Person:Sarah Rencher (1)

The following was received from Duke University as a part of the Henry Rufus Jones Papers. It is described as a sketch of Sally Rencher Merritt upon her death. Sally Merritt was born Sarah Rencher, daughter to John Grant Rencher and Ann Nancy Nelson in 1791. She married William Merritt 1833. The author of this piece is not identified, it is assumed it was one of her children.

         Sally Merritt was born April 9, 1791
         Married January 12, 1833
         Crippled July 14, 1850
         Died December 22, 1859
         Aged 68 years, 8 mo., 13 days

As was said of pious Mary in Holy Writ, so may it be said of her - "She hath done what she could." Yes, she did what she could to make her husband comfortable and happy to train up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord- to alleviate sorrow, and administer the soothing balm of consolation to the stricken. She did what she could to counsel the wayward, reprove the erring, confirm the strong, build up the weak and establish all in the most holy faith. She did what she could to let her light so shine before men, that they might see her good works and glorify her Father in Heaven. Her faith was a strong faith, her hope a lively hope, her charity, a feverish charity, her conversation a conversation becoming the gospel of Christ. She stood complete in all the will of God. Wisdom selected and regulated her means of serving her generation, while a blameless and lovely consistency of character gave weight to her endeavors. Her dependence was in heaven for light to know and disposition to choose, and strength to perform, and submission to suffer, and patience to wait..

She was a devoted Christian - meek, kind, gentle, amiable, charitable, patient and cheerful. She was loved by all. None knew her but to love-none named her but to praise. But she was most loved by those who knew her best. She died without an enemy and her Savior was her dearest friend. She has left few equals. A better neighbor, mistress, wife, and Mother never lived, a better Christian never died. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, yea saith the spirit, they cease from their troubles, and their works do follow them."

We think she passed the dread ordeal of death with a pain, without a struggle. It is soothing and consoling to think with decency her remains were buried by kind neighbors. The Burial Case was entirely metallic, but presented with the appearance of a beautiful and highly finished rose-wood coffin. It had a tasteful exterior, appropriate form, and is impervious to air, water, gas, vermin, etc.

Rev. Purifoy said at the grave, he "had never seen such a sweet, natural and lovely corpse.” As I looked upon her face for the last time, it seemed almost to radiate heavenly light- Oh! It looked divine, angelic! Oh! Thou sainted Mother! Thy children miss thee! The arm that once pillowed their heads is stiff in death; the ear that over heard them complain is deaf in the grave; the lips from which once fell gentle and soothing accents are hushed forever! But thy image is engraved upon the tablets of their hearts.

"To remember thee brings sorrow to the heart, but it is a sorrow we cherish and would not give up for the world. No, there is a voice from thy tomb sweeter than song. From thy blissful seat, Oh Mother, look down upon thy children! Be our guardian angel! And may God grant that thy memory may beto us a sweet and holy flame to illumine our pathways and sanctify our hearts!"