Contributed by Jackye Penney
The Fairfield Recorder
Nov. 12, 1886
Death of an Old Citizen
Mr. Wm. DAVID Sr. whose long illness has been mentioned several times in our
column died at his residence last Friday of cancer of the face. In the death of
Mr. DAVID Freestone looses one of her oldest and best citizens. He was we
believe a native of Georgia, but came to this county many years before the war.
He was then one of its substantial men and took an active part in the affairs of
the county. For several years past old age and ill health caused him to live a
more retired life. Like many other of our older citizens the deceased was an
honorable old gentleman and had wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He had
a large family of sons and daughters who had grown to maturity and many
grandchildren left to mourn the loss of a kind old grandfather. He had passed
several years ago the allotted "three score and ten" and we think was nearly
eighty when he died. He was a member of the Baptist church and was also a Royal
Arch Mason. His remains were interred in the family burying ground near his
residence where he had lived so long.
~~
Dec. 10, 1886
Memoriam
On the 5th of November 1886 the soul of William DAVID Sr. passed from earth to
heaven leaving behind a void that time can never fill. His death was not
unexpected and was the result of facial cancer from which he had severely
suffered for months. He bore his suffering with heroic fortitude and Christian
resignation and passed quietly away at right age of 75 years surrounded by his
devoted children, whose love, presence and tender ministrations made his "dying
bed as soft as downy pillows are" He lived a long, useful and honorable life and
died the death of a brave man and a Christian. Death had no sting for him and
the grave no victory. His triumph over death and the grave was complete and his
freed spirit now joined with loved ones gone before to the "home of the soul"
and there awaits the coming of loved ones left behind.
The deceased was born in Madison County, Georgia November 13th, 1811, and was of
the Virginia extraction. His parents, William and Lucy DAVID, having moved from
Buckingham Co. Virginia, to Elbert Co. Georgia about the year 1788. Early in
life he married Mary POWER and soon after moved to Jackson Co. Georgia. A few
years later he moved to Troupe Co., that state, then to Stewart Co. Georgia
where his wife died.
And thence to Freestone Co. Texas 1859 where he married Mrs. CHAMBERS, nee
CARTER, relic D.M. CHAMBERS, who gave his life to the Lord for the Lost Cause.
This union was terminated by the death of Mrs. DAVID in 1874 and by her side at
his request all that is mortal of him now "softly lies and sweetly sleeps".
Early in life he joined the Primitive Baptist church but severed his relations
with it rather than renounce Free Masonry to which he was devoted through life
and united himself the denomination known as Missionary Baptist and in that
armor clad met and vanquished death. He was one of "nature’s nobleman" and no
man more richly merits the "grand old name of gentleman". And his death had made
heaven richer and earth poorer. We mourn him but not as "days without hope". He
still lives and we shall meet him "over there". Peace to his ashes.