The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-09-29
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. John H. Rice, d. D.
In Richmond lel2-l923.

The Year 1915-Mrs. Mary Morton
The death of Mrs. Morton occurred in
the early part of this year. Writing
February 8th, Mr.. Rice says: "On Sat
urday last Mrs. Rice left me in great
haste, and in deep affliction, on account
of intelligence from Prince Edward. Her
mother, my invaluable frieLd, my Sec
ond mother, lay extremely i'll; it was
thought at the point of death" Writing
again from Wilmington, the residence
OF the Morton family, near Hampden
Sidney, on the lst of March, he refers to
MS own illness, which had detained him
in Richmond when he was about to fol-
low his wife. During this illness, for
about forty eight hours, his friends were
greatly alarmed When he finally set
out in feeble health, his experience on
the road was distressing, and presents
strong contrast with the present COM
fort OF a Journey from Richmond to Hamp:
den Sidney. Here again providence
interposed and by rain, hail, and snow
detained me nearly week on the road,
and it was with very great difficulty
arrived here on the Goth ult. in the
evening" He adds, 81 ought not to
murmur, especially since have before
my eyes the edifying example of resigna-
tion exhibited by the dear family where
! now am. Never, indeed, was woman
more highly nor more deservedly hon
ored, nor more sincerely loved as wife,
a mother, neighbor, and friend than
Mrs. Morton" Time and space would
fail the present writer If he should un-
dertake to pursue the associations that
are suggested by the death of this lady
She was the wife of Major James Nor
ton, honored as patriot in time OF war,
and who will long be remembered for
MS services In the Church, among which
we number his steadfaet and unwearied
lsbors as a trustee of Hampden Sidney
College. She was the daughter OF Wm
Smith, of Montrose in Powhatan county,
Va, who was the ancestor of forty-fve
or forty.six ministers and ministers wives,
and whose descendants, bearing the
names, In many instances, of families
Likewise distinguished In the Presbyte-
ran Church, have carried the influence
OF their godly training to different and
widely distant parts of our country.
She was the sister of Josiah Smith, who
was the father Of Rev. DIR. B. M. Smith.
She was also the sister of Rev. Drury
Lacy's wife; and therefore the aunt Of
Revs. VIM. S., Beverly T, and Drury
Lacy, and Of ]. Horace Lacy, NJ D., the
father of Rev. Matthew S. Lacy; and
hence also the great aunt of Rev. Drs.
William J. and Moses D. Hoge. By the
marriage of one Of her own daughters to
DR.. John FL. Rice she is connected with
the name and fame of that eminent man !;
while by the marriage of her other chill
dren her descendants are related to the
McNutts, Browns, Venables, Woods,
Mlllards, and Bowmans, ETC., among
whom many readers will recognize names
That represent the Christian character of
the Wilmington household where James
and Mary Morton impressed upon their
children, by their daily life and conver-
sation, the beauty Of holiness, and the
excellence Of intelligent, cheerful, and
practical religion.
These allusions to the several families
mentioned might be greatly extended
The Christian Monitor"
Mr. Rice began to appear before the
pubic as an editor on the 8th Of July Of
TINS year. The prospectus Of the Chris
tan MonltOT had been put into the hands
Of the printer in February, but the pub
llcation was delayed by a difficulty in
oldent to day when all such schemes in
Virginia were in their infancy-the
printer was disappointed in receiving