• General Notes

  Source: History of the Barry Family
  OBITUARY
  MRS. J. R. KILLEBREW, IN THE 85TH YEAR OF HER AGE
  
              Mrs. Killebrew was born in the county of Antriem, Ireland, July 17th, 1796. Her father, Daniel Barry, having taken an active part in resisting the oppression under which Ireland groaned, deemed it unsafe to remain any longer where there seemed no hope of present success, put into execution the idea of emigrating to the then famed "Land of Liberty", America. Landing in Philadelphia, he decided by the advice of eminent men, to locate in the State of Kentucky, and here commencing a life of energetic and useful labor for himself and others, continuing through a period of eighty years. Mr. Barry; having had the advantages offered the First National Institutions of his Native Land, was a rarely accomplished scholar. The education of his children was directly superintended by himself; thus, the object of this notice has often been mentioned by some of the most eminent men of Mississippi as a woman of vigorous intellect strengthened and polished by the highest degree of culture. The eldest of a large family, she was her father's able assistant in every business transaction, and when deprived by death of his support, not the less ready was she to aid in every womanly duty that altered circumstances cause to devolve upon her. In April 1817, she was married to Wm. Killebrew, who died more than twenty years ago - leaving a large family of children - all self sustaining. The widow advancing in years, bereft of the husband of her youth, naturally felt that her work being done, surrounded by her children, she would quietly await the end. But this was not ordered - was, death, pecuniary disasters followed in succession. One after another she laid her dear ones to rest, until all but one preceded her to the spirit land, leaving tender little ones to be loved and cared for. Never found wanting when there was work to be done for others, she proved equal to the task, and planned, counseled and taught them until two years since. The infirmities of age, coupled with the accumulated trials of long life weighed much, and mind and body at last succumbed. Tenderly cared for by the children she had reared, after a short illness, she calmly resigned her spirit to the God who gave it, and in the full assurance of blessed rest beyond the grave, she fell asleep.
  
  We are endebted to Mary Jane for her 'Annals of the Barry Family' and
  'Annals of the Killebrew's"
  
  
  
  

Details of Mary Jane's family with William Killebrew