Bro. W. L. Beebe: -- By request I send to you for publication the obituary notice of my mother-in-law MARTHA SMITH, consort of Britain Smith. She departed this life at my residence in Hunt Co., Texas on the 4th of Dec. 1857, aged 69 years and 28 days, of old age. Her maiden name was Martha Williams. She was born in Virginia, her father moved to South Carolina, when she was quite young, thence moved to Georgia where she was married to Britain Smith. There she professed religion and joined the Old School Baptists, being about 35 years old. Her husband then moved to Cherokee Co., Ala. where the unworthy writer got acquainted with the family and in 1841, she moved to Texas. I also came, and in 1846 married the youngest daughter. It was only in case of sickness or incemency of the weather that she allowed her seat to be vacated at her church meetings. She was the mother of eight children, 3 boys and 5 girls. One of her sons, E. J. Smith, and four of her daughters, Rachel M. Patrick, Lucy E. Lee, Charity E. Wilkerson, and Sarah T. Mackey have gone to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. None of her sons have made a profession of Faith, but her five daughters belong to the same church with herself. She has lived with me for the last two years, being nearly entirely blind and very delicate in health. She has not heard much preaching except through the columns of the Signs and Messenger, in which she took the greatest possible delight in hearing read the communications of the brethren and sisters generally. For the last few months the theme of her conversation seemed to be centered not upon time nor time things but upon those which are to come. She leaves a husband (he being a member of the New School Church), 2 sons and 1 daughter and a large circle of other relatives and friends to mourn their loss, but I believe our loss is her eternal gain, we sorely mourn her departure but not as those who have no hope. I could say much more in praise of her, but lest I should be intruding, I will bring this scribble to a close, by requesting the brethren and sisters to whom this may come, when it goes well with them to remember me and my little family which consists of my wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter and 8 (3?) of my wife's sister's children, who are left without father or mother. Yes, brethren and sisters, pray for me, that I may be enabled to discharge the duties which are enjoined on me as a father to orphan children.
Your unworthy brother in christian love,
WILSON HEFNER