Person:Mary Arnold (132)

Jerry Gross writes: I found this item at the DAR Library in DC from The Knottses, by Opal Knotts Weekley, 1969, 1971 of Minora, West Virginia. My comments are in [ ] and it is transcribed as I found it:

Mary Arnold Knotts Hensley

To the church of Walnut, convened this 3rd day of September, 1899

Dear Brethren--We, your committee on memoirs, desire to present the following tribute of praise and appreciation together with the annexed resolution in memory of Mary Hensley, who was born August 6, 1810 [this is different than what we have] and departed this life August 12, 1899.

Her maiden name was Mary Arnold, being the daughter of John and Jemima (Jackson) Arnold. She was born on the above date mentioned in Harrison (now Barbour County Va.) now West Virginia [this birth place is different from what we have] and reared by her faithful christian parents to the blushing and blooming age of young womenhood, when in 1827 she gave her heart to and was happily united in marriage to Joseph Knotts. To whom were born five children--three sons, Absalom, William and Rufus and two daughters, Jemima and Jane of whom all are living except Jemima who died some years ago very suddenly.

Some years after their marriage in Harrison County, they emigrated to the wilderness or rather the wilds of Kanawha as it was then (but now Calhoun), and gave their best efforts in carving out the way for civilization and prosperity suffering the many deprivations of a frontier life; but God was with them sustaining them in trials and afflictions and especially favored themselves to be an honor to their mother's name and a blessing to the country they were taught to serve. But a dark day came at last when Joseph Knotts, the husband to who she gave her hand and her young heart, was summoned away by the death angel on on the 12th day March 1855. The one with who her early life was spent and to who she always proved true and faithful was now gone and she was left alone to battle with the trials of life.

In 1855 she was again united in marriage to Aaron Hensley with who she lived happily when death again interfered and she was left a widow a second time about 13 years ago in which state she spent the reminder of her days. Her declining years were spent in the house of her youngest son, Rufus Knotts, where she received every needful attention. It is due this son to say that no mother was ever watched over with more care. I can't but think that of that scripture that reads "Her children shall rise up and call her blessed." will some times be reversed and mothers will rise up and call their children blessed.

It will be observed she lived to a good old age being 89 years and 6 days in this world verifying that scripture where it says "With long life I satisfy thee and show thee my salvation."

She gave her heart to Jesus when but a child and lived all along these years for him and a home in his mansion and when the final test came she just fell asleep in Jesus and awoke up in Heaven.

Whereas, it has pleased the All wise one came take our sister to the mansions above,

Resolved, 1. That we recognize in her death we have lost one of our most valued members, one whom we had utmost confidence as a christian, one that manifested continually the spirit of Christ.

Resolved, 2. That we extend our sympathies to all the friends and recommend them to the care of him who is too wise to err and too good to do wrong.

Resolved, 3. That we extend have these resolutions spread upon the records of the church and a copy to each of the church papers, Methodist Advocate and Central Methodist and a copy to each of the county papers.

G. Johnson
E.W. Gump
John Arnold

Committee

1. ↑ Springston, Jackson A., Rootsweb chart of Jackson A. Springston: Ancestors of Jack Marie Adams Springston wc.r.
2. ↑ Minora cemetery records, in Calhoun, West Virginia, United States. GenWeb.
3.   Jackson, P. A. Jackson Ledger. (1887)
   pg 15.
4.   Weaver, Bob. Hur Herald
   photo archives.
5. ↑ DAR Library, Washington, DC.