From the Christian Messenger, Friday 14 April 1848, pages 116a and 117. This was a Baptist newsletter in Nova Scotia, Canada.
“OBITUARY NOTICE
Mrs. Sarah Skinner was the daughter
of the late Mr. Samuel Osborne. Both Mr.
And Mrs. S. were born in Martha’s Vineyard, U. S. where they were married. They removed, thence to Casco bay Maine, from
thence to N. B. and finally to N. S.
Sarah,
their daughter, and the subject of this notice, was born on the 22nd
July 1760 and was sprinkled in her infancy, as were the rest of the
children. Their mother instructed them
in the belief and practice of the Pedobaptists, - and exercised over their
morals watchful care – taught them to repeat prayers and read their Bibles,
&c. Sarah’s mind was seriously exercised
from childhood about her soul’s interests and at twelve years of age her
concern became more pungent, and notwithstanding, her having been early
instructed, that having been dedicated to God, and be properly termed, truly
religious instructions, calculated to impress her mind with the necessity of a
divine change, and lead her to the right source and practice, irrespective of
the Spirit of God and His Word, were very limited. When about nineteen years of age, she heard a
sermon preached by Henry Allen, who was a Pedobaptist Congregational Minister,
and all the churches formed thro’ his instrumentality were of that order,
consequently she did not make a public profession of religion until she was
bout forty six years of age. About this
time there was a Close Communion Calvinistic Baptist Church organized in
Cornwallis by Elder Case, from Maine, consisting of only seven members who
separated from what was then called the Open Communion Church, consisting of
Baptists and Pedobaptists, over which Elder Edward Manning was Pastor, but who
was subsequently immersed by the late Rev. T. H. Chipman, and re-ordained by
Elder Case, as the Pastor of the newly organized church. This being the first Baptist church ever
formed in Cornwallis, which Mrs. Skinner untied with, and remained a consistent
member until her demise. It may be truly
said that but few persons in life were more rooted and grounded in the truths
of the Bible, more circumspect in her deportment, and possessed stronger faith
during the whole course of her religious life – and notwithstanding the various
conflicts she was called to pass thro’, it bing her lot in the Providence of
God, to be what the world is wont to call poor, yet she was rich in faith, and
an heir of the Kingdom of God, and in much patience possessed her soul, -- was always
cheerful and resigned, and possessed abiding reliance in the strong arm of
Jehovah – and a confident assurance of a blessed immortality, knowing that her
hope rested alone on the merits of Christ’s death. She was familiar with her Bible, enjoyed much
communion with her Saviour, and always delighting in the Gospel. She loved the
house of God, and the communion and fellowship of the saints. Her life was one continued example of piety –
she had, it is true, her inbred corruptions to content with and lament, yet her
faith in Christ’s blood triumphed over them.
For a number of years after her husband’s death, she resided with her
brother in law, the late W. A. Chipman, Esq.
They highly appreciated her company, but she preferred living with her
children during the latter part of her life.
She retained the use of her faculties remarkably in old age, her memory
was good – the choice sayings contained in the book of God were always her support,
and with much emphasis would she relate them, her mind being richly stored with
them. For a number of years before her
demise she was unable to go to the house of God, but when sermons were preached
in the house where she resided, she would greatly rejoice in the truth. She would often repeat appropriate hymns to
her state of mind and with pious emotions; and looking forward with joyful
expectation of entering into the full enjoyment of that rest that remains for
the saints of God.
One
circumstance among many that might be named as interesting might be adverted
to. At one time she was tempted to
believe that there was no Heaven. The
thought exceedingly distressed her, and she immediately retired and threw
herself prostrate on the ground, and begged of God to relieve her mind. She returned to the house in agony, and fled
to her Bible, and when she opened it the following words from Isaiah met her
view “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, &c” instantly all her doubts were removed, and
she then resolved in future when any similar suggestion came to her mind that
would reject it and this proved a source of great comfort and safeguard to her
through her life. About two years before
her demise she took a severe cold which settled in her limbs and rendered her
incapable of walking – yet she could sit up through the day – but for the last
year she was principally confined to her bed, but always patient and cheerful,
-- and her whole theme was the subject of religion. She gradually declined, and finally when the
closing scene drew near, she was like one looking for and hastening unto the
day of God. Death was no terror to her,
she could triumph over it. She knew that
her Redeemer liveth, and that his promises would never fail. How oft would she repeat the saying of our
blessed Lord, “In my Father’s house are many mansions &c.”, she had no
doubt that there was one for her and that she should soon enter there. She retained her senses until the last. Tuesday, before she expired the writer of
this sketch saw her, found her dying, but still capable of speaking so as to
understood. In answer to questions
proposed to her, she relied that she knew she was dying—that her hope of heaven
was strong—She had no fears – all was well.
Being asked if she wished him to pray with her, she replied “Yes! Prayer is sweet.” After prayer she said “Amen,” in token of her
approbation. She finally fell asleep in
Jesus on the 15th January 1848, in the 88th year of her
age. Her death was improved by a sermon
preached by the Rev. A. Stronach.
She was
married at the age of sixteen to Mr. Charles Skinner, in N. B. who was a native
of Connecticut. She had by him eight
sons and seven daughters, all of whom have been married except on daughter and
one son who died when in his eighth year. Most of her children have publicly
professed religion, and for the others she was not without hope. She had one hundred and thirteen
grandchildren, forty-seven of whom have professed religion, and all except two
are Baptists. Upwards of sixty great
grand children, a number of whom have also professed religion. There are four Baptist Ministers connected
with her family. One her own sons, Pastor
of a Baptist Church in N. B., Elders Ed. Manning, Cornwallis, and Geo. Dimock,
Newport, N. S., who married her daughter, and Rev. I. E. Bill, of Nictaux, who
married her grand daughter. – Communicated by Rev. W. Chipman.
Pleasant Valley, March 29th,
‘48
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Sarah Osborne Skinner was my 5th great grandmother. She was the daughter of Samuel Osborn and Sarah Wass, residents of the island of Martha's Vineyard who removed to New Brunswick, Canada. She was born 22 July 1760 in Fredricton, New Brunswick, and died 15 January 1848 in Pleasant Valley, Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.
At age sixteen Sarah married Charles Skinner on 24 November 1774 in Passamoquoddy, New Brunswick. They had fifteen children, including my 4th great grandmother, Ann Skinner (1786 - 1815) who married Thomas Ratchford Lyons. Ann's daughter, Isabella Lyons (1806 - 1872), married the Reverend Ingraham Ebenezer Bill, who is mentioned in the obituary above. Ann's sister, Rebecca Skinner (1781 - 1857) married Reverend Edward Manning, who baptized my 2nd great grandfather, Rev. I. E. Bill.
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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "The Obituary of Sarah (Osborne) Skinner, 1848, Nova Scotia", Nutfield Genealogy, posted August 21, 2017, (https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-obituary-of-sarah-osborne-skinner.html: accessed [access date]).
