Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-15

|.
fror the Dhpetch.l
Noticing your account Of csnsena-
Rams pubiished recently, send you an
account of one who died last week in
our community.
sidney Crawford. commonly known
as -. Old Uncle Sid.," aged about one
hundred and eleven years, died ut the
residence Of Mrs. Mary Moorrnan, near
the old Augusta church, in Augusta
county. Va, on the 9th Of january,
1855, at 4 p. NJ.
His history is wonderful one IN
many respects, and highly interesting.
He was born on the Eastern Shore OF
MARYLAND. and was owned by benjamin
Hall. whom Uncle Sid. frequently spoke
Of as a ship-builder, and as living near
The old Hunger's church. During the
Revolutionary war, when Sidney was
about four or five years old, he was
sent TO Richmond and sold. Soon after
this he was again sold. in Staunton.
He was bought by Patrick Crawford,
who then owned the large and fine
estate on Middle river now owned by
Colonel John II. Crawford, a great
grandson of Patrick Crawford. Here
he began a life of activity and excep-
tional fidelity. When Sidney was ap-
preaching manhood John. a son OF
Patrick Crawford. and afterwards known
as Major John Crawford, removed from
his fathers home, and was established
upon the farm recently owned by
the late DR.. T.. G.. Moorman. The
faithful young servant accompanied
the son TO his new home, and was owned
by him unit! the death Of Major Craw-
ford in 1876. Before Major Crawford's
death. because Of advancing years and
uncommon faithfulness, Sidney became
a privileged person. He was not re-
quired to cook with constancy, but was
permitted to go and come when and
where he desired. In the division OF
the estate which soon followed he was
left out of the calculation entirely, be-
cause il was the wish of his old master
that he should be liberated, and while
he desired him to live in the family, he
permitted the old servant to choose his
home with any one of the children he
desired. His wife, to whom he was
much devoted, and was as remarkable
as her husband for her fidelity, was
owned by and lived with Major Will
ho tot lat l
owned by the late w. j. Davis Bell, and
son of Major William Bell. Be-
cause Of its nearness to the home
of his wife, Sidney cast in his
lot with the family Of Colonel Franklin
McCue, whose wife was daughter Of
Major John Crawford. With Mrs. Nc
Cue he remained for many years-long
after he became very infrm-and was
cared for as tenderly and constantly as
though he had been a member of the
family rather. than an old servant.
About eight years ago he was removed
to the home of Mrs. Mary Norman,
younger sister of Mrs. McCue. Here
a small house was built for his use ex-
clusiyely in the yard, and boy hired
to wait upon him, and every attention
given him. To the day Of his death
he was visited and cared for daily by
one of the family, and in times of sick
ness was nursed as child. During
his last days, for nearly two weeks, a
man was hired to wait upon him day
and night, and was constantly by him
till the last.
During his days Of seryitude he was
never remiss in his duties. He was
never corrected or reprimanded for indo-
lence, disobedience, or any other short
coming. Because of this he was vir-
tually free from 1888 or 1910. Sidney
possessed a remarkable memory. which
continued wonderfully clear to his death.
lie had distinct recollection of the build
ing and the builders of almost every
house for miles around the old home
stead. For some years he has been
consulted as an oracle by descendants
of many of those who formerly lived in
the community Of and worshipped at the
Old Stone church, and in every instance
he seemed to have a very clear remem-
brance of them and their families. He
was always much pleased by such visit
ors and their inquiries. His sight was
very good notwithstanding his age,
and at his death there was not
decayed tooth in his head.
and in more than hundred
years he lost but three teeth. 1t is un-
fortunate that his exact age cannot be
determined. BY those who have known
him longest and most intimately, his
age was thought to be at least 10
years. He always maintained that he
was born in March, so that it is thought
that next March would almost certainly
have completed his Ill years. When
Major John Crawford died thirty-eight
years ago Sidney was thought to be
about IS years old. He always main
tanned that he was grown man when
the present brick residence was built
on the estate Of the late Major John
Crawford, which was undoubtedly in
the year 1875, for he carried the brick
and mortar for its construction.
Mrs. Nancy McCue, the widow of
the late Colonel Franklin McCue,
now in her eighty-fourth year, and with
whom he lived for about thirty years.
has no other recollection of him than
that of an old white-haired man; and
Miss Polly johnson, who was ninety
years old at her death two years ago.
always said her earliest recollection of
him was when his hair was beginning
to turn gray. From such evidence as
this his most intimate acquaintance
feel safe in putting his age one hundred
and ten years at least.
When asked some years ago why it
was the Lord spared his life so long, he
replied that he did not know unless it
was that he might make bis peace with
God. This Sidney did not do until he
was an old man. We feel assured that
his last days were spent with bright
hope of acceptance through Jesus
Christ. The undersigned frequently
spoke with him upon the subject with
great satisfaction.
He was buried on Sunday morning.
Iaunar.r IItt -, A. Ill -. .....l -