Birth22 Jan 1792, Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA ®1891, ®1856, ®3659
MemoMiddleton Plantation
Death7 Nov 1833, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia, USA ®3660, ®3661
Burialaft 7 Nov 1833, Richmond County, Georgia, USA ®1891
MemoCottage Cemetery
Cause of deathTuberculosis
FlagsAugusta, Georgia
Misc. Notes
She was the second wife of Gilbert Longstreet, a widower with one child. She was the sixth daughter and died of consumption at the Cottage. When Henrietta [Martha Henrietta Eve, Mrs. Gilbert Longstreet] died, she left five children, three of them to Sarah Adams to raise and support. "...She took them to her cottage and clothed, educated and cared for them till her death. Often did she deprive herself of luxuries to advance their interests, and lived economically that she might leave them comfortable at the end. This she did, as they inherited her home, servants, etc., and a good support besides.
by a lady 80 years of age
Mrs. Emma Eve Smith (1798 - 1882)
copied by Mrs. Mary E. Miller Eve 1907
transcribed by Patricia E. Kruger 1994
Martha Henrietta the sixth daughter was pale and delicate. She was a great wit, but always respectful of the feelings of others. She was also a great dancer, and a favorite in company, having a beautiful voice. She was married to a widower with one child, Mr. Gilbert Longstreet, whose first marriage was so romantic that I must record it here.
He had courted a young lady of Augusta whose parents forbade him their home but he managed through the intervention of friends to meet Miss Leigh (his lady love) in Carolina where they married. The next day he brought his bride to his mother's in the city. Shortly after this as they were still unforgiven by her parents, they went to housekeeping. He was reading to his wife one night, a novel called the "Discarded Child". Had just read "Deep night, dark night a night when barn dogs howl and screech owls shriek. Such a night just suits the work we have in hand" when he was shot through the window, several buckshot lodging in his neck. He survived this and after the death of his wife, he addressed my sister Henny.
She was the first one married at "Frog Hall" and had a grand wedding. Father had just purchased a
French cook and they tested her skill in every department. Everything was done to make an elegant
repast that wealth and art could devise.
The festivities were kept up for a week. Augustus Longstreet was there with his wit and kept us merry. Mr. L. was in good circumstances and was contractor for carrying the U. S. Mails. Sister Henny kept a beautiful home. She raised five children. When it became necessary for her husband's interest she moved far into the country and was compelled for their good to be separated from her three eldest children as they remained at school in the city.
This was a severe trial and great was her joy when at their holidays she could have them with her. At these times she allowed them every enjoyment possible but at the same time led them to her Savior teaching them hymns and carrying them to prayer meetings in her neighborhood. She too was a victim of Consumption and came to Sister Adams at the Cottage to end her days. Her death was most triumphant. She sang and chanted out her joy at the last and all around her deathbed were amazed at her faith and hope.
Research
One headstone says her birth was on 18 Aug 1828 in Augusta, Georgia and her death on 4 Feb 1898 in Augusta, Georgia. Who was that?
®1891 Died age 41 years.
®1891
Spouses
Birth1783, New Jersey, USA ®3662
Death1851, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA ®3663
OccupationContractor For Carrying U.S. Mail
Misc. Notes
He was an adventurer who left his family in Augusta and followed his kinsman by marriage, Mirabeau Lamar, to Texas at the end of the War of Independence from Mexico. Gilbert Longstreet 1783-1851: Married Martha Henrietta Eve, 1792-1833, daughter of Aphra Ann and Oswell Eve. Gilbert was son of William and Hannah FitzRandolph Longstreet and brother of Augustus Baldwin Longstreet. After Martha Henrietta’s death Gilbert migrated to Texas where he served during the Texas Revolution. He is listed as prestigious, “Sons of the Republic of Texas”.
®3633
Family ID1478
Marriage6 Mar 1816, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia, USA ®3658
Marr MemoRev. J. R. Thompson, First Presbyterian Church