A Slice of Life in Goosepond

Back to the Gilmers, specifically, Thomas and Elizabeth. The two were nineteen and seventeen, respectively, when they married.  This article, from the same 1964 Atlanta magazine I mentioned yesterday, shows more views of the house where Thomas and Elizabeth birthed most of their twelve children. The youngest of their offspring was my great X three grandmother, Lucy Ann Sophia Gilmer (Bibb).

Through the years, long after the Gilmers moved or died, the house was inhabited by faithful protectors of the property. Beside the house were four graves--three children and Thomas Gilmer.

Again according to "Gilmer's Georgians":
"Thomas Gilmer provided liberally for his children, when they married, and at his death, left an estate of seventy thousand dollars to be distributed among them. His corpulence became so inconvenient to him from home that he ceased to hold office (member of Legislature). The habits of industry and efficiency, which he formed in his children, have been shown in their success. The estates which they have accumulated are equal together at this time, to a million of dollars. They are all planters, except one. The Lawyer and Politician is the poorest of them all…
Thomas Gilmer was drunk once, when he was a child: never afterwards. He was a member of the Methodist Church when he died."

And about his own mother, George R. Gilmer wrote:
"Elizabeth Lewis Gilmer, the wife of Thomas Meriwether Gilmer, … has now passed beyond eighty-six years, and been a widow more than thirty. Her ceaseless industry, and untiring care, has aided to make her children rich. She still enjoys the good things of life, with a pleasant relish. She has endured the evils, with unfailing patience. Malice and envy seem never to have found a resting place with her for a moment. Cheerfulness constantly shines in her face, and is heard in her voice. Her spirit never reproaches.—Necessity alone limits the extent of her kindness. Charity covers the faults of others from her sight; whilst gratitude is ever filling her heart for the forgiveness of her own."

 These women I've mentioned thus far in my posts are pretty remarkable stock. There's more in my book that testifies to their courage and stamina. It was at this point,  the "Elizabeth" segment in my chronicle, that I noticed the pattern of strong women who outlived the men and yet  managed to bear and raise enough children to fill a classroom. According to the records I have, they handled the money, made furniture, tended the children, cooked, and smiled.   I agree. It's unbelievable. But  an effusive description by a son about his mother makes me think Elizabeth Lewis Gilmer was one stalwart of a human being.  And she lived to be past 86!!!