Letter of 19 Dec 1977 from Wiley B. Hill, Jr., my dad, to Mrs. and Mrs. Earl Rudolph Hill, [They were residing in Middleton, Colorado at this time; Rudolph is my Dad's brother].
"Dear Rachel, Rudy, and Laman, [Rachel is Rudolph's wife, "Rudy" is the nickname for my Uncle Rudolph, and Laman is their son]:
It's doubful that this shall reach you prior to Christmas, but I hope so. In spite of my long days of procrastination, I did want you to know that we care for you...all of you. Sometimes, I find it difficult to write anyone, and I've gone thru one of those periods.
Just for example: I delayed filing my income tax statements for 1972, 73, 74, until this past year. And the same with 1975 & 76. I was just bull-headed and wanted to see just how far I could tempt them. The fire added to my delay [there had been a fire at the big house while mother was gone a short trip and dad was sleeping alone in the house], and my many excuses before given. However to make a long story short, a bevy of birds flew in from Washington and gave me a short short directionary course in the filing of tax returns. And now I'm an expert. They reminded me that Eglin Federal Prison wasn't quite full yet...
Now, I just owe them the 1976 return, and soon will be after '77.
To give you a resume of what the last year has done to ye ole former private, U.S. Air Force:
My tax accountant after having been requested by my banker to provide him with a recent financial statement [from] which I learned, finally, that I was a millionaire, on paper, but I owe more money than I ever have, previously. And I'm in the process of opening up another subdivision of lots which I hope will be sold before the "final" crunch comes.
[This is only the first page of the letter, or possibly, my dad never finished the letter; I failed to locate any additional pages, thus far.]
Family Notes from Marg:
Earl Rudolph Hill
Social Security Death Index Info
Blue Springs, Jackson County, Missouri where Uncle Rudolph lived at the time of his death.
Raquel R. Hill: was born 17 Dec 1924 and
Died: 28 Dec 1996
The spirit of exploring and celebrating where we came from is the work of genealogists. My Dad, "Bennie" Hill, was the quintessential family historian. He caught the bug later in life but spent the next 33 years making up for lost time. Thanks to you, Dad, I'm hooked!
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Looking through a plastic box of loose papers, tonight. The legacy and genealogy left to me by my dad is just not going to all get done, I fear. However, here is a carbon copy or rough draft of something that is probably continued somewhere else, in another box:
On the 11th of February, 1881, Wiley Benjamin Hill (to become Sr.) became the fifth of seven sons and two daughters of John Mack Hill, and his wife, Louisa Lydia King. These folks led an intinerant existence, moving frequently from rural farm area to shifting logging communities that were located in Marion County, Mississippi. Wiley carries the name given to his grandfather, Wiley King. Benjamin was perhaps a given name of some statesman, (the senator from Georgia, Benjamin H. Hill?). Many Southerners admired Senator Hill for his patriotism during the days of and following the Civil War.
Wiley's brothers and sisters, in order of their birth were:
Always a good place to go to list queries or search for relatives is genealogy.com, in this case, to the Hill Forum.
The Early Years of Wiley Benjamin Hill, Sr. (my dad's father):
On the 11th of February, 1881, Wiley Benjamin Hill (to become Sr.) became the fifth of seven sons and two daughters of John Mack Hill, and his wife, Louisa Lydia King. These folks led an intinerant existence, moving frequently from rural farm area to shifting logging communities that were located in Marion County, Mississippi. Wiley carries the name given to his grandfather, Wiley King. Benjamin was perhaps a given name of some statesman, (the senator from Georgia, Benjamin H. Hill?). Many Southerners admired Senator Hill for his patriotism during the days of and following the Civil War.
Wiley's brothers and sisters, in order of their birth were:
- Langston "Lance" Joel Hill, born 25 Dec 1868; Died 15 Sep 1940; married Sarah Ann Mims on 13 April 1893.
- John Austin "Aus", born 29 Feb 1870; Died 4 Aug 1953; Unmarried
- Margaret Missouri Hill, born 7 Mar 1876; Died 15 Oct 1959; married William Alexander Conn on 13 Dec 1894 or 1897. See also: Peggy Conn Burley
- Mary Loucinda "Lou", born 29 Aug 1878; Died 15 April 1960; married Prentiss Ira Slade.
