The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-09
THE REV. THOMAS PAGE R1CAUD
This Safnted Man and Minister of the
Gospel Dead-His Life Was Interest
ing-Wounded I'm n Civil War I'm
Mexfco-The Funeral This Morning

A telegram received in Wilmington
yesterday conveyed the painful intelli-
gence that the Rev. T. Page Ricaud
passed away at Durham yesterday
morning at 1870 o'clock. He died It the
residence of his son-in-law. Professor
W. J.. Ramsey. OF that city.
Mr.. Ricaud was So years Of age and
has been feeble for some time, though
he never took to his bed till we weeks
ago. His children, Mr.. T. Page Ricaud.
Jr, Hon. a. G. Ricaud. Mrs. Sarah R.
Farrior and Mrs. W. j. Ramsey We're
with him when he breathed his last.
His death was due mainly TO the in
frmities of old g
The remains were brought from
Durham to Wilmington, arriving here
at 6 o'clock last evening, accompanied
by his four children, and his son-in-
law, Professor Ramsey. A large num-
Der of friends met them at the Allan
tic Coast Line depot and thence the
casket bearing the sainted dead was
borne to Grace NJ. E. church, south.
The pail bearers from the train to the
church were Messrs. H. P. West, w. H.
Yopp, Samuel Northrop, r. J.. Jones,
<d61Al -. A4oAA AAr - W "a w.
H. Hardy and DR.. E. s. Pigford. The
funeral service will take place this
morning at IL o'clock at Grace church
and will be conducted by the Rev. John
n. Cole. the pastor, and the Rev. John
H. Hall, pastor of Fifth Street NJ. E.
church, south. The remains will be
laid t rest in Oakdale cemetery by the
side of the deceased's wife who pre-
ceded him to the grave many years
ago.
The Rev. Thomas Page Ricaud was
born in Baltimore, Nd, October 19,
1917, and in a few days would have
cached the S3rd rear Of his age. His
father was Thomas Page Ricaud. who
was an officer in the United States
navy and who died at sea. His mother
died before he was five years old, leav-
ing him an orphan. He was then
adopted by a Mr.. Watkins, husband OF
his mothers sister, n when the de-
ceased was five years old Mr.. Watkins
took him with his family to the city Of
Mexico to make that city his resi-
| dence. In Mexico Mr.. Watkins gave
Mr.. Ricaud his name-Thomas Henry
DeLonZo Watkins. The subject of
this sketch grew up in the City Of
Mexico, and after receiving a primary
education was sent to the University Of
Mexico, where he took a course and
was educated for the Roman Catholic
priesthood.
Meanwhile a civil war broke out in
Mexico, ndNMr Ricaud enlisted in
the service with the revolutionists, who
succeeded and established the repub-
lie of Mexico upon broader principles
of liberty. During the war, while serv-
ing as a courier, Mr.. Ricaud was Sc
verely in the leg and was cap
tured. In those days of scant surgery
his wound was allowed to heal without
the shots having been extracted, so he
has carried several buoSshot in his leg
all his life.
When about the G of II years, prob
ally in 1884, Mr.. Ricaud left Mexico on
a sailing vessel bound from Vera c.
to Havre, France. From france he re-
turned to the United States and re-
stunned the name of his father. Having
come back to Baltimore he engaged for
a short time in business with his uncle,
Mr.. William Simpson, d large wholesale
and commission merchant. He soon af-
forwards located in Virginia n read
law under Judge Fields. an eminent
counsellor of the commonwealth. While
engaged in his law studies, he attended
a Methodist revival, was converted to
that faith and Joined a church of that
denomination. He studied for the
ministry and was admitted to thu Nir-
ginia conference in 1887. He remained
with the Virginia conference a few
years and was transferred about 1910
to the North Carolina conference. His
first station vas at Plymouth and then
he was sent to Beaufort whera he mar.
ried Miss Anna NJ. King. daughter of
the late DR.. a L. King. Among
his other charges were Salisbury, New
Bern, Washington, Louisburg, Will
mington, Weldon ami other places. He
also was pastor on several circuits in
different parts of the state. Some Of
the stations he has served two to three
different times, in Wilmington having
been pastor of Fifth Street and Bladen
Street churches. His. last charge was
at New Bern in 1891. about which time
he was placed IN the superannuated
list Of the conference. After retiring
from h ministry he resided a few
years at Kenansville and then came to
Wilmington. Eighteen months ago
when his daughter Miss Rosa Picaud,
was married to Professor Ramsey, he
went to Durham and made his home
with them till his useful life came to
ar earthly end.
On the 18th of November, 1895, Mr.,
Ricaud's beloved wife died in Will
mington, and her remains lie at rest al
Oakdale cemetery, where the remain;
of her husband will be laid in the
tomb today beside her ashes. They
leave four children living, Mr.. Thomas
Page Ricaud, Jr., of Bennettsvjlle, S. c.
the Hon. A. G.. Ricaud, now Of the New
York bar, formerly a prominent lawyer
and mayor Of Wilmington. Mrs. Sarah
r. Farrior, wife of Mr.. Albert P. Far.
rior, Of K%enansville, n. c., and Mrs
- r. Ramsey, wife Of Professor w
J.. Ramsey, of Durham, n. c. The
death of an affectionate and greatly
beloved father is mourned by them
n in their great bereavement they
have n coincidence of numerous sym
pathizing friends IN his city and
throughout the state.
Mr.. Ricaud as a minister of the gos
pei took a high stand in the days o.
his prime. He was able, scholarly
and eloquent, and in manner was pol
ished and genial. He bore himself will
a gentle dignity that was most ad
mirable, and in this poor ribute to on
so eminently worthy of more than Il
written in this hurried sketch, we cal
say that we never knew a more lovabl,
man. He was a sainted Christian
and all that is in the glories of the flu.
ture state will be his in the fullest.
The deceased has been a member
for many a of ST. Johns Lodge
A. F. and "A. NJ. Of this city.