Letter

Letter from Aunt Mattie to Maggie Mooring Rudd

(C. Avis Catalog entry #310)

(Document ID #144)

Dear Maggie, SHIRO 3-9-1931

No doubt you think I am never going to write but haven't heard from Aunt Lew's girls yet. I guess they told you when I was sick that I had a stroke of paralysis. Well, that limb never did clear up and I don't get about very well. Nobody thought I would ever walk again. I am not able to do any work at all. So you see it goes pretty hard with me not to be able to do anything.

Egbert was home yesterday and is looking real well - has gained 14 lbs since January and Sam has fleshened up too.

I guess Fay, children pretty well take up your time and lots of company and pleasure to you.

Maggie, 
  Aunt Minnie died  March 27 1915
  Uncle Pat         June 4 1896
  Aunt Ann          March 28 1913
  Uncle John        February 5 1925
  Althea            February 29 1917
  Jennie            November 22 1919
  Uncle Bob         November 15 1906
  Aunt Lew          October 15 1913

Maggie, I may have sent you some that you already have. I wish you would send me your Papa's then I will have them all.

Would be so glad for you to come to see me sometime. Will the girls be home this summer? Write me soon.

Lovingly,

Aunt Mattie

Letter from David Chiles to Fay Rudd Chiles about Chiles Cemeteries
(C. Avis Catalog enry #474)

Letterhead:
CHILES BOAT CO.
California Home of
Burchcraft Boats
Two stores to serve you
11333 Atlantic Bl., Lynwood, Calif.
17428 S. Lakewood Bl., Bellflower, Calif.

Return Address:
David A. Chiles
5588 Riviera Walk
Long Beach, Calif.


Oct 9-63
Dear Fay,
Sorry Dwight was unable to locate our family burial plot.  I get a report of the plot as to care and maintenance about every 6 mo.  Name of cemetery is Elmwood.  My lot is Lot 45, block #24.  Dwight's lot is adjoining Lot 45.  One monument (CHILES) serves 16 graves.  Lot may still be in Lena R. Chiles name or Mary Morris Putman.  Elmwood has ample funds in reserve for interest to give perpetual care without disturbing principal.  A. M. Puckett was first mgr and Lonnie Able was mgr. of sales for may years & may still be living.

Street car out 1st Ave to Wend End and bus to cemetary about 1 mile from street car or bus to cemetary.

Mrs. Beula L. Chairsell, cousin of Gran, lives at Ridgley Apts., 21st - Birmingham.  Her son Edwin, marine in last war killed at Okinawa is buried on my lot as I gave her 1/2 of my lot so she could have him returned home.  She can guide you or be of any service to you.  Call on her.

The Ala. Historical Society have just erected a granite monument to mark her (Beulah Merrill Chairsell) father's location of his cannon factory for making guns for the south.  Peggy met her son & wife when they were living with me in L.A. during war time.

Mary Morris Putman adress is #1345 Alegrians, Coral Gable, Gla.  Dr. Putman, Huntington Bldg, Miami, Fla one of the best MD in Florida from reports.  Got plenty of money.

Helen Morris Snavely # 215 Cody Court, Peoria, Ill.

Mayme Bradford Woolery, Falmouth, Ky.

Dwight would have been 74 this coming Nov 13 - 63.  

What ever plans you may have that any of these items will fit in or be of any help, carry on to your satisfaction.  

Glad Peggy is happy.  Her new husband must be older, and has some money.  Money idea will please Peggy.

I am 72 - Dec 24 - 63 & not well.  Do a lot of thinking of the past, of your marriage, you getting baggage lost misint<?>, Red Halcombe, your Essex 5 passenger car, my coming over & washing your old gas stove, details of Dwight's passing, you crating & shipping furniture to Texas.  Guess this goes with old age.

David, Jr. is well close to his 1/2 million $ holdings & very happy.  2 girls 8 & 9 - boy 17.  Ready for college after this year, now a Sr.

Sincerely,

Dave

Dwights great-grandfather has 1/4 acre family burial plot in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, next to Ethel Roosevelt husband (Sen. from Ohio).  Nichalas Langworth lot is next to Chiles Lot.  Cincinnati Air Port used to be Erlanger, Ky owned by Charley Patten, 1st cousin of Papa & we, when young, spent our vacation there.  

