JONAH
HAWKINS
Jonah Hawkins was not an exceedingly fascinating man, physically but a more agreeable and honorable citizen never existed in Yaphank. Always feeble and frail in constitution, but active and ambitious. He was hunchbacked and very deaf; but, notwithstanding his physical deformity, he always wore a genial smile for everyone. Mr. Hawkins possessed an reproachable reputation while living, and left a white record of blameless life.
In those "Ye olden days," Yaphank-----then Millville gloried in the accommodations of three stores. Isaac Terry's was declared the model mercantile institution, and he the "Pricely merchant." J.P. Mills was then unknown upon the mercantile sea,
but soon launched his ship. He purchased Mr. Terry's
business and interest, and became possessor of the little
brown store. A larger and more commodious one was soon
erected upon the old ground, and the romantic name of
"Mills" was a business fact. "Uncle Jonah" lived to the mature old age of threescore years and six, and then he girded on his armor, and began the long, long march through the valley;. He died as he had lived, fearing God and loving man. His mortality slumbers beside those of
his faithful companion, in the Episcopal graveyard in
Yaphank. |