The following letter was written by Thomas Alton Waggener (1852-1916) in Martin, TN to his first cousin, Sarah Ann Waggener Fleming, (1842-1919) in Mulberry, AR. The letter was dated June 16, 1896. Unfortunately, pages 3 and 4 were missing. Our special thanks to Ramona Armbruster (a descendant of Sarah Ann Waggener) for providing us with this letter. The significance of this correspondence is that it describes the strong love o family that existed and Reverend Thomas Alton Waggener’s touching pride in his son, Herman Waggener’s profession of faith. Herman Waggener was Alf Waggener’s father. The letter also describes early conditions of several other related family lines including those that had left Weakley County, TN as early as 1880 to move and settle west in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma. According to Alf Waggener, his grandfather, Reverend T. A. Waggener pastored several churches around the area of Martin, TN. He was not paid enough to support his family through his ministry so he also had to run a farm. He was respected in West Tennessee as an honest, upright man, a good preacher, a kind pastor, and a valuable member of the community.
Martin, Tennessee June 16, 1896
My absent cousins from a long time gone. You doubtless will be very much surprised to get this scribble from one who so frequently thinks of you, and wonders where you are, and what you are doing. It seems almost a century since I last saw you all in your ma’s home. Time has brought about so many many changes we can hardly realize and see things as they are and were. The girls have grown up to be women, the boys have gotten manly and strong. I guess your children are all almost grown. I remember Willie’s looks very distinctly but have almost sight of the other children yet here I am with a wife and 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, Herman our oldest son is nearly 13 years of age and the best of it all, he professed faith in Christ last week, and will join Oak Grove Church next 4 Sunday. (Thats where all of the Waggeners belong and where I preached my first sermon and have been their pastor for 11 years, a strong church indeed.Remember next 4 Sunday eve (if the Lord wills it) at 31/2 oclock I will baptise my own dear boy, ok! What a great thing it is, how thankful I am to the good Lord, rejoice with us. Miscellaneous Sheet. My mind runs back to former days when the Speeds, Lewis, Burgess, Fleming, and Waggener families were all here in these parts, but alas, where are they? Some on this side and many on the other side of the river of deaths scattered so far apart, but father’s children all live near him and will continue so to do as long as he lives, (I hope). Aunt Sarah W. spent last week with us. She looks so well. Cousin Martha Scates children all grown and married except one, her oldest boy lost his mind 3 years ago, which gives cousin a great trouble. But alas this is world of trouble any way. Billie W. lost his wife, was left with 6 children, 3 girls and 3 boys, very sad. Brother Sam has a large family, 6 boys and 1 girl, bro Robert has 5 girls and 1 boy. Sister Dora has 3 girls and 1 boy. Sister Mollie has 3 girls and 2 boys. Aunt Sarah’s children are terribly scattered and Sallie is dead and she is going from place to place. Well if I could be with you could talk these things over but I guess I will quit. Zora and the children join me in love to you all. Please let us hear from you real soon. May God bless you all. Pray for me and mine. ..T. A. Waggener. Submitted by Chuck Speed
Dear son after so long a time in answering your letter I seat myself this beautiful Sabath morning to try in my scribbling way to write……….this leaves us all in tolerable health at this time except bad colds and i …… And rust when this comes to—-it may find you and yours well and doing well Jo i dont want you to think hard of me for not writing to o you sooner\ for I was in very bad health when i got your letter and i wold neither work or write for two or three months my health got better and i had to go to work and when i work daily i am in pore fix to write sorry must excuse me for not writing sooner as i am away from home all the week and Sunday involved around here
The health of this country is running good at this time though there have been a great deal of sickness this summer and fall and some deaths John Underwood is dead the Doctors thought he died of yellow feverthe connection isall well————well Jo i wish you was here to help me lay brick for they have been puting me through for the last ? months and i am not near through yet if i keep able to work i have at least a months work on hand yet well Jo I would like to no how you are getting along with your —? and well digging and so on i would like very much to here how your getting along in general and how your wifes health is and the news of your country so turn over.
Well JO i no you would like to hear from your sisters children. Hannah was at our house in August and her bunch (beard?) talked of moving to Texas and i gave them your county and poste office so as they could write you a letter I saw willie and gave him your address and he spoke of coming to see you this fall or winter iman? is living with Allie beard Somma is living with sam pointer – Ellen is living in the north part of the county i have not seen her since her papa died Dan Jackson is preparing to move to arkansas in green or clay county they aim to get between now and Christmas I think it a bad move for he was getting along very well Jo give my best respects to Mr Wagner and tel him i would to see him and visit his spring and take a good drink of his health restorer.
well we have the best crops of tobaco we have raised for years though the river is very low and the farmers are down in the mouth cotton is very good and is fare price we have had a very fine fall for gathering our crops. Jo dont fail to write to me as soon as you get mine as i am very anxious to hear from you give my best love and respect to Ida and frank and tel them i would be very glad to see them your ama and the children send their love and respects to you and Ida Jo I hardly ever go to sleep at nite without thinking of you and i hope you will remember me write as soon as you get this tell Ida to write and let me know how the geese come on i hope you will come to see us soon your affectionate father.
Note: This letter was written by my Great Grandfather to his son Joseph Marshall Taylor in 1888 Submitted by Ina Louise Taylor Price.
The following is an excerpt from a letter dated 9 March 1936 from Benjamin Gilbert PATTERSON to one of his daughters as transcribed by Virginia Stephenson in her book, The Patterson Family.
