Benefiel - Margery - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Mrs. Margery Benefiel, who died on the 11th inst., was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, in the year 1804, and was married to George W. Benefiel in 1826, lived two years in Jefferson County, Ind., from thence removed with her husband and two small children to this county in the year 1828, while the country was yet an almost unbroken wilderness. The house in which for a number of years she lived contentedly and happily, was a rude log cabin, with clapboard roof, puncheon floor and mud chimney, such as the early settlers knew how to build and then to enjoy. Here she cheerfully met the difficulties, and endured the hardships incident to a newly settled country. With scanty means, she and her honored husband, by patient and willing toil, with the blessings of that God in whom they trusted, were enabled to provide for the wants and comfort of a growing family of little children. In order to meet a felt necessity of the times, Mrs. B., early became a successful domestic manufacturer of woolens—while, blue, and scarlet, and both course and fine linens. Taking the flax in the field with her own hands she carried it through the various processes of pulling, spreading, lifting, scutching, hacheling, spinning, weaving, bleaching and sewing Christian virtues. It is thought by those who knew her long and well, that she made into garments; and in like manner the wool from the sheep’s back, and converted it into the nicest jeans and flannels; clad in a suit of which in those early days of artless simplicity, one felt and looked quite “well fixed” to appear in the most respectable company.

There are but few now living whose residence among us dates to so remote a period as hers, or whose lives have more abounded with the fruits of womanly and never had a neighbor whose confidence and esteem, she failed to secure. Though by nature a woman of quiet disposition and of unobtrusive and retiring manners, she exhibited great energy and fortitude in the presence of difficulties and discouragements that to many a one would have seemed insurmountable. Added to this force of will and resolute moral courage, were remarkable powers of physical endurance. So that it may with truth and propriety be said of her that she was a true specimen of the best type of women of her time.

In 1854 she was left a widow, with nine living children, three of whom were married, and all of whom she lived to see reach their majority in respectability. Early in life she made a profession of her faith in the Savior of sinners, since when her walk and conversation have been that of a meek and consistent Christian. And it is worthy of note that her religion did not consist in a profession of it merely, but was like that of those “who have been created in Christ Jesus into good works.” Of her alms deeds and many acts of motherly kindness there are, and have been many, witnesses. No hungry child or unfortunate wanderer was turned from her door without a morsel of bread. Nor did she ever “sound a trumpet” to proclaim such deeds. She was a habitual reader of the Holy Scriptures, in which she found a true delight and from whence she drew those precious lessons that adorned and beautified her natural graces of mind and heart, and so eminently fitted her to be a blessing in her family and neighborhood. A wife of unfaltering fidelity, a mother of ardent love and undying devotion to the welfare of her children, a true and abiding friend and an obliging neighbor.

There are not a few still living, who will long remember with affectionate gratitude the lips that have uttered many a gentle word of loving sympathy to their troubled hearts, and those hands that so often and generously ministered to their wants. During her last sickness she realized the preciousness and value of that Savior in whom she had long trusted, and who was now the strength of her heart in the time of much bodily suffering. Said she, “I know in whom I have believed, that He is able to keep that which I have committed to his hand.” With unwavering confidence and joyful anticipation of a better life, she fell asleep in Jesus on the 11th day of February, 1873. “Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.”

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Source: Crawfordsville Star Feb 18, 1873 p 3