Death of Mrs. Vance (Wilmington Sun) — Mrs. VANCE, beloved consort of Gen. Z.B. VANCE, died at 4 o’clock last Sunday afternoon, in the city of Raleigh, after a protracted and painful illness.

Harriett Newell ESPY, daughter of Mr. ESPY, a Presbyterian minister, was left an orphan in early years.  She spent the greater part of her life with her kinsman, the late Col. Charles MCDOWELL, of Burke county, or until she married Hon. Z.B. VANCE.  Mr. VANCE resided at Asheville until he was elected Governor.  Mrs. VANCE was about forty-five years of age.

Mrs. VANCE was a lady of decidedly strong character.  Piety of the highest, most robust type, dominated her nature, and she was ever a leader in good works.  It must not be inferred from these words that Mrs. VANCE was lacking in the softer feminine gifts and graces which light up home and society with serene and steady splendor, and made of our present earth a second Eden.  She had much social power, and graced the hearth and board of her illustrious husband as few women could have done.  She exerted ever his life and aims a powerful influence lifting him in his spiritual range of study and contemplation. The turn for illustration drawn from the Bible, which Gov. VANCE exhibits in his speeches and writings; his high admiration for the Jewish race; his veneration for the stern character of the Scottish Co<…>ters, together with his general fondness for ethical studies may, perhaps without derogation, all <…> justly subscribed to Mrs. VANCE and her wonderful influence over his life and character.

In this great loss, not wholly unexpected, but still pathetic and irreparable, the public in North Carolina without regard to race or party, sympathize with Gov. VANCE and his bereaved family.

But a few weeks since, Chief Justice SMITH, in conversation with us gave to Mrs. VANCE the finest character we ever knew, his intimacy with the Gov’s family gave him ample opportunity of learning her many virtues, and couched in the beautiful language of Judge SMITH we felt that our beloved Executive was blessed indeed in having such noble companion.  May he continue to profit by her bright christian example and learn to walk, as she did in righteous paths.

Source: Roanoke News, 9 November 1878. Available online at digitalnc.org.