Berwick Register,
March 28th, 1923
Mrs. Newcombe
There passed away at her home in Berwick, on Thursday, March 22nd, one of the eldest and most highly respected residents of the town, Mrs. Abigail Hovey Newcombe. She was a daughter of the late Mr. Elias Calkin and his wife Mercy Burgess, who, about 1814, took up their home in West Cornwallis on the farm in Welsford, a portion of which is now owned by their grandson, Mr. Charles R. Calkin. Here Mrs. Newcombe was born July 17, 1827, nearly ninety-six years ago. In 1853 she became the wife of Mr. John Cummings Newcombe, residing on the Newcombe homestead farm, near Grafton, now owned by Mr. William N. Kinsman. This was her home for nearly forty years. Mr. Newcombe died very suddenly on January 10, 1866. Mrs. Newcombe carried on the farm until her children grew to maturity. In 1892 she took up her home in Berwick and the following year purchased the property on Main Street, then owned by Mr. Levi C. Wickwire, on which she has since resided. Some three years ago she suffered from an accident occasioning injury to her hip, and, though enjoying excellent bodily health and vigor of mind, has since been unable to walk without assistance.
Mrs. Newcombe was the mother of six children, three of whom died in early childhood. The living daughter is Mrs. Margaret Trueman, widow of Prof. James Starr Trueman, of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. She was for several years principal of the Halifax Ladies’ College, giving up her position in that institution that she might care for her mother in her declining years. The sons are Edmund Leslie, Deputy Minister of Justice of Canada, and John Arthur, whose home is in Tompkins, Saskatchewan, but who came to Nova Scotia in the early winter on a visit and so was able to be with his mother during her last illness.
The funeral took place on Monday, having been delayed to await the arrival of the elder son from Ottawa. Services were conducted by Rev. Mr. McFall, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of which Mrs. Newcombe was a member. Mr. McFall was assisted by Revs. Arthur Hockin, A. R. Reynolds and H. S. Shaw. Interment was in the family lot at the Covenanter Cemetery near Grafton.
Mrs. Newcombe was loved and respected by all who had the privilege of her acquaintance. Only those who knew her intimately, however, could appreciate to the full the integrity of her character, the loveliness of her disposition, the true loyalty of her friendliness, and above all, the sincerity of her faith. Gifted with an excellent memory and more than average intellectual power, she was an able and most interesting conversationalist, her reminiscences of pioneer days being especially instructive. Her hospitality was of the true Christian type and was wisely, discreetly and quietly bestowed. Her memory will ever be cherished by all who knew her.