Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Gillette, William P., 1932 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ WILLIAM PERCY GILLETTE W.P. GILLETTE, LEADING COUNTY CITIZEN, DIES AT HIS HOME IN CAPRON W.P. Gillette of Capron, one of Southampton’s outstanding citizen, died at his home in that town Saturday afternoon, April 2, after an illness following an automobile accident sustained by Mr. Gillette about five weeks ago when he was struck and knocked down by a passing car in front of his home. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Lillie Knight Gillette; by four sons, Amos W. Gillette of Wilson, N.C.; James T. Gillette, mayor of Courtland; W.P. Gillette, Jr. of Capron and Edward F. Gillette of Suffolk, farm agent of Nansemond County; by three daughters, Mrs. J.R. Dodson of Norfolk; Miss Kate Gillette of the Maury High School faculty of Norfolk, and by Miss Mary Gillette of Capron; by one sister, Mrs. Bettie Everett of Newsoms; a half- brother, Dr. B.A. Pope of Newsoms, besides a large and prominent family connection. At the especial request of the family, the account of this estimable citizen’s long and honorable life, his useful service as a citizen, and his useful service as a citizen, and his activities for may good causes in his native county, are written by the Rev. N.B. Foushee of Sunbeam, this county, a venerable minister of the Methodist Church, who has served many charges in Southampton County and is a former Pastor of Mr. Gillette’s. The Reverend Mr. Foushee’s account follows: Funeral services for William Percy Gillette were held at Capron on Monday, April 4. The procession started from his home at exactly 1:30. The body was borne by his sons, A.W. Gillette, W.P. Gillette, Jr., E.F. Gillette; his half- brother, Dr. B.A. Pope; his grandson, W.M. Gillette; R.A. Pope of Drewryville, J.T. Knight of Wakefield. The body was taken the short distance from the home to Capron Methodist Church, where the most of the service was held. BEAUTIFUL SERVICE The writer, a long standing friend of the deceased, had the honor, by the request of the deceased brother, of being the officiating clergyman. The assisting ministers were Rev. R.H. Marks and Rev. A.K. Lambdin, other minister present being Rev. W.H. Riddick, Rev. H.F. Turner and Rev. A.W. Coates. Mrs. Beverly Moss played Chopin’s Funeral March as the body and family and pallbearers entered. The first lesson was read by Rev. A.K. Lambdin and the second lesson by Rev. R.H. Marks. The choir sang Mr. Gillette’s favorite hymn, "Shall We Gather at the River." The writer offered a prayer, which friends of the family described as wonderfully befitting to the merits, ideals and accomplishments of the deceased. Six ladies of the choir then sang "Asleep in Jesus." Rev. R.H. Marks read Tennyson’s "Crossing the Bar." The writer could not refrain from making a few remarks, which in a small way showed the sterling character and exemplary life of the deceased brother. The body was then borne to the grave in Capron cemetery, where his brother in Masonry took charge and concluded the services. The floral designs were unusually numerous and pretty. The friends in attendance to show their last respects to their deceased friend numbered, according to several estimates, between 500 and 600. Both the attendance and the flowers indicated the esteem and love for him. The colored friends were also present and grieved at the passing of their friend. CHURCH ACTIVITIES AND CHARACTER "To know him, was to love him" was the expression of a friend. Another said, "He knew only one way and that was the straight way." Among the many other expressions caught from the lips of friends were: "He was absolutely a true friend and I could always depend on what he said," and "It’s a great pity that there are not more men like him to set examples for young men." He was truly a good man of sterling qualities and set an example which his children will do well to follow. They have this valuable heritage, which will be theirs eternally. Mr. Gillette was active in church work until his infirmities prevented. When a young man, he was superintendent of Whitehead’s Sunday school for a number of years and was later a teacher in Capron Methodist Sunday school. He was true to his church. When temptations and trials came, and even when prospects for earning money would indicate other courses, he faithfully stood by his church. What better could be said about any man? He had convictions and the courage to stand by them. He was genuinely converted and regenerated by the Holy Ghost and his life showed