The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1911-02-23
Mrs. Annie Wilcox Allen.

Mrs. Martha Wilcox, of Brinkley-
vile, N. C. The sterling qualities
of head and heart possessed by her
father, and the brilliant intellect
and many accomplishments Of her
mother were reproduced in their
daughter. The home Of her child
hood was ideal. Situated in the
midst of community where wealth,
culture and liberal hospitality
abounded, it became the centre
where large circle of friends de-
lighted to gather, and where the Sc
rious conversation of congenial
friends was interspersed with flashes
of wit, bits of brilliant repartee and
tender words of a loving fellowship.
In this delightful home, herself the
centre of the community's adnira-
ton, the youthful Annie was reared.
Nature lavishly endowed her with
many rare qualities Of head and
heart. She was not, only an ardent
student of books, but was also a
close observer Of men and Of current
events. Her mind was well stored
with useful knowledge, and her
brilliant conversation indicated her
familiarity with a large range of
polite literature. Her strong COM
mon sense was manifest in her con-
duct; and although her language
was often poetic in the highest de-
gree, she could and did live a real
life and conversed in the most mat
ter-of-fact way about common affairs
of everyday life.
Mrs. Aliens conversational powers
were remarkable. She did not de-
sire to monopolize conversation, but
her friends had a way Of provoking
her to talk, and even strangers soon
became aware Of her colioquial pow
ers and delighted in them. l do not
think | ever knew her superior in
this respect. Some years ago, while
the inmate of hospital in Balti-
more, her conversational powers
made her the centre Of the entire
institution.
She was an accomplished musician.
Her natural musical talent and her
memory were so great that she play
ed the most difficult pieces, without
the music, after hearing them one
time. Her memory was so perfect
that she had no difficulty in accur-
ately reporting conversations, ser
mons, and addresses not only imme-
diately, but after a long interval.
She possessed the gifts Of poet, and
wrote verses that were greatly ad-
mired by those who were so fortun-
ate as to hear them. Her poetic
language has been compared to that
of Milton for it's sublimity ard to
Goldsmith for it's striking simplicity
Mrs. Allen was not only woman Of
brilliant mind, but she had a noble,
loving heart. She was, OF course,
devoted to her many friends in her
own life circle, but she was at her
best in her tender sympathy and
practical helpfulness to the poor
and needy, the sick and afflicted, the
suffering and sorrowing. She will
be missed by all, but these will miss
her most.
For long time Mrs. Aliens health
had been failing. Occasionally she
would rally, and hope would spring
up in the hearts of her loved ones to
be quickly blighted by the return of
the relentless destroyer. During
the whole Of the past year, her de-
cline was so steady that her friends |
lost hope, and while they continued
to do all in their power for her re-
lief. they knew that the end was
near. The devotion of her husband |
and sons was beautiful indeed, and
during the last month of her life
they only left her bedside long
enough to take the necessary refresh
ments. They went with her as far
as they could into the mysterious
border-land, and only yielded her up |
when she passed through the gate
into the beautiful city of God.
She met her husband, Mr.. Joseph |
John Allen, in 1869. He soon learned
her worth, and sought to win her
heart and hand. She and Mr.. Allen
were united in marriage On the 9th
of December, 1874, and for thirty
six years they lived together in holy,
happy wedlock. They were devoted
lovers to the end of her life. He re-
allied in her King Solomon's por-
trait of the perfect woman, the ideal
wife. Her loving husband, her de-
voted sons and daughter-in-law and
her devoted and heart-broken broth !
er, Rev. A. G. Wilcox, have the sin
cere sympathy Of their many friends.
She was devout Christian, a con-
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