HARVEY, Asenath Maris Swaim-1923 - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mother. Whose love can equal the love of a mother; Whose the devotion so loyal and true! Who suffers so much with such joy for another, Who works with such pleasure as Mother for you! You hail with delight the friendship of others; You revel in love of the sweetheart youv’e won; Yet, where do you find a friendship like Mother’s, unbroken till death call, and life’s work is done? Asenath Maris, third child of Jehu and Martha Harvey, was born at the old home place one and one half miles north of Tangier, Indiana on November 16th, 1816 and departed this life at her home in Tangier February 14th, 1923 aged 76 years, 2 months and 28 days. Her parents being Friends, she had a birthright in the Church and enjoyed attending services as long as her health would permit. She received her education at the Rush Creek School after which she was a teacher in the public schools of Indiana for seven years, when she left the profession to become the wife of Wm. B. Swaim, Dec. 29th, 1870. This marriage proved a very happy one lasting over a period of 47 years of devotion, when the husband, five years ago, was suddenly called from his wife and family leaving this devoted wife unconsolable. Her love for her husband was so deep and sincere that she had never seemed the same, nor had she ever ceased grieving over this separation. To this union were born ten children. The oldest, Nancy Luella, died in infancy, the second daughter, Martha Almeda, dying July 6th, 1891. The other eight children were all permitted to be with their mother during her last illness to do all that human hands could do for her comfort. During her last illness she expressed a willingness to die and admonished her children to live upright lives. At the same hour for two nights she repeated the 23rd Psalm. Asenath Swaim was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence. She was a great reader and very entertaining conversationalist. She had written several poems that she was still able to repeat to her friends. But where she was her best at any and all times was just being—a mother. Being a semi-invalid for several years her greatest delight was her children, having taken into her home and reared four grandchildren, who think of her today as a friend steadfast and true, and will always revere the memory of this grandmother. She was always ready and willing to help those in distress or needy, and many times people have blessed her name when in distress. The removal of Asenath Swaim will be greatly felt, not alone by her family, but by the people of Tangier, where she has shed her influence since its foundation. She leaves to mourn their loss one sister, Amanda Andrews, who has been very devoted to her all these years; Three sons Straud, Fred and Harvey; Five daughters, Mrs. Sylvia Cory of Indianapolis, Mrs. Alice DeVore and Mrs. Elizabeth Wood of Terre Haute; Mrs. Fannie Commons of Tangier and Mrs. Bernice Tombaugh of Clinton; thirteen grandchildren, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Life is real, Life is earnest, And the grave is not its goal, Dust thou art to dust returneth Was not spoken of the soul. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Card Of Thanks We extend sincerest thanks to neighbors and friends who so kindly gave their assistance during the sickness and death of our dear mother and sister, Asenath Swaim, Her Children Mrs. Robt. Andrew – jlr