Dave

Letter from Fay Rudd Chiles to Charles Avis about Rudd Family
(C. Avis Catalog entry #127)

<The Alice and Dwight mentioned are Fay's son and daughter-in-law.  Cousin Alice's married name was Suggs>


Mrs. C. Dwight Chiles
1509 Rainbow Bend
Austin, Texas 78703

July 2, 1970

Dear Charlie,
You may recall that I told you that when my sister Mildred Ragsdale was here with us in February she was asking me about Mother's genealogy papers and I told her that you were interested in genealogy and that we had tried to get some information on our father's Rudd side and that you and I had run the 1860 census records of Madison County, Madisonville, Tenn. and that you had found the record of J. R. Rudd and wife R. C.  Rudd and five of their seven children.  I had kept this page I am enclosing in your handwriting as it starts - evidently I had erased the other initials and substituted the names of some I remembered.  The two missing from this census are an older boy and a girl named Sarah.  I knew and loved my Aunt Sarah who was married to a Dr. Bailey that I called Uncle Doctor when I used to visit them in Pittsburg when I was very young, probably five or six.  Aunt Florence, who was a widow lived with them and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Doctor had several married children living in Pittsburg with children older than I.

Now the reason I'm sending this to you.  Mildred and I had absolutely no luck in finding this record on the 1860 census records at the archives.  What that (pg 134) written in my handwriting means I don't know.  We ran this record several times and found nothing on the Rudds.  Could it have been another date 1850 or what.  The war came after that and I know the family left for Dalton, Ga.  Mildred says she remembered being told that grandfather was buried in Dalton, Ga.  I think but not sure Grandmother Rudd was buried in Pittsburg.  She died June 7, 1893, so the records show.  I want you to have the three pages enclosed.  This is the information that Cousin Alice gave my mother on the Rudd-Maples-Reynolds family.  Cousin Alice was my father's first cousin.  Her mother was Alice Jane Maples who married a Pridmore.  Martha Malinda Maples married a Cate.  This is how Alice and Dwight are related (their great grandmothers were sisters).

Now if you can't find the 1880 Census records in Ft. Worth then you could write and ask what a search would cost.  I will get the $4.00 back in time and you could use this.  Also the $1.00 that the Gen. Ser. Adm. returned.

I thought while I had this on my mind I would get it to you for your vacation project.

My love and good luck

Nana

Letter from Mary Fowler to Maggie Rudd

(C. Avis Catalog entry #272)

[Mary was the daughter of William Brown Ross and granddaughter of Eli Franklin Ross. Maggie is daughter of Francis Catherine Ross Mooring and granddaughter of Eli Franklin Ross. Mary married Dr. W. E. Fowler and lived in Huntsville, Tx] 
 

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 Theather portraying the life of the college.

Billy and Anna M. both played in the band, want they get 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 se 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 instead of the second family.

Franklin Ross and Mary Hodge

Catherine Francis 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 Confederate 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 
  
 

Letter from Mary Fowler to Maggie Rudd

(C. Avis Catalog entry #260)

[Mary was the daughter of William Brown Ross and granddaughter of Eli Franklin Ross. Maggie is daughter of Francis Catherine Ross Mooring and granddaughter of Eli Franklin Ross. Mary married Dr. W. E. Fowler and lived in Huntsville, Tx]

Mar 18

Dear Maggie: I know you could beat up on me for being so long, but so many things keep you busy these days.

Grandfather Ross was born Redlick, Jefferson Co., Miss. Jan 7th 1808, died Sept 24 1884 Walker Co., Tex. Grandmother Mary Hodge came to Tex. from Arkansas 1823, died May 1855. That was about all I could find out - neither Papa or Uncle Wade remember her. I am only too glad to find out anything I can for you, and to ask questions and let them [?] is about the only way they can help. I want to get some papers and have them filled from yours as soon as I can, they have a lovely chapter here. It just takes so much with a growing family.

Papa and Uncle Wade have both been so well this winter. Yet Lance was here yesterday said Uncle Wade wasn't doing so well that morning - but Papa is wonderful, so active and wide awake in business matters. If he could only hear he would not seem old.

Dr. has been well this winter, f[?]ly it has hit Dr's pretty hard, so many can hardly get food but with spring we all feel better.

