LETTERS: REV. WILLIE E. THOMAS 1928-1937 --------------------------------------------- Contributed for use in USGENWEB Archives by: Jemima Gee Morse Date: Thuursday 27 Jul 2000 10:27:46 -0400 ---------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. ***************************************************************************** Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jemima Gee Morse Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 10:27:46 -0400 From: "Jemima Gee Morse" REV. WILLIE E. THOMAS, SELECTED LETTERS 1928-1937 Rev. Willie E. Thomas, Methodist evangelist, was active in the restoration of the Old Mulkey Meeting House, now a Kentucky State Park in Monroe Co., Ky. He was born in 1875, the son of Samuel Tolbert Thomas and Missouri Ann Ballard. His ancestors were the Breed, Howard, Harlan and Thomas families who came to Kentucky in the late 1700s as a part of the "Great Awakening" religious revivals and many were charter members of the first organized church at Old Mulkey, which later split into two separate congregations. Some are buried in the cemetery adjoining the church. In 1925, a group of Monroe County citizens met and formed a board of directors to plan the reconstruction of the Old Mulkey Meeting House, according to an entry in "History of Monroe County Kentucky 1820-1988," compiled by Dayton Birdwell. An article on the current park and its history is at http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/parks/mulkey.htm The Rev. Thomas was an avid genealogist. Many letters in this collection are addressed to his family; others give details of his efforts to organize the Old Mulkey restoration, and relate his experiences as an evangelist during the Depression. His research was the basis for many of the lineages of the family who were charter members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Copies of the hand-written letters, which were sent to me by Virginia Nichols Chism of the Chism Family Association and Clan Chism, and by Dr. C. Sloane Davis from her correspondence with Mrs. Helen Y. Lind, have been donated to the Monroe County Historical Society. ================================================================= W. E. THOMAS GENERAL EVANGELIST M.E. CHURCH SOUTH WESTMINISTER APARTMENT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 815 Washington Ave. New Orleans, La. June 30, 1928 My dear John, I was so glad to get your letter & to hear from your mother. I was born in 75 so there is not much difference in our ages. I that I remembered two others beside Bob so you are one. Florence, Toats & I are planning to go back someday together & we now give you an invitation to join us. I still own the old house facing town, it is now one of the few old residences that is standing. - the old Bevil place & Mrs. Sweeza's (tell your mother) I have also at a dead expense held on to the old farm, my grandmother's and your great grandmothers. Ask your mother about Piedmont Hollow. There is no woman living I would rather see than your mother. Ask her if she knows where our grandfather Thomas was buried, he died on his way South with a drove of horses, died with cholera & was buried on the road side but tradition says the erected a stone but no body knows unless she remembers. If you are interested in genealogy you can join Sons of American Revolution on two lines. Your grt. grt. Grandfather James Thomas was in Col. Jacksons Co. S.C. under Geo. Washington's command. Your grt. grt. grt. grt uncle Joseph Hewes was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Your grt. grt. grt grandfather Obadiah Howard was also a Revolutionary Soldier. If you are ever interested or any of your children I have the data ready. I am holding a tent meeting here & it is too hot to live almost. What is your politics? Of course I am a Rebel, but this time I vote for Hoover. Unfortunately I have no children it is a great disappointment. With love for your family, your mother & the entire bunch. Sincerely, W. E. Thomas Let's keep in touch. I'm foolish about my kinsfolk. Willie Thomas Why do you reckon they ever called all the William's Willie? ========================================= W. E. THOMAS GENERAL EVANGELIST M.E. CHURCH SOUTH WESTMINISTER APARTMENT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE