Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-06
WAS FAITHFUL TO HIS TRUST.
The Culpsper Exponent prints the
following interesting sketch:

Ihe CuIpeper Exponent prints tne
following interesting sketch:
On Sunday, March 18Th, 1898,
George Campbell, an Old coiored nau,
passed away in the 18th year of his
age, at his residence near Raccoon
Ford
He deserves something more than a
mere notice. George was born free but
wher about sixteen years of age was
sold by his own uncle. He was bought
by Mr.. r. r. Stringfellow, then mer-
chant at Raccoon Ford. His master
dying early, for some time he YVES hired
out. Wherever he went he gave salts
faction and early in life established a rel =
utation for reliability. In long life he
was never known to do or even 10 have
been suspected of doing disreputable
act. About fifty years ago he married
widow, with four children, Felicia
Bell. George always called her Lish,
and she has been known in the white
family a. NANNY Lish.n She has
been equally as remarkable as George.
They have in their old age been, as
it were, links with the past; he, a fair
representative of the trusted servant
who carried his masters keys and who
was looked up to, consulted and loved
by his white people; she a fair type of
the old ''mammy," who all over cur
dear southland ranked next 10 zoe
Miss and in devotion TO her trust WAS
second 10 none. For over fifty years
they have walked side by side, respect
ed by both white and color'd In
their humble home they have lived a
life as pure and resi- pect 'ble as that of
any occupants of the stateliest mansion
10 our land.
Az the division of his masters estate
George fell to R. r. Stringtellow's old
est son, also Il merchant at Raccoon
Ford.
When the war came on his master
turned everything over to George and
went into the army. His and nanny
Lishs devotion to their trust is well
known by all who knew them. One Of
many instances OF their fidelity will
serve to illustrate their devotion.
When Gederal Meade first advaLc-
ed his lines to the Rapidsn there
was battle at Raccoon Ford, around
the house where Georges people bad
lived. During the battle Mrs. Ann
Springfellow, who was his masters
mother and called by George and
nanny Lish, "Ole Miss" was severe
ly wounded. That night the entire
family was moved back about mile
from the river to house owned by a
cousin of Georges master, Mr.. Law
renee Slriugfellow. The lower part of
this house was occupied by the Yankee
colonel who commanded the picket
line. Georges masters youngest
brother, now the Rev. Frank String
fellow, an Episcopal minister, was q
scout. for General Lee. Being in the
enemy's lines aud hearing of his
mothers condition he determined to
try and see her very dangerous un-
6ertaking, ss the house was guarded in
front and rear day and night. Waiting
! until night he approached the house
and found George. He told him what
he wished to do. George called mann
my Lish and they consulted together
as to how it could be done.
At nanny Lish's suggestion, Mr..
Stringfellow disguised himself by put
ting on long cared bonnet and dress
which belonged to NANNY Lish's
daughter, grown young woman. who
was with them. Being quite STRIPPING
at the time, the dress fitted Mr.. String
fellow very we'll. Nanny Lish and
her daughter frequently passed the
sentinel carrying in hot pou- :
tices for "Oie Miss" so armed
with poultice, he walked holly by the SEN
| tinel, passed up the stairs TO his mcther,s
room There was closet connected with
her room, where he was for several days
| without ever being betrayed by those faithful
servants This is but one of many times
| when their fidelity proven. since the
| war they have lived comfortably IN their owo
home
His health had been giving away for some
| months. Not long since he exl ressed the
wish that his body might be carried Il his
| OWE church al after the furersl was ov>r H.
wanted his f lends to carry his body to the
old family burying ground at the Retreat
one mile shove Raccoon Ford. His wishes
| have been complied with. After solemn SER
vices Mt the cLu ch his body WAS followed by
a large number of his whi neighbors who
! requested that six of their number might act
as p4llbearers. whch they did. Rev. Frank
Stringfellow WAS there, HAVING come long
distance to be p;eaent
There in The same enclosure with "O!e
Miss" he sleeps upoI the banks OF the his
| toric Rapidan, waiting for the resurrection
morn A FRIEND.