1877 Letter from Mary Fentress

Date: 25 Apr 1877 [unknown]
Location: Coopertown, Robertson, Tennessee, United States
Surnames/tags: Fentress Williamson

A letter written 25 Apr 1877 by Mary A. Fentress to her brother-in-law John N. Williamson and his sister Susan describing family events and current and former neighbors.

Contents 1 Introductory Remarks 1.1 Provenance 2 People Mentioned 2.1 Mary A. Fentress 2.2 John N. Williamson 2.3 Susan Williamson 2.4 Cynthia Fentress Jr. 2.5 George Fentress 2.6 Andrew Ewing Fentress 2.7 James 2.8 George #2 2.9 Cousin John 2.10 Joe's family 2.11 Sammy Bracy 2.12 Plumer Mured or Muveed 2.13 George Demumbrane 2.14 Young Charly Miller 2.15 Allen Moore 2.16 Jess 3 Transcript of Letter 4 Sources 5 Acknowledgement

Introductory Remarks

The four page letter is a double letter. It's on the same stationary and the same handwriting; one to John Newton Williamson and one to his sister, Susan. The order of the pages is not entirely clear. Probably pages 3 and 4 are the continuation of the letter to John which starts on page 1 and the page labeled page 2 addressed to Susan ("Susie") is just one page. Note that the use by the author of the term "cousin" is not strictly according to the dictionary. Mary seems to use the term for any member of the extended family whether by marriage or not. Be careful not to confuse John Williamson's sister Susan with John Williamson's daughter Susan and also not with Mary's younger sister Susan

The two families (that of Mary and that of John & Sarah Williamson) had a long history of living near each other. John married Mary's older sister Sarah in Smith County, Tennessee in Aug 1835. At the time of the the Trial of Sarah's and Mary's father in October 1835, the two were near neighbors still in Smith County, Tennessee. The 1840 census^[1] shows that both families had moved to Civil District 18, Davidson County, Tennessee and were again neighbors. The 1850 census shows that the the two families had moved again with James and family moving to adjacent Robertson County, Tennessee^[2] and John and his family moving into Nashville where John worked as a laborer^[3]. The 1860 census^[4] shows that the two families were again living quite close to each other in the Western Division, Robertson County (post office Coopertown). James Fentress Sr. had died three months before the census was taken. John Williamson was farming again. The 1870 census^[5] shows both families still in Civil District 13, Robertson County. In 1877 Mary wrote her letter. The 1880 census shows that Mary and family (Mary's mother, Cynthia Sr, had died in 1872) were still in Robertson County^[6] and John Williamson had moved back to rural Davidson County, Tennessee where he continued farming^[7].

So in light of the above, a few passages in the letter probably need some comment. On page 3 of the letter Mary writes "George and Cynthia went to town. Got home Monday. Says they was all well at home. [Joes?] family was all well. Said George was getting along fine with his gardening." So the voyagers were Mary's sister Cynthia and Cynthia's son George. It is not clear what town they visited but "they got home Monday" sounds like it was a multi-day trip. One could therefore speculate that they went to Nashville which would have been 45-50 km. in a buggy. In Nashville or on the route, they seem to have met up with another George. The most likely person would have been John Williamson's son George. We see some time between 1870^[5] and 1880^[7] George Williamson had moved from Robinson County to Davidson County. So continuing this speculation, from the text of the letter (top of page 4) it would appear that John Williamson had suffered a few physical or mental health problems in the Summer of 1876 and had decided not keep up his farm for the Summer of 1877 but to visit his sister instead. It may be that when he returned from his sojourn, he went to live with his son in Davidson county.

Because the cover of the letter has not survive and because John Williamson's sister Susan has not yet been well researched, we do not know where she lived.

Provenance

The letter has survived to the present thanks to the careful preservation by a grandson of Susan Williamson (Susan was one of the addressees of the letter). It was scanned (see accompanying images) for the Williamson family descendants by one of the grandchildren of the grandson. The original of this letter and about 80 other old Williamson family letters of a similar nature were donated in the second quarter of 2021 to the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

People Mentioned

The following people are mentioned in the letter. Some of them we know nothing about.

Mary A. Fentress

Mary A. Fentress (1820-1893) (the author of the letter) was the younger sister of Sarah P. (Fentress) Williamson (abt.1814-1898), who was the wife of John Newton Williamson (abt.1809-1886).  In her letter (page 2), Mary mentions that she has not married and never intends to do so.

