TNGenWeb Historical News Indexing Project

Died, at Gallatin, Sumner county, Tenn., on the 25th of September, 1865, Olive BONHAM, aged eighty-six years, one month and ten days.

Mother BONHAM was born in Loudon county, Va., whence she moved with her father, Isaac SAFFELLE, to Greene county, Tenn. She was united in marriage in the year 1796, to Benj. BONHAM, with whom she removed to Blount county, Tenn., where her father BONHAM died, in 1861, leaving mother BONHAM, aged and infirm to struggle alone with the trials of life.  About this time her youngest son, Capt. J.S. BONHAM, with whom the parents had resided was forced to leave home, on account of the troubles growing out of the war, he being a firm Union man. Mother BONHAM was for a long time exposed to the evils of the war, but her trust was in God, who had said “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”.  As soon as practicable, her son, Capt. BONHAM, who now belonged to the Federal service, removed her to this place, with whom, and in whose family, she spent the remaining months of her life in quiet and happiness. Mother BONHAM died in the triumphs of a living faith, worn and weak through the infirmities of old age; yet she was strong in the evidence of grace.  For more than sixty years she had served the Lord, and in the sequel of life she found that it was no vain thing to have served Him. She had raised 12 children, five daughters, and seven sons — three of the latter being ministers of the gospel.  At all times she was active and zealous in the performance of Christian duty. She was buried by the side of her little granddaughter, Rosie Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. J.S. & L.E. BONHAM. Grandman and Rosie sleep together, and together range the sweet plains of bliss in heaven. May her numerous children, relatives and friends meet them there where sorrow is forever unknown. — R.F. PATTON, Gallatin, Tenn., January 18th, 1866.

Brownlow’s Knoxville Whig, March 28, 1866