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****** ********** HAS (LIVED IN SAME HOUSE ******** * * * * * * * *'* FOR A PERIOD OF SEV- ** ENTY-TWO YEARS. ** * ***************Mrs. George Ann Cunningham, whois 96 years old, is said to be the oldest resident of Gibson county. The farm on which she lives has been in continuous possesison of the Robb family since 1802. The house in which she lives, a three room, substantially built log structure, is said to be the oldest residence now in existence in the county.Mrs. Cunningham was born August 12, 1S18. Her parents at that time lived two miles east of Millers Station and two miles north of 'Decker school house. When 23 years old, she was married to Stewart Cunningham.After they had been married aboutil^ ^* SUBSTANTIAL LOG STiRUC- ** TURE, SAID TO BE OLD- ** EST IN; THE COUNTY. ** . ****************Fntngham lives is an interesting old landmark. It is a log structure, now covered with weather boar ding. On one side is built a huge old fashioned chimney used for cooking, and for heating the house. Surorunding the house are a number of large trees that throw a pleasing snade in the summer time.Over the door is the old gunraclc that held the ever ready rifle for use in case of attack from Indians or wild animals. And there is evidence in the family traditions that the rifle was not without its uses. Many a wild animal was slain by it, and many a red skin, through fear of it kept hisLtwo years, Mr. Cunningham built the j distance. One story is told that prior present residence where she has to the Civil War several years, a runaway slave was captured near here, ! by James Barr Robb, a member oflived ever since, a period of 72 years.Her husband died January 18, 1903.Mrs. Cunningham’s father was the family. In capturing the negroJames Robb, of Irish parentage. Her, Mr. Robb struck him such a blowmother was Marjarine Barr, daugh-, over the head w ith the gun barrel,ter of Lord Barr of Ireland. j t^at he bent and ruined it.In an old faded Bible bearing the Another family relic that is greatlydate of 1816 is contained the life his- Prized is an old fiddle that has beentory of the family. The old family in the continuous possession of [Henryrecord is now stained and dim but with persistency, one is able to de-Robb for 65 years. It is still in good condition, and old time fiddlers cancipher the names and dates that go ^ make it play with the best of them, to make up much of the information {Tt is a great pleasure of the ownerin regard to the early records of the j to tune the old fiddle up and play on family. The old Bible itself is an in- {it. The rendition of the Turkey in teresting relic. Bought by the father the Straw, Sailors Hornpipe, and of Mrs. Cunningham long before she other old time^ tunes take one back remembers anything about it, it has (to the time of the Indiana backwoods, servel as the family Bible for a long j Aside from being owned by its pres-period of years. It is not like the ent owner for so long a time, this oldfiddle has another historical side. IthearlaKiS€caiwas originally owned by Judge William Prince, the namesake of Princeton.The room in which Mrs. Cunningham wras bom is . still in existence, and now forms a part of a residence on the farm owned by the Robb family. Here James Robb, the father of Mrs. Cunningham, built a home in the Indiana wilderness. It consisted of a one room house.In this room David Robb, a brother of Mrs. Cunningham, was born, raised and died, in the same house. On the day he was horn, his father was fighting in the battle of Tippecanoe. During his lifetime, he lived in a terri-j tory, state and two counties. Duringj his early life, it was Indiana terri-s tory. Later it was changed to IndianaHboCaKigijlinanreicrlt;, , state. The first county embracingMrs. George Ann Cunningham, oldest (h}g terpUliving resident of Gibson County.Bibles that we road nowadays. The print is peculiar and hard to read. It contains the old Apocrypha, that many of the present generation have never heard of. The backs are worn, and the leaves are frayed, but it is still the old family Bible.Mrs. Cunningham has a good memory of her childhood days and she tells in an interesting manner, many of the customs and habits of the people of her time. She attended district school within a stones throw of her door. In those days the ground, packed hard formed the floor, there were no window lights, and a planed board, fastened to the side of. the house, served as a writing desk. Forwas known as Knox, which was later changed to Gibson county.The room is still kept, the skme asit w*as when the Robb family lived here, and wrhere Mrs. Cunningham first sawr the light of day, except that a stairway now leads up on side of the room.In this room stands an old fashioned cupboard, and an old table, both, hand made, and made out of the rude pioneer lumber by the hands of JamesTRobb. Both of these pieces are overone hundred years old, and have been in continuous use ever since they were built. Today they are fully as substantial and give as good serviceas when they were made.The family also has an old spinning reel that is greatly prized as a I relic. These articles of furniture are inChdesks, or benches as they were then called, one side of a log was hewn le^t in the same room, and a clause flat, and two pegs at either end sup-, in each deed provides that they shall ported the bench. For seats they ! always remain in the same room. Theused the same material. A large fireplace in one end of the room provided heat.Mrs. Cunningham made her own clothes from cotton brought from the [New Orleans markets. She has a number of old quilts made by her soon after her marriage that havebeen in continuous service ever •since.The house itself in which Mis. Can-stocoiroom was remodeled forty-two years Iago, and is now included in a modern farmhouse.fitaufiretauThe Russian inventor of a military dof aeroplane carrying II persons hassucceeded in building one which carries 20 and which has been guided through the air with only three of its motors in operation.* ... %-J J/.;V*-■ :-VVls . • ■•• . i'' 'V'.•'••J,--m m ........- mmmm__A •. v* • .L.Vs • ■ ;•*- . • • • • :: A•• '.v /.v '-J - * v yI •. T : -- - • t V/V'., /.'Ml.. './jA ;v/v. /'Mv•-a.........•ssz-~ T2S-^ • * -* ■s **** ■■ *Ad'**J . 'S'- '*'*•-«s '4^1,4 »-• d■b A•****% yI ' ~ **»•Y « +1 •'T“-w •V.* V»*|*V:: ■■ MS. -1. /* .rtV * 1: - .mk'*§s^r’ %'iC- *. ;*mb
Newspaper Details
Princeton Daily Democrat
Princeton, Indiana, US
Thu, May 28, 1914
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Sullivan C.
IN, USA 01 Mar 2023
Other Publications Near Princeton, Indiana
Princeton Clarion Leader
Princeton Gibson County Leader
Princeton Union Democrat
Princeton Democrat
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