John N. Williamson

John Newton Williamson (abt.1809-1886) was one of the two recipients to whom the letter was addressed and was the brother-in-law of the letter writer.  In her letter (page 1), Mary references John's illness (as explained above).

Susan Williamson

Susan (the other recipient), known as Susie (pages 2 and 4), is still to be researched but the letter identifies her as the sister of John Williamson (page 1).  It is unknown whether she was married or where she lived.

Cynthia Fentress Jr.

Cynthia L. Fentress Jr. (abt.1822-abt.1913) is the next younger sister of Mary with whom she lived (page 3).

George Fentress

George W. Fentress (abt.1854-abt.1920) is the son of Cynthia L. Fentress Jr. and the nephew of Mary (page 3). In the 1860 to 1880 time period he lived with Cynthia L. Fentress Jr. and Mary.

Andrew Ewing Fentress

Andrew Ewing Fentress (1855-1906) was known as Ewing (page 3), at this stage of his life anyway. He was the son of Mary's younger brother James Fentress Jr. and had been raised by Mary. James started his working life as a seller of fruit trees^[6] and Mary mentions in the letter the fine stand of fruit trees (peaches) that they have growing on the property (page 3).

James

It is unclear which James this is that had recently visited with Mary (page 1). It could be Mary's younger brother James Fentress Jr. (abt.1831-1905) but more likely is that this refers to James Williamson, the son of John Williamson (and Mary's nephew). James Williamson is shown in the 1870 census^[5] as age 27 and living with his parents and farming. If the letter refers to John's son, this might explain the somewhat oblique remark made by Mary (page 1) that "We all miss you all, but James". If James was a member of John's immediate family he would see his father regularly and thus have no cause to miss him.

George #2

As mentioned above in the introductory remarks, It is not completely clear which George Cynthia and George Fentress visited on their trip to Nashville but it was probably George Washington Williamson (1846-1919).

Cousin John

It is unclear who "Cousin John" is but probably some relation of John Williamson's sister Susan (page 2). He is NOT necessarily a cousin of Mary.

Joe's family

This is mentioned on page 3 in conjunction with the trip to Nashville but it is completely unclear to whom this might refer.

Sammy Bracy

A neighbor of Mary - on the same census page as Mary in the 1880 census^[6]. His wife had been ill (page 1) - the wife may or may not have been the same as "Old Mrs. Bracy" who sent greetings (page 4). The census shows that Sam's wife was named Beth and she was age 52 in 1880. In Mary's terms (age 60 in 1880) she would not deserve the moniker 'old'.

Plumer Mured or Muveed

A former neighbor of John (page 3). The 1870 census^[5] shows an "H. P. Murrah", age 45, on the same census page as John Williamson.

George Demumbrane

Probably a former neighbor of John Williamson (page 1). The 1870 census^[5] shows a family named "Demumbreun" on the same census page but there is no "George" or "G." in that family.

Young Charly Miller

Probably a former neighbor of Mary and John Williamson (page 3).

Allen Moore

Probably a former neighbor of Mary and John Williamson (page 4).

Jess

Too little information to search for further information (page 4).

Transcript of Letter

Page 1
======
Near CooperTown
April.25.77
Mr. Williamson
Dear Sir

I now take my pen in hand to write you a few lines. I have nothing interesting to write, but I will write some anyhow. We all are well. Mr. Williamson we all was so glad when we heard that you got off up there. You know that I begged you to go al the time you was not able to work. Such a good time for you to go to see your sister Susan. Seems that you doted on her. You seemed like you was always thinking about her. The neighbors are generally well. Old Sammy Bracy's wife is sick. She is better now. We all miss you all, but James. He comes to see us. He left here yesterday morning to go home. He stayed two weeks here. He was right sick while he was here. George Demumbrane's old mare is living yet, but looks bad. Don't look like she can live.

Page 2
======
Dear Cousin Susie,

I will write you a few lines. It has been a long time since I saw you, but I have not forgotten you. I recollect you better than any person I know of. We all did wish that you could have come to Robertson to see us all. How is cousin John getting along? It has been so long since I saw him. He used to plague me about marrying. I told him that I did not intend to marry. "Oh, Mary", he said, "it is destined, the people all has." Cousin Susie, John has got the best children I ever saw. They don't want him to do nothing. They will take care of him as long as he lives. Susie is an exception. She is one of the greatest girls living. She is so good hearted. I must close. You must be sure to write some. Cynthia joins in love to you, all the family. My _____ well wishes for your fervent happiness. So, I will close this time. I remain affectionate cousin until death.

