Catharine Lucella Ashford

BRIDENTHAL, Catharine LucellaASHFORD - Our whole community

is saddened over the death of that most estimable lady, Mrs. Bridenthal.

[Fayetteville Democrat 7 /13/82]

Died at her home near this city on Tuesday night, July 11, 1882, Mrs.

Lucinda(sic} Bridenthal, wife of Hon. David Bridenthal of this city. The

funeral services will take place at Gearing's Chapel this morning.

[Fayetteville Democrat 7/13/82]

Mrs. Catharine Lµcella Bridenthal departed this life on the morning of

July 16th, 1882. She was born March 18th, 1825. Her father was Captain

Thomas Ashford, a native of Virginia and an officer in the war of 1812. Her

mother, whose maiden name was Eliza {no surname mentioned), was a

native of Maryland and a blood relative of Chief Justice Marshal. The deceased, being an only daughter and her parents being in affluent circumstances, she was offered the advantages of a thorough and accomplished

education. While yet in her teens she made a profession of religion and

joined the Baptist church, the church to which her parents belonged, and

to the time of her death, a period of thirty-five years, she lived a pious and

consistent Christian life. August 3rd, 1849 she was married to David

Bridenthal. She was the mother of six children, four of whom, two sons

and two daughters, survive her. Five weeks previous to her death she accidentally fell while walking in the cellar and broke one of her limbs, the

fracture being inter-capsular, added to her age and the heat of the season,

caused great anxiety to be felt for her, however by the assiduous attention

of her family and the prompt and skillful efforts of her physicians, she did

unusually well for three and a half weeks when she was attacked with

peritonitis from which in less than a week she died. The deceased was

distinguished for decision of character, for equanimity in emergencies. She

was the embodiment of candor and sincerity. To the needy she was liberal.

The humblest person, if he was upright, was her favorite. She was a devoted mother. She spent the last years of her lifP surrounded by her children and grandchildren, all of whom viewed her with a feeling little less

than veneration. She has gone to Heaven. [Fayetteville Democrat 7 /20/82]