Dr. Manning (1831-1878) was a friend of the Edmondson family in East New Market. During the 1850 Census, Manning's sister Eugenia (1834-1916) lived in the Edmondson household along with Edmondson's daughter Emma (1835-1908), and Dr. Manning's future wife Sarah E. Mackey (1834-). In 1850, the girls were teenagers about the same age. Dr. William Vans Murray Edmondson (1810-1863) was a mentor to Dr. Manning. Dr. Edmondson wrote a recommendation letter for Dr. Manning to be admitted to medical school in Baltimore. When the matron of the Edmonson household, Elizabeth Green Edmondson (1817-1851) passed away, Dr. Manning wrote a tribute that was published in the local newspaper. The tribute is detailed below. Elizabeth Greene Edmondson was a daughter of Levin Ball Green and Sarah Bonner of Dorchester County, Maryland. In 1855, Dr. Edmondson remarried to Eugenia Manning.
On the Death of a Friend
Mrs. Elizabeth Edmondson
A friend: she was a friend to all
In sickness and in health
The same in hovel as in hall
To poverty and wealth
A friend to all who were in need
A friend to high or low
A friend to me she was indeed
A friend to rich and poor
A husband left to mourn her life
A daughter bowed in tears
Believing in the savior's crop,
Of death she had no fears
Oh happy death triumphant death,
Peace and grace were given
Praising God with her latest breath
Angels, God, and heaven.
Before the only God she bowed
And worshiped him in truth
Her prayers appended long and loud
He blest her in her youth.
Blissful joy smiled on her lip
As death her eye did glaze,
She quit this world, and death did slip,
But gave to God her praise.
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Imploring husband, child, and friends
To meet her in the skies,
Right up to heaven now ascends
Her spirit soul it flies.
Heavenly spirit search the ground,
Where must, where can we go
Guardian angel hover round
Thy friends on earth below.
She looked by faith beyond the grave,
To the sea and mountain high
To where salvations waters lave
Where souls can never die
By A L Manning