UPSON COUNTY, GA - HISTORY  Letters  Julia Clayland to brother, Eugene Asberry Ansley

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The following note was written by Estelle Ansley
Worrell when the letters of Julia Clayland were
presented to the Georgia State Archives:

The letters of Julia Ansley Clayland were written in
1902 and 1904 when she was 63-65 years old and in
failing health. A widow, she spent her last years
living with relatives and helping those who needed
her.

Julia's brother Eugene, fourteen years her junior,
was living in Texas. The first two letters were
written while she was staying with her brother,
Quintillian in Whitesburg, Carroll County, Georgia.
The others were written from the homes of her two
youngest brothers, Alonzo Navelle and William B.
Ansley in Bessemer Alabama, who were twenty and
twenty-two years younger than she. With the parents
gone by then, Julia the eldest, was left with the
responsibility of passing on the family history.

Julia Ansley was born May 9, 1839, the first of
twelve children, to Francis Asbury Ansley and
Elizabeth Allison Prator of Upson County, Georgia.
During the Civil War she met the Rev. John V.
Clayland who had refugeed to Alabama from
Mississippi. He was widowed a short time after he
returned home and he and Julia were married August
23, 1866. Although she spent her next thirty years
as a minister's wife traveling and living in
Mississippi, she states in her letters that she
never saw any place as pretty as Georgia.

Although I would like very much to re-type the
letters with wider margins [I prepared my original
transcript on a manual typewriter with very narrow
margins. ags] I decided to just duplicate Anne
Styles' transcriptions and not risk losing even the
tiniest bit of their original character. I have
compared them with the originals and Anne did a
splendid job of transcribing them, using Julia's
spelling and punctuation to the last detail! The
original letters, with Julia's beautiful
handwriting, are expressive of her taste and high
ideals.

When Anne Styles decided to donate the letters to
the State Archives it was a dream come true for me.
My nephew, Major Steve Ansley, is on duty in
Washington D.C. and was to fly through Nashville
soon after I talked to Anne. He picked up the
precious package at Anne's home and I met him at the
Nashville airport early one Saturday morning to
receive them. My husband, Norman, and I then drove
them to Atlanta the following Wednesday. What a
wonderful feeling it was to know they could now be
shared with the world!

Of course, Julia's letters have more meaning to
those who are familiar with the genealogy in them
but her little stores and descriptions interspersed
among the family history are vivid pictures of early
Georgia. Her devotion to God and her family and the
great love she expressed for her native Georgia are
so very special to all of us.


Estelle Ansley Worrell [1987]


====================================================
Transcript of letter to Eugene Asberry Ansley from
his sister Julia Ansley, written from Whitsburg, GA,
April 14, 1902

Dear Brother Eugene:

Brother Quinn asked me to write to you for him, ever
since he received your last letter. They all have
been so busy prepairing and planting there crop.
They rise before day hurry up breakfast prepair
dinner to send with them, you see the farm is three
miles from the home place. Brother is thin in flesh,
and suffers so much with cold, headache, and sore
throat, but I do not think that he has lost but one
day from his work. And when he comes in at night he
could not write a letter. Sunday morning he is off
to Sabbath School and other church cervice. I have
heard him called Abraham, and Asberry, the eldest
son, a chip off the old block. He is a Steward of
the church, good sober steady man -- all of them
are, and care very little about waiting on girls.
Tom is my favorite was 21 in March, and never waits
on any girls. There are four of them in
neighborhood. 150 pounds, weare no. six shoes, they
are about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, and they can
work with the best. They all -- the entire family --
dress well -- make quite a creditable appearance
nice genteel in behavior. Carrie, the second
daughter, graduated last spring. Asberry did not
quite finish. Mattie, the eldest girl, did not
graduate by one term. She preferred to have an organ
and take music lessons. She is a lovely, quiet
dignified girl plays and sings well is to be married
soon to a nice inteligent man by the name of Bartow
Leak, an old batchelor. He cared for his father and
mother a good many years. Though he is quite a
successful insurance agent and makes one hundred per
month has just cleared his Father's and Mother's old
debts. I could say so much about them but let this
suffice. I am almost sure that they will be very
happy and comfortable. Carrie is a noble girl very
much like her father in features and very much like
our father in temperament energy get and go and one
of the finest housekeepers I ever saw. Quinn has
always taken so much good care of his wife and
daughters kept them from all rough work. You see two
of the boys could have been out making homes for
themselves - but Brother bought the farms on time
some six years ago and before that he bought a large
fine mule at one hundred and fifty dollars. Well
about that time they found that they would be
compeled to have more rooms added to the house,
making so much hay of different kinds that must have
large barns, and bermuda grass lots, so they got a
saw mill on the new farm where there was fine
timber, sawed up enough - built one barn at home and
one at the farm each 20 by 40 feet long - and added
three large rooms and a hall on to the house making
seven good rooms, the stack chimney has been built
but the rooms have not been plastered yet. They
expect to do that when crops are laid by. Last year
they had to buy another good horse and brother sent
7 of them to school all last year, only had one
grown boy (John) to help - except in vacation. They
had a very bad crop year did not make anything like
a full crop. The consequience was he got a little
behind hand more than ever, so this year they are
all working and planning to come out of debt, finish
up the house and then the boys think they can leave
home. They made 50 bushels of wheat last year, and
about 120 gallons of good syrup. Their corn is not
out yet I think they expect to have to buy some
bread. They still have abundance of hay to feed on,
they have 3 fine milk cows and 3 polen china pigs,
they had nine hogs to kill last year -- Brother
talks about what a great pleasure it would be to go
out and see you in your own home, and then have you
visit him, but you can understand from my long
letter that it keeps him moving to keep up a family
of nine children, the youngest 11 years and then me
here makes 12 in family. I should be so glad to see
you one time more. I always think of your boyish
face last time I saw you that morning that I bade
you good bye with such a sad heart not expecting to
ever see you again in this world but I never have
forgotten to pray for you that you may be sure to be
ready when the Son of Man Cometh. I know that I am
saved and kept moment by moment through faith in the
blood of Christ. I hardly suppose that you would
know me now. I am or will be sixty three the 9th of
next May. I kept four of Brother John's children
four years and his wife Jodie stayed two years of
that time and brother had no idea how much money it
would take to keep them well clad every day and
fifteen dollars each term matriculation fees. And
every time I would urge him to send more money he
would say send them back and I will put them to work
-- so to keep them in school I quit the millinery
shop, made a large garden, raised hogs, chickens and
milk and butter. Well they have all done well.

