Sarilda Ritchey Stephenson
(December 01, 1823 ~ June 08, 1890)
1 December 1823 - 8 June 1890

[Estimated Age at Death: 66 years, 6 months and 7 days]

Spellings: Sarelda Sarilda Sorilda Serelda
Ritchie Richie Richey

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Death of Mrs. Stephenson

Mrs. Sarilda Stephenson whose death occurred on Sunday last, was among the oldest setlers of the county, having, with her husband, J. A. Stephenson, settled on a farm about two miles west of the city twenty three years ago.

Several years ago they moved to Carlisle, KY, where Mr. Stephenson died on the 16th day of April, 1887, at the age of 62 years.

Mrs. Stephenson returned to the old home after her husband's death, and has been ill most all the while since that time. For the past four months she has been confined to her bed and suffered greatly until death came to her relief as above stated.

She was 66 years, 6 months and 7 days of age and during all these years has lived a consistent Christian life.

At the request of the children Rev. J.M Payne, of the M.E. church, preached the sermon of both father and mother taking as his text, verse 17, of the seventh chapter of Revelations at the M.E. church Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, after which a very large concourse of friends followed the remains to the Stephenson cemetery, on the old home farm, where they were laid to rest neath the soil she had trod in her journey from womanhood to old age.

To us the dearest word that can be uttered, is mother. Whether she be the young mother with her first babe at her breast, or the dear old mother whose trembling limbs are tottering neath the weight of years, still she is mother - the truest and best of all earthly friends, whose place none other can fill. She it is who is blind to all our faults; who magnifies all our virtues; whose arms and heart are open to us when the world and society has closed its doors against us; whe it is who has been our safeguard from the date of our birth. Only mothers can realize the true meaning of the word mother.

To the children now grown men and women, we extend our earnest sympathy. Someday your children will be standing beside your coffin as you stood beside mother's on Monday last. So live that they may know when that time comes, that you have gone to join that mother and by her side will await their coming when the Master calls them home.

Short Creek Republican
Saturday, June 14, 1890

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Information from F.A.G. Flowers:

Sarilda Ritchie Stephenson, b. Dec 1,1823. Daughter to Zachariah Runi Ritchie and Elizabeth McDaniel or McDonnald. Married to John A. Stephenson (the two people in the picture) John died and is buried in Barterville Cem, Barterville, KY.

- Sally Davis (#47087911)
Added: Nov. 24, 2009

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Stone Inscription reads "Mother" A precious one from us has gone, A voice we loved is stilled, A place is vacant in our home which never can be filled.

-Anonymous
Added: Oct. 30, 2007

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For more information:

My Family Tree

http://tinyurl.com/cql5oty

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Children:

Stephenson, Elizabeth Frances
Husband: Sinclair, Abraham Jackson
Stephenson, Thomas Stiles
Wife: Wallis, Anna Eliza
Stephenson, Zachariah N
Stephenson, Susannah H
Stephenson, Mary Ellen
Stephenson, William Henry
Stephenson, Jennie Lucy
Stephenson, Oliver C
Stephenson, John Grant

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United States Census, 1870

* United States Census, 1870
* Kansas
* Cherokee
* Lowell
* Image 16 of 42

Name: John ? Stevenson
Estimated Birth Year: 1825
Gender: Male
Age in 1870: 45y
Color (white, black, mulatto, Chinese, Indian): White
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1870: Kansas, United States

Household Gender Age Birthplace

1. John ? Stevenson M 45y Kentucky
2. Sarelda Stevenson F 46y Kentucky
3. William H Stevenson M 17y Indiana
4.[Lucy] *Y J Stevenson F 14y Indiana
5. Oliver Stevenson M 9y Illinois
6. John G Stevenson M 6y Illinois

Source Citation

"United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MCJN-B3W), John ? Stevenson in household of John ? Stevenson, Kansas, United States.

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