The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-07
Interesting "reminiscences

yallev Vlrginian:-As embodying valuable and
interesting information in reference to worIhy
man and illustrating genuine inter-denomlhs-
tionaI courtesy, submit letter, which explains
itself, just received from my honored friend MI
VIM. Withrow, ruling Elder in the Presbyter-
ian church in Waynesboro. place for it in your
columns will greatly oblige many.
Yours truly,
CHAs. MANLY.
REV. CHAs. MANLY, stanton.
My Dear Sir I'm resurrecting the pioneer Work
OF the Baptist church in Staunton, Goshen and
elsewhere in the mountains-which constituted
the most interesting feature in the late gathering
at Stanton, and which has attracted the notice
of most people who feel an interest in the extern
sion OF the Redeemers Kingdom i notice the name
OF Rev.Zenas Freeman incidentally referred to.
As Mr.. Freeman was an inmate of my family for
six or eight months, a further brief notice may
not be amiss, seeing there is desire oh the part
of your Church to perpetuate the memory OF
those who were instrumental in planting the prin-
ciples which you hold. and which have in the
brief period OF twenty-five years, assumed pro-
portions so commanding in this section Of the
Valley.
Mr. Freeman was from the city of Rochester. N.
Y. He married there Miss Frances s. Smith, a
lady Of culture and refinement, OF remarkable
social qualities and elevated Christian character
Her health failing, her devoted husband sought
relief in more genial cline. In the family OF MT
Points, of Staunton, he found temporary home'
which was subse quently transfer red to Waynes-
boro, where his afflicted companion found rest
from all her pains-and her sacred dust reposes
beneath marble slab in our cemetery. The fun
eral sermon of Mrs. Freeman was preached by
the Pastor OF the Presbyterian church, the Rev.
James G. Wilson. Mr.. freeman found in Mr.. Will
son warm friend; no man possessed more
catholic spirit and his popularity with all evange
lical denominations was proverbial. Mr.. Free
man was often invited to fill Mr.. Wilson s pulpit,
and was frequently found leading Drayer-meet-
ings and lecturing to the Waynssboro people.
During the soiourn of Mr.. F. in Waynesboro,
two persons were baptized by him in South River,
One of them was Jno P Ballard, then young
man living with Mr.. John Wayt, late of Staunton,
and who became famous as the Hotel man of the
Richmond Exchange and Ballard House; the
other was lady-Mrs. Harris.
Mr.. F. was remarkable for energy. He kept a
riding horse which he usually attended to in per-
son. and would often mount in the morning,
bound to Goshen that day His appointments at
Goshen and elsewhere rarely failed of fulfilment
He was ever about his Masters business. After
the death OF Mrs. Freeman, her husband return.
labored for several years. Always feeling an in
terest in the history of Mr. F., enquiries were Of
ten made and, to the time OF his death, something
of his whereabouts and working was kept alive.
He became deeply absorbed in the construction Of
an institution of learning in Rochester-perhaps
Baptist Female College, and from the best in
formation could gather, he fell sacrifice to
over-effort in the apse OF which he had been
entrusted with the chief agency.
In $780, I spent some days in Rochester, and
made special inquiry as to our former friends
history. He had married. a second time, and his
widow was then a resident of that city, lady
withwhom had formed an acquaintance, andwho
was friend and great admirer of his former wife,
accompanied me to visit the widow. found her
living in her own house, comfortably, with one
son about ten years of age, Che had no children by
his first wife, and had avery pleasant interview,
recounting the work OF her husband in Virginia,
and his after labors which were neither few nor
small.
The family of Mr.. Points, of Staunton, attended
the funeral of Mr.. Freeman; and the only Baptists
in attendance now remembered were Mr.. Hugh j,
Crawford, then Of Staunton, and Mr. Ballard. Mr.,
Crawford afterwards connected himself with the
Presbyterian Church. Mr.. Freeman left Virginia
soon after the death of his wife in 1888
have thus thrown together few hastily col
lected items from memory. concerning good
man and useful minister in the Baptist Church.
Believe me to be
Very Truly, Your Obt Servant,
WILLIAM WITHRow.
FRANCIS g.,
CoNsoRT OF REV. ZENAs FREEMAN.
of Rochester, New York.
In search Of health she found grave,
April Goth, 1888,
Aged SO
"Them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with Him."
In life an amiabe disposition and cultivated mind
sanctifed by an elevated piety which adorned her
character.
in death, Christ gave her the victory
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death OF His saints
The above is a transcript Of the inscription on
MrsF's. tomb. 1t stands on this paper in the
form in which it is found on the slab. W. w.