Obit for Joseph J. Lawrence
This was found in my Howell family bible.I do not if there is a connection. If this belongs to you, I can scan a copy and send it email.
Thanks,
Jackie Howell
Obituary
Died---At his residence in Nansemond County, Virginia, on the 7th ultimo, JOSEPH J. LAWRENCE, in the 65 th year of his age.
At the commencement of the present crisis, he was one of the first to offer his services in behalf of our beloved Country, not as a soldier,(for his experience in years would not permit him to do so,) but as a true patriot. He was always ready to do anything that would in any way add to the comfort of our dear soldiers; he was ready to grant a request so soon as made. A few hours previous to his death, he called his elder daughter(who was then preparing to return to her home in North Carolina,) to him, and insisted that she should not leave him so soon, but her attention was needed at home. He accompanied her to the carriage, where he pressed his fond lips to her cheek, and grasped her hand in his as he uttered the following sweet words," Good-bye, my daughter," but did she think this the last farewell; did she dream that her dear Pa, the very picture of health then, would, so soon, be called into another world? Ah! no, no, but alas! ere she had reached her destination, he was seized with a fit of apoplexy which caused his death. He leaves a devoted wife, eight children, ( four of which are very small;) and many friends, to mourn their loss. He has fought his last fight, the battle is over, and he now rests in peace.
Dear friend thou hast left us,
We our loss most deeply feel;
Yet 'tis God that hast bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
AMICUS.
Blackwater,VA., March 1864