Bedford Star
October 23, 1875

Mrs. Rachel Houston, wife of Levi Houston, died at her residence in Bedford on Thursday afternoon, after a long and lingering illness. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon. We regret that we have not room for a more extended notice.

Obituary of Rachel Alexander Houston
from an 1875 Bedford newspaper,
pasted in Bible:

Died on Thursday, October 21st, 1875, Mrs. Rachel Houston, wife of Levi Houston, aged 79 years, 9 months and 13 days.

This venerable and worthy lady whose maiden name was Rachel Alexander, was a native of Kentucky, having been born in the state January 28th, 1796. In 1836 her husband moved from Kentucky to Indiana, settling first on a farm in Leatherwood Township of this County [Lawrence] and afterward moving to Bedford, so that about 39 years of her long and useful life was passed in Lawrence County.

She was married to Levi Houston November 24, 1814, to whom she was a faithful and loving wife, until the bond was broken by death. She was the mother of eleven children, all of whom she was permitted to see married and settled. Four of them preceded her to the grave, two of them within the present year. She was also permitted to see almost her children professors of the Christian religion.

Her religious life began in 1832 at 'Cane Ridge' Bourbon County KY at which time in company with her husband she became obedient to the Gospel under the joint labors of F.P. Palmer and Barton W. Stone. From that time until her death, about 43 years, she lived a devoted servant of Jesus Christ and an earnest member of his body. Her's [sic] was a great motherly heart, overflowing with kindness and charity, not alone for husband and children, kindred and friends, but for all who needed help or sympathy.

She was very patient under her protracted sufferings and very gentle to all around her, and full of faith and hope in view of approaching death. There was no harshness in her nature, nor works of reproach, nor any murmuring against her Heavenly Father, from whose hands she received meekly the sorrows of life as well as its joys.

The writer of this, who was permitted to be with her frequently in her last illness, can testify to the strength of her faith and the steady courage with which she approached the end of life. May her beautiful example and the thought of a blessed reunion with her in a better world than this comfort the hearts of her bereaved friends. [Tiller]"

Typed and donated by Connie Shotts, CG.

NOTES BY CONNIE:

Rachel Alexander Houston, daughter of William and Agnes Brewster Alexander, born 8 January 1796, died 21 October 1875. Wife of Levi H. Houston; buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford.

Levi and Rachel had eleven children, all of whom lived most of their lives in Lawrence County, Indiana, married and died there.

In History of James Brewster, compiled by John D. Alexander, 30 August 1917, John D. Alexander states that he has in his possession the Bible of William Alexander, published in 1810 with the following entries:

"Aunt Rachel Alexander married Levi Houston November 24th, 1814..."