DEATH NOTICES FROM THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 1880-1882, (OF THOSE PERSONS BORN UP TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 1830)
By Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2000

JANUARY-JULY 1881

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January 15, 1881

Mrs. ELIZA C. GARRISON, nee Beal, died September 5, 1880; widow of the Rev. H. Y. Garrison; a son, William; her oldest sister, Mrs. Rachel Ellett.

SUSAN S. HARTSFIELD, nee Ewing, born July 4, 1804; married Major William Hartsfield in 1839; died March 29, 1880 at residence of her brother, W. L. Ewing, 8 miles from Nashville, Tennessee.

MARGARET GAINS BACON daughter of Pitman and Susan Wilson, born Christian Co. Ky., June 7, 1823; died Trigg Co., Ky., November 13, 1880; married Charles A. Bacon, December 17, 1841; joined Cumberland Presbyterian Church but converted to Baptist Church.

The Rev. SAMUEL YOUNG STITT born Fairfield Dist., So. Carolina, 1808; moved to Ga. in his 30th year of age and in 6 years moved to Chambers Co., Ala.; he was licensed to preach in Methodist Church in 1845; married Christian Grace Meuldin in 1835; five children; died September 30, 1880.

WILLIAM HARTWELL TARVER born February 4, 1808; died Lee Co., Ala., October 2, 1880; married (1) Camella Turner, 1838; (2) Frances Turner, 1845. "By perseverance and good management he amassed a handsome fortune prior to the late war...consequently /it/ was lost. "

JACOB F. GUTHRIE official member of Methodist Church at Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. in Maury County; died October 15, 1880 aged more than 77 years of age; had been married about 54 years.

WINNY M. MOODY born July 31, 1822; died September 21, 1880.

 

January 22, 1881

JOHN SADLER, 1801-1880:
Brother John Sadler (usually called "Uncle John") was born in Amelia county, Va., April 14, 1801: moved to Alabama when a boy; was married to Miss Nancy Hawkins, July 17, 1822. He moved to Tennessee and settled in Sumner county, in 1829. Shortly after he was settled, he and his wife (who preceded him to heaven about sixteen months) joined the Methodist Church near Gallatin. In 1840 he moved to Robertson county and settled near Sadlersville, where he lived until he was called from labor to rest, and passed peacefully across the river of death, Oct. 30, 1880. Brother Sadler and wife were two of the first members of the Church at Salem, near Sadlersville, joining when the Church was organized in 1842. All who joined at that time have passed away, all having fallen asleep in Jesus. Our venerable brother was the last one of the number to exchange this for the other and better life. In the death of Brother Sadler our community has lost one of its best and most honored citizens. The Church of which he was a true, tried, and faithful member for more than fifty years, while she bows with meek submission to the will of God, who doeth all things well, feels deeply her loss. The preacher of the gospel always met with a warm welcome in Brother Sadler’s house. When there he was at home; in him he had a friend—a friend indeed. He was always ready to give a reason of the hope he had in Christ, for he knew well in whom he believed; was frequently in ecstasies of joy. He was a strong advocate for the spirituality of religion; sometimes was afraid he did not have patience enough with members of the Church who were disposed to indulge too much in the pleasures of the world such as the rules of the Church forbid. He sustained many reverses of fortune through life. At one time, having failed financially, he accepted a position in a distillery, but finding that business contrary to his religious principles, seeing that evil was growing out of it to himself and to his country, although there seemed to be no way open to him whereby he could regain his losses, he preferred the true riches, and at once closed out, and was ever afterward a strong advocate of temperance, abstaining wholly from all things unlawful, and using things lawful in moderation. Being strictly honest and industrious, with his faith in God, he was soon prosperous again. He was very fond of reading, and though old and very feeble in body for some time before his death, he continued to occupy his time in reading the CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, to which he had been a subscriber for about forty years, and which he loved next to his Bible, often getting happy while reading that page devoted to the "Christian Life." The Bible was the book of his life. During the last year of his long and useful life he read it through from Genesis to Revelation. The writer called to see him just as he had read the last page. He was thanking God for the Bible and for the privilege of reading it through again before his death, for he seemed to know that he was very near the last river. He said he had been a Methodist for more than a half of a century, but he was stronger in the faith now than ever. "Go on," said he, "and preach the doctrine of your Church, for it is the doctrine of the Bible; it is the true gospel of the Son of God." He served the Church for many years as steward, class leader, and trustee. He was a good steward. As a class leader he was one of the true type, full of zeal and love. There are few such men now as was he in his prime. When he was too feeble to get to the Church he had the class meeting moved to his own home, where he could enjoy the communion of the brethren. He now is in communion with the saints in heaven. He fought a good fight; he kept the faith; he was ready to be offered up. He said to the writer, "There is a crown of life waiting me through the abundant mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ." He has gone to reap the reward of a long and useful and wholly consecrated life.

There all the ship’s company meet
Who sailed with the Saviour beneath;
With shouting each other they greet
And triumph o’er sorrow and death,

The voyage of life’s at an end,
The mortal affliction is past:
The age that in heaven they spend
For ever and ever shall last.

W. W. BRINSFIELD

 

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BENJAMIN BIBB KNIGHT born Amherst Co., Virginia, October 12, 1801; married Dorcas Newman, Feb. 13, 1823; died Dercherd, Tenn., November 20, 1880. His wife, DORCAS NEWMAN KNIGHT born So. Carolina, 1806; died April 13, 1872.

JOHN J. ROGERS born April 11, 1811; died 4 miles east of Lexington, Tenn., November 13, 1880.

The Rev. JOHN SHERRILL born Giles Co., Tenn., June 12, 1814; joined Methodist Church in 1829; licensed to preach in Methodist Church August 29, 1835; accepted on trial in Tennessee Methodist Conference in the fall of 1835; ordained deacon in 1837; ordained elder in 1839; served in numerous appointments; married Martha A. Moore, Lincoln Co., Tenn., June 6, 1848; died Nov. 8, 1880; burial at Lonesome Dove, Denton Co., Texas.

WILLIAM CREECY born February 24, 1794; died Giles Co., Tenn., October 30, 1880; "fought under Gen. /Andrew/ Jackson at New Orleans."

SALLIE STEGER born December 24, 1807; married Thomas H. Cawthon, November 24, 1829; joined Methodist Church in 1819; died November 16, 1880.

WILLIAM L. EWING born November 1, 1809; married Nancy R. Thompson, February 16, 1832; joined Methodist Church in 1833; died November 29, 1880; his wife and daughter predeceased him along with his brothers, Dr. Felix Ewing, Dr. Melton Ewing, Joseph L. Ewing and Jesse Ewing; one brother, Dr. A. B. Edwing, survived him and "was" in his 85th year of age. Ewing died on the farm on which he had been born.

Mrs. LYDIA A. RAWDEN born August 2, 1802, in So. Carolina; died Childersburg, Alabama, October 20, 1880.

 

January 29, 1881

FANNIE MAJORS died Wilson Co., Tenn., October 1880; a widow for many years.

ROBERT PAINE CHAMBERS died Wilson Co., Tenn., September 29, 1879 in his 58th year of age; a sister, Nannie.

MARY C. BOLAND, nee Jones, born So. Carolina, 1806; died Bremond, Texas, November 17, 1880 of pneumonia; parents moved to Ga. in 1822; she married David Boland (died in 1864), 1823; twelve children; four sons were Methodist preachers, Rev. J. W. Boland, local preacher; Rev. E. N. Boland, Georgia Conference, Rev. J. M. Boland, Alabama Conference and Rev. J. A. Boland, local preacher.

ELIZABETH J. WINTERS wife of H. L. Winters, born Horsley, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England; married in Vernon, Indiana, July 21, 1850; died Rodney, Miss., November 4, 1880, malarial fever; raised in Episcopal Church; eleven children, six surviving her.

ELIZABETH BRADLEY ALLEN born Smith Co., Tenn., February 28, 1812; died near Murfreesboro, Tenn., November 3, 1880; married the Rev. E. J. Allen, Oct. 16, 1833.

Mrs. ELIZABETH KEAS CALK born Culpeper Co., Va., April 16, 1792; died near Mt. Sterling, Ky., February 23, 1880.

JOANNA WHITTEN, nee Wooten, born Warren Co., Tenn., January 5, 1823; grew up in Wayne Co., Tenn.; married the Rev. J. M. Whitten, June 10, 1842; died Oct. 15, 1880; five children.

Capt. JAMES H. WEST, Caney Springs, Tenn., born Feb. 1, 1828; died October 31, 1880; married J. A. Neil, July 7, 1853; great advocate of Sunday Schools. Iuka, Miss.

 

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February 5, 1881

ALFRED HOYT RAYMOND born Putnam Co., New York, April 24, 1817; died Verona, Lee Co., Miss., Dec. l, 1880; moved to Miss. and settled at Cotton Gin Port in 1838; married Louisa E. Walker, Feb. 28, 1839 and joined the Methodist Church that year; a merchant.

JOHN R. KERR born Green Co., Tenn., Feb. 22, 1809; entered Tusculum College at the age of 10 years, weighing only 50 lbs.; learned printer's trade; joined Cumber1and Presbyterian Church in January 1831; married Mary Green of Greenville, August 16, 1834 and moved to Shelby Co., Indiana in 1835; moved to Franklin, Ind. in 1837 where he had a print shop; his FRANKLIN EXAMINER was first published December 13, 1845 and was continued until 1852 when he moved to Gosport, Ind. and began publication of the GOSPORT CHRONOtype in September of that year; postmaster there, 1854-1871; one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in Franklin and Gosport; died October 21, 1880.

COOPER GUPTON died December 2, 1880 in his 59th year of age.

ABNER H. MARTIN born Montgomery Co., Tenn., December 12, 1809; died Haywood Co., Tenn., November 25, 1880; son of John and Mary Martin; one sister surviving; he married (1) Sallie Thompson (died 1835), December 21, 1831, three children; (2) Mrs. Rebecca Mays, April 24, 1839, nine children.

