FOURTH GENERATION

127. Mariah M. Lewis was born on 24 Nov 1809 in Robertson County, Tennessee. She appeared on the census on 2 Jul 1860 in Township #8, Range 3 East, Williamson County, Illinois. ⁽⁴⁷²⁾ She appeared on the census on 14 Jun 1870 in Township #8, Range 3, Williamson County, Illinois. ⁽⁴⁷³⁾ She appeared on the census on 16 Jun 1880 in Township #8, Range 3 East, Williamson County, Illinois.⁽⁴⁷⁴⁾ She died on 15 Jul 1887 in Williamson County, Illinois.

Excerpted from her obit, courtesy of Charla Schroeder Murphy:

Mrs. Mariah Binkley was born in Robertson County, Tennessee, November 24, A.D. 1809, and died at her old home in Williamson County, Illinois, on January 15, A.D. 1887, being at the time of her death, aged 77-years, 1-month, and 21-days. Her maiden name was Lewis. Her mother's name was Rhapsomy Hunter, who was a relative of the Hunters that now live and have lived in this settlement. The families both on the side of her father and mother were noted for longevity as the majority of them seem to have lived to a ripe old age."


MARION LEADER

John H. Duncan and Edward E. Mitchell, Editors

Marion, Illinois, September 11, 1887

Funeral Discourse of Mrs. Mariah Binkley, Deceased. At Pleasant Hill Church, Sunday September 11, 1887. By Rev. T. S. Dalton, of the Regular Baptist Church.

TEXT: Rev. 14: 13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

Mrs. Mariah Binkley was born in Robertson County, Tennessee, November 24, A. D. 1809, and died at her old home in Williamson County, Illinois, on January 15, A. D. 1887, being at the time of her death, aged 77-years, 1-month and 21-days. Her maiden name was Lewis. Her mother's name was Rhapsomy Hunter, who was a relative of the Hunters that now live and have lived in this settlement. The families both on the side of her father and mother were noted for longevity as the majority of them seem to have lived to a ripe old age.

She was married to George W. Binkley, February 24, 1829, in the State of Tennessee and came to the State of Illinois in the fall of the same year, about the month of October.

During the winter and spring, of the years of 1829-30, they built a little log cabin near where the old homestead dwelling now stands. They raised their first crop of produce the summer of 1830, 57 years ago. More than half a century of the history of this County has been written since then. We today, who are standing here, in the sunlight of Heaven, enjoying the many blessings given us by our Divine Father, and the developments of the age, little do we know, and, perhaps little do we appreciate the early struggles, trials and tribulations of our early ancestors. These old landmarks of our early civilization are fast passing away and it is meet and proper that we, who are left upon times side of eternity, should come together and pay tribute to the memory of one who lived so long in this community and did so much towards advancing our present improved civilization.

Mrs. Binkley, ("Aunt Mariah" as she was familiarly called), was a woman of untiring industry, and in this she set a noble and worthy example, worthy of any man or woman to imitate. Her charity was proverbial, she was always-ready an willing to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy.

Think, for a moment, of the little rude log cabin located about one mile south of here, (Pleasant-Hill Church, one mile south of Johnston City, Illinois) in the woods, with no improvements in sight, save those made by the hard strokes of the axe and the grubbing hoe, in the sparsely settled neighborhood, struggling along trying to make a living and open out a farm.

At that time, the City of Marion had not been thought of, in fact the County of Williamson had not been established. There was not enough peoples then living within the boundaries of Williamson County to form a County. Wild beasts roamed at will, through the forest, where now many of our beautiful residences and cultivated farms are located.

She had but three children born unto her: Catherine R. Binkley, was born, September 12, 1830; Cynthia Binkley, was born November 6, 1832 and Joseph W Binkley, was born December 17, 1834. Cynthia was married to Jesse M. Casey, September 11; 1856. Joseph W. Binkley died, July 29, 1636, aged one year, seven months and twelve days.

Catherine R. had 5-children, four of them now living and one died while quite young. Cynthia had four children, three of whom are now living and one dead.

Catherine R. died January 2, 1863; Cynthia died, May 13, 1884. Thus, it will be observed that she raised two children, of her own, to the age of maturity.

