LETTER - Zacariah Marion Stephens to parents Old letter from Zacariah Marion Stephens to his parents, Redden Byrd Stephens and Isobel Sparks Durrett. Written from Fulton MS where ZMS is evidently boarding and attending school. ZMS was born in 1851 and was 21 years old at the writing of the letter. Location of Parents is unknown but thought to be Memphis TN. Copied, annotated, and contributed for use in USGenweb Archives by Martha Glenn Stephens Cofield, great granddaughter of ZMS, as accurately as possible. He did not use much punctuation and occasionally misspelled a word. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and 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 ************************************************************************ Fulton Miss Thu Mar the 15th 1871 Dear father & Mother, After a short absence I embrace the present moment to address you with a few lineswhich leaves me in moderate health I have been suffering some for the last few days with a pain in one of my knees (1) but it has about left me I have now news to communicate to you at the present more than I am better satisfied than I anticipated that I would be in regard to the school and also my board I have an excellent chance to study of a night and morning and you may be well assured that I am not eating any idle bread I can say this much I never new what hard studying was before not bragging at all but I have recited 12 lessons in grammar and I have not missed answering a single question and I am studying what Mr. Lee (2) says is the hardest part of grammar I am now working in the double rule of three I comenced in the rule of Federal money I have not come to a sum yet but what I have worked without much trouble. Our school is right smartly crowded at this time but there is no grown boys going but my self and Dallis Durrett. (3) Grandma (4) is on the mend She is able to go any where about the house Cornelia Kirksey (5) has been very sick but is now able to sit up She delairs that she is going to see you just as soon as she gets able to ride in a buggy. Martha Durrett (6) has just recived a letter from William Countis (7) he wrote they were all well. As it is getting very late in the night I will close for this time by asking you all to write to me and give me the general news as such would be of interest to me. I remain your affectionate son unto death. Z M Stephens NB Kiss the little man (8) for me & tell Henry (9) & Cornelia (10) to write to me. End Notes: (1) Marion Glenn Stephens, grandson of ZMS, remarked often that ZMS would never admit to feeling good, but always had some minor complaint. (2) Mr. Lee is probably the teacher and not a relative. (3) Dallis Durrett must surely be James Dallas Durrett b. ca. 1850 AL, md. 1878 Itawamba Co., MS, son of Zacariah M. Durrett. ZMD is almost certain to be a brother of Isobel Sparks Durrett Stephens, mother of ZMS. (4) Probably Elizabeth Arnold Durrett, wife of William Hogg Durrett, parents of Isobel Sparks Durrett Stephens. Possibly Tabitha G. Powell Stephens, wife of Zacariah Stephens, parents of Redden Byrd Stephens. (5) Cornelia Ann Stephens b. 1846 AL, d. 1885 Itawamba Co., MS, md. John R. Kirksey. Cornelia, daughter of Green Shelton Stephens. (6) Martha Durrett may be Martha E. Durrett b. 1854 AL, daughter of Zacariah M. Durrett. ZMD died in Itawamba Co., MS which would indicate that Martha was also there. (7) Descendants of ZMS have long been aware of connection to Countis family although details are unknown. (8) Descendants of ZMS have been heard to use the expression "the little man" when referring to a male baby or small child in the family. Probably refers to William O. Stephens, aka Willie, son of Henry Stephens and nephew of ZMS. (9) Henry is William Henry Stephens, brother of ZMS. (10) Cornelia is thought be be wife of Henry and mother of Willie mentioned in endnotes 8 and 9. Spelling of her name was hard to read. However, tombstone for Willie says son of W. H. and C. A. Stephens.