The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-09-19
Obituary..
SEALAND MURRAY.

In the death of Mr.. Murray, Orwell
has lost one of her most cherished and
well-known citizens. A little more than
hundred years ago his ancestors made
the first settlement in town, locating on
his farm. The old homestead has al
ways been in the Murray family. They
have Just feeling of pride in this his
toric spot, and it gives them pleasure to
come back and visit it. Mr.. Murray was
a member of family of five children,
three sons and two daughters. In their
age he cared for his parents. making
their last days serene and happy. His
death is the first broken link in that fam
ily chain of brothers and sisters, who
were so tenderly united. AS the shadow
of death was over this old home, news
came that a sisters son--Mr. Bascom. a
lieutenant in the L. S. army-had met
with sudden death by accident in Rhode
Island; so that sister in the West
mourned double loss.
! Mr.. Murray spent nearly all his life of
siXty-siX years on the farm where he was
born and died. Well worn are the paths
which his feet have trod in road and
field. Since that sad day in early man
hood when he saw the light of the sun
no more, no complaint or murmuring
was heard from his lips, but he was pa
tient and felt thankful that his wife was
eyes to him and was source of constant
comfort in his long night of darkness.
Gladly did he listen to her voice in read
ing the news of the day and the fresh
books that came to his home. Few
knew better than he the history and pass
ing events of our country. Conversation
with him soon revealed the fact. that his
| mi nd ctn xx-ith hn rio haS
thought of the age. 1t did one good to
visit him in his pleasant home, for his
nature was full of companionship ana
social cheer. He laid no claim to high
musical culture, but his singing and play
ing were such that an old song would
seem like new one, for he seemed to
pour out his whole soul into it. He was
a member of the Masonic lodge at Or
well; he had been connected with that
fraternity many years. He reyered the
/, Masonic principles and embodied them
in his daily life. He felt that the insti-
tuition is a noble one and contains the
elements of a universal religion, around
whose altar all could unite their hands
and hearts. He was liberal in spirit
always ready to grant TO others the same
rights of speech and thought that he
claimed for himself. He would natural
ly embraced the freest and broadest re-
ligion in the word. Hence he was Uni
versalist. He had no fear of death, or
ANYTHING beyond. He believed that God
was the father of all souls on earth and
in heaven. He calmly made arrange
ments for his last great change - the
passing from darkness to light, from this
world to the world to come. By his re-
quest Rev. S. A. Parker of Bethel at
tended his funeral and spoke from these
} words, The whole family in heaven and
J earth" The day of the funeral was
clear and pleasant. Many relatives,
neighbors and friends came and shed a
sincere tear over that venerable and ST.
lent face. All came as mourners. The
f sheaf of golden grain on the casket was
, a fitting symbol of the life that was now
closed on earth, On September D, 1854
in his peaceful home, surrounded by low
ing hearts, with life's labors all done
and well done, he gently passed into the
mystery of the other land. He leaves q
wife and one son-Dr. A. S. Murray OF
: Far Haven-who will tenderly cherish
a his memory through all the years, anC
Q will always be thankful for such de
l lyoted husband and kind father. Con-.