Blackman, William 1796 - 1896

BLACKMAN, HOLDEN, LAYMANCE, SAMPEY, COUCH, RICE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2006 at 20:05:33

Newton Journal
Wednesday, January 1, 1896

Called When Waiting

For years, dear old Father Blackman has been patiently waiting for his beloved Lord to call him home; and the welcome messenger came on the afternoon of December thirteenth, at half past two o’clock, in his cozy vineclad cottage in Healdsbury, Sonoma County, California, where he had lived since 1879.

On his ninety-ninth birthday, which occurred on the 26th of last August, the people of Healdsburg celebrated the occasion in an elaborate manner, it being a very enjoyable time for all. In spite of his extreme age, he retained the use of all his faculties and was able to be about all the time. On the Sunday before his death, he walked to church and took communion, On the following day he was taken with a slight chill, but it soon passed off, and he seemed to be all right for two days. But on Friday he began to sink and they saw the end was near. His devoted wife, her sister, and a Mr. Draper, and his old minister and best loved friend, Dr. Ely, were with him. Toward the last Dr. Ely bent over him and spoke the words of the fourth verse of the 23rd Psalm. At its close, Mr. Blackman nodded as if to show the truth of them to his soul, and peacefully left, without a sigh. “O, death, where is thy sting?” O grave, where is thy victory,” when such a noble, saintly soul enters into its rest?

William Blackman was born in Saffron Walden, Essex County, England August 26th, 1796. In young manhood he was married to Miss Susan Holden. In 1821, he and wife and six children came to America and they first settled in Gambler, Ohio. In 1859, they came to Jasper county and lived until 1875. In 1874 his beloved wife died. In 1875 he went to California and there, in 1879 he was married to Miss Susan Laymance, who has been a devoted and faithful companion to him.

He leaves six children: Mrs. Henry Sampey, and Mrs. D. S. Couch, of Newton; Dr. Holden Blackman, of Coshocton, Ohio; William Blackman, of Marysville, Missouri; George Blackman, of Vernon,, Texas, and Mrs. Emma Rice, is Astoria, Oregon.

The funeral was held on the Sabbath following his death and the service took the place of the regular morning service in the Baptist church. A very large company were present, and followed to the cemetery, where the grave was covered with beautiful flowers placed there by loving hands.

Mr. Blackman was a grand, good man, whose whole life was a benediction on all those about him.

He was a most devoted Christian, a loving, tender father and husband, and loyal friend. The September and October of 1890, he and his wife spent in Newton, to the great pleasure of his children and friends. He kept up a regular correspondence with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Sampey, to the last, writing her a letter a few days before his death, which showed his beautiful faith, and perfect trust in Him “who doeth all things well” So the end was a fitting close to a long and useful life, simply a lying down in peace to sleep, only to wake in the morning land, there to be at home forevermore.