PETERSFIELD.
"A FAMILY" REUNION.—We feel it a pleasing duty to record one of those very rare and happy family re-unions, in the next adjoining parish of Liss, through the kindness of Mr. G. R. Coryton and his wife, under the circumstances subjoined, comprising seven brothers and sisters, whose united ages amounted to 512 years and 6 months, the average being 73 years and 2 months and a half, being the children of Nathan and Jenny Woodger, who were married in the parish church of Liss on the 2nd day of August, 1785, which, the following extract from the register, will show the respective ages of this hale and hearty family, and their present residences, viz.:—
Hannah, January 13, 1788, 80 years 6 months—Buriton
Nathan, November 23, 1789, 78 years 8 months—Newcastle
Anne, Jan. 13, 1793, 75 years 6 months—Petersfield
Elizabeth, March 29, 1795, 73 years 4 months—Rogate
John, May 28, 1797, 71 years 2 months—Liss
Dinah, June 9, 1799, 69 years 1 month—Rogate
Thomas, April 15, 1804, 64 years 3 months—Liss.
This truly happy meeting for family enjoyment was caused by Nathan, near upon 79 years of age, coming the long distance from Newcastle to pay his farewell visit to his relatives, as also to the place of his nativity—luckily where the "milk of human kindness" is still flowing, and where the power of old ties is still strong—as well as to contrast with the feeling of rebuff too often attendant upon the aged in their down-hill stage of life. Nathan was upon a visit to his brother John (a milkman of 30 years’ service with Mr. W. Ayling, of Andler's Ash), which, coming to the knowledge of the respected occupant of Liss Place (in whose service Thomas had been 25 years as bailiff, and who was further employed on the estate from his boyhood), he therefore determined upon giving a family treat at his cottage. Accordingly, at the appointed time on Tuesday, the brothers and sisters assembled with happy hearts and gladsome countenances, and at 1 o'clock sat down to an excellent dinner, provided and cooked at the mansion, which was accompanied with port and sherry wine and dessert. In the course of the afternoon Mr. and Mrs Coryton paid a visit to the cottage, and were feelingly greeted by the happy party, when Mrs. Coryton read some beautiful and appropriate portions of Scripture for the occasion. They then proceeded to the gardens and grounds below, over which they were kindly conducted by their considerate attendants. The return at 5 o'clock introduced the willing party to a capital tea, with plum cake, bread and butter, &c., which, it is needless to say, they enjoyed to their hearts’ content. After a well spent day, at 8 o'clock a separation took place, when the grateful recipients of the kindness bestowed upon their last happy meeting together departed with thankfulness for their respective homes. We may state that Thomas, for length of service, has received two prizes from agricultural societies, and that Anne had retained one service for 33 years, till death deprived her of her mistress, since which she filled another of ten years to the time of her retirement from service.