Always a good place to go to list queries or search for relatives is genealogy.com, in this case, to the Hill Forum.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Extract from Estate Administration (No Will)
County of Lawrence
State of Mississippi
To the Hon. John Dickerson, Judge of Probate Court:
Your undersigned petitioners respectfully show that Benjamin Bennett departed this life sometime in the month of February 1864, aged 92 years of age leaving a considerable estate consisting of one slave, about 80 acres of land, and promissory notes amounting to about $3,000.00, said personal estate amounting to about $4000.00 Petitioner does not know of any debts owing by said decedent.
Said decedent left the following named heirs:
Cynthis Saunders, Elizabeth Thames, Corandra or Cassandra Armstrong, of Choctaw Co., Mississippi; Richmond Bennett and Isaac Bennett. Also the children of Kasen (Kyzar?) Bennett, deceased, who was a son of said Benjamin Bennett, and the children of Drury Bennett, dec'd, who was a son of said Benjamin Bennett. It will be necessary that said estate should be administered on in order to collect (several debts) and make the distribution among the heirs aforesaid. petitioner is a grandson of said decedent and as several months have elapsed since his death without anyone applying for letters of adminstration, your petitioner has concluded to apply for same. Said Richmond Bennett has rejected petitions (or petitioners)to take the adminstration and his daughters are quite (must be dau. of Benjamin instead of Richmond)old; of whom is petitioner's mother (Cynthia Bennett Sanders) will not as petitioners thinks have any objection to his taking upon himself the trouble of the administration. On his securing bond as required he prays for letters.
Signed: B. T. Sanders, filed 27 June 1864. Estate Papers of Benjamin Bennett, Box ___? in Chancery Clerks Offices, Lawrence Co., Monticello, Miss. Book ___? Pg___? (I misplaced the original extract made by W.E. Driver).
Note: Cynthis Sanders must have been B.T. Sanders mother. Benjamin Bennett lived with his dau. Cynthia Sanders at time of 1860 census, in Lawrence Co., near family of Thomas J. Sanders, age 24, believed to be his grandson.
Copied for Blanche Bennett Robinson, duaghter of Marcus LaFayette, at 11888-B So. Truro Ave., Hawthorne, California.
_______________________________________
Extract from Will: Made by W.E. Driver, (checked later by Wiley Benj. Hill, Jr.), on 8 March 1966.
Date of Will 3 Feb 1849
County of Lawrence
State of Mississippi
Date of Drury Bennett's death: sometime during February, 1862.
To wife, Emily P. Bennett, all real and personal property, for her natural life, or until she remarries, in which case all property then to be divided among children.
Testator left surviving him, the following children:
Delila Elmira Allen, the wife of William Allen, deceased.
Susana F. Williamson, wife of Joshua Williamson.
The following minor children: Benjamin F. Bennett, Sothern M. Bennett, Drury B . Bennett, Carol B. Bennett, & Daniel Bennett, infant children of Unity Bennett, dec'd daughter of testator.
Note by Abstracter: Emily P. Bennett, died 16 April 1863 during period of time that the will of Drury Bennett was being probated.
Final Accounts made for Emily P. Bennett, Executrix.
Petition of Elmira Allen and Jesse Ward, for letters to issue to them as administrators "de benis non", filed 3 Aug 1863. Appointment made as above 1st Monday in August, 1863. On January 4, 1866, Commission issued to Jas. Strickland, and to Jesse Ward, to divide lands of decedent among heirs.
Report of Commissions: J. M. Cannon, Jas. Strickland and James Bourn filed 22 Jan, 1866, reports that the lands of decedent cannot be equally divided among heirs.
Petition of Elmira Allen and Jesse Ward administrators filed 27 Aug 1866, prays for an order to sell the lands of Drury Bennett (which were about four or five miles southeast of Monticello, about 440 acres, estimated. Lands were sold to J. A. Scarborough, Isom Williamson and B.F. Bennett.
Note: Emily P. Bennett was sole executrix of will, and oath was taken 7 July, 1862, but she died 16 April, 1863, necessitating sale of lands.
Bondsmen: Jesse Ward and Jas. Strickland
Witnesses: Jas. Strickland, Benjamin Bennett, and Jesse Ward.
Proper Proof made of will by Jas. Strickland and Jesse Ward.