. . . .The old Negro HORNBEAK must have moved away from Greenfield when I was very small. I don’t seem to remember him, but I remember the family to whom he belonged. I knew them mighty well. Their home is three miles northeast of Greenfield. Their place was settled about 1817. His master, in slavery time, was Alex HORNBEAK, a fine man. Their family settled there long before there was any Greenfield. My grandfather, Gilbert PATTERSON, settled one and one-half miles west of where Greenfield is located shortly afterward. There was one other family by the name of “MOSLEY” who settled two miles south-east, & they helped Grandfather build his first home. The three families were the first settlers in that section of West Tennessee.
The town of Greenfield was started the year I was born, 1872. My father, “Bunk” PATTERSON, built the first house in Greenfield. It was used for a saloon and ten-pin alley. He built several of the first houses. He was a fine carpenter. Before the Illinois Central RR was built, the folks living in that section freighted what they had to have by wagon and team from the steamboats on the Mississippi River, some forty miles away.
That country was so unsettled, at that time, that Grandfather’s family lived for the first eleven years on game killed from his doorstep, such as bear, deer, wild hogs, and wild turkey. Squirrels played on his house top and yard fence, and he didn’t waste his ammunition on game that small. He tanned his leather, and made his family boots and shoes. Grandmother made the cloth from which they made clothes. They raised a family of thirteen children. You can tell your children that they descended from grand old families . . . . My father’s folks came from North Carolina . . . . Tell the children that they must make fine men and women, and live up to the record. Submitted by Nancy Denty Breidenthal
Civil War letters – Son, William Mark MILNER letters to his Mother telling of wounding of Brother, George and his death. Also Capture of John.
William Mark MILNER-Division Hospital August 23, 1864 Letter To His Mother about wounded brother, George.
I again seat myself to write you a few lines, but it is with a sad heart that I write, and sad subject that I have to write to you on is one which I know will give you pain and trouble, I am sorry that I have to write .
Ma, George was very dangerestly wonded last Thursday the 18th of this month. The ball struct near the forward on the right side & range back towards the back of the head it broke the skull and injured the brain very seriously he in his right mind all the time. I am staying with him and will remain with him all the time.
Ma the Doctors thinks there is some chance for him to get well, I have several of the best doctors with him that is in our division & we will do all that can be done for him, he appears to be some beter than he was some days ago. This is the sixth day, since he was wounded. They has some of the brain worked out of the wound but the doctors says they have seen such cases cured. But Ma to tell you the truth I think it is very doutfull case. I don’t tell you this to trouble you for you know that I would not give you trouble for the world if I could help it. But there is hope as long as there is life he may get well I prey that he will.
Don’t give yourself any uneasiness about his not being attended to for no trouble or expence shall keep him from anything that is neaded, there is six of the boys from his regient that stays with him all the time & there never a more attentive set of men in the army than they are, they couldn’t do more for a brother.
Ma I will come to a close preying to have have the pleasure of writing to you soon that George is mending. Ma, I have written to you of Johns being captured he was captured on the fifth of July in a scrumish fight wome 12 miles from Atlanta, I am in hops he is doing well.
I remain your true and affection son, W.M. Milner
William Mark MILNER letter to Mother explaining death of brother George
(beginning with the second page, sometime after August 26, 1864) – “And the balance of our army came to us the ememy then commence falling back towards Atlanta. Ma, I have written to you several times for the past few weeks not knowing wheather you ever gets any of my letters or not I am some what at a lost how to write.
I have riten to you of the deah of that dearly beloved Brother (George) several times but not knowing that you have received my leters I have to write again. He was wounded on the 18 of August on picket and died on the 26 of August. He was shot through the right side of the head I was with him from time he was shot until his deth he died very easily he didn’t speak for 12 hours before his deth. He new every body that came to see him but didn’t seam to be concious of the pain he was in.
Ma I have heard from John since he was captured he is at Camp Douglas (Illinois). He was well at the time I heard from him I expect to write to him in a few days. Ma I will close as we are expecting to move in a few minutes. I will write again by the first chance. You and Pa must write to me when you can for I want to hear from you very bad. W.M. Milner. Co A 31st Ten Reg; Starkes Brig; Cheathams Div; Army of Tenn. Submitted by Dan Freeman – letter copied from original letter in possession of George Kennedy, Martin, TN
Randolph McCLURE – to his oldest daughter Winnie McClure Yokum Gray about a month before he died.
