DEATH NOTICES FROM THE NASHVILLE REPUBLICAN BANNER FOR 1854
January 6, 1854
Died on Friday 6th inst., Mrs. Hannah U. Douglas, consort of Byrd Douglas. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend her funeral tomorrow (Sunday) at 11 o’clock a. m.
January 14, 1854
Died, on Friday the 6th, Hannah Underwood Douglas. (See death notice on page 63)
January 16, 1854
Died, Mrs. Henrietta Clark (See death notice on page 63)
January 24, 1854
The friends and acquaintances of Jo Edwards are invited to attend the funeral of Jno N. Edwards this afternoon at 3 o’clock from the First Presbyterian Church. Divine service by Rev. Dr. Edgar.
(This may be John Edward; the date is off a year.)
February 25, 1854
Died on the night of the 23rd inst, Mary Elizabeth, infant daughter of George H. and Elizabeth Woodward, aged 5 months and 6 days.
February 27, 1854
The friends and acquaintances of W. F. And Mary Ann Jones are invited to attend the funeral of their infant daughter, Bettie Burton, from the residence of Mrs. E. P. Burton, Southfield, at 10 a. m. Monday, 27th February, 1854. Service by Rev. C. D. Elliott.
March 9, 1854
Died in this city on the 7th inst., Mary Catharine, wife of William D. Gale, in the 29th year of her age. Her funeral will take place today at three o’clock at the residence of Mrs. C. B. McNairy.
March 9, 1854
Died yesterday, 8th inst., Frances B., daughter of James and Emily Morrison, aged about 7 years. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend her funeral this morning at 10 o’clock in Edgefield near the Gallatin Turnpike. Divine service by the Rev. J. B. Ferguson.
March 9, 1854
Died at the residence of Mr. J. Beaty, on the morning of the 7th inst. of consumption, Mr. Isaac C. Benson, aged 61 years, formerly of Baltimore but for the last thirty-four years, a citizen of Nashville where he leaves many friends. Baltimore papers please copy.
March 11, 1854
Died at her residence near Nashville, on Saturday, the 4th inst., Mrs. Amanda Callow, wife of the Hon. West H. Humphreys. In the death of this accomplished and excellent lady, the grave has achieved no victory for she calmly descended into it with the firm confidence and hope of a Christian. If skill in medicine and the never-ceasing watchfulness of a devoted husband and friends could have saved her, she would yet have been the light and ornament of the domestic and social circles. But the decree of an allwise Providence had gone forth, and she bowed to its graceful and cheerful submission. Farewell thou sainted one! Thou art not dead. The silver cord has indeed been broken but the spirit, all happy and immortal, has returmed to God who gave it. (I believe this is Amanda Umphis in the book.)
March 18, 1854
The funeral of Mrs. Mary T. Edgar, wife of Rev. Dr. John T. Edgar, will take place tomorrow (Sunday) morning at half past 10 o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church. Divine service by Rev. Dr. Lapsley.
March 29, 1854
The friends of Robert B. Castleman are invited to attend the funeral of his wife, Annie Woods, from the Christian Church at 11 o’clock a. m. today. Divine service by Rev. J. B. Ferguson.
April 1, 1854
Died yesterday in this city, Mrs. Kitty Carow, consort of Dr. H. Carow, in the 19th year of her age. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend the funeral from the Episcopal Church at three o’clock today. Divine service by Rev. Tomes.
April 4, 1854
Died in this city on the 2nd of April, aged 7 years, 4 months and 7 days, Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Jesse and Adelaide Jordan.
April 26, 1854
Died in this city yesterday, Mr. Michael Sheron.
May 29, 1855
Died at the residence of Mrs. P. O. Lewis, in the city on Sunday, the 28th inst, Sallie Campbell, wife of Marion W. Lewis, in the twenty-first year of her age. Funeral this morning at 10 o’clock from Christ Church.
June 14, 1854
Murder of James Broadway (See death notice on page 63)
June 14, 1854
Died on the 10th inst., Carlene, infant daughter of W. G. and S. O. Brien
June 21, 1854
Died at his residence in this city, yesterday morning at 2 o’clock, Chritopher Brooks, and old and highly respected citizen of Nashville. (It was spelled this way in the paper but is probably Christopher.)
