General Logan’s Faithful Servant
Algoma, Courtesy Historic Buckingham
In 1904, an extraordinary obituary appeared in Richmond’s The Times-Dispatch, marking the death of General Thomas M. Logan’s faithful servant, Ellen Jasper. At Algoma, Ellen was known as Mammy.
OLD SERVANT DEAD.
Ellen Jasper, Aged Sixty-four,
Passed Away Wednesday.
At an advanced age, Ellen Jasper, a negro servant, died at 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at Algoma, in Buckingham county.
The faithful old woman was associated with General Logan’s family for more than thirty-five years, and her devoted service and sterling qualities made her appreciated and beloved as few nurses are. She nursed all of General Logan’s children and all except one of his grandchildren never failing to do her duty and render any service cheerfully, faithfully and thoroughly. In the trials and vicissitudes of life she was loyal and unselfish.
The recollections of unceasing service and of unwearying devotion made her beloved as a member of the family as well as by the heads of the house as by the children and grandchildren. These will ever cherish as a tender and fragrant memory the remembrance of one who was ever loyal, unselfish and true in every thought, word and act.
Her body was brought to Richmond Friday afternoon and was borne to Cedarwood Cemetery, where a brief but impressive service was conducted by Rev. Benjamin Dennis, rector of Meade Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church, Manchester. The pall bearers were all white. The casket was hidden beneath a bed of flowers, laid on by tender, loving hands.
The deceased is survived by one son, James M. Jasper, who for twenty-six years has been a faithful messenger to the State Department of Public Instruction.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
What a wonderful human being! It would be awesome to be loved as she was.
Thank you. Ellen Jasper, called Mammy by the Logan children, is a heroine in our family. Four of six of the children of General and Mrs. Logan died in infancy. Mrs. Jasper was hired because of her nurse’s training in clean procedures. After she came to take charge of the children, three lovely little girls were born to the Logans. They all survived, as did the two older children; and they all loved Mammy and told their children and grandchildren about her.
Many thanks for these family details about Ellen Jasper. It’s a wonderful story! She deserves to be remembered and revered for her service and competence as a trained nurse.
When you read this obituary, you can feel the love this family had for this dear lady.
Nancy, I agree. It is a lovely tribute.