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    1. obit 1904 Judith S. Somerville of Newport, Vt.
    2. Jan J.
    3. JUDITH SLEEPER SMITH SOMERVILLE BORN: 19 Mar 1818, Stanstead, Quebec, Canada * DIED: 2 Nov 1904, Coaticook, Quebec, Canada (OB Express & Standard Newspaper  NEWPORT, VT., 4 November 1904)       "Mrs. JUDITH A. SOMERVILLE, wife of the late Rev. WILLIAM C. SOMERVILLE, D.D., died at her home in Coaticook, PQ., on 2 November 1904, age 86 years, following a short illness. Prayers & service were held at the home on November 3rd., Rev. WILLIAM STEVENS, rector Episcopal Church in Coaticook.  On Nov. 4th, remains were taken to Newport, Vermont.  Services held at St. Mark's Episcopal by Rev. Mr. MURCH, besides by Rev. WILLIAM STEVENS, of Coaticook.      JUDITH was the daughter of HEZEKIAH and HANNAH SLEEPER, the last one of a family of eleven children.  Educated in Stanstead Academy.  Went to St. Louis, Mo., about 18 years of age to visit her sister, (HARRIET SLEEPER and husband EBENEZER DAVIS) met and married after a short acquaintance, JACOB SMITH, a most estimable young man. After a short residence in St. Louis, the couple went to Galveston, Texas, then a very small place and part of Mexico.  She resided in Galveston from 1837 to 1859, when Mr. SMITH died and was buried in the city he loved so well.  During that period she lived under three different governments:  Mexico, Republic of Texas and State of Texas. She witnessed Galveston's growth from a little place of only a few houses to becoming the leading city of the  "Lone Star State".  These were stirring days in Galveston's history and Mr. and Mrs. SMITH were prominent figures and acted well their part in the building up of the city.      After her first husband's death she came to Coaticook, Canada to visit her brothers, the late LEWIS and WRIGHT SLEEPER, remaining during the Civil War.  After the war she returned to Galveston, and on November 11, 1868 married Rev. WILLIAM C. SOMERVILLE, D.D., then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Houston City, Texas.  In 1870, she and her husband Dr. SOMERVILLE, accompanied by Miss ELLEN A. BLACK, to Stanstead and Coaticook to visit relatives.  Soon after arrival, Dr. SOMERVILLE was called to be pastor of the Congregational Church at Newport, Vermont, remaining for four years and then to the Congregational Church at Coventry for 7 years.  When he voluntarily retired after an active life as minister of the gospel for over 40 years, 1881, the deceased and her husband purchased a home in Coaticook, Quebec, Canada where they lived a quiet and happy life.  Dr. SOMERVILLE died in 1899, and was buried in West Derby (known today as East Main Street Cemetery) and now she who was a most estimable wife and companion in life has passed on.      Mrs. SOMERVILLE was an educated, refined accomplished, Christian lady, whose chief delight was making her home cheerful & happy and spreading sunshine along the pathway of life.  She was kind to the poor and needy and no one has left her door hungry or empty handed.  She was the last of a noted family of 11 children and after a long well spent and happy life has gone to reap the reward of the faithful. She leaves nephews, nieces and a large circle of friends to mourn her loss.  Of her it can be most truly said, that none knew her but to leave her, none named her but to please." Jacqueline Sleeper Russell

    09/20/2004 12:36:42