The Andover Townsman – April 12, 1895 – Vol. 8 – No. 26 – Page 4
Rhoda, daughter of Reuben and Betsey Batchelder of Hampton Falls, was born there in August 1814.
Graduating from the old academy in her native place, she became a successful teacher in its public schools and an active member of the Congregational Church, whose pastor was the Rev. Sereno Timothy Abbott of Andover. From his wife, her schoolmate and sister-in-law, we get the story of the visit of Sylvester Abbot to his brother's parish after the death of his mother; how his fine musical ear was attracted by the sweet voice in the choir, and finally his whole, heart won by the exceeding loveliness of person and gracious manner of this worthy successor of the gentle, loyal women- who ministered to the Abbotts of Timothy's line. All of them, from the starving boy led back to his mother and home by a woman graceful for Goodwife Abbott's kindness to her hated race, down to this last wife in the seventh generation, who passed away April 8, 1805, have been singularly fortunate in their home ties. The walls of the old garrison house of 1600 were no safer shelter than the ever open doors of this last of the homes has been for all who needed a refuge.
Fifty years of loving devotion she gave freely to the aged father, the invalid sister, to the lonely brother of her husband who passed out first, leaving the elder Asa to stand at his wife's right hand through the long years of widowhood; and the way the two worked together in harmony in the care of an undivided estate only proves the rare qualities of both of these just persons. And the power of the influence of these two lives will remain for good with our townspeople, with the large circle of relatives who always found room and time saved for them, with the grandchildren of the home, but perhaps most of all with the old Phillips boys who found here a haven, a mother, and a trusted adviser.
In her failing years the stalwart men hurrying through town on business always managed to get a few hours to meet that rare smile of welcome. She was the last survivor of that faithful praying circle of the neighborhood, that met together for almost a half century. She never missed, till the infirmity of age came to her, the mothers meeting nor that corner class in the South Sabbath School, where so many of our Timothys in training sat at the feet of "Eunice and Lois."
For nearly twenty years, since her husband's death, her ability In the management of her estate has won the respect of our business men, and when too .feeble for this burden, her mind remained vigorous for advice, and she kept a strong interest in the topics of the day until the great shock of grief for the recent loss of a beloved daughter seemed to shut her up in the early days again; but she still retained her joy and pride in the younger generation growing up about her, and so before the light of that strong, beautiful soul had faded from the eye, the sleep of His beloved was sent to her, and the fire of eighty long year burned peacefully out.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, wife of S. H. Bailey, with her children and the granddaughter, Madeline Hewes, who has lived in the old borne from infancy, an aged brother-in-law, Eben G. Perry of Danvers, and Sara, widow of Rev. S.F. Abbott, are the nearest of the surviving relatives. The funeral service was held at her home on Wednesday, and she was laid beside her dead in our South Cemetery.
Rhoda, daughter of Reuben and Betsey Batchelder of Hampton Falls, was born there in August 1814.
Graduating from the old academy in her native place, she became a successful teacher in its public schools and an active member of the Congregational Church, whose pastor was the Rev. Sereno Timothy Abbott of Andover. From his wife, her schoolmate and sister-in-law, we get the story of the visit of Sylvester Abbot to his brother's parish after the death of his mother; how his fine musical ear was attracted by the sweet voice in the choir, and finally his whole, heart won by the exceeding loveliness of person and gracious manner of this worthy successor of the gentle, loyal women- who ministered to the Abbotts of Timothy's line. All of them, from the starving boy led back to his mother and home by a woman graceful for Goodwife Abbott's kindness to her hated race, down to this last wife in the seventh generation, who passed away April 8, 1805, have been singularly fortunate in their home ties. The walls of the old garrison house of 1600 were no safer shelter than the ever open doors of this last of the homes has been for all who needed a refuge.
Fifty years of loving devotion she gave freely to the aged father, the invalid sister, to the lonely brother of her husband who passed out first, leaving the elder Asa to stand at his wife's right hand through the long years of widowhood; and the way the two worked together in harmony in the care of an undivided estate only proves the rare qualities of both of these just persons. And the power of the influence of these two lives will remain for good with our townspeople, with the large circle of relatives who always found room and time saved for them, with the grandchildren of the home, but perhaps most of all with the old Phillips boys who found here a haven, a mother, and a trusted adviser.
In her failing years the stalwart men hurrying through town on business always managed to get a few hours to meet that rare smile of welcome. She was the last survivor of that faithful praying circle of the neighborhood, that met together for almost a half century. She never missed, till the infirmity of age came to her, the mothers meeting nor that corner class in the South Sabbath School, where so many of our Timothys in training sat at the feet of "Eunice and Lois."
For nearly twenty years, since her husband's death, her ability In the management of her estate has won the respect of our business men, and when too .feeble for this burden, her mind remained vigorous for advice, and she kept a strong interest in the topics of the day until the great shock of grief for the recent loss of a beloved daughter seemed to shut her up in the early days again; but she still retained her joy and pride in the younger generation growing up about her, and so before the light of that strong, beautiful soul had faded from the eye, the sleep of His beloved was sent to her, and the fire of eighty long year burned peacefully out.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, wife of S. H. Bailey, with her children and the granddaughter, Madeline Hewes, who has lived in the old borne from infancy, an aged brother-in-law, Eben G. Perry of Danvers, and Sara, widow of Rev. S.F. Abbott, are the nearest of the surviving relatives. The funeral service was held at her home on Wednesday, and she was laid beside her dead in our South Cemetery.
