JACKSON COUNTY, NC -- OBITUARIES -- Joseph H. Wilson, February 29, 1860
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Submitted by Dawn Watson (booleygirl@aol.com), October 29, 2001

Note: places that were hard to read are enclosed in brackets [ ]. The 
author used dashes -- and quotation marks " " frequently within this 
narration. Spelling and punctuation are as they appeared in the
article.


From The Franklin Observer (published in Franklin, Macon Co., NC), 
March 16, 1860 issue:

                         OBITUARY.

Departed this mode of existence on Wednesday morning Feb. 29th, at 
the residence of his father, John Wilson, Esq., on Savannah Creek,
Jackson county, North Carolina, Mr. Joseph H. Wilson, aged 27 years,
6 months and 24 days.

At the age of 21 years, Joseph, through prayer and supplication, was
by the application of Jesus' atoning blood, made an heir of God, a 
kindred of the Lamb -- whereupon he attached himself to the M. E. 
Church; but like many young men, was again partially carried off by
the pursuasion of, or rather keeping the company of his wicked mates,
into the participation of this life's transient pleasures, where he
remained until Scott's Creek Camp meeting, 1859, (but no charge 
against him in the Church.)  He concluded he would no longer remain
in his backsliden state and through the fervency of prayer, the
supplication of his kindred and friends, and the ever willingness of
the Greatest of all friends Jesus, "[???] willeth not the death of
any, but that all should come unto him and live," it pleased God
for Christs sake to seal his pardan and indellibly write his name in
the Lamb's Book of Life.  Since that time Joseph has lived the life
of a consistent christian and member of the church up to his death.
He was taken very ill on Saturday night before his death and 
suffered the most excrutiating pain and burning fevers until it 
pleased God in the plentitude of his mercy to remove him from earth
and waft his spirit home to Jesus.  Although racked with pain during
his illness, Joseph bore all with that fortitude which is ever
characteristic of the true christian and child of God.

During his illness, Joseph's relations and friends, anxious to know 
if all was well, talked to him frequently of his hope of Heaven, and
the enjoyment of that happiness which awaits the finally faithful in 
Jesus; he consoled his weeping friends with the response that "all
is well -- my road is clear, no obstruction in the way -- all is 
bright, and if it is the will of Him" who rides upon the storm and
calms the Ocean's troubled waves "I will soon cast anchor within the
vail where there are no stormy clouds to rise and where ever flows
that pure River of the water of life" which maketh glad the city of
God, and from which the happy spirits can drink through the ages of 
long -- long eternity.  Yes, where he wished his father, mother,
brothers, sisters and friends, who are left to mourn the loss of 
Joseph, to meet him on the flowery banks of the New Jerusalem and 
join the thronging millions of happified spirits in the enjoyment of
happiness and that peace which awaits the people of God, and join
the choirs of happy Angels, Cherubims and Seraphims in ascribing
undivided praises to God and the Lamb forever.

Joseph was a young man of great promise, and one who enjoyed the 
esteem and confidence of numerious friends; possessing a kind 
disposition and amiable qualities -- ever generous and obliging --
kind and hospitable to entertain strangers and especially the
ministers and people of God.

We hope those of Joseph's acquaintances who have a desire for a 
rest beyond the shores of time will take his impressive counsel and
fly to mercy's wide extended arms before it be too late, and while
it is called to-day, and prepare a home in Heaven where Jesus
reigns and sorrows are no more.

Peace to Joseph's dear relations -- comfort yourselves in the hope
of meeting him in Heaven.                   D. D. D.

March 14th 1860