U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
April 29, 1811 -- DIED -- On the 21st inst. at his residence in New-Kent (Vir) WILLIAM G. INGRAM, native of this Borough. -- This Gentleman, when he arrived at the age of maturity became possessed of an estate, which at once place him above want, without making him wealthy -- At an early age he entered into the mercantile business; but his career was not of long duration; for he was honest, liberal; and unsuspicious -- too honest to do anything which wore the semblance of trick; even tho he should gain thousands by it - to liberal to insist on a "scrupulous exactness in his own favour," and too unsuspecting to deny credit, to any, the meanest who should ask it of him -- with such qualities as these, it was impossible that his utmost exertions of attention and industry could save him from great losses and a considerable diminution of fortune, although it might save him from inevitable ruin -- his unsuspecting nature peculiarly befitted him for the operations of cupidity and avarice. And soon, too soon did "avarice mark him for her own!" his business went on swimmingly - every moment of the day was occupied in a necessary attention to his mercantile concerns -- his customers were numerous - his sales were rapid. But who were his customers? the greater part, those who had been prompted to deal with him by a benevolence of disposition, a desire to encourage new beginners, and the same benevolent disposition which had urged these honest sols to deal with him in the first instance, urged them afterwards to become bankrupts, and to pay their depts, with an oath. Thus it was that this most excellent young man was bro't down from a state of affluence and ease, to depend upon his personal exertions for the support of himself and his family.
Young Gentlemen, all who are about to engage in mercantile business, think well of the father of this truly estimable and honest man, and receive his history as an invaluable admonitory lesson. relatives of Mr. Ingram cease to mourn the loss of your kinsman, although he has not now the power to catch from you the sympathetic smile, or to mingle with yours, one thought of compassion at the recital of a stranger's woe, yet ought you to be consoled, you ought to rejoice that he is relieved from care, and removed far beyond the reach of those perplexities which continued to assail him during his peregrination on this earth -- that he died universally beloved, and that he carried with him an honest and unsullied heart.
April 29, 1811 - Died suddenly on Friday evening last, Mr. WILLIAM CLARKE, of this borough, Taylor.
May 10, 1811 - communicated: The death of MRS. PENELOPE SNOWDEN, wife of [first name not given] Snowden, Esq. of Camden County, N.C. has thrown a gloom over our neighbourhood, and every countenance is marked with sorrow - the shortness of her indisposition, and the suddenness of her death, afflicted the more severely, as an opportunity was not afforded to prepare their minds for such an event - surrounded by numerous relatives, all fondly and ardently attached to her; who should have deserved to live more anxiously than Mrs. S -- she did indeed desire to live; but she murmured not at the approach of death. She obeyed his summons with cheerfulness. "Mourn not my death, my husband, my children, or my friends, 'tis certain I am fast Approaching that awful moment which is to terminate any existence here, the Divinity wills our final separation, and his decrees are just and wise, therefore, do not weep." She could no longer articulate and her she paused, forever. Go sainted woman, to the abode of the blessed, whither thou art summoned, and receive the reward to which thy transcendent virtue gave thee claim.
May 24, 1816 - We were exceedingly shocked yesterday to hear of the bereavement sustained by our old friend, Colonel J. Richard Lewellen, and his amiable wife, in the person of little Bessie, the youngest child. It seems incredible to us that this bright and lovely creature should have been thus snatched away from the circle of which she was the life and soul, for only the day before her fatal illness we saw her in all her childish glee and beauty, the very impersonation of activity and grace. This dispensation of Providence falls very heavily upon the bereaved parents, who have been their fair young flower plucked by the city hand of Death; remember the words of Christ when he called the children about him, of such is the Kingdom of Heaven, and in this sublime reflection let them find comfort for their lacerated hearts.
April 10, 1818 - From a late English Paper -- An Awful Death - The Bath Herald says -- On the 13th of January, a Sheriff's officer went to the house of PETER HOLWAY, a farmer, near Wellington, in this country, to levy an execution for 14 pounds. His wife upbraided Holway for not having informed her of his being served with the initiatory process, as in that case the expenses might have been avoided In the course of her reproaches, she expressed a wish that he was dead. Holway then said he would go to his sons, a distance of about two miles, to get their assistance to pay the amount of the levy. Just before mounting his horse, he took out his snuff box, and presenting it to his wife, asked her to take a pinch, which she scornfully declined, and said she wished "that he might break his neck before he came home." This wish was unhappily realized; for on returning with his son, he suddenly dropped from his horse in a fit, and dislocating his neck, expired without uttering a syllable!! A Coroner's inquest has been held on the body, who returned a verdict of -- "Died by the visitation of God." The wife has been ever since in a most afflicting state of wretchedness.
April 17, 1818 - Departed this life on Thursday morning, the 16th inst. at 3 o'clock, Captain JOHN WEST, of this Borough - Capt. West was for upwards of 20 years, a member of the community of our town, and as such maintained a respectable standing. No man was more ambitious of distinction in the performance of public duties than he was, and although this may be accounted a foible, it was in him the suggestion of a heart over flowing with benevolence, and more solicitous for the welfare of the community than regardful of his individual interest. He was for many years a Captain in the 54th Regt. Virginia militia, and commanded a company in the service of the U.S. at several periods of the late war. He was also many years a member of the Common Council of this borough, and in the year 1815, was elected a Delight to the general Assembly, for Norfolk County. The generosity of his nature threw open his doors, and his house was literally the seat of hospitality. To obtain his assistance or friendly offices was only to apply; for he knew not how to refuse whatever was in his power to grant. In him the poor have lost a benefactor whom they could never tire by the frequency of their applications for relief -- the extensive circle of his acquaintance (for no man was more universally known) have lost a worthy - a valued friend; and his afflicted family - but imagination can but faintly picture their sufferings and sorrow in the deprivation of a husband, father and brother, endeared to them by the strongest ties of affection.
