yesterday's tennessee

Letter from Mifflin - 1861

transcription by Becky Burdick McLaughlin

Eliza M. (Boykin) Cobb, of Mifflin, Henderson Co (3rd District), TN, is the wife of Dr. Pharoah Boone Cobb. Eliza is writing to their daughter, Penelope Beatrice Jones, wife of Samuel Jarrett Jones. It is not certain where the daughter resides at this time, but Penelope and Sam J. Jones are recorded in Dyer County census begining in 1870.Their daughter, Alice Applewhite Jones, married Allen Lassiter and moved to Trenton, Gibson Co, TN. Alice and Allen Lassiter are my great grandparents.

At the time of this letter, 1861, Penelope and Sam have one child - Robert. Penelope was raised in Henderson Co., TN and this letter relates all the news from home, listing folks and family that she would have known.

The 1860 Henderson Co TN census records many of the surnames mentioned in this letter. I have tried to document many of the names listed. I will appreciate your updates and corrections.

Transcription by Becky Burdick McLaughlin, beckyintex@hotmail.com.

19 Feb 1861

Dear Daughter,

As I have a several things to write about, I have selected a large sheet which will be filled, before mail day. We are all as well as usual, old Fail and myself (torn page) ............, and Mrs. J H THOMAS recovering, is all that are complaing I believe.

We had a very sudden marriage last week, ADELINE WEST (1) to Mr. SAYLE (5). They had no one but the waitors. MANLY had to give place to JO FRY (2). LIZ HENDRICK (3) and MARY WEST (1) were the young ladies, and I believe COLUMBUS (4) was the other. They were married on Thursday evening at 5o'clock, started or went to Lexington the next day (evening) to WILLIAM PENN's(5) of Lexington, who married Mr SAYLE's(5) sister. They had big crowd, gave a Union supper. He (Sayle) was in school monday morning. ALICE (6) and I called on AD (7) yesterday morning (monday). She looked quite pleased and happy. They think Sayle a second Soloman. I will just on, and give you all the news of the day.

Mrs. CAWTHERN (8) is in much trouble. Mrs. GRAY (9) died last week, before she could get to see her. Her death was sudden to all. They all thought she had dyspepsia, and it was DROPSY (10). She sent for your pa, but she was too far gone. She told your pa to tell her, what he thought of her condition. He could not alarm her, for she was prepared, and did not fear to die though she would like to live until April. GRAY had written to her, he would come then, but he had disappointed her several times. She sent a passing word for me to come, and I intended going when your pa returned, but she died the second visit. I felt so sorry, I could have shed tears if it had done any good. I forgot to tell you about our negroes being stole. Your pa got a letter from Jo to that affect, but it came through the negroes, and it was all nothing. My memory is no better, and it causes me much distress at times.

S. COOPER (11) came and staid a short time as usual, was in one of her glees. It ..........that she is after BEN, but she and 2 children are at her mothers. DEAN died 2 or 3 months ago. BOB PURDY (12) has gone to the Bend. A Mrs. WILLIAMS a widow occupies the house he left. She is under bad character, but whether she is inocent - I know not. She has been here ever since Christmas, and no one ever called on her, until last week Mrs. HOLTUM(13) broke this and Mrs. PYLE's(14) daughters, S. CROOK, and J. P. THOMAS's wife followed. She is rich they say, but married an old man, and he was jealous of her, and he made his will, and did not leave the youngest child any thing. But she broke the will and atained 15 negroes, and more I suppose. I feel sorry for her. Ms Holtum said "she thanked her a thousand times for her visit." Mrs. WOOD has returned from the North, her sister came back with her. I have not heard where she intends living. They say ADELIA and TUCKER will not marry. MAT P. has returned, she weighed a few days ago, 130. I believe it was.

RUSSELL STUTTS (15) and his lady, live in that house ______(torn page). I could tell you SARAH STUTTS married BARRINGER (16), yes they live where INGRAM lived. B.(Barringer) bought it- weather boarded it, and is fixed nice they say.

Mrs. DIRKINSON's house takes boarders. She has DR. TIDWELL, DR. B. EDWARDS, and BOINKLEY/BRINKLEY DICKIMAN, he is studying medicine. Your pa (17) has moved his drugs in the old Bradford store house. They are much better fixed than they were.

I have not had a letter from ______ nor Eliza for a long time. Mrs. HENDERSON (18). How does she come on? She asked me and DR HUBBARD to write to her and of course we promised. I fulfilled mine though it was an effort, for I was not well. SALLIE PAYNE married a Mr. MERRIWEATHER, a widower, They say he is not smart at all. KATE SHIELDS and BOB TAYLOR (19) were married this winter.