Jodie married Henry Ansley, brother to D.L. Ansley
the one Olie Ansley married. Henry is quite a high
toned man, a fine carpenter works allmost altogether
in the inside of fine buildings. They have two
lovely children. They live well and are saving some
money. I was talking to Jodie about how hard I had
to work and how I was compeled to force them to help
at times. Jodie threw out her hands and said Aunt
Julia I do not think of that now. I think of what I
would be now if you had not taken us out of the dark
mountains of Tuscaloosa. She said you must forgive
me Mattie my sweet Mattie. She did not give me much
trouble was not so disobedient. She studied hard all
the time and think won every medall that she
competed for. She told Tommis some two years ago
that she owed all to me for what she was. Last
October she married Rev. Eugene Binford. He belongs
to one of the very first families in North Ala. He
is a graduate and a member of the North Alabama
Conference. Mattie appears to be very happy in her
home. They live at Steels Depot 40 miles above
Birmingham. My precious little Julia lives with them
and goes to school. John her father practises out to
five miles in country. Julia loves me very much, I
came & spent 10 days with them in January as I came
here. One day with deep feeling she said Aunt Julia
I want you to pray for me. I had a long talk with
her as usual. And since that Mattie wrote me that
Julia professed religion and joined the Methodist
church. I was so glad that she decided that way for
I felt sure she would join the Baptist church. When
Sister Jodie died Mattie waited on her lifting,
setting up, washing, doing all the work. (There was
not a Negroe in the county) so that Mattie's health
failed, stomach trouble and nervous prostration. She
wrote me to come to her last December. One year ago
I went, stayed all last year, did all the work,
waited on Mattie besides doing all in my power to
get her well by the time she was to be married in
the fall. The end was I had nervous prostration and
female trouble, had to quit all work. Oh I have
suffered ever since untill now I am feeling better,
can walk to church and other places but I never did
take any medicine. Just trusted the Lord. Please
excuse this. I am not so well today. Write us soon,
Tell me about your children. /s/ Julia

Brother Eugene, I would not send this if I felt well
and strong to do any better, I am not strong, never
will be again. I did want to get well so I could get
some work to do but have not.

====================================

Transcript of letter to Eugene Asberry Ansley from
his sister Julia Ansley, written from Whitsburg, GA,
July 1, 1902

Dear Brother Eugene:

Brother Quinn has three grown boys --  well John the
third one is not 21 untill next year but he [is] a
fine manly looking fellow. They are all so pure and
clean in everything that goes to make up a good
character. They all have professed religion, all
members of the church but they do not love to study
and read and meditate in the law of God as I would
like to see and like they would if they were
following on the know the Lord in the living Faith.
You see these boys have done well. Asberry is 26
years of age and has stood by his father's family
faithfully all these years helping to get three
large rooms added which makes a nice 7 roomed house
though there is only one room finished up of the new
ones. They had calculated to finish up the house
this summer. Asberry and Tom wanted to and expected
to make enough of their shair of the crop to attend
some business college this fall. But oh my Brother
we haven't much crop while Brother is the only man
in all this country that has a good garden and it
just looks nice and is not bearing much. His corn
and cotton has grown very well and still looks green
but as the little stuff tassels and the hot sun and
winds scorches it up unless we get rain in a very
few days I do not think that Brother will make
enough to bearly support him. And if it does not
rain for another month I do not think that he will
even make forage.

The three, Asberry, Thomas and John, all want to get
out and get some work to do. Asberry only liked one
term of graduating. We thought for quite a while
that he would preach but he has not. I can't imagine
what reason he has for not accepting the call if he
really was called. But they are all nice good morral
boys and perfectly truthful and reliable. Now if you
could get at least one a situation, something where
there was good pay of course. They would have to
learn and expect to start at the bottom. They do not
shirk work.

Brother Eugene I can freely and lovingly forgive
your unkind treatment. You have so often asked me to
write you and never answered my letters at all. You
will not even send me one of your photos, not even
one word about your family. I love to take you to
Jesus every day and ask him not to let you sell out
to the Devil for money. God bless you my dear
Brother, 

With love /s/ Julia A.

I have just had a letter from Aunt Mary Futrell. She
lives in Atlanta, 26 Haynes Street. She is the last
one living of Father's family. I expect to go soon
to visit her.

==================


Transcript of letter to Eugene Asberry Ansley from
his sister Julia Ansley, written from Bessemer,
Alabama, February 27, 1904 

Dear Brother Eugene:

I have just received a letter from Brother Quin also
one that you had written to him, in which you were
wanting information in regard to our ancestry.

Our great grand father Thomas Ansley and two
brothers William and Ben came from England. Settled
in New Jersey. [Worrell note: Thomas and William
were baptised in Old Tennant Church in Monmouth Co.
New Jersey.] Thomas our great grand Father moved to
Warren County Georgia. His brother Ben an old
batchelor returned to England. William went to South
Ca. Great grand Father bought up about one fourth of
the land in Warren County. He was considered a rich
man in those days. Owned quite a number of slaves
from all I could learn from numbers of the older
grand children. Great grand Father Ansley had 8
children Joseph, Samual, William, Thomas, Abel,
James, Nancy and Rebecker. Great grand father
settled his children around him. Gave them large
farms. I could not ascertain the ages of any of the
children except Joseph borned in 1775 and married a
Miss Mary Simpson and I am not sure that it was not
the date of his marriage instead of his birth.
[Joseph was born in 1770. ags] Great grand father
owned one fourth of Warren County Georgia.


Our grandfather was Samuel. He lived ten miles above
the family in Warren, Ga. He maried Miss Mary
Tilman. Her father and mother moved out from
Virginia to Warren County, Georgia, and both died.
Col. Stith a rich man and a celebrated Lawyer raised
and educated her I mean our grand mother Miss Mary
Tilman. (Brother Quintillian Stith was named for
Col. Stith.) (The man that raised grand mother
Ansley). She was a number one woman, too. Grand
Father was a local preacher never joined the
conference. [Worrell note: He was a member of the
conference. His records are at Emory University.]
broke up his home and went into the regular work,
but he took work all the same that left grand Mother
to manage the home affairs, and they had a home
right I have lived in one mile of their home three
miles below Barnesville in old Pike County, Georgia.
They had many hundreds of acres of the finest rich
red oak and hickory land on Potatoe Creek. The roads
crossed just in front of a four roomed white house
with a vine covered porch in front and between the
two chimneys. Through a door out of grand Mothers
room another large poarch where you went out to the
kitchen. A large hughed log house. There was a back
porch and flowers along the east and south part of
the yard. The cook house was out west of the
dwelling along the walk as we went to the cook room
there was a large fine scupanong vine arbor, and
beside that a very large garden, all out east of the
garden and north of the house the yard extended a
long way covered thick with burmooda grass. A fine
well of water, many large oak trees and large horse
apple trees heare and there all over the great yard.
A cider press under one apple just down a slant
across the road a very large horse lot with a very
large barn a very high staked and ridered fence.
Everything kept in perfect order. A large crib and
big mules. One large buggy horse, old Peave as we
caled him. Back of the garden one large old time old
filed plumb orchard and many acres in fine peaches
and other fruit many white English peaches. Grand
mother knew how to can and put up fruit for her
table. You should have seen her house clenliness and
order rules. She had her 140 pieces of china dishes
and anything she needed. I can remember so well the
interear of her house and I did not like to go there
much either because she would not let you rest for
fear of a speck of dust or soil on something. She
had an old colored man and wife and 5 fine children.
They were all very large. I guess that you remember
when Father came home from grand mothers sale and
brought home Elbert a colored man that he bid in at
the sale after grandmama's death. Father sold Elbert
and bought that mean Negro Jo. She had a nice tall
block in the kitchen and an ax that the cook used
for many long years. I can see the place now in
every direction two long lanes ran through the
plantation and up one lane was a large gin house and
beautiful fields in every direction except one that
was right in front as we went out towards
Barnesville a dence wood. Grandmother had lots of
geese and other fowls. They held theire membership
in the first church in Barnesville. In 1884 I was
visiting the Prator kin-folk in old Upson and in
Thomaston. Some evangelist conducted a wonderful
meeting in Thomaston then went on to Barnesville. In
a few days the preachers sent back to Thomaston for
all the church workers to come up and help them.
They came for me. I went with them, after servis
that day at eleven oclock one of the nicest most
refined old ladies came and invited me to make her
house my home, her carriage was at the door. We were
soon at home. She asked many questions as to where I
was from and who I was before marriage. When she
heard Ansley she said oh any relation of Rev. Samuel
Ansley of this place. I said yes he was my
grandfather. She thought so much of him and family.
Said she heard him preach his last sermon.
Afterwards I went to see theire graves. Grand father
was 72 when he died but I do not remember what date
was on the tombstone, but Father and Mother were
married in 1837 the same year that he died. I never
saw him but father said he was a fine looking man
though very small. Aunt Catherine was buried beside
him aged 27. Died at the same time 1837. Grand
mother was buried there just beside the great gate.
And her tombstone was fine white marble but a box
like a large chest. She died sometime in 1850.
Theire children were F.A. Ansley our Father - then
Wesley - Martha - Josiah - Thomas - William and
Catherine and Mary. Our Father F.A. Ansley married
Miss Elizabeth Alison Prator of Upson County.
Daughter of John and Mary Prator. They were married
in 1837. Wesley All that I remember of him he died
young. Aunt Martha married such a nice man. A fine
physician and a christian and all. A model husband
and father. Aunt Martha and all of grand fathers
children had good advantages of school and society
and church privileges. Aunt Martha married Dr.
Jasper Bryan. They lived near Oxford University and
gave all of theire eight children the best of
opportunities and they applied themselves. Cousin
Fannie theire eldest daughter married Judge Estices
of Georgia-Gainesville. He is judge of Supreme Court
and their son, Claud Esties, is a leading lawyer of
the state. Aunt Marthas eldest son, Samuel, was a
Dr. The next daughter, Julia, married a noted lawyer
of Oxford, Col. Edwards, and has raised a first
class set of children. I do not know about the other
children. Uncle Thomas married well I knew her
though she died without any children. He married
again and raised two boys. Uncle Thomas lived in
Taylorsville, Cobb Co., Ga. He was an intelligent
man made plenty lived well. I met him in 1896.
Mother and myself were in Atlanta. He was there
sitting on United States Grand Jury. He went with
Mother down to Quins and spent some time. He died a
few years after that. Uncle William was a first
class physician. Did the best practice of the city
of Ameracus, Ga. A handsome man with black hair. And
one of the best men I ever knew. I spent several
weeks at his house in Ameracus. His wife was an
educated woman all time sickly. They raised only one
child. He married and was living in Atlanta
railroader. Aunt Mary married Mr. Futrell. She
raised three children. Eddie, Emma and Annie. Mr.
Futrell has been dead about 10 years. Aunty Mary is
Father younges sister and the only one of them
living. She is 78 years of age and very feeble. Her
daughters are single never did allow any man to wait
on them in any way. Never did receive any company of
the kind. They are about 40 years of age, though to
see them you would not think them near so old. They
work as clerk up town in Atlanta. I guess the two
make 75 dollars per month. I spent a month with them
two years ago. Cousin Emma is one of the dearest and
sweetest women I ever saw.


