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Note: From notes of Herbert Sims as told to him by Miriam Dark Sims and August 3, 1881 Obituary:
Lovedy Campbell McNeal (McNeil) at age 19 walked to Alabama from Fayetteville, North Carolina with her Grandfather, Locklin McNeil. At this time, Lovedy was an orphan. As stated in her obituary, in the winter of 1821-2 she removed with her Grandfathers family through the Indian Nation into Autauga Co., Alabama, and settled not farm from the present town of Prattville.
In 1832 she was married to George Patterson Cruikshank, a native of Scotland. In 1830 she was left a widow with four children. In 1832 she removed to Lowndesboro in Lowndes Co., where she remained until the Spring of 1834, when she returned to Autauga Co. She visited the Creek Nation soon after the land sales in 1834 and purchased a home at Mardisville, in Talladega County, being one of the early settlers of Talladega County.
She removed her family in October of that year. This home was turned into a boarding house, and was named the Stage Coach Inn (per Herbert D. Sims). In 1838 she was married to Isaac Estill Esq. From this marriage there were five children, four sons and a daughter (Mattie). One son died in infancy, two fell in the Army of Northern Virginia during the late war. The other two children (Mattie and one son) survive her.
Mrs. Estill, professed religion and joined the Presbyterian church when a young lady. She became of member of the First Presbyterian church organized in Talladega County, of which the Rev. Robert Holman was pastor. She was also present and assisted in the organization of the first Sabbath school held in Talladega County in 1834. She removed to the Town of Talladega in 1855. her husband Isaac Estill died in December 1878 (per obituary; tombstone notes 1877). She lived to see nearly all the friends and acquaintances of her early life pass away.
During the last few years preceding her death, she spoke often and freely of death. Always expressing a willingness to go when it was Gods will to take her away. On the morning of her death, she said she believed she was going to die and did not know that she ought to regret it. Among her last expressions was "Into thy hands; Of God! I commit myself". We can only add, with confidence and hope, truly "blessed are the dead who die in the Lord".
On 25 October 1881, the following men posted a $20,000 bond naming George M. Cruikshank as General Administrator, for the estate of Lovedy C. Estill.
George M. Cruikshank (this was Marcus H. Cruikshank son; Lovedy's Grandson)
Henry Sims (Lovedy's son-in-law and an attorney (our Henry)) William Taylor H. G. Hendand (?) W. Ben Groce H. R. Boswell Hugh McEldery Inventory of Mrs. Lovedy C. Estill 17 January 1882, included house hold items and real estate valued at $1800.00. Inventory list is included in scrapbook.
Lisa Allen Baggett March, 2003
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