Marion Co., TX - Obituary - Lewis A Patillo, 1861 *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Vicki Betts Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** TENNESSEE BAPTIST, August 24, 1861, p. 4, c. 3 Lewis A. Patillo. Appointed by the Hickory Hill Baptist Church, Marion county, Texas, it becomes our mournful duty to pay the last tribute of respect to our most worthy brother. Long have we lived in the eternal bond of Christian love together. Sorrow fills all our hearts, and words are poor in expressing our feelings—the pillar of the church—the brother who, in the hands of God, was the means of planting this tender vine here, watered as it has been abundantly with heavenly showers. Lewis Alexander Patillo was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, Jan. 20th, 1817; reared by a moral mother, who early took him to the house of god; he was brought up under the sanctifying influences of the Gospel, thus directed, until manhood. In the year 1839 he was united in what has proved the purest ties of wedded love, to Miss Lucinda Boswell. Death is full of gloom, because of the ties which are severed. How many hearts must mourn the death of our brother. He passed twenty- two years with the wife of his youth, just half of his life, far the brightest and happiest part. A large family, part of them grown to mature years, are fully sensible to their irreparable loss in seeing no more in time their kind and loving father, while the little ones have yet to learn they are not to be favored with the constant watchfulness and counsel of a devoted father. The community here lost one who took a lively interest in everything pertaining to the good of the neighborhood; the church has lost a most worthy member, who felt that he was not his own, as the servant of God; for the benefit of the church cheerfully he gave and labored for the prosperity of the church. But his death crieth aloud for vengeance. We will pursue the unfeeling man who could approach our brother and our neighbor, and without any cause take away in so savage a manner a life more valuable than a hundred such as his. Yes, we have to record that our brother, on Thursday morning, July 25, 1861, was murdered by Alfred A. Wilson without cause or provocation. Humanity and Christianity make it our duty never to rest until the murderer is executed. Soon after Bro. Patillo's marriage they moved to Texas and settled, where he lived so happily in the bosom of his family, and surrounded by his numerous friends. In Bro. Patillo's life we see the mercy and forbearance of our Heavenly Father. Like many others he put off the day of his allegiance to God. Being of a most cheerful disposition, a fond lover of amusement, he engaged in the pleasures of the world with ardor. After returning from a visit to North Carolina, where the scenes of his youth were all brought to view again, he was taken sick, having time for reflection and thought to feel the uncertainties of life, he one day enquried [sic] of his wife if she ever learned to pray. About this time there was a meeting of some interest in the neighborhood which he attended. Soon after the Soda Lake, now the Rehoboth Association, met in Dangerfield, which he and his wife attended, and was a very attentive listener, and there had many conversations with Bro. Griffin, whose ministry he valued highly. Lasting good was accomplished by this Association for him. In March following, as there was no Baptist church within twelve miles of this community, he sent for Bro. Griffin to baptize him. According to request he came. After a long and highly interesting interview with him and his companion, Bro. Griffith [sic?] was satisfied they were Christians. Bro. Patillo prepared the pool, sent word to the Baptists around; they listened to the experience of himself and wife; after which they were baptized near the place where his remains rest until the morning of the first resurrection. Soon after the Hickory Hill Church was established, thirty united, more than half by baptism; among the number the two eldest daughters of our deceased brother. God directed our brother to this place, made him the honored instrument of planting the church here, which we trust will remain as long as the sun and moon endures. To him we are indebted for this house where long we have worshipped together. In conclusion we have to say he was our dearly loved brother, his loss we greatly feel, and as a church, we pledge our protection and our counsel to our sister, his companion, and his children. Bro. Patillo was a good husband, a good father, a good neighbor, and a good brother. Brethren Garrett, } Young, } Committee. Barnes, } J. Garrett, Clerk pro tem. Hickory Hill, Marion county, Texas, July 27, 1861.