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DOCUMENTS OF
SOUTH ANCESTORS
SOUTH WILL OF ELIJAH SOUTH Transcript of Will of my 3G Grandfather 48-Elijah South, executed 5-26-1830. I Elijah South of Dunkard Township Greene County considering the uncertainty of this mortal life but being of sound mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit. First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachel, all my household and Kitchen furniture during her life, one horse two cows and six sheep and privilege of the dwelling house, the stock to be kept by my sons Elijah and Joseph on the farm where I now reside she is also to have a decent support off said farm during her life at the death of my beloved wife Rachel it is my wish and will that the household and Kitchen furniture together with the stock to her bequeathed be equally divided among my three daughters or their legal heirs. Second I give and bequeath unto my son John all my right to the farm wherein he now lives. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Kisiah Taylor the house she now resides in with five acres of ground adjoining the same as long as she lives or pleases to live thereon at which time the same is to revert back to my homestead farm. I give and bequeath unto my son Charles the farm whereon he now lives. I give and bequeath unto my two sons Elijah and Joseph my homestead farm except the lot bequeathed to my daughter Kisiah , equally between them who I hereby enjoin it upon to support their mother agreeably to the provisions above mentioned for her. Further I leave my right in the farm whereon my son Elijah now lives to be sold by my executors and the proceeds be equally divided between my three daughters viz. Kisiah Taylor, Rebecca Kerns and Rachel Billingsley or their heirs. Further it is my will that all my personal property not herein otherwise bequeathed be sold and the proceeds equally divided among all my children. And I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Elijah South and O. W. Minor Executors to this my last will and Tesatament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty. Elijah South (Seal) Signed sealed and declared by the above named Elijah South to be his last will and Testament in presence of us who in his presence and at whose request have herreunto inscribed ouur names. Noah Minor John Minor * * * * * *
Comittee:
Robt.
I. McKee, PresidentFRANK SOUTH LICENSE TO PREACH
Transcript of my Grandfather 6-Rev. Frank South's license to
preach. The original is handwritten.
Local Preacher License To all whom it may
concern;
This certifies
that being acquainted with the Gifts, Graces and
usefulness of Frank South, and he having been duly recommended, we
judge that he is a suitable person to be licensed a Local Preacher in
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and we accordingly authorize him to
preach the Gospel subject to the requirements of the Discipline of said
church.
Signed by order of the Greensboro Quarterly Conference of the Washington District of the Pittsburgh Annual Conference held at Garrison the 8th day of Feb. 1883. L.L. Minor M.L. Donham T.F. Keener TALK
BY FRANK SOUTH
Patriotic address found among miscellaneous sermons, talks and notes of Grandfather 6)Rev. Frank South. Delivered by the author in the late 1800's in a memorial service honoring those who lost their lives in the war between the states. A Tribute to the
Civil War Dead.
By Rev. Frank South Those who are disposed to look out upon the future of our republic with misgivings as to the stability of her institutions and who seem to discover in every change in our nations affairs signs of coming evils which will destroy our civil and religious liberties may find in this day of demonstrations, may learn even from the fact of its observance something to assure them that their fears are groundless. So long as we citizens venerate the memories of our Countries defenders and commemorate their noble deeds there is little danger to be apprehended from the source from whence alone all true danger to the Republic can arise, namely from the people. As long as a nation prizes her history and remembers with gratitude those who have made that history grand and glorious by firm adherence to the principles of Right, just so long will that nation exist, and not only exist but prosper and flourish. The History of our Republic is one continuous record of brilliant achievements and no true American need blush to have his Country's History spread out before the gaze of the world. But what is it that has made our history what it is? What has been the power, that has lifted us nationally, to the eminence which we occupy? I answer that next to the overuling hand of the Arbitor of Nations, we owe it all to the patriotism of the people. Whenever Wrong or Oppression has sought to gain a foothold within our borders the people have risen in opposition and have dealt telling blows in the cause of the oppressed. Nor have they fought in vain; for today we stand a nation of Freemen and in all our 50,000,000 inhabitants no man is called master. But has all this come about without a struggle? Has this state of affairs been reached without any effort? No, no, long was the struggle over freedom claimed our land her home and the little green mounds on the hilltops and in the valleys throughout our land are witness to the fact that our liberties have been bought with the blood of heroes. And today the American people show to the world that they appreciate those liberties by strewing flowers upon the graves of the bravest soldiers that ever went forth to conflict. By and through this most touching memorial service we express our reverence for the dead who will sleep in our churchyards as well as the sympathy we feel for those who have been robbed by wars ruthless hand of their dearest friends. The great heart of the nation beats in sympathy for the soldiers widow and his orphan children and we are reminded of the hundreds and thousands of fathers and mothers who waited in vain for the coming of those around whom clustered the brightest hopes of the future. And as we drop upon the lowly mound the flower which shall soon wither and fade our minds involuntarily revert to that period of our Nations History when those noble fellows went forth to do or die in freedoms holy cause, but as the flower in withering sends forth a sweeter fragrance so the fiery ordeal through which they passed only more fully developed and brought out in bolder relief the noble qualities of human nature when moved by the call of duty. No mercenary motives impelled them but when danger threatened their Government they turned their backs upon all they held most dear and went out to endure the hardships and brave the dangers of soldier life. Some no doubt went forth prompted by love of novelty, or adventure; a thirst for excitement or love of glory; but aside from all these there went a body of men forming as it were a mighty wave of patriotism rushing down from Northern hill and Southern plain filling the hearts of would be