This text is provided as an historical research document only. This was a photo copy of an original letter transcribed from the handwritten script of Thomas Albert Kuykendall in the time period of 1928-29. It was passed on to this editor by Berthell Smith Taylor, my first cousin, whose mother Bessie Chambers Smith was a niece of the original author, Thomas A. Kuykendall. The original text transcription was by a grandson Dan Kuykendall.The editor is personally familiar with some of the younger children named in the script. I have endeavored to retain the original wording, without change, as closely as possible.
D. Chambers,
8/18/1998.
Text of Letter follows:
*******************************************************************************
The following is copied as near ver batum from a letter written by my grandfather Thomas Albert Kuykendall. I am in possession of the original of this letter. As you can see later from the text on page four, the letter was written after August 17, 1928 and prior to Mar. 1929.
Dawson Alabama Dekalb Co
Dr. G.B. Kuykendall Torneroy Wash.
Dear Sir; Iam writing you in regard to Family History of Kuykendall's. My Great Grandfather was Jacob Kuykendall he lived in Buncombe county North Carolina and his family there I only know of two sons their names being Thomas and John. I am the grandson of Thos Kuykendall he married Miss Matilda Southerland of which there were nine children born four boys and five girls their names being Cintha nancy Orphann Ankie Munervie Allen Vann Jacob and my father Andrew Kuykendall.
My grandfather moved from North Carolina to Pickens county Ga and raised his family there and years later moved to Winston County Ala and died and was buried there. Uncle Allen Ku_ died very young and was never married. Uncle Van married Miss Caroline Newman in Pickens Co Ga . Which there was two boys bornd their being James and William. Uncle Van lived and died in Pickens Co Ga.
Uncle Jacob Kuykendall married Miss Mary Smith in Pickens Co. Ga of which there were several children bornd and later years moved to the State of Texas He was Minister of the gospel (Baptist) have no further history of him after moving to that state. Aunt Cintha Kuykendall married John Steel in North Ga, Pickens Co and later years moved to Winston Co. Ala. And lived died there. Aunt Nancy married Maniel Steel brother of John Steel and also moved to Winston Co. Ala and there raised a family. The other three aunts all was married in Winston Co. Ala. Aunt Orphann married Dillard Willis Aunt Ankie married his brother given name unknown, Aunt Manerva married James Cantrell (sp?) but later separated and never raised any children.
My father married Miss Sarah Darnell in Pickens Co Ga and raised family of four children two boys and two girls all being dead several years except myself. My father moved to East Tenn. McMinn Co. when I was just a boy having moved on into West Tenn. Near Memphis few years later moved to N.E. Ala Dekalb Co. and my father died and was burried here Each lived to be about seventy years old.
My oldest brother John married Miss Kissie Hopkins in East Tenn. Mcminn Co. raised six boys Andrew William David Joe Walter and George. Andrew my Nephew went west when a young man about thirty years ago (Est. 1898) and has never been heard of since. Next oldest brother William died several years ago Dave the third boy resides in Ft. Payne Dekalb Co. Ala
Joe the fourth boy resides near England Ark. Walter the fifth boy now resides near Wibber (sp?) Falls Okla. George the six son and youngest child has been living at Shawnee Okla but was accidently shot and killed Au 17 1928. My oldest sister Martha married Carter Traffanstedt-NE Ala and later moved to Martinville ark. And lived and died there leaving family of boys and girls who still reside there. My youngest sister Malinda Married Richard Chambers in Marshall Co. Ala who died Sept 1900 leaving two boys and two girls who now reside in this County (Dekalb).
I being the second child of the family and only I am seventy-three old next May 1929 if I live to see it. I was married to Miss Alice Dobbs and am the Father of 10 children 8 boys and girls and only one girl living. My oldest son John Bennett Kuykendall who is now 42 years old not married. Second boy Willaim Lesser Kuykendall who married Rebecca Burns who served in the World War and went across the waters and who now resides in this County (Dekalb). My third child died when small at the age of 18 months her name being Ferrie Jane
4th child name being Leonard Kuykendall who now resides at Ft. Payne Ala and who is barber by trade and who married Ola Downs in this County . 5th boy Marvin Darnell who Married Lizzie Richards of this County My 7th child name Damie Kuykendall My second girl who is a professional School Teacher has taught 8 years in Dekalb Co. Ala never Married (note; Damie later married Robert Erastus Darnell ) The letter ends as above However in the handwriting of my father , Ira C. Kuykendall, just below my grandfathers last words is added the following: John Kuykendall the son of Jacob was a Methodist Preacher born and raised in Humphries Co. N.C. Later moved to So Ala Had several children his wifes given name was Gensie
(signed) Dan Kuykendall*******************************************************************
editors note:
Richard Chambers who married Malinda Kuykendall, died at age forty in 1900 while living in Marshall/Cullman County. He was father of Pat Chambers, my own grandfather. After Richard's death, Thomas Kuykendall traveled to Marshall Co., and brought Malinda and the children back to Dawson, Dekalb County. They resided in Sarah Darnell Kuykendall's household there. To my knowledge Cynthia Malinda never married again.