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110 Memoir

Anna Gilpin Lea was born 5-20-1839 at
Porters Cross-Roads, now Aston P.O. in the
cottage since named Myrtle Bank. Her early
life was spent in S.S. and she attended Fair Hill
School. Six months after leaving there, she
married Samuel Willson, a prosperous farmer
living near Rockville. She proved a frugal housewife
and they spent 16 happy years together. There
were five boys and one girl in this family, all but
one little son surviving her. With her five small
children she managed the farm, assisted by her
eldest son. After he married, she became the
second wife of Thomas J. Lea of S.S., coming
back to her old home neighborhood, living at first
with Thomas, his three boys, and her two youngest
children. Later they moved to Springdale
where his parents and sister resided and under
such circumstances she made as harmonious
a family as any woman could. Her character
was that of a Christian, adapting herself to her
surroundings always, and her sweetness of
disposition made her beloved by her three
stepsons as if she had been their own mother.

Thomas and Anna Lea retained a home here
but, on two occasions, for several years, they
lived in Balto. Co., ultimately returning to this
vicinity. Later her daughter and family came
to them, taking the care of the home as her health
failed. She loved the Asso. and rarely
missed a mtg.; her mother was one of the
charter members, and Anna was elected in
honor of the fact, when she came to live in
S.S. again. While she sojourned in Balto. Co. she
asked that her daughter-in-law, Sarah F. Willson, at
whose home we are gathered to-day (2-4-1915) should be
chosen in her stead. Afterwards she was re-elected
herself, making the 3rd generation upon our roll.
She passed away on 11-6-1914, in the 76th yr. of her age.
We shall long remember the influence of her sweet
spirit, evidenced by a genuine interest in, and love for
us all, and the charity which thinketh no evil.