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Marriage, Death, and Legal Notices from Early Alabama Newspapers: 1819-1893, page 62
3. Resolved That a copy of these resolutions be handed to the family of his relatives in which he lived and died and that the chairman and Secretary be required to perform that duty. 4. Resolved That the officers of the Court of which he was clerk and his friends general wear the usual badge of mourning ten days. 5. Resolved That the proceedings of meeting be published in the Democratic Watchtower, Flag of the Union and the Wetumpka papers after being signed by the President and countersigned by the Secretary. CHARLES R. GIBBS, Pres. Y. A. CARR, Secy. December 20, 1843 Died suddenly at his residence in Coosa County on the night of the 7th inst, COL. JOHN McNEILL, supposed to be congestion of the head and lungs. The deceased was a native of Moore County, North Carolina. In 1819-20 he moved to Autauga County in this State, where he resided until 1838, when he removed to the place of his late residence. One of the first settlers of this part of the State, after its admission into the Union, he was, on several occasions, sent to Cahawba, the then seat of Government by his fellow citizen in a Representative capacity to aid in setting in motion the machinery of our State Government under its new organization. Since that time, he has preferred the retirement of a private life, ambitious only in being counted an honest man, and meriting the favor of his neighbors and friends, in the kindly interchange of social duties. Uniformly hospitable, strangers as well as friends, found a ready welcome at his table. Naturally cheerful and buoyant in disposition, sad melancholy and gloomy misanthropy were never visible within his domestic circle. Such in belief and feebly given in the character of one whose death a bereaved widow mourns, and whose loss numerous relatives and friends lament. He died suddenly and unexpectedly; but a few minutes before his spirit took its departure, he was conversing freely and with his usual cheerfulness of the certainty of his recovery by the next morning. But to him that morning never came. What food for calm and serious reflection is furnished us in the sudden death of our friend and companion and relative the destiny of us all. What an admonition that we "also be ready" for verily in the "midst of life we are in death." January 17, 1844 Died in the town of Kingston, Autauga County on Thursday, the 4th inst, MAJ. SAMUEL SIMMONS, aged 52. January 17, 1844 Mr. McALPIN- Permit one who knew and appreciated the virtues of MAJOR SAMUEL S. SIMMONS, deceased, to give to his memory a tribute of friendship. About the year of 1821 MAJOR SIMMONS removed to Autauga County, Ala. in which county he resided until his death. He moved amid the various and strong temptations which the speculations of the first settlement of this State and the political arena afforded, uncorrupted, the upright man, the honest politician, the dignified senator, the faithful officer, the modest and consistent Christian. As a husband, father, neighbor and friend, he had no superiors. Untutored in academic lore, his mind naturally strong, generally took correct and strong views of important subject. This trait in his character, together with his well established candor and integrity secured him high confidence of his acquaintances and no inconsiderable portion of influence in society. He amassed a large estate and mingled for many years in the turmoil of political life, without having made a single personal enemy, known to the writer of the article. An aged and highly respected fellow-citizen, who witnessed the death scene remarked that had he assurance that he would die like SAMUEL SIMMONS, death would have no terror for him. On Thursday morning before day light, on finding the premonitory symptoms of rapidly approaching death, he calmly dictated his will -requested Mrs. SIMMONS to be composed - stating that he felt no pain; that he had a firm belief in his Saviour's love; that though he did not feel those rapturous glows which some have experienced, yet he "saw his way clear and he was about to die, without any pain of body or mind." Having signed his will he requested his wife to remove the pillow from 62. - (3362)