Individual Details

My Mother- in-Law----Mrs. Albert Kirkpatrick
By Mrs. Roxie Hamilton Kirkpatrick

We frequently hear of the "mother-in-law" and spoken of as meddlesome, and one to be dreaded. Perhaps this has been somewhat magnified, until every young married couple naturally look for trouble and do not give even the good women a chance to present herself in her true light. It has been said that we find just what we are looking for.

I know that I love my husband and it seems a part of my nature to love his own people; therefore, being an orphan when I married, I felt that I had gained a mother. After our marriage, we lived a year with my husband's parents. His business for several months called my husband away from home. I sometimes wonder how I could have stood the loneliness of being separated had it not been for my mother-in-law. She was kind and considerate and ever ready to assist me, and yet not officious. Oh how I appreciated her loving kindness, when my first baby came. What would I have done without the help of my mother-in-law, for we were both without experience.

I had never made a biscuit or a cake in all my life; but I went to the kitchen and said to the hired-girl: "Please let me try my hand at making bisquits" (sic). My good mother-in-law approved my request and soon I was made happy by learning to make bisquits.(sic) I also learned to bake cakes fit for a wedding.

Words fail to express my feelings for the kind, courteous devotion of my mother-in-law, as a result of our first year in their home. And when she was a visitor in our home she was always lovingly welcomed.

My husband began the study of medicine and when it came time for him to attend the medical college, I again made my home with his parents and for many months she was the same loving character that I had found her to be in the first year of our acquaintance. While I know that I have many faults, in all the years, she never seemed to have discovered them, or if she did, she did not mention them.

When a girl, I was quite handy with a needle and after my marriage with my eyes ever open to find the duties of a wife and mother, with the help of my mother-in-law, I soon became and efficient helpmate to my husband, not only looking after the physical needs of our own family, but mentally and spiritually, I have tried to do my part in the betterment of the community.

While living with my husband's parents, I overheard my mother-in-law talking to the hired girl who was complaining about having to do my washing, and she said, "When you do their washing, you are doing it for me". This incident showed her interest in me, as though I was her own daughter.

Because of our mutual understanding, my mother-in-law felt free to correct our children when necessary, and it was very helpful to me in rearing them. She endeared herself to our children and thus sealed my love for her.

I am now past eighty four years of age and it is still a pleasure to recall the many pleasant memories of our association. Mrs. Albert Kirkpatrick, my mother-in-law who had the love and respect of everyone who knew her.

Lovingly and sincerely,
Mrs. S. B. Kirkpatrick

November 16, 1941

Birth	18 Mar 1820	Jackson Co., Texas
Marriage	1 Jan 1844	Albert Kirkpatrick
Death	25 Oct 1895	Plano, Collin Co., Texas
Burial		Old Celina Cemetery, Celina, Collin Co., Texas

Spouse	Albert Kirkpatrick (1821 - 1901)
Child	Ellis Kirkpatrick (1844 - 1849)
Child	Alice Mandyville Kirkpatrick (1846 - 1895)
Child	John Tinsley Kirkpatrick (1848 - 1859)
Child	Amonette Fowler Kirkpatrick (1850 - 1919)
Child	Silvanus Bedford Kirkpatrick (1851 - 1944)
Child	Amos Newton Kirkpatrick (1853 - 1936)
Child	Martha Araminta Kirkpatrick (1854 - 1939)
Child	Mary A. Kirkpatrick (1858 - 1889)
Child	Caleb Pembroke Kirkpatrick (1861 - 1892)
Child	Joana Belle Kirkpatrick (1863 - 1865)

Father	John Tinsley (1796 - 1853)
Mother	Alice Mulkey (1797 - 1874)
Sibling	Philip Mulkey Tinsley (1818 - 1889)