19th Century Obituaries

Submitted By: Bettie S. Billingsley

                       A WELL KNOWN AND POPULAR CITIZEN OF STAFFORD DEAD

   Mr William F. Graves, a well known merchant and postmaster of Hartwood, Stafford county, died at his home on Monday evening of pneumonia, in the 60th year of his life.    His funeral took place from Hartwood Church Wednesday evening. The services were conducted by Rev. Charles Brooks, and the remains interred in the family burial ground near by. He was a gallant Confederate soldier, and a member of Co. C 30th Virginia Regiment. The deceased was a widower and leaves seven children.  (4-3-1895)

Submitted By: Bettie S. Billingsley

LUCY ANN WEST WINE
 
   Departed this life February 27 th, at her residence in Stafford
county, after a brief illness of three days. Mrs Lucy Ann Wine, consort
of Joseph Wine , in the 21st year of her age. In recording the death of this truly estimable
lady, we are forcibly reminded of the seeming truth of the sentiment, "Death
loves a shining mark."  By her uniform gentleness and amiability ,she won
the esteem and affection of all who knew her, and lastingly endeared
herself to those with whom she was more intimately connected.
   During her last moment, she appeared conscious of her approaching
dissolution, and so long as her voice was audible, she sang part of a
hymn,
 "The days are past and gone,
   The evening shades appear,
   Oh may we all remember well.
   The night of death draws near."
   Though called so unexpectedly from earth, stricken down in the midst
of life, and in the bloom of youth, yet it is a consoling refection to
her afflicted companion and friends to know that their lose, to her is
infinite gain, that she has but passed from earth, to her final reward in
the mansions of the blest.
"Blessed are the dear that die in the Lord for they rest from their
labors and their works do follow them."  ( 2-27-1854)

Submitted By: Bettie S. Billingsley

 DEATH OF AGED LADY

                     

Crest, Stafford County, Jan. 3, 1895
 
   Mrs. Alice West, consort of the late Walter West, died at the home of
Mr. William Snellings, near Mountain View, In Stafford county, Va., on the
31st day of December, 1894, in the 92 nd year of her age.
   She was a live and consistent member of Ramoth Baptist Church, being
one of the original twelve in the organization of the church.
   Her death was as peaceful as the calmest summer day-- the waters of
death's Jordan were unruffled and she passed to the other shore in the
life-boat of eternal safety, leaving behind one of the brightest
Christian example we have ever seen.
   Her funeral was feelingly and ably preached on the 2nd instant by her
pastor, Rev. A. T. Lynn, at Ramoth, after which her honored remains were
interred in the family cemetery where sleeps her kindred loved ones.
   She leaves behind her only one child -- Mrs. James Rose-- but a host of
friends, who , with the former, mourn that she has departed. Every one
who knew her loved and honored her, She was perhaps the oldest person in
the county.
   Her mental faculties were good up to the time of death. While we'll
never again see her face in this life, our lose is her priceless gain,
beginning, as it did, just as the old year's sun was sinking into the waves of oblivion,
throwing its sad but burnished rays upon the skirts of the New Year.
She, in her spirit, must have exclaimed, "O happy New Year. I'm in the
home of ineffable blessedness."
   May her kindred and friends emulate her beautiful example and meet her
where fare wells are never said and where the ties of friendship are
never cut asunder. ( 12-31-1894)           E.

 From the Fredericksburg Ledger December 5, 1871

                                  Death Notice of Alexander W. Blackburn

Submitted By: Helen Blackburn Flail

Alexander W. Blackburn, a Native of Stafford County, but at one time a resident of this place, died last Thursday*. He was for many years Fire Marshal in Philadelphia and was also well know in connection with the Police Detective Department. The “Star” says he was at one time an Apprentice to W. P. Cunningham, of this place, who was then conducting the tailoring business, and that he enlisted here when quite young and served through the Florida War.

 * Date of death November 30, 1871.