Simeon Sebastian Granberry was a Professor at Mississippi College, Clinton, MS until the United States Civil War. After the war, he was the superintendent of The Confederate Orphans' Home in Lauderdale, MS.

He was educated in 1850 at Oakland College, Claiborne, MS; 1850 census shows him as student at Oakland College. He married Elizabeth Baxter. Simeon Sebastian Granberry appeared on the census of 1860 at Clinton, Hinds, MS. He appeared on the census of 1870 at Lauderdale P. O., Lauderdale, MS. He died on 13 January 1871 at Lauderdale, MS, at age 42.

The Confederate Orphans' Home of Mississippi

Due to the massive loss of life in the nation from the Civil War, the estimate for the number of children who lost one or both parents was determined to be approximately 400,000 nationwide. In East Mississippi alone, the number of orphans was about 10,000. It its first post-war session the Mississippi Baptist Convention determined that it could best help the people by offering care to thee many eastern MIssissippi orphans and set about locating facilities and developing funding for the effort. A location in Lauderdale Springs, MS, a former resort hotel prior to the war and later Confederate hospital during the war, was selected.

Professor Simeon Sebastian Granberry was elected first Superintendent and charged with the task of organizing and carrying on the work of the Home. "He was its first superintendent, "an experienced educator, a man of sound, practical wisdom, of fine administrative ability, a refined Christian gentleman, admirably fitted for the work of caring for and directing the efforts of women and helpless children." 

The Children's Home opened late in the summer of 1866 and was immediately besieged by applicants. Orphans frequently just showed up at the doors of the institution without any warning at all. The initial enrollment of fifty jumped immediately to over two hundred in t he course of a few months.

The residents were accepted from ages six to sixteen. Six was selected as the lower limit because the staffing did not permit the intense effort needed to attend to younger children and infants. However, occasionally exceptions were made depending on the circumstances and the availability of older children to assist int he care of infants.

The school at the home was in session year-round and all residents were required to attend classes except for the week of Christmas and short periods during the year. Each orphan was expected to work on projects considered befitting to their age. Older boys helped with the maintanance of the building and grounds and managed the gardents where much of the food was grown, while older girls helped with the care and training of the younger children and assisted in the kitchens.

The school published a semi-monthly newsletter called the "Orphans' Home Banner" and a concert band and chorus was formed that travelled the country making appearances and generating contributions to the home.

On January 13, 1871, Superintendent Professor Granberry died at the Orphans' Home. His health had been on the decline, but his death was a great tragedy to the orphanage. The orphanage closed its doors in 1878 having ended its useful life.

Obituary for Elizabeth Granberry

Elizabeth Baxter was born in Currituck County, N. C.; came to Clinton, Mississippi in early maidenhood with her sister, Mrs. Cook. She married Professor S. S Granberry, then professor in Mississippi College, afterwards first superintendent of The Orphan's Home at Lauderdale, Mississippi until his death, January 1872. Several years afterwords she removed to Meridian, and on the 29th of July, 1887, quietly fell asleep in the arms of the Savior, whom she had long and faithfully served. For years she suffered much from ill health, but here was no murmuring nor impatience. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

In writing a tribute to the memory of a loved one, it is difficult to keep the heart from running the judgment beyond the limits usually conceded to a newspaper article. Especially is it so in this case; for from the time both of us entered the Orphan's Home, to the end of her life, our relations were of the closest intimacy, and to write the half I know and my heart dictates, would swell this article beyond bounds.

In early life, she professed faith in Christ and was baptized and the hope born of her faith anchored her. The only unimpeachable witness for Christ in this world, is a consistent, everyday Christian life. She bore that testimony. Her piety was of that unobtrusive, humble, practical kind that pleases the Master, and commends itself even to the careless. How many of us thoughtlessly forget for the time being, that "our Savior is on trial before the world, and we are on the witness stand." But with her it seemed to be an ever present thought. (unreadable text follows)

She reminded me of a sympathetic watcher in a sick room, ever on the alert for an opportunity to do or say something for somebody's comfort or consolation, and she always found what she looked for, and promptly acted. Nor was this helpfulness confined to opportunities in sight. There is no telling how many homes at a distance from her, have been brightened by valuable mementoes of her kindly friendship conveyed through the mails. Figuratively speaking, her hand was always stretched out to help someone.

The great sorrow of her life after the death of her husband, was the loss of her only daughter, a bright, happy Christian just budding into sweet maidenhood. That cloud never entirely be lifted from her heart. From then to the end, she waited "on the Lord." submissively, patiently, but not idly; with her heart constantly crying out for the lost companionship, she kept her hands busy at work in the vineyard. Now the companionship of father, daughter, and mother is happily renewed. 

Of her three sons, the two younger have interesting families (unreadable). All have the same hope that cheered their mother; the golden chain that binds them in heaven has just taken on another link; the cable that anchors them to earth has parted one more strand. There is comfort in that fact.

In all of her ill health she was tenderly nursed by her devoted servant, Delia. Mrs. Granberry raised her from infancy, gave her a mother's care and protection, taught her all kinds of housework, instructed her in her books, and better than all, both by precept and example, led her to the way of the only true life. She repaid her benefactress by a loving service faithlful to the end. She will be recompensed, for Christ never suffers a kindness to one of His followers to go unrequited. 

May heaven's richest blessings rest upon the hearts of all the bereaved ones, and the Father's protecting care be over them through life.

by Mary J. Welsh

Shuqualak, Mississippi

Note: This was transcribed from a copy found in family records. Parts of the article are torn, missing. or unreadable. This copy is the best transcription  possible.