July 19, 1928 Mr. dear Lois, I was so glad to hear from you, but you don't know the Thomases if you think they would charge another for any thing they have. I have past your check on to the treasurer of "Old Mulkey Meeting House" which we are trying to restore to its primitive state. If any other members of the family would contribute it would be most acceptable. Do you know about "Old Mulkey?" It is where the ashes of many of the pioneers rest, among them our great greats. Twelve pilgrims arrived in this wilderness Kentucky Co. of Va. The built a square house of round logs, covered with boards, in winter time built a fire on the outside & when they could no longer remain inside would go out & warm & then come back. Later 133 yrs. ago they built "Old Mulkey" of hewed logs, puncheon floor, twelve corners representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The old walls are still standing. We have recovered it with boards, floored with puncheons, restored the wooden shutters to windows (no glass) & the peg leg seats for pews. John's grandmother & grt. grand mother & grt grt grand father & mother are buried there. Need about $300 to complete, tell the family about it. I am so glad that there is another interested in our ancestors. I tell old Florence & Toats that they would as soon their ancestor was a billy goat or grasshopper. Nobody but Clyde is interested a bit. I am sending under separate cover all that I have. I have Jane Harts old rocking chair considerably over 100 yrs. old. (You will find all these people referred to in the history. I have Nellies and maybe Janes old chest of drawers, beautiful to me, an old spool bed, two wonderful quilts one peonies, the other tulips served as flowers, or something. Any way the cotton was raised on the old farm, the negroes spun & wove the lining. So sorry we haven't been in touch before. So sorry you couldn't have known some of the old family slaves. Rachel grt grand mother Jane's maid whom grandfather Wm. set free at his death died only a few years ago, 100 or near. Charley & Anne & only a few survive but they are dear to our hearts. Have so many funny incident incidents to tell you that would be too tedious to write. I have the Thomas Coat of Arms but do not feel quite satisfied about it when it is confirmed will send you a copy. So sorry I missed seeing your daughter in N.B.(?) could have shown her so may personal things of interest. I lived there 12 yrs. Pastor down town church 4 yrs. Supt City Missions 8 yrs. I suppose you all are members of the Christian Church. They all say I am the only black sheep. Originally we all sprang from primitive Baptists as there was no others in pioneer days. I could write indefinitely but had better not overdose you the first time. I love my kinsfork. I want to see you. Love for you every one. Your Cousin, Will E. Thomas "Willie" they all call me but wasn't it awful to brand a man Willie? =========================================== Monterey, Tenn. Sept. 22, 1931 My dear Lois & John, Quite a coincidence I had just mailed you a paper about "Old Mulkey" a couple of hours before receiving your letter. It seems an assured thing (almost) that it will become a state park & we are delighted. John has three* grand mothers buried there. Elizabeth, Jane, & Priscilla. We are marking Priscilla's & Obadiah's graves he was a Revolutionary Soldier. I appreciate your feelings in regard to the information found in the old letters & it was encouraging to me to continue my pursuit after the original immigrant Thomas, whether he be Sam'l, Jas. Or Danl. I am within a hundred miles of Sweetwater, Tenn. where my grandfather Tolbert, grt.grnd father James, grt. grand mother Mary Morris and grt. grt. grand Fanny Proctor sleep. I'm scheming to get over there. We have our Howard & Breed line back 15 generations. Jno. D. Rockefeller, Wm Gibbs McAdoo are among our kin of note!! I will send it all to you this Fall when it is printed in a magazine gotten out by the Breed Association of New England. Your children are eligible to membership. They issue a bulletin three times a year. I will start immediately to secure the information you desire about Cousin John's family. One old man McMurtry who is still living can likely