T. G. BROWN born Nelson Co., Ky., October 1830; died Louisville, Ky., Oct. 14, 1880 at residence of son-in-law, Capt. Lockhart; a long panegryic in his honor by G. A1exander of Middletown, Kentucky.

 

February 12, 1881

MARTHA WELLS born in Virginia, July 22, 1823; moved with parents to Giles Co., Tenn.; joined Cumberland Presbyterian Church, then later joined the Methodist Church; married A. G. Wells, November 24, 1867; died Dec. 5, 1880.

MARY SEAY "Aunt Polly" wife of the Rev. Charles H. Seay, born Wilson Co., Tenn., October 24, 1802; died Dec. 7, 1880; she and husband moved to Red River in Ark. in 1827 but later moved to Bradley Co., Ark. where she died; 6 children .

SARAH J. MONCREIF wife of William Moncreif, born December 24, 1825; died Dec. 12, 1880; daughter of John and Elizabeth Crenshaw; born and raised in Sumner Co., Tenn.; had two sons, one daughter.

JOHN JOHNSON born near Halifax Court-house, Virginia, November 26, 1796; moved to Tenn. at about the age of 14 years; married Nancy Southal1 in 1817; died Smith Co., Tenn., December 9, 1880.

JOHN EDMONSON born Williamson Co., Tenn., October 6, 1805; died Dec. l1, 1880; married Mary Cummings, September 18, 1827; eleven children.

DICY MILES born Bourbon Co., Ky., March 31, 1794; died Rutherford Co., Tenn., at residence of her son, Ferdinand Miles, December 20, 1880.

JOSEPH B. ROGERS born Jackson Co., Tenn., January 16, 1813; married Nancy Brooks, October 25, 1832; moved to Collin Co., Texas in 1850; died November 29, 1880.

JOHN W. CROW, 1805-1880:
John W. Crow—Father Crow, by eminence—sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, at his late residence in Franklin, Ky., Friday morning, Dec. 10,1880. He was in the 76th year of his age, and had completed fifty-two years of faithful service, enduring hardness as a good soldier under the Captain of his salvation. After his death the following document, of whose existence no member of the family was aware, was found among his papers: "I was born in Wythe County, Va., Sept. 15, 1805. While an infant my father and mother removed to the state of Ohio, where they resided about nine months, and then removed to East Tennessee, near Knoxville, there remaining until the spring of 1812. They then removed to Kentucky, to what was then Warren, now Allen, county. Here I was brought up, and in 1821, Aug. 22, I was happily married to Nancy W. Martin, a pious, praying girl. In the fall of 1828, at a prayer meeting held by Brother Thomas Lyles, I was happily converted to God, and the next Sunday joined the Methodist Church, under the ministry of John James. I have lived to see all my children profess religion, and join the same Church. And, thank God, that same religion still bears me up to this date, and I have no fears but it will, if we are faithful, bear my loving companion and me across the rugged Jordan." This bit of autobiography over his own sign manual bears date Dec. 24, 1860. The Christmas holidays and the close of the year doubtless occasioned reflection on the close of life. Sixty-four years of age, he, eleven years ago this Christmas—his first in heaven—took up his attitude of readiness and expectancy. Knowing that the Bridegroom comes quickly, his vessel was filled with oil, and his lamp trimmed and burning. His trustful soul was suffered with the spirit of John’s apocalyptic prayer, "Even so,

 

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come Lord Jesus." On April 21, 1875, after the death of his first wife, he makes this addition to his life sketch: "Thank God for the prospect of meeting loved ones in heaven. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’" He was married, the second time, to Mrs. Jane E. Tappecott, with whom he had been long and intimately associated, Jan. 9, 1877. She survives to mourn her loss. Father Crow mentions the fact that he lived to see all his children professors of religion and members of the Methodist Church. Four of his sons are Methodists preachers—two local, one a traveling preacher in Arkansas, and the other, the Rev. Enoch M. Crow, has long efficiently filled the post of a presiding elder in the Louisville Conference. Two sons, merchants of Franklin, are official members of our Church, and a grandson, the Rev. John M. Crow, is an itinerant preacher, also of this Conference. Unless prevented by sickness, Father Crow always filled his chair in the house of God, and gave the pastor many tokens of encouragement and approval. He testified for Christ in class meeting and love feast. He led in public prayer, and regularly administered at the family altar. He supported the ministry, contributed to Missions, and took the ADVOCATE. He walked with God. We laid him to rest, by the side of the companion of his youth, the mother of his children, there to sleep amid the familiar hills of Old Allen until death shall be swallowed up in victory. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

JNO. J. TIGERT
Franklin, Ky., Dec. 22, 1880.

 

February 19, 1881

The Rev. T. G. REESE born Lincoln Co., No. Carolina, May 22, 1799; moved to Stewart Co., Tenn. in 1805; joined Methodist Church in 1820; licensed to preach in Methodist Church at Christian Co., Ky., August 28, 1823 and entered the Kentucky Methodist Conference in 1826; traveled in numerous circuits over the years but located in 1834 settling on a farm in Todd Co., Ky., then moved to another farm where he died January 2, 1881; ordained deacon October 26, 1828; ordained elder October 17, 1830; married (1) Susan Demaree, February 5, 1829, four sons, three daughters; (2) Mrs. Mary Cato, Christian Co., Ky., August 25, 1851.

PAUL STEPHENS, the veteran railroader who tunneled the Cumberland Mts. for the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, died Roane Co., Tenn., Nov. l1, 1880. "He claimed to be an Englishman /so wrote Minor Merriwether, Memphis, Tenn. /, though born in the city of New York in which his parents had arrived from England about the year 1802 or 1803; "his parents returned to England but he remained in the States, a machinist. "He claimed to have put up the first engine that ever ran on a railroad in this country. He and the locomotive was brought over from England to Albany, N. Y. in 1831"; locomotive called the "Little Johnny Bull"; it made its initial run in July 1832; in his first marriage had six children.

The Rev. ABNER KEEN, a venerable local Methodist preacher, born Albemar1e Co., Virginia, October 30, 1799; died Dal1as, Texas, November 30, 1880; married Susan Hall and moved to Smith Co., Tenn., then to Harrison Co., Ind., then to Da11as Co., Texas in 1846; married, secondly to Nancy Spurgin, Dec. 1866.

Captain JOHN T. RATHER born Prince Edward Co., Virginia, March 14, 1802; died at residence of son, General John D. Rather, January 8, 1881; moved from Va. to Roane Co., Tenn. and in 1811 to Huntsville, Ala.; a captain in the regular U. S. Army during the War of 1812; in 1818/19 moved to Morgan Co., Ala. where he married (1) Barbara McClellan and had one child, John D. Rather; (2) Susan H. Roberts, Culpeper Co., Va., in the fall of 1830; no children; elected 13 times to Alabama legislature; for years an agent of the Bank of Decatur; delegate to the Alabama Constitutional Convention in 1865.

Death of Uncle Jeffrey:

 

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DEATH OF "UNCLE JEFFREY" (Colored), for Thirty-three Years the Faithful Sexton of the Methodist Church of Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Editor:--It becomes my painful duty to announce the death, on Monday morning last, at early dawn, of Jeffrey Washington (colored), familiarly known in our midst as "Old Uncle Jeffrey," the faithful sexton who had rung the bell at the Methodist Church in this city for the last thirty-three years or more.

On Monday morning, just one week previous to his death, as I was passing by the Methodist Church, on my way down to the Capitol building from the parsonage, where I had been in to see Dr. Watkins, I met "Old Uncle Jeffrey" going in to ring the bell for the funeral of a young lady, a member of our Church, who had died the day before. Knowing that I had just left the Doctor, who has been hovering over the grave for several months past, he anxiously inquired, "How is the Doctor this morning? Do you think he will recover and preach for us again?" When I answered in the affirmative his eyes brightened—his countenance became wreathed with smiles, and he started off, exclaiming, "I hope so, I hope so." Little did I think then that he was going in to ring the bell for the last time, that his work was done, that the next funeral bell rung forth by that bell would be rung to call our people together to pay the last sad tribute of respect to "Old Uncle Jeffrey" himself. "Verily, verily, in the midst of life we are in death."

On that day, or a day or two afterward, that dreaded and so often fatal disease, pneumonia, seized upon him and seemed at once to strike at his vital organs, and so rapid was its progress that the physician’s skill was baffled and wholly unable to check it before its mad career was run.

As soon as it was known that "Old Uncle Jeffrey" was sick, his white friends, the ladies of the Wesleyan Society, the stewards and members of the Church, and many others of other denominations visited him; but the most notable one of all was his former owner and faithful friend, Mrs. Julia Kennon Jayne, who immediately upon hearing of his sickness repaired to his bedside, and there with all the devotion and tenderness of a child to a loved parent did she nurse him, and pray for him, read the Scriptures to him, and administer that soothing consolation which none but a Christian knows how to give the dying. Day and night did she watch beside his couch until he was relieved, we trust, by a bright convoy of angels from the eternal world, who came at dawn of day, and bore the gentle spirit of "Old Uncle Jeffrey" to the regions of bliss beyond the skies. Truly, her faithfulness, her untiring watchfulness, and her tender devotion to the old man were almost without parallel.