Mary Fentress

Page 3
======
George and Cynthia went to town. Got home Monday. Says they was all well at home. [Joes?] family was all well. Said George was getting along fine with his gardening. Says they are all getting on fine. George and Ewing is getting long fine with their crops. They have got a nice new ground cleared on the back of the field. Got such rich land for tobacco. They are planting corn, wheat looks fine. There is a fine prospect for fruit to all peaches [peches-ohlyinplaces?] Plumer Mured [or Muveed?] is tending your old place. He has made a garden in your old garden. We have got the finest garden in this neighborhood. Young Charly Miller keeps bad off. They don't think he will live long. I do think you ought to be thankful that you can go see all of your connection, old acquaintances, have time to go see them all, not have to hurry around to come home. James said when he left here that he was going up there. We do hope that you may be satisfied, enjoy your trip fine and keep well.

Page 4
======
There ain't no person going to live in your old house. The neighbors all says that you done right to go see your sister and all the kinfolk around and rest this summer, for if you went home you would overdo yourself. For we all know how it done you last summer. I do think that it will improve your health to rest some this summer. Cousin Susie is a good Doctor. I have heard you say that will be a great help to you. Allen Moore, Jess, Old Mrs. Bracy, a good many sends their kindest respects to you. Says take car of yourself. Cynthia, George and Ewing joins me in kind love to you. You must get some of them to write to us soon. We all would be so glad to hear from you. So I will close this time. Now I remain yours truly.

Mary

Sources

^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} United States Census, 1840 database with images, FamilySearch (18 August 2017), James Fentress, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 351, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 520; FHL microfilm 24,543. This was enumerated in Civil District No. 18 of Davidson County, Tennessee. On line 14 of image 173 of the microfilm it shows 8 household members incl. James Fentress, no slaves. The family members are :

   1 male under 5 (b. 1836-40) - thought to be A.J. / Archable Fentress

   1 male 5-9 (b. 1831-1835) - thought to be James Fentress Jr.

   1 male 60-69 (b. 1771-1780) - thought to be James Fentress Sr.

   1 female 10-15 (b. 1826-1830) - unknown who this might be

   2 females 15-19 (b. 1821-1825) - thought to be ? & Cynthia Jr.

   1 female 20-29 (b. 1811-1820) - thought to be Mary A.

   Sarah/Sallie probably left home prior to this census (married pre-1835)

   1 female 50-60 (b. 1780-1790) - Thought to be Cynthia L. (Walker) Fentress Sr.
   

   The second following entry on the same census page (on line 16 of image 173 of the microfilm) is for John N. Williamson and his family including Sallie (Fentress) Williamson who is the eldest daughter of James Fentress Sr. The Williamson family has :

   John (age 30-40 = born ~1800-~1810)

   wife (presumably Sallie) (age 20-30 = born ~1810-~1820) and

   3 daughters (age under 5 = born ~1835-~1840). They owned a young slave couple with 2 children.

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} United States Census, 1850 database with images, FamilySearch (12 April 2016), James Fentriss, Robertson county, Robertson, Tennessee, United States; citing family 1787, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). This was enumerated on 29 October, 1850 in District 13, Robertson County, Tennessee and shows :

   "James Fentriss" (Male, age 73, born North Carolina, occupation farmer, value of land owned $150)

   "Cyntha Fentriss" (Female, age 58, born Virginia)

   "Mary A Fentriss" (Female, age 29, born Tennessee)

   "Archable Fentriss" (Male, age 13, born Tennessee).

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} United States Census, 1850 database with images, FamilySearch (12 April 2016), John Williamson, Davidson county, part of, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing family 583, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). This shows the family living in Nashville in "Subdivision No. 2" (the family is split across images # 228 & 229 of the microfilm - the subdivision can be seen on image 149).  :

   "John Williamson" (Male, age 40, born Tennessee, occupation laborer)

   "Sarah Williamson" (Female, age 36, born Tennessee)

   "Susan Williamson" (Female, age 14, born Tennessee)

   "Mary Williamson" (Female, age 12, born Tennessee)

   "Catharine Williamson" (Female, age 10, born Tennessee)

   "James Williamson" (Male, age 8, born Tennessee)

   "Francis Williamson" (Male, age 6, born Tennessee)

   "George Williamson" (Male, age 4, born Tennessee)

   "Cynthia Williamson" (Female, age 4 months, born Tennessee).