give me a lead. Your are letter struck a responsive chord in my heart. These are indeed perilous times. Not the bad, but the best people are being tried to the uttermost. So many are just struggling to live thru it. I don't know how, but in my heart there is a light that tells me that there is a way out. "I know not what the future hath Of marvel or surprise. I only know that life & death His mercy underlies." One thing we are certain & that is the Lord wants to bring us closer to him, & if it takes deep waters and firey trials we must try to endure the refining influence until we get a larger portion of his spirit. I shall interest myself in Stewart & maybe I can help him to get located. I will make the effort beginning at once. I feel a loss in Cousin Cora's going. I know she looked sweet in death,because she was sweet in life. (She has three children at Old Mulkey did you know it). Was John born in Kentucky? I remember Bob best and two or three others. An old cousin in Sherman, Tex. a contemporary of Cousin Cora 85 yrs. old is sweet and wonderful as you talk to her and her mind begins to unfold it is remarkable at the stack of first hand information she has about grt grnd mother Jane, & grt grt grnd Priscilla who was her own grandmother. There are rare treasures characters like her and Cousin Cora, little & sweet and beautiful. Some time get a Methodist Preacher to get me to help him in a Revival. That's about the only way I could get there soon. Tell him no trouble about finances we will take a chance on that. I have always been spited that I did not see your daughter in New Orleans & I want to see John so bad. Florence is crazy about him. "Be you near, or be you far, Let my blessing like a star Shine upon you everywhere: And in the dark evening hour When the twilight folds the flower, I will fold thy name in prayer" Love for you all and God bless you, Cousin Willie ======================================= Westminster Apt. Dec. 14, 1931 Nashville, Tenn. My dear Lois, Inclosed find letter from old man Bailey. I guess it is authentic. I felt so badly about Stewart's letter having been so long delayed. Tell him that I am still at his service if it is not too late. I have at last located the burial place of Stewart's grt. grt. grt. James Thomas the Revolutionary soldier. But heaven only knows the first Jas. or Danl. or Sam'l. whichever it may be but I'm still pursuing. Wish I had a big fat chk to send you for Christmas, but I'm busted. So here's hoping you & John & Stewart & the daughter, health, happiness & the peace of God. Cousin Willie ============================================= J.E. RAWLS, MANAGER ENTERPRISE, ALA. HOTEL RAWLS EUROPEAN PLAN ENTERPRISE, ALABAMA 55 ROOMS - 50 BATHS COFFE SHOP CIRCULATING ICE WATER IN CONNECTION ON EACH FLOOR TELEPHONE IN EACH ROOM January 3, 1932 My dear Lois & John, Somehow you all touch a responsive chord in my heart. I have been crazy about John ever since Florence told me how fine he was I have felt drawn so close to him. Am distrest about you, but so glad that you can get without an operation, many are doing it that way. Does Stewart still want me to try to get him a location. I'm so sorry his letter was so long delayed. I am still grasping at every straw that appears to get our Thomas line back as far as the immigrant, whether he be James or Daniel is a question. I'm also deeply interested about Fanny Proctor. She was a rare old character at 107, reading her old English Bible daily. Helped to build the first church in Tennessee & went with her husband to fight the Indians. I have our Breed & Avery line back fifteen generations. Will pass it all on to you when I get a bit more. Arrived here yesterday noon to conduct Revival, just before I got here a big Bank closed, leaving a blue situation. Write me whenever you will always so glad to hear from you. Old Florence & Toats will not write much. Old Mulkey's fame is reaching afar. It is sweet & beautiful, so quiet the carpet of myrtle wonderful. The Jonquils bloom at large. Did John know that he has two or three little sisters buried there. One has a stone. With love and deep interest, I am Your Cousin Willie. Wonder why they didn't say William? That old room where the (mantle) clock was over mantel, where the three