To give you some idea of the last moments of "Uncle Jeffrey," the esteem in which he was held, and the love and respect shown him by the white people of the city, I cannot do better than to refer you to the following extract of an obituary written by his faithful friend, Mrs. Jayne, and published in the Clarion, of Jan. 27, 1881:

I never witnessed greater fortitude in suffering. He frequently asked for the Scriptures to be read to him, and prayer to be offered. He had two of his colored friends, Messrs. Mitchell and Young, to pray for him. Asked me to send for Mr. Alex Watkins to pray for him. When I went in Sunday morning, his mind was a little wandering, and he said to me "Do you think they will have enough seats at Church today? There will be a great many there." Whenever he was delirious, his thoughts were on his Church as he called it. "I must go and ring my bell." He requested me to sing for him. He frequently assured me that he trusted in the Lord. When his friend Mr. Brown bade him good by, and told him to trust in God, he replied "I do, and in Him alone." He said the last night to Turner Livingston, who had been a most devoted nurse, "I am ready." A short time before he expired he said to his wife, "It is finished! My work is done, I go to my rest—I can now go to Church." Was it the Church triumphant to which he alluded, or was he anticipating the respect his loved friends would pay his remains? He had many visitors among the white people, and kindest attention from his colored friends, among the number Turner Livingston and his wife Margaret merit especial mention. I feel that I have lost a true and tried friend; the ties seemed almost sacred that bound me to my father and mother’s confidential servant. It seems that one of the lights along the shore has been put out suddenly. We trust and believe that he has received the welcome plaudit, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." May we each, at his coming, be found as he was, with our arms full of sheaves.

His funeral took place Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock, from the Methodist Church. As we walked on the pavement leading to the Church, and listened to the toll of the bell he had rung for thirty-three years, we thought, what a change! No more will those dear wearied feet tread this path, nor his faithful hands again call worshipers to the house of prayer. The pall-bearers were Messrs. J. P. Stevens, W. L. Nugent, H. H. Hines, W. A. Whiting, A. J. Kerr, K. K. and Wm. M. Jayne. Rev. Mr. McLaurin officiated, aided by Rev. Dr. Hunter, of the Presbyterian Church. The choir sang with pathos, "Gathering Home," and other songs. It was touching to see the floral offerings—some from little children. There were a large number in attendance of white and colored friends—paying their last respects to the good and faithful citizen.

"Old Uncle Jeffrey" was between 75 and 80 years of age. He was characterized for his faithfulness, honesty, and love of truth. His word was his bond. He never betrayed a trust. His love for "my Church" amounted almost to idolatry, and he never appeared prouder than when seating a large congregation and filling up the entire church building.

The tribute paid to his character at the grave by Rev. Dr. Hunter, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this city for the last twenty-three years, was most appropriate and touchingly beautiful, causing tears to flow from many eyes unused to weep.

But enough, "Old Uncle Jeffrey" has rung his bell for the last time; he has seated his last congregation; he has doubtless gone to that land where sickness never comes and death is unknown. May the grass grow green, and the winds blow softly, and the birds sing sweetly over the grave of "Old Uncle Jeffrey."

H. H. H.
Jackson, Miss., Jan. 31, 1881

 

February 26, 1881

ELIFAL LAMBUTH, nee Jernigan, born Robertson Co., Tenn., July 16, 1807; died near Greenville, Ky., December 26, 1880; one of thirteen children of the Rev. David Jernigan, Methodist preacher in the Tennessee Conference; notice of her death submitted by her son, W. W. Lambuth, Madisonville, Kentucky.

Colonel SAMUEL W. FITZPATRICK born May 1812, Giles Co., Tenn.; died Dec. 2, 1880; large family of children. Cul1eoka, Tennessee.

WILLIAM J. HARRISON son of Joshua and Sophia Harrison, born Murfreesboro, Tenn., October 5, 1820; his father was a merchant; he was educated at University of Nashville; married Perme1ia A. E11is daughter of Hick E11is, June 6, 1849; died Cu11eoka, Tennessee, December 6, 1880.

 

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J. L. G. "Uncle Jack" HENSON born January 6, 1806; died Tishomingo Co., Miss., June 5, 1880; member of Missionary Baptist Church at Old Hepzibah Church.

PHEBE BAILEY born Lee Co., Va., 1804; died at residence of son-in-law, G. W. Walker, Carter Co., Ky., January 2, 1881.

LINDY BOIN died January 4, 1881 aged about 74 years; he was a Kentucky resident.

THOMAS G. RANDALL died Lexington, Ky., December 3, 1880; one of ten children; joined Methodist Church on his birthday, January 18, 1857.

JAMES NORFLEET born No. Carolina, May 1, 1801; died Montgomery Co., Tenn., Dec. 31, 1881; widow survived him; burial at Mt. Pleasant Church.

NANCY FERRELL wife of B. G. Ferrell, born September 10, 1815; died August 7, 1880; married (1) Josephus Cowen, one child, Mrs. T. J. Draper of Edgefield, Tenn.; (2) Burton G. Ferrell in 1842; nine children.

ELIZABETH GREGORY DAVIS born Robertson Co., Tenn., August 8, 1804; married Alvin Davis, October 22, 1822; died at residence of son, J. T. Davis, Fayette Co., Ala., January 13, 1881; affiliated with Cumberland Presbyterian Church but later joined the Methodist Church.

SARAH A. VICK wife of William Vick, daughter of M. S. and Martha P. West; mother of six children; born DeKalb Co., Tenn., March 3, 1829; died Jan. 20, 1881. Tribute of Respect for her by the Sunday School at Methodist Church, Liberty, Tennessee, dated January 23, 1881.

MARY E. GRAY, nee Thompson, born Georgia, September 30, 1821; married R. D. Gray, April 20, 1840 in Marengo Co., Ala.; moved to Christian Co., Ky. in 1841; died recently.

SAMUEL R. HALL born Tuscaloosa Co., Ala. in 1827; died near Tuscaloosa, Ala., in December 1880; surviving were his widow and two young children.

 

March 5, 1881

JAMES M. BEALL born Montgomery Co., Maryland, May 11, 1795; son of Zaddock and Elizabeth Beall and in 1803 moved with them to Fayette Co., Ky.; moved 4 years later to Russel1ville, Ky. where he lived until he died Dec. 4, 1880; enterprising businessman, president of Bank of Russellville; married four times and had seven children; last marriage was to Lucy A. Monday, January 22, 1856.

RICHARD C. McLESTER born Montgomery Co., No. Carolina, June 7, 1815; died Tuscaloosa, Ala., January 3, 1881; son of James and Mary McLester who moved from Tenn. to Lauderdale Co., Ala. in 1820; married Mary T. Simonton in Texas in 1841; merchant.

CLAIBORNE C. GERON born near Kingston, Tenn., June 25, 1809; moved to Huntsville, Ala., 1825; married America Yeatman in 1843; died Maysville, Ala., January 16, 1881 at residence of his son, P. Y. Geron.

SARAH BYRNE born Caswel1 Co., No. Carolina, February 28, 1803; moved to Smith Co., Tenn. with her parents in December 1804; daughter of the Rev. W. Simon Carlis1e and sister of the Rev. Wesley Car1is1e; sons Brice and G. D. Bryne were Methodist preachers. He died November 21, 1880.

BATHSHEBA STEEL born October 18, 1812; married Benaga Stee1, June 12, 1831; joined Methodist Church in 1830; died Oct. 26, 1880 of cancer; a wife and mother.

 

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March 12, 1881

Tribute of Respect for the Rev. WILLIAM N. SEARS born in No. Carolina, March 25, 1808; married twice, second time to Mary E. G. Pon, March 4, 1834; licensed to preach in Methodist Church June 28, 1828; ordained deacon Dec. 15, 1833; died in 1880; presented by Fourth Quarterly Conference, Tuskegee Circuit, Alabama Conference; dated January 29, 1881.

THOMAS LEMONDS born November 18, 1810; married Rachel Martin, September 3, 1833; six surviving children; died December 10, 1880.

Mrs. MALINDA NEWBERRY born Spartanburgh Dist., So. Carolina, 1805; descendant of Vines Harris, Revolutionary War veteran; died recently.

Colonel FRANCIS H. JONES born Mecklenburg Co., No. Carolina, June 1, 1809; died near Courtland, Ala., February 3, 1881; married (1) Frances Brown; (2) Ann Eliza Kernachan; (3) Antoinette A. Lile, six children; represented Lawrence Co., Ala. in state legislature several terms; had lived briefly years before in Cincinnati, Ohio.

JAMES H. ROBERTS born Spartanburgh District, So. Carolina, January 11, 1815; married Lizzie Reynolds in 1839; moved to Alabama in 1845; joined Methodist Church in 1847; died January 17, 1881.

GRANVILLE M. JOHNSON born in Tennessee, March 15, 1790; died near Franklin, Tenn., January 23, 188l; moved to Hickman Co., Ky. when young; had ten sons, seven served in Confederate army and all survived the Civil War; five daughters; notice of his death submitted by a son, B. G. Johnson of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

The Rev. WILLIAM GREEN BROWN born Green Co., Ky., April 22, 1814; died in same county, September 19, 1880; oldest in a family of five children.

Mrs. ADELINE STRONG born in No. Carolina, May 10, 1818; died Aberdeen, Miss., February 3, 1881.

Mrs. RHODA McCORD daughter of Hance and Nancy Cunningham, born Lawrence Co., Ala., October 22, 1824; married T. P. McCord, February 29, 1850; died Jan. l, 188l.

MARY A. ROBERTS born April 28, 1827, Elkton, Ky.; daughter of Henry Roberts; married John Taylor (died August 11, 1866), July 8, 1846 and secondly to G. D. Atkins, October 19, 1875; "a devoted mother"; died recently.

 

March 19. 1881

The Rev. WILLIAM H. WATKINS, D. D., son of Asa and Sarah Watkins, born Jefferson Co., Miss., April 1815; a slender, compact man; notice of death dated Feb. 9, 1881 from Vicksburg, Miss.

MATILDA R. CARY widow of Dr. William A. Cary, born February 18, 1814; married

July 5, 1835; died Montevallo, Ala., February 11, 1881; four sons, three daughters.

RICHARD O. HENDLEY born Chesterfield Co., Virginia, February 17, 1811; died at Greensburg, Ky., January 25, 1881; moved to the latter place in 1842; married Martha A. Barrett.

