Amanuensis Monday In Memory of Peggy Sims - Obituary 1885

Peggy was born between 1830-1835, in Virginia, according to the census records. She was the wife of Lawrence Sim/e/s, mother of Melissa. She was the slave of Sarah Frances Adams Taliaferro who was the wife of Peachy R Taliaferro. The family resided in Copiah County, MS. It is believed Peggy was buried in the Spring Hill Plantation Cemetery. Peggy's husband Lawrence was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery. His headstone reads: In Memory of Lawrence Simes - There is Rest - Born in Rockingham Co., Va. - April 15, 1818 - Died in Copiah Co., Miss - April 11, 1880

Peggy's Obituary Who entered into rest with bright hopes and unwavering faith, June 6th 1885. She was born in Orange County, Va., was raised by Mrs. S. F. Toliaferro, in whose home she imbibed those early pious impressions which ruled her useful life, and to this kind friend she proved through her entire life a faithful servant, a tried friend, ever true. Possessed of a warm heart, an ardent nature, she lovingly served her white friends who warmly reciprocated her attachment. In olden time the bonds that bound her to her owners, were kind and loving as a child to a parent. their children who she tended in infancy, now heads of families, in reverting to their childhood, remember the face of their kind nurse "Peddy" among their earliest and happiest impressions. Ever ready to rejoice with them in their prosperity, to sympathize in adversity, to mourn with them in their sorrow, and to mingle her tears with theirs around the "bier" of their loved dead. To her colored friends she was a bright example as a christian, counsellor and neighbor, respected and loved by white and black. Always ready to help in any way their conditions demanded, willingly giving of her abundance laid up by an industrious life and judicious management. Sadly will they miss her. In an eminent degree, she possessed the faculty of bestowing ready and obliging attention, which made her welcome in every household she visited, and rendered it a delight to be waited on by her.

Especially around the sick bed, her gentle services were peculiarly grateful, there she was in her element, unwearying, unremitting in efforts to releave pain irrespective of color, for friend or foe, faithful to the promise, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto me." Relying, with the unquestionable faith of a child, on the blessed promises of a covenant keeping God, in the simplicity of her guileless heart, the dying bed became "Victors Couch," and as the Pale Boatman with noiseless oar approached, with joyous shouts of victory, and eager longing for the glory of Heaven, to be with Jesus, her spirit passed away from earth.

Farewell faithful kind friend! We will all miss thy tender care while we journey here, but thy triumph has been sooner won. May we meet around our great Master's throne.

A Friend

Source: Hazlehurst Signal
Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss
Vol 4, No. 24, July 23 1885, Page 2
Microfilm Number: 29666
Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Headstone of Lawrence Simes, Peggy's Husband

Peggy and her husband Lawrence shared the same slave owning family with members of my family.