Here is the newspaper obit for Hester Ann Lynch, wife of John Archer Blanenship. It is found in the Lynchburg News of Tuesday August 23, 1904.
"Mrs. Blankenship Dies" "Aged Lady's Demise After and Illness Covering Several Weeks" "The death of Mrs. Hester Ann Blankenship , widow of John Blankenship, aged 71 years, died Sunday evening shortly after 6:00 o'clock. The end came after an illness covering a period on several weeks.
Mrs. Blankenship was a member of Memorial Methodist Church of this city, and, up to the time she was compelled by infirmity to stop attending the services of her church, was considered one of its most faithful workers as well as a consistent Christian under all conditions. She was a Miss Lynch before her marriage, being a native of Castle Craig, Campbell county.
Her sons who survive are Mr. E.A. Blankenship of the Lynchburg police force, Rev. R.B. Blankenship of the Methodist Church at Amherst; Messrs. N.E. and C.H. Blankenship of Colorado, and Messrs. Richard, C.C., J.S., R.I., and Olin Blankenship, of this city, besides which she leaves three daughters, Misses Olivia A., Ella H. and Hattie M., of Lynchburg. She is also survived by two brothers, Mr. John Lynch of Salt Lake City, and Rev. Cyrus Lynch, of Indiana, also one sister, Mrs. William Campbell, of Washington."
I have lots more on Hester's ancestors and siblings. They were strong Methodists. All, except Hester, left Virginia in 1854 and migrated to Randolph Co., Indiana because of their opposition to slavery. For the past ten years, I have worked on following them in later westward migrations but since that doesn't really relate to the Civil War, I won't post that information here. I will, however, send you some information and links by E-mail if you will give me an address.
Mike Lee