Bradford, Tenn R1 8-23-33. – Wel Winnie il state you a letter i got your letter & i am so nerveless i cant hardly rite and i never feel wel i hope irmer (Irma, her daughter-RM) is wel by now Winnie i left Mayfield 16 months ago to day and it seams like 5 years iv not enjoyed myself one our since i ben in tenn i wish i had wint to the co house (Poor House-RM) the day i left thare i got a letter from Katy(another daughter-married to Roy Hendrix, Vernon’s brother, both buried at Oak Grove-RM) last week but i dident rite eny its bin 2 or 3 weeks since i herd from Bettie(my dear Grandmother-RM) Winnie the rain damaged lots of corn & cotton but tha is lots of good corn & cotton yet Tollie (his son, with whom he lived-RM) has got some very good corn and cotton Tollie got 4 very good shotes to kill . Winnie if you can finde out eny way where Tellies( I dont know who this is-RM) address is do so and let me no in your nextletter be sure too if something dont turn up so i can go to mayfield mabe i can go and stay with tellie some Winnie you no its a hell of a life to live and haft to stay where you no you are not welcom and not wanted and i no im not welcom or not wanted hear id be willing to go enywhere i could feel welcom for im nearly naked and bairfooted and no chance to get enything and winter nearly hear dont no what il do iv ben hear 13 months sunday the 27th and i drothur be in mayfield jail as to be hear tha are having a big meeting at the baptist church this week you bet we are havin some dam primping hear this week it makes me sick ….(Better left out!!-RM)
Winnie did u no that Burt Harden(Burt Hardin, a neighbor of theirs in the 5th dist of Weakley Co-RM) was ded is crops good over thare what watts family is that over thare do tha no me what is tha names i just got a letter from bettie tha wasent very wel wel this is sunday morning the 27 im up but im so nerveless i cant hardly rite i got the blues so bad the hoal world looks blue winnie i ben hear 13 months today i drother be in mayfield jail all this time as to ben hear…. (again, better left out!! -RM) iv not eat a good biscuit nor had a cup of coffee fit to since i left betties(she was a good cook!!-RM) …well winnie the tent meeting is over(Mt. Pleasant Baptist at Skullbone-RM) and im glad of it we sure did have some dam primpin hear i sure wish i had some one to patch my cloths that would last longer i soe them up but tha soon split again … il finish this in the morning this is old blue monday im at the mail box wev all got mighty bad coles and im so blue the hoal world is blue so rite when you can god by….Jeff McClure
Notes: This letter is from Jefferson Randolph McClure, my Great-Grandfather. He lived in Weakley Co. TN and Graves Co. KY most of his life. After his wife, Hannah Huggins McClure died, he lived off and on with his children. Not long before this letter was written, he lived at Palmersville with his daughter, my grandmother Bettie McClure Hendrix Pollock. His oldest son, Tollie McClure, married Naomi Dowland from Skullbone and he moved there with them, where he lived until his death. This letter is written about a month before his death to his oldest daughter, Winnie McClure Yokum Gray. Her story is interesting, too. She was married to Emery Yokum, and they ran a store almost on the Henry/Weakley County line. Some people were distrustful of him, and he was murdered by three young men in 1929, leaving her a widow with three small children. My grandfather, Vernon Hendrix, had just died in February of the same year, leaving her a widow with four small children, ages 7, 5, 3, and 1. The store was later known as Burton’s Store and Walker’s Store, and the building is still there, converted into a house. It is directly adjacent to the Hendrix land grant homeplace, where the Hendrixes and descendants lived and some were buried there. This letter is postmarked August 28, 1933. I will also type it just as it is written R.M.
Winnie, her new husband Westley Gray, and her children were in Dorena MO where they worked in cotton and picked up pecans for a living. Remember, the Great Depression was on and everyone had it tough. R.M.
Jeff died on September 22, 1933 of a perforated duodinal ulcer. He was buried the next day at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in an unmarked grave-and he finally had a new suit of clothes. He was a big man, and according to my mother, could “throw” his voice, which amused them greatly. What a legacy we have from the suffering of others- pioneers, soldiers, nomads through wars and depressions!! To GOD be the glory!! Submitted By Ron Mason
Note: The next 6 letters were written by Lucy Caroline McLAIN JONES to her brother James Allen McCLAIN, again these were found in the trunk of Lucy McClain Satterwhite daughter of James A. McClain of Batesville and Cave City, Arkansas….pj
Fulton, Ky Jan 2, 1920 (Just the address, they lived in Weakley Co.)
Dear Lucy and all how are you by this time I did not aim to be so long in writing but I did but I hope you all are geting a long as well as you was when you wrote before we are all well as comon Well Christmas has come and gone and I did not get to send you any thing I did aim to send you some little some thing but I did not get to go to town did not get toget the children much it rained for days before christmas so I could not get to but maby I will some day Well Lucy Lee is going to town and I want this to go as soon as it can so I will close Jim Johnson is mity bad of I went to see him sat and they said that the Dr said he could not get well that he was borned to go could not be any thing done and could not live but a few days he has got tublocrist of the glands of the mout so I will close rite soon and bot some news from you all. Lucy
Note: The envelope is addressed to Mr. J A McClain, Cave City Ark with a postmark from Fulton, Ky Jan 3 1921…….as the others….this is typed exactly like it was written….This letter is from Lucy Caroline McClain Jones (my Mama Jones) to her niece and namesake, Lucy McClain, daughter of James Allen McClain….pj
Fulton, KY Jan 25 1921
Dear Brother and family will write a few lines again this morning to tell you that John is Dead he died last night at 11 clock that was Monday night and he will be buried tomorrow at Mountmarough at 11 clock I don’t see how I can go down there to day as it is a raining so hard I do hope it will quit be fore to morrow it sure is a bad day to day how is Loudie and all of the rest we are all ok but Theron is still rite puny still had some feavor this morning so I will close write soon and let me here from all. Lucy
Note: This letter is postmarked Fulton, Ky Jan 25 1921 to Mr. J A McClain, Cave City, Ark……John that is mentioned is Lucy and Jim’s oldest brother, Dr. John Davis McClain born July 9, 1848, died January 24, 1921 in Weakley County. Now the distance between Mt. Moriah Cemetery and the home of Lucy Jones was less than a half of mile. Theron was the 5th son and 7th child of William Lee and Lucy Carolina McClain Jones. Loudie was the wife of James Allen Jones. pj
