On this page we have two letters written to John Washington Harvey.
The first is an old letter from his sister Laura Nelson. It was written
on 7 sheets of paper and is presented as same. The second letter, 2 pages,
were from F.M. Bassham, the father of Ed Bassham who married John's daughter
Oma.
| Page1
Nocona Tex
Rte #2 Box 20
June 1, 1910
Mr John Harvey
Dear Brother and all...
After sometime delay will try
and answer your most kind and welcome letter. This leaves all well as common.
I was glad to get those pictures you sent me. Would be glad to have yours
too as I havent got it. Well how are you al getting along by this time?
Are you all |
| Page 2
still having dry weather out there? We have
had several pretty good showers since I written you last but are needing
rain now. Had a right smart hail about two weeks ago which engered things
some. Well I guess you all feel kind a lonesome since Mintie married. Where
does she live now? You didn't tell me where Marthas children were. Do you
ever get any letters |
| Page 3
from the Higgens children? We dont never hear from any of them except Foy and
Mattie. We have had one letter from them this spring. We wrote to Foy in
regard to holding a meeting here this summer but he said he couldn't come
on account of all his time being takened up. I suppose you knew that Tleddy
was preaching now. Well John you spoke of the cedars being dead that you
set at Pa's |
| Page 4
grave. Did you get those graves fixed up in
any way before you left there so as they could be recognized in future
time? I would be willing at any time to help put tombstones to Pa'a grave.
It seems to me that it ought to be done. I believe you have told me before
that the grave yard there was well cared for. Say, tel me what year pas
was boned in as I am not sure. |
| Page 5
Do you her from uncle Jake or know where he
is? I will never forget the time we met at Pa's the summer uncle Jake was
down here it being the last time for several of us to meet in this life.
I had a card from Zena about too weeks ago. She said that Meetus and Walter
had come to Texas to work. Had been gone two weeks and they heard from
them. Said it was awful dry there |
| Page 6
and didn't look as if it would ever rain. We
hear that Aunt Nance's health is a good deal better now. Well I wish you
could bring Iva and the children and come to see us this summer. Tell Haley
and Will Hello for me. Well I ask before but will ask it over Where Will
gets his mail. I wil bring my letter to a close hoping to hear from you
sooner than |
| Page7
I have written you.
Best wishes to all
Your Sister
Laura Nelson |
| We have a number of questions and
notes we have made of this letter that we felt should also be listed here.
Ref page 3 - The spelling of the name "Tleddy"
is only my interpretation of the name written and is no doubt incorrect.
It was hard to decipher. Can anyone help on this.
Ref page 4 - A headstone was placed on his grave site. The headstone
indicates his birth as 1814. The headstone was placed on his grave almost
10 years after his death, and the date was just a guess on their part.
We have since shown that it should have been 1820. (1820-1900)
Ref page 5 - Uncle Jake? Uncle Jake was Thomas Harvey's half brother.
All of Thomas' half brothers and sisters are listed on one of the census
records.
Ref page 6 - This was a little confusing at first, but....
Aunt Nancy is Nancy (McLain) Mead and her relationship is:
- 1. Daughter of David McLain
- 2. Sister of James McLain
- 3. Sister of Margaret (McLain) Harvey (John's first wife)
- 4. Aunt of Iva (McLain) Harvey (John's second wife)
- 5. No blood relationship to Laura (the writer of this letter)
Iva is Mrs John W. Harvey and the children in 1910 were:
- Floyd Dennis Harvey, age 4
- Arba Cledus Harvey, age 2
Haley and Will are: - William James McClain and Mahala Ann (Newman) McClain.
The following letter was written to John Washington Harvey from F.M.
Bassham, the father of Ed Bassham, married to Oma Harvey, daughter of John.
I am not sure of the outcome of his wishes, but it sounds as if he wanted
John to play cupid.
| Page 1
Bonham Texas, 5 May 1914
Mr J W Harvey
Deare sir as I have thught of you as conectd
I will drop you these few lines. I have come to the conclus to find me
an onother help meate. I cant think of eney one that suits me eny better
than aunt Huldie. As you no ???? I will ask you to see her an let me no
at once. This is the rhart way. She have no children |
| Page 2
to come in the way. Mine is out of the way
& cant hender. I will close hoping to here from you soon giving her
full name.
Yours truley.
F. M. Bassham
Keepe this to your self. |
Conected - possibly his way of saying
that they are related.
????? - Couldn't decipher the word
and don't have any idea unless he meant to say "John".
Rhart - right??
My question is.... Did the letter help?
To return to previous page
use the "Back Button" on your browser
|
|