OBITUARY -- MIRANDA WOODWARD
Miranda Woodward, Wilton's highly respected and oldest citizen, died at his home on the Jay road at 9:10 o'clock Thursday morning, Oct. 27, aged 97 years 1 mo. 6 days. His death was caused by the infirmities due to old age. He has been gradually failing for several weeks, but was confined to his bed only about a week. He has been a remarkably active man during all of his life and retained his natural faculties up to the last. Mr. Woodward was born at North Wilton, near the outlet of Varnum's pond, Sept. 21, 1813, and his life of nearly a century has been spent in this town. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Woodward. His father was one of the leading business men in the early history of the town and owned the Woodward mills, consisting of saw and grist mills at the outlet of Varnum's pond. He also owned a store and for many yrs was postmaster at North Wilton and retained that position until the office was discontinued. There was at that time quite a settlement at that place and a schoolhouse. Now only a set of farm buildings and the remnants of the old mill dam mark the place which in those early times was a prosperous settlement. Here Miranda Woodward passed his boyhood and worked in his father's mills and on his large farm. Mr. Woodward on his 24th birthday married Miss Sarah D. Dascombe and lived here for twenty-three years and then sold his farm near his father's home and in 1861 purchased and moved to the place on the old Jay road, where he has since lived. Soon after moving here he erected a set of new buildings which have since been his home. Mrs. Woodward died in 1867. Four children were born to them, of whom Mrs. Juliette S. Abbott, of Lewiston, widow of the late L. F. Abbott, is the only one surviving. Mr. Woodward married March 21, 1869, Mrs. Rebecca J. Howe of Temple, who survives him and also her son, Fred. H. Howe, who has lived with them. Four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive him. Mr. Woodward was a Whig in politics until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined that party and has ever since voted the republican ticket. At the September election he came to the polls and deposited his party ticket. He also spoke of the fact that he was the oldest man in town to come to the polls that day. He was a member of the Universalist church and was baptized and joined that church when the Wilton parish was first organized. Previously he had attended the Congregational church, where he owned a pew. He also attended with Mrs.Woodward the Methodist church of which she is a member. She went with him to his church and he with her to her church.
Mr. Woodward was of a sunny and lively disposition and an interesting man to meet, ever ready for a pleasant chat. His daughter, Mrs. Abbott, says of her father that she never knew him to be angry with any one. He was especially pleasant and happy in his home life and greatly enjoyed his home. For five years he had been unable to read on account of fading sight and for three years has only been able to distinguish light from darkness. He bore the affliction with christian fortitude and was ever thoughtful of his wife and others lest he should make extra trouble. Although blind he was able to do many things about the home. With his cane, a present from the Boston Post to the oldest resident, and a gift that he highly prized, he could get about the house and go to Mr. Wheelwright's, a near neighbor. He retained his mental faculties until the last. His memory was remarkable and he could recall any of the leading events during his long life. One of his near neighbors said he was an encyclopedia for any event during his life of nearly a century and was frequently consulted in regard to events. A few hours before his death he arranged some matters which showed his forethought for his family and friends. He realized he was near the end of life's journey and desired to go that his sufferings of his last few hours of life might be ended. He bid his family an affectionate good bye and was then ready for the long rest.
His funeral was held at his home at 2 o'clock, Sunday afternoon and was largely attended by relatives and friends. the services were conducted by Rev. S. N. Neveen (?) of the Universalist church at North Jay and Rev. W. H. Palmer of the Congregational church in this village. R. C. Fuller, W. H. Chamberlain, J. E. Hiscock and H. R. Dascombe were the pall bearers. The pall bearers and ministers were selected by Mr. Woodward a few hours before his death, when he realized that the end was near. The interment was in his family lot in the Weld street cemetery.
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