The Martin County Historical Society has accumulated
one of the largest collections of Primitive Baptist publications from
the 1890's through the 20th century containing obituaries from across the country. These
publications include
Advocate and Messenger,
The Gospel Messenger,
Zion's
Advocate and
Zion's Landmark.
Currently, the Historical Society is
seeking funding to put these obituaries online and make them available from this web
site.
These entries vary greatly in length and detail about
each deceased person but when detail is provided it is often colorful and
fascinating.
"...Last Nov. Bro. Conner went
out into the forest to superintend a force of hands, who were loging a
lumber yard. He was struck by a falling limb, inflicting a fatal wound
on his head, only lived about nine days afterward, dying on the 24th day
of Nov., 1922. Bro. Conner was never concious of what killed him, but
died as he lived, singing the sweet songs of Zion: 'Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord.' "
...An excerpt from the obituary of
Deacon Josiah B. Conner