Hall - Sarah - wife of Silas
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 23 August 1895
It is with a feeling of sadness that chronicle the death of one of the aged pioneers of the county. "Aunt Sarah," as she was usually called, was born at or near Petersburg, Va in the year 1815 being at the time of her death over 80 years old. When quite young she was left an orphan, yet not without friends. She received more than an ordinary education and training, which was beneficial to her through life. At age 18 she was first married but while on their way to their new home in Ohio the husband very suddenly died. Some years after she was again married to Silas Hall who was and is still remembered as one of the first cabinet makers and undertakers in this locality. To them were born 5 children: Joshua; Mary; Silas; Serepta Lucinda; Mahala; Thirza; John and Sarah, the first five named being deceased of the remaining four only two were permitted to attend the funeral, viz: Mrs. John Vannie and Mrs. Dr. Anderson. For over a year Aunt Sarah had been confined to her room from the effects of a fall. Since that time she has been cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Anderson at Indianapolis. The funeral was conducted at Friends Church of which she was a life long member last Saturday afternoon Interment at Friends cemetery at same place. As year after year brings new changes and one by one of the former landmarks disappear, so pass away our old people who have toiled and braved the storms of life, leaving their places to be filled by those younger in life. - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 13 September 1895
In connection with what has already been printed regarding the life of Aunt Sarah Hall, the following interesting biography has been received written by her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Anderson, of Indianapolis, which is of interest to her many friends.
She was born near Petersburg, Old Virginia. When quite young she, with her sister, were left orphans. Her father being imprisoned because he refused to fight and her mother soon afterward died, presumable from grief. She had but one sister, they becoming separated and she never saw her again, or knew what became of her. Mother was taken into a family named Hockeday, and lived with them until she was 18 years old. She was allowed to attend Catholic School three months out of the year, and worked mornings and evenings for her board. She has often told us what a hard, desolate life she lived, being compelled to work beyond her strength and at night climbed to her attic to a bed of straw, with insufficient covering and shiver till morning. She had but little opportunity for education. Finally she married a nephew of the man with whom she lived, named Richard Hockeday. Immediately after their marriage they started to move to Ohio in a covered wagon, but her husband died while seated beside her in the wagon driving, and before they had gotten out of the State of Virginia. It is presumed it must have been heart trouble. They stopped at some little town, of which I have forgotten the name, and buried him, (there were others with them), and then continued on with their journey. It must have been a lonely trip to a young girl with no relatives living she could go to, and the man to whom she had expected to look for happiness, taken so suddenly from her.
Her maiden name was Parsons. She was married to my father in 1831. Of this marriage there were ten children, one of which died in infancy, the others all lived to settle in life, and four survive her. In the year and a half in which she has been shut in, never once did I hear her say, “I am tired,” or murmur in any way against her lot. Sometimes toward the close, she would say, “Oh, if I could get to the better world.” But instantly she would check herself and say, “But it’s all right, I’m willing to suffer whatever he send;” and when asked as she often was, if she was ready always, the same answer, “ready and only waiting till he calls.” Never a murmur or complaint, and always a word of sympathy and kindness for those who waited upon her. She died August 15, 1895, aged 87 years and 3 months. -s