Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-06-04
In MenOrianI.

The recent Baltimore papers have given the
simple announcement Of tho death, III that city,
of Mrs. j ULlA N. NELSON, ii the 6oth yesr
of her age; hut the writer claims the mournful
to life so lovely and u memory So redo!cnt of
faith, charity and all domestic virtues
The subject Of cur notice (tho third daughter
Of Joseph Riddle) was born in Alexandria, but
resided almost from infancy in Richmond, where
ct the age OF nineteen she was united to Doctor
Thomas Nelson, and together with him entered
gracefully and congenislly into that circle which
tor 50 many years gave tone AID character to
the society of the metropolis of Virginia. Even
in this society Mrs. Nielsen was distinguished by
q rare combination OF personal attractions and
intellectual gifts. Nolc who knew her before
sickness and sorrow had laid their heavy hands
upon her can ever forget that stately form and
figure, which might well BE- called quecnly, or
that attractive smile which f:ly heralded tho
pleasant and willing words which ever followed
or that sparkling Vlvacity o. playful piGuan-
cy which always awakened, yet never wounded
or that voice so musical in its modulationa so
flexible 10 the power or pleasantly OF tho psge
from which she read to her delighted audience.
Nor were her sympsthies simply sentimental.
Her ear was over attentive to the sad music Of
humanity, and until grattuue Itself DC CeAG
there will in every class of society be many who
will cherish her memory Tor her unWearled
mnistrations by the bedside OF suffering, and her
sym pathetic tenderness when death entered the
household If ell with whom she had sincerely
mourned could have followed her remains I,
their resting place her obsequies would have
been such Us princess might have elvied.
After d prosperous professional career, Er.
Nelson removed to his farm in Lcui:a; and
such was the Transforming power and magic
touch by which Mrs. N elson made hCr country
homo lovely and attractive, as always TO recall
tho words Of The old gardener 20 Lady Canning,
that, when Fortune made her i fine lady, she
spoiled one Of the bonniest farmers wives in
Christendom.' Her happiness in her new
home however, was but transient. Providence,
which had LEFT her chilcless, took from
her the husband on whom she lsvshed hor Ut.
ieetions; and her widowhood, which COM erced
with the war, was ono of lonciines, and suffer
ing, frequently even of an anguish which only
woman can fully rcallze Last year, admon.
ihed by the increasing difficulties aDc trails OF
the new order of things, snd Of her diminish |
ing capacity 70 struggle with them, ste deter
mined to remove to Baltimore; ana, i the ten
der and constant attention of loving relatives |
aid of large number of admring and devoted |
friends could have svsied, snu might have
hoped for many years Of comfort and c>mpars,
tive happiness: but alGsl the silver cird hAd
BEEN too much strained, and 1T length TIC gold
en- bowl was broken. On the mornin. OF the
l6th day of May Che anniversary Of h,r mar
ri.ae) she brcathed her last, and on tn. iollow-
ing day her remains We're borne to virginia,
AID in the presence Of all her former country
ndghbors and friends were deposited lohls.
in Louisa, by the side of his whom 81 owed go
we'll and incurred so much. BJ. Is.