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Charlotte (Drake) Kennedy
Carrollton Chronicle
Vol. XII Carrollton, Dallas Co., Texas, Friday, November 19, 1915 Number 7
A Pioneer Passes Away
On Saturday last Mrs. Charlotte Kennedy breathed her last at her home 2 1/2
miles east of Carrollton. At the age of 16 she came with her father and family
to Dallas counuy in 1855. She had lived in the same community for the past 60
years and was all these years a member of the Methodist church, her father, Mr.
Drake, and husband, James Kennedy, being of the founders of the old Webb's
Chapel. She was the mother of nine children, six of whom survive her, and
partially raised three orphans, and lived to see fourteen grand and seven
great-grandchildren, a privilege vouchsafed to but few.
This good woman belonged to that class, now rapidly disappearing, who made the
sacrifices and braved the dangers and underwent the trials which gave this land
to the present generation. In her girlhood the country had not a respectable
school or church building measured by present day standards. The red man was
abroad seeking the white man's blood, and the beast of prey were in the land.
Neighbors were few and far between. Inconveniences were not lacking. But loving
hearts and courageous spirits abounded. The girl could take her gun and stand in
the door and bid defiance to the marauding band, and the men could plow and hoe
and chop with the six shooter strapped to their side and "old betsy" hard by,
ready for toil or danger. The people of today, speeding in coaches and car over
pike and macadam, are thoughtless as to those who made such conditions possible
for them. And to that noble class Sister Kennedy belonged. Her days on earth are
past and her words uttered to me a day before her death justifieds the statement
that "She rests well now." For she said: "I love to live, but I am ready to die;
I have peace with God." Her sufferings proceeding death were severe and
protracted, but she bore it all patiently. Her funeral was conductd by the
writer, and was largely attended. The floral offerings were both numerous and
beautiful. Soft be thy bed and peacful they slumber, dear old pioneer. And may
thy awakening be glorious.
D. F. Fuller
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