Fulton Ky Jan 31 1921
Dear Brother and family I received you letter saturedy was glad to here from you all but sorrow to here that leoudie was not feeling so well as she was when you was here hope she is some better now Hermon got here Friday he has took a rite bad cole he is feeling rite bad he is a lying down now I thanks he will be all right in a few days tell Leoudie not worrie a bout him he will be all right and we will take care of him and when he gets better of hims coal we are going a bout soon and I am going to try to go see mirry Dreck with him if I come I would like to go to see all of them any way and we are going to Lydia in a few days would a went yesterday but it was to bad day it rained the botom out sat night and it has turned cool well I guess you have got my last letter that I rote a telling you that John was dead it rained all day that day and night and the next morning it went to snowing and snowed tell a bout the time they come with him to birry him Charity was not able to come to the buring she has gone home with Gracie to stay this winter John looked a little more natlerl than he did while he was sick I did not get to see him any more after you went home till he died. Well Theron said tell you that he would not haft to drink pidas milk long we got a little calf so I will close rite soon we are all well and I hope you are well as comon Lucy
Note: This letter is postmarked Fulton, Ky. Jan 31 1921 to Mr. J. A. McClain, Cave City, Ark. Loudie was the wife of James (Jim) McClain. Herman was the son of Jim and Loudie and the brother of Lucy McClain Satterwhite. I have no idea at all who mirry Dreck was? Lydia was the sister of Lucy McClain Jones and James (Jim) Allen Jones, she was born November 2, 1869, died July 9, 1939. She was the wife of William Labon Hendrix. John is oldest child of 13 of Allen and Delilah Jane Johnson McClain. Charity was the wife of Dr. John Davis McClain. Gracie is one of their children. Again Theron was the son of William Lee and Lucy Caroline McClain Jones of Weakley County pj
Dear Jim,
got your card yest- was proud to hear but sorry you not feeling so good we doing verly well I am Just a bout like I was when you were here but Lee a lot better and is grinning all of the time he got so he can walk down to the lost and has walked as fore as Dean Terrill twice but he still has to wear his harnest all of the time cant control his water yet but it getting some better than it was when you were here well I go your other card but was so busy canning and doing ever things else I just didn take time to ans and I done Estes the same way I was a shame of it well my white face cow finly come in the calf is 2 weaks old you arrglet to see me get her and it to the house it took me a bout 2 hours I went and drove her up but I couldin get him in the lot by my self so I just shut her in the botton where they cut hay by her self I am still selling milk Carlos got the record of halling milk he go $ 6 25 for 2 weaks they said it was more than they ever paid any of them that was pretty good Montez got well and May a bout over his operation he cutint tobaco yest and to day Theron will cut next weak My late corn patch has come in you better come over but it was not plowed but once so you know it not much a count he planted a late potatoes patch and never did tetch it it didn come up rite good but would been a rite smart of potatoes if he worked them out and sprayed them what did you get for your berries you done well I got 2 qt caned and some jellie but that a bout all I wanted any way I got 38 qts peaches and a lot of other thing you said you haden had a rian in a long time we had some in Aug and good one we was dry a long time and the early corn hrvst mity bad ours was late and it diden suffer so much is going to pretty well I think it pas rostnears I guess it would of been better if it rained sooner well I just haft to tell you I had a big mess of poke sallet the 19 of Aug I found some that hadden bloom out and I got a mess it was still good well I close for this time so write I made up for last time this time so by with Love Lucy
Note: This letter is postmarked Fulton, Ky. Sep 4 1947 to Mr. J A McClain, Cave City Ark…..Well let me see if I can tell you who all the folks are…..Mama Jones was right newz in this long letter to her brother……Lee is William Lee Jones, husband of Lucy Caroline McClain Jones….. Dean Terrill lived the next farm down on the same side of the road ….remember Miss Allie from my stories….this was her husband….. The “harnest” was called a Cunnimgham Clamp…..Papa, Lee Jones had kidney problems….he spent a long time in the Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tn. during 1947 in the same room with Ben and Dean Herron’s father…..My mother, Beauton Howard and my daddy, Paul Howard met during this time in Memphis….Lee Jones died in July 1948…..Estes was Lee and Lucy’s oldest son and child….oldest of 9 born September 15, 1895….Carlos was the husband of Montez, 2nd daughter, 6th child of Lee and Lucy….Carlos hauled milk for years and years for Pet Milk Company out of Martin….Now I bet you are wondering who “MAY” is….he is Marion Jones, 6th son, 8th child of Lee and Lucy….the family has always called him May as I do today …..Theron you have met several times already, the 5th son, 7th child of Lee and Lucy …whoever heard tell of “good poke sallet” in August……pj
Dear Jim and Lucy
Just a few lines to see if we can hear from you all and to let you hear from us we doing very well Lee still not able to do any thing but is up all of the time I hope finds you both well and injoyin you selfs we been going some where every day this weak for a nice dinner we had our Chrismas day if we keep this up we get fat after while as sick one ha ha how did santy surve you both he was mity good to us Lee got a pair of gloves and 11 pair socks and a handchief and I got a lot of things 2 pairs Lymon hoes 4 prencis slips and a sweeter and to five dollars bills and Lee got 1 five well Jim I don’t think I ever wrote you that we made over the place to Beauton and her man to take care of us and put us a way when time come to do that and they here with us I couldin do what was here to do and lee didn seam like he ever going to get so he could do any thing we neaded some body here with us Theron still here but he bought him a place and is going to move as soon as the man get out of his house and to the baby got the measels rite now and coulden move for a few day if the house was empty any way well I hope every body is all rite and had a nice exmas and have a good new year so I will close write and tell me how you are so good luck to you all by with lost of Love you sis PS harry is here he ok.
