City’s Oldest Citizen Observes 98th Birthday
January, 1950 Sherman, TX
Believed to be Sherman’s oldest citizen, Mrs. B. S. Vincent celebrated her 98th birthday Thursday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. M. Little, 904 South Walnut, with whom she lives.
The observance was quiet, due to Mrs. Vincent’s declining health. Only members of he immediate family visited with her during the day.
Mrs. Vincent was born Cynthia Ann Lawrence, March 9, 1852, in Middle, Tenn, near Lewisburg, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merit Lawrence. She married Mr. Vincent, a Confederate veteran, on Aug. 1, 1871, at the home of her parents.
Twenty years later, when their youngest child, U. L. Vincent of Sherman, was 10 months old, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent came from Marshall County, Tenn., to Grayson County, Texas. They settled on a farm west of Tom Bean, near Cedar Church, known as the “Freeman Place.” Here they lived until Mr. Vincent’s death, Jan. 17, 1923, at the age of 82.
Shortly after her husband’s death, Mrs. Vincent came to Sherman and has since made her home with her only daughter, she is the only living member of the Lawrence family.
Mrs. Vincent’s health began to fail about eight years ago and she was forced to lay aside her quilt blocks, her crochet and her embroidery, her needles and threads.
On May 1, 1948, she fell and broke her hip and has been confined to her wheelchair and bed since. Mrs. Vincent is a member of the Baptist Church - has been for more then half a century.
Time has ceased to exist for the little old lady on South Walnut. She is living in a world of her own - in “a second childhood”.
Sitting in her wheel chair she gazes quietly out he window overlooking a neighbor’s house and the Washington School grounds. In her tired eyes is a searching gleam. The school bell rings, school children trip past her window and Mrs. Vincent smiles.
Four o’clock is bed-time for the invalid. At this time each day she is fed and tucked in for the night.
Mrs. Vincent has 134 living descendants. Her family consists of five generations. Besides her daughter, she has five sons, J. A. Vincent of Tom Bean, T. S. Vincent of Whitewright, J. H. Vincent, F. B. Vincent and U.L. Vincent, all of Sherman; 34 grandchildren; 75 great grandchildren and 19 great great grandchildren.
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