Rura has her family grown. Most of the children, in fact all are at home, the boys work here in town. Ed (her husband) has been down below Houston all winter, so she is free to go. Two of her boys have cars. I'm so glad to see her get out and enjoy life.

Alice is just back from several weeks visit with R[?].

Aunt Lola Montgomery is here and has had so many parties - she is so spry and real pretty for her age.

Georgia (Dr's daughter) has finished school and is teaching in Big Spring. Henry is at Lubbock so they are near each other. Georgia teaches in one of the buildings Henry designed. He's Peter & Bradshaw's designer and they have just finished 3 new buildings at Lubbock. I've been trying to get my yard fixed up some but it takes so much time and work.

We'd love so to come to Temple and hope to some day. Lots of Love,

Mary 
  
 

Letter from Mattie Mooring Hooker to her niece Ross Mooring Hall

(C. Avis Catalog entry #486)

[Mattie was daugther of Llewelyn Staton Mooring and Sarah Wilkinson. Her brother, Charles Gray Little Mooring, had daughters Ross, Margaret and Alberta]

5-10-02 Prairie Plains

My Dear Ross,

I was very much surprised when I opened your letter, & found the signature of My Dear little Ross, whom I had not heard from in such a long, long time. I do not suppose the information that I can give you will be of much importance. Papa & Mama came to Texas in '42, from Mobile Ala., but SC was their Birth State, resided in Ala. but a few years. Mama's Mother was a Mary Little, her Mother Thigpen, Grandmother T's Mother was a Bettie Rock. Grandmother Mooring's Mother was a Sue Statin, her Mother was a Lewellyn, the Lewellyns were from VA, to SC. I do not know anything of either of my grandfather's parents. Mama has a brother in Tarboro, S.C., Uncle Frank Wilkins, who would prove an interesting correspondent for you. He was principle of a small College there for a [?] of years. Papa has one Brother in Mobile, Ala Uncle Grey Mooring, he also has some nephews in Covington, Tenn. Zack Taylor is a very prominent lawyer there, was US States Senator at one time, but Papa was never proud of him, because he was a republican. Cousin Guildford Mooring was Sheriff of Pitt Co., S.C. Greenville, his Postoffice, will doubtless remember you, as he was in Tex. when you were a baby. We have a fine prospect for a crop. Leslie has 40 acres in cotton. The same in Corn, has been through chopping cotton for more than a week, which is quite early, & I have a splendid garden. I would like so much to see you, & your Boy, you never did send me a picture of him. I have a picture of all Maggie's children, & would like so much to have yours. I had a letter from your Mama last week, also one from Aunt Jennie. She is coming home in June. Be sure to write again.

Your loving Aunt Mattie

Letter from Jennie Roberson to Charles Avis 4-1980
(C. Avis Catalog entry #341)

<Jennie Roberson was a great-aunt of Charles Avis, a sister of his grandmother, Gladys Roberson Avis.  Their mother was Nancy Herring Roberson>

Tuesday

Dear Charlie, Betsy and David,
Many many thanks for the beautiful vase of flowers complimenting my 90th birthday.  I keep it where I can see it all the time.  I have never seen one any more beautiful. 

When I had my last serious illness years ago my surgeon doctor said I had such good health I would live a long time as my mother did and I wish that he was alive so he can see me still living and in very good health now.

Mother lived to have her 90th birthday then passed away with a heart attack.  The doctor did not think that she would live but a few weeks longer but she did live 10 months before she passed away.  I had sat by her bed side and we taked awhile then she asked me who would take care of me when she passed away?  I answered that the good nurses would.  I did not get out of the room but a nurse started to turn her thinking she was ready to sleep when she passed away.  

I was not wrong in saying the nurses would take care of me and she said ok! will they.  And to my surprise one, the head nurse, did ask me to come once a week for awhile so she could check me and get better for I was very tired as my school days were from 8 oclock until five oclock and morning hours Saturday mornings.  We had 3 nurses with her and I had a negro maid taking care of the house all day and I was very tired.

Jake, Gladys, Zola and Rube were attending a show in San Antonio and I called them at midnight when they had returned to Austin.  The nurse then put me to sleep until they came up the next day.  I was called and told by the superentendent to stay out of school for as long as I wished.

Well now you know that you do have old old Auntie enjoying the lovely flowers and thinking of how much I love all of you and thinking of the next member coming into your home for us all to enjoy.  Maybe sometime in summer you can bring your two lovely children down to see us. 

