Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries......Crittenden, B. Sophia Johnson, 1904 

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"Norfolk (VA) Dispatch", Vol. 16, No. 26, Mon., June 6, 1904, p. 1 

KILLED SELF AND HER CHILD 

Mrs. Crittenden Took little One into Cemetery To Administer Carbolic Acid 

  News has been received here of a tragedy at Crittenden, near the mouth of 
the Nansemond river, on Friday night, as a result of which Mrs. Harry B. 
Crittenden and her 30-months-old daughter both occupy graves, victims of 
carbolic acid administered by the mother. 

  Mrs. Crittenden, who was the wife of a well-known oysterman, dressed the 
child on Friday evening, according to the story, and went out for a walk in 
the little burying ground in the rear of the home.  The two did not return 
for supper and a search was made with the result that the dead child and 
unconscious mother were found lying on the grass in the cemetery with their 
faces upturned in the dim starlight.  The dying woman and the body of her 
little child were quickly removed to the house, where every effort was made 
to save the life of Mrs. Crittenden.  She lingered until Saturday morning 
and succumbed to the powerful effect of the poison she had swallowed. 

  H.K. Anderson, a close friend of the family, left Crittenden Saturday 
morning in a boat for Newport News to buy a coffin for the child, the hope 
then being entertained that the mother would survive.  When he reached Newport 
News, it is stated, he received information of the mother's end and he took 
back to Crittenden two coffins instead of one. 

  The funerals took place yesterday and the services were attended by a grief-
stricken little assemblage, constituting the population of Crittenden and the 
immediate vicinity. 

  No cause can be attributed for Mrs. Crittenden's act.  It is stated that she 
was happy with her husband, who was devoted to her.  Temporary insanity seems 
to be the only cause that can be assigned. 

****************************************************************************** 

"Norfolk Journal of Commerce and the Twice-a-Week Virginian-Pilot," 
   Vol. 3, No. 47, Fri., June 10, 1904, p. 3 

MOTHER KILLED BABE AND SELF 

  Suffolk, Va., June 6. - (Special.) - In the pretty little cemetery at 
Crittenden, Va., about twenty miles from Suffolk, Mrs. Alida [sic; Sophia], 
wife of Harry Crittenden, killed her three-year-old daughter and then 
destroyed herself with a dose of carbolic acid. 

  The mother regained consciousness before death and expressed sorrow that she 
had killed her child, but said she had no remorse on her own account.  There 
was difficulty in forcing the girl to swallow the acid, and her face was 
horribly burned by portions that were spilled.  Mrs. Crittenden told her death-
bed attendants that she carried to the grave yard a brick with which to brain 
her child if the drug did not prove effective. 

  She said the girl lived only a few minutes, once the acid had been 
swallowed. 

  The mother's lingering was caused by the underdose she took, so much of the 
poison having been wasted in administering it to the child. 

  Mrs. Crittenden's domestic relations were happy, and the only reason that 
can be assigned for the murder and suicide is found in a recent letter which 
brought news of her mother's death. 

  The deceased woman's husband is a prosperous oysterman, and they had a 
comfortable home. 

  Mrs. Crittenden and the dead daughter were buried Sunday.  The funeral was 
from the Christian church. 


Britta Sophia (JOHNSON HEDDEN; Mrs. Harry Butler) CRITTENDEN, 
b. Feb 1859, Sweden, d. 4 Jun 1904, at home, Crittenden, 
listed in Mount Zion Christian Church Cemetery*, Crittenden, 

unknown daughter CRITTENDEN, child of Harry B. & B. Sophia (JOHNSON HEDDEN) 
   CRITTENDEN, 
b. ca. Dec 1902, murdered 3 Jun 1904, Crittenden, aged 30 months, 

*Additional information: 

It is possible that Sophia, her daughter & her husband (1852 - 1908) are 
   buried in a family cemetery in the vicinity.  Notwithstanding, all three 
   have been added to the Mount Zion list (Z-2), an extension of the 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/mtzion.txt 

No Find a Grave Memorials 

Birthdate from the 1900 Census - Chuckatuck, Nansemond Co. 

"Sofia JOHANSON" 1m. Wilhelm HEDDEN (ca. 1855 Sweden - Dec. 31, 1890 NYC) 
   m. May 22, 1882 in Kings Co., NY.  Wilhelm is buried in The Evergreens 
   Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY. 

Their sons Oscar William & Victor Emanuel were adopted by Harry, or at least 
   they adopted the surname CRITTENDEN.

Harry 2m. Emma Louise JOHNSON (1886 - 1973) 12 Jan 1905 (Nansemond Co. #10). 
   Emma 2m. Oscar (1884 - 1953) 8 Jul 1908 (Nansemond Co. #134).  Emma, 
   Oscar, & Victor are also buried in Mount Zion Cemetery. 

Harry's obit ("Norfolk Landmark," Mar. 27, 1908, p. 4) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/c635h1ob.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/c635s1ob.txt