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James Sowers Record

James Sowers, born: 11 Jul 1775; "Greenway", Frederick (now Clarke) Co. VA; died: 24 Dec 1849; "Greenway", Clarke Co. VA; buried: Old Bethel Church Cem., Clarke Co. VA;

James, married: 31 Dec 1798; Frederick Co. VA; by Rev. James Ireland; Elizabeth Kerfoot, born: 1770; Frederick Co. VA; died: 14 Apr 1851; buried: Old Bethel Church Cem., Clarke Co. VA;

See James' Last Will & Testament. See Elizabeth's Last Will & Testament.

According to Kerfoot, Kearfott and Allied Families:

Elizabeth (as well as James) was a member of Old Bethel Baptist Church and of an intensely religious nature. She wrote many verses of devotional character in the old 'ballad" style, and published a hymn book which was used in Old Bethel.

Below is a sample of some of Elizabeth's writings as recorded in Kerfoot, Kearfott and Allied Families:

LINES ON RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT

Lord sanctify the heart and mind
    Of all the people here
Grant they may leave the world behind
    And feel their Saviour nere.

Lord, we would come with warm desire
    To meet our God today,
Lord, wilt thou all our hearts inspire
    In thy most holy way.

Sense thou was pleas'd to give this feast
    In memorey of thy name
Oh, come dear Lord, and be a guest
    Thy presents we'd obtain.

We cheerfully tast this Heavenly bread
    And think of onely --Thee.
May Soul and body bouth be fed
    And made alive to Thee.

Oh, these sweet emblems of thy Love
    Gives life and Joy and peace.
My Friends, what will it be above
    Where it will never Cease?

                    Betsy Sowers,
                    Greenway Farm, 1839.
A copy of Betsy's old hymnal has been donated to The Bethel Memorial, Incorporated. I will have some photos of it online and eventually I hope to have it transcribed as well.

All chn. of above were born in "Greenway", Frederick (now Clarke) Co. VA.

Issue: Sowers

  • Mary Emily, born: 1800; died: 1828; Frederick Co. VA;
  • Daniel Alfred, born: 1802; died: 20 May 1852; Clarke Co. VA; buried: Old Bethel Church Cem., Clarke Co. VA;
  • George Kerfoot, born: 1803; died: 25 Jul 1840; Clarke Co. VA; buried: Old Bethel Church Cem., Clarke Co. VA;
  • Martha Susan, born: ca. 1805; Continued elsewhere.
  • Matilda E., born: 15 Nov 1806; died: 20 Dec 1889; Clarke Co. VA;
  • James, born: 25 Jul 1811; died: 28 Aug 1828; "Greenway", Frederick (now Clarke) Co. VA;
  • John W., born: 11 Oct 1813; died: 28 Dec 1888; "Farnley", Clarke Co. VA; buried: Old Bethel Church Cem., Clarke Co. VA;

Source info: A Tabulated Genealogy of the Family of Jacob and Mary Sowers of Virginia (by Dee Ann Buck), p. 17, 52-53; Kerfoot, Kearfott and Allied Families by (Robert R. Kearfott), p. 25-26;