Our Father, F.A., Frances Asberry Ansley -- after
grand father died in 1837 and  father married,
grandmother persuaded him to take her business in
hand. Father stayed with her 3 or four years. Did
not make anything for himself. Grand Mother would
not pay him anything reasonable. Father traded a
good deal. Sold a fine horse for five hundred
dollars in notes that were thought to be good. One
man out about one hundred miles away in Pike County,
Ala., owed two hundred dollars. Father went to
collect it and got a real fine young horse. One day
he was riding that fine young horse. Met a rich
neighbor who wanted the horse very much. Father did
not want to sell at any price. Mr. Booty said the
horse was an exact match for one he had and he
wanted them to drive his carriage. At last he rented
the horse for one year at thirty dollars without any
writings. At the end of the year he would not give
him up said he bought the horse and paid the cash.
Went in court and beat father out of him for thirty
dollars. Then he was offered pretty fair salery to
oversee 60 negro fellows in the cherri gold mines.
Stayed there three years did not make much so that
was in the time of rise in cotton went up to 10 ct
and more rich men were giving wonderful prices for
hauling cotton to Macon, Georgia, so father went
down to Milledgeville, Georgia, and bought five
mules and a waggon. Made a few trips and cotton went
down to zero. Well, then somewhere near there was a
furniture shop. The furniture man offered to give
him a good trade in nice tall beadsteads. I know
about that. Can see just how the furniture looked.
So father traded his mules and waggon which he
bought on credit to the furniture man for 12 hundred
dollars worth of furniture and agreed to let father
keep the team untill he had hauled it all off down
the country and placed it in country stores for
sale. All went well for a while untill the furniture
had time to dry then all the cake was dough indeede.
I don’t think father realized as much as one hundred
dollars on the entire lot, the man had used green
lumber and it all cracked very bad, just no sale
worth the trouble. Soon after that Father was in
Barnesville and a dear good old man that had known
father all his life said to him Asbery why don’t you
take your little family and go to some new country
and get land plenty. Father said, Uncle Gideon I
cant unless I go in the night and I never will do
that. Uncle Gide Barnes said how much do you owe.
Father said about 1500. Uncle Gidie got the money
and gave it to him and said you go pay all, get your
papers and bring them to me, father went and payed
every one and gave Uncle Gidie his note. Now he said
you can go in the day time and if I die before this
is paid I will have the note burned. Father got
ready to move to Dooly County, Georgia, and brother
Frank was just three weeks old [Worrell note: 1847].
Father put my mother and little ones in a close
carriage moved them over to grand mother Ansleys.
Mother had one colored girl about 14 years old.
Father took her, myself, brother John and Mattie,
got grand mothers road waggon and 5 mules and moved
to Dooly 60 miles. In two weeks grand mother Ansley
sent mother with the two little ones Josiah and
Frank, on down 20 miles to grand father Prators, and
from there Uncle Belton Prator taken them in the big
old time close carriage on down home. Father rented
a pretty place on the publick road near a good
school four miles to church. We soon got all fixed
up. Father bought for 20 dollars a nice large fat
gentle mare that did good plowing though she was
blind. He had one young man hired and our colored
girl they made eleven bale of cotton sold for a good
price and early in the year he bargained for a place
was to pay 250 but rented it and sold it for 4
hundred and did not go on it at all. I cant remember
but he paid quite a large sum several hundred
dollars on his debt to Uncle Giddie Barnes. Every
year on Christmas eve night, he got so he would say
Polly fix supper Asbery will be heare tonight. He
stayed on that same place another year made a very
fine crop. I don’t think I have ever seen corn and
peas grow finer than they did on that loose black
fine land and plenty of water melon about over the
patch as big as water buckets. That year he paid
several hundred again and gave one hundred for one
lot 160 acres of public land joining the rented
place. Now I will go back when he lived with grand
mother Ansley and worked for so little and got in
debt. She could have helped him right then if she
would, grand fathers will stated that if any of the
boys made a sacrafice and stayed there in charge of
the business grandmother was to give them one lot of
land, 160 acres and a horse and saddle but she would
not give him anything untill the second winter after
moving to Dooly he went to see if she would let him
have Holiday the colored man. She then had him to
give his note for $90 dollars but she gave him a
right good old mare and colt, I think I am not sure
about the colt. At the same time as he passed grand
father Prators he gave father a real fine colt, its
mother had ring hoof and they had to take it from
her. It made a fine horse, a good pacer. How I did
love to ride Jack. Father brought the old colored
man and old Kit and the colt. Soon built a large two
roomed house and a nice large cook room and in the
back yard dug a well, built a nice large horse lot
barn and stalls all right on the main road three
miles south of Travelers Rest, Ga., just across the
Flint River from Montasumer there was lots of
travelers passed that road and mother used to make
so much money selling almost anything men and horses
did eat such as chicken, eggs, sugar cane,
vegetables, corn and fodder. Father got in a large
number of acres cleared land not much timber on the
land and he made a wonderful good crop. Was ready to
carry up another good payment and then grand mother
had relented and burned the note he was to pay for
colored man. Well to cut the story short he lives on
that new place just three years, on the rented place
two years - five years in all. He paid Uncle Giddie
every dollar and sold the new place for $1080 in
cash, had that over and above what paid the debt.
Then moved 60 miles out to Clay County Georgia near
Fort Gaines, a beautiful town on that river. There
he got good land and a very pretty place, a framed
house with three rooms, a good kitchen in the back
yard plenty of out buildings. A nice young orchard,
a good substantial gin house and screw but I have
always wondered what a big difference it might have
made in what the children would have turned out if
Father had stayed there. I never could understand
what he could want to leave the place for in just a
few years there was a splendid Coledge built up in
one of the place and where we went nothing but a
good country school very common people. Father lived
there 9 years and moved to Randolph County [Worrell
note: Francis and Elizabeth eventually settled in
Butler Co., Alabama. He owned lands there and deeded
some of it to the Ebenezer Methodist Church at
Pigeon Creek. He also gave his slaves both land and
houses.] Ala., another 60 mile move and that was
worse than ever poor land not very much school, a
little struggling church. Oh how I did cry many
times while living there, I never did expect to
marry, I just settled down to help Mother to raise
the children. Brother Lonie was a babe then [Alonzo
"Lonnie" was born  in 1859}, Willie was borned in
1862, or he was borned in Georgia that was in the
winter of 59, 1859 we moved to Alabama. The war came
on, Mr. Clayland refugeed out there from Miss. At
the close of the War his son gave him five hundred
acres of land about that time his wife died, he went
back to Miss., I went back to old Upson County,
Georgia, to sacque up and send home one thousand
pounds of meat and lard. Father and Mother bid in at
grand father Prators sale. A friend had killed and
cured it, had it smoked. I spent several months over
there and had such a nice time at Uncle William
Prators at Uncle Beltons and at Uncle Peter Butts.
They all had grown children, carriages, plenty of
company, plenty of music. I attended good camp
meetings also, that was in 1866.

