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Marriage, Death, and Legal Notices from Early Alabama Newspapers: 1819-1893, page 60
September 13, 1843 Died at Rockford, Coosa County, on the 8th ult in the 24th year of her age, Mrs. SOPHIA CAROLINE CHERRY, wife of ROBERT M. CHERRY, Esq. and daughter of DR. ABNER CRENSHAW, all of this place. Though called suddenly and unexpectedly, her friends are not as those "who sorrow without hope". The deceased was a subject of the religious revival here in 1839; after having weighed the subject, she thus wrote to a friend: "It has indeed been a struggle for one so devoted to gayeties, and pleasures of this life, to determine to renounce all and espouse the cause of Christ! To this determination I have finally come, but I distrust myself so much, that I know if the Divine influence were withheld I should again turn to a state of estrangement from God. 0 for courage! 0 for strength! May this determination to come forward as one supplicating a share in the benefits of a Saviour slain, be unalterable!" She attached herself to the Presbyterian Church, soon after, and though sorely tried since by much suffering from ill health we have reason to believe she ever looked to Heaven for strength to support her, under her very severe afflictions. She seemed to have an humble sense of her own imperfections in the sight of God. Some months before her death, she remarked to a friend, that she wished to dedicate her daughter to God in baptism and after having expressed considerable anxiety to train her up in a way she should go, she said with a pensive look, "I remember, my mother seemed to feel an increased confidence that God would take care of us after she had performed that duty." Possessed of a well cultivated mind and agreeable manners she was, until borne down by disease, the life of the circle, in which she moved. She was an affectionate daughter, a devoted wife, a tender mother, and a warm hearted friend. Her physicians can bear testimony to her gratitude. The writer has often heard her speak of them, with an affection, which proved she was not one of the cold and heartless. She is gone! We shall miss her in the church; we shall miss her in the social circle; but we confidently hope that clothed in a Saviour's rightness, she was welcomed into Heaven, and that her entrance there was hailed by her deceased pastor, who was the instrument in her conversion and by the many pious friends, who had preceded her. Thou art gone to the grave - we no longer behold thee Nor tread the rough paths of the world by thy side But the wife arms of mercy are spread to enfold thee, And we too will hope in the Saviour that died. September 13, 1843 Died at the residence of the Editor of this paper in this city, on Saturday evening last (August 26) in her 31st year, Mrs. MARTHA JANE, consort of the REV. SEMOUR B. SAWYER, of Wetumpka Station, Alabama Conference . Mrs. SAWYER was the daughter of THOMAS and LAVINIA BROTHERS and was born in Colleton District, S. C. June 7, 1813. She was principally raised and educated in Montgomery, Alabama where she was married to her now bereft husband November 3, 1834. Her health, for the last 12 months had been very feeble. About the last of May, brother SAWYER left home on a travel to Indiana for the purpose of recruiting his wife's health and visiting his aged mother. He reached this place about the 1st of July when Mrs. SAWYER was unable to proceed any farther. Every effort was made for her restoration; but all was fruitless. She gradually wore away until her body sunk in death, and her spirit returned to God. She was converted under the ministry of the REV. Mr. CUNNINGHAM of the Presbyterian Church in her 17th year; but her parents being Methodists, she united herself with that church, whose doctrines she fully believed and whose discipline she heartily approved. She was always given somewhat to despondency on the subject of religion, growing out of the fact that she was not fully satisfied with evidence of her conversion. This she often overcame, and then, under the influence of temptation, was to a certain extent robbed of her enjoyment. When it was first announced to her that she was near to her end, she expressed some doubts; but in a few moments, having joined with her in prayer, the cloud broke away, and her spirit was filled with the love of Christ. She praised God aloud and talked in strains of eloquence of 60. - (3360)