The Emma Ferrer Letters, Part 1: The Death of George W. Ferrer

Today begins a 2-month series on the events that followed the death of George Washington Ferrer. Although his salary as a traveling preacher might’ve been sufficient for his family of 8 during his life, it did not provide for them in the event of his death. So it was, that in the fall of 1898, Emma Johnson Ferrer, herself only 30 years old, had to make the difficult decision to place her 6 children in an orphanage while she attempted to find work and save enough to provide for them on her own. Over the next few months, we’ll come to understand what the turn of the century was like for Emma and her young children through a collection of letters exchanged between Emma and the Alabama Methodist Home for Children. According to the obituary below, George began his life as a Methodist preacher in 1884, at the age of 34. In 1891 he switched to the Mississippi Conference where he remained until his death seven years later. By following the Minutes of Annual Conferences each year, we can follow George (and his family) from Whittington, MS in 1892 to Augusta, Mount Carmel, Westville, Clarksburg, and finally, Pelahatchie. His obituary appeared in both the New Orleans Christian Advocate and the Minutes of the Mississippi Conference. It was likely written by a member of his conference, as it focuses almost entirely on his spiritual life. Editorial Note:  There are subtle language differences between the obituary printed in the Mississippi Conference Minutes and the New Orleans Christian Advocate. In one version, Emma "bore with (George) the hardships and privations of an itinerant preacher." In the other version, she bore these hardships "cheerfully." The New Orleans edition also includes information about the medical treatment George sought before his death: ...Friends and brethren advised him to go to Brown's Well, but there he found no relief and went on to New Orleans for treatment but he was informed that his case was beyond the reach of medical skill. Brown's Wells, located about 60 miles south of Pelahatchie,  was a "health and pleasure resort built around seven wells containing large quantities of minerals" ( Lost Landmarks of Mississippi by Mary Carol Miller). The wells were thought to restore health and were frequented by many wealthy Mississippians of the time.  Next Week: Emma applies for a matron position.

Ferrer Family Portrait, circa 1893. George, Alice, Emma, Olin, and Vella

Minutes of the Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for the year 1890. Published 1891.