Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/348

 340 Southern Historical Society Papers.

[Mrs. Jefferson Davis in the Ladies' Home Journal, Sept. 3, 1893.]

STONEWALL'S WIDOW.

Mrs. Jackson Described by Mrs. Jefferson Davis,

Daughter of a North Carolina Clergyman Her Marriage to Jackson Personal Characteristics.

No character is so difficult to depict as that of a lady ; it can be described only by negations, and these do not convey the charm and beauty which positive virtues impress upon us. This thought has been suggested to me by the request for a sketch of Mrs. Stonewall Jackson. Outside the limits of the States in which she has lived little more has been known of her personally than that she was infin- itely dear to her heroic husband, and that she bore him a little daughter, who sat on his bed, cooing and smiling, " all unknowing," while he was slowly entering into the rest prepared for him.

Mary Anna Morrison this was Mrs. Jackson's maiden name was the daughter of the Rev. Dr. R. H. Morrison, a Presbyterian minister, and the first president of Davidson College, North Caro- lina, which he founded, and which still remains as his memorial. Dr. Morrisftn graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1818, with President Polk and many other prominent men. Mrs. Morrison was one of six daughters of Gen. Joseph Graham, of Rev- olutionary fame, who was successively Governor of North Carolina, United States Senator, and Secretary of the Navy under President Fillmore. Mary Anna was one of ten children born to the couple. Dr. Morrison, on account of his large family, removed to a quiet country home near to several churches, at which he officiated for his neighbors as occasion demanded. The society about their home was of exceptional refinement, and the associations of the family were with the best people.

In due course of time the girls married Southerners, who after- wards became or then were men of mark, such as General D. H. Hill, General Rufus Barringer, Judge A. C. Avery, and I. E. Brown. In 1853, Anna, with Eugenie, her youngest sister, made a visit to their eldest sister, Mrs. D. H. Hill, at Lexington, Va., escorted thither