Union Church [Jefferson County], Mississippi
January 11, 1890
Dear Sister,
I will try and write you a few lines today. We are not very well. Pa is sick in the bed and all of us have the cold or the grip. Mannie is in bed too.
I had a fine Christmas. I went to Wesson and stayed four days. I came home on Monday and have been here ever since.
I will tell how our crop turned out. We made a very good crop, 6 barrels of molasses and 70 bails of cotton. If we get 9 cents, we will do pretty well.
I was at cousin Tom Youngblood's and Hattie told me to tell you to write to her and she would answer your letters. Henry E. has been very sick but they think he is better now. Charley Garrett has moved over to cousin Frank Buie's place. Finished moving yesterday. Had a bad day for moving. Willie Garrett has just left here, he will stay with E. E. Shaw again this year.
Mrs. Cameron died last Sunday night. She died suddenly, she told Miss Anie she wanted to see Mrs. Blue and Miss Anie got Mrs. Blue there. She breathed once and was dead.
Sister, we hear that Mr. Sam Osborne's wife has quit him and has come to her father's
We will not be bothered anymore with the whiskey. The shop has closed and the whiskey is all gone. Mother told me to tell you to send Grandma some word, that it would do her good to hear.
Cousin Dave Galbreath wants to know if you want the Piedmont school. So write and say whether you want it or not.
Until next time,
Your brother, Edgar
Dear Little Nephew,
I send you this little box and hope you can eat some of the meat. Some of us may come to see you the last of the week. Tell Papa I want a gallon of sorgham. Aunt Rose [Rose Delaney Garrett, married to Edgar's brother, Jodie Garrett] has just left. She couldn't go by to see you because it was too much on the little baby. I hope you are better by now, my dear little boy. You must believe and ask Jesus to be with you.
Your loving Aunt Lola
The village of Perth was a short distance from the Scottish Settlement of Union Church.
Perth, Mississippi
February 7, 1917
Dear Leta Mae,
I have been thinking of you. I will just write this time to tell you that Aunt Arie [Arie Garrett King, Edgar's sister] has a might sick little girl. Little Nannie has pneumonia. The doctor went to see her Saturday and has been back every day since, but did not pronounce it pneumonia til Monday. Her fever has been from 102-104, was not quite 104 this eve. They have no thermometer and do not take her temperature only when the doctor is there. The doctor says there will not be any change in her condition before Friday. We hope she will be better then, but pneumonia is a very treacherous disease. Arie is awfully distressed. They have to sit up with her, Arie and Ira. And Aunt Arie has an awful sore throat and pain in the side of her neck and all of the children have been sick with cold and fever. You know they have moved down into Mama King's house and I guess it had a bad effect for them. I haven't been able to be with them much as Uncle Will [Gibson] went to Silver Creek Monday to see his sister. You know she is not well.
[The second page is missing. Nannie King was about 10 years old at the time of her illness; she survived the pneumonia and lived into her 80's.]
Perth, Mississippi
June 18, 1917
My dear Leta Mae,
Aunt Lola says that she has told two stories for me and she was not going to tell anymore, so I must get busy and write to you before I ask her to tell another. I just wonder how you are this morn and how did you enjoy the cool weather. We actually had two big fires Saturday night just like winter time. We had a good rain Wednesday and some hail. I tell you we were so thankful to see that rain. Everything was so dry. Uncle Will [Gibson] had the blues and all of the ponds were dry except one, and it was about dry. The cattle would soon have to have been watered. It did not rain everywhere though. Virgil [Edgar and Ada's son] was here Saturday night and he said they did not get any, so they are hauling water yet.
Virgil sure did surprise me, he has grown so much, I liked to have not known him. He says everybody is well at your house. Papa got a new stove Saturday. Now don't you know that your Mama is proud. I do. But I know that she will be disappointed this morning when Virgil gets home. He went over to Grandma's to get a cow and do you know they could not get that cow to leave home at all. Grandpa tried to help him get started, of course, and they simply could not get her off. Virgil said perhaps his Papa would come back and they together could take her. It's awful to be without milk.
Well, yesterday was preaching day at Nebo. We had a pretty good crowd out, some of those that have not been coming turned out yesterday. Walter and all of his family and Frank and Jennie were there. We had two services but no dinner. We all came home and went back at five.
You are about half through with your course, are you not? I hope that you are getting along all right and will derive lots of benefit from it. Perhaps you will be able to get a school somewhere. I heard Florence got two. Edwin [Dawkins] went away right off. It made me feel so bad for him to leave. It seemed like Grandpa needed him so much.
I had to quit and help finish up dinner and now I am so uncomfortable I've forgotten what I wanted to say. From what I hear, guess you have not felt uncomfortable from eating too much since you got over there. We have cabbage galore, we are all so tired of them, but Grandpa says there is nothing else, his beans are not going to do anything. We've had two or three little messes of okra and had tomatoes today.
When you come home you must come up and spend a week with us. I know you will have lots to talk about.
My time is up. I want to write a few lines to Uncle Jodie [Garrett]. They were all right when I heard last.
Lots of love from us all to you,
Aunt Flora
June 1, 1917
My Dear Niece,
Your card just received. I think they might write to you every day. Flora can write such a good letter. Aunt Mamie [Mamie Dawkins Smith, Ada's sister] came up Friday and went back yesterday. Mr. Clem and Mr. Charlie Lee and Miss Florine all went off Friday. I suppose Miss Mary and Mr. Ira [King?] are quite lonely. Yes, I am very glad to have Aunt Flora with me once more. She will write to you soon. She spent Saturday night and yesterday with Aunt Mamie [Mamie Dawkins Smith was Ada's sister] at Grandpa Dawkins'. Edwin is working at Fayette, boarding with Aunt Hattie. Grandma Dawkins [Ada's mother, Ella Osborne Dawkins] gave them chicken pie for dinner yesterday. Now, don't that make you hungry?
It's so dry Grandpa's [her father, Josiah Garrett] garden is about to burn up, but we will have cabbage and Irish potatoes.
If you have time, write and tell me what you are doing and how you like it there. I will let Aunt Flora tell you the news as I am busy canning berries today. We were at Aunt Arie's Saturday. Flora Marie [King] is going to write to you. The little boys are here spending the week.
Give my love to Nita and a lot for yourself from us all.
Aunt Lola
Meadville (Franklin County), Mississippi
Thursday Eve, June 14, 1917
My dear Sister,
We have been very busy today. Mama washed and we tried to cook dinner. But we got through by 3 o'clock and E. J. and Benton [Edgar and Ada's sons] and I went and picked a big bucket of berries. I wish you were here to help pick some to put up. It rained a little this morning the first drizzle we have had since you left. We are still watering the geese. It looks like everything will starve to death for water. They have to water the cows and horses and things at the spring now. We haven't got anything in the garden to eat now, but cabbage and corn.
Ernestine [their little sister, later Godbold] is learning to crawl now. She can lay down and get up herself. I guess she will be crawling good by the time you get back. Aunt Mamie went to Jefferson [County] and brought Aunt Hattie's [Hattie Erwin Dawkins, m. Ada's brother, Stephen Fairly Dawkins] baby buggy to her the other day. Virgil is going to Jefferson to get a cow pretty soon. We are buying condensed milk for the baby now.
Did you get your skirt Mama sent you? Mama says she is about to try to cook E. J. a birthday cake today. She said she would let me write this time.
Be sure and write to us and let us know how you are.
Your sister,
Florelle
Hamburg [Franklin County], Mississippi
July 8, 1929
My Dear Sis,
Will write you little this morn. as I know you want to hear from boys. They made it in here about 6 o'clock Sat. eve. They said they had to wait along right smart to catch rides but they got off at Bush's about 2:30, came on up to Ernest Shaw's. Went in there to get drink of water so he treated them to Cola and watermelon, said they were some hungry. So they set out again, feeling better, turned off at Mrs. Dennis', came down hill this side of old Arch Barns' [sp.?] house and instead of coming on across branch, they took up that bottom toward Bob Johnson's and came out over at Russ Pritchard's. They turned back there and hit Lee Pritchard's telephone line over toward Daniels pasture and landed in here hot and hungry. Of course, we were looking down road all time for them, Ralph [her husband, Ralph Smith] and me were sitting on porch and Mama [Ella Dawkins, who was a widow and living with them] was in room reading. I had just gotten up to go and start fire in stove when we heard somebody knocking at back doorsteps, so I stopped and listened and they knocked again. I was so shocked I was scared to look, you know no one ever comes up back there. When I saw who it was I told them I had a good mind to beat them up. They took it for a joke, of course. They were hot and tired. I flew around and got them some coffee and supper in a few minutes. Had butter beans, okra, potatoes and such like cooked, for I was expecting them in. They looked like then they felt about as well as ever. We made them big shuck mattress. I gave E. J. a small pillow, told him he could put his clothes under it, gave them an old quilt and some four sacks for wash rags and towels but they left them this morn. I was up between 3 and 4 to get them off. Ralph was going to take them so he thought about trucks would be going down there, so he took them up to Leon Varnado's real early, said they would have lots of ways. Came right on and met Johnie and William with their truck going down there. He and Mike are sawing today at Zion Hill, Mike came to see him Sat. about it. Herman is logging it out and taking it to Sid Smith's. Ralph was about to get out of heart, didn't have a dime, no job and no clothes, said if something didn't turn up he was gone this week to hunt something. Guss wants him some but that won't be regular, just helping some and that isn't a living.
We had company yesterday. Willie King came after dinner. Archie brought carload, all his children and Daniel. Had plenty of watermelon. Boys all went off knocking wasp nests they sure did have them a time. While they were gone, Hattie, Nannie May's Fannie, Ernest and Erwin came. They stayed pretty late. Said then they wanted to go by and see Flora.
Bessie and Ernestine [Edgar and Ada's daughters] went to Ira's Thurs., but I told Bess if I were them I'd come back Sun., so after boys came, I sent them word yesterday to be sure and come. Ralph is going after them this eve to Miss Lola's. We want them to stay some more with us. I sure do hate for them to go home. We miss them when they leave. Teen [Ernesine] got off to Aunt Lola's and just stayed. Bessie and I went over there last Monday, but we walked and was so hot I didn't insist on Ernestine coming, but they are nearly sick if they are not together. She was just getting along fine, drinking more milk than ever, I think and resting lots. Martha wants to come over here and spend a day with them, I told her yesterday I would send her word just as soon as I got them over here and if weather stays good and no company this week, I want them to go over there one day. They wanted so bad to go seemed like. If Ralph saws a day _____ Guess he will be going that way in car and I'll let them go early with him. I told boys to hurry in Sat. eve. so I could see about their clothes. I had them all washed up and ironed for them when they got back.
They will get along all right and I don't think you need worry about them. Of course, eating may be short but we told them to come out if rained or every chance they get and get them good _____ of butter beans and milk and such like. They _____ stand that few days and I think their bed will be pretty good.
Sure do wish rest of you were close enough to help us enjoy watermelons. We have had some pretty good ones. Hope when you get moved you can come.
Hattie said Denon talked to them yesterday, said they would be over last of week, I don't know when but we imagine they will come about next Sun. I am mailing him letter today to see if he can tell us exactly when, for it works me so hard for a big crowd to come in unexpected.
Guess you and Florelle have missed children, but you ought to be enjoying the quiet. Reckon you miss them tho, waiting on you. I told Bessie several times I knew Mama needed her to wait on her especially when you wrote about your leg, but we sure have enjoyed having them with us. Miss Lola says, "I have to have one, they are such good help." I say, well I have to have to, too! They clean up house for me when they are here and it does real well. I think they are smart and Aunt Lola sure did brag on them. Of course, thing about it, out here, there is nothing to bother them when they start to do anything. Sure do hope Dr. will find Ernestine improved, but one thing that bothers me about her is a dry kind of cough she has. I have noticed it ever since she has been here, mostly when she lies down, but outside of that, she seems to be real well. There is so much TB these days, it pays to be on guard. Wish you all would decide to let them stay on, but I am anxious too for Teen to go to Dr. again. Maybe they can come some more from Meadville.
Tell Florelle to go right to Mrs. M_____ when she gets down there and she may be able to get her a school. I was going to try to get Higginbothem school for her when I went down there, bless goodness, they have given it to that crazy Houston Chapman.
Mama is lying down, we are by ourselves today, I want to go to the mailbox, haven't been in over a month.
Let us hear from you all soon and if you insist on children coming, tell us just when to bring them and where.
Lots of love to all,
Sis M.
Perth, Miss.
March 11 [year is illegible]
My dear girl,
I received your letter a few days ago and was certainly glad to get it. How do you like teaching and are you going to apply for the school again? I hope, if you do, you will get it for it's rather discouraging to be disappointed in getting a school. Perhaps this has given you a start and won't be so hard to get a school next time.
I have met the new preacher but have not heard him preach yet. I was sick the first time and last time he preached was such a bad day we didn't go.
Well, we are having some nice spring weather after so much cold. Sure will be bad if we have a cold snap about Easter and all the fruit and gardens get killed. I sure hope not, but won't be a bit surprised. Are you going to have any kind of a _____ at the close of your school? Ought to have an Easter hunt. Guess, tho, eggs are worth too much for that.
Think Edwin is waiting until you come home before he makes his trip to Franklin. He's promised to take Aunt Flora down there some time but that may be two or three weeks now as they are right busy with their work. Aunt Flora came home yesterday, only stayed a week in Fayette, didn't intend to stay long when she went. Aunt Hattie wanted to go see her mother and got Aunt Flora to keep house for her while she was gone. Aunt Hattie's mother has been right sick but think she is better.
Grandpa [Dawkins] and Edwin are planting corn today. We have some corn up also Irish potatoes. Will be late getting any little chicks off as I have just set my first hens. Hope everybody else will have the hawks fat by the time mine comes off so it won't take so many to _____. If Edwin is not too tired tonight will tell him to write some to you. Write to me often. Will close for this time.
Your loving Grandmother
Fayette, Miss.
January 12, 1932
Dear Homefolks,
I guess you will be looking to hear from me so will try to write you a few lines today.
How is everything making it by now?
We sure are having some bad weather this morning. I guess it will turn cold after this.
Mr. Smith's son-in-law from Jackson and two or three more have come down this morning to go bird hunting. Guess they will have a pretty bad time of it.
Everyone has moved out except Mr. Smith, _____ and myself. We have a pretty good cook though. It sure does get lonesome around here sometimes. Jim Middleton came by here yesterday eve. He lives down on the river somewhere. I think he is trying to get in with Mr. Smith. Has Papa gotten the ceiling up yet?
I sure would like to come home again pretty soon, but don't know when I will get to come.
I sure am going to try to save my money this year if I can hold my job. They haven't said anything about reducing my salary yet, but I am looking for it most any time.
Well, how is school these days? Have you all had exams yet?
I haven't heard from Virgil and them lately. I guess I had better write them a few lines.
Will close for this time.
With love,
E. J. G.
Thursday, April 18th, 1963
Our Dear Brother Edgar,
We got the pretty Easter card which we admired very much.
We are up and around this morning. The sun is shining. We do not get out much early in the morning as there is always a heavy dew. The grass and weeds are growing so fast and I do wonder how I am going to get my yard mowed.
Our boys are grown and have big jobs. I cut a few licks yesterday but my hoe was so dull it wouldn't cut. We have had but a little rain just enough to make the grass and leaves grow. We had such a good meeting at Nebo last week. We spent three nights at the Colemans and had a good time.
It is Corban's house and Archie and his wife live with him.
Billy King, Robert's boy, has married a very nice pretty little girl and we know we are going to like her. From what I can hear they are beginning to start a family and may build them a house over on Robert's place. We will be looking for you and by all means stay awhile with us. We do not have a thing to do but take care of ourselves.
PAGE TWO IS MISSING.
.......meeting at Nebo. Billy King's wife joined the church there. She had been baptized into the Catholic Church but our preacher said the Methodist Church would accept that baptism and Billy had told her she would have to forget being a Catholic.
I must stop and we will talk when you come.
Lots of love,
Sisters
Garrett Reunions Garrett Records Dawkins-Osborne Records Estate Papers Isaac Garrett
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