June 26, 1854
Died in South Nashville, Saturday, of cholera, Mr. P. Mallory, an old and very worthy citizen.
June 26, 1854
Died also of consumption, Mr. Eli Morris, another highly esteemed and much respected citizen.
June 30, 1854
Died Mrs. Q. T.C. Hailey (See death notice on page 66)
July 1, 1854
Died at his residence in South Nashville on the 2th ult. Capt. Philip Mallory (See death notice on page 66)
July 7, 1854
The friends and acquaintance of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Alethia Lapsley are invited to attend the funeral of Miss Alethia B. Allen (daughter of the late Hon. Robert Allen) from the 2nd Presbyterian Church at 4 1/2 o’clock this evening. Divine service by Rev. Dr. Edgar.
July 8, 1854
The friends and acquaintances of Mr. and Mrs. James Nichol are invited to attend the funeral of their daughter, Eleanor Henrietta from the First Presbyterian Church this morning at 9 o’clock. Service by Rev. D. Edgar.
July 9, 1854
Died at the residence of her father on Summer Street, Henrietta Eleanor, aged 17 and second daughter of James Nichol.
July 24, 1854
Drowned – A young man named Thomas Martin was accidentally drowned in the river Saturday night. In company with a number of others, he was bathing near one of the pillows of the old bridge and unwittingly got into deep water. He could not swim and was therefore drowned before aid could be extended to him. His body was recovered yesterday evening.
August 2, 1854
Died on Monday night last, Nathaniel A. McNairy, grand-son of Mrs. C. B. McNairy. The friends and acquaintances are invited to attend his funeral from her residence this morning at 9 o’clock.
August 2, 1854
Died on yesterday morning, August 1st, of consumption, at the residence of his mother, Henry A. Terrass, son of H. and A. Terrass, in the 29th year of his age. The friends and acquaintance of the family are requested to attend his funeral at 9 o’clock this morning from the residence of his mother, No. 23, North Summer Street. Service by the Rev. Mr. Tomes.
August 8, 1854 (Tuesday)
Died in this city on Saturday morning at the residence of Major Alex Allison, Mrs. Prudence T. Allcorn, late widow of John Allcorn, of Wilson Co., in the 76 year of her age.
August 11, 1854
Died yesterday morning at the residence of Dr. Shelby, Margaret, wife of John S. Barrow. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend her funeral from the First Presbyterian Church at 4 o’clock this Friday afternoon. Service by the Rev. Dr. Edgar.
August 18, 1854
Died Margaret Barrow (See death notice on page 66)
August 22, 1854
Died at the Nashville Inn in this city, on Sunday evening August 20th, Mr. Leslie Taylor, of Washington, D. C., of a severe attack of flux. He was a stranger in the city but had made numerous friends who surrounded and did everything possible for him. Savannah, Georgia, Northampton, Mass and Washington D. C., please copy.
September 7, 1854
Died yesterday evening, Thomas Green, aged 47 years. His friends and those of his brother-in-law, Thomas B. Eastland, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral this afternoon from Christ Church at 5 o’clock.
September 8, 1854
DEATH OF EPHRAIM H. FOSTER
A wide-spread circle of friends and acquaintances will receive with feelings of the most poignant regret the intelligence of the death of the Hon. Ephraim H. Foster which took place on Wednesday night at 11 o’clock at the residence, in this vicinity, of his brother-in-law, William Nichol. From the pen of one, familiarly acquaintee with his public character and private worth, we hope soon to be able to publish a suitable tribute to the memory of this distinguished citizen of Tennessee.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN
At a meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman held on the morning of the 7th September, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, this Board having received the sad intelligence of the death of the Hon. E. H. Foster, who during an eventful life has been closely identified with the interests of Nashville and whose high social character and public services have won the admiration and esteem of this whole community. Therefore:
RESOLVED, That as an evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased was held by this Board, the Mayor and Aldermen will attend his funeral on tomorrow morning from the First Presbyterian Church at 10 o’clock, A. M.
