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Submitted: 2/13/14 • Approved: 2/14/14 • Last Updated: 2/14/14 • R43-G0
Birth: Apr. 22, 1804 - Woodford County, Kentucky
Death: May 5, 1910 - Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming
MRS. LUCY A. PHILLIPS, AGED 106 YEARS, PASSED AWAY AT NOON
She Celebrated Her 106th Birthday April 22d — Had Lived in Cheyenne Many Years—Was Born in Kentucky Where She Was a Slave.
At noon today the life of Mrs. Lucy A. Phillips went out, and there passed from this earth a spirit which had dwelt for a length of time which far surpasses that which most mortals are permitted to enjoy. April 22 she celebrated her 106th birthday.
She died at the home of her grandson, J.A. Baker, 1114 West Twentieth street.
Mrs. Phillips was born April 22, 1804, in slavery in Woodford county, Kentucky. Her life history would prove an interesting book were it published as she has lived through several very important periods in the history of the nation. She saw the war of 1812, the great Civil war that gave her her freedom, and then the Spanish-American war, a record seldom equaled by any resident of the United States.
Like all old people, her memory of happenings in the early part of the Nineteenth century was more vivid and lasting than her recollections of events of a later date. She used to talk interesting and entertainingly of such national characters as Abraham Lincoln, John Brown and the famous James boys, having been personally acquainted with all these parties.
Grandma Phillips had the unique record of being married twice to the same man without the formality of divorce or separation. Her first marriage to Legrand Phillips was in 1812 while she was still a slave, and at the conclusion of the Civil war, she was married again in 1868 to the same man, in order that there should be no question as to the legality of the union.
Mrs. Phillips came to this city on the first train to enter Cheyenne. Up to the time of her blindness she took great pride in gardening. She has always been an earnest church worker and organized the first African M.E. church in Cheyenne, succeeding in having the land for the church building deeded to herself personally and afterwards turning it over to the congregation.
Arrangements for the funeral have not been made.
© Wyoming Tribune no. 107 May 05, 1910, page 3
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Contributed on 2/13/14 by tomtodd
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Record #: 43