In the nineteenth century, it was common for preachers to travel far and wide to proclaim the gospel, often being gone from home for extended periods of time. This made for a difficult life for the wives of these men, as they were left with the sole responsibility to take care of the household while their husbands were away preaching, sometimes for months at a time.
There were also instances in which these preachers lost their wives while they still had children at home. However, that did not necessarily stop them from continuing their work. But instead of leaving the children with their mother while he was away, he would leave them with others to care for them.
Two men who found themselves in this situation were Barton W. Stone (1772-1844) and Reuben Dooly (1773-1822). In 1810, when they were both widowers, they traveled together through Ohio preaching the gospel. The following year, during a similar trek to Tennessee, Stone spoke of the difficulty in raising their children while they were away traveling. This had an impact on Dooly and led him to make a change.
“In the year 1811, Brothers Dooly and Stone traveled to Tennessee in company. On their way the circumstances of their families came up in conversation. Brother Stone remarked that they were commanded to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and under existing circumstances, it was difficult to do it for their children were measurably under the tuition of others; and further observed that it was his opinion that if they could obtain suitable companions that it would be their duty to marry and situate themselves so that they could pay some particular attention to their children. This led Brother Dooly to reflect on the situation of his children: they were scattered and moved from place to place.
“Finally he addressed a letter to Miss Rachael Martin, daughter of Samuel and Mary Martin, all members of the Cane-Ridge church, and made a proposition of marriage: he succeeded, and they were married in September, 1811. In her he obtained a pleasant, agreeable, and intelligent companion, and a kind, affectionate, and attentive mother to his children. He now settled on a new farm in Preble County, Ohio. He was not able to hire his work done; and consequently had to labor with his own hands to support his family. He was one among the most industrious men, and when at home worked excessively hard, and as soon as he could spare the time from his family, he would be out in the gospel-field proclaiming salvation to a dying world.” (The Biography of Elder David Purviance, pp. 211-212)
