Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
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In reply to:
Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Theresa Berghoff 12/06/07
Theresa,
Thank you for your reply.Spencer and Mary buried in Locust Grove Cemetery were a part of my Stevens family of Wayne County.The Wayne County marriage records show that “Spencer Stevens Jr.” married Mary M. Snyder on September 13, 1865.Spencer was apparently the son of Sampson Stevens (1806-1888), who was a son of Spencer Stevens (1769-1839) and his wife Elizabeth.I say that Spencer was apparently Sampson’s son because the Spencer was raised by Sampson (he was recorded with Sampson in the 1850 and 1860 censuses), but Sampson married his wife Katherine Plessinger on March 22, 1846 in Union County, Indiana, while Spencer was born prior to this marriage, in 1837.Therefore, it appears that the Spencer whose tombstone is located in Locust Grove was either a son by a prior marriage, or was adopted by Sampson – I have not yet been able to determine which.I have also wondered why Spencer’s date of death was never filled in on the tombstone – it would seem to indicate he may have been buried somewhere else.Mary’s obituary (from a Union County newspaper) reads:
MEMOIR
Mary Melissa Snyder was born near Brownsville, Ind., June 28th 1847, and died at her home near Abington, Ind., on Tuesday evening, June 1st, 1915, aged 67 years, 11 months and 4 days.She grew to young womanhood near the home of her birthplace, and on September 30th, 1865 was united in marriage to Spencer Stevens, of Wayne county, Ind., and for nearly fifty years they have lived happily together sharing alike the trials, troubles, joys and blessings that time intermingled along the pathway of this earth life.This marriage was blest with eight children, two having preceded mother to the heaven of eternal rest.
The surviving children, all of whom are present today, are, John E., of Indianapolis; Richwood E., of Cincinnati; Rosella Meek, of Wayne county; O. W. of Lafayette; Mrs. Anna M. Stanley, of Cincinnati; and Chas C. Stevens, who resides near the family home.Mother Stevens enjoyed the association of her husband, the home and her family, and was devoted to their care and happiness.In her early life, she gave her heart to God and in her youth began to live a religious life, uniting with the Christian church of Brownsville, remaining a member of that organization until some twenty years ago, when she united with the M. E. church near her home at Wood’s Chapel, and continued a member until called by her master to membership in the church triumphant.Through all of her years she had lived close to God, and he directed her ways.
What greater eulogy can be spoken for her than that she was a good woman; that she has lived this earth life well; that she was true to God, to her family, home and friends, and that when the final summons came she was prepared to meet her God.
Then why do we mourn for dying friends,
Or shake at death’s alarm;
‘Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to his arms.
Are we not tending upward too,
As fast as time can move,
Not should we wish the hours more slow
To keep us from our Love.
Or why would we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb;
There once the flesh of Jesus lay
And he left a sweet perfume.
Let us remember that Mother Stevens has just gone on before us, and we shall soon meet her on the shores of a blessed immortality, when no good-byes are said and when no farewell tears are shed.May God’s choicest blessings rest upon the aged husband, who has the earnest sympathy of a large circle of friends in this hour of sadness and sore bereavement.Besides him there is left to mourn four sons, two daughters, one sister, Martha Snyder, one brother, O. E. Snyder, of Ladoga, Ind., together with a large number of other relatives, neighbors and friends.
The funeral service was held at the Locust Grove M. E. church on Thursday, at 2:00 o’clock, service being conducted by her paster, Rev. A. C. Porter.The service was attended by a very large crowd of former neighbors and friends.Internment was made in the cemetery near the church.
More Replies:
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Theresa Berghoff 12/09/07
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Aaron Stevens 12/10/07
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Theresa Berghoff 12/10/07
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Aaron Stevens 12/11/07
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Theresa Berghoff 12/11/07
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
Aaron Stevens 12/12/07
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana
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Re: Spencer & Elizabeth Stevens of Wayne County, Indiana