Louisa Jane Padgett Died in Faith, Departing in Peace (1874)

Louisa Jane Griner was born 27 April 1830 in Tattnall County, Georgia to Benjamin and Caroline Griner. She married Hardy Padgett 26 January 1847, and the couple had at least five children: Georgia, Benjamin, John, James, and Caroline. For the taking of the 1870 U.S. Federal census, Hardy and Jane were residing in Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia.

Louisa died 11 June 1874 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia. A brief obituary:

Standard and Express (Cartersville, Georgia)

17 June 1874

MRS. PADGETT, wife of Mr. H. Padgett, of this place, died on Thursday morning last, after a long and lingering sickness of near two years' duration. A consistent member of the Methodist church, she died in the faith, departing in peace. Her funeral services took place at the Baptist church, conducted by Rev. Mr. Headden, the resident pastor, before a large and sympathizing congregation. So one by one we pass away to the great gathering day, when the sorrows of earth shall be lost in the joys of the Saints' everlasting rest.

Given that Quitman and Cartersville are over 270 miles apart, and Mrs. Padgett had a "long and lingering sickness of near two years' duration," I wonder if the family moved to north Georgia with the hope of improving her health.

On another note, Louisa's cast-iron grave cover (and others of similar style and time period) were most likely invented by Joseph R. Abrams (1835-1893). To read more about him and his patented grave coverings, visit Traci Rylands at the Adventures in Cemetery Hopping blog.

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