Your pa expects to go to Miss- to get an overseer this week. FAIL (20) has bought him a small poor place, near Mrs. PAYNE's.

My mind has been much disturbed of late, at the present disturbance in the government. There is an awful cloud gathering, that will burst upon us, and overwhelm us in distress and misery, I fear. Is Samie a Cecedar, or Union man? and how does brother Jack stand? I am anxious to know. If the S. Carolians strike the first blow, there is no telling where it will end, or what will be the result; but civil war will inevitably ensue. They are determined to take fort Sumter and that will be the commencement. (21)

You were saying something about bean seed. Plant them and save me some seed and any thing else you want. I know of no chance to get them, unless you send them by Emma Jelks. But take the beans and any thing you have not. I am so anxious to hear form you. How is your bladder disease? I wish you would come up and let your pa do something for you. We would all be so glad. Tell Samie to come, and bring you, before he begins to plough. I had forgot to tell you, that JINIE___ and MILLS EDWARD will marry so says reports.

CORSINNE (22) is as sad as ever, and is the most anxious creature to go down among you all, you ever saw. CLI sent word he intended to bring her down. MARY and all the children talk of you often. WILLIAM will be here in March I recon. Write soon, I have not written to JOHN nor ELIZA for months, is the reason they do not write, I recon. Let me know if you will come. Love to SAMIE and a Kiss for dear ROBERT (23) and my prayers for you all.

Aff EMC (24)

The apples have given out 2 or 3 weeks ago, but I saved these for you hoping to have some chance. I sent E. J. she can get more.... vacinity.

Mary sent the waggon and horse to ROBERT JONES. I intended to get it mended. She let THAD break it.

P.S. I had finished this befor Fail came, to send by mail, but you will get it sooner now, I feel very unwell this morning as is often the case. I sincerely wish you were nearer, so that I could be with you, when I am able to be out.(25)

Try and have a long letter for me by the time your pa returns. I mean if you are well enough. JES says to tell AMANDA and FESABY to take care of her everydays and stockings. She sends howdy to all.

Research Notes while transcribing 1861 Eliza Cobb Letter

1-- A. M. WEST (ADELINE) 17 F and MARY A WEST 15 F
DIST3, DWG 238, HENDERSON CO TN, 1860 CENSUS
Others listed in Household:
John West 46 M
Martha F West 34 F
Thomas H West 13 T
Eugenia West 11 F
Laura West 8 F
Luella West 6 F
Emma West 1 F

2-- J. H. FRY -26 MALE
DIST.3, DWG 301, HENDERSON CO.TN 1860

3-- MARY E. HENDRIX - 18 F
DIST3, DWG. 219, HENDERSON CO, TN, 1860 CENSUS

4-- C. C. CAWTHERN (CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS "KIT" CAWTHON) - 17 M
DIST 3, DWG 265, HENDERSON CO TN, 1860 CENSUS
Enlisted May 30, 1861, Jackson,TN Killed at Belmont, Missouri,Battle opposite Columbus, KY- Nov 7, 1861-Obit West TN WHIG
Son of John L. and Martha Cawthon, Mifflin, TN (8 Sept 1842- 7 Nov 1861)

5-- REVISED INFO -- West Family Bible Records received via internet correspondence (Spring, 2005)
Regarding: West Family Marriage/Birth Records in West Family Bible

ADELINE MAHALA WEST (Born: Sunday, 21 Aug 1842, TN - Died: 10 Oct 1903, Alameda, CA)
Married (Thursday, 14 Feb 1861)
ALGERNON SYDNEY SAYLE (Born: Apr, 1828, Died 6 Dec 1900, Alameda, CA)
Daughter: Mary Helen Sayle (Born Aug 1876 - Died 12 Mar 1903, Alameda, CA)
Mary married (bet. 1901-1902)
Ephraim Benoit Courvoisier (Born: Circa 1860 - Died 3 Nov 1931, San Francisco, CA)
One Son - Guthrie Sayle Corvoisier (Born 10 Mar 1903 - Died 9 Dec 1966, Monterey, CA)
Guthrie married (1) Florence Pitt - 1932 and (2) Moira Wallace

A. S. Sayle's sister: CORILLA FRANCES SAYLE - B. 1834 IN TN
1850 HENDERSON CO, TN CENSUS, DIST 10, DWG 104
She is recorded in the home of Dr John and Elizabeth West. She is possibly a boarder or orphan.

