Frances Ann Saunders Chipman, the daughter of Elisha and Bathsheba Burdick Saunders, was born February 12, 1827, in the town of Westerly, R. I., and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. N. Richmond, in Yonkers, N. Y., June 30, 1917, being in her ninety-first year.
Growing up in one of those sterling New England Christian homes she professed faith in her Savior at the early age of fourteen and was baptized and united with the First Hopkinton Seventh Day Baptist Church, November 27, 1841. For eighteen years she held her membership with this church, when she settled with her husband at Hope Valley, R. I., and was given a letter to unite with the church at Rockville. The Christian influence of those early years profoundly influenced her whole life.
On May 21, 1853, she was united in marriage to Charles H. Chipman by the Rev. C. M. Lewis and soon after moved with her husband to Hope Valley where she spent the many years of her married life. To this union were born four children: Charles Clarence Chipman, who preceded her to the better land January 20, 1913; George C. Chipman, of Moosup, Conn.; Mrs. Frances S. Richmond, of Yonkers, N. Y., and Elisha S. Chipman, of Tompkinsville, Staten Island, N. Y. After the death of her husband, who died July 15, 1895, she came to make her home here with her daughter, Mrs. C. N. Richmond, of Yonkers, N. Y.
Mrs. Chipman was a woman who loved her children and took peculiar pride in them. The compensations of such a motherhood were repaid in the tender and loving care given her in the years of her old age by her children. She was a Christian of sterling qualities, strong in faith and courage, and buoyant in hope. The sunshine of an inner light shone in her countenance and those who knew her pleasant smile and genial greeting. She came to her grave in "full age, like as a shock of grain cometh in its season." Although she had passed her fourscore years and ten her "eye was not dim nor her natural force abated." She was given a long life and that life was filled full of love and service. She is survived by one sister, Miss Alzina Saunders, and her three children and a host of neighbors and friends who will miss her happy face but who will ever think of her as among the redeemed of earth; for she has been welcomed to the mansion above, to the beautiful city where all is love and sunlight and joy.
Funeral services were conducted at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. N. Richmond, in Yonkers, N. Y., on the evening of July 2, by the pastor of the New York City Church. The body was taken the day following to Rhode Island where it was laid to rest in the Hope Valley Cemetery. Short services were conducted at the grave by Rev. E. A. Witter, pastor of the Second Hopkinton Church, assisted by Rev. George B. Shaw, pastor of the First Hopkinton Church.
E. D. V. H.
