Obituary for Jane Harrison, Lowndes, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lowndes/obits/jharrison.txt ======================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Kristin Cleage Williams ==================================================================== September 2003 Obituary: Jane Harrison, 1864: Lowndesboro, Lowndes County, Alabama Departed this life on the 26th day of March, 1864, in the 64th year of her age, Mrs. JANE HARRISON; wife of Col. Edmund Harrison, of Lowndes county, Alabama. The simple announcement that another human being has left this scene of earthly activity and enjoyment for the Eternal World, may excite but little interest beyond the immediate circle in which she was especially known and loved. Particularly at such a time as this, when "The air is full of farewells to the dying, And mournings for the dead:" When so many are winning for themselves an illustrious record on the pages of history, and signalizing their departure by deeds of heroic daring,-the fall of one here and there in the quiet walks of private life, may scarcely attract a passing notice. And yet, the narrow sphere of home may witness as pure and lofty a devotion as ever distinguished the field of battle, or the proudest and most conspicuous scenes of human achievement. True greatness, after all, consists in acting well our part, in performing our whole duty in the station allotted us by Providence. Measured by this standard, our departed friend deserves a higher meed of praise than can be awarded her in this brief tribute. Mrs. Jane Harrison was born in Fairfield District, S.C. She removed to the State of Alabama in 1826 and on the 27th of May, 1827, was married to Col. Edmund Harrison with whom she lived most harmoniously and happy to the (can't make out) of her death (can't read) thirty seven years. In 1828 she connected herself with the Methodist Protestant Church in Lowndesboro, Ala. I find upon examining the Church record that her name, and that of her husband, were the first in the list of original Reformers in this place. No one understood more clearly than she the principles involved in bigotry, she yet maintained with characteristic firmness and fidelity her own conscientious convictions, and devoted herself zealously to the church of her choice. We shall not attempt a minute analysis of her character, though it would readily admit it. Unlike that of most of her sex, it had more of the positive than passive and negative elements. There were certain salient, outstanding features which gave to it a somewhat masculine aspect, and yet not at the sacrifice of womanly decorum and modesty. She was distinguished by perfect transparency and candor of spirit - a frankness that spoke out its thoughts and feelings fully and freely. She scorned concealment and reserve, even so much of them as conventional intercourse and the rules of polite intercourse might seem to justify. If she had aught to say against any one, the offender was the first to hear it, no in the language of passion, but of bold and honest rebuke. Never was there a truer and more faithful friend, nor one who gathered around her warmer and more devoted attachments. This was evidenced by the many expressions of sorrow called forth by her death, and the unusually large concourse of persons that attended her obsequies. By her strong mind and sound judgment she was not only able to manage her domestic affairs with discretion, but to render important service to her companion amid the multifarious cares of an exhaustive business. Such was her clear insight, into human nature, and her great practical forecast, that her counsel was of no small value to her husband in all his more important mercantile enterprises. In this respect she was a helpmeet indeed; not only manifesting in all times the tender, loving sympathy of a devoted wife, but, when the occasion called for it, acting the part of a judicious adviser and friend. A life as protracted as hers, was of course not unattended with those vicissitudes which are the common allotment of humanity; and yet, few enjoyed more uninterruptedly the blessings of prosperity than the subject of this notice. Blessed with affluence - with a companion anxious in every way to gratify her wishes and minister to her comfort - surrounded with a group of devotedly affectionate children, and scarcely ever suffering herself from bodily disease or disability, - it is strange that life should have presented to her attractions that rendered the dissolution of its ties a severe trial, and cost her in the end a deep heart struggle? But how wisely God disciplines his people for their great change. She who had so singularly escaped the hand of disease during a long lifetime was destined to close her pilgrimage by a lingering and painful illness. For many weary months she was confined to her bed or her chamber, suffering at times the most acute pain. To one of her active habits the continued confinement was irksome, and she would at times grow restless under it; but most earnestly did she desire to be fully resigned to the will of God - recognizing as she did the chastening of a Father's hand. I frequently conversed with her during her illness as to the purposes of the afflictive appointment, and her own experience under it. She frankly acknowledged that her greatest difficulty was in being reconciled to a separation from her family - always the devoted wife and mother. It was very evident, however, that she was learning obedience "by the things she endured." Her heart was gradually becoming more and more detached from earthly objects and she at last learned that (can't read line) infinitely wise and merciful God. It was to this consummation her Heavenly Father had been conducting her by a benevolent though painful process, and when it was reached the had that had pressed so log and so heavily upon her was lifted. Her constitution, always remarkable for its vital elasticity and force, rallied and regained somewhat its wonted activity. The interval of recovery was, however, a brief one. It but afforded her an opportunity to mingle awhile with her old friends, and exchange with them her last earthy greetings. A slight exposure brought on an attack of Pneumonia, which in a few days hurried her to the grave. Her sufferings were for the most part intense; but as opportunity afforded , she spoke calmly of her approaching departure, and of the future beyond the grave - expressing her humble but hopeful trust in the Savior of men - her resignation to the Divine Will, and her peaceful assurance of eternal life. Her last utterances indicated a spirit of deep concern for the spiritual welfare of her household. Calling them around her, she exhorted her companion, her children and her domestics, to meet her in Heaven; and the, without a struggle or a groan, fell sweetly asleep in the arms of Jesus. "Blessed sleep! From which none ever wake to weep." The fragrance of a grateful honored memory lingers around her tomb. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Lowndesboro, Ala., June 1864 S.K.C.