Lucinda Kennedy Has Lived Over a Century

Mrs. Lucinda Kennedy enjoyed her 103rd Anniversary Monday. Text But few are granted the privilege in these degenerate days of reaching four score years and fewer still of having breathed a century. Mrs. Lucinda Kennedy of Kings Prairie, however has done even better than that and can count 103 years to her credit since first breathing the balmy air of Kentucky, one and half miles from Westport, in Oldham County, Dec 16, 1792.

Mrs. Kennedy's many friends delight in remembering her annual anniversaries and Monday gathered at the residence of Mrs. B. T. Eagle, a daughter-in-law, with whom she is living, to the number of ninety-five to spend a portion of the day. None seemed to enjoy it more than Mrs. Kennedy who was up before day and with but little apparent fatigue held a reception until late in the afternoon. When the generous dinner, that had been so nicely prepared by Mrs. Eagle and her daughter, was announced, it was noticeable that her appetite was not of the things she had lost until after very vigorous exercise.

Lucinda Harris lived near Westport for about twelve years when, with her parents, she removed to Shelby County, and later to Tennessee, near Memphis. At the age of 16, she was married to Jacob Eagle, by whom she had twelve children, the only surviving one being Mrs. Fredonia Mattingly, age 68, who was at the dinner.

Mr. Eagle died in 1839 and after moving to Arkansas, she married James Kennedy, with whom she came to Barry County in 1853. Kennedy was a veteran of the war of 1812, was in the battle of New Orleans and died in 1875.

For one of her age, Mrs. Kennedy's memory is remarkably good and flashes of wit indicate that the energy which has sustained her so long is far from being exhausted. She faithfully recalls the early fortifications against the Indians and her travels from one place to another. Her father got part of his supplies from Lexington, KY, which was a long day's ride from home. Her grandfather walked in his sleep and one night walked into the river. Their sugar was made from the sugar trees and their clothing by their own hands. The first calico dress she had, cost 75 cents a yard. Their building was all of logs but some lumber was made. When asked about saw mills, she replied, "You are a saw mill," which indicated the early methods.

She has never went [sic] backward but always forward, which others might do to advantage. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church at Pleasant Ridge and has been a church member for 56 years. Mrs. Kennedy comes from a long lived family, her mother, Joanah Harris, living in this county until her 108th year. In addition to her living daughter, Mrs. Kennedy can county ninety grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren and twenty-five or thirty great-great grandchildren.

(The Newspaper also had a penciled drawing of her, pictured in a bonnet, that was with the article.)

Resource: State Historical Society of MO Microfilm
Submitted by Donna Cooper