Sarah Clarkson (1766 - 1820)

Born 1 Apr 1766 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA

Ancestors

Wife of Robert Ralston — married 24 Nov 1785 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA

Descendants

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Biography

DIED, on Thursday evening, the 26th inst. Mrs. SARAH RALSTON, wife of Mr. ROBERT RALSTON, Esq. When an infant dies, we mourn over its dust, and regret its premature departure, but as futurity is hid from us, we know not whether we ought not rather to rejoice, for perhaps if it had been spared, its life would have been a scene of guilt. For the same reasons our grief is alleviated when death snatches from us persons in when death snatches from us persons in the prime of youth, and beginning to tread in the path of usefulness. But perhaps, these early and propitious auspices would not have long continued, and the youth whose death we mourn'd, whose grave was watered with tears of sincere grief, might, if he had been spared longer, have died unlamented. But our grief is more poignant when those die whose lives have been spent in the full exercise of love to God and Man, and who have been snatched away in the midst of usefulness. The latter remarks are applicable to the recent bereavement our city has suffered, in the death of Mrs. RALSTON. This amiable lady lived in the exercise of those estimable qualities, which endeared her to the affections of all. Be witness ye multitude of Widows and Orphans, ye sick and distressed, ye children of sorrow, by whose attentions your losses have been made up, your maladies cured, and your distresses alleviated or removed. Many can say of her "I was an hungered and she gave me meat, thirsty and she gave me drink, sick and she visited me, naked and she clothed me." But her charity did not consist merely in BESTOWING ALMS, her HEART was charitable, 'twas the dwelling of Piety and all its attendant virtues. There are so few of her character, that the loss is a double one, for there is no one to supply her place. By her decease Religion has lost a firm defender and zealous advancer-society a valuable member-the poor and afflicted a constant friend-her husband and numerous offspring an affectionate wife and mother. Matrons! Follow her example. Go and do likewise and your reward will be great!

She was originally buried at the Second Presbyterian Cemetery, but when that cemetery closed in 1867, more than 2500 burials were moved to Mount Vernon.~Name: Sarah Ralston Death Date: Dec 1820 Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Age at Death: 54 Burial Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Gender: Female Cemetery: 2nd Presbyterian Church Burial Ground FHL Film Number: 1902777

She was married to Robert Ralston, a prominent Philadelphian, businessman, and philanthropist. The couple had 14 children together.

Sources

• Memoirs of Matthew Clarkson of Philadelphia, 1735-1800, and of his brother Gerardus Clarkson, 1737-1790

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51294015/sarah-ralston