I transcribed the August 1929 newspaper obituary of Delphia Davenport
PEARSON, daughter of Joseph PEARSON and Sarah DRAPER. Delphia is also
granddaughter of Huldah LAMB and great granddaughter of Jacob LAMB. I
have copies of photographs of Joseph PEARSON, taken at S. D. Talbert,
Spiceland, IN, marked "Joe Pearson"; also "BECKY" who must be
Joseph's
2nd wife, Rebecca Ratliff; taken same place, with notation marked on
back, "Uncle Joe Pearson/BECKY". I do not know how Joe Pearson is an
uncle of my line, but these pictures were in my family's files. Perhaps
I missed something that makes him an uncle of mine. Information on Joe's
descendants appreciated. Also I hope that this information helps
someone.
Regards, Tim Walls
Descendants of Joseph Pearson (incomplete).
Generation No. 1
1. Joseph3 Pearson (Nathan2, Jonathan1) was born 1816 in Wayne Co.,
IN. He married (1) Sarah Draper, daughter of Jesse Draper and Delphia
Davenport. He married (2) Rebecca Ratliff, daughter of Richard Ratliff
and Caroline ?.
Notes for Joseph Pearson:
Joseph came to Henry County, IN with his parents in 1826, the year Duck
Creek Monthly meeting was established; settled on the head waters of
Duck Creek. Joseph was a birthright Quaker. He helped with the building
of the first meetinghouse on Clear Spring hill and worshipped there
until his marriage. He then moved on upper Duck Creek and helped to
organize a Wesleyan Methodist church and was a faithful member and class
leader for some time. When his daughter Delphia was 13 years old, his
wife Sarah (Draper) died. After his second marriage to Rebecca Ratliff,
his home was again near Clear Spring, where they attended the Quaker
meeting there for the next 50 years. He was an elder and sat head of the
meeting. (Source: obituary of Delphia Davenport (Pearson) Newby, dated
about August of 1929, New Castle, IN.)
More About Rebecca Ratliff:
Source: August 1929, Obituary of Delphia Davenport (Pearson) Newby
Child of Joseph Pearson and Sarah Draper is:
2 i. Delphia Davenport4 Pearson, born February 24, 1838 in 5 mi. NW of
Newcastle, Henry Co., IN; died August 15, 1929 in her home in New
Castle, Henry Co., IN. She married James Ivan Newby.
Notes for Delphia Davenport Pearson:
Obituary (With picture of Delphia, which will be scanned someday - Tim)
DELPHIA DAVENPORT NEWBY 1838-1929
"When I come to the end of the long, long road
The shadows will flee away,
And I'll stand in the glorious light of God
Where dwelleth eternal day."
There is something serene in the death of the aged, after years of
sunshine and shadow, the eyes grown dim to the earth and its beauty and
seemingly there is only a waiting "until the shadows are a little longer
grown" when the death angel severs the golden cold of life and the
spirity enters the heaven of rest, just such a life has passed from our
midst.
Delphia Davenport Newby, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Draper
Pearson, was born five miles northwest of Newcastle, February 24, 1838,
and passed away at her home in the city of Newcastle on the morning of
August 15, 1929, her age being more than 91 years.
She had a most interesting ancestry and no sketch of her life would
seem complete without brief mention or reference to the spiritual
devotion of some of these.
Her father, Joseph Pearson, son of Nathan and Huldah Pearson, was
born in Wayne county in 1816 and was the last of twelve children to pass
away.
He came to this county with his parents in 1826, (the year Duck
Creek Monthly Meeting was established) and settled on the head waters of
Duck Creek.
In 1836 he was united in marriage with Sarah Draper, daughter of
Jesse and Delphia Draper. They had two children, Catherine, who died in
infancy and Delphia, the subject of this sketch.
Joseph Pearson had a birthright in the Society of Friends and
helped with the building of the first meeting house on Clear Spring hill
and worshipped there until his marriage.
He then moved on upper Duck Creek and helped to organize a
Wesleyan Methodist church and was a faithful member and class leader for
some time.
When the daughter was 13 years old, the mother died. After his
second marriage, which was to Rebecca Ratliff, daughter of Richard and
Caroline Ratliff, their home was again near Clear Spring and for 50
years Joseph Pearson and wife wended their way to the house of God twice
a week, where he was elder and sat head of the meeting.
Such were the early influences that surrounded her.
These shown forth so splendidly in later years in her loyalty to
her church and devotion to her family.
On November 19, 1854, Delphia Pearson was united in marriage to
James Ivan Newby, son of Thomas and Sarah Brookshirt Newby (NOTE: could
be Brookshire, but spelled as typed in article - TWW). To them were
given 5 children, Sarah L., who died in 1881; Mary Ella, wife of John M.
Phelps, Newcastle; Irvin, who died in 1864; Joseph A., of Newcastle; and
Etta R. Oliphant, of Indianapolis. There were seven grand children, two
are deceased, and four great grand children.
James I. Newby enlisted for service in the Civil War, 36th Indiana
Infantry, D Company, September 16, 1861, at Richmond, and was in 11
battles. His release came September 21, 1864.
Delphia Newby saw our nation pass through many a crisis which
touched her heart and held her keenest interest and deepest
apprehension.
She witnessed the downfall of human slavery and the destruction of
the legalized liquor traffic.
She was converted in a memorable series of meetings held at Clear
Spring by Caleb Johnson in 1874.
In 1885, after a wonderful revival held by Mary Moon Meredith, the
Clear Spring cottage prayer meeting was established by Seth Stafford,
Clark Hosier, Enos Benbow, Jonathan E. Pickering, James I. Newby, and
their wives. These meetings were continued for more than 25 years and
were a power for good and a place of great spiritual blessing to many.
Our friend was one of the charter members of the Clear Spring
Missionary Society, which was organized in 1889.
This family found great pleasure in improving their country home
and in planting and caring for many varieties of fruit.
In 1913, the cares of the farm seemed too heavy for their advancing
years and they moved to Newcastle. The husband and father passed away
November 9th, 1921.
She maintained a keen memory to her last days and her ability and
sterling qualities have been an impetus to many all along the years of
her activity.
Yes, many who knew Delphia Newby, feel they have lost a true friend
and helper but find comfort in the thought of her release from pain.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed."
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
With the love of years,
ORABELL S. BELL.
Notes for James Ivan Newby:
See notes for wife Delphia Pearson.