===============


Transcript of letter to Eugene Asberry Ansley from
his sister Julia Ansley, written from Bessemer,
Alabama, March 28, 1904

Dear Brother Eugene,

You only asked for information about our Ansley
kinsfolx, I use to spend as much as six months at
Grand Father Prators. I was 18 years old the last
time I saw them though I went back in 1866. Father
and Mother bid in about one thousan pounds of pork
at the sale after grandmother's death in the fall of
1865. (She was 78 I think) and I went over from
Greenville, Ala., to have it sacqued up and the lard
all shipped home. Grandfather died some time before
grand mother, I can't remember, two or three years I
know, mother went back to see him, and when they
explained to him that she was at the station 20
miles and would get in about midnight, he said well
give her some supper and ten bushels of wheat. That
was the last he knew of her coming, he was
unconscious when she did get there. It was during
the Civil War and he knew that we did not raise any
wheat in Ala. Grand father Prator was 83 when he
died about 1863 or 1864. When a young man he was in
the habit of taking calomel right often and in his
last years 10 years before he died he had what the
doctors called murcurial pains. I was there one
winter and he took a pain in his great toe. I think
he could have been heard to hollow for a mile, old
Dr. Kendle would come, one time he gave him opiates
untill they seem to think that they never would wake
him. He weighed two hundred and 8 pounds for many
years 40 or 60 years I guess and grand mother
weighed the very same. They were very affectionate
not so much in words as in theire daily habits. They
sat together all the time unless grandmother gave
some slight offence then he took up his chair and
went over the other corner -- grandmama sat and
leaned back nearest to the fire, grandfather leaned
back against a folding leaf table. I have seen the
flore where they sat for about 50 years, the flore
was worn down abouat an inch. I do not think that I
ever saw any one suffer more than grandfather did
for five years before he died. He kept two stout
colored men to wait on him, he could not help
himself. I am not certain but I think it was 25
years that they had not taken a ride through the
plantation. They had a fine close bodied carriage
and a nice carriage drive through their plantation
also on through Uncle William Prators farm, he had
15 colored people I think. I am not certain how
many, and always in about a quarter of a mile of
grandfather and cultivated both farms together,
grandfather had about six lots of land after living
there 50 years he still had one all in woods. I do
not remember how many colored people they had, about
30 I think. There were six girls (had six daughters)
and he gave all of them one woman to do her washing
and heavy drudgery and Aunt Mary Ann was afflicted,
he gave her two women, one was to stay in the house
all the time. They never would allow one colored
woman to work out in the plantation after a certain
age, about 40 or 45. There was Aunt Silva, the cook,
and Mariah helped and they cooked for all the field
hands, Aunt Rachel would weave, though all of them
worked together. Two small ones was always ready to
answer the bell. Grandma had a bell on the porch,
the cord was in reach so that she could call one any
time. In the winter they hauled wood to the factory
two miles away and bought a bale of threat, it was
about as large as a bale of cotton, composed of
blocks of thread. These old colored women would spin
up all the wool and weave woolen coverlids and just
lots of counterpains. Mother bid in 16 at the sale,
grandma had 70 woolen coverlids when she died, and 5
large feather beds. They need lots of such things
for many long years, the children would have
reunions. There were 10 children and all had
families. I was there one winter when out of the 80
odd children and grandchildren, there were 60 of us
there for a week, some for two weeks, and I would
like to record that they were all people of
christian culture and refinement. There was not one
but what was well to do. My father's family had less
property than any except Uncle Henry Prator. He
never did succeed very well in business. He owned a
fine farm, two or three colored people, kept a
double buggy and mules. They lived well, went in
good style, but he never could accumulate. My
father, F.A. Ansley, was a man of inteligence and a
christian and could have made as good showing as
any. His mother was a widdow about the time that he
was married and Father stayed with her untill they
had five children and in debt 15 hundred dollars,
and when he did decide to pull up and strike out for
his own family he made money as fast as anyone and
kept every child in school and would have made money
but he worked too hard 4 years after he moved to
himself and lay sick a long time and never was so
strong any more. I am satisfied that grandfather and
grandmother Prator did all that they could for
theire children. Though there were no good schools
near, our mother said she was very small when at her
first school she walked 3 miles regular. I have
heard her say that grandfather bought all three of
her sisters older than herself silk dresses and paid
one hundred dollars each for them and said he paid
18 dollars each for leghorn hats for them. They all
married before mother did. They lived in Upson
County, Ga., 8 miles below Thomaston and two miles
from Swifts factory. They lived near a large
Methodist church old Rocky Mount, but they are not
buried at the church but in a field on the road to
the land did belong to Uncle Peter Butts, one of the
sons in law. Theire family burying ground is on a
very high hill of stiff red land and had a wide deep
dich dug all round it. They had a large roomy house,
large spacious grounds, large orchards and so many
large chestnut trees in the back yard and all down
in the woods pasture. They allways kept lots of
sheep, cattle, hogs and geese and chickens, how I
did love to stay with them. They were so kind, so
good to me in every way. I saw them shout in love
feast the last time I was there, and when grandma
was dying someone said Mother, you will soon see
Sister Matha, won't you. She said I don't know, I
think if ever I get my eyes on my Saviour it will
take me a thousan years to get them off.

