TNGenWeb Project/TNGenNet, Inc., (a Tennessee nonprofit public benefit corporation). "The Howard-Smith Collection" Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved. The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville. This file is in text format. Please use your browser's "back" button to return to the previous page. ******************************************************************************* To: Lida Howard-Smith From: Sue L. Clotworthy, Aiken, South Carolina ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aiken S.C. Jany 7 1905 Lida Dearest I am busy getting ready for cousin Lon (Dalton) Broadnay to help me in the compilation of my book. She will likely be here next week. I am trying to get my papers ready, and in looking over them came across two I thought would be of interest to you, at once put them in an envelope addressed to you. Yesterday I found what I wanted you to see that was written by my grandfather to General Gaines about the marriage of your father and Mother, here it is. April 29, 1840. "I was at the marriage of Mary E. Gaines and Charles McKinney son of J. A. McKinney of Rogersville on last Thursday. Mary if the eldest daughter of your brother James T. Gaines. The match was agreeable to all parties. He is an amiable going man, and his father the most wealthy and talented man in the County, and of spotless reputation." I was so afraid it would get misplaced again, I have stopped everything to send it at once. Here is a date you may not have. "Dr. Hugh Walker and Mrs Frances Gaines married 1831. Day before yesterday, I had a letter sent me from the grand-daughter or grt-grand dau. of Frances Gaines sister of Capt. James Gaines, (your grand fathers father) of whom I had never heard, she married Thomas Botts, and their son Benjamin Botts an eminent lawyer of Fredricksburg was the Aty. who cleared Aaron Burr. "James her brother wrote her that his son, Gen'l. E. P. Gaines, arrested and her son, had Aaron Burr acquitted." We knew of the arrest, and also told by cousin Eliza Brownlow and others, that John Minor Botts was own cousin to Gen'l. Gaines, but never before able to learn anything about it. Benjamin Botts and Lucy dau of his Mothers brother Richard Gaines, whose wife was Jemima Pendleton, dau of Philip bro. of Isabella, and their son was John Minor Botts, Gov. and Congressman I believe of Va. O, Lida dear if you could have type written, some Historical facts about him, and also send me all the marriages, births, & deaths in your branch in past five years, with full names & dates, you would be such a help to me. Lida buy a copy of Sunday Baltimore Sun for Gen. Dept. it is splendid, also "Times Dispatch of Richmond. Both have been sent me for a year by friends, and I have obtained much valuable help from them. Suppose you send a querry about your Amis and G____(?) ancestors. I am better this Winter, so thankful to say. Cant take time to read over your last letter, am so rushed. Love, to all, especially your dear self from Your Devoted Cousin, Sue L Clotworthy. Help me praise God for all He is doing for me.