Marcus and Jane Lindsey

1787-1833

By Helen Bradley Lindsey of Newport
From the Kentucky State Historical Society Vol. 26 No. 77 May 1928
 

Marcus Lindsey was born December 26, 1787 in Ireland to Thomas Lindsay and Rebecca Harris.  He married Jane Thomas Hardin, a widow 16 Apr 1817.

Children of Marcus Lindsey and Jane Thomas Hardin

1. Sarah Lindsey-born 1819 in Kentucky; m-Fletcher Wilson 7 Apr 1852 in Marion Co Ky.
2. Catherine Hardin Lindsey born 1821 in Kentucky; d-15 Oct 1902; m-Fletcher Wilson 23 Sep 1863 in Marion Co Ky.
3. Son Lindsey-born and died 1823
4. Emily Lindsey-born 1825
5. Son Lindsey-born and died 1827
6. Daughter Lindsey-born and died 1829
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Children of Sarah Lindsey and Fletcher Wilson

1. Marcus Lindsey Wilson b-1853 in Marion Co
2. William L Wilson b-1854 in Marion Co

Among the names of prominent men in the Methodist Ministry, in the early days of Kentucky, that of Marcus Lindsey ranks high. He came to America with his _.parents when about two years old. Favored with educational facilities, enjoyed by few young men of his day, with a great mind, he, in accord with the wishes of his family, and the desires of his own heart, studied for the Bar.  About the time he was prepared for the legal profession, he was converted and joined the Ministry. Reared in the lap of plenty, he knew the hardships that would be his lot, but he did not hesitate. At the Conference of 1810 he was appointed to the Hartford Circuit; in 1812 the Little Sandy Circuit; 1813 and 1814 found him serving the Lord in Union Circuit, Ohio, and later in Marietta.

In 1817 he was made Presiding Elder and served, as such, until his death. He was five years on the Salt River district, three on the Green River district, four on the Kentucky, one on the Ohio, and three on the Cumberland district. His career was brilliant, his person commanding, his manners prepossessing, his voice strong and full, and familiar with all the doctrines of the Church, he wielded a mighty influence wherever he went.  He was a fine singer, a splendid pulpit orator, an executive officer of high rank. He was a mighty force; a strong doctrinal preacher."

In 1832 Marcus Lindsey was appointed to the Shelbyville, Ky., charge; cholera had made its appearance in Kentucky, that year, and he was impressed with the idea that he would be a victim. In the month of February, 1832, he wrote with a firm strong hand, "I shall die of cholera in the summer or fall of 1833," and signed his name. This was plainly visible on the door casing of his bed-room a few years ago, and his daughter, Catherine L. Wilson is the authority.

Fifty years after his death, his last sermon was well remembered by many Shelbyville people. Cholera had reached his home in Washington County, his friends and neighbors were dying, "duty and affection call me home; my neighbors are dying with no one to offer them the consolations of religion, or to speak words of comfort to the bereaved and sorrowing."  "I may see you no more and I think I will not; but I commend you to God, and bid you farewell."

An angel of mercy, he halted not, by day or by night, visiting the sick, praying with the dying until the dread disease laid hold of the Lord's anointed, and Marcus Lindsey passed to his reward.  He died July 27, 1833 at his home in Washington County, Kentucky.

He sleeps in a beautiful grove near Thomas' Meeting House about six miles from Lebanon, Marion County, Ky. This is the inscription on his tombstone:

Sacred to the Memory of
The Rev Marcus Lindsey
Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church
He filled that office twenty-three years
with dignity.
He died a most triumphant death
July 27, 1833
Aged 45 years, 7 months, 1 day