A. S. Sayle's brother-in-law: WILLIAM EVANDER PENN (1832-1895) Opened law office in Lexington, TN about 1852, married CORRILLA FRANCES SAYLE on 30 April 1856, Adopted two girls and a boy. One of the girls died as child. Captain Penn assigned to Andrew N. Wilson's Reg., Sixteenth TN Cavalry in Conf. Army. At the war's end, Penn signed his parole at Shreveport, LA, on June 21, 1865. He and family moved in Jan 1866 to Jefferson, TX to practice law. Later, William was ordained minister in Baptist church. He wrote and published hymnals. He led revivals in other states, Scotland and England. He later settled in Eureka Spring, Ark and is buried in Eureka Springs Cemetery. This info is recorded in The Handbook of Texas Online.

A.S. Sayle's brother who was not mentioned in the letter: SAMUEL A. SAYLE
Obit for Captain Samuel A Sayle in the West TN WHIG records his death, April 6, 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh. His unit was Company I 27th Regiment of TN Volunteers. Author of the obit was John May Taylor, good friend and fellow soldier from Dist 10 of Henderson Co TN.

6-- ALICE COBB, daughter -19 & her mother, ELIZA M (BOYKIN) COBB 54 - Author of the letter

7-- A. M. WEST (Adeline Mahala) SAYLE - Mrs. Algernon Sydney Sayle

8-- Mrs. CAWTHERN / CAWTHON Probably M. D. - 37 F AL
DIST 3, DWG 265, HENDERSON CO TN, 1860 CENSUS

9-- Mrs. GRAY
Believed to by Mrs.  E. D. (Sarah) Gray - mother of Balys E. Gray www.tngenweb.org/goodspeed/madison/bios.html#gray

10-- Dropsy. A contraction for hydropsy. Edema, the presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in body tissue

11-- OLD MIFFLIN CEMETERY, CHESTER CO, TN
S.B. Cooper (1833-1883) wife of J. M. Cooper (1826-1859) and 2nd wife of Dr. B. H Brown (1828-1887)
Dr. Brown is listed is Goodspeed, Chester Co - p 862-863

12-- BOB PURDY -- 1860 HENDERSON CO, MIFFLIN, TN CENSUS, DIST 3, DWG. 268
Robert Purdy 31 TN
RS Purdy 26 F CT
Mary C 3 F TN
Jno. R. 1 M TN

Bob Purdy HAS GONE TO THE BEND - An aritcle by the United States Fish and Wildlife reports...The Alabama portion of the Tennessee River Basin is located along what is called the "Great Bend". The name Great Bend was an Indian term adoted by early settlers to describe the arc of the Tennessee River as it reached its southen most bend in what is today Alabama.

13-- Mrs. SUSAN HOLTUM - 24 F
1860 HENDERSON CO, MIFFLIN, TN CENSUS, DIST 3, DWG. 259
John S -26 M TN
Alice 5 F TN
Franklin 3 M TN
Wm 1 M TN

14-- DAUGHTERS OF MRS PYLE RESIDE IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD, MOTHER NOT LISTED.
SARAH CROOK - 18 F
JANE R. THOMAS - 25 F TN
WIFE OF J. P. THOMAS - 32 M TN
DIST 3, DWG 251, HENDERSON CO, MIFFLIN, TN 1860 CENSUS
Also in household
William Thomas - 27 M TN (brother?)
James Thomas, Jr - 24 M TN (brother?)
Sarah Thomas 5 F TN
John Thomas - 3 M TN

15-- RUSSELL STUTTS - 22M NC
DIST 3, DWG. 234, HENDERSON CO, MIFFLIN, TN 1860 CENSUS

16-- SARAH F STUTTS - 18 F TN
SARAH BARRINGER, Old Mifflin Cemetery (18 Nov 1842 to 22 Nov 1889)
M.M. BARRINGER - 21 M TN
DIST 3, DWG. 234, HENDERSON CO, MIFFLIN, TN 1860 CENSUS
BARRINGER - dwg 254
INGRAHAM - dwg 256

17-- Your PA: DR. PHAROAH BOONE COBB -61 M TN,
DIST 3, MIFFLIN, DWG 248 HENDERSON CO, TN 1860 CENSUS
E.M. (Eliza [BOYKIN]) -53 F TN
A.E. (Alice E) -18 F TN
L. P. (Lenora Patience) - 15 F TN [married Eli Lauderdale 1869 in Dyer Co where sister, Penelope was living]]
C. (Adelia Corsinni) - 9 F TN [Married Alfred B Clifton @ 1872]

18-- Mrs B. L HENDERSON - 30 F VA NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR OF ELIZA M. COBB, LETTER'S AUTHOR
DIST 3, MIFFLIN, DWG 249 HENDERSON CO, TN 1860 CENSUS
A.M. Henderson - 35 M SC
C.C. -6 M TN
J.J. - 5 M TN
Millard - 1 F TN