JUDITH BOLING BENTLEY widow of John Gay Bentley, born Madison Co., Ala., September 10, 1810; died in same county, February 4, 1881; daughter of the Rev. David Thompson.

MARTHA ANN RIEVES born Chatham Co., No. Carolina, November 12, 1817; moved to Miss. in 1838; married Abrahm Walker, Jan. 21, 1841; died Starkville, Miss., Nov. 26, 1880.

THOMAS SCOTT born Rockbridge Co., Va., Sept. 5, 1794; moved to Ky. at age of 16 years; died Metcalfe Co., Ky., January 14, 1881.

 

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March 26, 1881

J. W. BOSWELL born in Georgia, June 1826; moved to Talladega Co., Ala. in the spring of 1848; died February 20, 1881.

NANCY DICKINS daughter of William and Matilda Crosslin, born Feb. 12, 1813; married the Rev. John A. Dickins (died February 22, 1862), in 1833; died Feb. 6, 1881.

Dr. JAMES M. WILSON born Pend1eton Co., Ky., December 23, 1804; died Fa1mouth, Ky., February 13, 1881; married Cerrelda Thomas, January 1830; joined the Methodist Church in 1828.

WINNEY BLACK born in So. Caro1ina, 1825; died Scott Co., Ark., Feb. 7, 1881; daughter of the Rev. Thomas Payne who moved his family to Habersham Co., Ga.; married James C. B1ack in 1842; twelve chi1dren; in 1870 moved from Ga. to Scott Co., Arkansas.

DAVID SEARCY GREER, 1804-1881:
A long warfare was ended in a triumphant victory. DAVID SEARCY GREER, whose life for the past half century bas been a living example of Christian meekness, died at his residence near Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 17. 1881. He was born in Clark county, Ga., Aug. 21, 1804. He was carried by his father, while quite an infant, to Robertson county, Tenn., where he was reared to the age of 17 years. He then removed to Henry county, Tenn., and lived near where now stands the town of Paris, before the lots were sold on which the town is settled. In the year 1835, he was happily married to Martha Jane Dunlap, who, after a happy union of forty six years, now weeps the bitter tears of widowhood. Soon after his marriage he removed to Marshall county, Miss., assisted in locating and laying off the now beautiful town of Holly Springs, and represented the county in the State Legislature one term. Thence, in 1843, he removed to Memphis, Tenn. And since that time has been a valuable citizen and resident of Shelby county. He was a man of sound judgment, superior business qualifications, and of indomitable energy and industry, consequently he succeeded in all his business enterprises, and no man, at the close of a long and active life, can show a more unquestionable record than could he. But the most beautiful feature of his long and useful life shone out through his Christian piety. He was converted in 1830, at Neal’s Chapel, in Henry county, Tenn., under the preaching of that good and zealous man, Rev. Samuel Gilliand, whom he ever afterward gratefully remembered. The Methodist Church being the one of his choice, he united himself with it, and her roll never, perhaps, contained a worthier name than that of David S. Greer. He was a Connectional man in his feelings, loved the Methodist Church in all its parts, and took an interest in all its enterprises, and contributed liberally to its various interests. He was jealous for the reputation of the Church of his Master. Though he had that charity that "suffereth long," yet he was strong and emphatic in his disapproval of any thing that would cast the shadow of a reflection on the character of the Church. He made his religion and his Christian duties paramount to every thing else. He dared, under all circumstances, to do right, and no emergency could induce him to vary in any instance from the strictest rules of Christian piety. One who knew him long and intimately, said: "David S. Greer was the most conscientious man I ever knew." Being very quiet and unassuming, none but those who were so fortunate as to know him intimately could properly appreciate his many virtues. For many years he served as an official member of the Church, and never was there a truer friend to Methodist preachers than was he. The writer feels better for having shared his fatherly advice and saintly benedictions. He was a constant and prayerful reader of his Bible. The following note, written by his own hand many years ago, and found in his Bible, gives a true insight to his religious experience: "I have read the Bible through twenty-four times, and it has become such a source of pleasure to me that it almost seems a part of my existence. I thank the Lord for such a great blessing, and pray that he may continue to make me a meek and humble Bible reader." Truly, it was a part of his existence, for he feasted upon its precious truths daily, and fashioned his life after the highest type of Christian character therein portrayed. And his prayer was answered, for he told the writer, in a religious conversation a short time before his death, that he had read the Bible through consecutively thirty-seven times, and remarked that he always found something new. By many years of prayerful research in this rich mine of divine truth, he accumulated a large stock of that "wisdom which cometh down from above." For fifty years he had been "growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ." He had tasted of the "depths of the riches of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord," and had realized that "the path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." He lived in daily communion with God, and often spoke of his prospect of soon getting home to heaven. His death was quite sudden, but the summons found him ready. He quietly exchanged his long tried armor for a robe of spotless white, and mounted up the shining way, to be crowned a victor in the courts of Him whom he had so long and so faithfully served. Thus lived and thus died "an Israelite in whom was no guile." Earth has been blessed and heaven enriched by the gentle spirit of David S. Greer.

R. N. Freeman
Memphis, Tenn.

NOTE: In a biographical sketch of John R. Greer (1855-1931) it was stated about his father, David Searcy Greer, that he "was a native of Clark County, Ga.; his parents moved to Tennessee and settled in Robertson County when he was but an infant; a few years later they moved to Henry County and settled within a few miles of where Paris now stands and he

 

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was the first man to go into the mercantile business west of the Tennessee River. . . and assisted in laying off Holly Springs, Miss. where he moved in 1837, and from there to Memphis, Tenn. in 1843. He was an extensive planter, owning large plantations in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. . . he married Miss Martha Dunlap, a daughter of Hugh Dunlap /and Susanna Gilliam Dunlap/. . . /He? died in Shelby County, Tenn., February 17, 1881. /His age at death listed in the Elmwood Cemetery register is cited as 76 years, 1 months and 26 days, hence born August 21, 1804. / The mother was born in Roane County, April 8, 1815 and is still living at the old homestead in Shelby County. "(HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, Shelby County, Weston A. Goodspeed, Nashville, 1887, page 974)

The probate file #4640, of David S. Greer, in Shelby County, reveals that at his death he was survived by the widow, Martha and three sons (out of a family of ten children), Hugh D. Greer, David S. Greer, Jr. and John R. Greer, the latter of whom served as administrator of his father's estate (an intestate estate); the settlement was very modest, suggesting that he was "land poor. "His widow, Martha Jane Greer, died May 15, 1888; both lie in unmarked graves (combined lot 24-94) in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.

Their known children, as determined from the Goodspeed article and tombstones on their family lot at Elmwood: Hugh Dunlap Greer, February 4, 1836- April 29, 1899; Richard Gilliam Greer, December 4, 1837-December 31, 1856; Susanna Searcy Greer, October 9, 1842-June 7, 1844; Robert Searcy Greer, Jan. 22, 1846-April 30, 1847; William Dunlap Greer, May 1, 1848-August 8, 1848; David Searcy Greer, Jr., born January 6, 1852; John Ripley Greer, March 10, 1855-May 28, 1931.

Buried among the Greers in Elmwood, with an imposing tombstone, was Martha Greer's brother, William Claiborne Dunlap (1798-1872), a distinguished citizen who never married and lived in the Greer household until his demise. (See his obituary in THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, November 18, 1872.)

In 1880, David S. Greer wrote his clear recollection about the early settlement of Paris, Henry County, Tennessee, which were quoted in W. A. Goodspeed's HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, Henry County, 1887, pages 819, 825, 826. He wrote that the Greers settled in Henry County in August 1822.

In 1840 David S. Greer served in the House of Representatives of Miss., representing Marshall County, Mississippi.

The father of David S. Greer (died 1881) was Captain James Greer, a native of Bedford County, Virginia who is reported to have moved to Georgia in 1790 where he married and later moved to middle Tennessee, then in 1822 to Henry County in west Tennessee and thence, in 1836, to Holly Springs, Miss.; advanced in years he and his wife moved shortly before their deaths to DeValls Bluff, Arkansas with his daughter and son-in-law, Martha and J. J. Worsham. (ELMWOOD, by Elmwood Cemetery Association, Memphis, 1874, page 120). The remains of Captain James Greer and his second wife, Rachel Greer, were removed from Arkansas and reburied in Lot 93, Turley Section, Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, in January 1859 and buried beside them, their grandson, Richard Gilliam Greer who had died previously while attending the University of Mississippi. On a shaft tombstone, the names and dates of the old couple were inscribed: JAMES GREER born Bedford Co., Va., September 21, 1774; died Prairie Co., Ark., October 8, 1851. RACHEL GREER, born Wake Co., N. C.; died Prairie Co., Ark., August 6, 1851 aged 58 years.

In May 1885, James Micajah Greer (born in 1848), son of James M. Greer and grandson of Captain James Greer (1774-1851) wrote a genealogical memoir, quoting extensively from his uncle, David S. Greer's genealogical

 

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"memorandum", a typescript of which is on file in the genealogical collection of the Marshall County Library in Holly Springs, Miss. Quoting D. S. Greer, "My grandfather on my father's side was named James, was born in Pennsylvania, January 15th 1742 and married Mrs. Ann Love. She had two children by her first husband named Stephen and Polly.. My grandmother, whose maiden name was Haynes, was born May 2, 1744. My grandfather died in the year 1824 or 1825, leaving his property to be divided at my grandmother's death, but she sent a request to her children all to meet at her house in Clark County, Georgia on the 1st day of January, 1827, which most of them did, and she divided the estate. Her main object was to get them all together once more. She was then 80 years old. The meeting at the old residence in indelibly impressed on my mind. The place is about 16 miles westwardly from the city of Athens. In a pine county, within one hundred yards of the old dwelling are the remains of my grandfather and within about 200 yards, I was shown the spot on which I was born, near a beautiful clear cold spring.

