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PHOTO: Elizabeth Murphy, with the Leeds Boston Post Cane. (Submitted photo)
LEEDS – Elizabeth Murphy was recent presented with the Boston Post Cane in recognition of her status as Leeds’ oldest resident.
Murphy, 95, was presented with the cane on behalf of the town by Selectman Dwight Buckley in a ceremony at Curtis Corner.
A testament of her longevity and loving spirit, Murphy’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and soon to be great great-grandchild came to celebrate the occasion. Also in attendance were Murphy’s sister, Connie, in-laws, and members of the Leeds Historical Society.
A lifelong resident of Leeds, Murphy is the daughter of Royal and Edwina Stevens. After graduating from Monmouth Academy, she married Joe Murphy, and they moved to the brick house atop Bishop Hill. Their son, Tommy, was born there. They then moved to the house at Curtis Corner, where sons Tim and Trent were born. When Trent started school, Murphy went to work for Albany Felt, now Tex Tech, in North Monmouth and worked there for 22 years.
She also worked at the Leeds polls on voting days and was the treasurer of the Leeds Center Cemetery for many years. Bowling afforded her some well-deserved recreation, and she had many wonderful trips with the league.
After the presentation, while the group enjoyed light refreshments. Murphy visited with everyone, sharing hugs, laughs, and a few stories.
The Boston Post Cane tradition began in 1909, when the Boston Post newspaper distributed the canes to towns throughout New England with instructions that each should be presented to the oldest man in the town, to be used by him as long as he lives, or until he moves away. The newspaper said that the cane would belong to the town and not the man who received it. Women were included in 1930. The cane is made from Gabon ebony and its head is finished with a 14-carat gold top and is elaborately sculpted. As many as 700 canes were originally conferred by the newspaper, which folded in 1956, and hundreds of towns in New England still bestow it.
