Died--at her home in Putnam Twp. Dec 30, 1886, of capillary pneumonia, Polly Sprout wife of R. A. Sprout, Esq., age 67 years. The funeral services were conducted at her late residence on Sunday, Jan 2, 1887, by Rev. Fred M. Coddington, assisted by H. Marshall, both of this village. The remains were laid peacefully to rest near the house [in Sprout Cemetery].

[Polly's obituary from an unknown newspaper:]

"Polly Hinchey was born in Wheatland, Monroe Co., NY, Nov 18, 1819. [Her parents had moved there from Saratoga County NY in 1815.] She was a daughter of Samuel and Lucy [King] Hinchey. In 1825 her parents removed to Gates Twp. near Rochester, where she lived with them until Dec 29, 1836, when she was married to Rowley Alonzo Sprout to whom she remained a faithful wife until death did them part on the day succeeding the 50th anniversary of their union.

Mr. and Mrs. Sprout began keeping house immediately after marriage in Wheatland, NY, living there two years. Sep 18, 1839 they removed to Geneva, Jennings Co., Ind. where they resided until July 18, 1843, when they came to Michigan, purchasing the farm now owned by Frank Barlow. Here they lived 12 years. In April 1855 they again changed their residence, removing to the farm which has since been their home [Gregory, Putnam, MI]. Of the 10 children born in the family, two died in childhood, and the eight who survive are so well known and generally respected as to make any specific mention superfluous.

Mrs. Sprout was a woman well known and highly esteemed by all who knew her. As a wife she entered heartily into the plans of her husband and ably assisted him in the fight with and the final victory over poverty, with careful economy caring for the wants of the family, yet cherishing a large hearted benevolence so that the poor never went from her door unaided. As a neighbor, her councils were eagerly solicited in every crisis in life and her sympathy and assistance in time of trouble were never asked in vain.

As a mother she possessed the rare art of winning the love of her children while at the same time training them to strict obedience and virtuous conduct. Perhaps no more fitting illustration of this filial love actuating them could be given than the following extracts from a letter written by her son, Wesley, from Florida on Dec 13, 1883:

"Dear and Best of Mothers -- I shall never forget your patient forbearance and kind self sacrificing love. Do not mourn over your unfortunate child whose ill health caused him to part from you to seek better climes. Dear Mother let me send you a spiritual kiss. Goodbye sweet Angel, goodbye."

Mrs. Sprout was connected under the preaching of Rev. Benial Bain about 1850, and united with the Protestant Methodist Church in Unadilla Twp. She never manifested much emotional joy or gave vent to wild enthusiasm, but trusting her savior, she quietly went about doing good.

Anticipating her approaching dissolution she called her family to her bedside, gave them her parting council and dying blessing, and commending her soul to God, she fell asleep."

Polly was the mother of ten children:

William Alonzo Sprout
Herman Clark Sprout
Mary Louisa Sprout
Eunice Elizabeth Sprout I
George Milton Sprout
Eunice Elizabeth Sprout II
Wesley Hinchey Sprout
(Twin) Edwin Adelbert Sprout
(Twin) Ella Adella Sprout
Julia Estella Sprout

The Sprouts were married in Gates, Monroe County, NY on Thursday, 12-29-1836 by Rev. Wm. A. Seranton.