Frances is the author of a Civil War diary describing her adventures traveling to Mobile from Paducah in 1864 searching for her husband. An electronic version of her diary may be found at the University of North Carolina web site “Documenting the American South”.

Obituary, the Paducah Sun, March 7, 1904:

“At 4 o’clock this morning Mrs. Phil Wallace dies at the residence of her son, Mr. George C. Wallace, 323 North Ninth Street.

Frances Jane Wallace widow of the late Phillip Hugh Wallace one of the most prominent women and oldest citizens of Paducah peacefully passed away. Mrs. Wallace had been an invalid for many years suffering greatly from asthma but had only been confined to her bed since last Tuesday. Mrs. Wallace belonged to one of the most distinguished families of Kentucky

She was born in Paducah Juno 12, 1836, and was a daughter of the late George Woolfolk one of Paducah’s earliest settlers. She was a great niece of General George Rogers Clarke one of the leading generals of the revolutionary war who once owned all the land upon which Paducah is now located. She was married in Paducah in April 1856 to the late Phillip Wallace who died three years ago. They had only one child, Mr George C. Wallace, president of the Paducah City Railway Company who survives.

She left five grandchildren: Mr Robert Wallace who is now attending school at the Princeton N. J. preparatory school, Miss Frances Wallace who is at school at Hollins College in Virginia; George C., Ben and and Phillip Wallace of this city. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Mrs. G. C. Whitefield, Miss Birdie Woolfolk, Mrs. Lem Ogilvie, Miss Fannie Woolfolk and Mr. Owen Woolfolk of this city; Miss Nannie Woolfolk of Biloxi, Miss; Mrs. John Long of Bowling Green and Mr. Richard Woolfolk of Mexico.

Mrs. Wallace was a life long member of the First Christian Church of this city and was ever devoted to its interests. Her mother was one of the charter members of the congregation.

She was unusually interesting in conversation and while an invalid for a long while she always enjoyed her friends and was one of the most popular women in Paducah. She loved to dwell on the past and was justly proud of her connection with the distinguished hero George Rogers Clark. She was also courteous to newspaper people and was the inspiration of many good newspaper stories. Her death will be a sad loss to those accustomed to visit her and enjoy her bright conversation and fond of information of historic days.

The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock from the residence of Mr George C. Wallace. The services will be conducted by Rev. W. H. Pinkerton and the burial will be at Oak Grove.”