Obituary for Susanna Parsons Taylor:

No date of this newspaper or which newspaper it came from - The obituary is pasted into the Mollie Roach Scrapbook

Died at her residence, in Mercer county, Ky. on the 2nd inst, Mrs. Susannah Taylor.
The deceased was a native of Virginia and born April 6th 1779. Her parents emigrated to this State in 1785 when she was but six years of age, and settled near Harrodsburg. During the extensive revival that pervaded the churches in 1801, she became a hopeful convert to Christ - She was baptized by Rev. Mr. Sutton, and received into fellowship of the Shawnee Run church, which ranks among the oldest Baptist churches in Kentucky. For more than fifty years she was one of the few who stood firm in the faith and every vicissitude through which the church was called to pass during that long period. Ever consistent and active she animated by precept example the zeal and devotion of the church.

In 1798 she was married to Mr. Taylor and subsequently became the mother of fourteen children, nearly all of whom embraced the Savior by faith, previous to her death. In 1831, she became the subject of deep and painful affliction. The bright promise of social pleasure which opened in the maturing family circle was suddenly clouded. Death invaded the happy home, and marked a son as his victim and soon after the husband. In the furnace of trial her devotion was purified from its drops and developed a vigorous piety that exerted a happy influence over a wide circle for many years.

In every relation of life she made the Saviours precepts and examples her model. Hence, when death came he was neither an unexpected or an unwelcome messenger. During a conference with the writer, two days previous to her death she dwelt with animation upon the elevated joy experienced at the Lord's table the preceding Sabbath. Though she was in usual health, the solemn service was regarded as the last to be enjoyed by her on earth. During the conference alluded to, she was asked for a contribution to the church to which she responded with a cheerful liberality that realizes it more blessed to give than to receive. She remarked that her offering must be without blemish. The next morning after an illness of but two or three hours, without a struggle the spirit winged its flight on high gently as the incense of this offering which scarely preceded it. The last words she uttered were: "Is this death or do I dream?" "Lord Jesus receive my spirit"

NOTE by ARB: It was not her parents, but her Aunt and Uncle who brought 6 year old, Susannah to Mercer Co, Kentucky, along with her older 4 young half-siblings (McAchrans), of whom they were guardians. Her father, Thomas Parsons was still alive, but it was thought best to keep the 5 children together, thus Susanna, was raised in Mercer Co, Kentucky. Thomas Parsons was the father of 20 children by 3 wives, Susanna being the only child of his 2nd wife, who died at her birth or very soon thereafter.

Contributor:
Anne - [email protected]