cornered cupbord was, is likely the room where Jane Hart Howard died. Am getting a few of the old pieces side board, maybe Jane's chest, chest of drawers, etc. ============================================ J.E. RAWLS, MANAGER ENTERPRISE, ALA. HOTEL RAWLS EUROPEAN PLAN ENTERPRISE, ALABAMA 55 ROOMS - 50 BATHS COFFE SHOP CIRCULATING ICE WATER IN CONNECTION ON EACH FLOOR TELEPHONE IN EACH ROOM January 4, 1932 My dear Cousins, Guess you will think I'm overdoing this thing of writing, but I am so thankful for Cousin Cora's picture. Those wonderful eyes speak character & show her blue blood ever tho wrinkles are in her brow. How I longed to see her she could have told me things that we can never know because I could have talked to her & started her thoughts that had been covered up for years because there was no one to recall those things. How I can visualize her where her face was round & white & tender as a girls & those wonderful eyes, to me the greatest in the family. My heart is stirred within me & I'm so grateful to you all. You all would have appreciated "Old Mulkey." It was one of those glorious Indian Summer days when the blue smoke seems every where, & when the trees were glorious in their Autumn hues, the ----the gums like a flowe of fire, the maples in their golden & crimson leaves, the sturdy brown oaks, etc. etc. The old church, the people, pioneers, yes in their road wagons, horse back & afoot. Cousin Jemima with her long sweeping black dress & black silk sun bonnet to watch. Cousin Becky a little more drest up because of the girls. Aunt Rachel, in her gingham apron & sun bonnet - a Cousin of Abraham Lincoln's & Daniel Boones, bent away over. Miss Nannie Bob Turner, a wonderful woman, a treasure her father made grand --- ---Thomas's coffin. Mr. Jim Beales with long flowing white beard. Other old patriots with beard & gallouses. Then the most representative bunch of progresive people real stock that I ever saw. Automobiles & Limousines. Mrs. Hezekiah Faul, tall graceful, a grt grt grt. of Obadiah Howards. Hon. _ayon Porter of Glasgow. Mrs. Charles Terry regent, Edmund Rodgers Chapter D.A.R. of Glasgow. Mrs. Jim Richardson dau. of Rodgers, who lives in the house that Geo. Washington had built on his Ky. Plantation for his nephew, Alex. Spottswood. Dr. Howard & sisters of Glasgow. Mrs. Fulks of Louisville. Miss Bruce, gtrnd. Of Geo. Helm of Louisville. Mr. Smith of Bowling Green., etc. etc. Children, I just wish you could have been there. Then the Governor. The Sect'y of Parks. The Adj. General, The Senator The Circuit Judge There is no end to it. It was a glad happy day. If this bores you I promise never again to get started. Will Thomas =========================================== W. E. THOMAS GENERAL EVANGELIST M.E. CHURCH SOUTH WESTMINISTER APARTMENT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE SOUTHERN HEADQUARTERS 815 WASHINGTON AVE. NEW ORLEANS, LA. Rochelle, La. Feb. 27. 1932 My dear Lois, I am like Aunt Betsy, (John's grand mother) I love my kinsfolk. I am emotional, spontaneous & effusive when a thing fills me up, and right now as it is a Saturday & no services & I want to write you about the Teche (tesk) a bayou that runs thru the sugar belt by many stately old Colonial Southern Mansions. It practically has no banks in places the land is so flat. "Oak Lawn" one of the old estates with silver knobs on the doors sits back in a park of wide spreading live oaks festooned with spanish moss waving in the sun shine & glimmering in the moon light. These live oaks are gloriously beautiful hue, two, at Margarite Clarke's house makes an arch over the Old Spanish Trail highway. All the lawns of acres run to the bayou, one way or other. It is heart sickening to pass by many of these old estates, thousands of acres of idle care land, & the sugar mills falling down. The Teche was made famous by Longfellow's Evangeline, this country I where many of the Arcadians landed when they were driven from ----------from their Northern clime. They settled along the bayou & multiplied the earth. S.W. Lousiana is the thickest rural populated section of U.S. & La. stands 2nd in illiteracy, the reason is Parochial schools if any at all. You can drive miles passing (bayous) front yards along the bayous. Some