U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
March 9, 1871 - Found Drowned - The body of Mr. WILLIAM SHUE, of Norfolk was found floating on the wather near Paradise Creek, just above the Navy Yard Tuesday evening, by Mr. James Matthews. Yesterday morning it was brought to Portsmouth and a jury of inquest summoned by Acting Coroner H. Matthews, rendered a verdict of accidental drowning. The body had no marks whathever of violence upon it, and was recognized by the friends of the deceased. Immediately after the inquest the remains of the unfortunate man were turned over to the Odd Fellows, of which body he was a member.
March 30, 1871 - Death of JOHN MOTLEY, ESQ. -- We are pained to hear of the death of the gallant gentleman whose name stands at the head of this paragraph, which took place a few days ago in the city of Williamsburg. Our acquaintance began with him in that valuable town, when we were both students of William & Mary, and members of a gay society, whose members have been sadly thinned by battle and disease. Having graduated with honor Mr. Motley began the practice of law, in which he was successfully engaged at the breaking out of the war. He took service in the cavalry, and served to the end of the struggle, after which he returned to his profession. But to the seeds of disease had been planted in his constitution by his campaigns. He died of consumption, in the forty second year of his age, and in losing him Virginia lost a son devoted to her honor and interests, with a lofty and entire devotion. Captain Motley was well educated, bland and courteous in his manners, and an ornament to the society in which he moved. Peace to his ashes and blessed resurrection to his spirit!
June 5, 1871 - Portsmouth - An Old veteran Gone - One by one the old landmarks are passing away. One by one the old sexton gathers them in. Saturday morning, at 4 o'clock Capt. HUGH N. PAGE - of this city at the advanced age of 83 years, bade farewell to the scenes of his earthly battles and cares, and his spirit wafted itself to the realms of the boundless future. Capt Page has served with distinction in the United States Navy, and at the breaking out of the late war between the United states and the Confederate States had attained the highest rank in the service, but left it and offered his sword to his native State, Virginia. He was a midshipman on board the schooner Somers in the famous naval engagement on Lake Erie, in which the gallant Perry captured the entire fleet of the enemy, and was among the last survivors, there being, we believe only two left. Capt. Page died in Princess Anne county, where he had gone o a visit. He was a relict of the past, a gentleman of a former generation. He was kind, genial, affectionate, and beloved -- and for his years was a man of remarkable vitality and energy and, possessing unusual vigor until his final sickness. A large circle of friends will mourn his loss.
June 24, 1871- Sad Bereavement. -- Within a few days death has invaded the family of our friend Mr. John WEAVER and robbed it of its brightest ornament's. About two weeks ago his wife was stricken down and friends followed her remains to the city of the dead. Last Sunday the destroying angel laid his hand upon Sallie, the eldest of the flock, and she too was buried in the silent tomb. Still unsatisfied to the insatiate monster claimed another victim, and on Thursday, Charlie, the eldest boy, the hope and pride of the family, a young man of about 22 years of age, and of noble character and fine promise, was laid beside his mother and sister. Two short weeks have clothed in sorrow one of the happiest families in our city, and the heart of the husband and father has been made desolate. While we sympathize with him in his distress we can but feel that the sympathy of a friend, however sincere, can not fill the places of the loved ones gone.
July 21, 1871 - Death of DR. JOSEPH SCHOOLFIELD -- Friday - This gentleman, well known in our city when he formerly practiced medicine, died day before yesterday in Petersburg, of consumption. His remains were brought to this city for burial yesterday evening at 7 o'clock on the Seaboard train, and were met at the depot at the foot of High Street by his friends and acquaintances, and escorted thence to the grave, where the funeral ceremonies were conducted. Dr. Schoolfield formerly held a prominent position in our community, and left immediately after the close of the yellow fever in 1855 to take up his residence in Petersburg.
July 22, 1871 - Death of an Old Confederate, -- SERGEANT GEORGE W. CROWE-- so well known in this city during the war as having charge of the "Soldiers' Home," or better known in the Army of Northern Virginia, as "Crow's Nest," did at his residence, on 6th and Canal streets, in this city, says the Richmond Dispatch, yesterday morning.
