Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/529

490 I was taken prisoner and conveyed to Richmond, where I received such kindness and attention from Mrs. Davis that I can never forget her; and, now that I am discharged from the army, I wish to call upon her and carry my expressions of gratitude to her and offer to share with her, should she unfortunately need it, the last cent I have in the world."

Mrs. Davis died in 1906.

Just upon the eve of preparation by ex-Confederates a few years ago to celebrate the Fourth of July in a becoming manner and spirit, the sad news was announced of the death of the venerable Mrs. Law, known all over the South as one of the mothers of the Confederacy. She was also truly a mother in Israel in the highest Christian sense. Her life had been closely connected with that of many leading actors in the late war, in which she herself bore an essential part. She passed away June 28, 1904, at ldlewild, one of the suburbs of Memphis, nearly ninety-nine years of age.

She was born on the River Yadkin, in Wilson County, North Carolina, August 27, 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 Revolutionary 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 General John B. Gordon (late senator from Georgia), lived to the age of ninety-two years.

Sallie Chapman Gordon was married to Dr. John S. Law, near Eatonton, Georgia, on the 28th day of June, 1825. A few years later she became a member of the Presbyterian Church,