Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-01-22
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DIED. at his residence, Roseands, in Edge.
field District, on the 2SIh ultinio. Mr.. WITHHELD
BROOKS, in the 62nd year of his age.
For many years, the deceased had been in i'll.
health, laburiTg under disease both of the
lungs and stomach Within the few last years
Of his life, Mr.. Is. ceased to look upon death as
an indefinite event, but regarded it as certainty
that might come at any moment lie c0ntenl-
plated this awful change Of existence with medi-
ta;iyc firmn-ss, Picus resignation, and christian
preparation.
The writer Of this obituary notice parted with
his friend a few weeks since, under circumstan-
ccs tha; made a deep impression on his mind
and at the time cxrrtcL silent influence on his
feelings to which liz would lave been afraid to
| give expression in words. He saw HAT ties of :
long cherished association on :his earth weru IN
be dissolved, and that friends would part never
to meet again this side Of the grave He re-
members well the quvering voice with which
his hand was pressed when his departed friend
pronounced these words: "CoD DIEss YoU!."
In his conversations the deceased often alluded
to his approaching death, and said he was pre-
pared for it at any moment. with the hone that
he might perform, his dutirs while here One
remark escaped him with feeling expression.
It
could BE- said of MIN that " lie had passed through
life with an endeavor to perform its duties from
upright motives and to the best OF his ability"
Ills whole department exhibited unaffected
chcerfulness, affection, and religious resignation.
There arc few mems characters that could have
been more rafrly trnssd to the scales than that
of Mr.. Brooks. The writer Of this does rot
undertake to say that he had higher sense Of
right, or better standard of justice than others
But he can say, that the deceased performed his
duties from pure motives, inspired by a love of
truth, and directed by tho dictates of al en-
ligh!ened conscience. He was member of the
Episcopal Charch. His pety had nothing of
bigotry or cant in its composition. 1t was, that
the me;liatons Of the heart might be accepta-
BILE to GoD." The deceased left this world with
good reputation, and with the cheering pros
pcct and hope Of entering on higher and a
better existence beyond the grave. In his last
moments he exhibited a noble serenity and COM
posure. When the clock in bis chamber struck
the hour Of 4 y. NJ. he pointed towards t.fecby,
as il recognizing in its tones the announcement
that bis hour was come. Whilst his eldest son |
supported him in his arms and anxiously noted |
the ebb:ng of his pulse, now faint and fast re-
ceding ho asked with perfect calInness, "has it |
stopped" &C. No father. but it is very feeble"
was the answer. "1hcn let me be composed"
were his last words, and folding his hands upon
his breast he expired.
Mr.. Brooks was native of Ncwberrv Dis
triet, and was the only son of f-the late Colonel
z. S. Brooks, and his first wife, Elizabeth But
cr, tic sister Of the late General William Butler.
At the time Of tho death Of his excellent and
prou' spirited rncther, Whitfield was about l2
years Of age. BY this sad event he and his
hree sisters sustained an irrcparable loss. in
heir surviving father they found one earnestly
md afftc;innately devoted to their interest and
welfare. The writer of this has often heard his
riends say that whilst his father gave him all
hc opportunity and advantages Of education and
urtune in life-and no parent labored more for
liz cIdren-he and his sisters were under an
.bdng debt Of gratitude to neighboring aunt
who had given them the advice of parental
guardian.
Young Whitfield commenced his education at
What are commonly called {" old field schools
where he learned arithmetic and acquired the
rt OF writing All excellent hand At the age of
fifteen or sixteen he commenced the study of the
lassics, at Mount Bethel Academy, under the
Instruction of successive teachers, Mr. Smith
nd Mr.. Hammond. Before he prepared him.
elf for College he left that institution, and for
ear wrote in the Office of his uncle, StaFmorc
Butler, then Clerk Of Edcchcld. Ills desire to I
squire classical and collegiate education be- |