PREWITT, Nancy Cameron 1821 - 1901

PREWITT, RUTLEDGE, LINCOLN, LATIMER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/23/2011 at 19:28:40

"The Fairfield Ledger"
January 23, 1901
Page 3, Column 4

DEATH OF MRS. PREWITT.

The death of Mrs. Nancy Cameron PREWITT in this city the morning of the 16th inst. has already been mentioned in The Ledger. Mrs. PREWITT was born in White County, Ill., February 10th, 1821, and the earlier years of her life were spent there and at New Salem, Menard County (sic - then Sangamon County), where the family resided for several years. She came to Van Buren County, this state, with her parents (mother) in 1836, and ten years later was married to Anthony T. PREWITT, who died February 9th, 1864. She was the mother of four children, two of whom are now living -- Rev. A. M. PREWITT at Downey, Cal., and Will S. PREWITT in this city. She also reared four other children by a former marriage of her husband, to whom she was all that a mother should be, and two of them, Goldson and James PREWITT of Kansas City, were present at her funeral.... Mrs. PREWITT had been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since childhood, and during all her life had lived closely by its teachings. Her remains were interred in the Evergreen cemetery, this city, Friday. Rev. H. O. Spelman had charge of the funeral services, and was assisted by Rev. J. F. Magill.

Mrs. PREWITT was a daughter of James RUTLEDGE, a miller at New Salem, Ill., when Abraham LINCOLN was a clerk in a store at that place. The young man was a frequent visitor at the RUTLEDGE home, and finally a permanent boarder there. While living with the family he formed an acquantance with Ann RUTLEDGE, an older daughter, which ripened into love. It is said to have been the first romance of his life. It was brought to a sad termination by the death of the young woman and was such a cruel blow to Mr. LINCOLN that those nearest him feared that he might not survive it. This love affair of Abraham LINCOLN and Ann RUTLEDGE has its place in the history of this great man, and all his biographers have touched upon it. Mrs. PREWITT, although a mere child when Mr. LINCOLN lived in her father's family, had many vivid recollections of the young man and his general character which she was fond of relating. In the life of the martyred president which appeared in 'McClure's Magazine' a few years ago the incidents which she remembered were woven into a very interesting chapter and were embellished with portraits of members of the RUTLEDGE family....

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, in Lot SDof17-005. Anthony is buried in Cumberland Cemetery with his first wife, Sophronia LATIMER.