The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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for fifty-five years. Industrious, enterprising and frugal, property accumulated; he saw that he
could be rich, and his heart began to be set on riches. 'Then,' said he to me, 'was the time
of my danger. Worldly feelings grew stronger; avarice began to awaken as property increased, and
sordid temptations beset me. But that feeling is gone; I do not think I am avaricious now; with
my substance I wish to honor God.'
"He united with the church, at the quarterly meeting, held by Dr. B. M. Drake, in Port
Gibson. The exact time and place of his change of heart he could not tell. He knew that old
things had passed away; that he loved God, the word of God and the house of God, and that
he had peace within and the hope of Heaven. He became a diligent reader of the Bible, a con-
stant worshipper at the home altar, a regular attendant at the house of God and a liberal supporter
of the church and of benevolent institutions. I think he gave more for religious and educational
purposes than any other person in the vicinity of his home.
"Twenty-seven years he was president of the board of trustees of the academy, and I do
not know that he ever failed to attend a meeting.
"As a man of business, he was diligent and careful, and maintained a boundless credit
during his life. His hospitality was free, large and unostentatious; his friendship, warm, earnest
and unchanging; his conversation, chaste, good-humored, instructive. I never found him in low
spirits, and never heard him complain. In sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, he
maintained tranquility of mind. In politics he took no active part; never aspired to office, though
his kindred aspired to offices of trust and honor. He sought no public place, while many others
of the Humphreys family adorned the bar and the pulpit.
Mr. Humphreys was a Southern planter of the highest type, without pride or pretention; a
gentleman by nature and by practice; a Christian by the grace of God and the mercy of Christ,
'diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' The prime of his manhood was elegant;
his latter years, serene; his end, peace. He honored God and God honored him."—Extracts from
an obituary notice printed at the time of his death.
Children:
12. I. George W.t; m. Catharine Balissa Prince; res. (1883) near Port Gibson, Miss. Children:
i. William Prince =; "was killed in the war for the independence of the South "
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ii. David George''; unmarried (1875).
iii. Samuel C.^; unmarried (1875).
iv. Halisie Prince =; unmarried (1875).
V. Baylis Earl^; unmarried (1875).
vi. Benjamin*; unmarried (1875).
John Coburn''; m. Sarah A. G. Stuart. Family 5.
Samuel Coburn< (Dr.); m. Ruth Devenport. They had five children, all of whom
died early, and the father and mother soon followed them.
21. IV. Mary Coburn*; m. Col. John W. Balfour. Child:
22. i. William Luggs (or Sugg?).
23. V. Benjamin ^; m. Mary Jeffries. Children:
24. i. Nattalie^; died young.
25. ii. Mary Catherine.^
26. iii. Mary Cobum.'
27. iv. David George.''
28. V. Priscilla Jeffries.'
29. vi. C. Balissa.'
30. VI. Daniel Burnet*; m. Kate Shelby Jeflfrtes; five children. Res. (1883) Bolivar, Miss.