Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/76

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August 27th, 1805, and at the time of her death was doubtless the oldest person in Shelby County. Her mother's maiden name was Charity King. Her father, Chapman Gordon, served in the Revolu- tionary War, under Generals Marion and Sumter. She came of a long-lived race of people. Her mother lived to be ninety-three years of age, and her brother, Rev. Hezekiah Herndon Gordon, who was the father of Gen. John B. Gordon, now Senator from Georgia, lived to the age of ninety-two years.

Sallie Chapman Gordon was married to Dr. John S. Law, near Eatonton, Ga., on the 28th of June, 1825. A few years later she became a member of the Presbyterian Church, in Forsyth, Ga., and her name was afterward transferred to the rolls of the Second Pres- byterian Church in Memphis, of which church she remained a mem- ber as long as she lived.

She became an active worker in hospitals, and when nothing more could be done in Memphis she went through the lines and rendered substantial aid and comfort to the soldiers in the field. Her services, if fully recorded, would make a book. She was so recognized, that upon one occasion General Joseph E. Johnston had 30,000 of his bronzed and tattered soldiers to pass in review in her honor at Dai- ton. Such a distinction was, perhaps, never accorded to any other woman in the South not even to Mrs. Jefferson Davis or to the wives of great generals. Yet, so earnest and sincere in her work was she that she commanded the respect and reverence of men wherever she was known. After the war she strove to comfort the vanquished and encourage the down-hearted, and continued in her way to do much good work.

For a year or more past Mrs. Law has been unable to appear in public, though two years ago she could go to church alone, or with some of her young grandchildren. But for a month or two she has been failing, and her children and friends realized that the end of a long, busy and illustrious life was near. Most of her children, in- cluding Rev. Dr. John G. Law, of Darlington, S. C., have been with her as she approached the final change. Finally she dropped off into the last sleep, which is death, and entered upon her eternal rest and reward, leaving the fragrant memory of good deeds, and of duty heroically performed. Peace to her pure spirit, and all honor to her noble name !