The New York herald., 1872-10-12
OBITUARY.

Sara Payson Willis, "Fnnny Fern.o
Sara Payson Willis, wife of James Parton, known
to America and the universal world of letters as
Fanny Fern, died at her residence, In East Eigh-
tcenth street. New York. on Thursday evening, the
10thinstant. She was in the sixtyfrst year OF her
age when her ever fertile and busy brain ceased to
act, and the pusations OF great heart stiled
Fanny Fern" Sara Payson Willis, was born at
Portland Me-, in the year 1911. She from pure
Puritan stock, and received by Inheritance, as It
were, great share OF mental power and genius
Her father was founder of the Puritan Re
cOrder, religious journal, published In
Boston, and of The Youtls Companion, printed In
the same city. The mother of the Willis children,
Nathaniel, Richard and Jane has been described as
large-brained, great-hearted woman OF most lov-
able character.
Her family removed to Boston when she was yet
child, and in that city she passed all the early
years of her liie The days Of her more advanced
childhood and girlhood were agitated-at times
cloudy and stormy-and she had, consequently, ad-
vanced into the period OF mature life before she
made her entrance into the field OF literature. She
was educated at Hartford, Conn.,, by Miss Catharine
Beecher and was recognized In the school q clever
young lady, highspirited and eccentric, and ad-
dcted to mlschievous escapades While vet young,
and soon after leaving school, she married Mr.. Ed
ridge OF Boston. Alter the birth of three children
she was left widow, and In somewhat embar-
rassed circumstances. From these difficulties came
her first literary venture, and in 1851 she offered
essay signed Fanny Fernn TO one OF the weeklies
OF Boston. 1t was accepted, and acceptable, for the
great reading public Immediately demanded more,
and "Fauny Fern" grew into fame and favor.
These leaflets were gathered into volume with
the title or "Fern Leaves and had great sale, no
less than $4,000 copies OF the book having
been sold 'I.ittle Ferns for Fanny's Little
Friends,n her next book, had a fair sale,
and second series OF the Leaves; reached a
very large edition. In 1854 her first novel, "Ruth
Hail. appeared. 1t was not genial book. Rose
Clarke" published in 1857 was more sunny work,
and commanded wider circle OF readers than even
Its predecessor had attracted. The two novels
were the ony ones which Fanny Fern ever pub
lished In the year 1856 Fanny Fern" was mar
ried to Mr.. James Parton, OF New York. effective
historical writer and essayst. Since her marriage
her published writings have not been voluminous,
but their character has been modified and improved.
She was, 1t has been affirmed, "a good hater,n
and her pen, gentle and mild enough when pursuing
congenial themes, was pointed and calling when
engaged In the chastisement ofyce. She had fierce
hatred for every sort OF hypocrisy, and sometimes
driited into extravaganza and uncharitableness.
AS writer OF brief sketches and essays for the
weekly press she eXcelled. She has Shown her
struggling sisterlood what woman can do with the
clouded. She had won, by excellent exertiQns.
generous income. an extensive circle OF frlends,
the admiraion OF the people Of America, and, 10
very great @ extent lhBt oI the peoples oi the Old