At the early dawn, on June 9, 1913, at the home of her son-in-law, W. W. Crittenden, in Oswayo, Pa., occurred the death of Mary Sardinia Wells Stearns. She was born in Alfred, N. Y., February 24, 1823, and was the daughter of John and Polly (Potter) Wells.
When Sardinia was nine years old she came with her parents to Oswayo, Potter Co., Pa., where she spent almost her entire life. In early life, while a student in Alfred Academy, she formed a lasting friendship with Melissa Ward, who afterward became the wife of Pres. William C. Kenyon, and with Abigail Maxson, who married Pres. Jonathan Allen. For seven years she taught school, beginning before she was fifteen years of age.
On April 3, 1844, she was united in marriage with Mr. Isaac Pearce of Oswayo. To them were born six children, three of whom are still living: Mrs. Mary A. Lowell, Stockton, Kan., Mrs. Rose Andrews, Allegany, N. Y., and Mrs. Flora B. Crittenden of Oswayo, with whom she made her home for many years. She leaves besides her children, ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren to mourn their loss.
In 1883 she was married to John Hurlburt and moved to Center Village, N. Y., where they lived four years until his death. She then returned to Oswayo and lived with her daughter until 1889, when she married Consider Stearns of Coudersport, Pa. He died in 1895, since which time she lived in Oswayo, where she died.
At an early age she found the Saviour and united with the Seventh Day Baptist Church, in which she was a faithful member to the end. "Aunt Sardinia," as she was familiarly called, was a great worker all her life. She retained her mind to the end. She was for many years active in church work. The First Hebron Church, for years without a pastor, looked forward with pleasure to the times when this helpful sister would visit its religious gatherings and bring her message of love and Christian fellowship.
The funeral was attended by a large company of friends, and the services were conducted by Rev. G. P. Kenyon, on June 11. His text was, "I have finished my course."
