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Death of John Seay,
Esq.
The light of another household has “gone out”
forever. Mr. John Seay, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed
citizens of Jackson County, departed this life Friday night, 26th ult., at
a few minutes to 11 o’clock, aged nearly 86 years—after, apparently, but a
few minutes illness. The death of Mr. Seay, while it was sudden and
unexpected at the time, yet, all things considered, was one of those
events in which there was nothing remarkable or singular.—To use the idea
of a friend, frail mortal machinery had simply worn out and “run down”—the
“sands of time” had floated out one by one, with the ebb and flow of the
“tide of life,” into the great “ocean” of futurity—Nature had performed
all her allotted functions, and there was naught else to do except for the
spirit to return to “Him who gave it” and the body to be consigned to the
dust from whence it sprung. The circumstances immediately attending the
death of our venerable friend were these. Let us preface, however, by
remarking that Mr. Seay had, according to his own declaration, never been
sick a day in his life. That is, he had never been confined to his bed as
much as a day at a time from sickness of any kind. Though from his extreme
age, he was, as will be naturally inferred, weak and feeble, and unable to
undergo much of fatigue or exertion. Up to a few minutes of his death, he
was in his usual health and spirits. He had partaken of the evening meal
as was his want and custom. Had set up till his usual time for retiring.
Engaged in the family devotions of the evening (which, on this occasion,
were conducted by Rev. W. B. Rutherford, who was on a visit to Mr. Seay’s,)
with more than usual unction and fervency; responding with unusual zeal to
the invocations and petitions of his friend and servant of the Most High,
who led in the evening’s exercises. At the time for retiring, Mr. Seay
“lighted” his guest (Mr. Rutherford) to his room and then sought his own
couch. Previous, however, to lying down, he told Mrs. Seay that he felt
unwell—and to inquiries as to what was the matter, complained of some
uneasiness about the stomach or chest. After lying a short while—some few
minutes, perhaps—he expressed a desire to get up, and did so—his wife
assisting him. A few minutes afterwards he was again asked how he felt; he
answered that he felt better, but that there was some difficulty
breathing—a shortness of breath. These were about the last words he spoke.
He was either on the edge or close by the bed; his head dropped and he
appeared no longer able to help himself. Mrs. Seay, who was close by all
the time, caught him in her arms and called for aid. A colored man close
at hand came immediately, and the old gentleman was laid on the bed, and
it seems ere all this had transpired, the vital spark had fled—life’s lamp
had ceased to burn—and “Uncle Johnny Seay” was no more. Mr. Rutherford,
who, as before stated, had only a short time previous gone to his room and
to bed, was immediately called, but did not reach his revered friend ere
the “silver cord had been loosed.” Thus passed away one of nature’s
noblemen—a man beloved by all who knew him, and who, by a temperate,
exemplary life, had lived even beyond his allotted “three score and ten.”
It was the sad privilege of the writer to be present at the burial, which
took place at the old homestead at 4 o’clock, Sunday afternoon last. As
was to be supposed, quite a large concourse of relatives and friends were
present. The remains had been placed in a neat and handsome burial case,
and at the hour above mentioned, the “casket” was borne from the dwelling
house to the graveyard—some fifty or a hundred yards distant. Rev. C. A.
Conway, of the Mulberry Circuit, officiated on the occasion, and, in
addition to two “Scriptural lessons,” read the “funeral service” of the M.
E. Church. That appropriate and solemn hymn commencing,
“Unveil thy bosom faithful tomb, Take this
new treasure to thy trust; And give these sacred relics room To slumber in
the silent dust.”
Was then sung, after which the Rev. Pastor
and friend of the deceased made a few feeling and impressive remarks on
the life and death of this old “father in Israel.” There was no attempt at
a funeral discourse. At the close of the remarks, the coffin is brought
and placed by the side of the grave, and a short time allowed all who
desired to do so, to take a “last look” at one who in life most if not all
present, had learned to love and esteem. Arrangements are now made and the
coffin is lowered to its final resting place. The remainder of the “burial
service” is performed, when the “hollow sound” of the clods as they fall
in the grave, serve, no doubt, to impress on the minds of all present, the
awful and serious declaration—“dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt
return.” A proper tribute will, we hope, be prepared by someone better
qualified and better acquainted with the deceased than is the write of
this imperfect and hastily written sketch. And may “He who tempers the
wind to the shorn lamb” comfort the bereaved—near relatives and dear
friends, left behind. The deceased, we are informed, was perhaps the
oldest—or one of the oldest church members in the county of Jackson. And
while he made no ostentatious or undue outward display of his religious
doctrines and principles, was noted for his true, deep-toned piety and
love to the cause of his Master.—But as before remarked, we leave others
to speak of his characteristics as a Christian and…
The Forest News,
June 2, 1876
[Webmaster's Note:
John Seay b. 26 Aug 1796 d. 26 May 1876 is buried at Seay Cemetery.
From the square in Jefferson take US 129 business route toward Athens 2.5
miles. Turn right onto Ethridge Road and go 4.1 miles to Cedar Grove Creek
Road. Turn right and go 0.6 mile to 670 Cedar Grove Church Road.
Walk past the iron gate on the left side of this road about 130 yards to
an open field, then go 50 yards SSW (left). This cemetery is located
on your left under some trees.]
Uncle Jack Hill
Dead
It will be sad intelligence to
hundreds of people to learn that Uncle Jack Hill is dead. For
several months he has been afflicted, and confined most of the time to his
room, and on Tuesday death came to his relief. On Wednesday his
remains were interred in Oconee cemetery. Uncle Jack Hill had his
faults, but he also had his virtues. He had his weakness, but he
also had his strong points. In the war between the States, he was a
brave and fearless soldier. As a citizen, he was true to his
friends. Every one who knew him liked him. Not possessed of
many of this world's goods, yet he was one of the most charitable of men.
Many a time has he relieved want and ministered to the suffering. He
was known to almost every one in the county and all called him "Uncle
Jack."
The Jackson
Herald, January 2, 1913
Page last updated
11/18/2011 |
