Stafford - Rachel Stitt - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The wife of Rev. George W. Stafford died on Thursday at half past one o’clock at the residence on East Market Street. She had been ill for months and death came to her as a relief from suffering.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 10 November 1899

Rachel R. Stitt, daughter of Judge James and Mary Stitt, was born in Morgan County, Ind., December 25, 1822, and was the second of 7 children, 4 of whom survive her: Rebecca J., Sarah R., and William R. Stitt, all still living at the family homestead, and Mrs. Virginia T. Cloud, of Randolph, Iowa. Her brother, Robert, and her sister, Mrs. Mary J. Sayers are numbered with the dead.

Mrs. Stafford has 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. The family emigrated from Morgan County and settled where Crawfordsville now stands about 1823. Later they moved to a farm near Crawfordsville, where this daughter grew to womanhood. In 1842, on the 24th of March, she was united in marriage with Rev. G. W. Stafford. This union, which continued for 57 years, 7 months and 24 days, was a peculiarly happy one. Mrs. Stafford was, through all these years, a faithful and loving wife and mother. She lived for her home and family. Quiet and retiring in disposition, she found the largest sphere of usefulness and the greatest fountain of joy in her home. Because of this, her husband and children bless her memory.

Mrs. Stafford was the mother of eleven children, six of whom, with her husband, are living. Three of the children, George W., Mary R., and Elizabeth, are at home; William A. lives at Mace; Rev. James T. is pastor of the M. E. Church at Catlin, in the Greencastle district; and Dr. E. A. Stafford resides in Washington. Rev. John M. died the 8th of last August. The other four children died in childhood; Sarah Alice at Greencastle, Louis Robert at Frankfort, Robert Oscar at Crawfordsville.

For over forty years Mrs. Stafford shared with her husband the labors and trials of the itinerary. This required in those early years great devotion and heroism. But to all the demands of that life of stern requirements she proved herself equal. That in itself is a story of self sacrifice that means greatness of character. She was among the pioneers of civilization in this part of Indiana, and her devotion helped to lay the foundation of what is now here.  To all such mothers we gladly pay the tribute of our respect and gratitude. During all these years she was a helper of her husband and encouraged his heart and strengthened his hands in his work. Mrs. Stafford was converted at camp meeting south of Crawfordsville and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in her girlhood. She was faithful unto the end. Undemonstrative in her religion, she possessed a faith and experience that made her life restful and sweet. Her influence was one of the chief agencies used of God in the conversion of her children.  

Since 1862, Mrs. Stafford has resided here. For many years she had been in poor health, and patiently endured much bodily suffering. The last three months she was confined to her bed, her strength slowly ebbing away until Nov. 2 at 1:30 o’clock p.m., when “her body slept in death and her spirit went to God.”

The funeral services were held at the home of Rev. G. W. Stafford Saturday at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. S. W. Goss, assisted by Revs. J. F. McDaniel and H. L. Davis.