The object of this obituary would fall far short of its purpose were we to stop here, but the grand achievements of her life are yet to be presented.

Her husband, George W. Binkley, died August 20, 1859. She lived as a faithful wife to her husband for thirty years, Five-months and twenty-six days. After her husband's death she was never remarried. She lived a widow at the old home place for over twenty-seven years. Her only surviving daughter, Cynthia and her grand children were the comfort of her declining years.

Upon an occasion like this, the question might properly be asked: What was the life work of Mrs. Mariah Binkley, and the same might, with equal propriety, be answered: Her life was devoted to incessant toil, in doing good, in the service of God and mankind.

We have already said that she raised but two children of her own, both of whom preceded her to that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns.

Seven grand children survive her, all of whom are married and most of them have families.

But what can be said of the children she raised who were not of her own blood? At the time of her marriage, she was 19years and 3-months old, and from that time till she died, a space of 58-years, she was devoted to the discharge of her duties, as a wife, as a mother and as a Christian. We find her as far back as 1834 devoting her tender care to two orphan children, by the name of Mozier, who remained with her and her husband for some five or six years. Then next came the two Young children, William W. and John M., both of whom were taken when quite young and remained with her and her husband, until after they had arrived at 21-years of age. John M. Young was a successful merchant and businessman in Marion and died there, in February, 1877. William W. Young, lived in this settlement, and is a farmer and stock raiser and has held several important positions of trust and honor. He is an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is well known to most, if not all, of this intelligent audience and needs no further commendations at my hands.

About the year 1847, George. W. Lewis, a half brother of the deceased, became a member of her household and so remained until 1860. He is a farmer, his farm lies immediately west of hers. His life has been somewhat checkered and uneven, but he has always sustained his integrity and has lived an honorable and upright life.

About the year 1848, George W. Young, a brother to William W. and Jno. (John) M. Young, became a member of her household, at the age of three years, and so remained until June 1860, at the age of 14-years, when he left the old home place and struck out for himself. And while he has been somewhat prominent, as a public man, before the people of Williamson County and has received many favors of a public nature at the hands of the people, he attributes much of his success in life to the early lessons of truth and honesty and the good motherly advice given him in his early boyhood days, by her whose memory we commemorate today.

About the year 1852, Caroline Binkley, now the wife of William Young, became a member of the Binkley household, She was married to her present husband, April 11, 1858, they have been pulling together, down the stream of life for over 29 years, have reared a large, interesting family of children. Their good moral character is evidence of their proper training in early life.

About the year 1857, the two Hicks children, Monroe and John, became a part of the family circle. They were aged about seven and nine years respectively. They had been raised in town, and not having the care of a mother, were naturally rough. But so firm and yet so gentle was the hand of correction laid upon them, that they soon became useful and obedient boys and grew up to be honorable and useful men. Monroe died some years ago. John is living in the west part of this County and is a teacher of vocal music.

About the year 1864, Nannie Goddard, granddaughter of the deceased, was taken into the widow's family; she was quite young - not over four years old at the time. She is now the wife of John Spiller, a well to do farmer, living on a part of the old home place.

It can be asserted the ten orphan children were cared for and brought up under her, immediate nuture and training. There were others, while not considered members of her family, that might be mentioned, that, to whom she was a foster mother, but it would be turning this line of our discourse from its direct object. Would it not be well to digress here, just a little and ask the question: Is not this kind of motherly and paternal regard for widows and orphans, too much neglected in this day and age? Would it not be better for our people and for our community, at large, if there were more "Aunt Mariah's" in this world? How many little waifs, without vagrants, thieves and mendicants, who if they were taken in charge by some good people and taught the true lessons of life, might grow up to be good citizens. It will be noticed that out of the eight orphans that Mrs. Binkley and her husband raised, not one of them turned out badly. Six of them are still living and are regarded as good citizens and worthy members of society.

