"The days of our years are three score years and ten; if if by reason of strength they be four score years yet is their strength labor ****." Psalm XC,10.
But there are exceptions, for four score year and ten, and one has been allotted Mrs. Sara Ann Farrell, and their strength is not labor for she still reads without glasses, looks after her own room, and goes about the house with ease, if not with alacrity.
Ninety-one years ago, on Aug. 3, 1833, at what is known as Merritt Settlement in South Grimsby, (then just Grimsby township), there was born a third child to Joseph Merritt and his wife, Frances Griffin. That daughter is the subject of this sketch.
Sara Ann Merritt grew up, went to school in the neighbourhood, and in 1852 married William A. Culp, who died in 1876. For five years she remained a widow and managed her own farm affairs.
In December 1881, she married again, this time with James D. Farrell of Grimsby, who died in 1910.
As stated above, Mrs. Farrell is quite capable of taking care of herself, and a couple weeks ago journeyed to Grassie to visit her brother. They are a long lived family, there being four still living, all of whom are octogenarians. One brother, Jonas Merritt, lives in Toronto, another, Alvin, at Grassie, and a sister, Mrs. Marlin McCollum, in Toronto.
She had never had any children, but has three step-children, one of whom, Robert O. Farrell, Mountain road, Grimsby, she lives with. And there are several step-grandchildren to make life pleasant.
Among Mrs. Farrell's treasured keepsakes is the large family Bible which she has had for over 70 years.
