The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-08-22
FIVE GENERATIONS REPRE-
SENTED AT FAMILY REUNION
Lexington Dispatch-News.

nome IN the Plne hlQSe SectlOn Oi
the Dutch Fork on last Wednesday.
1t was the largest attended and
doubtless the most enjoyable of any
of the previous reunions. There were
more than ESQ relatives present, the
occasion serving as homecoming to
many Of the relatives. AS naturally
might be expected where there are
so many children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren and great great
grandchildren, representing in all
five generations, the family has be-
come somewhat separated by dis
tance; and, while it was not so stat
ed, it was no doubt the first time
many had been to "Aunt Sallie's"
since the previous reunion more than
a year ago. Besides the relations,
there were many invited guests
which helped to swell the number up
to around three hundred.
These reunions were inaugurated
some years ago out of the love and
respect which the children have for
their distinguished and sainted moth
er, Mrs. Sallie E. Shealy, who is near
ing her 95th birthday. Ever since 1
was a child I have been taught to
reverence old age-that cold age is
honorable never before have I
witnessed more beautiful devotion
to mother than that which was shown
"Aunt Sallie" on this memorable oc-
casion. She was the center of at
traction throughout the entire day
and rightly so-for she had smile
and a glad handshake for each and
every one. Especially was she inter-
ested in the young children-the tiny
little babies-as they were presented
to her. At times she would shake
with emotion, leaving the impression
that the ''heart speaks most when the
lips move not"
Mrs. Shealy is most remarkable
woman and she has spent an unusu-
ally remarkable and interesting life.
Before her marriage to Daniel Shealy
on January Z, 1847, she was Miss
Sallie E. Ballentine, daughter of the
late Mr.. and Mrs. William Ballentine
pioneer farmers of the Dutch Fork.
Her husband was two years her SEN
ior. He died on September IA, 1909.
Daniel Shealy served with valor and
distinction for three years during the
War Between the Sections in Co. I,
18th regiment, under Capt. Leaphart.
During that trying period, which test
ed the manhood and womanhood of
the country, Mrs. Shealy struggled at
home with only three children large
enough to render assistance, the elder
son, James E: Shealy, having been
called in the light brigade stationed
at Charleston. Well indeed did Mrs.
Shealy act her part. In the raid of
Shenandoah fellow who later said
that war is hell-Mrs. Shealy lost all
of her horses, farming implements,
etc., and all foodstuffs, except what
she had buried in the woods far from
her home. However, with that will
and perseverance which knows no
such thing as failure, Mrs. Shealy
succeeded in caring for her seven
children, working on the farm dur
ing the day and at the spinning wheel
at night.
After the return of her husband
Mrs. Shealy joined him in an effort
to regain their lost fortunes. Her
wonderful will power and strong mind
proved a strong factor in the re-de-
velopnent of the farm and home.
Until the death of her husband in
1909 they had toiled and labored to-
gether in devotion and love. They
lived to see their children grow up
into splendid manhood and. woman
hood, their children's children branch
out into families of their own; and
now Mrs. Shealy lives to see the fifth
generation spring up, to honor and
bless her glorious name.
Mrs. Sallie Shealy is the mother of
sons and one daughter. One son,
Noah R. Shealy, died a few years
ago. The living children-all COM
prising the best citizenship that the
county affords-are as follows
James E., John, Pat W., W. Killian,
and L. Cohen Shealy and Mrs. Aman-
da Sease.
All of the children of Mrs. Shealy
have large families. James E.
Shealy, the oldest one, has nine liv-
ing children and two dead; forty-one