I am not going anywhere as I have reached the falling age too so I am staying home and now I am sure that I am safer for I might have been in Wichita Falls visiting as I have had so many friends wanting me to be there for a visit.  

Gladys is doing so well but still has to use her walker for walking alone.  I spent time with here quite often and we keep in touch each day by telephone or visit on our day for our shampoos.

I started to call you but decided that a letter was safer for long telephone calls are hard to get from long distances.

Again many many thanks for the beautiful Remembrances all good wishes that you all are well and happy.  Tell David his Auntie still has her card that he sent her!

Love and all good wishes,

Auntie

Letter from Ruby Avis Dunkelberg to C. Avis about Bush Family
(C. Avis Catalog entry # 456)

<Ruby was the sister of Charles Avis' grandfather A. W. "Jake" Avis>

August, 1982

Dear Charlie,
I'm sorry to be so slow in answering your letter but numerous things here kept me from finding time to go thru pictures.

First I want to say I got the notice about your first son's arrival but you did not have your address on it so I did not know where to write you to congratulate you and now you have 2 sons which is wonderful and I'm sure you and Betsy are proud of them.  You also did not put your address on the letter pertaining to the pictures.  I wrote Galdys and she sent me your address.

The pictures I have were all in the scrapbooks belonging to Lill and the picture album that belonged to my grandmother White that you saw when Jake had them in Austin.  You saw Jake had a picture of our father and I know he had a picture of Mama also.  Did you copy those?

I have run across 2 snap shots.  One of Papa and Mama.  The other of Papa and his mother.  I will enclose those in this letter.  The one of Papa and his mother I would like to have back.  The one of Papa and Mama I don't need.  I also found a picture of Papa and Mama taken when they were real young.  I found a picture of Grandma White (Papa's mother) but it is taken with Grandpa White and not Papa's real father.  These 2 pictures I will send if the snap shots are not suitable.

I do not have a picture of my Grandfather Avis nor did I ever see one.  I do not have a picture of my grandfather or grandmother Bush (Mama's parents).  I remember seeing a picture of grandma Bush a long time ago but I don't have it.  I never saw a picture of grandpa Bush.  I do not have any history on the Bush family.  I ran across a biblical verse which said grandpa Bush died March 24, 1901 age 65.  

Grandpa and Grandma Bush had 7 children -
Minnie (my mother), Ollie, Ida, Tom, Mike, Isaac, Oscar

They have been dead and gone for years.  I wish I could help you more in  the history of our background as I am also interested.  

I think it is sad that your grandmother's health broke down so completely after Jake's death as she could have had good years ahead of her, but I guess that's life.

Give my best to Betsy and I hope the future will continue to be good for you and your family. 

Love,
Ruby Dunkelberg

Letter from Nancy Sevier to Mr. Turner

(C. Avis Catalog entry #478)

Dear Mr. Turner,

Pardon me for seeming indifference to your letters. I am interested, and would thank you for any information you can give me. Today is my first opportunity to search some old papers in my possession(?). I'm(?) afraid the information I can give you must(?) be very unsatisfactory. Mrs. Mary Hoss Headman of Philadelphia, daughter of the late Bishop E. E. Hoss of the M. E. Church South made a family tree of the Sevier family - possibly she could give you some information. Unfortunately, I can not give you her address. You might get in touch with her through her brother, a prominent physician of Muskogee, Okla., Dr. Sesler Hoss.

My maternal great grandfather was one of two nephews and namesakes of Gov. John Sevier and was known as devil Jack on account of his violent temper. The other was black Jack, being dark complected. Great grandfather was very dissipated and on one of his "sprees" went with Jackson's army to New Orleans. His family never heard from him. After a few years his wife married a Mr. Maloney - her children lived with their Sevier relatives. Sallie, the oldest daughter, married Mr. Smith and lived in Greene County. Elizabeth Mariah (my grandmother) lived with her uncle Maj. "Alex" Sevier of the U. S. Marine Corps, and married Lewis Hayes Broyles at Greeneville, Tenn. came to this country about 1820. Narcissa and Nancy were twins. Nancy came to this country with her sister Mariah and married Mr. James Irwin. Narcissa married Mr. Herring of South Carolina and moved here later.

