AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, PRINCETON, NJ - 1850-1899

1878 Deaths

Princeton Press, Sat., Mar. 2, 1878:

   Gilbert Reading, a colored man known in years past as a waiter in the Hotels here, died this week and was buried on Wednesday morning by the "Odd Fellows" of whose society he was the oldest member. The colored band, who played some excellent music, preceded him to the grave. His last public employment was blowing the bellows of the organ in Trinity church. He was much respected. For a few years past he has been blind. He was a member and trustee of the colored Presbyterian church. Mr. Brown preached the sermon to a full house.
  Princeton Press, Sat., Aug. 31, 1878:

   DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN. -- Rachel Frelinghuysen, familiarly known as "Old Mammy," aged 105 years, died at the residence of Joseph Cruiser, in the Lottery Field, near Somerville, last week. She was a slave and was brought up in the Frelinghuysen family, where she lived to within about two weeks of the time of her death, when she was taken to the residence of her son in law. The age of the woman can be traced back 105 years, but many persons believe her to be several years older.

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