RESOLVED, That the citizens generally, be invited to participate in the solemn ceremonies and as evidence of the common regret, it be recommended that business be suspended from 9 to 12 o’clock and that the bells of the city be tolled.
RESOLVED, that this preamble and resolutions be published in the city papers. E. A. Raworth, Recorder
September 9, 1854
The Honorable Ephraim H. Foster died on Wednesday evening at the residence of William Nichol, Esq. in the neighborhood of Nashville. He had been suffering for several months from a chronic disease which all the skill of his physicians could not subdue and the pain of which he bore, with heroic firmness and courage; his nerves were greatly shattered by acute and painful attacks on his system but his mind remained clear and unclouded to the close of his life. He received until his death, with grateful recognition and softened feelings, the visits of his numerous friends and the unwearied attentions of his family and physicians.
The news of the death of Col. Foster will carry with it a pang of regret to thousands of persons scattered over the Southern and Western portions of the Union. His long residence in Nashville, his prominent position in his profession and in the Council of the Union, his unbounded hospitality, the kindly aid which he always extended, more especially to the young, his open, frank and fearless bearing accompanied as it was with the blandest and most courteous demeanour, won for him troops of friends who will mourn his untimely dissolution.
It would be impossible, in the brief limits of a newspaper article and upon so sudden a call, to do full justice, either to the history or character of the distinguished dead and he has been so long and prominently before the people of Tennessee that perhaps nothing more is necessary than a brief recapitulation of the leading events of his life. He was born on the 17th of September 1794 in the State of Kentucky and came soon after with his parents to what was then the small village of Nashville. After receiving the limited advantages of education which were then attainable in our section of the State, he was at the early age of eighteen, about to enter upon the study of the law when at the call of his county, he enlisted as a volunteer in a company of “rifles” that were then forming to join Gen. Jackson in his invasion of the Creek nation.
The sprightly qualities and ready zeal of the youthful soldier did not escape the penetrating eye of the General who immediately took him from the ranks and placed him on his staff as his private Secretary. He participated in several of the desperate battles of that bloody war and often recounted to his youthful friends, withou a particle of egotism, some of the deeply interesting particulars of that campaign, often sharing many of the privations and fatigues. He was sent home as a special messenger and bearer of dispatches and before he had time to return, the war was closed. Returning from the camp to private life, he studied law under John Dickinson, the celebrated lawyer of that day and in 1816, he was qualified as a practicing lawyer at the bar and soon afterwards married to his late lamented wife who was then a widow.
The unrivalled success of Col. Foster at the bar and the rich harvest he reaped from his labors, have long been a beacon and a watchword in the mouth of his youthful successors. He reigned for many years with almost indisputed sway alike over the minds of the Jurors and the hearts of his professional brethren. His frankness, boldness, rich command of language, quick apprehension, keen, shrewd knowledge of then and utter want of envy of the talents of his compeers, gave him immense sway over the Judges, the bar and the people.
