Grace Sanderson
Dec. 16, 1799-Dec. 16, 1880
Niles Republican II, Thursday, Dec. 16, 1880, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
DIED
On her birthday (Dec. 16) Grace Sanderson, aged 81 years.
To many of our citizens, especially the older ones, this announcement will bring a feeling of sadness; for one has departed in a good, old age, whose name was to many of us “a household word,” and whose loyalty to her friends, and kindly ministries in the many ways which lay in her power, made her life during the former years, and even later, an example to all, of whatever creed or color. She was born in the famiily of Gov. Bemont, on the island of St. Martin. One of her proudest boasts was the fact that she “Never was a slave.” Of her own free will she left the island, when yet young and strong, to accompany the young married daughter of the Governor to this country. For this lady, Mrs. Millard, she cherished the strongest affection, and always mentioned her name with characteristic reverence and tenderness. Her two children, a son and daughter, were sent to this country some time after, the son at present in a hospital at Virginia City, Nevada; the daughter, Mrs. Franklin, still living in Niles. During her last illness, she was attended with every care, and the number of old friends who daily visited her and vied with each other in making her comfortable, bore witness to the high estimation in which she was held. Always a consistent member of the Episcopal Church, we shall miss her form (in our earlier recollection stately and commanding, of later years feeble and tottering.) as it approached the alter rails at the Holy Eucharist—identified with some of us from childhood's days and sicknesses to the days of maturity and deeper troubles, we shall miss the kindly, unwavering affection, the dignified presence, the grateful appreciation of little tokens of remembrance (would they had been greater) of our loyal friend “Grace”.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 25, 1880, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
MARY GRACE SANDERSON
A large congregation attended the funeral of Grace Sanderson on Saturday last, in the Episcopal church. No one can forget “Old” Grace.” The pall bearers were R.W. Landon, Esq., senior warden; Mr. Howlett, Mr. L. Beeson and Judge Johnson. Mrs. Lardner had charge of the music. Rev. Mr. Tate addressed the congregation on the certainty of the resurrection and closed with these remarks:
Every parish has in it some members who are marked for some reason or another from others. They are known either for the seal or earnestness, or for their earnest and simple faith and Christian life. There in every parish men and women whom we may call land marks, persons who are a familiar sight to old and young whom the smallest child always associates with the parent church, and wherever they may go in after life, the thought of such persons is closely associated with the church.
One such church member has been for years known in this parish—Mary Grace Sanderson (colored), who come to this city and parish about 1838. I find in the parish register that she was confirmed in this parish April 18, 1847, and she has been a faithful communicant for 33 years. No one in this parish will ever forget the sight of this aged colored servant of God drawing near the altar only after all others had communed.
To her the teaching of the church was real: “To submit myself to all my governors, teachers, spiritual pastors and masters, to order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters,” was real to hear? She believed in it and lived up to it.
Being but a short time rector of this parish, I did not know her as others did, but I find all the old members of our church have held her in high estimation for years, and by all she will be remembered. There are some people whom we can never forget and she was one.
Notes: Listed in City record as Grace Sanders; however, appears that Sanderson is correct. Did not find death record for Grace Sanders or Sanderson. Death record for Susan L. Franklin, daughter referred to above, gives her dob as Nov. 11, 1839 in St. Martin and her parents are Thomas Sanderson and Grace Morris, both born in St. Martins, West Indies.