County of Lawrence
State of Mississippi
To the Hon. John Dickerson, Judge of Probate Court:
Your undersigned petitioners respectfully show that Benjamin Bennett departed this life sometime in the month of February 1864, aged 92 years of age leaving a considerable estate consisting of one slave, about 80 acres of land, and promissory notes amounting to about $3,000.00, said personal estate amounting to about $4000.00 Petitioner does not know of any debts owing by said decedent.
Said decedent left the following named heirs:
Cynthis Saunders, Elizabeth Thames, Corandra or Cassandra Armstrong, of Choctaw Co., Mississippi; Richmond Bennett and Isaac Bennett. Also the children of Kasen (Kyzar?) Bennett, deceased, who was a son of said Benjamin Bennett, and the children of Drury Bennett, dec'd, who was a son of said Benjamin Bennett. It will be necessary that said estate should be administered on in order to collect (several debts) and make the distribution among the heirs aforesaid. petitioner is a grandson of said decedent and as several months have elapsed since his death without anyone applying for letters of adminstration, your petitioner has concluded to apply for same. Said Richmond Bennett has rejected petitions (or petitioners)to take the adminstration and his daughters are quite (must be dau. of Benjamin instead of Richmond)old; of whom is petitioner's mother (Cynthia Bennett Sanders) will not as petitioners thinks have any objection to his taking upon himself the trouble of the administration. On his securing bond as required he prays for letters.
Signed: B. T. Sanders, filed 27 June 1864. Estate Papers of Benjamin Bennett, Box ___? in Chancery Clerks Offices, Lawrence Co., Monticello, Miss. Book ___? Pg___? (I misplaced the original extract made by W.E. Driver).
Note: Cynthis Sanders must have been B.T. Sanders mother. Benjamin Bennett lived with his dau. Cynthia Sanders at time of 1860 census, in Lawrence Co., near family of Thomas J. Sanders, age 24, believed to be his grandson.
Copied for Blanche Bennett Robinson, duaghter of Marcus LaFayette, at 11888-B So. Truro Ave., Hawthorne, California.
_______________________________________
Extract from Will: Made by W.E. Driver, (checked later by Wiley Benj. Hill, Jr.), on 8 March 1966.
Date of Will 3 Feb 1849
County of Lawrence
State of Mississippi
Date of Drury Bennett's death: sometime during February, 1862.
To wife, Emily P. Bennett, all real and personal property, for her natural life, or until she remarries, in which case all property then to be divided among children.
Testator left surviving him, the following children:
Delila Elmira Allen, the wife of William Allen, deceased.
Susana F. Williamson, wife of Joshua Williamson.
The following minor children: Benjamin F. Bennett, Sothern M. Bennett, Drury B . Bennett, Carol B. Bennett, & Daniel Bennett, infant children of Unity Bennett, dec'd daughter of testator.
Note by Abstracter: Emily P. Bennett, died 16 April 1863 during period of time that the will of Drury Bennett was being probated.
Final Accounts made for Emily P. Bennett, Executrix.
Petition of Elmira Allen and Jesse Ward, for letters to issue to them as administrators "de benis non", filed 3 Aug 1863. Appointment made as above 1st Monday in August, 1863. On January 4, 1866, Commission issued to Jas. Strickland, and to Jesse Ward, to divide lands of decedent among heirs.
Report of Commissions: J. M. Cannon, Jas. Strickland and James Bourn filed 22 Jan, 1866, reports that the lands of decedent cannot be equally divided among heirs.
Petition of Elmira Allen and Jesse Ward administrators filed 27 Aug 1866, prays for an order to sell the lands of Drury Bennett (which were about four or five miles southeast of Monticello, about 440 acres, estimated. Lands were sold to J. A. Scarborough, Isom Williamson and B.F. Bennett.
Note: Emily P. Bennett was sole executrix of will, and oath was taken 7 July, 1862, but she died 16 April, 1863, necessitating sale of lands.
Bondsmen: Jesse Ward and Jas. Strickland
Witnesses: Jas. Strickland, Benjamin Bennett, and Jesse Ward.
Proper Proof made of will by Jas. Strickland and Jesse Ward.
Letter from Wiley Benj. Hill, Jr.
Dated 25 Fewbruary 1966
Addressed to Mr. Albert L. Allen of
Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Dear Mr. Allen:
I am most grateful for the information sent.
Mr. Vogtle sent me many helpful clues, but the one vital bit of information was in your letter! I am looking for all of Benjamin Bennett's sons and daughters, so I am inclosing a family group sheet for you to fill out on Drury Bennett. All I had on him was from the 1850 & 1860 census of Lawrence Co. [Possibly you have all that, but if you don't, I will send it later].
