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Note: Henry noted in his bible:
Martha Louisa Sims, wife of Henry Sims, departed this life on the 29th November 1846 25 minutes past 8 o'clock in the morning (it being Sabbath) aged 28 years, one month 15 days.
Not much is known about Martha, not even where she was born or how Henry met her. We can say that a letter from Henry's brother Albert, summed up quite a bit:
Letter to Henry Sims from his brother, Albert Gallatin Sims.
Christian Co., KY
January 2, 1844
"I would be glad if you and your better half could come out and spend the next summer with us. I am anxious to see her, and know her, who was so fortunate as to win your affections, the affections of ne, who for a long time seemed so loft to come under the influence of tender emotion".
Henry was almost 39 years old before he married Martha Louisa, his first wife. She was a mere 24 years old. There were only married a short 3 years before Martha died. It assumed she died as a result of childbirth as she did not survive long after her second son was born.
A widower at 42, Henry lived alone raising his two sons by Martha for the next 12 years until he remarried Elizabeth Cruikshank at the age of 54.
In my heart, Martha was Henry's first true love and that she must have been a gentle, beautiful and amazing woman to capture Henry's heart. Henry is buried next to Martha, per the request of their eldest son, Albert G. Sims.
From Early Tombstone Inscriptions:
Sims, Martha Louisa
Consort of Henry Sims (Consort a term used for husband and or wife during this time)
Died 11/29/1846
28 Yrs 1 Mo & 15 days
Lisa Allen Baggett March 2003
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