Rebecca OSTRANDER PHELPS, was born in Canada Feb 17th, 1829, and departed this life Oct. 1st, 1926, being at the time of her death, 97 years, 7 months and 14 days of age.

On April 22nd, 1847, she was united in marriage to Nelson D. PHELPS, who preceeded her in death 26 years ago. To this union were born 11 children, 5 boys and 6 girls, three of which preceeded her in death, one having died in infancy.

In 1856 she with her husband moved to Birminghan, Oakland Co., and a year later moved to Dayton Township near this village.

They later moved there when the place where this village is located was still a mass of timber. There were only a few families that had preceeded them to Dayton and they had to cut the latter part of their own trail thru the timber to their homestead.

She resided at the old homestead until a few years ago when she came to live with some of the other children. She has always been in good health until six weeks before her death, when she was taken with the illness which caused her death.

She became a christian and united with the Baptist Church of Canada when she was 17 years of age. As the event took place in the winter time and her baptism had to be out of doors in the open waters, she instead of waiting until warm weather to comply with out Lord's command was baptized thru the ice.

When they came to Michigan she identified herself with the Baptist Church as soon as one was formed in Dayton Township, which first met in the old log school house about one mile east of the present Baptist Church of Dayton, where her membership continued until she went to join the heavenly saints a few days ago. She last attended church at the First Baptist Church of Pontiac, about six weeks before her death and greatly enjoyed the service there. Several nights before her death she was permitted to sit up one evening and sang for her loved ones who were present and the following day as she was lying in bed she again sang for the pastor an old gospel song.

The last lovely morning all lovely and fair,
Is fast onward fleeting and soon will appear,
While the mighty mighty, trumpet sounds,
Come, come away. Oh let us be ready
To hail that glad day.

She assured all that she was ready and anxious for "That Last Lovely Morning to Come" She was a loving, kind and godly wife and mother and in her death the Baptist Church of Michigan has lost its oldest member.

She leaves to mourn her loss eight children. Asa PHELPS of Mayville, Wm. PHELPS of Dayton, Mrs. Martha MILLER, Sand Point, Idaho, Mrs. Sarah CLEMENT, Battle Creek, Abe PHELPS, Saginaw, Mrs Julia TITUS, Dayton, John PHELPS, Rich, Louis PHELPS, Mayville. Mrs Mary CHAFFEE, Nettie Mae PHELPS and Mrs. Ella INGALSBEE having preceeded her in death. She also leaves one brother Archie OSTRANDER, of Traverse City, one sister, Mrs Mary WALL of Mt. Morris, and 118 grand children, great-grand-children, and great-great-grandchildren besides a vast number of other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held at the Baptist Church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon with Rev. Zemmer officiating and internment at Dayton Cemetery.