Obits for Samuel and Mary Atkinson, Raisinville, Monroe County, Michigan Copyright © 1998 by Catherine V. Lauer. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. _____________________________________________________________________ KING CEMETERY - located in Raisinville Township, on South Custer Road, near Dixon Road - also known as SACKETT CEMETERY. Samuel Atkinson 79 years, 11 mos., 3 days 3-10-1864 >From the MONROE COMMERCIAL (Monroe Co. Michigan) 24 March 1864: Died in Raisinville, March 10, 1864, of Dropsy, Samuel Atkinson, in the 80th year of his life. Mr. Atkinson had been a resident of this town for nearly 37 years, having emigrated to this place in 1837 [s/b 1827] when the country comparitively speaking, was a wilderness-the whoops of Indians and the howling of the Wolf, being familiar sounds to the settlers. He, however, mid amany discouragements, and much homesickness, settled on the banks of the Raisin, and by patient and persevering toil began to reap the fruit of his labor, and gradually to see in place of Indians and a howling wilderness, cultivated fields, orchards, enterprising settlers, school houses, mills, and all the advantages of civilized society. He was well known as the Quaker through a large extent of the country, and the traveler and wayfaring man was never turned from his door-honest and upright in his deal-a friend to the needy and poor, many will call up his memory with gratitude. His last illness, though protracted and very wearisome, he bore with patience and a quiet submissive spirit, relying upon Jesus for Salvation, whose name was on his lips in the last moments. His funeral took place on the aniversary of his 51st wedding day-the same day a year before having been commemorated by his children as his Golden Wedding. His aged companion, all his children, being seven sons, five of them married, with their wives and children, and one great-grand child, 33 in number, followed his remains to the grave. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Atkinson 92 years, 9 mos., 27 days 8-31-1883 (wife of Sam'l) >From the MONROE COMMERCIAL (Monroe Co. Michigan) Fri. Sep 7, 1883: Death of an Aged Pioneer Died at the old Atkinson homestead in Raisinville August 31st, Mrs. Mary Atkinson. She was born in Gloucester, Co. N.J., Nov. 4th 1790. Her parents were John and Sarah Garwood. She was the sister of the late Joseph Garwood of this city. She married in 1811, Samuel Atkinson, after marriage she and her husband resided in Pennsilvania (sic), near Philadelphia, one year, and fifteen in N.J., near the place of her nativity. In the early part of spring of 1827, their attention was directed to the teritory (sic) of Michigan, her brother Joseph having already resided in Monroe some three or four years. When they arrived in Philadelphia, they were urged by their friends to try their fortunes in the city of "Brotherly Love." Her husband was inclined to listen to their entreaties, but having six sons, and being familiar with the evils of intemperance, Mrs. Atkinson shrunk from the dangers that awaited the rearing of her family in the city, and preferred to encounter the hardships and toils of a pioneer life. Consequently they set their faces westward, their oldest son John, then but eleven years old driving one team as far as Buffalo, N.Y., where they took a boat for La Plaisance Bay. Her brother Joseph interested himself in finding them a home, and the farm now occupied by Eli Loose of Raisinville was rented of Col. Johnson of Monroe. A log house, and stable covered with hay, and an old French orchard, with a few acres of cultivated land, was all that could be looked to as a home in place of the many comforts and conveniences they had left. The outlook was so discouraging to her husband that one wagon only was unloaded, a chest answering for table, beds on the floor, and stools of the roughest kind completed their household furniture, while her husband took a journey on horseback to visit friends in Ohio to see if anything more inviting offered there. In the meantime the persevering wife had set the oldest boys to plowing, and on his return the prospect was so encouraging he concluded to remain. In the following spring the homestead on the opposite side of the river was purchased, where she resided until her death. She was indeed a help meet to her husband in all the toils and privations which they had to pass through, and like the virtuous woman of whom Soloman speaks, "her hands took hold of the spindle and distaff" and clothed her sons; "she riseth also while it is right and giveth meat to her household, she eateth not the bread of idleness." "she stretcheth out her hand to the poor." A quiet unassuming woman, living the principles of the society of friends of which she was a life member, strenuously advocating the rights of the oppressed and downtrodden, an earnest advocate of the temperance cause as well as an abstainer herself. In the last few years her eyesight, and hearing was impaired, but she never gave up, but cheerfully kept on the even tenor of her way, never more happy than when she thought she was usefull. About the 1st of April last she fell and was rendered helpless, which was a great cross to her, as she felt she must be such a burden. She often prayed that she might be released. To those who ministered to her wants she expressed gratitude, and through the long wearisome days and still long nights, in which she received constant care for 18 weeks, she was a patient sufferer. As her end drew near she was raised on the side of the bed, and with the words, "why don't he come," she quietly, quickly breathed her last. Her faith in her redeemer was strong, and as she said, her "only hope." She survived her husband 19 years, and would have been 93 years old the 4th of November. She leaves six sons five of whom are married, who with their wives, 23 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren, will rise up and call her blessed! Her funeral took place at her residence last Sabbath, where all who viewed her, arrayed in her usual costume with white cap, and kerchief folded across her breast,her serene and placid countenance could but feel, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." The services were conducted by Rev. Barfield of the Free Methodist Church. dz