There were ten children. Nancy married Dr. Norman
Bryant. They lived in Thomaston, Upson County. Aunt
Nancy lived untill she was about 35 years, left 4
children. They - the girls two of them went west,
that is all I know. The only son Willie married. He
is a jeweler and lives in Atlanta. Elisabeth named
for our mother married Mr. Twigs, he died and left
her with two children. Henry, the boy, is a
physician, his mother lives with him Columbus, Ga.
Elisabeth daughter Nora married Dr. Byron. They live
in Jackson Butts County, Ga. Aunt Eliza married
Hesakier Trotter, he made money fast and educated
his children. Two died in Montasumer, Ga. Mariah
married her Cousin Nathan Trotter went to Louisiana.
After some years came to Fort Gains where we all
were living then and carried uncle and aunt home
with them, also the only single child. Aunt Eliza
and uncle died in a few years, the daughter marrried
a Mr. Sims. Nathan Trotter owned 200 negroes and
after the war that freed the negroes they went to
South Ameraca, did not like come back to La. Aunt
Micheal Prator married Peter Butts. They lived in
old Upson all theire days raised 9 children, all
married excep one and one died. They are Cousin John
Butts, has raised a nice family all married and
married well. John is a merchant, Thomas is a farmer
lives in Thomaston. He has educated his children.
They are first class people nearly all of Aunt
Micheal Buttses grandchildren are married. They
believed in educating theire children and so they
have all done well. Uncle Draton moved out west,
Magnolia, Arcansas, I think, his children all did
well, I have never heard anything to the contrary.
Uncle Henry Prator went west, I have heard that he
did not educate his children and that they have not
turned out much. Uncle William Prator gave his
children good oppertunities, I did know who the
girls married but have forgotten. I have seen them
since they were married. James Prator, that was
Uncle Williams son. He was a rover, never amounted
to much, but John Prator his oldest son married and
raised a large interesting set of children. I was in
Ga. I met a Methodist preacher from Crawford County.
I said did you know John Prator down there. Oh I
recon I did, one of the grandest christian men I
ever saw and such a wonderful set of children, all
educated, all christians, all married well. It has
been many years since I heard this and I have
forgotten nearly all of it. I spent a month or two
with Uncle Williams family in 1866. I did all I
could to lead Cousin John to Christ and soon after I
went home he wrote [this letter ends here}.

=============================

Transcript of letter to Eugene Asberry Ansley from
his sister Julia Ansley, written from Bessemer,
Alabama, April 25th 1904, R F D No. 4 care W. B.
Ansley

Dear Brother Eugene:

Our great grand father Thomas Ansley and two
brothers came from England. They first settled in
New Jersey except Ben he returned to England.
William moved to South Carolina. Great grand Father
Thomas came to Warren County, Georgia, and bought up
about one fourth of the land of that county. He
lived ten miles out from Warrenton and owned all the
land along the road all the way to warrenton. He
accumulated much property. One of his grand
daughters told me that at his sale the auctineer was
three days selling off his persable property. I am
not certain as to whether he owned slaves or not but
my impression is that was where our grand father
Samuel got his first slaves, Old man Holiday and his
wife Lizzie. Great grandfather Ansley had 8
children, 6 boys and two girls, Joseph, Samuel,
William, Thomas, Abel, James, Nancy and Rebicker.

Great grand father gave all of them land and all
settled within a mile or two of him except our grand
father Samuel. For some cause he settled at Minton
ten miles above where he married I could not
ascertain the exact age of any of the children
except James borned 1775 and our grandfather in 1775
[It was 1765 for Samuel and 1777 for James]. Joseph
married Miss Mary Simpson, our great aunt Nancy
married Mr. Sheilds. It was their eldest daughter
Cousin Sallie Sheilds now Mrs. Perry. She told me
about our great grand father's family. She was
raised right there in Warren County amongs the whole
generation and knew all about who they all married
but she was in lots of trouble at the time and not
expecting her husband to live and I could not get
much information only in a general way. But I have
met with many of the different families and was
intimate with a Miss Mary Ansley and her brothers in
Atlanta saw one of the boys two years ago. Henry
Ansley and Cousin Mary knew all the different
families all the children and grand children but 12
years ago when I could have had and got up a correct
history of the different families I did not think
much about it but she said she found nun but great
grand father Ansleys decenants.

There a great many very wealthy Ansleys in Atlanta.
One of them an old man died while I was there. He
always denied belonging to our family but Cousin
Sallie went to see him just before he died and he
owned up that great grand father Thomas was his
grandfather. And many years ago before I was married
some time in 1854 I think it was I spent six month
at grand Father Prators and met quite a number of
the Ansleys. And in 1857 I spent 3 months in
Ameracus, Ga., with Uncle William fathers youngest
brother in and around Ameracus. I met with many and
I know that all of there were fathers first cousin.
That Alford Ansley that was killed I was at his
funeral. They were common looking poor people but
all the different families that I ever have met.
There were only two that were not educated real nice
people and I have so often thought there were more
real pious pure christians amongst them than almost
any family I ever met. Our great uncle Thomas Ansley
educated his children. That was one of his sons that
lived near us at the Johnston place and the Tom you
spoke of living there I knew them well spent weeks
at the time with them. Him I heard never married you
should love them for fathers sake he loved Cousin
Tom as a brother and they use to visit so much
untill Cousin Emma his 3 wife died and he married
again and moved to Cuthbert went to merchandising
and had quite a large family. He had so much on his
hands, they did not visit so much but I went to see
them in Cuthbert staid and attended the commencement
at the Methodist female College and had a nice time.
They sent us up town in the carriage regular to
every hours sessions. I met one of his sons Oscar a
shoe merchant in Anneston I call and asked him who
his father was that my maiden name was Ansley. At
first he said I do not suppose that you knew my
father Thomas Wesley Ansley. I said I did know him
well many years before he married your mother who
was his 4 wife. After he found I knew them he was
very pleasant and we had many long chats, but
strange to say I never once thought of taking names
and dates. I wish you would see Tom and find out the
name of his grand father and great grand father. Now
I know that great uncle William Ansley had only one
child Elsy. She married and I forget his name but
they use to spend the night with father as they
would go back to Warren County to visit. I am sure
that all the Ansleys are related and never met up
with one that I was ashamed to claim kin with except
some around heare that I would rather not meet up
with. Brother Johns two eldest daughters married
Ansley all the same family though distant and they
are real nice men educated and well raised one of
the brothers is teaching Latin in Howard Colledge.
There is no place I like to visit at than Henry
Ansleys and they have three such lovely children
pretty and very fine looking.

Our grand father Samuel Ansley married Miss Mary
Tilman her father and mother came from Verginia to
Warren County and both died. A celebrated Lawyer
Col. Stith adopted and raised her. Brother
Quintilian Stith was named for him. They grand
father and grand mother lived ten mile above great
grand father at Minton, Georgia but not long when
they moved to Pike County, 3 miles south of
Barnesville where he was living at the time of his
death. I never saw him. He died in 1837 aged 72 and
if you go to Barnesville visit the semetary you will
find grand Mothers large box tomb of white marble
right near the big entrance gate and grand fathers
and aunt Catherns tombs just a little below. (and
while I think of it if you go to Warrenton Court
House, Warren County, Ga., you will [find] great
grand fathers entire family record on the books in
the courthouse). Grand father Samuel Ansley and
grand mother raised eight children, Martha, Cathern,
Frances Asbery, Tomas, Wesley, Josiah, Thomas,
William and Mary. [That Tomas was probably
transcribed from Josiah. ags.]

