Emily (Reid) Skinner
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Emily Ward (Reid) Skinner (1806 - 1885)

Emily Ward Skinner formerly Reid
Born in Townshend, Windham, Vermont, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Wife of — married 20 Jun 1830 in Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vermontmap
Descendants descendants
Died at age 79 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 29 Jul 2015
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Biography

The History of Valparaiso called Emily Ward Skinner "the literary light" of the town. She was well-known for her poetry and composed poems for civic events. The "History of Porter County" noted that Emily "was a woman of fine intellectual and literary ability, and her gracious personality gained to her the affectionate regard of all who came within the sphere of her gentle influence, so that her name and memory are revered in the community in which she so long maintained her home and of which she was one of the most venerable pioneer women at the time when she passed to the life eternal. She was a most devout and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her hand and heart ever responded to the call of suffering and distress."[1]

Emily was born 27 March 1806 at Townshend, Vermont, the daughter of Elkanah Reed and Patty Rawson.[2] She was baptized 24 August 1806 at the Congregational Church of Townshend by the Rev. Mr. Tuffets of Wordsborough.[3] Emily became a full member of the Congregational Church at Townshend in 1823 at the age of 17. Emily, along with her mother, was also one of the charter members of the Congregational Church at Fletcher, Vermont. "The original members were (lists several names); also Patty and Emily W. Read from Townshend, Vermont."[4]

On 20 June 1830, Emily was married to John Richard Skinner, an attorney. "Married in Berkshire on the 20th inst. by the Rev. Isaac Hill, Mr. John R. Skinner to Miss Emily Reed." Rev. Hill was a Methodist minister, who, after 1830, headed west.[5] They were the parents of six children: Adelaide Mariette; DeForest Leslie; Hollis Read; Olive Celestia; Emma Laurance; and Henry Octavious.[6][7]

In 1846, the Skinner family moved from Hardwick, Vermont, to Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana. They moved their belongings in a wagon. It must have been quite an adventure for all of them, especially the young children. Once in Valparaiso, John established a law practice, but in a short while, after only three years, he became sick and died. Emily, age 42, was left to care for six children.

Maud Tice Sage, Emily's granddaughter, had fond memories of her grandmother: "Grandma was married at sixteen. She liked to study and read better than to do housework. She was known to have kept the printing office going, but in those days women didn't work in business offices, only taught school. She had been a teacher but had not done that for almost fifty years when the president of a local college recommended her as a private tutor, and she took the job on creditably."

"One story I recall hearing was of her sitting up far into the night reading a novel, and as the fire got low, she moved over and sat on the hearth of the cook stove where she kept very comfortable until the back of her dress caught fire. We have had some hand-woven towels and a little red tablecloth that she spun and wove. She pieced a silk log cabin pattern quilt, which has come down to the oldest daughters in the family."

After her son, DeForest, became a successful businessman and politician, Emily resided with him and his family.[8] During this time, she became known as a poet, and her poems were published in local newspapers.

For the last few years of her life, Emily was an invalid; she died at the age of seventy-nine at home, with her family by her side.[9] The following obituary appeared in the local newspaper after Emily's death.

Death of Mrs. Emily Ward Skinner[10]

Died in Valparaiso, Ind., on the 18th of December, 1885, Mrs. Emily Ward Skinner, mother of Hon. DeForest L. Skinner, aged 79 years, 8 months and 21 days. Mrs. Emily Ward Skinner, daughter of Elkanah and Patty Reed, was born in Townshend, Windham County, Vermont, March 27th, 1806, and died in Valparaiso, Indiana, December 18th, 1885, aged 79 years, 8 months, and 21 days.

She was married to John R. Skinner June 20, 1830. To them were born six children, three sons and three daughters, four of whom are still living. After her marriage, her home was in Hardwick, Vermont, where her husband attained distinction in his chosen profession of the law. In the fall of 1846, the family moved to Valparaiso, and here in 1849 her husband died.

For a number of years, her home has been with her son, DeForest L. Skinner. On her mother's side, she was a descendant of an ancient and highly honored English family, of the name of Rawson. The Rawson family coat of arms has been on record at the Herald's College, or College of Arms, in England, for several hundred years. The first of the name who came to this country was Edward Rawson, of whom we have an account as early as 1636.