"The following children were born to them: Parsha Greer born 17th November 1767, Henry Greer born 11th October 1769; David Greer born 20th January, 1772; James Greer born 21st September, 1774; Diannah Greer born 9th February, 1776; Nancy Greer born 30th October, 1777; Elizabeth Greer born 20th May, 1779; Sally Greer born 10th November, 1780; Aquilla Greer born 5th January, 1782; Priscilla Greer born 27th April, 1783; Lucy Greer born 9th October, 1784; Delilah Greer born 20th July, 1786.

"Grandmother /Ann Greer/ died in Lounds /Lowndes/ County, Mississippi on the south side of Butte Hatchie River at her son David Greer's sometime in 1832 and was buried in an old field on her son Harry's land, so says D. D. Greer, who was a son of Uncle David and was living with his father at the time of his death.

"James Greer born in Bedford County, Virginia on the 21st of September, 1774 (on Stanton River). Susannah Searcy born on the 29th of October, 1780 and after giving birth to the 9 following children died on the 16th day of September 1819:Elizabeth Greer born November 27, 1799; Ann Haynes Greer born July 1, 1801; David S. Greer born August 21, 1804; Diannah Greer born November 28, 1806; Jane Greer born October 15, 1808; Robert Searcy Greer born May 29, 1811; Sally Low Greer born September 19, 1813; James Madison Greer born January 29, 1816; Susannah Greer born January 1, 1818. "

Here James M. Greer diverges from his uncle D. S. Greer's account, to write, "Very shortly after my grandmother's death, my grandfather married a Mrs. Rachel Williams. . . she had two children, Isaac Williams and Miriam Williams. . . She was about medium height, blue-eyed, quite stout, of a quick temper I shall now resume copying from Uncle David's book, so as to give the names and births of the second set of children: Henry Greer born September 16, 1820; Aquilla Greer born April 23, 1822; Mary Greer born February 29, 1824; Elkanah Greer born October 11, 1825; Martha Greer born August 25, 1829. My grandfather, as I vaguely recall him, and as I have had him vividly described, was about five feet, ten inches in stature, was blue-eyed, rather stout, after passing middle life and weighing about 175 pounds.

"He was a man of no culture and possessed only the rudiments of an English education. He read but little and wrote less but was a practical surveyor and very keen and quick about arithmetical calculations. Possessed of an energy of the most indomitable kind, he was naturally restless When he was only a boy of 17, he ran away from home. . . returning home at the end of a year he settled to work on the farm in Georgia where his father then lived There was one form of speculation or trade with him, which amounted to passion, and to which he devoted the best energies of his life.

 

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This was the acquisition, buying or entering direct from the state of wild lands. Every spare dollar that he made he would invest in this way… He accumulated a fortune, which was large enough to make each of his 14 heirs comfortable… He was all his life a staunch and unshaken believer in the Christian religion but was never a zealous churchman, though a member of the Baptist denomination… His negroes of whom he had quite a number many of whom I have talked with, said he was the kindest of masters, exacting no heavy tasks and always keeping them well clothed and sheltered. He employed overseers but limited their right to punish very greatly.

Quoting David S. Greer, again, "My grandfather on my mother's side lived to be an old man. I remember him well. He died in Sumner County, Tennessee about the year 1815. His second wife, Elizabeth Jett, also lived to be a good old age. She died in Henry County, Tennessee on Spring Creek at her daughter's, Mrs. Jane Rodgers. She died about the year 1827." From a medical book which had been his grandfather Searcy's, he copied the latter, Reuben Searcy's birth date, June 22, 1729; his mother's birth date, October 29, 1780 (born of the marriage with Elizabeth Jett). In his two marriages, Reuben Searcy had eighteen children.

As Captain James Greer's official residence was still Marshall County, Miss. when he died in October 1851 his estate was administered there. In November 1851 his numerous slaves were divided among his children, James M. Greer, Henry Greer, Sally L. and husband, John McGowan; Robert S. Greer, David S. Greer, Elkanah Greer, Aquilla P. Greer, Mary and husband, William Finley; Martha and husband, John J. Worsham; Diannah and husband, William Camp; Susan and husband, William A. Woolridge; Ann and husband, William M. Hoskins; two granddaughters, Susan Payne and husband, William B. Spinks and Susan and husband, Abner Hopton. There was also distributed among them of the proceeds of the sales of his extensive personal and landed property. (Marshall Co., Miss.: Probate Book 8, pages 133-143; ibid. 9, page 24; Estate Packet 825)

Although Captain James Greer lived for a time in Sumner County, Tennessee, or so reported, his residence at the time of the 1820 U. S. census was Robertson County (page 26); he moved to Marshall County, Miss. in 1836. His son, David S. Greer, moved to the latter county early in 1837.

In James M. Greer's memoir, he wrote that Captain James Greer's father, James Greer was "a lieutenant or 'loftenant' as he always pronounced the word, on the American side during the Revolution of 1775"; that he moved from Bedford Co., Va. to Georgia, having come from Pennsylvania originally whence his own father, another James Greer, had come from northern Ireland.

The signature of David S. Greer, from a document of 1852:

 

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SARAH BUCY TRIGG born Pittsylvania Co., Va., 1798; married William Trigg in Caswell Co., No. Carolina, January 1, 1824; died February 12, 1881.

ANDREW LUCY LOVE born Livingston (now Crittenden) Co., Ky., July 30, 1821; died near his birthplace, November 4, 1880; married (1) Sallie Brentz; (2) Harriet Cromwell, April 12, 1848; nine children.

JOHN JEFFERSON JARROTT son of Thomas and Susannah Jarrott, born Goochland Co., Virginia, November 27, 1798; moved with family to Rutherford Co., Tenn., in 18O6, where he ever afterwards lived; married Martha A. Manor, November 20, 1823; joined the Methodist Church in 1830; died January 27, 1881; twelve children.

AMELIA CHIPLEY, nee Stout, born Lexington, Ky., February 1790; died Covington, Ga., February 1881; married Stephen Chipley, 1806, of Lexington, Ky.

SARAH C. NUNN RANDOLPH born Orange Co., No. Carolina, November 22, 1805; moved with family to Henderson Co., Ky. at the age of 4 years; joined Cumberland Presbyterian Church; married Enoch F. Randolph, September 1, 1825; joined the Methodist Church in 1840; died February 4, 1881.

REBECCA SMITH wife of Robert Smith, daughter of G. A. and Nancy Jinkins, born No. Carolina, August 29, 1812; died January 4, 1881 of dropsy; eleven children.

Mrs. NANCY C. WILLIAMS born Jefferson Co., Ky., 1810; married John Williams; died January 17, 1881.

 

April 12, 1881

LOUIS HAZLETON BASCOM born Cattaraugus Co., New York, August 13, 1811; son of Alphence and Hannah Bascom; at 6 months moved with family to Brown Co., Ohio; graduated at age 18 years from Augusta College, Kentucky; graduate of Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio; married Annie M. Rucker, granddaughter of Major Elliott Rucker, veteran of the Revolutionary War; eleven children; he stood 6'2" in height; moved to San Jose, California in December 1849; settled on a farm, "Somerville Lodge" in Santa Clara County, California where he died February 22, 1881.

ELIZABETH MEADOR born Macon Co., Tenn., October 7, 1818; married Burrel Meador, August 22, 1848; died Todd Co., Ky., March 1, 1881; four children.

A. K. LARVING born December 18, 1812; died Winchester, Tenn., Feb. 12, 1881.

THOMAS J. GRESHAM born Adair Co., Ky., November 15, 1815; died in same county, February 15, 1881; a widower; eleven children.

JOHN S. DAVIS born Smith Co., Tenn., May 20, 1818; died Denton Co., Texas, July 7, 188O; married (1) Nancy A. Smith in 1847, three children; (2) Mary Bradley in 1852, eleven children.

WILLIAM BERRY died Fayette Co., Ala., February 6, 1881 aged 80 years.

LUCRETIA CASTLEBERRY FAUGHT born in Alabama, 1812; died Giles Co., Tenn., January 10, 1881; a widow.

MARY ANN ELIZABETH GREEN wife of the Rev. A. L. P. Green, born Nashville, Tenn., September 12, 1817; died March 2O, 1881; only daughter of John and Ann T. El1ison; father was a jeweler.

THOMAS CARLYLE, famous English author, born Dumfrieshire, Scotland, 1795; died February 5, 1881.

 

April 19, 1881

THOMAS J. COBB born Lyon Co., Ky., September 2, 1826; joined Methodist Church in 1846; died February 22, 1881.

 

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YANCEY MOORE, 1799-1881:
Yancey Moore, one of the oldest and best men of our community, has been called from "the walks of men" to "the rest that remaineth to the people of God." He was born in Person county, N. C., July 11, 1799. He professed religion in early life, and became a member of the Methodist Church, in which he lived a consistent member until death. He was an exemplary Christian, and exercised a wholesome Christian influence over his family. "Grandpa," as he was familiarly called, bore the burdens of life for more than four-score years. His last years, though in affliction, were spent in great religious enjoyment. He had suffered from paralysis for some years, so that his last years were spent in decrepitude and infirmity, but he was always patient, kind, and pleasant. The week before his death he called for his old Hymn-book, and as he read those old hymns, so familiar to those who sing the praises of God, he shed tears of joy—no doubt impressed that soon he would join the songs above. His sufferings were very great the last few days, and a few minutes past noon, March 4, 1881, he gently "fell on sleep," and now, no doubt, enjoys "the inheritance of the saints in light." The next day after his death we followed his remains to the family burying-ground near Trezevant, Tenn., where we laid his body to rest, to await the resurrection. He leaves a weeping companion and seven children to mourn the loss of a kind and devoted husband and a good Christian father. He also leaves a large number of grandchildren, in whose minds the memory of "Grandpa" will ever be a sacred treasure. May the grace of God comfort the bereaved wife in this her great affliction, and may the sorrowing children be encouraged to be more faithful, remembering that there are greater endearments in "Our Father’s house."