Mr. Allen, even though you cannot devote as much time to genealogy as you would like...neither do I, but you are real close to the vital records, cemeteries, etc., where you could be obtaining a lot of real stepping stones along the path of your forebears.
Would like to strike a bargain with you. I have several microfilms of Lawrence Co., Marion, Lincoln, Covington, and a small but quite efficient reader. If you will furnish me with a pedigree chart which I have inclosed for you to fill out, I'll help you get started...before you retire!
IN return, I would appreciate your filling in all you know about the other brothers and sisters of Langston and Drury.
Do you by chance have a will or the administration of the estate of Drury? Or do you know where he died and is buried? Anything else regarding Benjamin's family. According to the standards of Drury's day, he was definitely well off! So he should have left a will, and it should be located in Lawrence Co., if that is where he died. He was not a survivor of Benjamin who died Feb. 1864, but he was on 1860 census. So he must have died between 1860-1864.
Will be glad to help you in any other way I can. I expect to come over there on nite of Saturday, 5th of March for the celebration of Robert Benton M. King, who is the son of Delilah Jane Bennett, one of Langston's daughter. He (Robert) will be 100 years...young! Since he is quite feeble, and not too well, I think they will have a quiet gathering at his home at 1842 Compress Ave., in Laurel, at the home of Emma Mae Barnes, his daughter. Robert Benton King's father was James Washington King and my he was my grandmother's brother.
I had better get this in the mail. Let me hear from you. With my best wishes to you and your wife and family, I am, Yours very truly, Wiley Benj. Hill, Jr.
[So, it would seem that the link to the Bennett family is more than that of one man's curiosity. I had always thought that my dad was just researching the Bennett's because of his grandmother's first husband who was killed in the Battle of Peachtree Creek--because of that incident, my dad's grandmother met up with his grandfather and hence, my dad came about].
Dated 25 Fewbruary 1966
Addressed to Mr. Albert L. Allen of
Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Dear Mr. Allen:
I am most grateful for the information sent.
Mr. Vogtle sent me many helpful clues, but the one vital bit of information was in your letter! I am looking for all of Benjamin Bennett's sons and daughters, so I am inclosing a family group sheet for you to fill out on Drury Bennett. All I had on him was from the 1850 & 1860 census of Lawrence Co. [Possibly you have all that, but if you don't, I will send it later].
Mr. Allen, even though you cannot devote as much time to genealogy as you would like...neither do I, but you are real close to the vital records, cemeteries, etc., where you could be obtaining a lot of real stepping stones along the path of your forebears.
Would like to strike a bargain with you. I have several microfilms of Lawrence Co., Marion, Lincoln, Covington, and a small but quite efficient reader. If you will furnish me with a pedigree chart which I have inclosed for you to fill out, I'll help you get started...before you retire!
IN return, I would appreciate your filling in all you know about the other brothers and sisters of Langston and Drury.
Do you by chance have a will or the administration of the estate of Drury? Or do you know where he died and is buried? Anything else regarding Benjamin's family. According to the standards of Drury's day, he was definitely well off! So he should have left a will, and it should be located in Lawrence Co., if that is where he died. He was not a survivor of Benjamin who died Feb. 1864, but he was on 1860 census. So he must have died between 1860-1864.
Will be glad to help you in any other way I can. I expect to come over there on nite of Saturday, 5th of March for the celebration of Robert Benton M. King, who is the son of Delilah Jane Bennett, one of Langston's daughter. He (Robert) will be 100 years...young! Since he is quite feeble, and not too well, I think they will have a quiet gathering at his home at 1842 Compress Ave., in Laurel, at the home of Emma Mae Barnes, his daughter. Robert Benton King's father was James Washington King and my he was my grandmother's brother.
I had better get this in the mail. Let me hear from you. With my best wishes to you and your wife and family, I am, Yours very truly, Wiley Benj. Hill, Jr.
[So, it would seem that the link to the Bennett family is more than that of one man's curiosity. I had always thought that my dad was just researching the Bennett's because of his grandmother's first husband who was killed in the Battle of Peachtree Creek--because of that incident, my dad's grandmother met up with his grandfather and hence, my dad came about].
