U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Feb. 1, 1867 Death of a Venerable Lady -- A venerable and estimable old lady, MRS. CRUSE, who has aided in bringing more of the women and children of Portsmouth into the world during the last half century, than all the physicians that have dwelt among us, suddenly departed this life yesterday morning, at the grand age of 90 years. Her departure was peaceful as her days had been calm, and she is mourned by many who knew and esteemed her.
Feb. 1 1867 We have hitherto omitted to notice the death, on Monday last, in this city, of Mr. WILLIAM H. L. GERKE, well and favorably known in Portsmouth, where he has resided several years, conducting a barber shop on High Street. The deceased was 32 years of age and was buried with Masonic honors.
Feb. 22, 1867 A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT - A little child of MRS. BEATTY, who resides at the corner of Middle and County streets, was run over by a dray, driven by George Harper, yesterday morning, and it is feared fatally injured. The dray was loaded with wood and passed over the unfortunate little fellow's shoulder and breast, bruising and crushing the parts very distressingly. Medical attendance was summoned immediately, and the sufferings of the child made as easy as possible. The driver did not see the child until after the occurrence. He was promptly arrested by the police and severely reprimanded for his carelessness.
July 3, 1867 DIED - Tuesday evening, July 2nd, MARY CATHARINE, infant daughter of James F. and Margaret E. HANKINS, aged three months and fourteen days. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend her funeral from the residence of her grandfather, John NEY, 27 Cove street, this afternoon at 5:30 o'clock.
July 3, 1867 - DIED On Tuesday evening, July 2d WALTER LEE youngest son of Jno. A. and Mary E. Brimmer, aged 8 months and 1 day. The friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock from the residence No. 5 North Fen Church street.
June 5, 1867 Body Recovered - The body of Mr. TINDSLEY GRAHAM, accidentally drowned in Deep Creek on Saturday afternoon, has been recovered, and brought to this city. Parties were engaged in dragging the river near the scene of the accident, and while so employed, they received information that a body had been discovered floating near the first lock of the canal, some distance above. Upon repairing thither the body was identified by his father as being very difficult to find a jury of inquest, the coroner permitted the body to be brought to this city, reaching here about 9 o'clock at evening. [Portsmouth]
Funeral Notice - The funeral of TINDSLEY GRAHAM, aged 30 years, will take place this morning at 11 o'clock, from his late residence, on New Street. The friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully invited to attend.
June 5, 1867 In Charlottesville, on 31st ultimo, at the residence of Rev. Wm C. Butler, in the 23d year of her age, Mrs. JANE V. PENROSE, youngest daughter of Mrs. Rebecca F and the late John H. BUTLER of this city. [Norfolk]
June 8, 1867 Negro Killed -- The difficulty took place between two freedmen, by the name of Dave and HALL JOHNSON, on the plantation of Dr. B.J. Head, of this place, on Sunday last. Weapons were used by both parties, and Hall received a shot in his heart which killed him instantly. On hearing of the difficulty, Captain Robertson, of the bureau, immediately ordered the arrest of Dave, and had him turned over to the civil authorities. The case was up before the County Court yesterday and Dave required to give a bond of $2,000., on failure of which he was committed to jail to await his trial at the July term of the Court.
June 16, 1867 DIED - In Portsmouth on last Wednesday, 12th instant, Mr. H.C. JONES, in the 57th year of his age. Although dead the many acts of kindness which filled his life, will live to remind those who were the recipients that a friend, by the power of God, has been taken from them. He leaves a family and many friends to mourn his loss.
June 16, 1867 DIED On yesterday at 6 o'clock p.m. CATHERINE BELL, daughter of Lelia F. and Jno. C. HAYNES aged 4 months.
