Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A most unusual Southern family letter archive consisting of (8) eight letters, totaling 19pp. various letters sizes, written by Sarah Jane "Jennie" Hooper Ware and her family members concerning the Ware family's trek to Texas at the close of the Civil War. Astoundingly, the Ware's stole the children of their former slaves in order that they should have several servants after they relocated themselves in Texas. An interesting story that reads, in small part from October 1865 until January 1867, in small art: "…[Vicksburg, Louisiana Jennie to mother]…I am just across the 'Father of Waters'…we…are in great hurry to get across the prairie lands…our greatest trouble is to get enough to eat…I wish I had time to write more…I have not a moment to lose…I b ught all the calico at Vicksburg I wanted…[Oct. 23, 1865 Jennie to mother]…we got down here on Thursday last…Dr. Ware started with two wagons…taking some negro boys, girls etc-which we were afraid would be stolen off if we waited until the appointed day. Not one of our negroes are going except Nathan and we are taking him. Lucy followed us down here to get him back but failed. Last week…Dr. Terhume waked up to find 23 had left his place during the night. He mounted his horse and followed and got into Eufaula by one street as they entered by another. He stepped first into the Office of the Commandant and told him there was a good many minors he wished to take with him west and how they had been stolen off…by their relations and were…in town. The commandant told him to hunt them up and bring them to him. He started in search of them when lo! He met them at the door! Such a surprised set of negroes he…never saw before!…they all thought he was at home. He ordered them in and the commandant told him to select such as he wanted to take with him and gave him the proper papers to prove his right to them. He then gave the old ones a good talk and …told them…if he ever caught any of them…on his place. He would shoot them. Well! he expected to bring Fanny and she was perfectly willing to come and [she] remained at home until we were nearly through loading the wagon when…[she] put here baby in [and] she was gone! It was too late to hunt her up…he told Nathan to get in and told Lucy when Fanny came in she could take Nathan back. I had rather have [had] Nathan of the two. Fanny went right back to Jimmy's [?] We have four excellent young white men along and some boys & girls so we are well supplied with servants. The reason the wagons started ahead was to get these young negroes off-for none of the negroes expected us to start until day after tomorrow and we think they intended to give us trouble about them-but they are now on their way and if the old ones steal any of them they will be smart…if it was not for leaving you behind [we] would be in high spirits…Dr. Ware has been commissioned to get a place for another man already and Dr. Terhume has two to buy for…[near Hillsborough, Ark., Nov. 28 Jennie to mother]…I wrote to you from this side [of] the Miss. river just after we crossed…I knew that it would be a great satisfaction to you to know we were safely over the River of all rivers…I am greatly pleased with Louisiana land but at present it is in a disturbing condition. From 20 miles the other side of Jackson Miss to a hundred miles this side of the Miss. river is not a half dozen plantations in cultivation for nearly two hundred miles there is not a fence, hog or anything except in the towns…every one told us we would starve before we got through Louisiana…by hauling it …we keep plenty on hand…we meet hundreds of refugees returning from Texas. They told us we will not like the country, but a refugee would not like paradise if run…by Yankees. Mississippi bottom land is…the richest land in the world but the water is not fit for dogs, for three days we got no water…Vicksburg & Jackson are overrun with free negroes. I heard one curse a merchant in Vicks-to his face- without his saying a word. There are hundreds & thousands living in little houses made of pine boards…we counted 300…in a row, most of the negroes sitting around idle, some fishing and occasionally one at work. They will freeze out as soon as winter sets in. If the negroes at home would only see their condition. I know they would never want to set up for themselves. I do not know where to tell you to write…we will not be contented when we stopI fear-Old Texas…we had 4 days of miserable road…tell Johnny I'll write…when I get settled…[April, 5, 1866 from mother]…I send Jhonnie to see what in the world has become of you. I have heard nothing from you since you left. I have been expecting a letter and should have written but did not know where to direct a letter…[April 6, 1866 from Benjamin Franklin Hooper to Jennie]…I did not finish telling you who had returned to Floyd & who had not. Col. Shorter & Sloan have not…returned…Pitner has returned…Dr. Underwood has not. D. B. Hamilton has also returned to his plantation, but speaks of moving to Rome or some other town or city…Mr. Bryant's house was burned but he is about rebuilding…we find managing 'Free Niggers' an up hill business. I am renting most of my lands to white tenants. Have only four negroes in the field Aaron, Alfred, Frank and a girl that I hired. I am only trying to make a support. I do not now feel like I could ever make any more money…[Selma, Ala., July 24, 1866 Charles W. Hooper to Jennie]…I would have written…long since had I known your address…I hope you will conclude to come back either to Miss. or Ala. You are so far from any of your relative[s]…you write that Mr. Terhume & family have been so kind. I cannot write you any thing of any of the family that is now so scattered…I am in business…in this place. We have been doing a good business, but it is very dull now…". Two other family letters concerning local family news and of administering Dr. Ware's estate after the he died while in Texas. Overall VG
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