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} United States Census, 1860 database with images, FamilySearch (12 December 2017), S A Williamson in entry for J N Williamson, 1860. This source is speculative due to use of initials only but the initials and ages roughly match the John N. Williamson and Sallie Sarah P. Fentress family. This was enumerated on 6 Jun 1860 and shows that the family had moved north to the Western Division of Robertson County (post office Coopertown) and consisted of :

   "J N Williamson" (Male, age 51, born Tennessee, occupation farmer, value of real estate $700, other assets $165)

   "S P Williamson" (Female, age 46, born Tennessee)

   "S A Williamson" (Female, age 21, born Tennessee)

   "Jas Williamson" (Male, age 18, born Tennessee)

   "Geo Williamson" (Male, age 13, born Tennessee).
   

   Note that the family is listed on images 18 & 19 of the census. Also on image 19, in the nearby household of J. H. Holmes, are "Smitha Ventress" (Female, age 71, born Virginia), "Mary Ventress" (Female, age 38, born Tennessee), "S Ventress" (Female, born 35, born Tennessee), "A J Ventress" (Male, age 22, born Tennessee), "Isalla Ventress" (Female, age 18, born Tennessee), "Geo Ventress" (Male, age 8, born Tennessee). It is likely that "Smitha Ventress" is Sallie's mother, "Mary Ventress", "S Ventress" and "A J Ventress" are Sallie's siblings, "Isalla Ventress" is A. J. Fentress's wife and "Geo Ventress" is S. Fentress's son.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} United States Census, 1870 database with images, FamilySearch (12 April 2016), Syntha Ventress in household of M A Ventress, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 16, family 74, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,055. This was enumerated on 22 Aug 1870 in Civil District 13 of Robertson County, Tennessee (post office Cedar Hill) and shows in image 10 of the microfilm :

   "M A Ventress" (Female, age 49, born Tennessee, keeping house)

   "Syntha Ventress" (Female, age 47, born Tennessee)

   "George Ventress" (Male, age 18, born Tennessee, occupation farming)

   "A E Ventress" (Male, age 14, born Tennessee, occupation farming)

   "C L Ventress" (Female, age 80, born Tennessee).
   

   And in image 5 of the same microfilm we find the family of John Williamson as follows :
   United States Census, 1870 database with images, FamilySearch (12 April 2016), Sarah Williamson in household of J N Williamson, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 5, family 34, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,055. This was enumerated on 20 Aug 1870 in the 13th Civil District of Robertson County, Tennessee (post office Cedar Hill) and shows :

   "J N Williamson" (Male, age 60, born Tennessee, occupation farmer, real estate value $800, other assets $250)

   "Sarah Williamson" (Female, age 56, born Tennessee)

   "G W Williamson" (Male, age 22, born Tennessee, occupation farming)

   "James Williamson" (Male, age 27, born Tennessee, occupation farming).

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} United States Census, 1880 database with images, FamilySearch (15 July 2017), Mary Fentrip in household of Cintha Fentrip, District 13, Robertson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district ED 187, sheet 168C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1277; FHL microfilm 1,255,277. This was enumerated on 2 Jun 1880 in District 187 (civil district 13) of Robertson County, Tennessee - rural. It shows :

   "Cintha Fentrip" (Self, Female, age 56, born Tennessee, father born Virginia, mother born North Carolina, occupation farmer)

   "Mary Fentrip" (Sister, age 60, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee [!])

   "George Fentrip" (Son [of Cintha], age 26, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, occupation farmer)

   "Ewing Fentrip" (Nephew, age 23, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, occupation "selling fruit trees")

   "John Farley" (boarder, Male, age 12, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee).

7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} United States Census, 1880 database with images, FamilySearch (15 July 2017), Sarah Williamson in household of John N Williamson, District 18, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district ED 77, sheet 280C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1251; FHL microfilm 1,255,251. This shows :

   "John N Williamson" (Self, Male, age 70, born Tennessee, father born Virginia, mother born Tennessee, occupation farmer)

   "Sarah Williamson" (Wife, married, age 64, born Tennessee, father born North Carolina, mother born Virginia)

   "Susie Williamson" (Daughter, single, age 38, born Tennessee, occupation clerk in Trimming Store)

   "George W Williamson" (Son, single, age 34, born Tennessee, occupation farm laborer)

   "Jennie Williamson" (Daughter, single, age 32, born Tennessee).

Acknowledgement

To Brenda Cowan Francis who made the letter public, to Kristen Boxley who made the Fentress family aware of it, to the unknown guy who scanned it and the unnamed grandfather who who kept the original safe for many years.