History and genealogy of Peter Montague, of Nansemond and ...

BRANCH OF HIS SON PETER. 1 55
The following is from the pen of Rev. W. C. Hall, a pious, good
man who resided in Cumberland many years, and is copied from the
Columbia Bulletin of April 23, 189 1 : "The death of Mrs. Flanagan
has brought to my mind many pleasing memories of her childhood,
my own youthful days and intimate association with her parents and
the older members of the family. Mrs. Flanagan was the youngest
child of Captain William Montague, an old and esteemed citizen of
Cumberland county. Living all his days within a few miles of
Columbia, and members of his family being citizens from time to
time, together with the old gentleman's frequent visits and business
engagements in our town, made him to a great extent identified with
us as a citizen. I desire to speak of him as an old and honored
friend and can say in behalf of all who knew him, that he was
regarded in that light by all his neighbors and acquaintances, and
well deserved their esteem. Captain Montague married early in life
and settled about four miles from Columbia, where he built up for
himself and family a plain but comfortable home, in which he raised
up a large family of children and lived out his own days in peace and
quietness. He was remarkably industrious and domestic in his
habits, and even when he had become so old and feeble as to be
almost helpless, would still manage to do some little jobs about the
house or yard for the comfort of his family to whose interest he was
most affectionately devoted. He was for many years a Justice of the
Peace in his Co. and few men ever performed the duties of the office
more faithfully and conscienciously. He obeyed the scripture injunc-
tion to ' Study the things that make for peace,' and his counsels led
the way to settle many questions in dispute without litigation. He
trained up his family by precept and example, to walk in the ways of
peace. His wife was one of the best of women and a true and faith-
ful helpmate to him through a long life, which they spent lovingly
together. Never have I known two people more like-minded in all
the peaceful and quiet walks of life. Both lived far beyond the time
alloted to man on earth, and now they rest side by side in the garden
of the home that was their only one from youth to the end of a long
life. Mrs. F. was a worthy daughter of parents deserving all honor,
and has doubtless joined them and other loved ones in the ' Better
Land.' Most of the family have been gathered there and those who
are living may claim a heritage far above all the distinctions that
wealth or worldly honors can give, the descendants of ' parents
passed into the skies'."