Elizabeth Black, the daughter of John Black and Abigail Watson, was born in 1763. She was the first child born in Sedgwick Township. Her father was one of the first permanent settlers of Sedgwick, arriving about 1763. Her mother was the sister of Shadrach Watson, who has also one of the first permanent settlers.

In 1787, the proprietors of Sedgwick voted that Elizabeth should have 100 acres of land "for her and her heirs and assigns, because she was the first born in the township) Elizabeth died in 1867 at the age of 104 years.

Brooklin, Feb. 27, Mrs. Elizabeth FREETHY, age about 104 years.

Mrs. Freethy linked us far back to the past. She was the first white child born in this town, then a part of Sedgwick. She lived in the stirring, trying times of the Revolution. Her husband served during war. She saw the British come into Waskeag, burn every building upon the point except an old hovel, shoot down the cattle, and commit other outrages. All these youthful memories were as fresh in her mind as
if they transpired yesterday. She became a hopeful disciple of Christ in the first revival of religion that occurred in this town under Father Merrill. Under his ministry she joined his church, then Congregational, of which she remained a worthy member until it became extinct. The last time I saw her alive she spoke of that revival.

"You can remember that?" I asked her; "Oh, yes," she replied, "I shall never forget that I had long felt myself a lost helpless sinner. It seemed there no pardon, no hope, no Savior for me. I arose one morning feeling all was lost. I was ready to give up in despair. I stepped to the door facing east and put one hand on each sill and looked out. Just then the sun arose, clear, beautiful, bright, and the Son of Righteousness arose too, upon my soul, with healing in His wings. Everything seemed to break forth into a song of praise, and I joined in the song. Oh, I shall never forget how precious Jesus looked to me then, and He is now."

Hers was a quiet, steady, consistent, cheerful piety which led her to make all feel happy about her. Someone said to me the other day, "We children all loved Aunt Lizzie. We loved to go there. She always had a kind word, a gentle smile, a soft hand, a nice piece of bread and cheese for all the children who went to see her."

This fact gives an insight into her real character. She had a green old age, though her head was gray, the skin wrinkled and her limbs feeble and tottery, yet she had a young heart. She loved the children and they loved her. She was the mother of 12 children, 8 of whom are still living. She leaves some 200 living descendants, children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren down to the 5th generation. One of the relatives assured me that he has counted up over 350 of her descendants. She served her generation and now sleeps in Jesus.

Joseph and Elizabeth had the following children:

Source: Sedgwick Vital Records, Volume I, p. 394.

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