Polly Maria Farr Hobart
1809-1907
PASSING OF A NOTED WOMAN
The Oldest of Five Generations Passes to Her Reward - A Tribute To Grandma Hobart, by "Chat."
OBITUARY:
Surrounded by those she loved, while the clock was striking the hour of 10 on a beautiful Sabbath morning, slowly the "gates of Paradise" opened and another soul was welcomed into the "Celestial City" by Him who had spoken the "well done" and by those beloved of earth who in the long, long years gone by have been there awaiting her coming.
Polly Maria Farr was born near Williston, Vt. , Feb. 16, 1809, died at the home of her son, Pardon Hobart , Sunday, Aug. , 11, 1907, aged 98 years, 5 months and 26 days. She was married to Jonas Hobart in February 1828. To them were born nine children, six of whom are living, viz; Mrs. Hariiet [sic] Fabun, Miss Caroline and Pardon , of this place, Mrs. Charles Wright , of Carthage, Mrs. Eliza Austin , of Worthington, Minn. , and William , of Fort Jones, [three letters missing]. The remaining three children, Mrs. Emeline Bloyd, Anna and Charles together with the husband and father who died May 17, 1874, were waiting on the shores of the better land for the coming of "mother".
Besides the 6 living children, there are 28 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren, also 2 sisters , one living in Oregon aged 90 years and one in Vermont aged 96 years. These, together with a host of other relatives and friends mourn today for the loss of one who was dear to all.
She came with her husband to Hancock county in 1836. They traveled overland and by water until they arrived at Warsaw, Ill. They at once came to Carthage which was a very small village at that time and occupied a log cabin which was shared by another family, their part of the house being the length of the bed and one-half of the fire place. They resided in Carthage 12 years and in 1849 they came to Webster, locating on the little farm in the east part of town and which for over 55 years was her home, her own hands helping to build the cottage.
Grandma Hobart was a typical pioneer woman; having passed through the Mormon and the great Civil wars, her life has been marked with all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life. At the age of 15 years she gave her heart to God and united with the Congregationalist church. She died in the faith of a true God and during her brief illness her one desire was to be taken home.
Grandma Hobart was a mother in the fullest sense of the word to the motherless children within her home. A self-denying, God-fearing woman, it would be needless to say she was beloved by all who knew her. A noble life is ended yet her works and deeds of love will ever stand as a monument of virtue to those children who with unceasing care administered to her during her long life among them and tenderly caring for her during her six weeks of illness. Of these, there are her son Pardon , and daughter Caroline , also Mrs. Charles Wright. She had been the especial care of Miss Caroline for the past 2 or 3 years. The other children were living too far away to be present during her brief illness or death, except Mrs. Fabun who is the oldest child aged nearly 80 years, and who is in feeble health but who was able to be present at the funeral only.
When Grandma Hobart took ill on the evening of July 2d, she never complained but retired at 5 o'clock saying she was tired. She never again occupied her place among the family.
The funeral service was held at the home on Tuesday at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Love
assisted by Rev. Woods.
Rev. Love spoke words of encouragement from the text found in Psalm 91: 16. Rev. Woods read for the scripture lesson the 90th Psalm. A choir composed of Mrs. J. A. Robinson, W. H. Duffie and E. S. Rings sang the following favorite selections: There'll Be No Dark Valley, Asleep in Jesus and Sometime We'll Understand after which the mortal remains of her who had been with us for so many years was conveyed by hearse to the family burying lot north of town.
The flora tributes were beautiful and profuse.
Many articles have been written in the past about the subject of this sketch and yet there are many more which could be written of equal interest.
When we consider her extreme age and the wonderful changes that have been wrought since her birth we marvel not at the lapse of time. Since her birth there have been 30 wild unsettled territories converted into states, 23 presidents have been inaugurated and many many inventions for the betterment of mankind have been made.
Grandma Hobart was a descendant of Henry Dunster , first president of Harvard college, and occupied with honor, the head of five generations, the remaining four being present at her burial.
She was also very proud of her name. Governor Chittenden , first governor of Vermont, had a little granddaughter who was a close neighbor when grandma was born and being very fond of the tiny babe, she begged that she might give her a name. She consequently named her for herself, the plain, simple name of Polly.
She was an eye-witness to the hanging of the only man ever hung in Hancock county, - a man by the name of Frame , who was hung on a scaffold built by her husband, on what is known as the "Big Meadows" southwest of Carthage.
In the home she has left are many tokens of her handiwork. Quilts, tidies and cushions adorn the home and are mementoes of her industrious life. Her burial robe, a beautiful black silk henrietta dress was made by her own hands and put upon her at her own request. Her wishes were carried out in full as her plans had all been made.
"Mother" has "gone home," and both in example and precept she beckons her loved ones to follow her to that land where there is no more parting.
Peace to her dust.
