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Submitted: 12/26/24 • Approved: 12/28/24 • Last Updated: 12/31/24 • R1550614-G1550614-S3
Jan 20, 1855 - Jun 1, 1878
Married Feb 17, 1878
Margarette Vance, wife of Judge James Anderson Vance, departed this life, at her parent's residence, in Pulaski co., Ark, June 1, 1878. Her maiden name was Shanberger. She was married to James Anderson Vance, Feb.17, 1878. Thus, in the brief period of three months and eleven days, the newly created household was invaded and broken up by the cruel hand of man's last enemy. Sister Maggie was born Jan. 20, 1855. From her early childhood to her death, she was, as we are informed by her grief-stricken mother, a dutiful, obedient and loving daughter. She was ever solicitous for the happiness and comfort of her aged parents. She was the pride of her Father and Mother, and constituted the sunbeams of the little family circle. She was loved by all who knew her because of her unsullied virtue, soft and unaffected modesty, and entire congeniality of disposition. Her praises linger on the lips of all her associates, and will continue there while they live. The writer thinks that it has never been his fortune to know a more unpretending Christian lady than she seemed to be. She was baptized in infancy, trained for God, by a pious mother in childhood and became a member of Christ's visible kingdom in early youth 1869 of which she remained a consistent member until called to "come up higher". In her dying hour she seemed only to regret that she had done no more for the Master-this is natural with the dying Christian. She told her weeping mother, a few moments before her death, that "You and God are my friends." Glory to God! If God be for us, who need by against us?" Weep not friends. Her troubles are over and she is at peace. Her work is done and she rests. Her battle is fought, and she now enjoys her reward. We bid our dear sister farewell hoping to meet her beyond the swelling tide, and we turn to her host of mourning friends and say "Take warning", you, too must die. Prepare to meet your God."
(Margarette was 24 years old at the time of her death)
L.M Keith
Danley, Arkansas
Found in the Arkansas History Commission. A series of Vance Family letters.
Written by James A. Vance, son of Enoch Vance, husband of Margaritte Shanberger Vance.
Posted from Little Rock, Arkansas on June 8, 1878 to his brother E.H. Vance of Malvern, Arkansas:
"Oh brother, it is with the deepest emotion of sadness that I am permitted to tell you of my great loss in that of my dear wife Maggie, she left Perryville on the 13th of April and will never again be permitted to return home.
She was staying at her fathers and I was accustomed to going down every Saturday or Sunday and staying two or three days with her and I had written to her on Wednesday telling her that I would be down on Sunday. They sent for me Saturday June 1st but imagine my grief when I got there to find her a corpse. No one can tell another's feelings until they have the same fate to meet.
She was buried at her father's place and funeral was preached by Reverend Harris to a large and impressive audience-3 o'clock Sunday. Father was there and said that it was the most impressive sermon and funeral service he had ever seen and cried like a child and told Reverend Harris that he was going to try and live right in the sight of God the rest of life. It seems like my troubles are more that I can bear. And it seems like I want to drop all business and travel since she has gone and my successor in the office has been appointed the case I care nothing for. My sorrow bears down on me with double weight and it seems I must sink beneath it. She was so kind, good and fine, we never had a cross word and my confidence and esteem was always increased, we could only live together so short a time just one month and 9 days. There are many worse women than she and but few good wives. May God bless her and protect her dear sweet soul is my prayer."
Her parents along with their other daughter's moved to Prescott, Arizona after the Civil War.
James Anderson Vance- James married Margarette Shanberger- daughter of John Shanberger- Elizabeth Heckert Shanberger on 17 Feb 1878 in Pulaski Co, AR. James next married Lucy Agnes Benham, daughter of Philo M. Benham and Lucinda Dayton- in 1880 in Perryville, Perry Co, AR.
Contributed on 12/26/24 by eagle12953
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Record #: 1550614