Aunt Martha Ansley married Dr. Jasper Bryant. They
lived at Covinton, Newton Co., Ga. They raised eight
children gave them a thorough education. Their
eldest daughter married Judge Esties Judge of the
Supreme Court for many years. He is very wealthy.
Theire children are as near perfect from all account
as we find them in this world. Cousin Fannie is
noted for her deep piety and a superior good woman.
Theire son Claude is one of the leading atorneys of
Ga. Julia Bryant married a noble good christian man
and a leading lawyer. They lived at Oxford, Georgia.
Their children all married well and Col. Edwards is
dead. Cousin still lives at Oxford Ga. One of Aunt
Marthas boys Samuel was a fine physician one was a
preacher they all did well and succeeded in life and
I know they were trained to serve God. Aunt Catheren
never married. Died aged 27 years. [this letter ends
here]

=========================================

Transcript of letter to Eugene Asberry Ansley from
his sister Julia Ansley, written from Bessemer,
Alabama, May 25, 1904


Dear Brother Eugene,

You did not ask for a sketch of our Mothers family
but I know that you will appreciate it very much and
be glad that you have it and their pictures to hand
on down to your children. If I had children I would
have each a copy ready for them to take to their own
home. I know from experience that they do not
appreciate such things when young as they will in
after years. Our maternal grandfather, John Prator,
was raised in Jones County, Georgia. Married Miss
Marry Griffeth (he always called her Polly) and
moved to Upson Co., Ga., where they lived at the
same old homestead nearly 60 years. Grandfather was
of Dutch Irish descent. A fine noble hearted,
broadminded, honorable christian gentelman through
and through. He bought up lots of good rich dark red
land on Potatoe Creek. Much very fine bottom land so
level, such great fields of wheat. He had a fine
large close bodied carriage when I was a child in
the forties, somewhere about 1848 I guess from my
age at the time, and he had a good road kept up all
around and through the plantation and grandfather
and grandmother often would have the carriage and
mules be driven around to look at the crops.
Mother's brother William Prator lived in sight about
a quarter from grandfathers. He owned about 15
slaves, I am not certain how many, and grandfather
about 25 at that time. Uncle William had a nice home
and carriage, and cultivated his own and
grandfathers plantations all through together. He
always looked after the feeding and all the cattle
same as if had been his own. Early in life
grandfather and grandmother both got to weight two
hundred and 8 pounds each and he left Uncle William
to superintend the entire business but they were
true to attend church and have all the colored
people nicely clothed and off to church every Sunday
evening. He would not allow any of the old women to
go to the field after a certain age, about 40 years
old. In the winter he had lots of wood hauled to
Swifts big cotton factory two miles away and bought
up lots of thread and he had always many sheap and
the old women would spin the wool and use the
factory thread to make up bed cloths, white
counterpains and nice woolen coverlids as they are
called. Grandmother needed them in the winter. They
always had reunions. I was there in 1854 I think it
was, and there were 60 children and grandchildren
there for about two weeks. They found use for all
the great stacks of nice covering then and then
grandmother said when they were gone home these
things would be so nice for the children. I remember
my mother at the final sale bid in 19 of them. There
were 60 some odd children and grandchildren
assembled there one time. And I want to record this
fact that there was not one that one could be
ashamed of. Every single family lived in good style
and every  one owned some slaved and all except two
educated theire children. Grandfather's house built
in the long ago had five rooms below and two above.
Grandmother had fine full set of china and she was a
neat housekeeper. I have stayed with them from
August to March. She had plenty of servants about
the house. I had plenty of nice clothes and when
Father left me there he said William you have to
furnish this girl in money untill I return for her.
I haven't enough to leave with her. Uncle William
said, well give me a limit. Father said anything
under one hundred. Though I had so much I only
bought one dress, wrap and hat costing about 30
dollars. I had a nice time with the many young lady
cousins, there were 5 or 6 right near. We all had
plenty of company. That was in 1854. I saw them no
more for 20 years but all remains as vivid as if
just happened. I remember so well one Sunday
grandfather and grandmother went to church. It was a
quarterly meeting. They had love feast so many rose
to testify for Christ. Grandfather stood and talked
so firmly assured of the power of name of Jesus to
save. Grandmother stood up and talked and laughed,
the great tears of joy rolling down her face and sat
down and then rose and trued to talk again. Her
feeling overcoming her, she sat down again. At home
I went to the room to lay off my things, when I came
out she was laughing and crying and rejoycing and
said to me the devel tells me that I made a fool of
myself today but I know that he is a liar. Oh they
were Bible christians. They lived it. And when she
died in 1865 she was nearing the end, someone said
Mother you will soon see Sister Matha (that was her
younges daughter younges chld who had not long
died). She shook her head and said I don't know when
I get my eyes on my Saviour I think It will take me
a thousan years to get them off. Oh that remark has
all ways done me so much good. I am glad she said
it. I do not remember to have heard anything
grandfather said when he went home at 83 in 1863.
Only someone told him that Mother (Lizzie) would be
there at midnight. He said well when she comes give
her some supper and ten bushels of wheat. He did not
recognize her when she arrived. Grandfather suffered
several years with mercurial pains befor he was
taken home. He had to keep two stout able boddied
colored men to turn him, and lift him, and put him
in his chair, he could not help himself in any way.
They were always very affectionate always sat close
together. She leaned back usually against the wall.
There was a mahogany folding leaf table sat behind
grandfather which he leaned back against in summer
and in winter the leaf was put up and leaned agains
that which put him up near the fire. There were
indentures in the flore, looked so much as if they
had been trying to chisel out a washbowl in the
flore where each chair post had worn off the flore.
I suppose that it was more than an inch deep in the
middle. I think that they were nearly always
studying the bible. Neather of them did not work at
all except to walk out round looking after business
in the evening. North of the house, and all most in
front was a beautiful view, a large corn crib and
wheat house, roases and a great many peach and other
fruit trees with so many fine chickens, all outside
along the broad red land almost always plenty of big
fat hogs, on up beyond the corncrib was the big
horse lot and barn. Out west of the dwelling house
was the great smoke house and kitchen and just north
of that the servants houses. South of the dwelling
house was the vegetable garden. Just out east across
the road was a beautiful woods, a blacksmiths shop
and great towering chestnut trees in abundance. That
old Upson County, Georgia, and Pike where
grandfather Ansley lived, and Crawford County, I am
sure was the pritties rich heavy timbered, well
watered, red land, I ever traveled over, and I have
as a preachers wife, seen lots of Ala. And
Mississippi, and that around Jack and all up in
Madison County, Miss - which was called the garden
spot of the state, but I am sure I never saw such
beautiful mansions any other place, such spacious
ground shrubbery in such profusion and I use to talk
so much about what a beautiful picture all most
every home was crowned with the grand old father and
mother with snow white hair. There was very seldom a
common small farm house to be seen but near every
mansion two rows of nice cabbins facing each other
and a church nearby oftentimes. I love my dear old
native state. I spent the summer of 1902 back over
in Georgia in Whitsburg, Newman and Atlanta, and
Douglasville, where I lived 10 years. I was going
from place to place visiting old friend and
neighbors for about two month. Almost every one
treated me as if I had been kin to them. Travel
where you will in old Upson, Pike or Crawford you
see signs of immence wealth. I did not appreciate or
improve the opertunity I did have to know about our
ancestors but grandfather Prators mothers maiden
name was Rutherford. I spent two weeks at one of
mothers first cousins in Lumkin, Georgia, with
Doctor Rutherford. He was a great physician, owned a
beautiful plantation and 30 colored people, lived in
a fine large two story house. I was about 17 years
of age and his daughter Cora about the same age. We
had fine sadle ponies and almost any good thing all
the time. Doctor was highly esteemed as a christian
gentleman but also his wife was a superior woman.
One side of great grand father Prators family wa
named Alison, our mother was named for them.
Grandmother Prators maiden name was Griffeth. We met
some Griffeths at Douglasville. Mother talked with
them and decided that they were kinsfolk. I remember
hearing mother talking about what a price they had
to pay for silk dresses. She said grandfather paid
one hundred dollars for each dress and 18 dollars
for each Leghorn hat without the trimming. All of
the family that died in Upson are buried in the
family grave yard not far from old Rocky Mont
Church, the place is in a field on a considerable
hill, and to preserve and protect it there was a
broad deep ditch cut all around.