sections has to be traveled in boats it is surrounded (islands) by water. "Avoca" (meeting of the waters) a mansion with trees & palins & steps leading down to the water. Eugene Pharr's house formerly who married Bessie Nye (Bill's daughter) were friends of mine. Gabriel was supposed to have passed Evangeline at several points on the "Teche." One night he was asleep on the bank, right near, the whole country is reeking with legends & stories about them. The Teche (you see I am disconnected) empties into the Atchafaglai (Chaffai liu) making Berwick Bay 30 miles from the Gulf. At St. Martinsville a town of 5000, where more people are buried in Cemetery than live there. Where one of the oldest Catholic Churches with a grotto built by an octoroon (they proudly say) is where a Judge lived, who wrote the true story of Evangeline & gave Longfellow his data. I read the book & this is it. Emeline Labische (Evangeline, Geo? Arcenaux (Arce-no) Gabriel. The beginning of Longellow's story is true but not the ending. Evangeline or Emeline looked & hunted for Gabriel, finally under one of these grand old oaks right near the bank of the bayou, she met him, but alas, he was married, her mind began to leave her & she spent her last days just among the colony house to house, harmless & almost senseless. That is one of the trees that is in the hall of Fame the Government looks after it. She lies buried back & to the side of the church under Spanish daggers. A movement is underway to raise funds to mark her grave. I was in the section during the flood of 27(?) & many interesting things happened. For days caravans of people, cattle, hogs & mules & chickens were being moved to higher points. Congratulations. I could have given you lots of babies. I ran a baby factory several years. Having glorious meeting some wonderful conversions. I go to Eunice, La. the first, that is in the heart of Acadin Parish. Love to John & all your children. I forgot, James Thomas is John's grt grt grand father, born 1739-1799 fought in S.C. regiment Col. Wm. Jackson's command, married Mary Morris, whose father was killed reconnoitering around the old fort at Charleston. Her mother Fanny Proctor, afterwards married a Rhea & lived to be 106 yrs. old, had second eyesight, went with husband to fight blood Dick Cunningham-tall, beautiful white wavy hair-but child, I can't get beyond her for sure but I'm working. Tolbert Thomas, John's grt grnd father is also buried at this place. He died on his way South with a drove of horses in 1839, when "pa" (my father) was a baby. Don't you want a rest? Cousin Willie ======================================= W. E. THOMAS GENERAL EVANGELIST M.E. CHURCH SOUTH WESTMINISTER APARTMENT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Georgetown, La. April 23, 1932 My dear Cousin, Do you reckon John's family would respond $1 per. For the erection of a marker to their grt. grnd mother's grave, & to their grt. grt. grandmother's grave & to their grt. grnd. Father's grave, then at Old Mulkey there would be. Their grand mother Elizabeth Breed Thomas Gee. " grt. " " Eleanor Howard Thomas. " grt grt " Jane Hart Howard. " grt grt grt " " Priscilla (Avery) Breed Howard I am endeavoring to do this. Had blank from American Compendium. Thanks. I have replied. Good meetings. Love to you all, Cousin Willie We are going to have numerous unveilings. Wish you could be there. In Louisiana again. Tell John to stir them up on their contributions. Aug. 7th the date. "Cousin Willie" Ringgold, La. SOURCE: Virginia Chism Nichols, Chism Family Assn., and Clan Chism, Nebraska, 1998. ======================================================= LETTER, HAND-WRITTEN BY W.E.THOMAS, EVANGELIST, TO COUSIN PENN MERONEY, APRIL 29, 1937. "W. E. THOMAS EVANGELIST Methodist Episcopal Office South Westminister Apartments Nashville, Tenn. Apr. 29 , 1937 Cousin Penn Meroney, I'm awfully glad I have found you at last. I have missed too much already, so lets make up for lost time. In answer to your questions: I.) Tolbert *Howard, son of James and Mary first married Elizabeth Breed. Their children: Mary married Sack Gee James married Settie Maxey Abigail married (1) Jarriet Howard (2) Wm. Foreman Elizabeth died: then Tolbert married Eleanor Young Howard. Their children: "Brother Johnie" died a mere lad." Elizabeth Breed (named for his first wife) married John Jefferson Gee William Howard married Sally Whitesides? Samuel Tolbert married (1) Phoebe Ray (2) Missouri Ann Ballard (my mother) *Howard is marked through and Thomas written above the line. ------------------------------Page Break------------------------- W.E. THOMAS LETTER TO COUSIN PENN, APRIL 29, 1937 "Little brother Johnie" died in infancy. James Tolbert. Samuel & "Znes" children. William Edmund Ella Gee James Tolbert married Betsy Jane Webb. Their children. Phoebe married - Spicer (nothney) Allie C. married Lena Lena Wanderlick? Ray Edward married Grace. Webb married Susia Virda Sam married Friedsanu. Wm. Hunter died unmarried. Allie and Ray are the only surviving children. -----------PageBreak--------------------------------------------- W.E. THOMAS LETTER TO COUSIN PENN, APRIL 29, 1937 (2) The dates of Christopher & Rebecca have never been secured. & I have never felt sure that Rebecca's name was Hayes. We are reaching for it. And an old man in Tompkinsville told me to day he tho't it was hays, that was a long reach back. The Sam Howard buried in Plano must be a brother of Jarriet the dates ought to help settle that. Jacob Chism married Priscilla Howard Aug. 19, 1802 so says the Barren Co. records. Don't you think likely a daughter of Obadiah? --------------------Page Break--------------------------------------------- W.E. THOMAS LETTER TO COUSIN PENN, APRIL 29, 1937 Abigail. (King David's wife) Phoebe the old family way. (JGM (TYPIST) NOTE: As there's no No. 3 , there's a page missing in the letter.) (4) Mrs. Fulks (the best Howard authority that I have) thinks that Obadiah's father's name was Obadiah. Aaron Hays was the son of Jesse Hays, Rev. Soldier in Maryland. Personally I have never worked out the Hays line but there are a few old timers left. & Barren Co. records available. Monroe Co. was formerly a part of Barren. Butthe Rebels burned Tompkinsville during the war and destroyed all records. A genealogist in Baltimore made preliminary investigations and that our original stem was our present starting point or James. I want the Proctor line, also the Morris, if he was killed in service reconnoitering around the old fort he was surely in the War & I hope he was a descendant of the signor of the declaration. I also believe Abigail Hewes tradition is true. Abigail comes all down the line and the Hewes also in our line. Yours for the blue blood or horse theif either, just so they are mine. (Signed) W. E. Thomas P.S. Over" (TYPIST NOTE: Letter ends here; copy in the P.S. as "Over" not available) ===================================== LETTER, HAND-WRITTEN BY W.E.THOMAS, EVANGELIST, TO COUSIN PENN MERONEY, June 24, 1937. "W. E. THOMAS EVANGELIST Methodist Episcopal Office South Westminister Apartments Nashville, Tenn. Moulton, Ala. June 24 , 1937 Cousin Penn Meroney, I am sending under separate cover a copy of the chart I have. If any thing is not clear just write me. Mrs. Fulks comes in on the line of Stephen Howard & Elizabeth Hart. Find out all you can about the dress, but don't write Hade (?) Stone he is in his dotage & we are trying to get it. It is home spun linen, or fax short sleeves & a low neck the best I remember. Vera Andrews & I went to see it. If it is as old as Hade says it is it is Mary Howard's that married Nathan Breed, otherwise it is her daughters that married Wm. Chism (Billy Blue). She was Abigail Stone's grt grnd mother. Abbie was Hade's wife. Am sorry you can't come to Old Mulkey. We will plan another time, maybe in the Fall. I will write about the bottle (?battle) later when I get 'thus saith' on it. I have the Avery & Breed "Court of Arms." Johnny Thomas talked like he might surprise you with a copy sometime. I want six or eight copies of this chart to give the kin I have promised. Will pay you whatever it costs to get them typed. Lets get hot on James Thomas line. Sincerely, W.E. Thomas =============================================================== SOURCE: Dr. C. Sloane Davis, PO Box 16294, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 Correspondence and Enclosures from Helen Y. Lind, 934 Kealaolu Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816-5417, May 18, 1998.