The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-14

DEATH OF THE OLDEST LADY OF Rich.
voyD-A LONG AND EyENTFUL LIFE.-Mrs
Ann NorvelI, the oldest lady in Richmond.
died at her residence, in this city, Yesterday
moruing nj 9:iJ o'cloek, IN the nincty.eightb
wear Of her age. Her husband, Thomas
Xoryel, was a bank-officer OF Richmond
many years ago. She was born in Hanover.
and was married there in 1905. She moved
here then, and made this city her home ever
afterwards. Her oldest daughter married
the Rev. Robert Ryland. ID. d., for.
merIy president Of Richmond College.
Srd now OF Kentucky, and her other
daughters married Thomas Tiosley
Johnson and William Beverly Dabnev.
Among her grandchildren are Messrs.
Noryell Ryland and Thomas T. johnson and
Mrs. Dr.. Leigh Burton Of this city. Mrs.
Dr. j. V. Hobson is her niece, David n,
Walker her grand-nephew, and bis sister,
Nrs. Dr. Charles O. Barney, ber grand.
niece. The Mosbys, Sheppards, Prices. and
Jameses are her blood.reIstives. and the Bur-
tons, Winstons, Oteys. Caskies. Walkers.
Bnllocks, NOrvelis, and Warwicks her con.
neciions By marriage. Her maiden name
was Mosby. Her husband, who was n
nephew OF Captain William NoryelI. well
known in the annals oi Lynchburg. died in
1877. A relative Informs Us that Mrs. Nor.
veil died on the bed she occupied as a bride,
and resided in the same house from the
date Of her marriage until her death.
She became Baptist in 1916, and was 10
the dly OF her death member Of the First
Baptist church Of this city. She was not
only the oldest Baptist in Virginia, bur
probably the oldest in all the country. She
was very rtmlrksble woman, physically
snd intellectually, and during Der sickness
looked IS fresh a. a well-preserved lady OF
sixty-five. Her miad was perfectly clear in
her last illness. ard she continually eX-
pressed desire 10 depart and be at rest.
For over half century she bad resided at
the corner of Clay and Third streets, and
there are few persons in that part of the
city who will not miss her. II is seldom
that we are called on to chronicle the death
OF one who has lived almost a century, and
who leaves behind her so many testimonials
oi wellspent Christian life. IL sue was
20 attractive 10 those now living, how much
more so must she have been to the men and
women OF Richmond who knew her In her
early womalhood!
What stirring events. too, occurred du-
ring her life. The Federal Constitution
read Of the bloody deeds Of the French Re-
vOlution while they were being accom-
plisbed, She was leading member OF Vir.
ginia society when Aaron Burr was tried
here for treason, and was dignificd matron
when Napoleon was sent to st. Helena. She
had seen Richmond grow from IN inconsid-
erabie town 10 large aud prosperous city,
and was more familiar with the achieve.
meDts OF her illustrious citizens OF hy.gOne
days than she was with the enterprising
men who today control her destnies. Truly
may it be said that not only has a good wo-
nan fallen 10 Israel, but with her has gone
10 the grave mass Of information which
none who survive her possess. She leaves
Der descendants rich heritage in long
life Of good deeds and q Christian faith
which sustained her to the last.
Her funeral will take place this afternoon
from the First Baptist church at 5 O'Clock.