The Index-Appeal
Petersburg, Virginia
19 January, 1885

Struck Dead by a Tree.
Correspondence of the Index-Appeal.
                                          Blacks & Whites, January 17.

    On Wednesday last there happened near Nottoway Courthouse a most distressing accident, which resulted in the almost instanteous death of Mr. John C. Gilliland, a worthy and estimable gentleman, who settled in this county about twelve years ago. Mr. Gilliland and his brother-in-law, Mr. Purvis were cutting timber, when a limb from a falling tree struck Mr. G. about the head with such violence that he lived but two hours after the accident. Messrs. Gilliland and Purvis came to this county from Pennsylvania and ever since their residence in Nottoway have been esteemed as reliable and useful citizens. The death of such a reliable man under such painful circumstances is deeply deplored, and the deepest sympathy is felt for his family and for his brother-in-law, Mr. Purvis. When Dr. Pryor delivered a powerful and effective sermon here on Sunday Last from the text “Who are all of us here alive this day,” Mr. Gilliland, a member of the Presbyterian church, was present in health and strength. Truly were the doctor’s remarks prophetic when he said “it may have been recorded in the book of heaven this year thou shalt die.” Mr. Gilliland was buried yesterday at the “Castle,” the residence of Dr. Pryor, who preached a solemn sermon at the funeral, reminding his bearers of the remarks he had made Sunday last “on the uncertainty of life.”

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2011