From Mrs. H.O. Allen of Monticello, Mississippi
15 April, 1966
Delila Elmira Bennett married William Gordon Allen. Their children were:
Jane (Allen) Gray
Matt (Allen) Gray
Drury Albert Allen, born 14 November, 1849.
Miss Carrie Bennett of Columbia, Mississippi can give you infromation about the Bennett's.
15 April, 1966
Delila Elmira Bennett married William Gordon Allen. Their children were:
Jane (Allen) Gray
Matt (Allen) Gray
Drury Albert Allen, born 14 November, 1849.
Miss Carrie Bennett of Columbia, Mississippi can give you infromation about the Bennett's.
Death Certificate
Doc. #: 15494
Marion County, Mississippi
Decedent was a resident of the county for sixty years. The street address of the decedent is listed as 1006 N. Main St., Columbia, Marion (County), Mississippi. This is inside the city limits.
The decedent is Mrs. Mary B. Bennett, a widow, who was born November 15, 1871. She died October 1, 1957 and the burial took place at the Columbia City Cemetery on October 2, 1957, under the direction of ___________Funeral Home. The death certificate is signed October 5, 1957.
Mary was born in Jeff Davis County, Mississippi. Her father was _____Burkett and her mother was Frances Cole. The informant for the information on this death certificate was Miss Tressie Bennett.
Mary was ill for 3-10 days before her death in __________General Hospital. The causes of death were 1) Uremia and 2) Acute pyelonephritus. Mary also had hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Doc. #: 15494
Marion County, Mississippi
Decedent was a resident of the county for sixty years. The street address of the decedent is listed as 1006 N. Main St., Columbia, Marion (County), Mississippi. This is inside the city limits.
The decedent is Mrs. Mary B. Bennett, a widow, who was born November 15, 1871. She died October 1, 1957 and the burial took place at the Columbia City Cemetery on October 2, 1957, under the direction of ___________Funeral Home. The death certificate is signed October 5, 1957.
Mary was born in Jeff Davis County, Mississippi. Her father was _____Burkett and her mother was Frances Cole. The informant for the information on this death certificate was Miss Tressie Bennett.
Mary was ill for 3-10 days before her death in __________General Hospital. The causes of death were 1) Uremia and 2) Acute pyelonephritus. Mary also had hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
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:
Delila
Elmira Bennet Allen died 27 October 190? and is buried in Baptist
Church Cemetery about one mile west of Silver Creek, Mississippi.
William G.
Allen was married to Delila E. Bennett, his wife, November the 2nd,
1843, A.D. Delila E. Bennett was born May the 11th,
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 15th 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.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
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. Marthas mother had an attack last week and we had the Dr. here.
I have just come back from Mildreds. 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 dont 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.
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. Marthas mother had an attack last week and we had the Dr. here.
I have just come back from Mildreds. 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 dont 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.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
How I came to have genealogy on the Bennett family:
William Thomas Bennett was married to my great grandmother, Louisa Lydia King, who later married my great grandfather, John Mack Hill. She might not have married my g.g. grandpa, except that William Thomas Bennett was killed during the Civil War in a battle in Atlanta (1864). Since it looks as though the same Bennett family was also connected to some of our Loftin's, I guess my Dad thought it would be wise to peruse the Bennett family lines and collect their relatives, in case there were more intersections. Or, more likely, he just wanted to acknowledge that his good fortune (being born) was due to Wm. Thomas Bennett's bad fortune (being killed in battle).
The fact remains that I have an accumulation of Dad's data on this family. I will try to get this entered on the computer and posted on the internet in some fashion, so that others, who are more closely allied to the Bennett Family, may also have access to it.
Research Diary Note for today: Looked on familysearch.org for Sarah Ballenger; found some stuff in Ancestral File, IGI, and the PRF. Also found much on ancestry.com. The Ballenger/Bishop connection is, by the way, in my dad's direct line of ancestors, as she is his 4th great grandmother.
William Thomas Bennett was married to my great grandmother, Louisa Lydia King, who later married my great grandfather, John Mack Hill. She might not have married my g.g. grandpa, except that William Thomas Bennett was killed during the Civil War in a battle in Atlanta (1864). Since it looks as though the same Bennett family was also connected to some of our Loftin's, I guess my Dad thought it would be wise to peruse the Bennett family lines and collect their relatives, in case there were more intersections. Or, more likely, he just wanted to acknowledge that his good fortune (being born) was due to Wm. Thomas Bennett's bad fortune (being killed in battle).
