ADAM ELROD SR.
Memoirs
(husband of Rachel Winscott/Wainscott)
 

 	MEMOIR: ADAM ELROD, SR., Translated from the German, October, 1963, 
	Moravian Archives, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

	     Obituary of the married Brother Adam Elrod, Sr., who fell asleep peacefully, 
	at Hope on the 20th day of November, 1812

     	     He was born on the 11th March 1744 near the Canewaga Creek in Pennsylvania; he 
	moved soon after to Frederick County, in Maryland, with his parents who at this time, 
	belonged to the Lutheran Church.  As a child of 7 he became acquainted with the 
	Brethren (Moravians) through the preaching of the Brethren Utley, Soelle and Ettwain, 
	who visited the neighborhood from time to time in those days;  their sermons brought 
	him great blessing.  He learned to know the Saviour; dedicated himself to Him 
	completely as his property and since then continued by his grace to abide unmoved in 
	blessed fellowship with Him.  Since his parents at that time formed a connection with 
	the Brethren he did the same.  Later he moved with them to North Carolina where they 
	settled along the Yadkin river and had fine opportunity to continue in fellowship with 
	the Brethren who in those days were accustomed to preach frequently in that area.

             On the 19th of September, 1765, he was married to Rachel m.n. Wainscott, now a 
	widow, with whom he lived very happily for more than 47 years.  They made their home 
	on his plantation along the Yadkin where God blessed the work of his hands richly.  A 
	few years later he and his wife were received into the Society and on the 10th of June, 
	1781, he attained membership in the Moravian congregation at Hope, where on July 31, 
	1784, both of them partook together of the body and blood of our Lord in the Holy 
	Communion.  On February 1, 1803, they moved to Salem to take care of the Tavern, which 
	business they managed with all fidelity and good will until November 2, 1807, when they 
	returned to their own location.

             Our departed brother was a faithful member of the congregation at Hope and was very 
	keenly concerned about its well being.  At various times, the last time up to his happy 
	home going, he served as a highly honored and active member of the committee.  Also more 
	than once he served the congregation as its steward.  He disliked nothing more than 
	dissension and strife and he was always honored and loved in the church and far beyond 
	its borders as a child of peace.  Among us he walked as an humble follower of Jesus who 
	recognized his own great weakness and shortcomings and knew that he must secure all 
	power and grace needed for a godly life and walk from him who has said that his strength 
	is made perfect in weakness.  Often he was very much disturbed that he loved the Saviour 
	so little in return for the mercy and benefits which he had so often shown him.  It was 
	quite plainly to be seen that his recognizing his own deficiency in this matter served 
	to make every effort by his grace to increase more and more in his love. 

             The spread of the Gospel lay close to his heart and he was greatly rejoiced to hear 
	and see that it had blessed entrance here and there.  He visited the services of the 
	congregation very punctually and never missed one without serious cause, even though he 
	lived far away.  Thus he became an example to others worthy of imitation.  That most of 
	his children had left their connection with the Moravian church, which he himself so 
	highly prized, often caused him much concern.

             About four years ago he was seized by a severe illness.  Though even then it seemed 
	that he could hardly recover, it pleased the Lord to restore his health.  Toward the end 
	of August of this year he like many others had an attack of the fever which was raging 
	as an epidemic, and though at first it did not seen at all serious and he made improve-
	ment to the point that he could take up his activities again, yet about six or seven 
	weeks ago he had a very severe relapse, at which time he immediately realized that he 
	would not improve.  We, however, hoped that it would have another outcome and that we 
	would have the pleasure of having our dear Brother among us for a little longer, and 
	nothing was left untried to restore his health if possible. 

             However, he grew worse and worse and yearned greatly for a quick release from all  
	the misery and tribulation of this life, and to see his Redeemer face to face.  On the 
	19th of this month one could clearly see that his end was near. For a time he seemed to 
	suffer much, whereupon he lay peacefully and without pain until the 20th of this month 
	about 1 o’clock at night he fell asleep almost imperceptibly and his soul, which had 
	been purchased at such a dear price, attained the delight of eternal salvation.

             He reached the age of 68 years, 8 months and 9 days.  His marriage was blessed 
	with 12, children, namely 4 sons and 8 daughters, all of who are still living except 2 
	daughters who preceded him into eternity.  By his children he had 51 grandchildren of 
	whom 6 are no longer living and 5 Great-grand children.

Charlotte Curlee Ramsey
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cramsey/index.html