Women In-Spirit

 Funeral Memorial Card of Elizabeth Peacher.      I was intrigued when I came across these two pieces of funereal ephemera- a Remembrance memorial card and a program from the service of Mrs. Elizabeth Peacher. Obviously a wife and mother much loved and a woman held in respect within her community who led a hardworking, full and long life.  First page of Elizabeth's program with personal information.      Elizabeth (Wilson) Peacher was born on the 23rd of October, 1825 in Paris, Tennessee, the daughter of Benjamin Wilson originally of Virginia. An excerpt from the program... "Mrs. Elizabeth Peacher was the wide of James Peacher who died November 1, 1890. They came to Linn County, Missouri in 1850. Sons and daughters living;" Mrs.Mary Palmer                             William R. Peacher Clinton J. Peacher                             Alfred Leo Peacher  David J. Peacher                               Mrs. James Glenn John W. Peacher        

     When I was seventeen my "Auntie" Carolyn, my Mom's childhood best friend gave me a gift of a genealogy kit for Christmas. Carolyn was a passionate family historian and she often shared the thrill of her hunt with me and when I showed interest...well she thought to start me off on that road. Little did I know it would lead to a life long pursuit. I love a mystery. I love history. I love to research. Once you catch the scent of the trail you are hopelessly ensnared!      One of the things I discovered early on was that the focus of family history is on the patriarchal line...that is, on the life and accomplishments of the man. A woman took a decidedly supporting role as first the property of her father and eventually the property of her husband. All too frequently I found little personal information about a grandmother except for how many children she had given birth to, sometimes not even her first or maiden name was to be found. With a fairly high mortality rate