The fact remains that I have an accumulation of Dad's data on this family. I will try to get this entered on the computer and posted on the internet in some fashion, so that others, who are more closely allied to the Bennett Family, may also have access to it.
Research Diary Note for today: Looked on familysearch.org for Sarah Ballenger; found some stuff in Ancestral File, IGI, and the PRF. Also found much on ancestry.com. The Ballenger/Bishop connection is, by the way, in my dad's direct line of ancestors, as she is his 4th great grandmother.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Letter from Congressman
On letterhead from the Congress of the United States, William B. Widnall
wrote a response to a letter that my dad wrote on October 17th, 1951:
November 7, 1951
Dear Mr. Hill:
Thank you for your letter of October 17th which was just received by my
office. I appreciate having the information about the Suduth Development
and will place your recommendations in the Committee files for further
investigation.
Thank you for your kind comments about the housing inquiry.
Sincerely yours, William B. Widnall
[Mailed to Mr. B.W. Hill, P.O. Box 649, Fort Walton, Florida].
Margaret
http://familyhistorynews.blogspot.com
wrote a response to a letter that my dad wrote on October 17th, 1951:
November 7, 1951
Dear Mr. Hill:
Thank you for your letter of October 17th which was just received by my
office. I appreciate having the information about the Suduth Development
and will place your recommendations in the Committee files for further
investigation.
Thank you for your kind comments about the housing inquiry.
Sincerely yours, William B. Widnall
[Mailed to Mr. B.W. Hill, P.O. Box 649, Fort Walton, Florida].
Margaret
http://familyhistorynews.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 14, 2004
"Operation on my Nose" by Wiley B. Hill, Jr.
In 1933, I was fighting for the light-weight amateur championship of Fort Benning, Georgia*. My opponent was Al Schneider. I had successively been the runner-up and winner in 1931/32. After a lop-sided fight against an octapus-fisted, supposedly amateur pug that emerged as a runner-up at the National Tournament at St. Louis. Joe Lewis won the light-heavy division, the same night.
Nevertheless, my battered beak didn't resemble a nose; it looked like a squashed tomato. Later investigation proved that Schneider had fought pro, prior to his army enlistment. That didn't rectify my demolished beak.
Eleven years, after consultation with New York's renown plastic surgeon, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, shook this head ruefully. Jack Dempsey had his nose fixed, successfully.
Dr. Maltz finally consented, for a $400 fee, to try. During the two hour operation, Dr. M.M. muttered profanely as he probed about my probscis with his razor edge scapel:
"&%*#, scar tissue....scar tissue...nothing but scar tissue!" Profanity every other word, "Nothing but scar tissue. Piles and piles of it...Have you ever seen the like?", he questioned his cutting crew. "I've had a lot of pugs and thugs on this table, but this is the worst of the lot!"
Though sedatives deadened the pain....the insults didn't! I grimly thought of the fat fee I paid. In a brief second, the humor of the hour overcame offense, and I weakly croaked, "What did you find up there?...Gold?"
Written by Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr., 905A Cloverdale Court, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547
*Other Fort Benning links:
From a diary note of Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr., my dad:
8 May 1984: Our home teachers are coming. They gave a beautiful message to us. How to have love and harmony in the home. The message "Cornerstones to a Happy Home." Have:
- Mutual Respect
- The Soft Answer
- Financial Honesty
with the Lord, with your companion, with your neighbors. Have Family Prayer. The Lord will bless you as you do these things.
I'm so grateful for my home teachers. Bro. Grant Adams & John Barrow. For 36 years I lived with a wonderful woman who is worth a dozen like me, but she wasn't a member of my church. I gave her back parsimonious love. Because of my dear home teachers, who taught her the gospel, she announced quite unexpectedly one day that if I still had my white baptism clothes handy, I could lead her into the baptismal font. You could have knowcked me over with a turkey feather. [Some miscellaneous names follow this entry, I know not why! They are Brother Ira Thompson, Bro. Joel and his father, _____Harmon].
10 Feb 1985: I have been reading in D&C. My soul is filled with joy reading of the organization of the church. I found in my sister's Latin book, "Latin is a dead language and now it's killing me". [miscellaneous remark--"Some people, like turkeys, gobble up gossip, just because it's dirt cheap".]
From the files of Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr., my father, b. 1913 in Hattiesburg, Miss.:
Dad was a realtor by occupation, but he was also involved and interested in politics. The following is "stuff" I found in the papers and files from his estate.
