Letter from Mary Fowler to Maggie Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #272)
[Clarification:
-Mary was the daughter of William Brown Ross (here called Papa) and granddaughter of Eli Franklin Ross (here called Grandpa Ross).
-Maggie is daughter of Frances Catherine Ross Mooring and also a granddaughter of Eli Franklin Ross. Madge is Madge Rudd a daughter of Maggie.
-Mary married Dr. W. E. Fowler on 6/18/1914 and lived in Huntsville, Texas.
-'Uncle Wade' is Oscar Wade Ross brother of and probably living with or near his brother William Brown Ross.
-The 'Oscar who went to Texas' is Oscar Granville Ross half-brother of Eli Franklin Ross.
-In this letter, Mary is responding to family history questions previously sent by Maggie.
-Dating: William died in May 1934, Oscar in July of 1931. The Golden Celebration would be the 50th anniversary of something - maybe the founding of Walker County in 1846 or Huntsville or a school. Billy and Anna sound like minor siblings. According to Mary's FindAGrave.com profile, she was step-mother to William Fowler b. 1898 and was mother to Anna M. Fowler b. 1916. If Anna played in the band, she'd have to be a teenager at least. So, final estimate is about 1930.
[Spelling not corrected.]
Dear Cousin Maggie, your letter came some time ago and I've just gotten the information you wanted. Papa and Uncle Wade gave it to me and if this isn't what you wanted I'll get any other.
Why didn't you come to the celebration it was beautiful - so many old student back. Then on Friday night they had a padgent at the Greek Theater protraying the life of the college.
Billy and Anna M. both played in the band, [?] they got a thrill out of it. Should they come to the 100 anniversity to say we were in the band at the Golden Celebration, you should come, we have so many good roads. We have the paved highway to Papa's now, its wonderful after those years of San Jacinto mud to have the road.
Uncle Wade is feeble but still gets about. Papa has been real well this winter. I'd love so much to see you every one, some day Dr. and I are going to surprise you by coming to see you. We are having some work done on our house the 1st part of the summer.
Dr. is waiting to go to town so must close. Where is Madge? and the other girls - Love to all
Mary
Oscar Ross went to Texas 1841, married had one son, Thadeus Ross, who was killed in the second battle of Manassas.
Oscar Ross married a Miss Stamps (his second wife). Uncle Oscar died at Papa's.
Children of Franklin Ross and Mary Scott - Alexander Ross, Margaret Ross (Grandpa's 1st wife's children) Lawrence Wade, Frank Ross, Mary Ross, Robert Ross, Willie Ross, Isaac Ross.
Grandpa and Mary Scott had 8 children, 5 died and was buried in Ft. Bend, Tex. 3 was sent back to Miss. to their mother's people - Alexander, Margaret and one infant they didn't remember its name but it died shortly after going back. Those other names were the ones that died so you see they were his 1st wifes family insted of the second family.
Franklin Ross and Mary Hodge
Catherine Frances Ross
William Brown and Ruth (twins) born Nov 14 1847
Oscar Wade Ross - Feb 12 1850
Francis Marion and Benjamin (twins) Mar 1852
Uncle Jack died - fall 1902, Ben died in infancy
Mary Alice - died 1890
John Allison Ross - Mar 20 1855
Grandpa's 4th wife was a Mrs. Margaret Counts
Now Uncle Wade and Papa say* Willie, Robert and Isaace were Uncle Eli Ross' children** Grandpa Rosses grandchildren, their mother was a Miss Trimble from Miss. Uncle Eli Ross joined the Confederat Army and was discharged at Little Rock. Went to Miss. to his wifes father (his wife had gone there during the war) and died the night he got home.
Eli Franklin Ross born Jan 7 1807 - died Sept 24 1883
Mary Hodge born 1820 - died 1855
Ruth Hodge Rose widow of Granville Rose was Grandfathers 3rd wife
Miss Stamps was Oscar's Ross' 2nd wife.
Miss Harris was his 1st wife.
I believe this covers what you asked if not in the form you wanted it.
Mary
* as in 'After what I wrote above, now Uncle and Papa changed their minds and say' ...
** Here the two old men erred in saying 'Uncle Eli Ross' (there was none) when they meant 'Uncle Alexander Ross' or to be more accurate 'Uncle Samuel Alexander Ross' (the Alexander Ross mentioned earlier as a child of Franklin Ross and Mary Scott). He did, in fact, marry Rebecca Trimble and had sons Robert and William.]