Bethuel Vincent: "Found Lifeless" in a Brook (#13 of 52 Ancestors)

Almost 3 years ago, I came across the obituary of Bethuel Vincent (1798-1828), my 5th great grandfather's youngest son, posted on Find A Grave. The short, sad obituary said the following:

Died – In Turbut township, on the 11th inst., Bethuel Vincent, junior, aged about 30 years. The deceased had gone to the fields to collect raspberries and while crossing a small brook was taken with convulsive fits, to which he was daily subject, fell into the water, where he was, shortly after, found lifeless. [The States Advocate, Thursday, 17 July 1828. Posted on Bethuel Vincent's Find A Grave memorial page in Warrior Run Church Cemetery, Delaware Run, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania]

Find A Grave memorial page in Warrior Run Church Cemetery,
Delaware Run, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Photo by Earl Munday (thank you!)

My heart broke for this 29-year-old man who had went out to pick raspberries and died from either a convulsive fit, or more likely from drowning. I wanted to know more about this him, but I didn't find anything... until yesterday.

What did I find? I found the will of his father, Daniel Vincent, my 5th great grandfather. [The "junior" designation in the obituary was because of Bethuel's uncle, also named Bethuel.] This will told me more about Bethuel.

The will was written two years before Bethuel's death. It says...as regards to my youngest and afflicted son Bethuel it is my will that my Executors provide him with all the comforts of life, to live in the family of my son Isaac or John as he may choose - whilst being with Isaac his wife Rebecca is to receive at the rate of Thirty dollars per year and when living with John his wife Maria is to receive the same - to be paid out of the estate not previously devised - and should Bethuel by accident or affliction become more helpless than at present the sum to be drawn from the estate shall be increased in proportion to his frailty and the expense necessary to keep him. Bethuel have one of the best beds and bedding in the house.

I still don't know what type of "affliction" Bethuel had, but I love that his father was taking care of him even on his death bed. And, I love that, even though his mother had died several years before, Bethuel would continue to live with his family in the house of one of his brothers.

My Line of Descent

• Daniel Vincent (1760-1827) m Angelchy Huff/Hough/Heuff (1760-1821)
• Bethuel Vincent (1798-1828) is a brother to my direct ancestor Elizabeth "Betsy" Vincent (1789-1846) m George Watson (1783-1856)
• Sarah Jane Watson (1826-1853) m John Quiggle Stewart (1825-1922)
• Alexander Stewart (1852-1922) m Catharine Jane McClintock (1852-1929)
• Andrew "Andy" McClinock Stewart (1882-1954) m. Bessie Waldron Merrill (1879-1959)
• James Edward Stewart (1910-1972) m. Hazel Lucille Peters (1910-1975) (my paternal grandparents)

Do we share common ancestors? I'd love to talk! Please write me at drleeds@sbcglobal.net