From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: An Obituary for Ezekiel S. Wimberly

Died: - At his home near Arcadia, La., December 29th, ’93, Mr. E. Wimberly, at the ripe old age of 72 years, one month and sixteen days. 

He was a native of Washington County, Ga. He was born Nov. 13, 1821.  He moved with his father to Louisiana in 1850, and settled near Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La., where he has resided for forty-three years. Thus giving his neighbors an opportunity to know him thoroughly.  He was married to Miss M. A. Butler in 1852, but she died August the 5th, 1860. 

After the war (in which he served with credit for two years) he was married to Mrs. G. A. F. Pittman, who survives him.  He also leaves three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom are members of the church, and are highly respected for their high Christian character and good citizenship. Thus demonstrating the truthfulness of the Bible, “Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

When Mr. Wimberly landed in Louisiana, his father’s family consisted of father, mother, three boys, and five girls. But alas! they have all been called from earth to heaven except one sister, who with the wife and children and a host of friends are left to ____________  his death is keenly felt by all, as he was an affectionate husband, a devoted father and a kind neighbor.  

He was strong in character, resolute in purpose, and decided in action. 

It has been the pleasure of the writer to know Mr. Wimberly intimately for thirty years, and must say that I never known a more honorable man. He came as near as doing ____________ have them to do unto himself, as any man I ever knew.  He was honest to a fault, dealing at all times fairly with his fellow man. Was always found on the side of right. ___ ___ Wimberly while living but to his memory a memoriam that his children should feel proud of indeed, for a good name is something to be prized. __ is __ more trust worth than a monument that could be erected over his grave. 

It was indeed touching to all present at the grave to see quite a number of the old family slaves gather near by and were as much affected as if they were sustained a very great loss. Indeed they were. Mr. Wimberly was ___ ____ them, not only ___ ____ ____ them, not only ____ ____ to all poor and needy ___ ____ always lending a helping hand to those who were in need. 

Mr. Wimberly died in t___   {The remaining portion of the obituary is missing.}

This may be the oldest obituary found in Marguerite Cook Clark's collection. And, one of the longest. The bottom portion of the obituary is missing - another of many reasons to take a third trip to visit this collection.

Ezekiel S. Wimberly was the son of David and Martha Wimberly.  Their relationship to other Bienville Parish Wimberly's is unknown.  In 1850, Ezekiel was living in Bienville Parish, Louisiana with his parents and some of his siblings. His father was a farmer and Ezekiel's occupation was listed as laborer. Siblings listed were Noah, Sarah, Amanda, and Elizabeth.

Ezekiel was first married to Maranda Butler on March 10, 1853 in Bienville Parish.  According to the 1870 census record, they had at least three children; Thomas, James, and Martha. James, the youngest, was born in 1858.

Ezekiel S. Wimberly married Georgia Ann Frances Bryan Pitman on November 19, 1867. Georgia Ann Frances was the daughter of my great-great-grandparents, Reddick and Elizabeth Regan Bryan. 

In 1870, Ezekiel, a farmer, and Georgia Ann Frances Wimberly were living in Bienville Parish with Ezekiel's children James, Martha, and Thomas. Also living with the family were Sarah Watts, daughter of Catherine Amanda Bryan Watts, Georgia's sister, and two young African - American children, Berry and Sam Watts.

In 1880, Ezekiel was farming and lived with his wife, Georgia Ann Frances, and son, James. On the same page of the 1880 United States census were his son, Thomas J. Wimberly and wife, Texanna Youngblood. 

Ezekiel S. Wimberly died on December 29, 1893  and is buried in the Arcadia Cemetery, in Bienville Parish, along with his first wife and and daughter, Martha Jane Wimberly McKethan.  Georgia Ann Frances Bryan Pitman Wimberly is buried in the Bryan Family Cemetery near Ringgold in Bienville Parish. 

Diana

© 2015

Sources

"Ezekiel S Wimberly in the 1850 United States Federal Census." Ezekiel S Wimberly in the 1850 United States Federal Census. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jul. 2015. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=2687867&db=1850usfedcenancestry&indiv=try>.
"Ef Wimberly in the 1870 United States Federal Census." Ef Wimberly in the 1870 United States Federal Census. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jul. 2015. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=26329863&db=1870usfedcen&indiv=try>.

"E. S. Wimberly in the 1880 United States Federal Census." E. S. Wimberly in the 1880 United States Federal Census. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jul. 2015. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=40087699&db=1880usfedcen&indiv=try>.

"Ezekiel S Wimberly in the U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current." Ezekiel S Wimberly in the U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jul. 2015. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=61588137&db=FindAGraveUS&indiv=try>.

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Marguerite Cook Clark. Accessed April 28, 2014 and September 14, 2014. Used with permission.

Head, John C. Bienville Parish, Louisiana Marriage Records, 1850-1900. Shreveport, La. (8505 Dixie Blanchard Rd., Shreveport 71107-8176): J & W Enterprises, 1990. Print.

"Texana Wimberley in the U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current." Texana Wimberley in the U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jul. 2015. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=20660284&db=FindAGraveUS&indiv=try>.