Village Life in America 1852-1872 Part 14

"Died, at Canandaigua, N. Y., August 8, 1872, Mrs. Abigail Field Beals, widow of Thomas Beals, in the 98th year of her age. Mrs. Beals, whose maiden name was Field, was born in Madison, Conn., April 7, 1784. She was a sister of Rev. David Dudley Field, D.D., of Stockbridge, Ma.s.s., and of Rev. Timothy Field, first pastor of the Congregational church of Canandaigua. She came to Canandaigua with her brother, Timothy, in 1800.

In 1805 she was married to Thomas Beals, Esq., with whom she lived nearly sixty years, until he fell asleep. They had eleven children, of whom only four survive. In 1807 she and her husband united with the Congregational church, of which they were ever liberal and faithful supporters. Mrs. Beals loved the good old ways and kept her house in the simple and substantial style of the past. She herself belonged to an age of which she was the last. With great dignity and courtesy of manner which repelled too much familiarity, she combined a sweet and winning grace, which attracted all to her, so that the youth, while they would almost involuntarily 'rise up before her,' yet loved to be in her presence and called her blessed. She possessed in a rare degree the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit and lived in an atmosphere of love and peace. Her home and room were to her children and her children's children what Jerusalem was to the saints of old. There they loved to resort and the saddest thing in her death is the sundering of that tie which bound so many generations together. She never ceased to take a deep interest in the prosperity of the beautiful village of which she and her husband were the pioneers and for which they did so much and in the church of which she was the oldest member. Her mind retained its activity to the last and her heart was warm in sympathy with every good work. While she was well informed in all current events, she most delighted in whatever concerned the Kingdom. Her Bible and religious books were her constant companions and her conversation told much of her better thoughts, which were in Heaven. Living so that those who knew her never saw in her anything but fitness for Heaven, she patiently awaited the Master's call and went down to her grave in a full age like a shock of corn fully ripe that cometh in its season."

I don't think I shall keep a diary any more, only occasionally jot down things of importance. Mr. Noah T. Clarke's brother got possession of my little diary in some way one day and when he returned it I found written on the fly-leaf this inscription to the diary:

"You'd scarce expect a volume of my size To hold so much that's beautiful and wise, And though the heartless world might call me cheap Yet from my pages some much joy shall reap.

As monstrous oaks from little acorns grow, And kindly shelter all who toil below, So my future greatness and the good I do Shall bless, if not the world, at least a few."

I think I will close my old journal with the mottoes which I find upon an old well-worn writing book which Anna used for jotting down her youthful deeds. On the cover I find inscribed, "Try to be somebody," and on the back of the same book, as if trying to console herself for unexpected achievement which she could not prevent, "Some must be great!"

1880

_June_ 17.--Our dear Anna was married to-day to Mr. Alonzo A. c.u.mmings of Oakland, Cal., and has gone there to live. I am sorry to have her go so far away, but love annihilates s.p.a.ce. There is no real separation, except in alienation of spirit, and that can never come--to us.

THE END