The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17
HONORS TO An Old NANNY.
4 Scene in Which the Old south Was
blended with the New.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs.
6. II. Howard, are invited to attend the funeral Of
Their f Sh5 RIcs ssrSsns j. aarsh g from from t h. resI.
noon. The pail bearers will be Mr.. Z. T.. Ho ward,
son. Howard Mathews. and nsphews. Richard and
Robert Lockhart.
The old black nanny was dead. The faith
full service of nearly threescore years was at
last finished. One more remnant Of the old
South was gone.
Martha was born In Liberty county. Before
the war this section Of the State was the most
aristocratic part of Georgia, and its historic
scenes are identified with many well-known
families. She was the property of Major Thomas
Shackelford. and was given over by him as a
maid to his daughter, Miss Caroline Shackcl-
ford. Both were the samo age. and Martha be-
came maid when she was about IL years old.
The little negro was. as was the custom in
those days, the constant companion of her
young mistress. The maid was generally lifted
above the level of the common mental. She oc-
eupied the relative position of bodyGuard and
handmaidcn. 1t was in this capacity that
Martha served, and when Miss Shackelford
went off to school the young negro girl went
also. Their lives were closely identified.
Martha presided at the marriage and was the
happiest mortal at the brilliant occasion when
Miss Shackelford became the wife of Col. c. Il.
Howard. She remained with the family. con-
slant in devotion and duty, attentive to every
need. rendering what household services she
could find to do.
Then the war came. Martha was not led Off
by the tattering cry OF freedom. Her freedom
was In the service of the family with which she
had been so long associated. Her emancipation
was in being allowed to- perform the simple
duties daily allotted to her Mhlle others Of
that freedom newly fourd and reach out for
new conditions, Martha remained, quiet in her
demeanor. und!sturbed in her faithful devoII,n n.
Soon nfterward Col. Howard moved to New
York. Martha was carried with the family.
She was one of the family; she shared its for
tunes as would any other member OF the house
hold. She never. received wages. She did not
ms were those of any other Immediate member
of the household. Her attachment to the chill
dren WAS equal TO a mothers devotion. She
fancy. She watched them in youth. She saw
them go out int" the world and regarded their
careers with maternal pride. What success
they had she attributed In part to her care
What mis- furtunes they met with called out her
sympathy. Hers was n life of love.
Worn with age. shattered with the
of many years, several weeks ago she sickened.
and it was soon seen thnt her inalady was fatal.
constant attendance upon her bedside, supply
inE every wa3t.
She died on Saturday at the home of Col.
Howard, on Richardson street. Last sunday
pathos. Gathered about the grave, in tho special
lot In WeStviCw were those whom she had
served in life. The services We're performed by
DR.. Davis Of st. Johns Methodist Church
ers were the sons and nephews OF Col. Howard.
Tenderly they lowered the coffin into the earth,
sadly they stood with barred heads while the
last snd rites were read. Their grief was deep.
And so came tho funeral OF Martha. II was
simply q gllmp se OF old southern life-a strange
scene in this BUSY old world OF to-day.