There is some confusion among historians as to when, where, and how Seberina died and even as to where she was buried. Monaghan wrote that two men who gave depositions for Judson’s pension request stated that Seberina died in childbirth. Another historian noted, “There is a legend that she was buried in the cemetery at Smithland, Kentucky.” Judson himself suggested that he buried her on the banks of the Ohio River.
George Allen’s 1846 journal tells what really happened.
January 8-13, 1846
Arrived in Smithland —I went up at the “Gordon House” and saw Mrs Judson for a few minutes & I found we are going to stay all night—I went up again—“spent the evening” by staying till 11 o’clock—poor thing how glad she was to see me—she is very sick indeed—hardly able to move or walk—she said Edward [Judson] has a great many relatives in NY but few friends—she does not like NY at all—too much licentiousness in the city—she was acquainted with Mr Edward King—she likes him very much—she says if she gets better she will go back to St Augustine—her young sister is lately married—she gave me my journal—said Edward always kept it on the table and pointed it out to his friends saying it belongs to the best friend he had on earth—she spoke too of my sister Rebecca saying she treated her always so kindly at Pittsburg and then she spoke of Edwards family—of their sneers at her religion and their contempt for her because she did not work—and said “George I tried to work and often did work till I felt faint & sick for I wanted to be of assistance to them instead of a burden but I was not strong like them—Oh God if I had health”—she could say no more for sobbing—I tried to cheer her telling her when I came up she should go to Pittsburg with me and stay with us at home till she got well and I would take her as far as Baltimore and from there send her home—she said she had no money—I told her Edward would not have said that to me his best friend—I told her Edward would see the day when he could assist “poor me” and I was found by circumstances to demand assistance he would be the first one to whom I would apply for that among such friends—pride should not intrude between—she said she would not raise such objection any more—and said she paid me some compliment for kindness received which had her crying in her good heart for she thought they never could be repaid—It took me near one hour before I could persuade her to honor me by accepting as a loan $5 and I could only gain my object by telling a lie saying I was indebted that amount to Edward—promised to call faithfully for her on my return and bade her farewell— She pulled my hand in her small hands at parting and with a “God Bless You George” bade me a pleasant voyage

On January 25, 1846 on his return trip George Allen again stopped in Smithland.
Just passed Smithland—I went up for Mrs Judson & they told me she was dead—What a
change—a few days ago I spoke so cheeringly to her of her visit to our home—and now she is gone—“Truly thy ways are inscrutable Oh God”—I shall always remember with satisfaction my friendship for her—I can truly say now in this place that I always endeavored to act kindly towards her—I can imagine I saw her at Cincinnati at Dr Waldos and I never went up there at any hour of the night that I found her setting up by Edward’s side

July 25, 1846
While there [on a later visit to Smithland] I enquired about Mrs Judson—I found she was universally beloved and was treated well by the ladies of Smithland with the exception of the Landlady at the “Gordon House” who wished to keep a letter box containing some mementos which Sebrina has requested to be sent home—I suppose she thought that it contained Jewelry.
1846 Journal of George Allen, Hervey Allen Collection, Hillman Library, University of Pittsburgh.
For the story of Ned Buntline and his first wife see Dennis M. Larsen, “Ned Buntline and the Allen Family of Pittsburgh,” Dime Novel Round Up, Vol. 84, No. 3 (Fall 2015).

In 1841, Buntline father, Levi Carroll Judson, his mother and his nineteen-year-old sister moved to Pittsburgh, where Levi set up a law practice. Mrs. Judson and daughter Irene opened a school in the basement of the First Baptist Church on the corner of Second and Grant. Soon Irene became friends with fellow teacher Rebecca Allen. In1843 Irene married Alex McClintock. By December 1843 Buntline was living in Pittsburgh with his family and working on various literary persuits. In June 1844 Seberina who had been living in New York with Judson relatives joined her husband. William Allen stated that she originally came from St. Augustine, Florida and that she and Buntline married there and that she had a brother there. William Allen journal January 18, 1844
Sat up late last night talking with him about all those things and about St. Augustine which he considers as the “birthplace of beauty” (he married there)

The two brothers, William and George Allen wrote often in their journals of Buntline and Seberina. She was in Smithland when she died, most likely because this was where some of the early editions of “Ned Buntline’s Own” magazine was actually published, as opposed to in Nashville as is generally accepted.

Lieut Shover knew poor Seberina in Saint Augustine and describes her as the most transcended beauty he ever saw in a ball room at night—the Belle of a family there—he has danced with her many a time when he was stationed there—knew her brother Marin who is in the navy—was struck with astonishment when I related him her hard life and melancholy death—her grave is where he is now going to live (Smithland)—poor Seberina—her reminiscences were not vain stories as some supposed. Oct 4, 1848 William Allen journal