Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Rebecca Amanda Flanery Mainous

From The Mountain Echo, Laurel County's first newspaper
Written by grandson, Dillard Mainous, a Methodist minister

Mrs. Rebecca Mainous was born in Lee county, VA August 28, 1818, departed this life February 21, 1899, being at the time of her death 80 years, 5 months, and 23 days. She was the daughter of Thos. Flanery [and Elizabeth Parsons] of Lee county VA; was united in holy wedlock to L. L. [Lazarus Lawson] Mainous in 1832 [March 17, 1833], moved to Owsley county in 1857, having lived in this county 42 years. They enjoyed life together 66 years, when her husband outstripped her three years for glory. She united with the church when quite young and lived a consistent member until the time of her death.

Of their happy union were born 13 children, 7 boys and 6 girls, of which all lived to be grown except one. Of these nine have survived her, five boys and four girls.

It seems that she was blessed with an abundance of descendants. She was the grandmother of 92 grandchildren, 100 great grandchildren and two great great grand-children. When death came it found Grandmother ready.

In her religious experience, as far as I can learn, she was not demonstrative, but given to quietness. You seldom saw more than a ripple on the surface of life's sea over which she sailed, and perhaps never a tidal wave. Her work is done, mother's busy hands and loving heart is still, the quiet voice and footfall will be heard no more on earth. She has gone to join the innumerable company of the blood-washed in the Paradise of God. She loved and idolized her children. She was a devoted wife and mother and her children rise up and call her blessed. For them she thought, planned and prayed. To her loyal mother's heart, it was ample reward for all her years of painstaking in their behalf, to see her five sons and four daughters living to be an honor to her. She has entered into rest. We have lost a kind affectionate mother and grandmother, but our loss is her eternal gain.

Grandmother, thy suffering on earth is done
Thy soul is at rest
Thy joy and rapture has begun
In mansions of the blest
Oh how sweet it will be in that beautiful land
So free from all sorrow and pain
With songs on our lips and with harps in out hands
To meet one another again

— D. W. Mainous

Children born to Rebecca and Lazarus:
1. Cynthia Mainous April 16, 1834
2. Absalom Mainous September 18, 1836
3. Martha Jane Mainous June 4, 1838
4. Amanda Mainous August 23, 1841
5. S. G. Mainous May 22, 1842
6. Matilda Mainous August 15, 1843
7. William Mainous September 25, 1845 (died in infancy)
8. Walter Preston Mainous November 14, 1846
9. John Tyler Mainous December 30, 1849
10. Mary Mainous November 6, 1851
11. Juriah Mainous ('aunt honey') December 1, 1853
12. Daniel Carter Mainous February 11, 1856
13. Elbert S. Mainous August 10, 1858
14. Hampton H. Mainous September 17, 1861

[From the research of William James Mainous, Jr., g-g-grandson of Lazarus and Rebecca]