June 20, 1867 The Honored Dead. -- We are requested to state that the remains of BRISTOE BROWN GAYLE, son of Col. L. Gayle, of this city, and late Colonel of the 12th Alabama regiment, who fell at the head of his regiment at Boonsboro, Md., 14th of September 1862, are expected to arrive here by the Baltimore steamer tomorrow morning, and will be conveyed from the wharf direct to the cemetery. Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend. [Portsmouth]
December 6, 1867 DIED -- December 5th, of Croup, CHARLIE, infant and only son of Louis and Lizzie LINN, aged 21 months. The friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the residence of his grandmother, Mrs. Gleam, Queen street, this (Thursday) afternoon at 3 � o'clock. It is easy to trust God in health and prosperity, but in sickness, affliction and adversity it demands Faith to believe that God doth all things well, and from the depths of our bruised and stricken hearts, bending over our loved and lost ones, to say with Job " The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away - blessed be the name of the Lord." May this sharp affliction be sanctified to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the fond parents thus suddenly and sadly bereaved; and although their dear little Charlie can never come back to them again, they can yet go to him. It is hard thus to part with so bright and promising a child, when its mind was just dawning intelligence, and its character, flower-like, just unfolding its sweet charms to our view. But our loss is his gain; and when we listen in vain for his innocent prattle and pattering feet, it is a solace to our wounded hearts to remember, amid our disappointment and trials, how much of pain and anguish he has escaped; and that though for a short season lost to us, they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. Peace to his ashes, and may the autumn flowers that strew his snowy shroud and little cherub form be touching and eloquent symbols to us all, young and old, of the vanity of life and the certainty of death. "We know when moons shall wane, when summer birds from far shall cross the sea; When autumn hues shall tinge the golden grain, But who shall teach us when to look to Thee?"
June 4, 1869 Horrible Suicide - In Monday’s issue we published a short paragraph in relation to the supposed suicide of an old man named JAMES WATTS, residing at Bowers’ Hill. He left his residence on Tuesday, 25th of May, with the avowed intention of committing suicide. He said the would neither shoot nor drown himself, but that he would take his life in some other manner. His friends did not regard the threat, as he was this suffering from a cancer in his face, and lameness in one of his feet, and they supposed it was merely the result of his bodily agony that caused him to make the remark. But his prolonged absence excited the fear that he had carried out what they at first regarded an unmeaning threat and they instituted immediate search for him. Their fears met a fearful realization.
Yesterday morning his body was found in the swamp near Bowers’ Hill, suspended by a rope yarn, from the limb of a tree, horribly mutilated by birds of prey. He was found by Mr. Henry Hennicke, a county surveyor, who was untiring in his search for the missing man. He says the appearance of the body when found was truly awful and heart sickening. It was hanging about three feet from the ground, one foot missing and his jawbone entirely gone. Mr. Hennicke called the others engaged in the search to his assistance, who took the body of the unfortunate man down and carried it to his home, to await a coroner’s inquest. Mr. H. informs us that he passed the place where he found the body on Thursday morning last, and therefore thinks that he hung himself on Thursday night, and that the body had remained there since that time undiscovered.
As before stated Mr. WATTS was suffering extreme bodily pain, and this caused him to violate the laws of his Maker, and take his own life. He was 65 years of age, and enjoyed the friendship of a number of persons in the section where he lived. Mr. WATTS leaves a family to mourn his unfortunate death. Mr. Hennicke was endeavoring yesterday to secure the services of a coroner, in order that an inquest might be held at once, and the body interred.
June 10, 1869 SAD CASE OF DROWNING On Sunday last, Mr. Leonidas G. HEATH, with several gentlemen, took an excursion down the river, taking with him his little boy, BENJAMIN, aged about three and a half years. While stopping at Joyner’s spring, near the wather’s edge, a mile and a half below the city, to enjoy the cool wather and the shade, the gentlemen engaged in conversation, and the little fellow amused himself at play. Presently, however, he was missed; and on looking round for him, he was found in the wather, with his face downwards, and drowned! The wather was very shallow, not deep enough to cover his body; but one of his feet got tangled, which caused him to fall in such a position that he could neither extricate himself nor give any alarm. He was a bright little fellow, and his father was particularly devoted to him, having raised him by hand, his mother dying soon after his birth. We have seldom been called upon to describe an incident so calculated to awaken painful feelings. He was buried yesterday afternoon Petersburg Index.
June 15, 1869 Desperate Murder in West Virginia: Two brothers named respectively James and Jesse CLOUSTON, living at Poplar Springs, two miles from Cameron, in this State, got into a quarrel yesterday evening about halfpast six o'clock, when James stabbed his brother JESSE with a pair of sheep shears, killing him instantly. It appears that they had been shearing sheep together all day, and at night got into a dispute about a table-cloth. Jesse told his brother that he had promised to give him, Jesse, a table-cloth when he got married. James told Jesse he was a liar, Jesse then struck at James, who seized the sheep shears and stabbed him to the heart. It is said they had not been on the best of terms for some time, a misunderstanding having arisen about some property to be divided between them. Jesse married about six months since. They owned farms adjoining, and were both accounted good young men and respectable citizens. Their father, was buried only a few weeks since, and their sister some two months ago. The affair has created the most intense excitement in the neighborhood. - Wheeling Register.
