True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-27
Sudden Death--An Interesting Case.

looking, cOrpulent gentleman, apparently
about sixty years of age; came to this city
in search of DR.. Brisbane from. whom
he wished advice as to the protsr course
to pursue to efTectuate the smahulhiss.
ion of number of his slayesss mo,
readily finding Dr. Brisbane, he obtained
the advice Of John Joliae Esq, and had
duplicate wills drawn up. One of these
he took with him, and the other he deposi.
ted with Mr.. JOllife, to be used if he
should die suddenly, and the will in his
possession he accidentally or purposely
destroyed. He stated that one of his broth
ers had died very suddenly, and that he
himself, being subject to palpitation of the
heart, was liable to be also summoned
to another world at,a moments notice.
Elijah Willis, that was his name. staid
only few days in Cincinnati, but his
bright benevolent countenance and man
ly frankneS weres not soon forgotten by
those whom circumstances had throwhinto
contact With him. I}8EQ y
Returning home he drew up a complete
inventory of all his property, and making
two Of his neighbors his confdants, he de-
posted this inventory with them, to bo
used in case Of his sudden death, at tho
same time making them pledge themselves
not to makeit public previously
He was largely engaged in the lumber
business, and raised no crops except what
were necessary for the support Of the twen-
ty-nine full grown slaves, and the numcr-
Gus slave children that he owned The
lumber got out by his slaves was RATED
down the Edisto river. In this business
Mr.. Willis had amassed large estate.
He was noted for the kindness with which
he treated his slaves, who were never
driven with the whip, nor shut out by a
lock from the stores of provisions. They
ate in the kitchen, part of the same food
that Mr.. Willis ate in the paror.
A number of the relatives of Mr.. Willis
who are all in comfortable circumstances
lived near him, but seldom visited his resi-
dence. His housekeeper was dark but
very shrewcd mulatto woman whom he
purchased with her mother, brother and
sister about thirteen years ago. This
housekceper's name was Marry Amy El-
more Turner. Her father who was owned
by another master, had deserted her moth
er, and for this was sold to cotton planter
in Alabama. ,...
Amy, as the housekeepcr was ordinarily
called by Mr. Willis, whilo the slave of
former master, a Mr. Kirkland, had col
orcd husaaud by whom she had three chill
dren before he was sent South. '" ~
81
This woman by her faithfulness and
shrewdness, soon acquired great influence
over Mr.. Willis, BY whom she had three
children. She watchfully superintendent
his domestic affairs, attended to the wants
of the slaves, and advised as to the bus-
, ness.
Mr. Willis, feeling concerned for the,fu-
ture welfare ofhis children, and urged there
to by Amy, at last determined to free her,
f her mother, her six children, her brother
and sister. When he came to Cincinnati,
one year ago, and had his will written, it
E was to cary out this intent.
After his return home, he arranged all
, his business as rapidly as possible, and ta-
king notes for outstanding debts due him
made preparations for disposing ofhis entire
estate and moving to Ohio, when lie pro-
|, posed to locate on farm; with Amy, her
, mother and the children Finding that
J.. the expense of bringing Amy's brothers
o and sister and their families would becon-
siderable, and that there might be some
O difficulty in at once securing home, Mr..
4 Willis concluded finally TO come North with
;. Amy, her mother and the children,
and having secured for them and bring
!. the others. On last Tuesday residence,
return to close up the business week,
they left home rs thus proposed. Up
y on reaching Louisville, they got on
&c board the steamer Jacob Strader, and
e reached here at six o'clock yesterday NOR.
e ming. Soon after the boat touched the
wharf, Mr.. Willis and his company went
, on shore, and he called . carriage, when
just as be went to reach one of the small
= children into it he breathed heavily. Amy
Of asked him If he hud another attack Of pal.
ID ptation of the heart. He nodded aflirma.
d. lively, gave two or three heavy hreathings
80 and then fell dead. l4 fydi ,s5ssid sid
Is Just at this moment some one asked where
ne they came from; Amy's mother did no
ID answer and was threatened with bcips
w kicked into the river. Some one urgec
| Al. 4 Ia,