In 1827, he made his first entrance upon the political arena as a Representative in the Legislature from Davidson county. The enviable reputation and popularity which he attained in that body made it the interest of the people that he should again be in their service and he was re-elected in 1829 almost without opposition and chosen as the Speaker of the House. In the year 1835, after the adoption of the New Constitution and when our whole system of laws were to be remodelled and new officers elected, he was again called by a large majority of his fellow citizens to their representation in the lower branch of the Legislature. Immediately on his entrance into that body, he was chosen, almost unanimously, as their Speaker and during a long and stormy occasion, no man ever regretted their choice. Perhaps in no station of life did Col. Foster shine more conspicuously than as a presiding office of a deliberative assembly; his courage, high bearing, readiness of decision, blandness and courtesy, gave him unrivalled power over the House, quelling all insubordination, guarding the rights of the humblest and producing a sound conviction of his integrity and impartiality. It was the immense hold gained by Col. Foster over the minds of the Legislature and the country, by his services in 1836, which made him the unquestioned candidate of his party in 1837, for the high office of Senator in Congress from Tennessee. Elected two years in advance of his period of service, he declared with his usual boldness and frankness that if his claims were not sustained by the elections in 1839 and after fighting a magnificent battle for his party as Elector in 1840, he was again triumphantly elected as a Senator in 1843 and commenced his services on a new theatre. There have been few men in Congress who have devoted themselves more earnestly to the advancement of the interests of their State than Col. Foster, untiring, energetic and every faithful, he seemed wholly forgetful of self in his earnest desire for the success of measures. Without attempting a national reputation as an orator, or seeking any of the Presidential favors, he gave himself up wholly to the business of the Union, and by thus freeing himself of the vanites which have deluded many of our public men, he assisted in working out many useful laws which will be as imperishable as time itself. In 1845 at the expiration of his term of service in the Senate, he became, by unanimous wish of the whig party, their candidate for Governor. Mr. Clay, the favorite of the whigs for President, had just been defeated and a general gloom and despondency prevailed over the party which it was though nothing but the talents and popularity of Col. Foster could dispel. He battled manfully for the victory against an able opponent but not even the voice of Achilles could rouse his apathetic and serried squadrons. They halted, hesitated and were finally beaten whilst their almost victorious leader fell gallantly in the breach with his face to the foe and his flag still proudly waving above his head.
From 1845 up to the period of his death, Col. Foster has been quietly pursuing the duties of his profession and although called upon for political service, he has never re-engaged in its painful and torturing anxieties. Feeling that he had spent many of the best years of his life and a large portion of his capital in the employment of his country, he deemed it but right that the remainder of his existence should be devoted to the support of his family and the education of his motherless children and so death found him.
It were in vain to deny that Col. Foster had some prominent faults. His sensitiveness, irritablility and great passion were follies which he deeply felt and often deployed. Although he could not correct them, declining health and spirits increased these failings and made what was merely the dispair of a dying eagle seem to some like the bitterness of revenge. But all who knew him felt that the change was morbid disease and that his kindred spirit struggled aver and anon for the Master with the shattered nerves and sinking diseased heart. It is a singular fact and beautiful illusration of his character that, notwithstandng, all his bitterness and speeches against the Democrats, they were ever ready to honor him when they could do so without a sacrifice of principles and many of them were his warmest personal friends even until death. In his disputes with some of his political friends, but little real bitterness was ever retained against him by most, if not all of them. They were ever ready to renew their old bonds of amity. They had not lost confidence in his honesty or integrity and they never disliked him as men are hated who are suspected of fraud, duplicity or treachery. No man ever doubted upon which side of a question Col. Foster stood. Ever open, bold, clear and decided, he cleft his way through the waters regardless of the waves that rolled tumultuously around him.
He is gone, life’s fitful dream is over, its storms and tempests are hushed and he sleeps quietly in the tomb. Long will his memory dwell fresh and green in the bosoms of those who were honored with his kindness and love. A Friend
September 11, 1854
Lines to the memory of Alice Rutledge (See copy of poem on page 71)
October 13, 1854
Died on the 10th inst, Mrs. Laura A. Bollard. Mobile papers please copy.
November 6, 1854
Died on Friday evening last, 3rd inst, Mrs. Caroline Correy, wife of Mr. James Correy, cashier of the Union Bank.
November 8, 1854
Death of Robert G. Smiley (See copy of death notice and Tribute of Respect on page 72)
November 9, 1854 (Thursday)
Died on Tuesday evening last at the residence of her father, Miss Bettie Wright, aged 18 years. The friends and acquaintances are invited to attend her funeral this morning at 9 o’clock from the First Baptist Church. Divine service by Rev. Mr. Bayless.
November 11, 1854
Died in this city yesterday, Robert I. Anderson, only child of Gen. S. R. Anderson, aged 12 years. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 8 o’clock from the residence of Gen. Anderson on Summer Street. Divine service by Rev. Dr. McFerrin.
December 14, 1854
Died in this city on yesterday, Daniel Cameron, aged 62 years. His funeral will take place from his residence, corner of Clark and Front Street, this evening at 3 o’clock.
December 28, 1854
Died in this city, William E. Pearl (See death notice on page 72) |