Twin Sisters Will Observe 85th Birthdays

April 21, 1940

Tho Unable to Be Together,
Twin Sisters Wednesday Will Observe 85th Birthdays

Chateaugay-Altho hundreds of miles will separate Mrs. Millard Douglas and Mrs. Albert Moulton on Wednesday, their 85th birthday, the distance will be bridged by the affinity that binds identical twins.

It is believed that they are now the oldest twins in this section of the North Country. Mrs. Douglas resides with her daughter, Mrs. W. L. Witherell, in this village, and Mrs. Moulton lives with her daughter, Mrs. Walter Armstrong, in Drexel Hill, Pa.

Fes of their 85 birthdays have been spent apart but in recent years it has been more difficult for the octogenarian twins to travel. Recently, Mrs. Moulton received a minor injury in a fall at her daughter's hom, otherwise it is probable she would have been here for her birthday.

MENTAL SIMILARITY

All thru their long and remarkably healthy life the Chateaugay twins-Mettie and Settie to their intimate friends-have been close in spirit as appearance. If one felt indisposed the other was quite apt to be.

Even when far apart, this strange affinity frequently has been noticed. One twin would just about be recovering from a minor indisposition when a letter would arrive with news from the other of a similar nature.

Their maiden names were Mettie and Settie Young and they were born just west of Brainardsville on April 24, 1855.

Mrs. Douglas is able to attend church regularly, the Methodist church being just across the street, and she enjoys doing the marketing and other shopping. Her hearing and eyesight remain excellent.

HOBBY IS TATTING

Her hobby is tatting with a tiny shuttle and she has made "yards and yards" of this dainty fancywork. She enjoys reading and attributes her good health to hard work and a life of activity. All of her life she was worked hard in her kitchen and in the garden during the many years they lived on a farm.

Both of the twins taught school, Mettie for just one year before she married, while Settie taught several terms. Mrs. Douglas taught in a typical one-room schoolhouse. She had 19 pupils.

She remembers attending the Franklin county fair 75 years ago and her memory is sharp and clear on early happening and conditions in her rural neighborhood. Pleasantest recollection of all, she said, was of when she was keeping house and all of her children and grandchildren gathered for Thanksgiving day dinner. It was like open house with sometimes as many as 25 around the table.

Because her twin sister will be unable to be with her, no special observance has been planned, but there will be an exchange of felicitations and both will look forward to spending part of this summer together as has been their cusotm.