May 25, 1818 - Died on Sunday the 24th inst. after a very long and painful indisposition, Mrs. DEBORAH McDOWELL, wife of Mr. Henry McDowell, of this Borough, and a native of Ireland. She was endowed with a liberal share of those virtues which exalt human nature and stamp a value on the possessor beyond estimation. Tho' little known in the higher walks of life, her mind and manners qualified her for the most eminent station in society. Under every trial and affliction she was composed and cheerful, and no vicissitude of life could disturb or change the naturally mild and amiable cast of her disposition. she delighted in acts of neighborly kindness and in the performance of benevolent duties, the indigent were relieved by her bounty, the sick and afflicted often experienced her ministering care, and "the houseless child of want" found in her a friend and protrectress. This feeble tribute to her memory is tendered by one who knew her well and was capable of appreciating her worth.
August 10, 1818 Died -- In Philadelphia, on Monday last PATRICK SAVAGE, Esq. his Britannic Majesty's Counsel for the State of Virginia. Mr. Savage was a resident of Norfolk, where he had many friends whom his private deportment had attached to him. Being attacked with a complaint in the lungs, he rather injudiciously left this place for the north, and in the hope of benefiting by the pre-eminent medical talents of Philadelphia, he took up his abode in that city. But the disease was so firmly seated in his system that no earthly power could arrest its course.
August 10, 1818 - Yesterday, after a painful illness which she suffered for several months with the patience and resignation becoming a Christian, Mrs. MARY REYNOLDS, the amiable consort of Mr. Benjamin Reynolds, of this Borough. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend the funeral, at the dwelling of Mr. R., in the Fields, this afternoon at half past 4 o'clock.
August 26, 1818 - Died at Baltimore on the 10th Inst. Mr. JAMES TOMLINS. Mr. T. was formerly a resident of this Borough, where he was chiefly known as a teacher of music. In public, the general nature of his conduct was without offence; and the more private traits of his character were amiable and engaging. As a composer particularly, he had a genius which wanted nothing but ambition and opportunity to have won distinction. Some of his hymns, we are happy to see, have been published in different selections of sacred music, where they will long preserve the memory of his name. Above all, he was, we trust, a sincere Christian, and true to his vows as a member of the church. He bore a long and painful sickness with the patience of faith, and died at last with the joy of hope in the Lord.
November 11, 1818 - Died, on Monday last, the 9th inst. Mr. HENRY HANDY CURTS, of Sumerset county, Maryland. Mr. C. was returning home from Windsor, N.C. whither he had been to transact some law business, and being in very bad health was compelled to stop here, where the best medical aid and attendance were obtained for him , but his disease baffled all the efforts of the faculty. We understand he has left a wife and several children to lament his decease.
November 11, 1818 - On Saturday morning last, aged 77 years, Captain BENJAMIN PITT, for many years a respectable ship master of this port.
December 20, 1818 - It is with no ordinary degree of sorrow that we announce the decease of Mr. EDWARD S. WADDEY, merchant of this Borough, who departed this life yesterday, father a long period of suffering from the effect of a pulmonary complaint. The nature of his disease was such, that although it occasionally subjected him to the severest affliction, it as often relaxed its rigor, and permitted his family and friends to cherish the hope of re-establishment of his health -- but this hope always proved fallacious; and it was only a few days before the melancholy event we are noticing that he was sufficiently convalescent to attend to his business and to enjoy the comforts which spring from social and domestic ties, when he was suddenly attacked with a return of his disease, and exhausted nature sunk beneath the stroke. In the hour of death he was resigned, and perfectly sensible of his approaching dissolution. He took an affectionate and affecting leave of his amiable wife and tender offspring, then resigned his life at the command of him who gave it.
Mr. Waddey was a native of this state, and reared almost from childhood in the pursuits of commerce, which he commenced in this town. Embarked in business on his own account, he pursued it with an industry that never tired, and a capacity which defied every obstacle. At the same time prudent and enterprising - uniting with the ardor of the man of business a rigid adherence to punctuality and the principles of honor in all his transactions his affairs soon prospered, and his credit was established on a foundation which no subsequent distress or convulsion in the commercial world was able to effect. In society he was plain and unassuming, amongst his acquaintances social and friendly, every ready in the performance of offices of kindness and humanity -- hospitable in his dwelling -- kind and affectionate in the bosom of his family. Such in a few words was the character of the deceased, portrayed in the simple language of truth -- tho' there be no remarkable brilliancy of coloring in it, yet its intrinsic worth is far more estimable in the eye of reason than all the trappings meretricious fame.
December 20, 1818 - Departed this life on Saturday last, deeply deplored by a large and amiable family connection, Mrs. MARY GILBERT, relict of the late Mr. Reynear Gilbert, of this Borough, in the 55th year of her age.
