The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-30
The Hermitess of Briery.
Written by Rev. DR.. William Hill, about fort,
five years ago

udChueyeQ anu dDuSeQ, dS 10 lose lCS Ell
feet. Nothing of that nature shall be
attempted in this notice. A plain state
ment of a few facts, relative to the extra
ordinary Individual to whom it refers, is
all that is contemplated.
Departed this life, at her residence
near Roanoke Bridge, Charlotte county,
Va, on the 3rd day of January, 1885,
Mrs. Mary Spencer, relict of Mr.. Sion
Spencer, deceased, aged about 90 years
The subject of this notice, whose maiden
name was Mary Harris, was born in Ches-
terfeld county, Va, about the year 1743,
as nearly as can be ascertained; was mar
ried to Mr.. Sion Spencer, of Charlotte
county, about the year 1765, by whom
she had four children, three daughters
and one son; was left widow about the
year 1775; and lived lonely widow
until her death, which was about sixty
years. She made public profession of
religion, and became member Of the
Presbyterian church of Briery about the
year 1855, under the ministry and pas
toral care of the Rev. DIR. John B. Smith
So that she continued consistent and
exemplary member of the church for half
a century. While in health and able to
ride on horseback, she was seen every
Sabbath morning shaping her course, in
solemn silence, to her Blessed Father
house, as she always called Briery meet
ing house-so she was sure to be seen in
her place, let who else that would be
absent.
She passed through many scenes of
heavy affection, but no one heard a COM
plant from her; but she bore her Faith
er's will with silent submission and cheer
full acquiescence. Although she had ex-
perienced various trials and privations,
yet her worldly circumstances were such
as to make her quite easy and comforta-
bic. Her humanity to her servants was
unusual and if she could see those about
her comfortable it seemed to be all she
cared for.
For the last eighteen or twenty years
of her life, she chose to seclude herself
from the world, and give herself up en-
tirely to devotional exercises. She had
neat little cottage built upon her farm,
about half mile from any other house,
among a little copse of trees, by creek,
and near spring of fresh water. Here
she determined to wait, as she said, her
blessed Fathers aOilI all her appointed
time, uot1 her change should come"
Although surrounded by numerous
circle Of near and afectionate relatives
and friends, who were always ready and
anxious to minister to her comfort, vet
she chose to be entirely alone, and would
admit no inmate with her, In her humble
cottage. She was always glad to receive
short visit from a friend or relative,
and was quite free and communicative
with them In conversation but you could
easily see she became uneasy if she
thought their visits were little too long.
The only subject she wished to converse
upon was that of religion. Her Bible,
singing, prayer, and meditation were her
incessant employment by day and by
night Many of her friends upon taking
leave of her, would step behind her house
or conceal themselves near at hand, to
hear her while engaged in singing and
prayer. For many years she was so hard
of hearing that it was with difficulty one
could converse with her; and she seemed
not to be apprised Of the strength of her
voice while engaged in prayer or CONVEX
sation.
Her relations and friends, especially
in her latter days, when the weaknesses
and infrmities of age began to thicken
about her, were very anxious that some
one should be constantly with her, and
particularly at night, to attend to her
wants and minister to her comfort; but
all their entreaties and expostulations
would be in vain She was seldom sick,
or much indisposed; and when she was,
she tried by various means to conceal
her complaints, lest she should give trou-
bic to some one.
Her brother-in-law and her nephew.
who were both elders of the church, and
lived near her, and were incessant in
their attentions to her, often earnestly
her to suffer them to take her
to their houses promising to fit up a
room for her, that she might be as reti1 ed
and quiet as possible, that she might be
near at hand in case she should require
assistance or attention-and they some
times seriously thought of doing it with
out her consent; but they finally con-
Guided that her aversion to change
was such that it might cause her death
should they attempt it, and so had to de-
,ist. In the heat of summer and the cold |
Of winter, by night and by day, she in
sisted upon being left alone If wood |
was provided, and her meals and water
brought to her, it was all she desired
When, Gas sometimes was the CASEY, she