Eunice (Hale) Hollister (1784 - 1885)

Born 27 Aug 1784 in Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 6 Dec 1885 at age 101 in East Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut, United States

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Biography

Lived to 101 years, 4 months

"Mrs. Hollister's Birthday. Saturday, August 9, [1884,] was made memorable by the celebration of the one hundreth birthday of Mrs. Eunice Hollister, at the farmhouse in Wassuc, now owned by her grandson, Ezra S. Hollister. It is estimated that at least one thousand persons were present at different times during the day, and over five hundred remained during the afternoon, listened to the speeches, and partook of the ample repast furnished by the family and their friends. The aged lady bore it well, and her amiable and placid countenance, unfurrowed save by a few wrinkles, indicated the pleasure she enjoyed in receiving the congratulations of her friends on such an occasion, so wonderful and rare for a human being to experience. Mrs. Eunice Hollister was the second child and oldest daughter of Fraray Hale, and his wife Eunice Atherton. Fraray Hale was the son of Isaac Hale, who was the son of Timothy Hale, son of Thomas Hale, who came to the Connecticut colony at a very early period and was a "soldier in the Pequot war." Her father died in 1842 aged 88, her mother died in 1838 aged 81. She married Nehemiah Hollister 83 years ago, who died in 1842. Mr. Hollister was a descendant of John Hollister, one of the first settlers in Wethersfield and Glastonbury some 250 years ago. She had one child only, a son named Edwin Hollister, who died in 1879. She has six grandchildren, Horace N. Hollister of Bridgeport, Nelson E. Hollister of Plymouth, George B. Hollister of Binghamton, N.Y., Leverett T. Hollister of Glastonbury, Ezra S. Hollister, who is at the old homestead, and Mrs. Annie E. Smith, wife of James B. Smith of Hartford. There are fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, three of the latter being present. The families of her brothers and sisters were represented to a considerable extent. That of her brother Fraray Hale, by Fraray Hale of Wallingford, his wife and son, the fourth of that name. Mrs. Betsey (Hale) House (deceased), was represented by Mrs. Azel Chapman, Mrs. Jane Hills and Mr. Hezekiah K. House, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her brother, Marvin Hale, deceased, by Almeron Hale, wife and child, of Watch Hill, R.I. As to the collateral branches, it would require a census of the Yankee born in this, and the neighboring towns to set forth the individual names, as the Hale and Hollister families ramify so thoroughly with the others of Yankee lineage. Not the least interesting feature of the scene was the presence of several old people, among others Mrs. Mehitable Dayton in her 98th year, Mrs. Caroline Strong, in her 96th year, and Mr. Halsey Buck, father of Hon. John R. Buck, who is nearly 91. There are others in the immediate neighborhood who are approaching in near view of the three figures. Those present seemed to bear the burden of their years lightly, and hardly to recognize, in the words of Mrs. Dayton, that they were really old people, whatever others might say. Just before sitting down to the ample repast, which was served in a large tent on the grounds, capable of accommodating some three hundred at a time, Rev. S. G. W. Rankin called the company to order, and after singing by Messrs. Cornish, Brainard and others, ladies and gentlemen, made a felicitous address. He was followed by W. S. Goslee in a few words, and then by our friend Hon. John R. Buck, who always speaks well, and, among the scenes of his boyhood, never spoke better. He was full of interesting reminiscences, and the audience enjoyed his address exceedingly. The aged lady then took her seat at the table, and no one seemed more to enjoy the spread of good things. When table after table had been cleared, leaving a bountiful supply not used, singing and music were enjoyed, with dancing by some of the younger people. Among others who appeared to grace this active exercise was our friend George B. Hollister, who modestly bore the weight of his 330 lbs. avoirdupois, slightly assisted by that elegantly mounted gold-headed cane presented him by his troop of friends in Binghamton, and who rejoices in the soubriquet of " Uncle George," when at home. Eighteen years of absence from his native town have not changed him, and he is the same hearty, whole-souled man as of old, although his hair has grown grayer and his shadow more ample. It was remarked by many that Mrs. Hollister never has had an enemy in all the long years of her residence here. Her intellect is yet unclouded, and her interest in the daily affairs of life still continues. She has been domestic in her habits, although she has at different times visited her sisters out of the State. It is understood that she has never found tobacco in the form of a small quantity of snuff to affect her very seriously, a fact which may be noted by the anti-tobacconists."^[1]

Burial: Wassuc Cemetery, Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut, USA^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Case, Lafayette. The Hollister Family of America (Fergus Printing Co., Chicago, 1886) No. 461, Page 93: Nehemiah, Page 149-151.
2. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #46958185

• Nash, Frederick H., Ye Names & Ages of All Ye Old Folks in Every Hamlet, City and Town in Ye State of Connecticut (Price, Lee & Co., New Haven, 1884) Page 19: she is the daughter of Frary Hale and Eunice Atherton.
• Case, Lafayette. The Hollister Family of America (Fergus Printing Co., Chicago, 1886) No. 461, Page 93: Nehemiah, Page 149-151.
• "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7NR-3JN : accessed 23 April 2016), Nehemiah Hollister in entry for Eunice Hollister, 06 Dec 1885; citing , reference v16, p161; FHL microfilm 3,334.
• Jacobus, Donald. Hale, House, and Related Families, Mainly of the Connecticut River Valley (The Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, 1952) Page 339.