I was intimately acquainted with all of our uncles
and aunts except Aunt Nancy Prator, the eldest
daughter, who married Dr. Norman Bryant. He was a
dentist and local preacher. Aunt Nancy died young,
left 4 children. Willie lives in Atlanta, is a
jeweler and married, has one child, a daughter.
Fannie married, I do not remember the name though,
she died young. Sarah Jane married Mr. White I think
and went west, youngest was named Elisabeth, after
our mother. She married Mr. Twiggs, I never knew
him, they had two children, Lenora married Dr.
Byron, they live in Jackson Butts Co., Georgia, have
made money. Cousin Lizzie their mother had to raise
them alone. She is a taloris, she is in demand
wherever she lives for nice mens suits. She lives in
Columbus, Georgia, with her son Henry. He is a
physician. I saw a letter from her two years ago,
she wrote that she made 12 dollars per week. Aunt
Eliza married Hesekier Trotter of Upson County, Ga.
A tall handsom man, he was an educated hightoned man
of the world, accumulated fast, managed well,
educated his children. Mariah his eldes daughter
married her first cousin Nathan Trotter went to
Louisiana (Lake Providence). He owned more than two
hundred colored people, at the close of the civil
war they went to Honduras. Cousin Emma the youngest
and only living child except Mariah. Aunt Eliza went
out with uncle to live with Cousin Mariah and uncle
and aunt soon died. Cousin Emma (just my age) had
married and had two children and on the way back
from Honduras she died and was buried in New
Orleans. Aunt Micheal Prator married Peter Butts of
Butts Co. They lived near grandfather Prators untill
nearly all the children were grown and married off
then moved up three miles out from Thomaston. They
had some slaves I cant remember how many but they
had a fine plantation, a carriage, a pretty 4 roomed
white house. They lived in the midst of plenty. I
spent two months at theire sweet home in 1884. We
all attended two good protracted meetings and one of
the very best camp meetings up at the Rock, a
village about 8 miles above I think. But you ought
to have attended one camp meeting at the old Pike
camp ground, beautiful for situation and situated in
a moderately level space many fine large springs
near and good well water in abundance around the
very large shingle roofed stand. One of the finest
groves of large oak trees I ever saw and two circles
of tents running all around the stand, many tents
were large rough two story houses. But during the
Civil War the Yankees set fire to the tents and
stand at the same time. I first saw our mother
shouting happy. Father and some of our uncles took
her up and carried her to the stand. Grandfather
Prators tent was on one side of the ground and
grandfather Ansleys on the other. In 1884 when I was
at Uncle Peter Butts there were only the two
youngest girls at home. Soon after I was there Aunt
Micheal died. One of the best christians I thought I
ever saw. She never did get angry that I knew of and
she was so good to me. After she was taken home,
Uncle rented his fine farm and moved to Thomaston
with the two girls and lived just a few years. One
daughter Micheal died, also uncle Peter. Cousin
Fannie came to me at Douglasville and spent two or
three months then went into the millinery business,
is at this time running a large business in Newman,
Georgia. She never married. They were all beautiful
women. Their names, the children were John Butts,
Annie, Mary Ann, Belton, Martha, Thomas, Mittie,
Chapel, Micheal and Fannie. They have all done well
for themselves, raised and educated their children
nearly all married and gone from the roost tree. I
spent many pleasant weeks at Cousin Johns, Cousin
Mary Ann McGhees, and at Cousin Thomas Butts, and
with Uncle Belton Prators daughers in the year 1884.
They all had an abundance of this worlds goods,
nearly all had morning and evening prayers. Cousin
John and his wife profess and lived a sanctified
life. You will excuse all blunders readily, could
you see and understand the diffaculties under which
I am forcing myself to write, so thin, so weak and
nervous, I am compeled to rest and take some slight
refreshment, and many times a day or two before I
get back to write agin, and my eyes are failing so
and hurt, and every time I forget and must read all
over to know just where to commence. So in some way
I have neglected to give the names of our uncles and
aunts and as I am not physically able will abrige
the sketch very much.

There were ten children of grandfather and
grandmother Prators. Their names were Nancy, Eliza,
Micheal, Draton, William, Elizabeth Alison, Belton,
Henry, Mary Ann and Martha Prator. Aunt Eliza
married Hesekier Trotter. A splendid all round kind
good husband and father, bountiful provider, no
christian but Aunt Eliza was a precious good
christian. They had four children, two grown sons
and daughter died, the eldest one Mariah married
went to Louisiana. After some years Uncle and Emma
the youngest daughter went west, all died except
Cousin Mariah. Emma married a Mr. Simms, died, left
two children, uncle Draton married a superior little
woman, I do not remember how many children 6 or 8 I
guess. They went to Magnolia - Magnolia County
Arcansas - I think it is. I have heard that they are
all doing well. Uncle William Prator and wife raised
12 children. I have seen a number of them, all fine
looking and married well. I spent about 3 months at
Uncle Williams in 1866. His eldest son John, one of
the smartest young men mentally and physically I
almost ever met. He was a fine performer on the
Violene too. We had a good time. I would sing How
Firm A Foundation, and many other such and he would
play. We were nearly the same age about 27. I did
all I could to lead him to Christ, after I went home
he wrote me a very long interesting letter tell me
about how I had been the cause of his deciding for
Christ and 30 years afterwards while I lived in
Douglasville, Ga., I knew a preacher that had just
lived in Crawford County, Ga., - on a circuit. I
asked him did he ever meet up with a man by the name
of John Prator. He said indeed I did, one of the
grandest men I ever saw, rich, cultured, and you
ought to know his wife and children. He educated his
children, they have all done well in life.

The next was our Mother Elizabeth Alison Prator who
married F. A. Ansley in Upson County, Georgia, 1837.
Father lived in Pike Co. 20 miles above, where they
lived about ten years. Then moved to Dooly County,
Ga., - where he lived 5 years, sold out, moved to
Clay Co., Ga., where he bought a fine farm, large
gin house and press. A real nice three roomed house
and he made money fast and kept us all in a fine
school. Nearly every one in and around the community
were rich as well to do farmers and two good
churches. The advantages were many, we were 5 miles
from Fort Gaines, a large prosperous town in the
river. We attended church in Fort Gaines. Father
always was a member of the quarterly conference, he
was Sabbath School Superintendent kept up the prayer
meeting and class meeting as long as they were used
in the church. He was circuit steward and many times
paid much more than he was assessed. After living
there 9 years, he moved to Butler Co., Ala. A poor
pine woods place. Though by constant clearing land
and having a fine range for cattle and hogs which
enabled him to keep for many years. I remember he
kept about 40 head of cattle, about 75 head of
sheep, and many hogs, I know at one time he had one
hundred head of black guinie hogs. They had one man
and one colored women and two children, Henry
[Worrell: Henry married Sally Phillips 23 of Sept.,
1873 in Butler Co. Alabama] and Major. They had old
Aunt Sharlot, and the two children hired at the
close of the war. She stayed on with them 14 years.
She was the cook all those years, her two children
and Henry and Major grew up and married in time. The
man ran off to the Yankees, and the woman died,
Henry and Majors mother.

