Nov 9th 1880
Huntsville Ala
Mr. J. J. Johns
My
Dear Cousin yesterday our Cousin Louise Patton called & left your letter
she had just received with me to read -- I was plea[sed] and interested
in it I concluded to answer it as you asked after me & then the way
you did it reminded me of Joseph asking his brethren if the old man his
Father was yet alive -- the ties of kindred are very stong but for many
years my friends have been strangers -- I have no male relations living
near & only two female relations living in the Tenne? but I must say
I have met with one or two that have been valuable -- my Husband died in
49 -- & left me with two children -- he had consumption & the children
inherited it & the eldest a daughter was taken when she was 16 -- at
school in Philadelphia -- I took her to Cuba & she died there at 17
-- my son was delicate & at 18 I took him to Europe & returned with
him in Aug 1861 -- he only lived two months after we returned I had lost
three grown children before in all I have had & lost 13 -- in 66 I went
back to Europe with a party of young friends -- one a young man & stayed
till the fall of 68 -- since that time I have gone south to New Orleans
and Mobile in Winter & to the Va Springs in summer - but not every summer
& Winter sometimes I prefer staying at home I don't like to travel --
it is for the object I have in view -- then I am getting too old to leave
the comforts of home. I know of no place that is more healthy or pleasant
to live than Huntsville. Then the situation is beautiful & the society
good -- but the people are not rich as they used to be -- some lost all
all their property in time of the war. I have just past a birthday Oct 28th
-- I was 77 years old -- & I am writing to you by Gass light without
glasses -- But my time will soon come -- I feel familiar with death &
more cheerful as I grow older & hope to meet my loved ones in Heaven
should I be worthy --
I sold my big house & rent an apartment with six rooms
& my meals are sent to me from the Hotel. I have a little girl 13 yrs
old living with me & goes to school she has no mother or kin here but
her Father & grandpa -- It gives me an interest I cant live alone --
though I did for several years -- after I came here -- I was very much interested
in the [acco]unt you gave of your family and dont know who Mary Johns is
as you said she was the last of your family & had gone to Nevada with
her daughter I have wondered if it was Cousin Alfreds wife -- or widow --
I knew her very well & loved her -- you asked Lou Patton to tell you
what relation the Winstons were to us & as I don't think Lou knows I
will try to tell you -- I have not seen Lou since I read you letter -- she
will answer it no doubt -- when she gets time. Our grandfather Joel Jones
had a brother Jack & a sister Kisia (I write their names as they wer
[sic] called.) They married in Va. Jack married Miss Esly & Kisia married
Antony Winston -- they both moved to Tenne before I was born I think &
each had seven boys & two girls & their children were cousins --
& lived in Tenn till all the old people died but uncle Jack -- &
then they all came to Ala & my father & nearly all of the Ala set
came about the same time & nearly all of them lived in the country 17
miles west of Huntsville -- the country was new down there & the land
was so rich it sold for 40 & 50 dollars an acre. I own my fathers plantation
there now & it is rich yet -- it is so level.
You see your mother & my father were first cousins to
those Winstons & we were 2nd cousins -- Edmund Winston was the youngest
of the old Winston set & if it was Isaac Lee? you saw he was was Edmonds
brother -- I knew them all but they are all dead now & so are all Uncle
Jacks children --
Gov John Antony Winston was Win Winstons son -- one of the
brothers -- Both families were shreud traders & farmers & all made
fortunes not gamblers -- but sportsmen -- They fished ---- would not confine
themselves to anything Till after they were married -- none of them were
professional men -- they would not study but passed as well as any &
was liberal & social -- They all made large fortunes & no one could
tell how & all good husbands.
I wish I could tell you of all our Jones kin -- I knew them
all -- our great grandmother Jones lived to be nearly or quite a hundred
& was in her doteage for several uyears -- she was a great woman Monroe
Walker lived in Memphis he & his wife are both dead -- his daughter
is a widow and spent last summer & this --- with Lou Patton.
So many are all gone but Lou & Eliza Goodrich -- Eliza
is in New Orleans & very poor -- is a widow & has a son & daughter
-- Lou has a hard time & takes boarders to support her family she is
a great manager -- & looks very Young for her age. Lou brought me your
Photograph to see -- I mus say you are fine looking & your expression
a happy one -- I wish I had a Photograph to send you -- I often think I
will have some taken -- if I should, I will send you one -- It is disagreeable
to set for one -- I am pleased to hear you children are a comfort to you
& are doing well
I was married Jan 10th 1821 -- & in July of the same year
I & my Husband went to Va in a private conveyance -- a -apt gig &
took a servant boy on horseback -- we were three weeks going -- We made
my Grandpa Pittmans our head quarters -- Your Father & Mother lived
3 miles from there & Uncle John & James Walkers families lived six
miles off & about a mile apart -- I think you were a small child --
We stayed two months in the neighbourhood & left for Ala. All three
families were well & prospereous -- & the next year I think while
my mother & Father were in Va you mother & Uncle James Walker died
& they all broke up & scattered in the outhern country -- Your brothers
Fredric & Alfred spent a goodeal of time with us in the country &
in town after we moved here -- They were lovely young men -- Alfred was
staying at my house when he married Mary Wharton.
I have written you a long letter & fear I have not given
you much information -- I dont think Lou Knows about our relationship with
the Winstons and she will write you an interesting letter no doubt &
tell you about her other? family -- I have left that for her -- I wish I
could see you very much but I dont think I shall travel much more -- but
were I as young as you are I would not mind it -- I complain of a little
rheumatism -- it fatigues me to walk -- & in hot weather everything
so fatigues me -- I have no diseases nor ever had -- nor have I had a Doctor
or laid in bed a day since 1863 -- yet I have to be careful -- I drive every
day when fair or not too cold & twice a day in summer -- My love to
yr children & my aff regards for yourself.
M. P. Rice
I shall be much pleased to hear from you & if you dont
understand my account I will explain
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