Sunday's Obituary: James Thomas Giddens

The obituary for James Thomas Giddens, brother to my great-great grandfather, George Lullen Giddens. He was the son of Mitchell Giddens and Letisha Britt of Sampson County, North Carolina.

J. T. Giddens, of Durham

Correspondence of The Observer

Durham, Aug. 19 – Mr. J. T. Giddens, for more than fifteen years clerk of the city market, died suddenly last night between 9 and 10 o’clock at his home on West Main street. Heart trouble was the cause of his sudden end. Mr. Giddens was as well as usual prior to his death. He went home from the market in his usual good humor and cheerfulness.  He at a hearty supper and sat on the front porch with his wife until nearly 9:30.  A few minutes later he was taken with a violent coughing spell and complained that he could not breathe.  He went to the porch again and sat in a chair. Ten minutes later he was a corpse. 

Mr. Giddens was about 70 years of age and came to Durham from Sampson county little more than 20 years ago. Soon after coming here he was appointed market clerk and during the many upheavls and changes in officers he held his position.  He was married twice, his first wife being Mrs. Frances Turner. Of this union there are eight living children, two sons (one in Florida and the other in Georgia) and six daughters. Two of the daughters reside here. His second wife was Miss Mattie Nichols, who survives him.  He has three brothers – George Giddens, of Dunn; Henry Giddens, of Sampson County, and R. Giddens, of Arkansas. Also one sister, Mrs. Sallie Bradsher {Bradshaw}, of Dunn, survives. The funeral and burial took place this afternoon, the funeral service being conducted from the home at 4:30 o’clock by Rev. M. Bradshaw, pastor of Main Street Methodist church, of which Mr. Giddens was a member, assisted by Dr. J. C. Kilgo, President of Trinity College.

                                                             Charlotte Observer August 21, 1908

Diana

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