Patrick County & Staples Researchers - While I have strong views against unsolicited publication of stuff to discussion lists, I violate my own standards in posting the following obituary of Col. Samuel Staples. He was the first Clerk of Court of Patrick County and co-progenitor (along with brother John) of the Staples family in Virginia's Henry and Patrick Counties. This obituary appeared in "The Lynchburg Virginian" on April 21, 1825 about a month after his death. It is so classic and so accurately speaks of its time. ______________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- DIED - At Patrick Courthouse, on Wednesday night the 23d ult. In the 65th year of his age, Col. Samuel Staples, formerly clerk of the county. The deceased had long laboured under a paralytic affliction, which deprived him in a great degree of the use of his limbs and speech. In the course of the last two years he experienced seven successive attacks; and such was the state of helplessness in which he was at length reduced that death became desirable. On Monday night the 21st ult. when last attacked, he appeared much better than common; eat a hearty supper & was unusually cheerful. But alas! it was the expiring blaze of the taper which burns brightest in its socket. Little did he dream that the angel of death was then winging its way to his mansion - and that in a few more fleeting moments, he would be called upon to meet his God. About 10 o'clock at night, after retiring in bed, he was discovered by a servant struggling with the fit of which he died. The family were alarmed - medical assistance called in; but it was soon perceived that the cold hand of death was upon him; and that the wheel was stopping at the cistern. He remained in a torpid, insensible state until the Wednesday night following, when he closed his eyes upon the scenes of this transitory life. _____________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- I now alite the soap box and use this occasion to express my thanks to two awfully kind and gracious list subscribers who made this post possible, one in alerting me to the obit's existence and the second who obtained it for me. This selfless assistance and support of my genealogical quests has been made possible only though the "free" services of Rootsweb. Although Rootsweb services are without charge, that doesn't mean they are without cost. I passionately implore each of you who are yet financial supporters to go to the <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/">RootsWeb</A> web site with a click and find out how you can, at so little expense, show your gratitude for what Rootsweb is doing for us all. Best to all John Tallman Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Rootsweb Donor