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MRS. MARY B. FOOTE.
Mrs. Mary Bidwell Foote was born in Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., May 17, 1816; died in the city of Flint, June 14, 1884, aged sixty-eight years. November 27, 1833, she was married to David Foote, and four years thereafter moved to Willowby, in the State of Ohio. Their residence in Ohio was brief, for in June, 1838, they moved to Ypsilanti, in this State, where they resided for over two years, removing to this place in the fall of 1840.
For nearly forty-four years she has resided in Flint, and for the most of that time in what is now the third ward.
She was the mother of nine children, five of whom died before her, one falling in defense of his country during the late rebellion. Four survive her, to mourn the loss of one of the truest and noblest of mothers.
Mrs. Foote was a devoted Christian woman. In early childhood she was thoughtful, prayed much and was undoubtedly the subject of divine grace. In the winter of 1837-38, attending revival services held by the Methodists in Willowby; Ohio, she received a full witness of her acceptance with God, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she remained a consistent and honored member until her death.
November 27th last, a goodly company of friends met at her residence on Church street to celebrate the golden wedding of David Foote and Mary Bidwell. The poem for the occasion was composed and read by Rev. Luther Lee, D. D., and an address by Rev. W. H. Shier. Many golden presents and many precious greetings made the occasion a memorable and happy one, but the feebleness of Mother Foote cast a shadow of a coming sorrow over the otherwise joyous event.
For the past six years Mrs. Foote has been failing rapidly in health and though suffering much, bore all without a murmur of complaint. Sunday, the 8th inst., she was stricken down with paralysis, which affected her right side, rendering her helpless and speechless. Most of the time until her death she seemed conscious of all that was passing around her, but" could only manifest it by pressure of the hand in response to questions.
Saturday evening, June, 14, just as the sun was setting, she fell asleep, Quietly, peacefully, without a groan or a struggle, surrounded by children
Pioneer and Historical. Society.
and friends, with her hand in that of her now bereaved and sorrowing husband.
On the morning of her decease there came an invitation from her brides maid of fifty years ago, an invitation to attend her golden wedding, but she had received a message that could not be denied, a summons to appear at the court of Heaven and be crowned with immortality.
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