Passed To The Shadowy World.
Brief Sketch of the Late Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams – A Remarkable Woman.
=========================================
There has passed away from us a remarkable woman. Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams was born in 1794 at New York City. Her father, Mr. Samuel Russell, was well known in the society and political circles of his time.
Living in New York in her girlhood, Mrs. Williams was a witness of the interesting events of the early part of this century, and had access to the society of men of letters as well as men of position in the politics of the country, and took a lively interest in all public affairs. Doing a very benevolent disposition, she early became active in charitable enterprises. Of deeply religious sentiments and convictions, she obeyed to the utmost the calls of duty toward her fellow creatures. This all who knew her could testify to. The effect of this conscientious character was to cause her to devote the greater part of her time to works of charity, both public and private.
A most interesting history could have been written of her life and her connections with works of benevolence. Being aware of this from the frequent anecdotes with which her conversation was illustrated, her friends have endeavored at various times to draw from her a connected narrative, with a view to writing it out for the benefit of others and their own satisfaction; but this request was the one which she persistently denied, though always with a smile and quip of her every ready wit. Even the anecdotes of FitzGreoue Hallock, Rodman Drake and outer authors, of the descriptions of New York city, when Canal street was a public common; the vivid accounts of the Morgan affair; the history of the “barn-burner” campaign in the state of New York, and the thrilling tales of “under-ground” railroad in the exciting times of the anti-slavery agitation—it is now impossible to produce them as she was accustomed to relate them. Nor could anyone but a stenographer accurate record the wise and witty original remarks with which her narrations sparkled.
Nothing, however, made such an impression upon the listener as Mrs. Williams’s accounts of the methods she pursued to affect the ainolloration or reform of certain abuses in city government during her residence in Buffalo, N.Y., and the mode pursued under her discreetly conveyed suggestions, by the town authorities, for the relief of the poor in certain “hard winters”. The energetic action of this one brave and untiring soul brought succor and comfort to the wretched, counsel and consolation to the depraved and despairing in prison, and defense to the helpless and injured in and out of confinement. Portland also has known much of her ministrations, even when at an age which would have precluded in most persons the idea of further effort for the good of society. This philanthropy was equally active in her own home, where a welcome always awaited the sorrowing and the destitute, and where with her own hands she served, until recent years, whoever came demanding service. It was difficult for an observer to tell which of the two—herself or Mr. Williams, so united were they in good works—suggested the kindnesses disposed in this unostentatious manner.
Very properly, since the word “lady” signifies a bread-giver, she came to be called Lady Williams among her circle of intimates, in acknowledgement of the qualities of intellect and heart which gave her so decided a prominence among them, and by this title, with whatever of honor it confers, she will long be remembered as one of whom “Hereafter in a better world than this, We shall desire more love and knowledge of her." F, F. V.
[The Oregonian, 7 Aug 1889, p3]
Brief Sketch of the Late Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams – A Remarkable Woman.
=========================================
There has passed away from us a remarkable woman. Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams was born in 1794 at New York City. Her father, Mr. Samuel Russell, was well known in the society and political circles of his time.
Living in New York in her girlhood, Mrs. Williams was a witness of the interesting events of the early part of this century, and had access to the society of men of letters as well as men of position in the politics of the country, and took a lively interest in all public affairs. Doing a very benevolent disposition, she early became active in charitable enterprises. Of deeply religious sentiments and convictions, she obeyed to the utmost the calls of duty toward her fellow creatures. This all who knew her could testify to. The effect of this conscientious character was to cause her to devote the greater part of her time to works of charity, both public and private.
A most interesting history could have been written of her life and her connections with works of benevolence. Being aware of this from the frequent anecdotes with which her conversation was illustrated, her friends have endeavored at various times to draw from her a connected narrative, with a view to writing it out for the benefit of others and their own satisfaction; but this request was the one which she persistently denied, though always with a smile and quip of her every ready wit. Even the anecdotes of FitzGreoue Hallock, Rodman Drake and outer authors, of the descriptions of New York city, when Canal street was a public common; the vivid accounts of the Morgan affair; the history of the “barn-burner” campaign in the state of New York, and the thrilling tales of “under-ground” railroad in the exciting times of the anti-slavery agitation—it is now impossible to produce them as she was accustomed to relate them. Nor could anyone but a stenographer accurate record the wise and witty original remarks with which her narrations sparkled.
Nothing, however, made such an impression upon the listener as Mrs. Williams’s accounts of the methods she pursued to affect the ainolloration or reform of certain abuses in city government during her residence in Buffalo, N.Y., and the mode pursued under her discreetly conveyed suggestions, by the town authorities, for the relief of the poor in certain “hard winters”. The energetic action of this one brave and untiring soul brought succor and comfort to the wretched, counsel and consolation to the depraved and despairing in prison, and defense to the helpless and injured in and out of confinement. Portland also has known much of her ministrations, even when at an age which would have precluded in most persons the idea of further effort for the good of society. This philanthropy was equally active in her own home, where a welcome always awaited the sorrowing and the destitute, and where with her own hands she served, until recent years, whoever came demanding service. It was difficult for an observer to tell which of the two—herself or Mr. Williams, so united were they in good works—suggested the kindnesses disposed in this unostentatious manner.
Very properly, since the word “lady” signifies a bread-giver, she came to be called Lady Williams among her circle of intimates, in acknowledgement of the qualities of intellect and heart which gave her so decided a prominence among them, and by this title, with whatever of honor it confers, she will long be remembered as one of whom “Hereafter in a better world than this, We shall desire more love and knowledge of her." F, F. V.
[The Oregonian, 7 Aug 1889, p3]
Passed To The Shadowy World.