The Andover Townsman – April 12, 1895 – Vol. 8 – No. 26 – Page 4
Rhoda, daughter of Reuben and Betsey Batchelder of Hampton Falls, was born there in August 1814.
Graduating from the old academy in her native place, she became a successful teacher in its public schools and an active member of the Congregational Church, whose pastor was the Rev. Sereno Timothy Abbott of Andover. From his wife, her schoolmate and sister-in-law, we get the story of the visit of Sylvester Abbot to his brother's parish after the death of his mother; how his fine musical ear was attracted by the sweet voice in the choir, and finally his whole, heart won by the exceeding loveliness of person and gracious manner of this worthy successor of the gentle, loyal women- who ministered to the Abbotts of Timothy's line. All of them, from the starving boy led back to his mother and home by a woman graceful for Goodwife Abbott's kindness to her hated race, down to this last wife in the seventh generation, who passed away April 8, 1805, have been singularly fortunate in their home ties. The walls of the old garrison house of 1600 were no safer shelter than the ever open doors of this last of the homes has been for all who needed a refuge.
Fifty years of loving devotion she gave freely to the aged father, the invalid sister, to the lonely brother of her husband who passed out first, leaving the elder Asa to stand at his wife's right hand through the long years of widowhood; and the way the two worked together in harmony in the care of an undivided estate only proves the rare qualities of both of these just persons. And the power of the influence of these two lives will remain for good with our townspeople, with the large circle of relatives who always found room and time saved for them, with the grandchildren of the home, but perhaps most of all with the old Phillips boys who found here a haven, a mother, and a trusted adviser.
In her failing years the stalwart men hurrying through town on business always managed to get a few hours to meet that rare smile of welcome. She was the last survivor of that faithful praying circle of the neighborhood, that met together for almost a half century. She never missed, till the infirmity of age came to her, the mothers meeting nor that corner class in the South Sabbath School, where so many of our Timothys in training sat at the feet of "Eunice and Lois."
For nearly twenty years, since her husband's death, her ability In the management of her estate has won the respect of our business men, and when too .feeble for this burden, her mind remained vigorous for advice, and she kept a strong interest in the topics of the day until the great shock of grief for the recent loss of a beloved daughter seemed to shut her up in the early days again; but she still retained her joy and pride in the younger generation growing up about her, and so before the light of that strong, beautiful soul had faded from the eye, the sleep of His beloved was sent to her, and the fire of eighty long year burned peacefully out.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, wife of S. H. Bailey, with her children and the granddaughter, Madeline Hewes, who has lived in the old borne from infancy, an aged brother-in-law, Eben G. Perry of Danvers, and Sara, widow of Rev. S.F. Abbott, are the nearest of the surviving relatives. The funeral service was held at her home on Wednesday, and she was laid beside her dead in our South Cemetery.
Rhoda, daughter of Reuben and Betsey Batchelder of Hampton Falls, was born there in August 1814.
Graduating from the old academy in her native place, she became a successful teacher in its public schools and an active member of the Congregational Church, whose pastor was the Rev. Sereno Timothy Abbott of Andover. From his wife, her schoolmate and sister-in-law, we get the story of the visit of Sylvester Abbot to his brother's parish after the death of his mother; how his fine musical ear was attracted by the sweet voice in the choir, and finally his whole, heart won by the exceeding loveliness of person and gracious manner of this worthy successor of the gentle, loyal women- who ministered to the Abbotts of Timothy's line. All of them, from the starving boy led back to his mother and home by a woman graceful for Goodwife Abbott's kindness to her hated race, down to this last wife in the seventh generation, who passed away April 8, 1805, have been singularly fortunate in their home ties. The walls of the old garrison house of 1600 were no safer shelter than the ever open doors of this last of the homes has been for all who needed a refuge.
Fifty years of loving devotion she gave freely to the aged father, the invalid sister, to the lonely brother of her husband who passed out first, leaving the elder Asa to stand at his wife's right hand through the long years of widowhood; and the way the two worked together in harmony in the care of an undivided estate only proves the rare qualities of both of these just persons. And the power of the influence of these two lives will remain for good with our townspeople, with the large circle of relatives who always found room and time saved for them, with the grandchildren of the home, but perhaps most of all with the old Phillips boys who found here a haven, a mother, and a trusted adviser.
In her failing years the stalwart men hurrying through town on business always managed to get a few hours to meet that rare smile of welcome. She was the last survivor of that faithful praying circle of the neighborhood, that met together for almost a half century. She never missed, till the infirmity of age came to her, the mothers meeting nor that corner class in the South Sabbath School, where so many of our Timothys in training sat at the feet of "Eunice and Lois."
For nearly twenty years, since her husband's death, her ability In the management of her estate has won the respect of our business men, and when too .feeble for this burden, her mind remained vigorous for advice, and she kept a strong interest in the topics of the day until the great shock of grief for the recent loss of a beloved daughter seemed to shut her up in the early days again; but she still retained her joy and pride in the younger generation growing up about her, and so before the light of that strong, beautiful soul had faded from the eye, the sleep of His beloved was sent to her, and the fire of eighty long year burned peacefully out.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, wife of S. H. Bailey, with her children and the granddaughter, Madeline Hewes, who has lived in the old borne from infancy, an aged brother-in-law, Eben G. Perry of Danvers, and Sara, widow of Rev. S.F. Abbott, are the nearest of the surviving relatives. The funeral service was held at her home on Wednesday, and she was laid beside her dead in our South Cemetery.
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