July 22, 1871 - Death of an Old Citizen -- Mr. WM. B. BINGLEY - one of our oldest and well known citizens, died Thursday, after an illness of several weeks. Mr. Bingley had reached the advanced age of 76 years. The funeral services were conducted yesterday morning by the Rev. J. H. Wingfield, D. D., and the remains of the deceased were followed to the grave by his friends and relatives, and deposited in Cedar Grove Cemetery, to await the trump of resurrections dawn.
July 25, 1871 - The funeral of miss MARY ANNE GILLERLAIN - A most beautiful and touching scene was presented Sunday afternoon at the funeral of Miss Mary Gillerlain, from St. Mary's Church. On the arrival of the funeral cortege at the church, the coffin was taken in charge by the young ladies composing the sodality of the Blessed Virgin, all of whom were dressed in white, with mourning emblems, and eight of whom acted as pall bearers. After the solemn services for the dead, at which the Rev. Father Dougerty officiated, the funeral procession was formed, and conducted the remains to St. Mary's Cemetery, beyond the city limits. The spectacle at the grave was a most touching expression of sympathy for the departed, ad as the declining sun spread the mellowed rays in resplendent glory on the assembled mourners, their incense of prayers ascended to the throne of the Most High, for the repose of the departed spirit of one who, on earth was loved for the purity, humility, and simplicity of her character.
August 10, 1871 - On the 5th of August, at 4 o'clock p.m., at her late residence in Norfolk county, Mrs. MARTHA LOUISA HUNTER, aged 58 years
August 10, 1871 - August 5th, at the Hot Springs, Mrs. MARTHA ADELINE GIBBONS, relict of Colonel John N. Gibbons of Norfolk, in the 73d year of her age. Her remains were carried for interment to the University of Virginia, the residence of her son-in-law, Prof. J. L. Caball.
August 10, 1871 - In Norfolk, on august 9th VERNON CARR [Bennett], the infant son of Wm. and Kathe Bennett, aged 9 months. The funeral will take place today, at 5 o'clock, from the residence of his parents, at Fort Norfolk. Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.
August 11, 1871 [Friday] - On Wednesday morning, August 9th, after a brief illness, JOHN WESLEY [WILLIAMSON] eldest son of John T. and Mary F. Williamson, aged 18 years, 2 months and 25 days. Another name is added to the role of the dead. Disconsolate parents weep for their first born and refused to be comforted. A dutiful and obedient son has gone to his final rest. Keeping aloof from those vices so alluring to those of his age, he led a strictly moral and temperate life. Fondly attached to home from childhood, he was ever regardful of his parent's comfort, and implicitly obeyed their slightest wish. Young as he was, in 1862, when the fortunes of war compelled the evacuation of our city by the Confederate forces, and his father left to follow the fortunes of the lamented Lee, he at once felt the responsibility devolved upon him, and labored daily for the support of the loved mother and little ones at home. He was injured last March by a fall from the roof of a house, and was still suffering from the effects of it at the time of his last attack, which he bore with quiet resignation. Four days before his death he seemed to be sensible of his approaching end, and although he seemed to be improving, and it was expected by his dear parents that he would, in a few days be again able to fill his accustomed place in the family circle, he alone thought differently; and remarked to the nurse in attendance upon him, that he was going to die, and appeared perfectly resigned to his faith. "Although the casket molders, 'neath the sod, that rises gently ever his grave, The precious jewel rests secure with God, Who only took from earth the gem He gave."
