The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-10-27
Mrs. Martha C. Bent

Departed this life in Winchester, Va, Septem-
Der 2lst, 1886, Mrs. Martha c. Bent, widow of
the late William L. Bent, and daughter of the
late DR.. Daniel AMMAN, of Virginia
The community in which this Christian ladv
lived 80 long. feels that she is entitled to more
than formal notice. Descended on her moth
er's side from the Huguenots, she inherited
largely the sterling character of that noble race
General Daniel Roberdeau, of Revolutionary
fame-the coadjutor of Franklin, the intimate
friend of White6eld, member of the Continen-
tai Congress, signer of the Articles of Confed.
Grafton and the trusted friend of Washington
whose grave is in Mt Hebron Cemetery, Win
chester, was her grandfather Through his
mother, Mary Cunningham, whose pedigree Is
distinctly traced as far back az the year 1867.
she was descended also from an ancient and no.
BILE family of Scotland.
Born In Berryville, Va, Mrs Bent's early
life was spent In Georgetown, D c., first as a
pupil, and then as a teacher in Miss Enelish 9
school. Here her religious life began Thence
she removed to Winchester, where she opened
seminary for young ladies, which che con
Quoted for many years with marked success
Here she married and here nearly fifty years
of her useful and honored life were passed IN
the confidence and love of her family. and of a
large circle of friends
Mrs. Bent was a remarkable instance of sane
prosperity which attended her earlier DAYS did
not follow her to the close OF life. Left a widow
as old age approached, cbildless and In clrcum-
stances greatly reduced she bad to bear the
further trials of seriously impaired health. with
the almost certain prospect of the total loss OF
sight. But these trials drew her closer to her
heavenly Father, and His grace enabled her to
bear them, not only with unmurmurlng sub
mission, but with a cheerfuness that suTprise d
all who knew her. With visible growth in
the divine life such as we have rarely seen
equalled. and never surpassed the later years
OF her life were 81 ent in manifest nearness 10
God, and In immediate view of the eternal
world. Never unmindful of the duties of the
CHRIS tan life, she engaged in them now with
renewed fidelity, and with evidently increased
enjoyment. She loved the sanctuary and il.
| ordinances az few even Of Gods people love
| them; and was never absent from them when
her strength permitted her attendance The
poor found IN her a helping friend, and the
| Church received literally Of her benefactions
Her interest IN the things of the kingdom deep
ened as she drew nearer to the beatifc vision OF
the King and the prosperity of Zion was hel
! Joy Having arranged her earthly affairs she
awaited with holy calmness the summons which
she believed would come both soon and sud.
denly 1t was delayed indeed beyond her e1
pectation-and she bore the delay without i'm
| patience, in serene faith biding Gods time But
| her expectation Of a sudden call was realized
Retiring for the night in her usual health and
with more then her usual cheerfulness las was
evlnced by the songs of praise which were heard
IN her chamber while preparing for bed a little
after midnight, the long expected summons
came; and 30 speedily was it answered, that
before friends that were called could reach her
bedside. her gloriGed spirit was with the Sa-
viour whom she loved
By the death Of Mrs. Bent name that has
long hllet sn important and honored place in
the church and in the business and social circles
OF Winchester entirely disappears No one sur.
wives that bears It,