WAGGENER to FLEMING
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