Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-02
DIED.,

At his residence, in Rockingham, on "Wednesday
night last, Col WM. B. fANcsY, aged ABOUT oV years
Al the residence of her son, Hon. Alexander Ii. IL
Stuart in Staunton, on Sunday October z4tn' ioVol
Mrs. ELEANOR STUART, widow OF Judge Arcnioaio
Mrs Stuart was the daughter of Col. Gerard Brls-
coe and his wife Margaret Baker. She was born IN
Montgomery county, Md, on the I'd day otSeptemper,
l76S and was, consequently, in her Slst year "nen
she died. . =, al,
from st. Marys county, Nd, removed from Montgonl-
ery county about the year 177 and settled on ms eS
tate called "Coyerdale about three miles from IN
Eleanor Brscoe was married in May, 1871, to Arch
ibald Stuart of Staunton and from that time to her
DEATH more than CT years. she resided IN the town OF
Staunton. ,
time Mrs Stuart led quiet and retired lite, devoted
chiefly to reading and 10 kindly intercourse with q
large circle of descendants and relatives.
Those who were privileged to ENJOY her society ana
her friendship will all concur III the remark Ihat
sbe was an extraordinary woman. Her appearance
was in the highest degree striking and majestic, ana
she retained TO within few months OF her ae@1h,
the erect carriage and active step OF middle age Her
manners full of the digni6ed courtesy OF the olden
time, commanded respectful Difference, and yet were
engaging and attractive alike to old and young Her
ho1sewitely skill, acquired IN the severe training OF
the old school, was thorough beyond the haplt Oh
modern times and, retaining somewhat OIL the prim
sateiness of the old regime, gave great charm 70
the hospitality which she literally dispensed.
Her mind remarkable for its original strength and
vigor had been cultivated aud improved to degree
rarely attained, She was very fond of reading
and devoted much OF her time TO the enjoyment o.
books preferring history, biography, or travels ou'
enjoying also poetry plays and novels, and never ne
glecting the newspapers of the day. Tins habit o
reading was continued with undated interest untl
interrupted By her last illness.
During her whole life she was accustomed 10 the
society and conversation OF clever men, and she was
personally acquainted with most OF the distinguished
men of Virginia in the early days of the Republic
In addition to all this, her recolectons OF the world
progress IN her day constituted store OF lhlot
nation and improvement such rs rarely tallS 10 tnt
lot of one person. An Intelligent, reaalng ana MINK
ing observer of events ut home and abroad from th
American Revolution TO the laying OF the Atlantic Ca
ble her personal experiences may be sand to have EN-
braced by far the most important and interesting peri
cd of the history of man.
With all these advantages, with q memory whlct
nothing escaped, and with powers OF conversation
rarely equalled, Mrs. Stuart was indeed remarkable
woman and her society attractive and instructive
in the highest degree.
She was not however, as aged persons are apt u
be- mere talSer about old times. She retained fresh
ly and actively that kindly and ateconate interest
all around her which had ever distinguished her,
She lost none of her sympathes with the joys or sor
rows of her friends and neghbors, and she continued
while life lasted the exercise of that unobtruslve char
ity and benoyelepce for which she will long be aztec
tonat ely remembered.
Her death was caused BIZ fall in May last. Sh
was q great sufferer for months but she retained 4
the last possession of her mental faculties, and sh
was found, to use her own language ready, willing
and waiting.
SE'- Winchester papers and National Intelligence
please copy.