it. He was a good neighbor, friend, affectionate loving husband and father, and trained his children in the way that they should go. LIFE HISTORY Mr. Gillette was born May 29, 1858, at Cedar Lawn Farm, often spoken of as the Joseph Gillette place, located about three miles west of Franklin on the highway to Courtland. His father was Joseph Ezra Gillette, who was a major in the War Between the States, where he made quite an enviable record. His soldiers loved him and fought hard for him. He was wounded and later died from these wounds about 1870*. Major Gillette married Edith Emeline Worrell, a sister of Benjamin Eldridge Worrell, from which marriage there were three children, Lewis, Betty and William Percy Gillette. After the death of Major Gillette, his widow married Amos Pope and took her two single children, Betty and Percy, with her to Mr. Pope’s home near Newsoms. The children from Mr. Pope’s marriage were also in this home. There resulted from the last- mentioned marriage one son, Dr. B.A. Pope of Newsoms. The early schooling of Percy Gillette was received from a private school near Judkins Mill pond about five miles from Franklin, and at old Buckhorn Academy, conducted by Captain Julian H. Picot at Como, N.C. He later attended William and Mary and V.P.I. Many of his lifelong friends were made at these schools. On March 2, 1881, he married Mary Ella Pope, a daughter of his stepfather. From this marriage there were seven children of which six survive: A.W., Jas. T., W.P., Jr., Lizzie, Kate and Mary Gillette. His wife died November 22, 1894. The second marriage was to Miss Lillie Gertrude Knight, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Sallie Claud Knight, and took place at Whitehead’s Methodist Church May 25, 1897, the writer performing the ceremony. From this marriage there were three sons of which the only surviving him are 16 grandchildren, 20 nieces and nephews, numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great- nieces and nephews. In February, 1898, Mr. Gillette moved from the Amos Pope place to "Lang Syne" farm near Capron, where E.F. Gillette was born. The family moved in November, 1903, to "Rock Spring," the home of Mr. Gillette’s uncle, Benjamin Eldridge Worrell, who died November 4, 1903. The family lived here until April, 1916, when they moved to Capron and have lived there since that time. During his early life Mr. Gillette was active in community enterprises and political affairs. He served as Commissioner of Revenue for eight years, from 1888 to 1896. He was a successful farmer and merchant. In connection with his general mercantile business, he was a large peanut buyer and fertilizer dealer. He was a Mason, holding his membership with Courtland Lodge No. 85, and had been for many years a member of Franklin Lodge No. 51, Knights of Pythias. N.B. Foushee William Percy GILLETTE [Sr.], farmer & merchant, former Commissioner of Revenue, b. 29 May 1858, "Cedar Lawn," d. 2 Apr 1932, at home, Capron, interred in Capron Cemetery**, 4 Apr 1932, "The Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Apr. 8, 1932, pp. 1 & 8 **Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project, Capron list (C-16): http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/capron.txt *His parents are buried in a GILLETTE family cemetery, near Isaacs, likely on "Cedar Lawn Farm." SCHS Cemetery Project, Miscellaneous Cemeteries, Vol. 2 (II-51): http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/miscvol2.txt *His father actually died 1 Nov 1863. His grave was violated, but his remains undisturbed, Summer 2008 ("Tidewater News," Dec. 2, 2008). His photo and that of his grave are posted with his Find a Grave Memorial, #27511270. William's step-father (& father-in-law) Amos S. POPE is buried in a POPE family cemetery, on Meherrin Rd. SCHS Cemetery Project, Miscellaneous Cemeteries, Vol. 1 (I-65): http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/miscvol1.txt William's first wife Mary Ella (POPE) GILLETTE, daughter of Amos' first wife, Catherine Edith (BRYANT) POPE, died 22 Nov 1894. (Southampton Co. D.Recs., p. 210 {orig.p. 6 #9}, gives E.M. Gillette, 33, dt/o A.S. & K. Pope). Her burial site is not known (Aug 2016) to the SCHS Cemetery Project. "Rock Spring" is the site of a RIDLEY family cemetery. SCHS Cemetery Project, Miscellaneous Cemeteries, Vol. 2 (II-46): http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/miscvol2.txt Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), and re-formatted by File Manager. file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/g430w2ob.txt