August 12, 1871 - PATTIE BERWELL GALE, wife of Dr. Joseph A. Gale, of Roanoke county, Va., died at the residence of Mr. E. R. Gale, Norfolk, Va., on 7th of May, 1871. it is seldom we meet with so sweet and lovely a spirit as was the subject of this notice. So beautifully blended in her character and illustrated in her life were the pure and elevating virtues of Christianity, that all who knew her prized and loved her as most precious. In the year 1865, she joined the M.E. Church, South. As a member of the church, her conduct was unexceptionable while in her modest humility shone the Spirit of the Great Exemplar, winning the commendation of her Christian friends. So quiet and unobtrusive was she, that only those who knew her could appreciate her worth. Gentle, kind, generous, patient, and uncomplaining; sweet was the music of her life in the home she blessed and the friends she gladdened with her presence. In the impress of her character she still lives. Such an one can never be forgotten -- can never die. She was married on the 31st of May, 180. In this new relation of life she was almost blameless, being especially distinguished for her unselfishness and spirit of self sacrifice. She seemed to live for him to whom in holy vows she had given herself at the altar of God. In the few short measures of their married life, there was no dissonance. Though dearer to husband than his own life, yet in her purity, fidelity and love, he has inexpressible comfort. So pure in heart and life was she in his home that he could well say -- "There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple, If the ill spirit have so fair a house, Good things will strive to dwell with it." In her last illness of eleven days, she was a great sufferer, and yet she was resigned, patient, and brave. One of the attending physicians remarked during her illness, "I passed through the yellow fever in '55, and the late war, and I have seen much suffering, but she is the bravest woman I have ever seen." When the great struggle came, we thank God, she was sustained by divine grace. Through Jesus Christ she had the victory. Looking on the lovely corpse, we could say -- "Death lies on her, like an untimely frost Upon the sweetest flow'r of all the field." She has joined mother and sister in the good land beyond, while she lives in the memory of the dear ones here, ever pointing the to her home in the skies.
Sept. 7, 1871 - Death of CAPTAIN R. R. BANKS - This courthouse, upright and gallant gentleman, died yesterday morning, after a protracted confinement occasioned by wounds received at the battle of Chancellorsville on the 3d of May, 1863, on which memorable occasion he held the Captaincy of Company E, 12t Virginia Regiment, formerly known as the Petersburg Riflemen. He was a native of Dinwiddie county and at the outbreak of the war, was a partner in the house of Smith, Stone and Banks, one of the leading business firms in this city [Petersburg]. Distinguished for all the virtues which adorn the citizen, he was no less conspicuous for his noble qualities as a soldier; and if the integrity, amiability and generosity of his nature won the cordial affection of his associates, his unswerving devotion to duty and the faultless courage which marked his bearing on the field of battle, commanded the respect and admiration of all who witnessed it. Though long missed from the active pursuits of life and from the society of is friends, the memory of his virtues ever bound him to their hearts, and while they sigh -- "for the touch of a vanished mind, And the sound of a voice that is still," they have the assurance that he now enjoys that perfect peace for which he learned to strive in the days of his painful pilgrimage. [Petersburg Progress]
Sept. 20, 1871 - Funeral of JAMES B. DERNAY - Yesterday afternoon the members of the United Fire Company assembled at their engine house to pay the last sad tribute of respect to the memory of their deceased comrade, JAMES B. DERNAY, whose untimely death we noticed in our issue of yesterday. The engine was draped in the trappings of woe, and a deeper feeling of sadness rested upon the company than we have ever before see evinced. The company fell in at the engine house, preceded by their own band of music, and followed by their new hose reel, fitted as a funeral car and drawn by the two horses of the company. Et procession, under the orders of Chief Engineer Robert Rhea, accompanied by Assistant Engineer Jas. F. Milligan, proceeded to the residence of the deceased, where the body, includes in a handsome black walnut coffin covered with wreaths of flowers, was placed upon the funeral car. To a solemn dirge-like air, the cortege moved up Main and Church streets to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where the pastor Rev. N.A. Okeson, delivered a short but impressive funeral discourse. the remains were again placed upon the carriage, and the procession wended its mournful way to the city of the dead, where the mortal remains of the deceased were deposited, to rest in peace by the side of his comrades who had gone before.
October 3, 1871 - On the 1st inst, at 4 o'clock a.m., MATTIE MAY [SHEPHERD] infant daughter of Horatio B. and Mattie L. Shepherd, age two months and thirteen days. "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not; for such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Remember this weeping parents, and be comforted.
