The funeral of Mrs. Mary P. Bentley was held at her home on Maple avenue yesterday afternoon. The attendance was large, and the very atmosphere seemed filled with the consciousness of a long life well spent, for which all were grateful and which all regretted had come to a close. The service was conducted by the pastor of her church, Rev. Clayton A. Burdick, who was assisted by Rev. S. H. Davis, who had been her pastor and who had also been a member of the same family with her for some time. Friends had sent in many floral tributes.
She was born in the city of Newport on the 28th day of February, 1809, the second child of Jonathan Maxson and Nancy Potter. Her memory, which was wonderful and retentive to the last, kept one event of the little time she lived there. She could distinctly recall the burial of an English soldier in the War of 1812, the uniforms of the band, and the dirge they played as they marched to the burial.
When about three years old her parents moved to this section of the state, settling first at Potter Hill, and a little later coming to Westerly, where for over ninety years she had lived. When she came here there were only thirteen buildings on what is now called Main street, and this count included what is now Broad street and a part of Granite street, as well. The nearest church was somewhere on Quarry Hill. The Seventh-day Baptist church, where her family were members, was where is now the First Hopkinton cemetery. There was hardly an event of interest to Westerly people, therefore, that she was not acquainted with, and she had seen the place grow from the single straggling street, to the beautiful village, in which her own home was not the least lovely of many dear ones.
In 1838, she was married to Benjamin W. Bentley, who left her a widow in 1894, after more than half a century of companionship. Five children were born into their home of whom two, George W. and B. Court Bentley, preceded her in death. Two years ago she had the blessed privilege of visiting two of her daughters and some of her grandchildren at distant places, where she could see them in their own homes, and no young person ever enjoyed a journey more than she did that one.
Her Christian life and experiences were happy and exemplary. By faith and practice, she was a Seventh-day Baptist, and early united with that denomination. She knew its history by heart, and had been acquainted with, its leading preachers and laymen. In conversations with her, the pastor heard much of the characteristics of men and women whom she had known personally, but of whom he had only the name. Her interest in the affairs of the denomination and her knowledge of its history and doctrine, even in her extreme age, could put to shame many of us younger people. How well she lived her Christian life, I should say she had not been behindhand in enjoying the privileges and duties of her profession, and that what she found to do, she did.
She had come to believe lately that her end was near, and from the beginning of the last sickness had little expectation of recovery. Yet we all wanted to keep her with us. Her mental powers were so bright, and she was so hearty and genial that she was a joy. But God knows best, therefore he took her and we are content.
Her children, surviving, are Mrs. Hannah M. Ayres, with whom she had lived; Mrs. Mary E. Santee of Hornell, N. Y.; and Mrs. Emily F. Titsworth of Plainfield, N. J.