Note: Letter postmarked Fulton, Ky Dec 31, 1947 Mr. J A McClain, Cave City, Ark…… Well who do we have this time…….You know Lee by now……Beauton was the 3rd daughter, 9th and last child of Lee and Lucy (she was my Mama)……I laugh every time I read this letter, Mama Jones never called my daddy nothing but “her man”….her man was Paul Howard, my daddy…..And you have to know Theron by now……the baby that Mama Jones is speaking about is Theron and Cena Mae Foster Jones’s oldest child, Garry Lynn Jones ….Harry was dear old Harry Wilson……he lived with them and later with us off and on….I often asked if he was kin to us but was always told, no just a friend of the family…..pj
Dear Jim and Lucy
I will write you a few lines to hear from you we are doing very well and hope you are well I wonder what you all are doing this time they are reworking the house and we all tore up while they working but it will look better when it done Jim when did you hear from H and is he at the same place Estes has sold out at Detroit and has bought a place back here and coming rite a way write me and let me hear from you all so I close write soon Love to all Lucy
Note: This is a postcard, postmarked at Fulton, Ky May 12, 1948….it also has a Cave City, Ark postmark of May 13, 1948….I am impressed that it got there that fast…..My Mama and Daddy “reworked” the house in the spring of 1948…..but no plumbing yet….that didn’t come until the fall of 1957 when the house was “reworked” again….H is Herman son of James McClain….that is a long story within it’s self about where Herman was……Estes of couse was the oldest child of Lee and Lucy…..he didn’t stay “back here” very long…..he went back to Detorit and lived out his life there dying in 1957…he is the only one of the 9 children that is or will be buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Weakley County……he is buried in Graves County, Kentucky at Water Valley…..Lee Jones died the summer of 1948 in July……Lucy lived until 1964 and was the best friend I ever had in my life……my dear Mama Jones…..pj. Submitted by Paula (pj) Howard Thompson Lamb
Jim I rite a few lines to you I am in Bad health & not abel to dooe Evey thing you say you doing well that is the way to do soe you Right & when you doe that youwill feal Rite Jim I wont you to goe and see Tommey & see what he is doing I sent him thirty dolars Sant tuis(?this) draft & see if he got hit I wont you to rite to me all Bout what he is geting done I have rote toe your unkel Bud the same Joe you Rite to me Jim I wont to Noe if you even give me your Note for the money that you have had from me if you did I have lost hit & I have forgot what hit was But I think hit was a Bout one hundred Eighty dolars or $200~ (end of page 1)two hundred But I dont Noe how muth hit was I wont to fix my Bisenes up Rite if I can soe Rite to Me all about hit Jim I got a good home hear for you if you will com & live on hit the place I Bilt for you But if you are Sads fied (satisfied) of corse I wold feal Beter if I had some of the Boyes where I cald Bee with them Naw I loan on this Sujelt (subject) Jim you sed you had plenty to Eate well I was glad to hear that and you sed you had little money & out of deb that the way for a man to live Naw dive that way & you wont Bee afrad ofens appears soe man at pres I still remains your sicker frend & Pa Allen McClain
I wot you to Kis Luse for mee & tel her I wot see her Bad.
NOTE: This letter I found this in a trunk of Lucy McClain Satterwhite, daughter of James Allen McClain, son of Allen McClain and niece and namesake of my grandmother, Lucy Carolina McClain Jones. I have typed this letter exactly like it was written……and he was an educated man! Allen McClain died June 2, 1893 at his home in Weakley County, Tn. The house is still standing and very livable. Allen was born February 14, 1826, son of John and Lydia McClain, one of the original 4 McClain settlers to Weakley County.. Submitted by pj Thompson Lamb
Lee JONES from M.B. Watkins -The following letter was found in my grandfather, William Lee Jones’s papers. 12/7/1914 Maxville(?), Ark
Mr Lee Jones
Dear sir Please find incloseed Check for which send me 200 lbs of 15 Ct tabaco and 20 lbs of 15 Ct tabaco Ship to Batesville Ark and obligeM.B. Watkins
NOTE: Again this is typed exactly like it was written…..wonder how much the check was for? William Lee Jones born July 7, 1874 and died at his home in Weakley County, July 19, 1948. “Lee” as he was called was the husband of Lucy Carolina McClain born April 30, 1877 and died in the same room as her husband, August 13, 1964, my dear Mama Jones! Submitted by pj ThompsonLamb
Ellen KLINGINSMITH to ESSIE 8-24-1932. 507 Bushey Ave. Caruthersville, MO.
Dear Essie:
I am writing to you to find out what has become of Walter and Mary Bradberry. I wrote Mary two letters since I have left there but she never answered either of them her health was so bad when I left there. I am uneasy about her. I wish you would write and tell me something about them and did you ever get work at the shirt factory there is nothing here for any body to do did the Midwest Ice Cream bus. move there factory away from Martin If Mary is still there ask her if Mrs. Lesly Griffin or Mrs. McDanials. Wants a housekeeper and Essie did Marry get to work in the shirt factory or does she still keep boarders. I am sending this letter in care of Bennie Ford because I do not know your house number. Now Essie answer my letter and tell me all the news you know and if Mary still lives there tell her to write me a nice long letter I now she dont care very much for me but she is the only sister I have living and I wish she would write to me sometimes she cannot write but Walter can Will close with best regards to every body.Ellen Klinginsmith.Submitted by Sharon McNair-Thurman
To a Daughter & her husband who still resided in Weakley Co., TN.
Published in the Red River County Texas Genealogy Newsletter. contributed by Mrs. Kathryn Bone Chatfield.
Mill Creek, Texas June 3rd 1860
Dear Son and Daughter, [William Brown JOHNSON and Sarah GROOMS JOHNSON]. Through the kind mercies of God I am permitted to take my seat in order to answer yours of 25th of April last which came to hand the last day of the month and found your mother much improved from what she was last year.She has not taken any medicine since here and she and I have been able to go about our business even on until the last few weeks.I have been troubled with a pain in my head and neck something like a cramp in my neck and a deadness in one side of my head and deafness in my left ear.All the connection here are well but your sister Jane [his daughter, who was the wife of James POPE] is very poorly.She has a chill I think every day and a high fever with a troublesome cough. [Jane died 4 Oct 1860].Hoping when this comes to hand it may find you and yours with all the connections and friends enjoying good health.