conquerers with terror and dismay. This feeling was universal and every segment of labor sent its representatives. The merchant went from behind the counter, from measuring of silks and laces to the dainty children of fashion; the Artist laid aside his paints and brush and turned his back upon the charming studio; the man of culture turned from his literary pursuits upon which he had counted so much; and the student whose delight had been to linger in classic hall was suddenly animated with new zeal that need be cooled or heightened on the broad field of battle. The professional aspirant for honor ceased to wed ambition, took a broader view and went into the service of his country; while the poet who had found the highest enjoyment in the utterances of "lips wet with crystallin dew"felt that he must slake his thirst at other fountains and he too was seen on his way. The minister at the sacred desk felt the new cause blending with his own; the mechanic and Artisan laid their tools to rest and took up others of different character where with to strike for Liberty and Right, and the sturdy yeomanry everywhere declared themselves ready to do or die in so noble a cause. They laid themselves upon the alter of sacrifice and who shall tell how rich the offering or how precious the incense that went up from it. If it is wise to talk of anything pertaining to mortals as being worthy to be recorded as with a pen of iron and the point of a diamond, Then might choice paragraphs be culled from the sacrificial records of those times for posterity ages down to read. The nobility of manhood has been increased thereby and sentiments have been written that do honor to mankind. Is it right that we mourn with unfeigned sorrow for the thousands who are lost? If it be true that men live in actions more than in moments, in deeds more than in years, then it may also be true that these have accomplished more for the cause in which they were engaged by their death than they could have done in life. We may search the pages of history in vain for such examples of stern unflinching patriotism as presented by the ready response of the American people to the call of humanity and justice. Go search the records of other times and nations: Collect in one vast volume the greatest instances of bravery on the battlefield: Note the boasted valor of the ancient Greeks and Romans and then contrast with all this the brief History of our nation covering a period of little more than a century, and as we seem to live in the past when Nations and Armies went forth to conquer and enslave, we turn to American History and as we peruse its pages many of which have been written in blood; as we ponder upon the issues and events in which universal Freedom was slowly but surely being worked out we have the more reason to be proud of that record and greater to love and reverence her fallen heroes. Her soil is made sacred by their ashes and the remembrances of the sacrifices they made should prompt us to guard with jealous care and ceaseless fidelity that priceless heritage they have left us -- a free country. Well may we honor them: Most fitting is it that once a year we come together to decorate their graves, for right nobly did they answer their countries call, bravely they fought and fell on the battlefield, and with heroic fortitude and an unquenchable love of country languish and die in prison pens. But we are here to honor the living as well as the dead. There are those among us who passed through the terrible scenes, bloodshed when brother met brother in mortal conflict, those who have stood in the line of battle when the roar of cannon and the whistling of rifle balls chanted the requiem for their comrades. They are our friends and neighbors and to them we look for such examples of citizenship in peace as they have given of Heroism and bravery in war. There is not a wreath that we drop upon the last resting place of the dead that we are not willing to place upon the brow of the living. They are honored above their fallen comrades in that they are permitted to reap the benefits of their toil and suffering. They who fill the soldiers graves have finished their work. That of their surviving comrades will not be accomplished until all the floating principles settled by the war shall have been securely woven into the fabric of our Nation and from this temple of Liberty is driven every unclean and unholy influence. As soldiers and citizens we should remember that no great good is ever accomplished without a corresponding sacrifice, that no desirable object is attained without an effort and that if we would have our country maintain the position she has taken among the Nations of the Earth, we must each strive to preserve the liberties and privileges with which we are blessed, realizing that the future History of our Republic depends upon the character of her citizens and that if she ever sinks into infamy and shame it will be because her children were false to their trust. But I cannot bring myself to believe that we shall allow this fair fabric to fall into ruin. I cannot think that our glorious union will ever again have reason to blush at the acts of her citizens; but may she grow in prestige, and flower, spreading the blessed influences of liberty around the globe and inciting by her example other nations to grander objects until the roses shall cease to redden and the lilies to whiten in the sunlight.
POEM BY FRANK SOUTH
Handwritten poem found among miscellaneous sermons, talks
and notes of
Grandfather 6)Rev. Frank South.
Our Army of the Dead By Rev. Frank South Not with musket and with saber And with glad heart beating fast; Not with cannon that had thundered Till the bloody war was past; Not with voices that are shouting With the din of victory's gloat; Not with armor gayly glistening Not with flags that proudly float; Not with air of martial vigor Nor with steady soldiers tramp; Come they grandly marching to us For the boys are all in camp. With our love bestowed upon them Each within his earthly bed; Waiting for his marching orders Is Our Army of the Dead. Fast asleep the boys are lying In their low and narrow tents; And no battle cry can wake them And no orders call them hence; And the yearning of the mother And the anguish of the wife Cannot with their magic presence Call the soldier back to life; And the brothers manly sorrow And the fathers mournful pride Cannot give back to his country Him for who his country died. They who for the trembling nation In its hour of trial bled Lie in these its years of triumph With Our Army of the Dead. When the years of earth are over And the cares of earth are done; When the reign of time is ended and eternity begun; When the thunders of Omniscience On our wakened senses roll, And the skies above shall brighten And be gathered like a scroll; When among the mighty mountains And across the mighty sea The sublime celestial buglar shall Ring out Reveille. Then shall march with brightest Laurels, And with proud victorious tread To their Station up in heaven Our Grand Army of the Dead. |
