Double Bereavement for Mrs. Robert Findlay

Resting not far from Clarissa Benton Jessop is her sister, Mary Benton Findlay. In the fall of 1913, Mrs. Findlay had to endure a turbulent season of life:

"DOUBLE BEREAVEMENT, AND IS ILL HERSELF

While the body of her daughter, Mrs. Richard L. Edwards, whose death occurred at Manchester Friday, lay at the home of Mrs. Wilson Edwards last night awaiting the arrival of relatives for the funeral that will take place today, Mrs. Robert Findlay, 109 Heard street, received a message of the death late yesterday afternoon of her sister, Mrs. Alfred Jessop, at Columbus. Mrs. Findlay is also critically ill.

Mrs. Jessop was for many years a resident of Macon, and her husband was in business here. She is survived by her husband and three daughters, Misses Edna and Edith Jessop, all of Columbus; and three sisters, Mrs. Robert Findlay, Mrs. Juliette DeVires and Mrs. L. C. Mallary, all of Macon.

The body will be brought to Macon, arriving here this afternoon at 4:50 o'clock over the Central of Georgia railway. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock from Christ Episcopal church, Rev. John S. Bunting, the rector, officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill cemetery." [Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 24 November 1913, pg. 6 -- Digital image viewed online at GenealogyBank.]

Mrs. Findlay's condition must have downgraded at least a bit from critical, as she lived about another eight years before joining her sister in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Cropped from a James Allen original.

Book about the Robert Findlay Iron Works in Macon:

Lizzie is Clarissa, One of Macon's Fairest Flowers

Photo by James Allen

When researching bits and pieces of the life of yesterday's subject, I uncovered what I think is an interesting note. Whenever I see the nickname of "Lizzie," I usually first think it short for the name Elizabeth. In this instance, I would be way off. Here, Lizzie = Clarissa.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
10 June 1880, pg. 4

Marriage on Walnut Street.
Last evening, at the residence of Dr. Roosevelt, on Walnut street, the Rev. Otis A. Glazebrook officiating, Miss Lizzie Benton, was married to Alfred Jessop, Esq., of York, Penn. The bride is one of Macon's fairest flowers, daughter of Amos Benton, Esq., the groom a member of the firm of Jessop & Smith, of this city, manager of A. B. Farquhar's Southern Depot, Pennsylvania Agricultural Works, a young man of fine business and social qualities, who, since his residence in this city, has won for himself a host of friends. May prosperity and happiness follow them through life.

Death and Funeral of Mrs. Alfred Jessop (Tombstone Tuesday)

Photo by James Allen

I always like to note when someone's final resting place is different from their location at death. In this instance, the distance between the two isn't awful far, but still worthy of a highlight. There is also a slight discrepancy in the death date, given the dates of the newspaper articles, as well as the inscription on her ledger marker in Rose Hill Cemetery. Did Mrs. Jessop pass away Monday, November 24th, or Sunday, November 23rd? I'm leaning toward the latter.

Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia)
Tuesday, 25 November 1913, pg. 1

MRS. ALFRED JESSOP DIED YESTERDAY.

Funeral Held Monday at Noon and Body Was Carried to Macon for Interment.

Mrs. Alfred Jessop died early yesterday morning at her home, 1531 Fourth avenue. At the time of her death Mrs. Jessop was 61 years old and been suffering for some time with a complication of troubles. Although she had been able to be out a few days at a time, she had not been well for something over a year and [her death was ex?]pected.

The funeral services were conducted yesterday at noon from her former home and the body was carried to Macon for interment. Rev. S. A. Wragg conducted the services and the following acted as pallbearers: Messrs. H. E. Struppa, M. A. Coopk [sic], J. A. Beard, E. H. Waddell, W. L. Williams, and Prof. R. D. Daniels.

She is survived by her husband and three daughters, Mrs. A. D. Allen and the Misses Edith and Edna Jessop of this city.

Mrs. Jessop had a host of friends in this city who will mourn her untimely death.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Tuesday, 25 November 1913, pg. 10

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

MRS. ALFRED JESSOP.
The funeral of Mrs. Alfred Jessop, a former Macon woman, who died at her late home in Columbus, Sunday, will be held this morning at 11 o'clock from Christ Episcopal church. Rev. John S. Bunting, the rector, officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill cemetery. The body of Mrs. Jessop was brought to Macon yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock from Columbus.

MRS. ALFRED JESSOP.
At 11 o'clock this morning, from Christ Episcopal church, will occur the funeral of Mrs. Alfred Jessop, of Columbus, Ga. Mrs. Jessop was before her marriage Clarissa Augusta Benton, of this city, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Benton, who were pioneer citizens of Macon and prominently connected with its early history. Mr. and Mrs. Jessop were married in 1880, and for some time made their home in Macon, later moving to Columbus. The deceased was at the time of her death 61 years old. Besides her husband, she leaves three daughters, Misses Edna and Edith Jessop and Mrs. Aubrey Allen, all of Columbus, and three sisters, Mrs. Robert Findlay, Mrs. Juliette DeVries and Mrs. L. E. Mallery, all of this city.