Mr. K. Verdaine Hooper wrote:
Another obit from one of the Fairfield papers from my grandmother's collection.

Martha Wilson Jesop, daughter of S. J. R. and Martha Wilson, was born in Wayne county, Illinois March 27, 1854; departed this Life At the family home in Merriam, Illinois, at 3:15 P. M. January Ist, 1833. Aged 18 years, 9 months, and 4 days.

She has lived her entire life in this community. She suffered with heart trouble the past five years.

She was united in marriage to Benjamin F. Jesop. December 29. 1878. To this union were bom eight children of whom five have preceded her.

On March 14 1907 the home was saddened by the death of the oldest daughter, Mary Arabelle Mernit, and leaving to their care four grandchilden, Thomas, Carrie, Everett, and Mary. Other deceased members of the family are: Margaret Ann, Emma Elizabeth. Lucretia Inez, and Martha Agnes.

The surviving children are: Mrs. W. A. Blades, Sam and Richard Jesop.

Mrs. Jesop wss a member of two of the oldest pioneer families of Wayne County  Her  great  grandfather, Andrew Crews. came to this county in 1811. The “Ebenezer Methodist Society”, the  oldest one in  the  county was orgaoized at his house in 1819.  Her grandfather James Crews was its first class leader. Her father Judge S J. R Wilson was an Elder in “Thomams Prairie Cumberland Presbyterian Church” for many years.

Mrs. Jesop took great pride in the fact that her family on both sides, had for generations been God fearing men and women, people who always strove for all that makes for the upbuilding of society and home.

The 55 years of Mr. and Mrs. Jesop’s married life has had its sunshine and shadows. Their home has been a place of welcome for all. Her many deeds of kindness will linger long in memory.

Her life has always been that of a consistent Christian. She was converted at the age of 17 years and united with the Ebenezer M. E. Church and remained a member of the Methodist Church for 60 years. Her going brings a shadow over the home and the church and the entire community.

She leaves to mourn her depature, the faithful husband, one daughter, Mrs. W. A. Blades, and two sons, Sam and Richard Jesop; 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, also one Sister, Mrs. Wreath Gregory of Fairheld, Illinois and three brothers, L. O Wilson, of Detroit, Michigan, J. W. Wilson, of Carbondale, Illinois, and C. B. Wilson, of Fairtleld, Illinois; a sister-in-law Mrs. T. M. Wilson who so kind and affectionly helped care for her in her last days of affliction which were of five years duration.  Also many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted at Union C. P. church by Rev. E. H. Cissna, her former Pastor, now Pastor of M. E. Church at Browns, Illinois. Burial in the cemetery near by. The pall-hearers selected at her request were her grandsons, Harry and Bennie Blades, Thomas and Everett Merrit, Franklin and Dale Jesop.