The Widow's Secret-- Part 8: The Last of the Lasts

So, it is possible that Helen Jackson is actually the "Last" of the Last Widows.

In 2004, Alberta Martin, a sharecropper's daughter who lived in poverty most of her life, died in Alabama at age 97.  She married Confederate veteran William Jasper Martin in the 1920s.  "Miz Alberta" loved the attention she got from the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who would take her to conventions and rallies.

When I found out about her, I talked with my class about the marriage with the widely different ages.  All my female students could say was "Oooooohhhh."

In 2008, Maudie White Hopkins, who enjoyed making fried peach pies and applesauce cakes died at 93.  When she was 19  in 19345, she married Confederate veteran William Cantrell who was 67 years her senior.  Hopkins said that Cantrell supported her with his Arkansas state pension of  "$25 every two or three months" and left her his home when he died in 1937.

Helen Jackson's husband left her his Bible and eyeglasses and a bullet he kept during the wat along with memories.

--Old Secesh

The Widow's Secret, Helen Jackson-- Part 5: The Marriage With a 76-Year Age Difference

Helen Jackson accepted the old man's offer, but with strict ground rules:  She would keep her maiden name, go home to her family every day and tell only a few select people.  The couple's 76-year-old age difference would surely have created a scandal.

Bolin agreed.

On September 4, 1936, Jackson and Bolin were married in the living room of the veteran's house.  Shortly after the ceremony, Tommy Macdonnell, a teenage who was preparing for a squirrel hunt, and his father, Bolin's physician, congratulated the couple.  Keep this quiet, Dr. C.R. Macdonnell urged his son.

To cement the union, Bolin gave his bride a pink topaz ring that had belonged to his second wife, and the common law marriage was recorded in his cherished personal Bible, given to him decades earlier by a traveling evangelist.

Their union followed Jackson's guidelines:  cooking, housekeeping, chores and then she would return to her home every night.  Although her husband talked about Civil War "blood and guts stuff" all the time, Jackson paid him no heed.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill-- Part 2: Service in the 36th Pennsylvania and U.S. Signal Corps

Jesse Merrill was commissioned  2nd lieutenant of Company "D", 36th Pennsylvania Infantry on April 24, 1861.  He was promoted to Captain on May 9, 1862, and was commissioned into the U.S. Signal Corps  on March 3, 1863.

Promoted to Major by brevet on March 13, 1865.  He died January 14, 1899.

During Merrill's service with the 36th Pennsylvania [7th Pa. reserves] the regiment participated in the Seven Days Battles, as well as Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg.

Bibles and books inscribed by Civil War Signal Corps members are extremely rare.  Super id'd  collectible.

Sold for $225.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill, Brother of Lewis Merrill and Union Soldier-- Part 1: His New Testament Bible

From the Horse Soldier Fine Military Americana site.

New Testament identified to Major Jesse Merrill, 36th Pa.  Infantry [7th Pa Reserves] & U.S. Signal Corps.

Published by the American Bible Society, New York, 1857.  Tooled brown leather, measuring 9.25"  X 6", w/ raised bands, with gilt  cover stamp "J. Merrill" and gilt spine lettering.

Owner inscription, front eps "Captain Jesse Merrill/ U.S. S.C." with crossed signal flags drawn in ink.  Five stanza song "The Old, Old Home with chorus, written in the owner's hand in ink in rear eps (end pages).

In terms of condition, , the book exhibits light or medium wear in the extremities, and light foxing of text, which remains entirely legible.  Spine and text  signatures tight.    Owner eps slightly  fades, though entirely legible.  Else VG.

--Old Secesh