19-- CATHERINE BLAIR SHIELDS (1834-1908) married ROBERT LONG TAYLOR (1834-1906) on 1 Jan 1861. They were both born/died in Grainger Co TN. This was where Pharoah Boone Cobb was born and they were probably family or atleast friends. Listed May 2003 by Ann Blomquist akblomquist@cfl.rr.com

20-- FAIL - short for Pharoah

21-- Letter written just before the firing on Ft. Sumter and the start of the Civil War

22-- CORSINNE -- C. (Adelia Corsinni) Cobb - 9 F TN
DIST 3, MIFFLIN, DWG 248 HENDERSON CO, TN 1860 CENSUS [MARRIED ALFRED B CLIFTON @ 1872]
Daughter of Pharoah and Eliza Boone and younger sister to Penelope Cobb Jones

23-- ROBERT JONES (b. 1860)
He is the first child of Samuel Jarrett and Penelope Beatrice (Cobb) Jones.
Their residence at the time of this letter has not been determined, but is probably Madison. By 1870, the family had settled in Friendship (later Chester Co) and later Finley, Dyer Co, TN.

24-- ELIZA M (BOYKIN) COBB - Letter author and wife of Dr. Pharoah Boone Cobb.
They reside at Mifflin, the 3rd District of Henderson Co, TN.

25-- Dr. Cobb returned home before the letter was mailed. He would deliver the letter during his trip to Mississippi.

CENSUS TIMELINE for Penelope Beatrice (Cobb) Jones

1850 Census - Penelope Cobb - Dr.  Pharoah Boone Cobb, father, Mifflin, Dist 3-Dwg 248, Henderson Co, TN

1860 Census -Jane Jones (possibly) - S. J. Jones, husband, Denmark, Dist 4 - Dwg 858, Madison Co, TN
Recorded as married within the year, husband's occupation - teacher

1870 Census -Rachael Jones - Sam Jones, husband, Friendship, Dist 14-Dwg 91, Dyer Co, TN

1880 Census - Penelope Jones - S. J. Jones, husband, Dist2 -Dwg 231, Dyer Co, TN

1890 Census -Burned records

1893- Penelope Jones - Widow's Indigent Pension Application
Widow of Samuel Jarrett Jones, died in Memphis, TN

1900 Census - Penelope Jones - widow, head of household, son Ernest-23 and granddaughter Annie-9
Recorded as mother of 8 with 7 living, maybe Annie is orphan.
Finley, Dist 10 - Dwg 73, Dyer Co. TN

1910 Census - Penelope Jones -widow, living in house of son, Frank Earnest and family
Finley, Dist10-Dwg31, Dyer Co, TN

1915 - Widow's Indigent Pension App. - Penelope Beatrice Jones -Recorded as widow, living with children.  She is the mother of 8 children - 6 boys and 2 girls. Since the death of their father in 1893, three sons have died.  I determined the deceased to be (1) Robert, (2) Edward, and (3) Algenon [d.1903 - Old Finley Cem.]

1920 Census - Penelope Jones - widow, 81 - living in home of son, Claud and family
Roellen, Dist 7- Dwg 298, Dyer Co, TN -- Ennumeration date: 1/24/1920

1920 - Beatrice Jones - buried at Finley Cemetery - age 82, Jun 2, 1920
Pd by Ed Davis - Dyer Co Webpage Records

---

A. S. Sayle, Teacher

from the clipping collection of Brenda Kirk Fiddler

August 16, 1860

Lexington Dispatch (Lexington, Tennessee) [Notice printed in the Dispatch]

Miffliin High School, located at Mifflin, Henderson County, Tenn., in the midst of a thriving, healthy intelligent community. The next session of this Institution will open on the Third Monday in August under the control of A. S. Sayle, A.M., as Principal.

It is the intention of this school to afford all the facilities for thorough Classical and Scientific Education. Rates of Tuition Per Term of Five Months, Orthography, Reading, Writing and First Principles of Arithmetic--$8.00.

Arithmetic, English Grammar, Geography, History, Analogies and English Composition, $12.00. Higher English and Mathematics $16.00. Greek and Latin Languages $20.00. Incidental Tax for each student 50 cents. No deduction from term bills unless in cases of protracted illness. Board can be had at $6 and $7 per month, including everything except lights.

Trustees: J. L. Cawthon, Esq., Dr. J. S. Hubbard, Dr. B. F. Dickinson, John West, Robert Purdy, Levi McEwin (Aug 16).