Ambrose Hundley Sevier, the only brother, moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he soon rose to prominence being U. S. Senator and representing Pres. Polk in the treaty between the U. S. And Mexico. Unless I am mistaken, my great, great grandmother was Naomi Douglas and my great grandmother was Susannah Conway. I wish I had written this down during my precious Mother's life. I fear I have forgotten. I have heard her speak often of "Aunt Rector" and her terrible experience with the Indians and cousin Eliza Throckmorten of Philadelphia. My grandmother had an "Uncle Jimmy" Sevier who lived in Washington, Co. He had a magnificent farm and the most beautiful home in the lovely mountains of East Tenn. He had a large family and it may be that he is the ancestor you are looking for. I hope so for he was a grand man. There are some very fine minds in the present generation of Sevier's and I am proud of them as well as our ancestors. My Mother was poetical and a talented musician but never wrote for publication. I have her music in manuscrip [sic]. I congratulate you on your talent and I hope it will (be) a great pleasure to you. I also hope your health will be restored. I was named for my two grandmothers Nancy for grandmother Sevier and Mariah for grandmother Broyles. The Sevier's call me Nannie and the Broyles call me Mariah.

Sincerely,

N. M. Sevier

Letter from D. W. Herring to Nora Herring Roberson
(C. Avis Catalog entry #73)

Jackson, Tenn.  July, 19th, 1903

Mrs. Mart Roberson, Texico, N. M.

My Dear sister Nora:-

Your very much appreciated letter came duly to hand.  I was afraid I had lost you forever.  I did not know where to find you.  My efforts to locate you from Henrietta failed.  My last letter addressed to you there was returned unopened, several years ago.  I have thought it strange you did not write me to let me know, at least, where you live.  I notice with pleasure that you write to your mama "once or twice a week".  That is as a good daughter should do and I trust you will so continue.  I also note, but of course with sorrow, that you health is not as good as it should be, and that your mama says you work too hard.  If you do, it is very wrong, and no one should thank you for it, as it may lay up much trouble in the future for you, your husband and your family.  I am glad you have a nice home where there is a good school at Wichita.  I have been there and remember its beautiful, surrounding country.  I dont expect to ever be there again, and the probability <is> we will never meet again in this world but I hope some of our children may run across each other, even though it be after we are both dead and gone.

Poor Telemack died at Savannah about three years ago.  And in his death, you lost not only a devoted brother, but a great friend and admirer.  He loved to talk about what a sweet girl you were.  He left his widow and two little daughters and about $5,000,00 in cash for them.  His widow moved to her father - Sam Kendall - at Wyne-wood, from which place I have just received a letter from her older daughter, which I herewith inclose you, that you may see how nicely his little daughter writes and she would doubtless be glad to get a letter from you or any of your folks.  Her mother married a widower there named Smith, with a large family and I am afraid did not do well.

I also herewith inclose you a letter from Hal, that will tell you of his whereabouts and something of him.  He is living with his second wife, his first having died, leaving him only one child, named Henry, now nearly grown.  Hal seems now to be doing very well, though he did come near dying with the gall-stones - an obstruction of the liver ducts - and had a very dangerous surgical operation for it performed at Boston, Mass.  I also suffered many years with the same complaint, and many thought I would die, but think I am now well of it and in better health than I have been, I think, since I was grown.  I weigh 215 pounds.  I rather think my father and Telemack both died with this complaint, though their doctor - Dr. Hardin - of Savannah, did not seem to think so.  I am thus particular about this because I think it is of importance that you should look out for it as a family weakness, and that drinking lime water helps to bring the disease.  There is no doubt our family has suffered most from stomach troubles.

I have four children (none dead) Harry 23, Julia 19, Ethel 17, Dan 12 years of age.  Harry is to be an officer of the U. S. Army, is now a cadet for graduation at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N. Y.  Julia has graduated here in the public schools, and will graduate next year at the Memphis Conference Female Institute, located here.  Ethel and Dan are yet in Public School, and all except Dan are now over at Sav. enjoying their vacation.  I dont see anything extra or to brag about in any of my children.  We are all, just common ordinary folks.  And of what is of more importance we are all well, and their mama, Dan and myself are now enjoying ourselves quietly at home.

Affectionately, your brother Dick.

<signed> D. W. Herring