* A Quit-Claim Deed, executed on the 26th day of April, 1960 by Howard A. Parker and wife, Margaret R. Parker, first party, TO Trammel Settles and wife, Irene Settles, second party. For the sum of 1.00, the following described lot in the county of Okaloosa, State of Florida, to-wit:
Commencing at the Southeast corner of the Southwest Quarter of Section 34, Township 1 South, Range 24 West, thence North along the quarter section line a distance of 1840.5 feet to a point, thence West and parallel to the South line of Section 34 to the West right of way of Wright Road, thence West 118.5 feet to a point of beginnning of the land being conveyed: Thence West and parallel to the South line of Section 34 a distance of 188 feet, thence North 168.5 feet more or less to the half section line, thence West along the half section line a distance of 65 feet, thence South 200 feet, thence East 65 feet, thence in a straight line to the point of beginning.
Two documentary stamps (tax) are affixed, each being for 10 cents, with a Florida kind of seal (blue). The document continues, "To Have and to Hold...."; "in Withness Whereof....". This document was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Erwin Fleet, Leila N. Gartner, Howard A. Parker, and Margaret R. Parker. Leila N. Gartner is the notary and affixed her seal on 17th day of February 1961. The deed was filed in Okaloosa County Court on July 29th, 1961.
A little more about Howard A. Parker: He was a doctor, had his office in Shalimar, Florida and before that, believe he was in Valparaiso, Florida. My dad used his services often. The above link will take you to a page on which his obit is included. Trammel Settles was my mother's uncle. This link will take you to a Niceville City Directory, where Trammel worked in 1966. His son, David, also worked there. The file indicates that Trammel was residing in the Wright community at this time, probably on the very piece of land referenced in the deed described above. Aunt Irene was a hairdresser in Fort Walton, I believe, at about the same time.
Dad was a realtor by occupation, but he was also involved and interested in politics. The following is "stuff" I found in the papers and files from his estate.
* A Quit-Claim Deed, executed on the 26th day of April, 1960 by Howard A. Parker and wife, Margaret R. Parker, first party, TO Trammel Settles and wife, Irene Settles, second party. For the sum of 1.00, the following described lot in the county of Okaloosa, State of Florida, to-wit:
Commencing at the Southeast corner of the Southwest Quarter of Section 34, Township 1 South, Range 24 West, thence North along the quarter section line a distance of 1840.5 feet to a point, thence West and parallel to the South line of Section 34 to the West right of way of Wright Road, thence West 118.5 feet to a point of beginnning of the land being conveyed: Thence West and parallel to the South line of Section 34 a distance of 188 feet, thence North 168.5 feet more or less to the half section line, thence West along the half section line a distance of 65 feet, thence South 200 feet, thence East 65 feet, thence in a straight line to the point of beginning.
Two documentary stamps (tax) are affixed, each being for 10 cents, with a Florida kind of seal (blue). The document continues, "To Have and to Hold...."; "in Withness Whereof....". This document was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Erwin Fleet, Leila N. Gartner, Howard A. Parker, and Margaret R. Parker. Leila N. Gartner is the notary and affixed her seal on 17th day of February 1961. The deed was filed in Okaloosa County Court on July 29th, 1961.
A little more about Howard A. Parker: He was a doctor, had his office in Shalimar, Florida and before that, believe he was in Valparaiso, Florida. My dad used his services often. The above link will take you to a page on which his obit is included. Trammel Settles was my mother's uncle. This link will take you to a Niceville City Directory, where Trammel worked in 1966. His son, David, also worked there. The file indicates that Trammel was residing in the Wright community at this time, probably on the very piece of land referenced in the deed described above. Aunt Irene was a hairdresser in Fort Walton, I believe, at about the same time.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Using a Census Timeline. I do this just to get a feel for my ancestor's chronology. I list all the vital records dates that I know, along with any of the place info. Using the Census Timeline Form, I mark out all the census years that do not apply. I then estimate how old my ancestor is at the time each census during his lifetime was done.
Using google, I indicate that I want 1850 census information for choctaw county, alabama. The first of the results I get back sends me to a usgenweb/rootsweb site where I look through the index. Hill is on page 149A, 196B and 197A. The actual text of the census is also available through this link.
