Mr. Paul R. Stewart,
My Dear Sir,

Yours of the 17th inquiring about Margaret Needham Still was
forwarded to Mrs. S. C. Still of Lawrence, wife of a step-son on my sister, and
was by her sent to me. The name Needham was originally DeNedham, a Norman Knight,
the heraldry indicating an Earl. The name first appears in Colonial annals in
1628. We are descended thro blood lines, from the Potter, Alden, Prowster, Whitney,
Turner, Shattuck, and Cushing families. Our mother was a Titus. Her grandfather
was Capt. Jonathan Titus who served in the Revolution and war of 1812-4. Our mater-
-nal grandmother was Dorcas Ingersoll Titus, a sister of Rev. John Ingersoll
father of R. G. Ingersoll. Four Revolutionary sires, Col. John Needham, Thomas
Cushing, Capt. Jonathan Titus and Samuel Ingersoll, rank not known to me.
Our father was Rev. George Needham, an Oberlin man, first connected with the Cong-
-regational church, later with the Advent Christians, and later still with a Union
Congregational church in Ill. While living in Mass. and R.I. our father became
intimately acquainted with Rev. J. P. Weethee later President of your college.
This led to my sister going there for her education.
Margaret Leonice Needham was born Sep. 8, 1838 in Fenner Madison Co. N. Y. Fenner is
a neighborhood name. It is about 2 miles from Cazenovia. She went to Waynesburg
either about the last of 1855 or early 1856. She completed the course of
study in either one or two years less than the usual time. My younger sister
says she took a four years course in two years. Personally I am not sure. She
also taught a school during that time. I cannot recall the date of her gradua-
-tion. I believe her degree was Bachelor of Arts. Several Waynesburg families
came to this county, Cleavengers, Higginbottams, Hooks, Pennocks and they credited
her with being the most brilliant student. I think I have her graduating essay
among my papers but owing to a removal and a bad mix-up I would not know where
to look for it. There was a very lifelike picture of her taken about 1855 I
think. If it is in existence it is probable that her daughter Mrs. C. Tubbs of
Havre de Grace Md. has it and her diploma.

She was married to Henry Still in Artesia Tp, Iroquois

Perhaps I have gone beyond your requirements in the above
sketch of my sisters life but you can glean out what you care for.

Sincerely yours,
H. V. Needham 86 yrs

If I can be of further service let me know,
Mrs. C. Tubbs her daughter was born
at [Idle ?]wild farm in May 1866

I have opened this letter because of an important omission. My sister had a
fine artistic taste and when about forty years of age began sketching and
painting in both water color and oil. Her husband was her only instructor.
He had done some amateur work. Her work was of such a high order that she
was urged to make it a profession but her health would not permit of any
steady intensive work. As a member of a Reading Circle she was frankly
given first rank.

H. V. N.