Jos. B. Sears
Trezevant, Tenn., March 8, 1881.

NOTE:
The tombstones of Yancey Moore (1799-1881) and several members of his family in their family burial ground near Atwood, Tennessee, were moved, leaving their remains in place, to the Benjamin Portius Moore (1848-1929) burial lot in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in McKenzie, Tennessee, about 1975. Because their inscriptions were missed in the excellent Carroll County, Tennessee cemetery publication (1981), they have been read by the writer and cited here:

YANCEY MOORE Born July 11, 1799 Died Mar. 4, 1881
Our father has gone to mansion of rest, from a region of sorrow and pain to the glorious land by the deity blest, where he never can suffer again.

GEORGE W. MOORE Born Oct. 24, 1839 Died Mar. 11, 1862
Aged 22 years, 4 months & 17 days
The sweet remembrance of the just shall cherish when they sleep.

MARY A., wife of YANCEY MOORE
Born Nov. 8, 1811 Died Nov. 6, 1848
Aged 36 years 11 months 28 days
Rest Mother rest in quiet sleep.

SUSAN A. wife of W. B. KENNON
Born Feb. 14, 1843 Died Dec. 3, 1874
Dear children, too, your mother kind must go and leave you here behind. May Jesus deign your souls to raise.

MARY P. daughter of Y. & M. E. Moore
Died Feb. 2, 1874 Aged 23 years & one month
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Y. BURNIE son of R. B. & L. J. MOORE
Died Oct. 3, 1873 Aged 2 years 5 days
Suffer little children to come unto me.

WILLIAM H. MOORE
Born Dec. 13, 1834 Died Nov. 21, 1860
Aged 25 years 11 months & 28 days
The Lord gave, the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

 

In the 1850 (September 10) U. S. Census, Civil District 2, Carroll County Tennessee, (page 21):

YANCY MOORE, aged 51, born N. C.; R. Y. MOORE, aged 19, born N. C.; RICHARD B. MOORE, aged 17; WILLIAM H. MOORE, aged 15; ELIZA J. MOORE, aged 13; JOHN B. MOORE, aged 11; GEORGE W. MOORE, aged 10; CHARLES W. MOORE, aged 8; SUSAN M. MOORE, aged 6; JAMES A. MOORE, aged 4; MARY P. /Penelope/ MOORE, aged 3; MARTHA M00RE, aged 2; BENJAMIN P. /Portius/ MOORE, aged 1. (All the youth were born in Tennessee except R. Y. Moore and his sister, Sarah who was already married and they were born in North Carolina.)

In November 1884 the Carroll County Quarterly Court ordered the 255 acres remaining in Yancey Moore's estate to be sold. His heirs were given as widow, Catherine Moore, who had been awarded a dower previously. /As

 

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Catherine Martin she married Yancey Moore in December 1850./ Children: John Bailey Moore /died 1912/; Robert Y. Moore, Charles W. Moore; Sarah A. Moore, wife of B. F. Jones /married September 1847/; Eliza J. Moore, wife of A. E. Carter /married November 1855; Susan A. Moore, wife of W. B. Kennon /married September 1866/, who was deceased, leaving Lula and Emma Kennon, daughters; Martha Moore, wife of W. T. Baird. who was deceased, leaving children Lester and Ora Baird; Richard Baxter Moore, whose children were John and Bennie Moore. (See Carroll County Quarterly Court Minute Book 2, pages 302-306; 509-510.)

Mary Ann Moore, wife of Yancey Moore. was the third child of Richard Wade (May 6. 1782-February 1, 1842) and Sarah (Chappell) Wade (April 18, 1775- April 23, 1874) of Halifax County, Virginia, who were married September 4, 1806. A GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE CHAPPELL, DICKIE AND OTHER KINDRED FAMILIES, by Phil E. Chappell, 1900, page 292:

3. Mary A. Wade was born November 8, 1810, and married Yancy Moore, December 20, 1827. They removed to Carroll County, Tennessee, in 1833, where she died November 6, 1848. Her husband died March 4, 1881. Issue:

I. Sarah A., b. July 10, 1829, m. B. F. Jones. Issue: Eleven.

II. Robert Yancy, b. May 2, 1831, m. Sarah E. Shepard. Issue: Twelve.

III. Richard B., b. January 11, 1833, m. Lou J. Goodwin. Issue: Four. Died October 3, 1883.

IV. William H., b. December 13, 1834, d. November 21, 1860.

V. Eliza J., b. October 13, 1836, m. A. E. Carter. Issue: Five.

VI. John Bailey, b. October 20, 1838, m. Louisa D. Yancy (widow), Issue: Five. Was an officer in the C. S. A. and lost a leg at the battle of Peach Tree, Ga.

VII. George Wade, b. October 24, 1839, d. March 11, 1862.

VIII. Chas. W., b. August 20, 1841. m. twice—(1) Fanny Fonville, Issue: Two. (2) Allie Tansil. Issue: Three sons.

IX. Susan A., b. February 14. 1843, m. W. B. Cannon, /Kennon/ Issue: Three. Died December 31, 1874.

X. James Albert, b. July 20, 1844. Killed in C. S. A., December 17, 1864.

XI. Mary P., b. March 2, 1846, d. February 1873.

XII. Martha F., b. August 16, 1847, m. W. T. Baird. Issue: Three. Died May 10, 1880.

XIII. Benjamin P., b. October 29. 1848, m. twice—(1) Sarah E. Dinwiddie, October 15, 1883. Issue: Two daughters. His wife died September 6, 1889. On August 6, 1896, he married, secondly, Lula Douglass. Issue: One.

 

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A snapshot of Yancey Moore's tombstone, below, whose estate papers show that it cost $25. (Carroll County, Tenn. Estate Settlements Book, 1880- 1901, page 141)

ANN SMITH daughter of Richard Riley, born north Alabama, February 2, 1810; married (1) Dempsey Fields; (2) Hugh Henry; (3) Brooks Smith; died January 21, 1882; two children: Mr. Pat Henry and Mrs. Capt. Smith.

PHEBE PITTMAN born Rockingham Co., No. Carolina, May 27, 1806; married Samuel C. Flowers in 1831; moved to Ky. 1836; died at residence of son, James S. Flowers, Logan Co., Ky., February 28, 1881.

Tribute of Respect for L. H. SADLER who died January 25, 1881 aged 60 years; by fellow free-masons, Tuscumbia Chapter #10, Tuscumbia, Alabama; dated March 14, 1881.

The Rev. E. L. JONES born Warren Co., No. Carolina, March 9, 1811; moved to Bedford Co., Tenn. in 1837; licensed to preach in Methodist Church in 1843/44 and served as a local preacher; died Lincoln Co., Tenn., Feb. 5, 1881.

DANIEL HUGHES born near Bardstown, Ky., February 28, 1820; married M. W. McClanahan, March 20, 1845; died January 11, 1881.

WILLIAM T. SPICER born in Tenn., April 22, 1825; moved to Hickman Co., Ky. where he died February 9, 1881; married (1) Orilla Blackman in 1849; (2) Ellen Madigan (died 1867) in 1862. The first wife died in 1860. (3) Gabrella Beasley; had thirteen children, five surviving him.

ADELINE B. WATERS wife of the Rev. Daniel Waters, born December 25, 1822; married July 11, 1844; died January 6, 1881; ten children. Waterloo, Alabama.

NANCY HOLT, a colored lady living in Lynchburg, Virginia, born in Powhatan Co., Va. in 1767; had her "second sight.

 

April 16, 1881

JOHN BELCHER born White Co., Tenn., February 25, 1797; died Jefferson Co., Ala., February 12, 1881; moved to Ala. in 1818; joined Methodist Church on October 22, 1822.

WILLIAM HADLEY KELL son of Thomas and Lydia Kell, born April 15, 1828; married (1) Martha Hicks in his 27th year; (2) Sarah Ann Walker, February 15, 1859; he died recently.

Tribute of Respect for JAMES M. SIZEMORE, born in Virginia, December 30, 1802; died Humphreys Co., Tenn., December 29, 1880; by Second Quarterly Conference, Waverly, Tenn.; undated.

SOLOMON N. YAGER born Washington Co., Tenn., January 29, 1807; died Benton Co., Mo., February 24, 1881; nine children.

EDMOND T. GAINES died Tuscaloosa Co., Ala., February 4, 1881 aged 69 years.

SARAH H. BENNETT born DeKalb Co., Tenn., May 26, 1817; married Harrison Bennett in 1830; died Randolph Co., Ark., 1879; mother of sixteen children, ten surviving her.

ELIZABETH TARPLEY, nee Preston, born Halifax Co., Va., October 1, 1820; married Thomas O. Tarpley, November 30, 1842; moved to Robertson Co., Tenn. in 1850 where she died November 27, 1880.

ROBERT C. "Uncle Bob" CALDWELL died Grundy Co., Tenn., Feb. 26, 1881 aged 81 years.

 

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Apri1 23, 1881

HOSEA L. BROYLES died White Co., Tenn., March 15, 1881 aged 57 years; native of Monroe Co., Tenn.; married (1) Sarah Stephens in 1849, a son; (2) E1izabeth Sperry, January 4, 1857, two sons.

WILLIAM H. CRAIG born Maury Co., Tenn., September 19, 1816; died Crockett Co., Tenn., March 10, 1881; married (1) Martha Ann Adams (died October 23, 1858), August 13, 1845:(2) Mary J. Ca1dwe11, October 13, 1859, nine children.

The Rev. LOYD RICHARDSON born Chatham Co., No. Caro1ina, July 6, 1799; died near Trenton, Tenn., February 24, 1881; licensed to preach in Methodist Church in May 1835 and served in the Tennessee Methodist Conference.