I had just started a letter to M. DECK [Mathias Deck, husband of Bright’s daughter Catherine] and you and Washington [W. REDDICK, husband of Bright’s daughter Susannah]and D. OVERTON [David O., husband of Bright’s daughter Martha] giving you all the news that I thought would interest you but on looking over yours I see the VADEN did not pay you for the trees as he did not get them.You never said but on looking over yours I see that Vaden did not pay you for the trees as he did not get them.You never said why it was he did not get them.In the next place you wrote me that Mathias had an account against me larger than mine.I wish you to share this to him as it is my request that he make out his account each item and the charge and send it to me as I am anxious to see it while here for I did not think if he had anything against me it would have been the proper time to name it and to have taken it out of the note that he gave for the cupboard which he never hinted.I wish to see his charges.You also wrote to me of my Gibson business [Gibson Co., Tenn.] Business and of the trouble you had with old Bodkin.
I wish you to attend to his case sure at the next court as I think you have the Old William by the nose.Hold him fast and it may be the mens of deterring others from doing as he has done.And now Sally [Sarah GROOMS, wife of Wm. Brown JOHNSON] hear what Mamma says. Well Wm. Brown and Sally if you were here and had a place opened, you could do well.But you had better stay there.Yet she thinks this the healthiest country and wishes Wm. To come and see us this Fall and look for himself.As to my part I think this the best country that I have ever been in.Sure it is we have been at some trouble to get our supplies but it is enough to stimulate a man to cultivate such land and sell at such prices.And now I say to you without boasting that I could change my place it would be only to improve it.It is just as it should be.
Tell George CARTER and Mrs. CARTER howdy for me.Tell them that although I am surrounded with troubles, trials, an difficulties that I consider myself this far from on my way to that home, my long sought home, where all my trials will be over.Tell them to writ to me and I will answer them.Give my regards to Esq. CANTRELL [ probably A. P. Cantrell ] and to all inquiring friends any of whom I would like to see.
William, I wish you to write to me all about the times there and how you are getting along with BODKINand whether you have any account from McFARLAND or not.Do the best you can for my interest.Try to come out as many of you as can and see us this Fall.Same for John GOODWIN. Well Franklin and Brown [sons of Sarah GROOMS & William Brown JOHNSON] I tell you boys I have seen Indians of all sorts.And I tell you their skins are red and eyes and hair black, so I do not like them much.But I tell you boys we ketch the fish sometimes.I caught one cat that weighted 53 lbs. And some buffaloes that weighted 22-23 lbs.Well Boys I tell you not I can pile any of the Texas Boys certain, So I can.I now conclude by saying write yourself and tell all to write.I remain your father until death.… Bright GROOMS
Note: Information from Billy E. Butts (Jan 21, 2000):The Butts, Pope farms were on the line between Red River & Bowie Counties.James Pope’s farm was mostly in Bowie County.The Ope Springs Cemetery [where Bright & Catherine Winders are buried] is on the old James Pope farm. I have the impression that Grooms Lake was north & east of these farms but that was back in the late 30’s or early 40’s that I was in that area. Submitted by Charlie Campbell
Letter form Stephen Goldsby to his nephews, Thomas and James Goldsby Simpson concerning the settling of their Grandfather’s (James Goldsby) estate. Copy in Goldsby papers of Ruth Dale Goldsby Brown Transcribed by Doris Bratcher of Clarkson, KY (1982)
State of Tennesee, Weakley Co., March 30, 1843
Dear Nephews, I, now have selected a few monents from the busy scenes of life to inform you that through the mercy of God, we are all in common health at this time with the exception of a bad colds with is common in our county at this time. Hoping these few lines may come saft to your hands and find you all in good health.
I recieved your letter dated the 7th on the 17th which gave me great satisfaction to hear that you was all well. Agreeable to your request in relation to your grandfather’s will. His will in the first part bequeathed to your grandmother as much stock as she wanted, and household and kitchen furniture to be sold and equally divided between all his heirs.
Secondly, he than give her the old negroe woman, Tener and Fill, the oldest man, or three hundred dollars in money, instead of the negroes, left to her choice to take the negroes or the money, and then says the will, the heirs that got land in Kentucky, they was to be charged with one hundred and fifty dollars each for the land, and when those that never got land recieved one hundred and fifty dollars, then the balance of the estate to be equally divided between all the heirs.
On the first Monday in January last, when myself and Mr. GILBERT, the executor went to court to prove the will, I found there might be some difficulty arise, if we sold the negroes not mentioned in the will at all. So we proved the will and entered into bond with approved security in the sum of eight thousand dollars for our faithful performance as co-executors and had to file a petition in the circuit Court for a decree to sell the negros, and on 19th of January we sold the most of the stock and farming tools, corn, oats, and fodder which sold amounted to about $300 to be due at Christmas next. So on the 3rd day of February there being some tobacco and some stock and other articles that not recollected at the other sale to abougt the amount of $40 or $45. Due at the same time and on the 13th fo February our petition came on to heard in the Circuit Court.
By this time your Grandmother begin to find she could not get along so well without some money, she concluded to have Terner and Fill put in the petition which was done and the Court decreed that we sell the negroes after first advertising twenty days, and requiring the purchaser to pay 3% in hand and fiving bond and approved security payable at next Christmas and a lien retained upon the negroes till payed for. So on Thursday last the 16th, we sold all the negroes. They brought $2,387.06 1/4.
