Monday, February 6, 2017

Transcribed by Bradley Jeffreys, February 6, 2017
From the family bible of John Linton Slay (1833-1902), and wife, Permelia Ann Puckett Slay, of Clarke County, Mississippi
________________________
April the 1st, 1865

According to a Proclimation issued by President Lincoln, the following Negro Slaves owned by me was set free, to wit

Ann       36 years of age
Lucy      20     "
Rachel   20     "
Sarah     14     "
Mary      14     "
Law        12     "
Franey      7     "
Saley        5     "
John         2     "
Lewis       2     "

Witness my hand and seal this this April the 1st 1865
attest
P. A. Slay                                                         J. L. Slay


Sunday, February 5, 2017

Death of Alonzo D. Slay
Transcribed by Bradley Jeffreys, February 5, 2017
The Meteor (Crystal Springs, Miss.)
1921, December 2


Judge A. D. Slay Goes to His Reward


   The popular and highly esteemed citizen passed from time into eternity Tuesday morning, the 29th instant, at 9:40 o’clock, in the 74th year of his age.
   It is a sorrowful editorial duty to be called upon to chronicle the demise of a citizen who has occupied a luminous and influential position in town life and affairs, but the sorrow felt is tinged with the pleasure derived from lauding a life and character so preeminently honorable, exemplary and useful.  He was not esteemed for the position he occupied but for the virtues he exemplified – integrity, high mindedness, rectitude of conduct.  In all the relations of life, in the family, in the church, on the bench, he was the same of fable gentleman, genial, kind hearted, well-poised.  He was a fine type of the old school of Southern gentlemen.  He towered high in the councils of his church and for more than two decades presided over the destinies of the Sunday school.  The infirmities of old age forced him to relinquish a position which he filled with singular appreciation by the children whom he directed in the way of Christian life.
   He was seized with an affection of the heart Thanksgiving Day.  This attack was complicated with other serious maladies, which caused him to sink rapidly, the end coming Tuesday morning.  He recognized that “Death’s but a path that must be trod, If man would ever pass to God,” hence he did not dread the great adventure that all must make sooner or later.
   An idea of the popularity and esteem in which the deceased was held may be inferred from the fact that he was serving his sixth consecutive term as justice of the peace of this district – an office which he held against all comers, the duties appertaining to which he discharged with that judicial poise of mind that distinguished his career on the bench.  He was a born jurist and had he had the advantages of an early education he would have been an outstanding figure in expounding the jurisprudence of the state.
   Business was suspended Wednesday with the result that an immense throng assembled at the Baptist church to render homage to the virtue of the dead citizen.
   The interment took place in the city cemetery.
   Peace to the ashes of the dead comrade who wore and adorned the grey.
    Out of respect of the memory of the late Justice A. D. Slay, circuit court adjourned for one hour and a half Wednesday morning.  Judge D. M. Miller, District Attorney Hugh Barr Miller, Sheriff Henry E. Ramsey and Circuit Clerk C. B. Rae attended the funeral services in the Baptist church, where a capacity congregation heard the sorrowful funeral rites pronounced over the bier of one of the county’s most exemplary and useful citizens.
Transcribed by Bradley Jeffreys February 5, 2017
Hazlehurst Courier (Hazlehurst, Mississippi)
October 20, 1910

Death of a Good Woman
Mrs. Martha Miller died at the family home near Gallman Saturday night, October 15th, 1910, in the 85th year of her age.
Mrs. Miller was a truly good woman.  She was wise in counsel and tender and quick in sympathy.  All her days were spent in Copiah County.  She was the daughter and oldest child of Sandy Slay, one of the pioneer citizens of Northeast Copiah - a vigorous, active, strong man – a leader in his day and time in every worthy undertaking.  Her husband was the lamented William Miller, who preceded her in death about twenty years.
The children who survive her are:  J.L. Miller and Mrs. L.L. Brittain of Hazlehurst; Mrs. W.J. Hampton of Crystal Springs; Mrs. J.M. Shivers of Poplarville; and two daughters who made their home with their mother at the time of her death.
Mrs. Miller, at the time of her death, was a member of the Gallman Baptist Church.  She had been a consistent member of the Baptist church since early girlhood.  She appropriated to her own life the teachings of the Great Teacher, and lived her religion day by day in humility and serenity.  Her fortitude, wisdom and faith met every vicissitude of life calmly and wisely.  The clouds were never so dark but that she could see a silver lining.
Mrs. Miller will be greatly missed in her community by neighbors and friends, but the loss falls heaviest upon the members of her own family, who through long years have had in her comforter, friend and counselor.  To these The Courier extends its profound sympathy.
1921 Marriage Announcement
Hazlehurst Courier (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1921, January 20.

SLAY - STEVENS
     The wedding of Miss Beulah Stevens to Mr. George D. Slay was quietly celebrated January 15, at the Baptist Parsonage in Hazlehurst.
     These are among the most popular young people in our community.  Miss Stevens has been teaching music in Arkansas for the past two years.  Mr. Slay holds a responsible position.
     Mr. and Mrs. Slay left immediately for their future home in Meadville, carrying with them the good wishes of their many friends.