Margaret Hall (Archibald) Turk (1760-1842)

Margaret Hall Turk formerly Archibald

Born 7 Jun 1760 in Iredell County, North Carolina

Daughter of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]

[sibling(s) unknown]

Wife of William Turk — married 3 Mar 1784 in Iredell County, North Carolina

Descendants

Mother of John Turk Sr., Mary Turk (Hall) Hamilton, Mary Hall (Turk) Hamilton, James Turk and William Turk

Died 30 Nov 1842 at age 82 in Franklin County,Georgia

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Profile last modified 8 Oct 2023 | Created 21 Jun 2018

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Biography

Margaret was born in 1760. She passed away in 1842. She is the daughter of John Peter Archibald and Mary Hall. It is not known where she is buried, but it is possible she is buried in Old Turk Graveyard, Homer, Banks County, Georgia where William is buried.

Obituary

Charleston Observer (Charleston, SC), 21 January 1843, page 3 Died, at the residence of her son, Col. William Turk, near Bushville, Franklin County, Ga., on the 30th of November last, Mrs. Margaret Turk, in the 83d year of her age. Rarely does it become the privilege of survivors to pay tribute to the memory of one more deserving than the subject of this notice, and as rarely are the living presented with an example more worthy of imitation, than is found in a review of the life and death of this excellent lady.

It is universally admitted that Mothers in Israel are not in general second, but fully equal, and in many instances superior to the Fathers, in the depth of their piety and the ardor of their devotion, as well as the freedom, variety and extent of their sacrifices to the religion of Jesus. And how often do we hear in story and in song, of the glorious deeds of the fathers and sons of the Revolution; and should we forget, in the persons of their wives and daughters, the heroines of that never to be forgotten period--- Surely not, while it is desirable, for the present generation, that the virtues of the past should be set on high as beacon lights, to guide them to the haven of peace, happiness, and prosperity. Such are our motives in adopting this manner of transmitting to the distant and numerous relatives and friends, a brief account of the life and death of her whom they have so long loved, honored, and revered.

The deceased was born A. D. 1760; and at sixteen years of age, in the year 1776, the same in which our Fathers renounced their allegiance to the enemies of their country, and published to the world a declaration of their rights and freedom, she renounced her allegiance to the enemy of souls, and published to the world her deliverance from the bondage of sin "into the glorious liberty of the children of God. She immediately united with the Presbyterian Church at Bethany, Iredell County, N.C., of which denomination of the Christian Church she was a constant and worthy member for 66 years, to the day of her death.

She married in 1784; and soon removed with her husband to Abbeville District, S.C., where they lived a few years, from thence to Elbert County, Ga., where they remained a short time, and from thence they finally removed to Franklin County, Ga., into the neighborhood in which they spent the remainder of their days in usefulness and honor.

She was born and reared in troublous times, particularly to those daring adventurers who settled on the frontiers of our Southern States, about the close of the war of the Revolution. Among these she and her husband were numbered. After their settlement in Franklin, they, with their neighbors, were compelled, for their safety, to subject themselves to the confinement and privations of a fort, for nearly four years; during which time she was still more deeply afflicted by the loss of her husband. The partner of her toils and sorrows left her thus soon a widow to bear them alone, with the additional burden of four small children to provide for. But, by the grace of God, she was equal to the task. She was well worthy a name and a place among those of olden time, with whom honest labor, though arduous, was a pleasure--and privation and suffering for their families, their country, or their religion,among their greatest glories. Throughout her whole life she was a pattern worthy of imitation in industry and economy, through which instrumentalities she raised her family with respectability and competency. As a neighbor she had no superiors, as a mistress she was kind and provident, as a friend generous and hospitable, and as a Christian true to the interests of her Lord and Master; alike punctual and efficient in the discharge of all her duties, whether performed to her family, to the Church, or to the world. Yet she seemed destined by her Heavenly Father as one of those ultimately and illustrously blessed by being "made perfect through suffering."

For nine years and one month previous to her death, was she wholly unable to walk; and for the greater part of that time unable to sit up without aid; and though her bed of prostration was often one of extreme bodily weakness and pain, still, when at all able, she was always engaged alternately either in interesting conversation, reading or work; thus habitually contributing to her own temporal and spiritual comfort, or that of others.

Her mind, naturally strong, maintained its vigour until within a few hours previous to her dissolution. Neither were her sensibilities blunted by extreme age and suffering; for as often as the privations and distress of others were made known to her, she seemed altogether to lose sight of her own situation, in her sympathy and interest for them--and extreme as was her case, she was wont to say that it was good for her to be afflicted. In her submission to the will of God she was a distinguished example, her language ever being, "not my will, O Lord, but thine be done"--and her conduct so completely corresponding, that in her, it may be emphatically said, Christian resignation was strikingly personified.

Although dead, she still lives, and will long live in the memories and affections of numerous survivors; and while her mortal remains have received the last tribute of care and respect from relatives and friends, and are mouldering back to dust, she, in the immortality of her being, doubtless, stands before the throne of God and the Lamb, one of that distinguished throng who "came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

But if her life was one of uncommon trial and suffering, her death was characterized by extraordinary calmness and peace--for she died without a struggle or a groan, affording a beautiful illustration of what is meant by "falling asleep in Jesus." Oh that we may live the life, and die the death of the righteous, that our last end may be like hers.

J. F. W. F. Charlotte, N.C., January 7, 1843^[1]