Your grandmother bought Tener and Fill for $125.00. Stephen A. BRADY bought a lame woman for $150. Adam PERKINS bught Luda and 3 children for $896.00 1/4. Ambrose DUDLEY bought Lewis for $313.00. Edwin GOLDSBY, your uncle Edward’s son, bought a boy about 11yrs old for $400. And there was one girl 13 years old was bought out of the family for $503 and there is some oweing to the estate I have not as yet been able to collect and for that reason connot give a correct account of the debts as it is somewhat difficult collecting in this county in consequence of the pressure of money. I expect the proble amount of the estate after all expenses is deducted and debts paid may amount to $2,3000 or thereabouts. If there should be no bad debts made which is a matter almost unavoidable these hard times as there is numbers of our biggest men braking daily almost. That is besides the land which is to bought. And at Mother’s death it is to sold and divided between all the heirs. Your grandmother is as well as could be expected and is living on the place and I expect will remain there.
I think you wanted to know something about our relatives in this county. There are all well as far as I know or was the other day. S. A. BRADY lives a mile of here. Adam PERKINS lives in Henry County near where he did when you was here. Ambrose DUDLEY, he married your Aunt Ann, lives in Carroll County. Your Uncle W. T. GOLDSBYs widown lives in Warrich Co, Linnville. (Indiana). I received a letter from them a few days ago, they are all well. If you see Moses AKIN, give him our complements and tell him to write to us and let us know whether his mother is living or not. Write to us and let us know when you are coming. I must close this epistle for want of room. So no more but remains your Uncle til death. Give my compliments to Archiblad MOORE and all other inquiring friends. I have only five children living and ghree grandsons and one granddaughter. Stephen Goldsby.
Note: Stephen Goldsby was Justice of the Peace in 1856, as he was performing marriages. Submitted by Peggy Miller Trevathan w Mary S. Williams and Bill Green.
Estelle FORD – Outside of letter – To Kizzie and Madge GLOVER – Dresden, Tenn – June 24, 1824
Dear Kizzie and Madge: What are you doing I am playing I have a little kitten his name is Tommy I play with him all the time nearly he is all yellow I wish I could see you all. Be sure and write to me. By By Estelle Ford – Submitted by Sharon A. Crocker Thurman.
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Greenfield Tenn – Monday Night
Kind Sister – Will try and answer your letter we got last Wednesday night was glad to here from you all feeling as well as for us some days I am better I can’t hardly wait for the time to come only 23 more days. Earl is sick was on bed yesterday was cold and nasisazie, He moved out in the sick house a week ago today so when we got your letter last Wednesday he went over to McConnell on Thursday morning and worked hard all day and did not get through and had to go back Friday and finish packing for shiping said tell you he got all that was left there was some things gone the stuff come in on local today and he has done got it in his shop he wont make the tire retter til spring he is doing fine so far ever body says he done the right thing of course it is the dark part of the year. If we can just make it 3 more months we will be all right.
Mrs Crocker has had Dr. Mitchell treating her head. Well I moved her bed from up stairs, and Earl did not put it in any sooner and part of the stove is in there so you may no there is not enough room in ther to turn around. Wish you was here night we had rabbit for thanksgiving and I had a nice diner sent me hope you all are done picking cotton by now I wont cook me 2 cakes next week for Christmas I am afraid if I don’t I will be down and can’t. I am going to put them in a lard stand they tell me they will keep for a month that way I will have enough eggs by then to cook.
Two of my white pullets is laying eggs in 60 ct a dozen. Got 8 little chickens 3 weeks old Earl said he went up to your House to see if every thing was all right and said it look all right.
Hope Cheap got him a good place and you all will do well and make a big crop next year and hope you and Ruth can have lots of chickens and eggs. Well, I dot no anything else to write now will write you when to come and will send you the money then to come on I got me a wash woman ant last it was fine raining all day hope it will be cold in the morning so werite when you feel like it. Maggie, Earl and the children.
Note: Special note, Aunt Maggie died on Dec 1, 1920. The 23 days she is talking about was the birth of the baby. She and her baby were buried together in Highland Cemetery in Greenfield, TN. The letter is from one of my GG-Aunts, probably one of her last. I found her daughter, Katie, still living, 89 in 2001. I sent her a copy, she cried and cried, could not thank me enough, she was so young when her mama died. Submitted by Sharon A. CROCKER THURMAN
Will ans. Your most kind and welcome letter received the othere day was sure glad to hear from you all. Sorry Kizzie and Madge are having the chills they soon get the best of everyone. This leaves all well at present my eyes bother me some wild hairs I think I set up all night last night and they feel terrible today.
Aunt Bettie Clemmers is mighty sick. She has leakage of the heart and Mama, Mrs. Lizzie Woodrough has paralyses they are going all over her. Her mind hasn’t been right for some time. It is a pity for any one to suffer so and don’t think Mr. Wyatt can live over 30 days he has tumor and Mr. and Mrs. Parham are getting to be mighty no count.
We were down there Sunday Wayne and Billie was there you they are living right at the edge of Martin. Carlis Parham and wife are at Wayne Place.
Well, we are dong a little farming it rains so much though until anyone cant hardly do any thing we are though planting corn and cotton have 800 sweet potatoes slips set out haven’t any tobacco set yet. Hubert planted? Didn’t do any good nor anyone else plants are sure scarce I reckon it a good thing. We got through stiping about to weeks ago haven’t carried it off yet. We have 73 baby chicks they are small yet but mighty pert we have had one to sicken and die. The old hens peck several and they would die. Beauton has 16 white Guinnes eggs sitting. Mrs Liddei Smith gave them to her.
