Sarah Zink

Another Pioneer Gone The Democrat Sun, 9-21-1894 Sarah Zink nee Wright was born 9-13-1799 and died 9-13- 1894. Her parents came from North Carolina and settled in Washington County in 1808. She was of a large family of children, one of whom survives, Evins Wright who is still older then her. At the age of 16 she married Peter Zink, from which union 12 children were born. 5 of whom still survive her---Isaac and Joseph Zink, Pop Wiseman, Nancy Roberts, and Delila Lee. Nine married and raised families. She had 59 grandchildren and between 1 and 2 hundred great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Her husband Peter Zink died some 10 years ago on the old Zink farm,1-1/4 miles west of Salem. She and her husband settled on this farm at an early day, when most of it was in heavy timber. They toiled together, felled the forest and made for themselves one among the best farms in Washington county. By honest toil and economy they accumulated quite a handsome fortune.

A few thoughts may not be out of order in reference to the life which has been finished here. She was born 3 months before George Washington's death,12-14- 1799, hence she lived during the lives of every president of the United States. She saw the U.S. grow from 13 states to 44. She was 16 when Jackson fought the Battle of New Orleans, 1-8-1815. She saw this country through here when it was covered over with forests and inhabited by wild animals. The inhabitants were largely Indians. She saw the Indians and wild ferocious animals give way to civilization, the forests were felled and fields were made to blossom and wave with golden grain. She saw communities grow into villages, villages into towns, and towns into cities. She saw and worked at the trundle-wheel which has given way to the steam loom and spinning- jenny. During her life the sickle has given way to the self binder, the flail to the steam thresher. In her girlhood days it took from 1 to 2 months to make the journey from Washington County to her old home in North Carolina and now by rail the journey can be made in 24 hours. She saw the full development of the splendid road system, the telegraphic and telephone systems. When we begin to study one's life such as that of Sarah Zink, it brings to our minds the burdens and hardships which the pioneers endured. These hardships and burdens have resulted in blessings to the younger generations, many of which are disregarded and for which those pioneers are not thanked. It can be said of her personal character that she was truthful, kind, generous and charitable, as a wife she was a true helpmate to her husband, as a mother she was sympathetic, affable and loving, as a neighbor she was obliging and esteemed by all. She lived the last few years of her life with her son-in-law Burrill Roberts, where she died. Her funeral was conducted by S.H. Mitchell at his residence, where a large concourse of relatives, friends and neighbors followed her remains to Crown Hill cemetery, where her body was placed beside her husband.