Mary Jones

  General Notes:

Fogg, Miriam Straw Emerson, Mrs.
Released 20 May 2004
Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies
Mary Jones was born August 14, 1769, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gordon) Jones. Her father died July 10, 1815, aged sixty-seven years; and her mother April 15, 1838, at the age of eighty-eight.
After long and useful lives the father died in 1842, aged seventy-two years, and the mother, December 6, 1856, in her eighty-eighth year. Of the latter an interesting anecdote is narrated in the History of Hopkinton by C. C. Lord. Mrs. John O. Emerson, crossed the frozen Contoocook River from the north side, to attend meeting at the old West Meeting-house. While at service a sudden and rapid thaw reduced the ice on the river to a number of floating fragments, which presented a formidable barrier to the party returning from church. The nearest bridge was three miles down the river, and to reach home by that way would have required at least six miles of travel, which, as the party was on foot, caused them to halt in dubious reflection. Mrs. Emerson, however, with ready courage, settled the question by prompt action. In spite of the remonstrances of her companions, she sprang upon the nearest cake of ice, and, dexterously leaping from one to another, crossed the river in safety. Her friends, who watched her progress, were not inspired to make the attempt by her example. They followed the advice conveyed by the old proverb, "The longest way round is the shortest way home," by walking to the bridge.

census 1850 Hopkinton, Merrimack county, NH
Mary [80 MA] is living with married grandson and his wife [Seth 30 and Sarah 29 Emerson.Both b. NH

Mary married John Ober Emerson. (John Ober Emerson was born on 6 Jun 1770 in Hopkinton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire and died in 1842.)