NANCY H. CROZIER, nee Oliver, born in Tenn., about 1817; married Hugh G. Crozier about 1834/35; died Sardis, Miss., March 14, 1881 at residence of son, R. H. Crozier, a Presbyterian preacher.

WILLIAM LARGENT born August 19, 1816; died Stewart Co., Tenn., Feb. 11, 1881.

Mrs. MARY ALEXANDER died Ft. Smith, Arkansas, February 10, 1881 aged 71 years, of pneumonia.

SUSANNAH ISON born February 13, 1794; died January 28, 1881. Garrard Co., Ky.

DAVID CALDWELL born Sumner Co., Tenn., September 24, 1816; died Allen Co., Ky., March 18, 1881.

SARAH L. WELLS wife of the Rev. J. M. Wells, daughter of John and Ann Burns, born Maury Co., Tenn., Ju1y 4, 1808; moved to Hardeman Co., Tenn. in 1835; married January 14, 1830; joined Methodist Church in 1840; moved to Prentiss Co., Ark. in 1858 where she died January 31, 1881. (Obituary repeated in May 28, 1881 issue)

ELIZABETH KEITH born in No. Carolina, August 9, 1808; moved to Tenn. in 1820; married Martin H. Keith, January 11, 1831 and moved to Ala. in 1832, to Clark Co., Ala. in 1871 where she died November 8, 1880.

RHODA J. WATKINS wife of W. C. Crawford, born January 11, 1818; married in her 17th year of age; died February 23, 1881.

MORDECAI OLIVER born Essex Co., Va., April 13, 1797; moved to Limestone Co., Ala. in January 1845; died March 18, 1881.

ELIZA J. CRAMOND born August 2, 1816; died March 10, 1881. Hawesville, Ky.

 

April 30, 1881

The Rev. MICHAEL T. BERRY born in So. Carolina, August 19, 1801; joined Tenn. Conference as Methodist preacher in November 1824; died Dickson Co., Tenn., Dec. 13, 1880 leaving a widow and ten children.

ALLEN LOVE WILLIAMS born near Lunenburg Court-house, Virginia, April 18, 1818; married Sarah C. Fitzgerald of Nottoway Co., Va., June 18, 1844; moved to Panola Co., Miss. in 1850 where he died March 13, 1881; a passenger on the il1-fated steamer, "A. M. Johnson" that was destroyed by explosion, December 29, 1847 in which many lives were lost; he was seriously injured but had survived.

Major JOHN H. KEITH born Mason Co., Ky., August 10, 1810; died Feb. 11, 1881; member of a large "Scotch" family; son of Thomas Keith, pioneer of Mason County; burial in Maysville, Ky. cemetery.

NANCY PATTON wife of Newton W. Patton, born County Antrim, Ireland, Dec. 4, 1801; married July 3, 1822; moved to U. S. with parents to Spartanburgh Dist. SO. Carolina with parents; moved to Lauderdale Co., Ala. in 1839; joined Methodist Church in 1842; died Colbert Co., Ala., February 5, 1881.

 

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Dr. T. L. BRYAN born in Tenn., November 1, 1811; married Mary Marshall, January 19, 1854; died Nashville, Tenn., March 19, 1881.

 

May 7, 1881

JANE LOY born in east Tenn., January 2, 1818; married to Michael Loy in 1841; died Adair Co., Ky., December 8, 1879.

SUSAN THOMPSON, nee Smith, born in Virginia, September 30, 1796; joined Methodist Church in 1819; died March 27, 1881; nine children and a numerous descendancy.

Colonel A. A. MOSS died Mocksville, No. Caro1ina, December 28, 1880 in his 62nd year of age.

NANCY TAYLOR born March 2, 1804; died Wilson Co., Tenn., March 22, 1881.

NANCY C. WEATHERS daughter of James and Sarah Kirkland, born Shelby Co., Ala., August 14, 1822; married Allen J. Weathers, July 2, 1840; died March 11, 1881.

JAMES MONROE CONDITT born January 15, 1819; married Mary Trousdale, Feb. 28, 1847; died September 22, 1880. Smith Co., Tennessee.

SARAH LOUVISA WILKINS wife of Capt. M. F. Wilkins, daughter of Colonel James and Eliza Jefferies of Union Dist., So. Carolina; born October 30, 1826; married March 26, 1846; moved to Miss. in February 1847; died Feb. 20, 1881.

WILLIAM H. SMITHERMAN born Maury Co., Tenn., December 28, 1818; died Fayette Co., Alabama, March 15, 1881.

R. B. ROBERTS born Trigg Co., Ky., March 28, 1815; died Stewart Co., Tenn., April 20, 1880.

ELIZA JANE WILEY wife of Elisha Wiley, born Miss., November 25, 1825; died Crawford Co., Ark., February 26, 1881.

MICHAEL LONG born No. Carolina, June 1820; died Adair Co., Ky., May 5, 1879.

WILLIAM H. EDWARDS born Green Co., Ky., May 16, 1806; married September 27, 1829 to Ann West and moved to Lewis Co., Mo.; died Feb. 1881; had an uncle, Jonathan Hobson.

 

May 14, 1881

Mrs. LOUISA G. ALLAN, foster-mother of Edgar Allan Poe, died in Richmond, recently; married John Allan in 1833.

MARTHA AMIS, nee Wilkerson, born in Virginia, January 27, 1805; died March 7, 1881; daughter of Thomas and Polly Wilkerson; married John Amis, August 4, 1833; mother of eight children.

SUSAN BRYANT wife of John W. Bryant, born in Georgia, June 3, 1806; married December 31, 1840; died Chattanooga, Tenn., January 24, 1881.

 

May 21, 1881

The Rev. WILEY B. SNELL born Orange Co., No. Carolina, April 1798; died Bedford Co., Tenn., January 18, 1881; local Methodist preacher and member of Pisgah Methodist Church.

NANCY T. NORRIS born Fauquier Co., Va., July 7, 1786; moved to Davidson Co., Tenn. in childhood; married James Norris and lived in Smith Co., Tenn.; died April 2, 1881; survived by children W. Norris and Mrs. Eliza Reeves; joined Methodist Church on August 24, 1878.

WILLIAM HENRY DOWNING born in No. Carolina, June 30, 1782; died Rutherford Co., Tenn., April 13, 1881; veteran of War of 1812.

 

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Colonel WILLIAM J. PARKS born in Georgia. August 8, 1808; died April 12, 1881; his father died in 1818; moved to Johnson Co., Ark. in 1827; married Hannah Stokes in 1830; children, Robert P., John, Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Cavness; served in legislature representing Yell Co., Ark. in 1842, 1844 and 1848; joined Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1850; became a master mason in 1840; joined Methodist Church in 1866.

Colonel ELISHA B. HITT born Bourbon Co., Ky., September 24, 1808; died near Jacksonville, Illinois, April 17, 1881; married Sarah Parker; father of nine children; moved to Scott Co., Ill. in 1835 and to Morgan Co., Ill. in 1867.

MARGARET A. ROBERTS. nee Bone, born Wilson Co., Tenn., April 1, 1822; died Coffee Co., Tenn., March 31, 1881; married (1) William Stroud, a Baptist preacher; (2) Rev. George Roberts, July 1, 1847.

Captain J. SCURLOCK born in Ky., February 2, 1797; died Dongola, Illinois, March 5, 1881; veteran of the War of 1812 and of Seminole "war" in 1836; married (1) Martha Hannah Arnold, seven sons, one daughter; (2) Miss Binum, four children.

The Rev. J. W. COTTON son of Aven Cotton, born Chatham Co., No. Carolina, October 1, 1828; died in same county, March 18, 1881; married Crisa J. Ansley, January 1, 1854; eight children.

PARTHENIA M. MIMMS, nee Kimbrough, born Albemarle Co., Va., December 28, 1818; died Todd Co., Ky., April 3, 1881; married William T. Mimms (died April 18, 1861), July 22, 1835.

ARMSTEAD CARTER son of Thomas and Lourany Carter, born November 25, 1825; married Louisa J. Speer, January 12, 1854 (she died August 4, 1878); eight children; died Cumberland Co., Ky., December 18, 1880.

RICHARD ARTHUR CROMWELL born Jefferson Co., Va., December 2, 1801; died Webster Co., Ky., July 10, 1881; raised by the uncle for whom he was named; married Rachel Myers in 1829; moved from Va. to Ohio and thence to Union Co., Ky.

 

May 28, 1881

Hon. THOMAS J. DRURY born Meade Co., Ky., October 20, 1826; died near Bewleyville, Ky., June 20, 1880; son of James and N. Willa Drury; represented Breckinridge Co., Ky. in state legislature in 1877; husband and father.

JOHN B. HERD born January 30, 1826; died White Co., Tenn., March 12, 1881; four children.

MARIA B. DAVIS daughter of Elim and Mary Tanner, born in Virginia, April 2, 1805; married Thomas R. Davis, Rockingham Co., Va., November 5, 1830; moved to Hickman Co., Ky. in 1844; died April 26, 1881.

CAROLINE P. TAYLOR daughter of Claiborne and Eliza Duval, born Richmond, Va., July 11, 1791; died Simpson Co., Ky., April 9, 1881; married (1) John Price (died November 25, 1815), October 15, 1812, two children; (2) Thomas W. Taylor (died January 5, 1847), May 27, 1824, four children.

CORDELIA DAYTON, nee Blaine, born Delaware Co., Ohio, June 20, 1828; married John W. Dayton, July 14, 1858 and moved to Hartsville, Tenn.; died April 13, 1881.

RHODA INGLISH GEORGE born April 10, 1804; married July 6, 1820; died March 12, 1881.

WILLIAM S. WHITESIDES born Sumner Co., Tenn., May 25, 1820; died Feb. 18, 1881 in same county in which he was born; married (1) a daughter of Rev. J. H. Henry; (2) daughter of Rev. John Parker.