I find Joel Hill, age 28, male, a planter, born in SC, Page #1966. He is living with Mary A., age 26, (his wife), from SC. Children are Burtha?, age 6, b. in AL, John, age 4, b. in AL, and Margaret E., age 2 in AL. I believe this person to be a member of this family, but do not find John age eight.
Using google, I indicate that I want 1850 census information for choctaw county, alabama. The first of the results I get back sends me to a usgenweb/rootsweb site where I look through the index. Hill is on page 149A, 196B and 197A. The actual text of the census is also available through this link.
I find Joel Hill, age 28, male, a planter, born in SC, Page #1966. He is living with Mary A., age 26, (his wife), from SC. Children are Burtha?, age 6, b. in AL, John, age 4, b. in AL, and Margaret E., age 2 in AL. I believe this person to be a member of this family, but do not find John age eight.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
I have decided to look for information at the Family Search Site for my grandfather, Wiley Benjamin Hill, Sr. This is my paternal adoptive line.
Wiley Benjamin Hill, Sr., was born 11 Feb 1881, near Purvis, Lamar County, Mississippi. He died 16 Feb 1954, in the same location.
I will enter in his information, now, into the Family Search "locator".
The results when I listed only his year of birth and his name and where his birth took place: One hit in Ancestral File. This is him! The preliminary screen that lists the hits even tells me that Lamar County was formerly Marion County, MS.
I click on this Ancestral File hit to get more information. First, I want to know who the submitter is, since I've already determined that this is my man. The submitters are my father and Clarence Hunt, who was my Aunt Bea's husband.
I learn from this submission that my grandfather is buried in Coletown Cemtery, near Purvis, Mississippi. This was information that I didn't have, before. I should go and visit the cemetery!
I can click on "Pedigree" to obtain the Pedigree Chart, where I am allowed to download a gedcom. Or I can try to print this information out. First I will change my page properties so that it will print in a landscape format. This didn't work as well as I had hoped, printing out two pages that I had to tape together! I will also try the portrait format, just to see what that delivers and I find out that this page is designed to print out in the portrait format! It is readable and complete.
I will also download the Gedcom to my hard drive and incorporate it into my PAF program (under an appropriate and separate file name).
My grandfather also shows up in the IGI database, primarily because a lot of my ancestors in that line were Mormons and the IGI is the database that is driven exclusively by member submissions. The information listed is the same as I already have.
There were no exact hits on the 1880 Census and since my grandfather wasn't born until 1881, I don't pursue any of those.
Interestingly, though, I do find a "Wiley Hill" on the Social Security Index, whose birth is listed as 1880. This fellow, however, died twenty years after my grandfather in a different state. The birth date is close and he was born in MS, but the other information makes it clear that this is not my grandpa.
Wiley Benjamin Hill, Sr., was born 11 Feb 1881, near Purvis, Lamar County, Mississippi. He died 16 Feb 1954, in the same location.
I will enter in his information, now, into the Family Search "locator".
The results when I listed only his year of birth and his name and where his birth took place: One hit in Ancestral File. This is him! The preliminary screen that lists the hits even tells me that Lamar County was formerly Marion County, MS.
I click on this Ancestral File hit to get more information. First, I want to know who the submitter is, since I've already determined that this is my man. The submitters are my father and Clarence Hunt, who was my Aunt Bea's husband.
I learn from this submission that my grandfather is buried in Coletown Cemtery, near Purvis, Mississippi. This was information that I didn't have, before. I should go and visit the cemetery!
I can click on "Pedigree" to obtain the Pedigree Chart, where I am allowed to download a gedcom. Or I can try to print this information out. First I will change my page properties so that it will print in a landscape format. This didn't work as well as I had hoped, printing out two pages that I had to tape together! I will also try the portrait format, just to see what that delivers and I find out that this page is designed to print out in the portrait format! It is readable and complete.
I will also download the Gedcom to my hard drive and incorporate it into my PAF program (under an appropriate and separate file name).
My grandfather also shows up in the IGI database, primarily because a lot of my ancestors in that line were Mormons and the IGI is the database that is driven exclusively by member submissions. The information listed is the same as I already have.
There were no exact hits on the 1880 Census and since my grandfather wasn't born until 1881, I don't pursue any of those.
Interestingly, though, I do find a "Wiley Hill" on the Social Security Index, whose birth is listed as 1880. This fellow, however, died twenty years after my grandfather in a different state. The birth date is close and he was born in MS, but the other information makes it clear that this is not my grandpa.
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