Father settled them on his land, gave them large
catches, and gardens, a cow and some hogs. They work
for him as long as he lived. Henry is neare the old
place yet. Father and Mother raised 12 children.
Theire names Julia A., John Samuel, Martha Jane,
Josiah Chapel, Frances Lafeyet, Quintillian Stith,
Mary, Eugene Asbery, Emma, Ella, Alonza Navall,
Willie Barton. Julia married Rev. John V. Clayland
August 23, 1866. We had one child borned to us, it
died. We lived together 30 years liking a few month.
He died the 1 of April 1896 aged 85 years. He taken
pneumonia and died in 9 days. He is in the better
land. John Samuel Ansley married Miss Jodie
Meredeith of Lowdns County Ala. I heard her mother
say that her husband (Jodie's father) had six
brothers, 5 of them Methodist preachers. I have
visited them, they were well to do people, had
slaves and believed in educating their children and
living a christian [life]. Jodie was a woman among
women, I can say truly of her in raising her
children according to the times Many have done well
but thou excellest them all. Brother John was a good
physician made money fast and was gone from home so
much threw much responsibility on Jodie. I think it
was in 1900 she died. They raised 11 children, all
married and all doing well as far as I know. Olie
and Jodie married far off Ansley kinfolx. They are
the nices kind of men, bountiful providers, good
husbands, members of the Baptist Church. John a fine
business man in the mercantile business died in
Texas about 1899. Lula married Mr. John Hutchinson,
died in 1904 and left 3 interesting children. Ula
died unmarried, Cora married Hue Givens. They live
in Surrels, and have four children. Sam lives in
Welsh, Virginia, Frank in Jefferson County, Julia 15
years old boards with her sister Mrs. Jodie Ansley
at Forest Station near Bessemer, Ala. Josiah Chapel
[fought in Civil War. ags.] went west to Arcansas
Nasville, merchandised and accumulated much
property, died December 1895, left a wife, one son
and two daughters Dick and Della and Elisabeth
Alison Ansley [this is incorrect - the third child
was Snow Borden Ansley, my grandmother. ags.] Dick
is well educated at Vanderbilt, so are the
daughters. All married. Dick is a superior man in
many respects, a good christian. Mattie married in
1867 Mr. John Hamel of Greenville, Ala. They went to
Cancas [Kansas] to Cowly County, lived in Dexter
where she died in a few years after, left two
children May and Mattie Hamel. The next year after
she died, John Hamel returned to Ala. Brought the
children, and he and sister Mary Ansley were
married. They were living in Birmingham where he
sold out his home for 25 hundred dollars and
returned to Dexter Cansas where sister Mary died in
less than 12 month and her husband soon after, they
left May one of the first set of children, and 4 of
sister Marys, all boys, well provided for in land.
May married and they all went to Montana we do not
hear from them any more. Sister Martha and Mary were
children of God.

Eugene Asbery went west to business colege, fitted
himself for business and went in business with
brother Josiah C - married - and some years
afterward went into the mercantile business for
himself. They live in Kemp, Texas. Brother Eugene
was a pious child, loved to serve God but I do not
know how he lives now. They have five children and
an abundance of the worlds goods. F.L. Ansley lives
in Taladeega Co., Ala., owns a fine farm in
Taladeega Valey. They have raised 7 children. Aura,
Preston, Elisabeth, John D., Insa, Mattie and Edgar.
Aura borned in 1873, died in 1903. I am not sure
that I am correct as to age and date. Elisabeth
married Mr. Charlie Thompson 1897 I think. Preston
is married, lives at Riverside, Ala. They have one
boy Earnest. John D. travels and works at anything
he fancies, the last I heard of him he was in some
shipyard and talked of going further. I think Insa
is a lovely, gentle, sweet spirited girl of about 16
years, very fine looking, very fond of improving her
mind, and I think she loves to study the Bible.
Mattie also is the sweetest child of about 13 I
recon. Edgar has a wonderful opinion of himself God
bless him and turn him to love and obey God. Brother
Frank has done well, has a nice home and plenty.
Brother Quin when a boy of about 18 years got in bad
health, father sent him to Georgia to Barnesville.
There he went to school and then into a cabinet shop
which he followed many years. Then when he had moved
to Whitsburg, Ga. He bought land and built himself a
nice house in the town of Whitsburg, and he farms
and is doing all in his power to graduate his
children. Some graduate, some do not. There are nine
children, all fine looking, Asbery, Mattie, Carrie,
Thomas, John, Edgar, Alonzo, [Allen and Harvey.
ags]. Asbery married well and lives in Whitsburg.
Carrie married my choice, I love Hue Watkins, her
husband, studious, stable, and firm for the right,
of fine stock.

Sister Emma married Jim Williams. They had 6
children. Sister Emma died young, only about 35 I
think. Addie Bell, the eldest, married Mr. Robert
McGhee, lives in Jefferson County7 miles out from
Messemer near Virginia mines. They have a nice new
four roomed house, fine furniture, 40 acres good
land, run a market garden and store and trying to
keep their children in school as much as possible,
they have five. Clyde, Dudley, blank, Emma and blank
McGhee. Walter is married living in Atlanta, has
one child. They have one child, a boy Harmon
Williams lives in any place where he can get the
best price for his work, he is unstable as water.
The last I heard of him he was in Texas, he is a
fine pattern maker for the foundary but he does not
stick. Frank and Robert, sister Emma's two youngest
are in Tenesee with their father. He married again
and moved up there. Mamie the fourth child lives in
Ager, a mining town. She married Mr. Fred Morgan.
They have one sweet babie girl. Sister Ella married
Mr. Jo Norsworthy and moved to Arcansas. I seldom
heare from her though they are doing well as far as
I can learn. I think they have 5 or 6 children but I
do not know their names. Alonzo N. Ansley, my
precious friend in my time of soar need, God bless
him forever more. He married Miss Estell Meddows of
Lowdns County, a real nice family. Her mother was an
Ansley, a distant relation I think her grandfather
Ansley was a Baptist preacher. They have a pretty
new home 3 miles out from Bessemer on the electric
car line at Madison Station a vilage. They have one
boy Sterling, a lovely child. They are striving to
train him in the way that he should go God bless.

Willie B. Ansley lives in Jefferson County 7 miles
out from Bessemer near the Virginia mines where he
owns 80 acres or about that of fine land where he
has built himself a large nice white house, quite
large, where he gives me a home with him now that I
am not able to help myself, God bless them. They
have 7 children, Cora, Clara, Louis, Cardin, Dollie,
Joshua, Emery. Brother Willie married Miss Alice
Stewart of Butler Co., her grandfather was a brother
of our Methodist Palmer of Nashville, also a brother
of the Georgia Palmer, I have visited one of his
daughters Mrs. Henry Smith of Upson Co., Ga., one of
the sweetest friends I ever had anywhere. 

[The rest of this letter is missing. ags.]