Chapter 5

Brief look at Lydia Mack, third daughter of Solomon Mack.

1764 to January 8, 1826

Of my sister Lydia¹ I shall say but little; not that I loved her less, or that she was less deserving of honorable mention, but she seemed to float more with the stream of common events than those who have occupied the foregoing pages; hence fewer incidents of striking character are furnished for the mind to dwell upon.

She sought riches and obtained them, but in the day of prosperity she remembered the poor, for she dealt out her substance to the needy with a liberal hand through life and died the object of their affection. As she was beloved in life, so she was bewailed in death.²

Continue to Chapter 6.

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Notes to Chapter 5

      1. Lydia was born in 1764 and married prominent citizen Samuel Bill from Gilsum in 1786.

      2. Lydia died at Gilsum and is buried in the cemetery with two of her sisters; her youngest brother, Solomon; and her father. Lydia’s gravestone reads: “Lydia Mack Bill died Jan. 8, 1826, Ae. 62” (see Anderson, Heritage, p. 179). Her epitaph indicates her spiritual inclinations: “Now she’s gone to realms above/Where saints and angels meet/ To realize her Savior’s love/And worship at his feet” (see Anderson, Heritage, p. 29).