This last year I have spent many fun - filled hours delving into family history ..... dusty old documents in crypts , microfilms of old burial and birth certificates ... old newspaper clippings , etc This evening I came across one wee entry in the Daily Telegraph for February 2nd , 1884 and I wish to share it with you here.
Last eve. Mr. and Mrs. John FREDERICKSON celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage at their residence, Exmouth St., Saint John. Mr. Frederickson, who is the grandson of a Loyalist, was born in St. John, but at an early age moved to Halifax, N.S. where he lived till the age of 21 when he moved to Boston, Mass. There he met his wife, a native of Nova Scotia, and they were married. Subsequently the young couple returned to St. John where Mr. F. successfully pursued his business of shipbuilding. It was he who designed the "Marco Polo", the fastest of New Brunswick sailing ships. Fifteen years ago he was appointed to a position within the Inland Revenue Dept. in this city, a post which he still fills. Although both he and his wife have lived the allotted three score and ten years, they remain in full possession of their physical and mental faculties. They have living seven children, 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Note how the author of these short lines seems to marvel at the fact that ALTHOUGH they have attained the ripe old age of "three score and ten " years.... 70 years old !!! they still are mentally and physically alert !! Having all ones marbles at 70 was a rare occurence in those days ? Shorter life expectancy back then I guess ? Hell ! I feel better than ever before and I am looking at 70 in the rearview mirror ! Better not get too cocky though... BY the way the Marco Polo was the first clipper ship to sail around the world in under six months and at the present moment shipwrights with volunteers are building a lifesize replica of the Marco Polo and hope to christen her sometime soon.... more than likely in the Spring I hope.
Interesting to see how life and how we perceive it changes at times. I am so glad you are feeling great!!! A new friend on here and I have chatted about ancestors. We have a common name. Maybe related??? Time will tell!
ReplyDeleteHey , Julie - Ann... here is another short quote from the same year ..... tail end of obituary to Mr John Nicholson ,
ReplyDeleteMr. Nicholson was one of our best known citizens and he carried on a very large liquor trade in which he amassed a fortune, it is said over half a million dollars. He leaves surviving him a widow and five children, one son and four daughters.
LOL... Could you see these juicy little tidbits of info in a notice of death in today's newspapers ?
Good luck in researching your common ancestry. .
Interesting post as usual my friend!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that both you and your lady are having such a good life! =o)
KRAM
Seventy is the new fifty! I swear I am finally understanding that you don't become really smart until you hit SIXTY!! I firmly believe that. Don't think you should be able to run for office until you are that age. LOL
ReplyDeleteMoving to Saint John has really seem to be good for you all. I know we have certainly enjoyed learning about the area. Of course I loved the cottage in the woods too. I wonder if the new people are feeding the Raccoons and Squirrels and other wildlife.
Yep, there were fewer people. The newspapers (fortunately) had to search for news tidbits. What was there to write about but the everyday happenings, to everyday people.
ReplyDeleteLife expectancy has changed, but we still have Alzheimer's, and Cancer. So it's always "the luck of the draw"... (imho ;)
Thanks for sharing!
hugs ...