Brief Sketch of the Late Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams – A Remarkable Woman.
=========================================
There has passed away from us a remarkable woman. Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams was born in 1794 at New York City. Her father, Mr. Samuel Russell, was well known in the society and political circles of his time.
Living in New York in her girlhood, Mrs. Williams was a witness of the interesting events of the early part of this century, and had access to the society of men of letters as well as men of position in the politics of the country, and took a lively interest in all public affairs. Doing a very benevolent disposition, she early became active in charitable enterprises. Of deeply religious sentiments and convictions, she obeyed to the utmost the calls of duty toward her fellow creatures. This all who knew her could testify to. The effect of this conscientious character was to cause her to devote the greater part of her time to works of charity, both public and private.
A most interesting history could have been written of her life and her connections with works of benevolence. Being aware of this from the frequent anecdotes with which her conversation was illustrated, her friends have endeavored at various times to draw from her a connected narrative, with a view to writing it out for the benefit of others and their own satisfaction; but this request was the one which she persistently denied, though always with a smile and quip of her every ready wit. Even the anecdotes of FitzGreoue Hallock, Rodman Drake and outer authors, of the descriptions of New York city, when Canal street was a public common; the vivid accounts of the Morgan affair; the history of the “barn-burner” campaign in the state of New York, and the thrilling tales of “under-ground” railroad in the exciting times of the anti-slavery agitation—it is now impossible to produce them as she was accustomed to relate them. Nor could anyone but a stenographer accurate record the wise and witty original remarks with which her narrations sparkled.
Nothing, however, made such an impression upon the listener as Mrs. Williams’s accounts of the methods she pursued to affect the ainolloration or reform of certain abuses in city government during her residence in Buffalo, N.Y., and the mode pursued under her discreetly conveyed suggestions, by the town authorities, for the relief of the poor in certain “hard winters”. The energetic action of this one brave and untiring soul brought succor and comfort to the wretched, counsel and consolation to the depraved and despairing in prison, and defense to the helpless and injured in and out of confinement. Portland also has known much of her ministrations, even when at an age which would have precluded in most persons the idea of further effort for the good of society. This philanthropy was equally active in her own home, where a welcome always awaited the sorrowing and the destitute, and where with her own hands she served, until recent years, whoever came demanding service. It was difficult for an observer to tell which of the two—herself or Mr. Williams, so united were they in good works—suggested the kindnesses disposed in this unostentatious manner.
Very properly, since the word “lady” signifies a bread-giver, she came to be called Lady Williams among her circle of intimates, in acknowledgement of the qualities of intellect and heart which gave her so decided a prominence among them, and by this title, with whatever of honor it confers, she will long be remembered as one of whom “Hereafter in a better world than this, We shall desire more love and knowledge of her." F, F. V.
[The Oregonian, 7 Aug 1889, p3]
Brief Sketch of the Late Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams – A Remarkable Woman.
=========================================
There has passed away from us a remarkable woman. Mrs. Harriot Russell Williams was born in 1794 at New York City. Her father, Mr. Samuel Russell, was well known in the society and political circles of his time.
Living in New York in her girlhood, Mrs. Williams was a witness of the interesting events of the early part of this century, and had access to the society of men of letters as well as men of position in the politics of the country, and took a lively interest in all public affairs. Doing a very benevolent disposition, she early became active in charitable enterprises. Of deeply religious sentiments and convictions, she obeyed to the utmost the calls of duty toward her fellow creatures. This all who knew her could testify to. The effect of this conscientious character was to cause her to devote the greater part of her time to works of charity, both public and private.
A most interesting history could have been written of her life and her connections with works of benevolence. Being aware of this from the frequent anecdotes with which her conversation was illustrated, her friends have endeavored at various times to draw from her a connected narrative, with a view to writing it out for the benefit of others and their own satisfaction; but this request was the one which she persistently denied, though always with a smile and quip of her every ready wit. Even the anecdotes of FitzGreoue Hallock, Rodman Drake and outer authors, of the descriptions of New York city, when Canal street was a public common; the vivid accounts of the Morgan affair; the history of the “barn-burner” campaign in the state of New York, and the thrilling tales of “under-ground” railroad in the exciting times of the anti-slavery agitation—it is now impossible to produce them as she was accustomed to relate them. Nor could anyone but a stenographer accurate record the wise and witty original remarks with which her narrations sparkled.
Nothing, however, made such an impression upon the listener as Mrs. Williams’s accounts of the methods she pursued to affect the ainolloration or reform of certain abuses in city government during her residence in Buffalo, N.Y., and the mode pursued under her discreetly conveyed suggestions, by the town authorities, for the relief of the poor in certain “hard winters”. The energetic action of this one brave and untiring soul brought succor and comfort to the wretched, counsel and consolation to the depraved and despairing in prison, and defense to the helpless and injured in and out of confinement. Portland also has known much of her ministrations, even when at an age which would have precluded in most persons the idea of further effort for the good of society. This philanthropy was equally active in her own home, where a welcome always awaited the sorrowing and the destitute, and where with her own hands she served, until recent years, whoever came demanding service. It was difficult for an observer to tell which of the two—herself or Mr. Williams, so united were they in good works—suggested the kindnesses disposed in this unostentatious manner.
Very properly, since the word “lady” signifies a bread-giver, she came to be called Lady Williams among her circle of intimates, in acknowledgement of the qualities of intellect and heart which gave her so decided a prominence among them, and by this title, with whatever of honor it confers, she will long be remembered as one of whom “Hereafter in a better world than this, We shall desire more love and knowledge of her." F, F. V.
[The Oregonian, 7 Aug 1889, p3]
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