[Letter, December 1, [1877], from Mary Fannie (McCracken) Robinson to her 
brother-in-law Tom H. Robinson]

[Notes from Wanda Smith - That 1877 was the date of Fannie Robinson's letter is 
now verified by two sources: 
(1) Fannie Huckaby's marriage record and 
(2) the ["pigeon roost"] letter written by James Pressley Robinson on 
[Sunday], Dec. 2, 1877, to his daughter Sarah Hope, which gives the news that 
"Cousin James ... is here now. HE CAME TONIGHT with some twenty head of horses."
    Fannie also wrote her letter on Sunday but misdated it "Dec. 1" 
[which was a Saturday in 1877] when in fact it should have been Dec. 2. She 
also reported "Cousin James GOT HERE TONIGHT with a drove of horses."]

[Envelope wanting]

[p. 1]

             Fairfield, Dec. 1st [1877]
Mr. Tom H. Robinson
             Dear Brother
Your letter to J. P. was received   *A*
several days ago. This is Sunday 
evening, no one at home but 
the children & my self thinking 
perhaps that you would 
like to hear from us all 
concluded to write to you. 
How are you a getting along 
at school haven’t had 
any fights yet. How are 
you pleased any how has 
Andrew got any better pleased      *U*
yet or not. I expect both of 
you will come back with sweat[sweet]
hearts, like all school boys do
that’s right have your fun

[p. 2]

while you are there, for a few 
more years & you will be 
a man & have to buffle 
with the rough ways of the 
world. We got one letter from 
Janie & also one from Sallie    *B, C*
all of the girls seem to be 
very well satisfied. I 
reckon you will be a little 
surprised to hear that 
Fannie Huckaby is really      *D*
married. She married last 
Thursday night to Mr Sid Fry-   *E*   
er. They did not give any 
wedding & it is reported 
that Rufus Watson & Mary     *F, G*
Blain are to be married 
week after next. I believe 
that is all the news about 
town only the Railroad there
is a great prospect of having 
it here. I reckon you will

[p. 3]

come back on the “Fairfield
Western Railroad” as that 
is the name they have given 
it. Hope you will have a 
nice time Christmas wish 
you were here then to take 
Christmas dinner with us.
We are a going to have a
big turkey & we are getting 
plenty of milk & butter. J. P.    *A*
bought that brag milk cow 
from Young. May goes up           *H, I*
to your Ma’s to get viney (wine)  *J* 
every day. She is getting as fat 
as a Jug. She thinks she is 
plenty big to nurse buddie.       *K*
We have done killed our 
hogs. The hog cholerae is 
killing a great ma[n]y hogs here 
& we thought we would kill 
ours before they died with it. 
Cousin James Robinson got here   *L*

[p. 4]

today with a drove of horses. 
I liked forgot to tell you that 
Jackson Chiles is to be married   *M*
next Sunday week to a Miss Sallie  *N*
Acuff. She lives out in the 
country. J. P. says tell you that  *A*
your Pa sent John Bonner a         *O, P*
$1.50 dollars for you & Sallie     *C*
& for you & her to go to him 
& get what you want. You 
must give my love to Sallie,       *C*
Bet & Jannie & also Willie &       *Q, B, R*
May. Tell Bet very much            *I, Q*
oblige for that Boqouet & May      *I*
shall not forget her. I will 
send the children[’s] picture 
when I have them taken. All 
of your Ma’s family are well. 
Laura sends her love to you &      *S*
to tell you she thinks of you 
every time she churns. Knows you don’t have

[written along right margin and then upside down at the top of the page]

any good buttermilk there.
Ader Winters[?] was here this evening   *T*
inquiring about you. You must 
send this letter to Sallie as one 
letter must do for all, can’t afford but 
one. Write soon to Fannie Robinson.



[Notes on people:]
*A* = "J.P." = James Pressly Robinson [her husband, age 26, sheriff]
*B* = "Janie" = Jane Eliza Davidson [age 17, at Due West Womens College]
*C* = "Sallie" = Sarah Hope Robinson [age 17, at Due West Womens College]
*D* = "Fannie Huckaby" = Mary Francis (Huckaby) Fryer married 28 Nov 1877
*E* = "Sid Fryer" = Sidney Augustus Fryer married 28 Nov 1877
*F* = "Rufus Watson" = unknown, seem not to marry in Freestone Co.
*G* = "Mary Blain" = unknown, seem not to marry in Freestone Co.
*H* = "Young" = Oliver Young Bonner [age 16]
*I* = "May" = May was Mary, b. Dec. 3, 1875, the daughter of James P. Robinson.
*J* = "your Ma" = Elizabeth Ann (Bonner) Robinson [age 59]
*K* = "buddie" = James McCracken Robinson, b. July 8, 1877, was the son of 
         James P. Robinson.
*L* = "Cousin James Robinson"
*M* = "Jackson Chiles" = M. J. Childs married 16 Dec 1877
*N* = "Miss Sallie Acuff" = Sallie Acuff married 16 Dec 1877
*O* = "your Pa" = James Bonner Robinson [age 69]
*P* = "John Bonner" = Rev. John Irwin Bonner president of Due West Womens College
*Q* = "Bet" = Bettie Fleming Davidson [age 16, at Due West Womens College]
*R* = "Willie" = unknown
*S* = "Laura" = unknown 
*T* = "Ader Winters" = unknown
*U* = "Andrew" = unknown