and carried it into the mill that was ground there. She married Medad Welch March 9th, 1815, at the age of 18 years. They had eleven children born to them, only two of whom are living, Darling and Frank Welch of Redwood, Minn. She has had 28 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. In 1840 she joined the Baptist church and the bible has ever been her guide, which she was able to read until 98 years old without the aid of glasses, for she never used them. Her husband died Sept. 1, 1872, aged 70 years and 6 months. Since then she lived with her son, Hosea Welch, 2nd, until he died and is now tenderly cared for by her grandson, Hosea N. Welch, on the old home place which she moved to 82 years ago. Her life has been a model for christian charity none went from her threshold hungry. "Aunt" Nabby has lived in Groton all her life and her incidents of its early settlement and growth have passed before her in the steady pride of civilization.
Her ancestors were among the early settlers of Vermont.
History mentions her grandfather, Aaron Hosmer, Sr., as living in Charleston, N. H., about 1740, and being one of Capt. Hobb's company who were attacked by the Indians, being then sixteen years old. In 1754 he was at Fort Dummer, Vermont. History states that Aaron Hosmer and Susanna Chamberlin were the first couple married in Newbury. No date of this marriage is given but it must have taken place previous to Sept. 1763, as Col. Jacob Kent married a couple at that date. After his marriage he went to Ryegate, living there several years, before he was found by General Whitelow in 1773. In 1759 Aaron Hosmer, Jr., was born, being the first child born in Caledonia County. At the beginning of the Revolution, he moved back to Newbury where there was a fort and joined Capt. Thomas Johnson's company of minute men May 16, 1775. In Newbury records, we find he took the Freeman's Oath with others in 1778. March 3, 1781 he sold his farm in Ryegate for 200 Spanish Milled Dollars and then moved to Groton and built a house that same year on what is now Charles Ricker's meadow. Later we find him living in Barnet, returning to Groton where he died in 1803, being 79 years old.
Her father, Aaron Hosmer, Jr., married Dorothy Darling and settled on what is now known as the old Renfrew farm. From there he moved to the Darling farm where he kept hotel for a few years, after which he moved to the village grist mill and became its first miller. He was elected road commissioner at the first town meeting ever held in Groton, and laid out many of the roads now existing in town. He was a leading member of the Baptist church. Aaron and Dorothy Hosmer had eleven children of whom Abigail Hosmer Welch is the oldest and the only one now living. From The [Groton} Times, Saturday, August 7, 1897, Page 1.
Biography by Tom Brocher; last updated on 5 January 2022.
Inscription
ABIGAIL HOSMER
Wife of Medad Welch
Born July 31, 1797
Died Dec. 24, 1897
AE. 100 yrs. 4 ms. 24 ds.
Family Members
Siblings
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