GILLASPY, Elizabeth (Burgett)

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OBITUARY.

Mrs. Elizabeth Gillaspy was born Nov. 9, 1842, and died June 23, 1899, aged 56 years, 7 months and 14 days. She was married to Amos Gillaspy March 15, 1860, and to that union was added, viz: Mahala E., Mary S., Nancy C., Clara, Viola A., George, Edward A., and Eva M.

Mrs. Gillaspy was the oldest child of Valentine and Nancy Burgett, who were among the first settlers of Nineveh township. To their union was added Elizabeth, Aaron, Hannah, Rebecca, James, William and Perry. Her mother, Nancy Burgett, aged 78, is still living, an aged and honored citizen of Tra­falgar. Her brothers and sisters who survive her are Aaron Burgett of Hens­ley township, Mrs. Hannah Nay, wife of James Nay, of Nineveh township; Mrs. Rebecca Slack, wife of C. E. Slack, of Trafalgar, Jas. Burgett, of Nineveh township, and the following children: Mrs. Clara Moore, wife of Sam Moore, of Hensley township, Viola A., Edward A. and Mrs. Eva M. Adams, of Morgan county. She has followed to their long resting homes, her father and brothers, Wm. and Perry, and of her children, Mahala, Mary and Nancy, when they were young and tender buds ready to bloom in beauty and loveliness.

George had grown to manhood and was a good son; had received a good education, taught school and was loved and respected by all for his worth. It was to the good mother a sorrow that followed her during life, but with pa­tience and Christian fortitude she lived with the fond hope of again meeting these loved ones in the better home.

Some 14 years ago her companion, who had helped to build the home and raise the children, sickened and died, leaving Mrs. Gillaspy and five children to mourn their loss. From the date of Mr. Gillaspy’s death until her own, did the loving mother and her two children, Viola and Edward, live together and were as a family, a unit in everything that makes a happy family. Miss Eva also was one of the family until she united a few years since with Willie Adams, and in their pleasant home not far away they were often with the family and a kindred love and affection caused them to be much together, and Clara and Mrs. Sam Moore and her family blending with the other families as close neighbors, they passed the hours, days, weeks, months and years in a life that was “Love one another,” until last November the mother was taken ill with la grippe and during the following eight months was closely confined to her bed until God called the spirit home to its everlasting rest. During her long sickness she murmured not. A loving smile, a gentle word and a hearty shake of hand greeted all alike, and up to a few weeks of death she talked to family and friends in interest of the children and a desire for the welfare of all. Her sufferings were great, but her will power and her hope in Him made her strong and happy ’till the last.

Mr. and Mrs. Gillaspy were members of the Christian church at Mt. Carmel, and during a long and happy life were they good and true members. The children too followed the parents into the vineyard and have proven them­selves worthy to wear the armor of the lowly Nazarene. As a neighbor, Mrs. Gillaspy was kind and obliging; as a wife she bore her part in building up home and toiling for the good of her children; as a Christian she helped to bear the burdens of others. She is missed irreparably by the dear children left in the lonely home; by her dear good mother, whose gray hairs show so plainly fruit ready for the cycle; by the brothers and sisters who fondly call back the days of youth when they rambled amid the forest trees and wild growth in their boyhood and girlhood days, to return to the pioneer home and sleep ’till next morning sweetly. She is now sleeping sweetly, but in the “home not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.”

She was followed to the silent ceme­tery at Lick Springs by a long pro­cession of relatives and friends. The funeral services were preached by Rev. Cross of Nineveh, in an able and beautiful discourse—one of the largest meetings that ever met at that church to pay the last respect to a departed citi­zen, all showing the great esteem and respect to one of the native citizens who had passed from labor to rest.   K.

Link to Elizabeth (Burgett) Gillaspy’s grave

Note: Elizabeth Gillaspy’s headstone records her birthdate as 9 Nov 1842.

Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry