Transcribed
and Contributed by Joe M. Walker
October
14, 2004
William Silcox Letter, October 18, 1865
This letter was written by
William Silcox of Henry County, Alabama to his
son-in-law James B. Standley of Trinity County,
Texas
Milly Ann Silcox was the 4th and final wife of
James B. Standley. They were married in Henry
County, Alabama on April 23, 1849. Milley Ann
was born January 17, 1829, the daughter of
William Silcox and Sarah Harrod.
At the time this letter was written, William
Silcox was 74 years old, Sarah Harrod Silcox was
55, James B. Standley was 56 and Milley Ann
Silcox Standley was 36.
This letter was among some Standley papers
donated to the Polk County Heritage Museum by
Joe Marion Standley of Texas City, TX.
* Jackson & Davey Silcox were
sons of William & Sarah Silcox.
* Not sure why he thought his daughter, Milley
Standley was dead.
* The John and Nancy Hair he referred to was
James B. Standley’s son John M.
* Standley who, at the age of 10, had gone to
live with his aunt Nancy Hair who lived in
Jackson County, FL., just a few miles south of
Henry County, AL
Transcription of Letter
| Alabamer henry
co. this October tha 18 1865
Dier Son i sete
my self to drop you a few lins (lines) to in form
you that were all well at this time hoping
thes (these) few lins may find you all well an
a doing well - i hant no gude (good) nuse (news) to rite
times is hard her (here) but we can regoss
(rejoice) at one thing - this union wore (war)
is over - permitted we cold (could)
a had the gude (good) luck to a got
all our Sons home a gain - we had the bad luck to
lose our olest Son in it - John did (died)
at a prisner in Maryland at point lookout
he was ecaping - he left too children. his
wife an children is her (here) in mycer
(my care) - I her (hear) that Miley an is ded -
i am Saro (sorry) her (hear) it but i
am in hope it
ant So - ef (if)
it bea (be) so i want you to rite an an let
me no (know) lest Jackson an Davey come there safe
- i want you to rite to me what alded (ailed)
Miley an when she dide (died) an
how long she was Sick an
how meny children She left an how bige
her last child is - all my children is all grone
but 3 Matsons (my son’s ? ) child is well
- John and Nancy Hair was well the
other day an a doing well
i will cose (close) for this time -
by Sain (sign) i Still remain your
father an mother until deth (death)
William Silcox an
Sary Silcox to James Standley |
Actual Copy of Letter
Mr. Walker invites anyone who might have more information or
corrections to contact him.
|
