Troy Times

October 26, 1844

MEREDITH, JOHN - Obituary - In Cass Miami county, Ohio, on the 28th of Aug. 1844, John Meredith, in the 84th year of his age.  Mr. Meredith was born in the State of Delaware, Feb. 10, 1761.  He was baptized in Aug. 1805, and continued a worthy member of the Baptist Church till his death, thirty-nine years.  He was married April 18th, 1794, to Elizabeth Barbey, with whom he lived more than half of a century, and who was mercifully spared and sustained to discharge all the duties of the conjugal state down to the day of his death.  This she performed in a most patient and faithful manner.  He was nearly helpless for the last two years of his life, yet she, a most faithful bosom friend, was constantly at his bed side, ready to relieve every want, till his eyes were closed in peace.  Two traits in the character of Mr. Meredith, are worthy of special remark, the regard he manifested for his country, and the devotion he evinced to his God.  At the age of fifteen, he was adopted by a wealthy Uncle, then residing in the West Indies.  The sympathies of John for the Colonies in their struggle for Independence, were too long for his physical nature to bear, and it was soon found wasting under disease.  Medical advice proved unavailing till John divulged to his physician the real cause of his illness; and a visit to his friends in Delaware was prescribed.  On his return he sought a place of enlistment and the hazards of the battle held, rather than the ease and pleasure of a visit among his relatives at home.  This step, while is secured a gratification of the patriotic feelings of his soul, sacrificed the favor of his Uncle, and all title to his estate, who refused him forever after admittance into his family.  Yet he enjoyed what is far better, a consciousness of having nobly served his country, and the privilege of seeing that country rise and prosper under the influence of that liberty which he had sided in securing.  In the ripitude of old age, his eye would sparkle with great admiration at the very reference of these events in the history of his life and of his country.  But he forgot not his God, (like too many), in his patriotic devotion to his native land.  His loss and attachment to his Saviour were supreme.  They seemed to increase to the day of his death.  Though his mind became greatly impaired on other subjects, it appeared to be perfectly sound on this.  He did not see his Pastor for two years before his disease, (having lost his sight), yet on every visit he recognized him as he heard his voice, and conversed in an intelligent and most interesting manner upon the things pertaining to the salvation of Jesus.  The last visit was a short time before his death--then animated countenance and gushing tear, gave evidence of a heart overflowing with the sympathies of the Gospel.  Thus died this good man, full of days loaded with honors, ripened with glory, and lamented by all, "dark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."  [The above notice of Mr. Meredith's death was furnished for publication several weeks since, but was mislaid and lost among the multiplicity of other papers, and had to be re-written, which may account to the friends of the Revolutionary soldier, for the delay in its appearance.]