Letter to Mr. Wiley
B. Hill, Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, Florida

from Mr. Albert L.
Allen of Hattiesburg, Mississippi:

Hattiesburg,
Mississippi

April 20, 1966

Dear Mr. Hill:

Thanks very much
for the information in your last letter. I appreciate it very much.
I have an old Allen Family Bible that includes many names I've never
heard of before and know nothing of the connection between them and
the Allens. I'm sure they were close relations but I have no idea
just how.

I'm enclosing a
couple of small sheets giving information about Delila Elmira Bennett
who married my great grandfather. Her date of birth and marriage are
included in the Bible and her death date and place were taken from
her tombstone.

I'm taking a
couple of weeks annual leave in June and hope to spend two or three
days in Monticello and Lawrence County. I also hope to check on some
cemeeteries in the area you mentioned. I'm sure that the Patterson
and Bennett land was close to the old Silver Creek Baptist Church
about four miles below the town of Silver Creek. This is an old
church and I'll check the cemetery to see if I can find any Bennett
grave markers.

My mother's
health and mind are very good for her age but she has quit writing.
She never writes us—my sister and me – anymore. Two or
three people have written her about our family and she always refers
them to me because she thinks I might have some information they
could use.

Again, I
appreciate the information you sent me, and if and when I find
anything else on the Bennett's.

Sincerely, Albert
L. Allen

---

Enclosed in the
envelope are three notes detailing information from the Allen Family
Bible. They are:

1. Delila
   Elmira Bennet Allen died 27 October 190? and is buried in Baptist
   Church Cemetery about one mile west of Silver Creek, Mississippi.

   
   

2. William G.
   Allen was married to Delila E. Bennett, his wife, November the 2^nd,
   1843, A.D. Delila E. Bennett was born May the 11^th,
   1826. This taken from the Allen Family Bible, in possession of
   Albert L. Allen, as of 20 April 1966, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

   
   

Death Certificate
Extraction

Mississippi State
Board of Health #13648

Marion County,
Mississippi (Columbia Precinct)

Ruth Bennett, White Single
Female

Died 15 July 1926 at the age of 17 years, one month, one day. She
was attended for this illness by Dr. Thompson from 30 Nov 1925, until
the 15^th of July, 1926. Cause of death: (Cannot
decipher). Informant: Mrs. Mary Bennett, (mother).

Ruth was born 14 Jun 1909 in Columbia, Marion, Mississippi. Her
father was J. T. Bennett, who was b orn in Lauren County,
Mississippi. Ruth's mother was born Mary Burkett in Jeff Davis
County, Mississippi.

My poor attempts at a Translation of a letter from William Claiborne (W.C.)Tucker to Mrs. Eunice Hall (Tucker), his sister.

Date of Letter is 16 Apr 1943 (Postmark at 8:30a.m.), 307 North 5th Street
West Monroe, La.

Address for Eunice at this time is 835 Forest Road, Columbus, Georgia.

W.C. Tucker is age 67, approx., at this time. My grandmother Eunice was age 56 approx., at this time.

Dear Sister,

Received your letter sometime ago. Glad to hear from [you] and sorry your condition was not improved. I trust that treatment does you some good.

I have been having some severe head pains. Guess they are caused by neuritus. There was near 9 months that I was not bothered with the pains, but since February I have had some severe [attacks]. Maybe it will get better. I have all my teeth out but 7 ___? ones and the dentist says they are sound but I may have them pulled before long but I guess it is neuritus that causes it.

We are all very well now. Marthas mother had an attack last week and we had the Dr. here.

I have just come back from Mildreds. She has two fine little girls and they sure are foolish about me.

We have a very good garden; soon be eating English peas. Have lettuce, onions, and a little mustard [greens?]. Will have roasting ears by June 1st or sooner.

Well had a letter from Rosa [his sister, also] last Saturday. She said Jr. had cut off her allowance and she was going to try and get Frank to sell the place and give her her part and said she might come the 15th but she has not showed up yet. I wish she would come; Martha went to work Monday at the Laundry at $10.00 per week.

Well, I have about 1 and  acres to plant. Also to burn some off. It is as rich and loose as land can be. If I have any luck at all I want to put up 500 quarts of tomatoes, soups, beans and other things. Guess I will use glass jars as they are the cheapest in the long run.

I am looking for my Sam; he said they had promised him a furlough as soon as they could spare him a little while. They are making something for the government, but he said he could not tell what it was. Sam has always been a good boy to me, him and Mildred neither one has never sassed me.

Our church is doing very well. We have added 3 new members in the last 6 weeks. I think we will have district conference in May and I think I will get up a notch higher, then.

Well, I trust I will be able to go to Arizona in October to pick cotton one more season. I also want to see if that climate will help my neuritus. I want to go and see Lucius but I dont think I can make it before July as I have a lot of truck (garden produce?) To sell. So I will be quite busy.

I hope Rosa can come and stay this summer. Also I wish it was so you could come. So guess will close; will say a few words if I have heard from him (Lucius?) Since he was in Yuma. I believe it was and sure hate he is always in such unpleasant mind. He looks like could get some little watching job or something, now and stop awhile.

Well all send love and I sure wish I could do something for you. Maybe I can by fall. You should go out to Arizona. When I get there will wirte. When you feel like it my love to all and may the Lord bless you.

Your brother, W.C. Tucker.