76. Jane⁴ Alderson (John 'River Jack'³, John², John¹)⁽³⁰⁴⁾ was born in Greenbrier Co, VA 7 March 1824.⁽³⁰⁵⁾ Jane died 6 February 1914 in Nicholas Co, WV, at 89 years of age.⁽³⁰⁶⁾ I also have "16 Feb 1914" from another source; Marilyn Brown notes the obituary was closely trimmed. Her body was interred in Huffman Cem., Nicholas Co, WV.

She married Joseph A. Huffman in Monroe Co, VA, 18 April 1847.⁽³⁰⁷⁾ Joseph was born in "Missing Place" no. 1340 10 Jan 1824. Joseph⁽³⁰⁸⁾ was the son of Enos Huffman and Jane George. Joseph died 4 Apr 1895 in Mt. Nebo, Nicholas Co, WV, at 71 years of age.⁽³⁰⁹⁾ His body was interred 5 April 1895 in Huffman Cem., Nicholas Co, WV. Joseph was listed as the head of a family on the 1850 Census in Greenbrier Co, VA.⁽³¹⁰⁾ He moved 1850 in Nicholas Co, VA.

JOSEPH A. HUFFMAN

Today we pay a tribute of love and respect to the memory of a gentleman whom we held in high esteem; and from our first acquaintance love and respected. Joseph A. Huffman of the "Wilderness" was born in Greenbrier county. I presume near the residence of Mr. E. E. Huffman on Muddy Creek, Jan. 10, 1824.

On the 18th day of April 1847, he was married to Miss Jane Alderson, which union lasted almost forty-eight years, until God seen fit to call Bro. Huffman up higher. The result of this union was ten children, two boys and eight girls. Two of the girls having "gone before" only eight children survive him. In the fall of 1850 he moved to Nicholas County, I presume to the old homestead in "the Wilderness" where he lived for almost forty five years. He was a useful, honest and honorable citizen. In home, church and state he filled his station well. For eight years he held the office of Deputy Assessor of Nicholas County. He accepted Christ as his savior in the year 1867. The Missionary Baptist Church being his choice, he at once gave himself and his influence to the "Army of the Living God." He was not always a private. He filled the responsible office of Deacon and Clerk of his church with honor to himself and acceptability to his Brethren.

His home was readily opened for the entertainment of Ministers of Christ. It was a pleasure to share his hospitality and hear him tell his joys and triumphs. It was an interesting scene; as the counsel of God was declared from the Sacred Desk, to watch the expression of his beaming face; to hear him plead with God in congregational Prayer, and to listen to his rich Christian experience and admonition. He truly loved the house of God, and when unable to ride, because of Rheumatism, with which he was afflicted for some five years, he would walk to church a mile or more when many wondered how Bro. Huffman got there.

Most of all of his children are explary christians [sic] and church members, and those who are not have the conviction that they should be. This last sentence is worthy of remark. [ here Martha made a small mark with a pencil]

I often think what a pity good people grow old. Yet the burden of almost seventy one years, mostly of toil, taking down the forest and making "The Wilderness" blossom as the rose, left its impress on his physical constitution, and for five years he often suffered sorely. For six months he was confined to his bed. As Paul admonished, he was truly "Patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope, continuing instant in prayer." He seemed at all time during his last sickness to be :sweetly trusting in Jesus" Shortly before his demise he told his friends, "That all is well. There is nothing in my way." Thus he died, so far as mortality could see, trusting in the worlds Redeemer.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. L.J. Huffman on April 5th at 2 o’clock, and all that was mortal of Bro. Huffman was laid to rest in the family burying ground in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relations.

I think on the resurrection morn, that old decrepit, crippled body will come forth to newess of life with eyes aglow and form erect and suple; be admitted to the Angelic and blood washed throng to live in perpetual youth through the countless ages.

To wife, children and friends, I would say, Flow on, "where the wicked cease from troubles and the weary are at rest."

Written by C.N. Coffman, Hominy Falls, W.Va. April 29, 1895

Jane was listed as the head of a family on the 1850 Census in Greenbrier Co, VA.⁽³¹¹⁾

Mrs. Jane Huffman Mrs. Jane Huffman, one of the pioneer citizens of Nicholas county, died at her home at Mt. Nebo on Friday, February 6, 1914. Mrs. Huffman was born at Alderson, Greenbrier county, on March 7, 1824, and was at the time of her death, aged 89 years, 11 months and 29 days. Her death was due to the infirmities incident to old age.

Mrs. Huffman was married in April 1848 to Mr. Joseph A. Huffman and to this union were born ten children, seven of who survive as follows: Henry C. Huffman of Pearl, Mrs. A.N. Boley, of Mount Nebo, Mrs. W.S. Thomas of Lansing, Mrs. A.D. Pancake of Kenova, Mrs. Emma Duncan of Middleport O and Mrs. C.W. Rader and Miss Laura Huffman who reside at the old home place at Mount Nebo.