At a meeting of the Commissioners of the United Colonies at New Haven in September, 1651, he was chosen Steward and Agent, for receiving and disposing of such goods and commodities as should be sent to this country by the Corporation in England for the propagation of the Gospel among the Indians in New England.

In the Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men of Indiana, in a sketch of the life of her son, our fellow townsman, Hon. DeForest L. Skinner, the writer says of her: "She was the second daughter of Elkanah Reed and granddaughter [sic] of Edward Rawson, who emigrated to New England in 1636, where he soon became officially prominent in the councils of Massachusetts Bay, filling many positions of profit and trust at the call of the people. Mrs. Skinner is a lady of marked ability and acquirements. Her intellectual and moral superiority make her respected and influential. She is warm hearted and benevolent, of generous sympathies and strong attachments. She reads much, observes carefully, and is well informed on the public questions of the day, as well as in general literature. She is a clear and ready writer, and is especially brilliant in conversation."

Her religious life began in her early youth. She has been an honored and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal church of this place during the nearly forty years of her residence among us. During all these years, her religious life has been a benediction to all who have been associated with her.

While she loved her church and was warmly attached to her own people, yet she was possessed of a broad, generous, catholic spirit, that embraced christians of every name. Her piety was not of the demonstrative type, but she was ever true and reliable. In all the relations of life she proved a true and noble woman, adorning and honoring every station she was called to fill. For a number of years, she took a deep interest in the missionary work of the church. In this she manifested the spirit of the Master, whose sympathies and love are world-wide in their sweep.

The value of such a mother's example and influence is far above rubies. Fortunate, indeed, is the family who have such a heritage.

For several years past she has been an invalid; for the most of the time confined to her room. This was a great privation to her, especially that she was denied the privileges of the sanctuary. She often referred to this, but bore it with patient resignation, and steadily looked forward to the time when she should be released from bodily infirmities, and with the pure worshipers, meet in the upper and better Sanctuary. And in this, doubtless, she has not been disappointed. Her faith pointed to a bright and happy home, free from all the care and sorrow of the earthly life. Her ears were attuned to catch the melody of the skies. The language of her heart, while bodily strength was failing, doubtless was:

"Let me go where Saints are going. To the mansions of the blessed; Let meg o where my Redeemer Has prepared his people's rest.

I would gain the realms of brightness, Where they dwell forevermore; I would join the friends that await me, Over on the other shore.

Let me go; 'tis Jesus calls me; Let me gain the realms of day; Bear me over, angel pinions; Longs my soul to be away.

Let me go where none are weary--Where is raised no wail of woe; Let me go and bathe my spirit, In the raptures angels know. Let me go, for bliss eternal, Lures my soul away, away; And the victor's song triumphant,Thrills my heart; I cannot stay.

Let me go where tears and sighing Are forevermore unknown, Where the joyous songs of glory Call me to a happier home.

Let me go--I'd cease this dying, I would gain life's fairer plains, Let me join the myriad harpers, Let me chant their rapturous strains."

Sources

  1. "History of Porter County Indiana," Volume II,The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, page 364.
  2. Birth and Marriage: "History of the Reed Family in Europe and America," by Jacob Whittemore Reed, Boston: John Wilson and Son, 1861,1901, page 207.
  3. Records of the Congregational Church at Townshend, Vermont.
  4. Records of the Congregational Church at Fletcher, Franklin, Vermont.
  5. Marriage: Extracts from "The Repertory" 9 Mar 1826-29 Dec 1831, published at St. Albans, Franklin Co., Vermont; compiled by Diana Hibbert Bailey,1991.
  6. The births of the children of John Richard Skinner and Emily Ward Reid were recorded in the vital records of the Town of Hardwick, Vermont. Vermont Vital Records.
  7. "History of the Reed Family in Europe and America," by Jacob Whittemore Reed, Boston: John Wilson and Son, 1861,1901, page 207.
  8. The DeForest Skinner home is (DeForest Skinner House) has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.] The home, which served as the residence of DeForest's family, including his mother, Emily Ward Skinner, was built around 1860. It is a two-story carpentered Italianate structure located three blocks north of the Porter County Courthouse.
  9. Find A Grave Memorial for Emily Ward Reid Skinner.
  10. Death: Obituary Notice, The Valparaiso Republican.




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Emily by comparing test results with other carriers of her mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known mtDNA test-takers in her direct maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Emily:

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Categories: Old City Cemetery, Valparaiso, Indiana