Mrs. SARAH SOYARS, nee Coffman, born August 2, 1808; died May 7, 1881.

 

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MARY LAWLER, nee Thompson, born Brunswick Co., Va., August 5, 1824; moved to Alabama when young; married (1) S. O. Nichols, May 15, 1855; (2) John Lawler, August 3, 1863; died April 11, 1881.

SAMUEL SPROTT son of Blythe and Rachel Sprott, born Williamson Co., Tenn., August 19, 1812; died Maury Co., Tenn., March 21, 1881; married Mary Jones, February 23, 1843; two sons.

MARY M. JENKINS daughter of William and Rhody Richardson, wife of the Rev. George Jenkins, born November 1823; married in 1847; died April 7, 1881; had several children.

"Grandma" GOBER born in Georgia, December 2, 1797; married Daniel Gober, Dec. 22, 1814; died Drew Co., Ark., February 16, 1881; her granddaughter, S. Cornelia Lewis, Macon, Tenn. submitted the notice of her death.

PARTHENIA POAG died Madisonville, Ky., May 3, 1881; born in So. Carol1na, June 1798; moved with parents to Muhlenburg Co., Ky. in 1811.

JANE F. DEAN, nee Tilley, born So. Carolina, 1830imoved with parents to DeKalb Co., Ga.; married B. L. Dean in 1855 and moved to Ala. in 1856; died April 17, 1881.

JINCEY W. LOVEL widow of Charles G. Lovel, born on Harpeth River, Davidson Co., Tenn., May 26, 1819; died Cheatham Co., Tenn., April 12, 1881.

 

June 4, 1881

JUDITH WILKES daughter of Edmond and Rhoda Harris, born in Virginia, November 10, 1791; died Pulaski, Tenn., April 20, 1881; moved to Maury Co., Tenn. in 1807, among its first settlers; married the Rev. A. L. Wilkes, December 16, l819; ten children. Her husband, a Virginian, died in December 1867.

D. A. GLOVER died April 30, 1881 aged 51 years at residence of son-in-law, Nathan Myers, Cass Co., Texas.

NICY BRAMLETTE died in Obion Co., Tenn., May 13, 1881 aged nearly 70 years. Jackson, Tennessee.

The Rev. SIMON P. WHITTEN, 1822-1881:
Simon Peter Whitten was born in Newberry District, S. C., June 7, 1822. His father, Mason Whitten, and his mother, Nancy Hair, were both natives of the same district. When in his third year his father moved to North Alabama, and settled near Florence. Three years afterward the family moved across into Tennessee, and settled in Wayne county. He professed religion, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, April 15, 1839; was licensed to preach, August, 1841. He was married to Nancy Hays, Aug. 28, 1842. She died Dec. 1, 1843. In October, 1841, he was received into the Tennessee Conference, and appointed to the Lincoln Circuit, which had twenty six preaching places, covering the ground now (1881) occupied by two stations and three or four circuits. Joseph Smith was his colleague. Quarterage receipts, $60 25. In 1845 he traveled Marshall Circuits, in Alabama, with Joseph Turrentine, Quarterage received $59 70. First two years, all told, $119.95. In 1846 he traveled Lawrence African Mission, also in Alabama—had twenty appointments in three weeks. Quarterage and traveling expenses paid by the pastors in full, but owing to some arrangement, he never exactly understood, Conference took it all from him except $100. This was the last year he failed to receive his full disciplinary allowance. He went to the Limestone Circuit, in Alabama, in 1847, with Dawson Phelps. In 1848 he was ordained elder by Bishop Paine (having been ordained deacon by Bishop Andrew in 1846), and stationed in Shelbyville, Tenn. In 1849 and 1850, stationed in Tuscumbia, Ala. In 1851 and 1852, stationed in Franklin, Tenn. In 1853, stationed at Hobson Chapel, Edgefield, Tenn. In 1854, stationed again in Shelbyville, Tenn. In 1855, Agent for the Tennessee Conference Tract Society. In 1856, stationed at Andrew Church, Nashville, Tenn. In 1858, stationed in McMinnville, Tenn. In 1859, stationed at Andrew church, Nashville, Tenn., again. In 1860, stationed at Spring Hill, Tenn. In 1861, presiding elder of Centerville District, and returned in 1862, where he remained until 1865, no sessions of the Conference being held for 1863 and 1864 in consequence of the war. This district embraced Forts Henry and Donelson, and was early the scene of war, and most of it was overrun backward and forward by the contending armies, and was especially the scene of many dashing raids and bold partisan warfare. But the presiding elder, feeling that there was the greater need for the Church to be taken care of, remained in his district, filling every appointment except two Saturday appointments. Most of the preachers remained with him, and local preachers were employed to take the places of the few who left, so that there was regular preaching at all the churches during all the war. The preachers and official members were called together each year about the time the Annual Conference should have met, and the work was readjusted, and such changes made as seemed to be necessary, never keeping any man in any charge longer than the disciplinary term. At these meetings the statistics were reported and recorded, the Conference and missionary collections received and disbursed, appropriations made for the next year, and every part of the Annual Conference work which could be done was attended to, including the preparation and record of memoirs of deceased ministers. Thus the organization of the district, etc. was kept up. In 1865 he was stationed in Huntsville, Ala., and on the 5th of November was married to Mary Williams, of Stewart County, Tenn. In 1866 he was appointed and reappointed Agent of the American Bible Society for West Tennessee and North Mississippi. In April 1876 he resigned his position as Bible Agent, and in the fall of the same year returned to the regular work of the itinerancy, with which he had never severed his connection. When Conference met at Columbia, in 1876, he was sent to the Mt. Pleasant Circuit, where he served four years. In 1880 he was sent to the Alexandria Circuit, where, after serving his people faithfully for near six months, on the morning of the 19th of May he peacefully laid aside the cross for the crown.

The foregoing is a brief outline of the life and labors of the Rev. S. P. Whitten, one of the most honored and beloved members of the Tennessee Conference. His death was very sudden. He was in usual health, and after eating dinner he sat down and had a pleasant and cheerful conversation with his family, and proposed to ride to his recording stewards to procure facts preparatory to his District Conference. Stepping out of the parsonage to make ready for his ride he was suddenly stricken with paralysis, and was brought back to the house, lingered thirty-six hours, and without speaking a word, fell asleep in Christ.

Brother Whitten was of medium size, compactly built, and usually enjoyed comfortable health. He had a sound mind, which he carefully cultivated by reading and study. He was an able minister of the New Testament and a genuine Methodist preacher. His life was consistent and his example worthy of imitation. He administered the affairs of the Church with prudence and marked ability. As circuit preacher, missionary, stationed preacher, presiding elder, and Bible agent, he did his work with system, zeal, ability, and success. He was a delegate to the general Conference in 1870, and honored his Conference in that relation.

He belonged to a large family of Methodists, several of whom were and are honored Methodist preachers. Brother Whitten was a member of my family for twelve months while filling Hobson Chapel, and was a discreet, amiable Christian gentleman in private life. He has left a widow in feeble health, who rejoices in hope of joining him soon in the glory land, and two children, who esteem it an honor to be the descendents of a parent so worthy.

The members of the Tennessee Conference and thousands will receive the tidings of his death with great sorrow.

A good man, a faithful minister, and a loving friend. We mourn his departure, but he died in Christ.

J. B. M. Ferrin

 

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June 11, 1881

WILLIAM LEWIS born Ashe Co., No. Carolina, November 12, 1797; moved to Ky. with his parents at the age of 8 years; he had thirteen children; moved to Oregon in 1853; died aged 83 years and 4 months.

NANCY MALONE NORTH born Prince Edward Co., Virginia, August 17, 1800; joined Methodist Church in 1838; married John E. Hoskins, February 3, 1824; died October 19, 1880.

MARY McKISSIC, nee Burrow, born Wilkes Co., Georgia, February 23, 1797; married William McKissic, Jones Co., Ga., in 1817; moved to Pike Co., Ga. and in 1830 moved to Meriwether Co., Ga. where he died August 19, 1847; she moved to Coweta Co., Ga. where she lived until 1866 when she moved to Columbia Co., Ark. where she died December 31, 1880.

Captain STEPHEN P. DOSS born in Georgia, September 15, 1789; died Pickens Co., Ala., April 25, 1881, where he had lived since 1818; his parents moved to Livingston Co., Ky. where he grew up; fought in the War of 1812 and drew a pension for his military services; married Elizabeth J. Miles, granddaughter of Gen. Lacey of the Revolutionary Army, in 1818; she died November 12, 1874 in her 71st year, leaving seven sons, one daughter; all the sons having served in the Confederate Army, all of whom survived the war.

 

June 18, 1881

Captain JOHN LYTLE born November 1, 1826; died Rutherford Co., Tenn., April 15, 1881; burial in Murfreesboro, Tenn.; son of Major John Lytle and had a brother, Colonel Eph. Lytle and two half-sisters; married Helen Jane King, daughter of Colonel James and Martha King, April 7, 1847; long a J. P.

MARY BRUCKNER widow of Charles F. Bruckner, born in West Virginia, August 15, 1802; joined Methodist Church in 1826; died in Atlanta, Ga., April 26, 1881.

 

June 25, 1881

JOHN A. PIRTLE born in Tenn., February 23, 1810; married Mary B. Champion, August 24, 1881; died in Graves Co., Ky., recently.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS son of William and Frances Williams, born Breckinridge Co., Ky., June 24, 1818; died Hancock Co., Ky., May 13, 1881; married Mary Ann Chambers.

ALEXANDER KLAPP born Guilford Co., No. Carolina, July 1, 1814; married (1) Amelia Roberson (died September 2, 1850), January 26, 1836; (2) Manerniell /sic/ M. Hill in 1851; died May 12, 1881.

JAMES A. McGEE born June 4, 1829; died January 19, 1881.

 

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