Mrs. Huffman was a consistent member of the Baptist church. Her grandfather, Joseph A. Alderson founded the first Baptist church west of the Alleghany mountains located at Alderson and know as the Greenbrier Baptist Church. She united with this church in early girlhood and later moved her membership to the Fowler Knob Baptist church, of which church she was a member at the time of her death.

She is also survived by one brother, Hon. George Alderson of Alderson, and a sister, Mrs. Grey of Texas, beside 60 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. She had resided in Nicholas county for more than 60 years.

After the funeral service at the Fowler Knob Baptist church on Sunday following her death, conducted by Rev. A.C. Ruckman, her remains were laid to rest in the family burying ground, there to await a glorious resurrection.

Mrs. Jane Huffman

"Sunset and evening star And one clear call for me, And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea."

The clear call came to Mrs. Jane Huffman nee Alderson at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C.W. Rader, of Mt. Nebo, at noon February 6, 1914, and her spirit winged its flight to be with Him whom she had loved and served for seventy seven years. Mrs. Huffman was born where the town of Alderson now stands, March 7th, 1824. She professed faith in Christ when she was thirteen years old and united with the Old Greenbrier Baptist Church, which was instituted by her grandfather, the Rev. John Alderson, the first Baptist minister to cross the Alleghenies. She came from a distinguished family, being the daughter of John and Nancy Alderson. She was united in marriage to Joseph A. Huffman, of Alderson, in 1847. Unto this union was born ten children, eight girls and two boys. She is survived by one son, Henry Clay, and six daughters, Mrs. Nancy Pancake, of Kenova, W.Va., Mrs. Emman Duncan of Middleport Ohio, Mrs. Mary E. Thomas, of Lansing, W. Va., and Mrs Martha Boley, Mrs. Malinda Rader, Miss Laura Huffman of Mt. Nebo, W.Va. She also leaves to mourn their loss one brother, Hon. George Alderson and one sister, Mrs. Katie Smith, both of Alderson.

The funeral services were conducted in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends in the Fowlers Knob Church by the Rev. A.C. Ruckman, after which her body was laid to rest in the cemetery on a beautiful eminence overlooking her old home, there to rest in peace till the morning light of the resurrection shall gleam from the east. It has not been the privilege of the writer to know a more estimable woman than Mother Huffman. She was one of the pillars of her church, and one who spent much of her life ministering to the suffering. She and her husband gave the lot on which the Fowlers Knob Church now stands, were the prominent factors in the errection of the church, and gave also the cemetery which marks her last resting place. She was true to her God and her church, and in her last years she loved to repeat that old hymn, I LOVE THY KINGDOM LORD. She was a subscriber of the Baptist Banner since its first issue. Mrs. Huffman was a woman of remarkable intelligence, and she retained her intellectual powers and youthful disposition till the last, having almost lived out four score and ten. She said to those who stood around her that she had no fears of death and like Robert Hall passed away sighing for the everlasting rest repeating that old hymn, OH LAND OF REST FOR THEE I SIGH."

"Mourn not the dead whose lives declare That they have nobly borne their part, For victory’s golden crown they wear; They rest with glory wrapped around, Immortals on the scroll of fame; Their works their praises shall resound, Their name-and everlasting name. Drop the warm tear-for Jesus wept; Sorrow shall find relief in tears, But let no secret grief be kept To waste the soul through nameless years, They rest in hope; their hallowed dust Is watched, and from the grave shall rise; Earth shall restore her sacred trust, Made all immortal for the skies."

A Friend in Fayette Sun

Jane Alderson and Joseph A. Huffman had the following children:

+ 384 i. George Robinson⁵ Huffman was born 31 July 1848.

+ 385 ii. Amanda Catherine Huffman was born 15 Jun 1850.

386 iii. Nancy R. Huffman was born in Nicholas Co, VA 1852. Nancy died 1926 at 74 years of age.

+ 387 iv. Martha Jane Huffman was born 20 December 1853.

+ 388 v. Malinda D. Huffman was born 1855.

+ 389 vi. Emma Huffman was born 16 July 1857.

390 vii. Lucy E. Huffman was born in "Missing Place" no. 1302 CA 1860.⁽³¹²⁾ Lucy died 26 December 1861 in "Missing Place" no. 1302, at 1 year of age.⁽³¹³⁾

391 viii. Mary H. Huffman was born in Nicholas Co, WV. Mary died 9 August 1934 at 70 years of age.⁽³¹⁴⁾

392 ix. Laura Huffman was born in Nicholas Co, WV.

393 x. Henry Clay Huffman was born in Nicholas Co, VA 18 Nov 1870.

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