Yes, Mamma we got lthe little ring it was to large I filed it into and made it smaller she takes spells of wearning it. Well, I think you are doing fine picking berries better than I could do you know I never was fast hand picking berries. Ruth could pick them but I could not is there a lot of fruit down there if nothing happens here will right up here this time our cherries are getting ripe now but the birds are getting there share. Well, I have wrote about all I know will write Eessie some so all of you be good and write and come. With love and best wishes from Zelma Gatewood. —P.S. Ruth, Beauton said tell you all she has 3 little baby kittens 2 weeks old tomorrow and a little white dog. Submitted by Sharon McNair Thurman
Letter To: Georgia Taylor Fowler From: William Coleman Fowler Jackson, Tenn Dec. 21, 1922
My dear daughter,
We are well as usual, as we both are never well but able to be up. Well daughter, it was just 27 years ago tomorrow that your dear mother past away so you know it makes me sad to pass over this time of year. Baby, I feel bad not to be able to give you all a Xmas present but daughter I just haven’t got the where with to get anything but daughter I love you just the same as if I had so I could buy. But money is sure scarce with us. I do not know when I can go to see you. The weather is so uncertain to get so far away from the mail road. Hope you all will have a nice Xmas. Let me hear from you soon. I am ever your loving Papa, W.C. Fowler
Note: I ran across this letter to my grandmother from her father. It was so sad, but sweet. Georgia’s mother died in 1895 when Georgie was only 2. My uncle told me that she was sick on the bed. They were killing hogs. She got up and worked the sausage and took pneumonia and died. Tombstone reads: 27 years 2 months 24 days. Submitted by Ann Westbrook Radcliff
Son, J. L. JONES writes about Dr. John Miller JONES – 2 letters.
Civil War. National Wagonstock Co. Manufacturers of Bent Rims and Other Wagon Material. F. L. Mitchell, President, H. M. Kinney, Vice-President, Jas. L. Jones, Sec and Treas., B.A. Keopple, Superintendent
Little Rock, Ark., Feby 27th 1908
Col.V.Y.Cook, Elmo,Ark., Dear Col:-
It is with pleasure that I acknowledge receipt of your very kind letter of the 24th inst., which was forwarded to me here from Newport and which came to my hands this morning. I desire to thank you for the kind expressions of friendship and sympathy in being bereft of both Father and Mother so recently. I greatly appreciate your kind offer in volunteering to write “THE CONFEDERATE VETERAN” a sketch of his life and I assure you that there is no one I would rather have write it than yourself. Below, I give you the information asked for which, I believe, covers the case. I will forward this letter to my brother (Dr.O.E. JONES) at Newport with the request that he look over it and make any necessary corrections as to dates and etc. and add anything he might think of that I have overlooked.
My Father was born and reared on a farm in Weekly County, Tennessee. His father and mother were named Darling and Margaret JONES. He was born on the 3rd day of July 1846 and his full name was John Miller JONES. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in “Co. H” Forrest Cavalry, Commanded by Capt. D.C. KELLY, who is now a noted Methodist Minister He served under this Captain until the surrender and his discharge (or PAROLE) was dated at Ganesville, Ala., on May 11th 1865 which was the date that Forrests Command surrendered.
After the surrender, he took up the study of Medacine and graduated with high honors form the [“State Medical University of” was lined out and “Med. Dept. of Univ. of Nashville of Nashville” written in] Tennessee, after which he moved to Arkansas, Jackson (but now Woodruff) County. He returned to his old home in Tennessee and was married to the sweetheart of his boy-hood days, Miss Callie PATTERSON, on February 29th 1872. He moved to Newport Ark. in the Fall of 1877 and continued to practice medacine up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 13th day of February1908. His age was 61 yrs. 7 mo. and 10 days. He survived his wife, who was an invalid for about ten years from rheumatism, only five days; her death having occurred on the 8th day of the same month and year. Five children survive him as follows:- Mrs. Wm. Yerger Lake Villege Ark, Jas.L.Jones Little Rock, Mrs. N.Lacy Tilghman, Dr. O.E.Jones Newport, Miss Hazel Jones. We would be very glad to have his picture inserted in the Veteran and I hand you herewith check for $2.00 to cover that charge as per your advice.
We request that this picture (which I am sending you by this mail under separate cover) be returned to me just as soon as it has served its purpose and a cut has been made from it. Please request that the cut which is to be made from this Photo. is also returned to us, and order one dozen (12) copies of the Confederate Veteran in which this article appears, mailed to me at Little Rock C/O National Wagonstock Co., together with a statement of the amount due for same.
The first time you or any of your family come to this City, my wife and I would be very glad to have you notify us upon your arrival and we will take great pleasure in making their stay while here as pleasant as possible. We are boarding at the present time, but we are always just as glad to see our friends. We hope to be keeping again in the very near future, in which event we can better entertain our friends and make it all the more pleasant for them. Kindly remember Mrs. JONES and myself to the members of your family. With best wishes for your continued good health and prosperity and assuring you of my continued friendship, believe me, Sincerely Yours, Jas. L. JONES
2nd letter – National Wagonstock Co. Manufacturers of Bent Rims and Other Wagon Material. F. L. Mitchell, President, H. M. Kinney, Vice-President, Jas. L. Jones, Sec and Treas., B.A. Keopple, Superintendent
Little Rock, Ark., March 6th, 1908
Col.V.Y.Cook, Batesville, Arkansas.
Dear Sir:-
I have your favor of the 3rd inst. And carefully note it’s contents. I am sorry you have not as yet received the photo of my father which I mailed you on the 3rd inst. at Elmo, Ark. I inferred from your previous letter that you were at that place and would be there for some time, so I addressed both the letter and photo there. If you instruct it forwarded to you at Batesville, you can describe is as being wrapped in white fools cap paper and tied with a cotton string and has one of the National Wagonstock envelopes addressed to you, pasted on face of package. The envelope above referred to is of the same style as the one in which you receive this letter. Hoping that this will be sufficient description on which to have same forwarded and that you will receive it without further delay, I am, Sincerely your friend, Jas. L. Jones. Submitted by Linda Matthews
