Waldon, Davy Abt. 1780-1890

WALDRON, WALDON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 11/21/2005 at 11:39:03

Death of Centenarian. - Old Uncle Davy Waldron (sic), one of our best known and most highly respected old colored men, died at his home in this city last Friday evening, June 27, 1890, at the advanced age of probably about 110 years. He was born a slave in Richmond, Virginia, and has always claimed that he remembered well when Washington was first inaugurated and that he was 9 or 10 years of age at that time. He was married when a young man in Virginia, and was the father of ten children, but three of whom are still living and were present at the funeral. David and Walker Waldron of this city, and Austin Waldron of Andrew Co., Missouri, the latter being nearly 70 years of age. Of the other children, some are dead, while others were sold into slavery, and all trace of them long since lost.

About sixty years ago he and his wife were sold by their master, Peter Shavely, at Westville, Va., to a slave trader by the name of Davis, and carried to Missouri, where a few years later his wife died, and about 50 years ago he was married to old Aunt Rachel, who, weak in body and mind, still survives him.

About 30 years ago they escaped from their master and by the “Under Ground Railroad” made their way into our Iowa, and finally found a home in Newton, where they have since lived, and although poor, have felt rich in the enjoyment of their freedom, among friends by whom they have always been respected.

Uncle Davy had been a Methodist for over sixty years and his Christianity was of the purest type.

The funeral services were held at the A. M. Church at 19 o’clock last Sabbath, Rev. Mr. Neese, the pastor officiating. A large number of our people were present and followed the remains to the cemetery. ~ Newton Journal, July 2, 1890.