Children should have the proper training while young, and they cannot be taught, except by older hands. Those who have passed over the vices and temptations of youth are best calculated to warn others of the pitfalls and allurements that be strewn along the pathway. And in this work she not only conferred a great honor and favor upon the children, who were personally benefited by her benevolence and charity, but it was a favor to the people, to the public in general, in making them good and useful citizens. Let us all think more upon this subject and endeavor to emulate the conduct of our departed sister, in this regard. Just when sister Binkley became attached to the Regular Baptist Church, I have no means of knowing, but as early as the church, in this settlement had an existence she is spoken of as being a member, and as being a believer in the teachings of this church as far back as 1848-49 and 54. Religious services were held in her house, by Brother Isaiah Walker, and Brother Allen Hunter and others.

The house of Esquire Binkley used to be a place where all the ministers and leading members of the Regular Baptist Church were wont to congregate; and they were always welcome. There are devoted and zealous member for more than forty years. But her life's work is done. She sleeps the sleep that knows no waking, in the windowless chamber of death. We, who survive her, will soon pass away and join the silent majority. The spirit quits it's temporal abode, and wings it's flight gently and silently to that upper realm to the presence of it's maker. All are victims of death, no age is released, no sect is spared. The courtly road over which monarchs pass, the track that philosophers tread, the path which is traversed by the warrior, the rich and poor, each and all, however varied their calling and course, terminate in that one enormous home, not erected by mortal hands, appointed for all living. The decree has gone forth, infinite change is the order of nature, and be the hour of birth ever so bright it is shadowed by the hearse of the departing one. "Like the snow flake that falls into the river - a moment white, then melts away".

Then let us so live, my friends, that when we are called. hence it can be said of us, as it can be said of our departed sister Binkley - the world is better by reason of our having lived in it. And what is still better than the riches or the Royal Diadem of all the princely potentates of earth, and that is a good name and an abiding faith in the goodness of God.

In conclusion, permit me to say that sister Binkley was a true and faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church, at Pleasant Hill, Willaimson County, Illinois, having filled her seat for over forty years. But from the duties and toils of life, God has released her, and no doubt her spirit is now with the Lord, and chanting the sweet notes of His praise, while her body silently sleeps in the dust, and quietly waits for the sound of the last trump to wake her sleeping dust, when sister Binkley - (Aunt Mariah) will arise from the grave, in the full bloom of youth, and her spirit and body will unite again and stand in full blaze of the light of the countenance of the glorious Son of God. She will join with the redeemed host, and the choir of angels, to spend an endless life in chanting the praise of her adorable King and Lord.

It can truly be said of sister Binkley, that a mother in Israel has fallen. She has been called from the toils and labors of life to her rest, at the right hand of God, and we would to God, that there were more Aunt Mariah's in the world, to set forth the good example before the rising generations of benevolence and Christian piety. More Aunt Mariah's to see after the poor orphan children. Having been raised an orphan ourself, we can fully realize what it is to meet with such a friend as Aunt Mariah Binkley. Oh! for each of us that she cared in their youth may imitate her example of Christian piety and Godly zeal, and be prepared by grace divine to meet her, on that peaceful shore. We can but adopt the language of Solomon: Prov. 31 - "Who can find a virtuous woman! etc. to - and in her tongue is the law of kindness".

All of the above is true, and much more might be said of sister Binkley, but we desist. May God help us to emulate her virtues, and profit by her examples, and finally meet her in the bright home of the blessed, where sorrowing will be no more.

Transcribed by Grace Spiller Hampton, RR#1, Box 148, Mart, Texas 76664

She was married to George Washington Binkley (son of Joseph Binkley and Catherine Carpenter) on 24 Feb 1829 in Robertson County, Tennessee. George Washington Binkley was born on 6 Jun 1806 in Montgomery County, Tennessee. He was born on 17 Oct 1850 in Williamson County, Illinois.⁽⁴⁷⁵⁾ He died on 20 Aug 1859 in Williamson County, Illinois. Mariah M. Lewis and George Washington Binkley had the following children:

+514 i. Catherine Rhapsomy Binkley.
+515 ii. Cynthia Binkley.
516 iii. Joseph W. Binkley was born on 17 Dec 1834 in Franklin County, Illinois. He died on 29 Jul 1836 in Williamson County, Illinois.