LENOIR COUNTY, NC - Letter - Job Leary to Mattie Brown, 1896.
=========================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free
information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial
entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material.
These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for
profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes
other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file
contributor, 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.
This file was contributed by:
Dee Bennett <dolob@juno.com> June 1999
==========================================================================
Genealogy Vertical File, Lenoir Community College Learning Center, Box 188,
Kinston, N.C. 28501 - Leary - 12438-2
We thank the staff at LCC for their permission to copy selected documents
from their file to place on the Internet. It is requested that researchers
give appropriate credit when using these documents. Permission to combine
said documents together in printed form is not given.
(all spelling and punctuation is by the original author)
Trenton, N.. C.
May, 1896
Miss Mattie Brown,
My Grand Neice: -
Your kind and interesting letter of March 28th last, recd. and its
perusal has afforded real pleasure, and likewise proven of such interest,
and permit me to thank you for the letter and especially for the interest
manifested to know something of Ancestry; a desire, I consider most
commendable, but one I consider sadly neglected by the most of us, and to a
large extent is my condition for I am free to say that I shall not be able
to give all the information you desire, but assure you that I will do my
best.
Hannah Brown, nee Leary, who you say was your Grandmother, was my
sister. My father was Job Leary, born and raised in Lenoir Co., N.C. near
the headwaters of Trent river, was born in 1775, died at the age of 64,
from a cancer on the left eye.
My mother was Jane Cox, of Jones Co., born in 1777, died in her 73
year. The name of my Grandfather was Cornelius Leary, came to Lenoir Co.
from the northeast part of the state, I think Chowan Co.. His father came
from Ireland (and possibly was called OLeary). He was also (my
grandfather) in the Revolutionary War, left his wife and four children and
never returned. He was supposed to have been killed in battle or died in
service. My Grandmother was Miss Ann Civil Davis, born in Lenoir Co. on
the south side of Neuse river above the town of Kinston. She died at the
age of 82. The names of the four children above referred to were Job, my
father, James, who died when a young man, Dempsey, moved to Ga. and
married. His descents I suppose are there, but the location I am not able
to give. Susan married a Mr. Stanly near where she was born. She had
seven children but all are dead. No posterity survives. My grandfather on
my mothers side, was Andrew Cox, born and raised in Jones Co. near Trent
river. My Grandmother on same side a Miss Hollingsworth, I do not know
anything of her ancestry. The names of my fathers children were Nancy,
who married Oliver Herring of Lenoir Co., Susan married the same man.
James Cox married Mary Davis, and died at the age of 23. Hannah married
Stephen Brown of Jones Co., (of these you know) John Andrew moved to Ga.,
Dooly Co., married a Miss Walters, and if you know anything of the family
when you answer this, which I trust you will soon, give me all the
information you have. Ann Civil married Mr. Henry Sandlin of Duplin Co.
raised a large family of children, 8 daughters and 4 sons, all living
except 4. Curtis moved to Ga. Houston Co., married Mariah Small, who also
moved from N.C.. Calvin moved to Ga. then to Louisiana. He married Miss
Hepsey Loftin of Lenoir Co. whose father swore Calvin on an almanac not to
carry his daughter away, showed that he indeed loved his daugher.
Elizabeth married a Mr. Albertson, she had one child and died. Afterward
he married her sister, Jane Cox. Caroline married Mr. Daniel Brock and had
seven children, 3 dead. She is still living in her 75th year, she lives in
Kinston, Lenoir Co.. She is the youngest child and the only one living
except myself of whom I will now say a few words. I was born on the 25th
of Dec. 1818 and married Sept. 9, 1850 to Miss Jane Kinsey. Had born unto
us 8 children, 6 sons, and 2 daughters, 4 of them dead, 3 sons and 1
daughter. Names of my children are James K. Leary, living in Texas, Susan
J. died at two yrs. of age. Albert B. dead, Alonza J. dead, Robert Lee,
dead, Cora M. living married Nick J., living in N.C., John C. in Texas. My
wife is dead, died in Sept. 1895 in the 69th yr. We were living in the
town of Trenton at the time of her death. I am still living in Trenton
with Cora and her husband R. L. May. I am now in my 78th year, and am
general good health is good, and physical strength sufficient to go where I
might desire and do light work but I am totally blind and have been for
several years owing to which fact, I am confined mostly to the house and
yard and sidewalk of the street where my daughter lives, taking walks there
guided by the fencing. You see that I am the child of sorrow, bereavement
and affliction, but I trust, I am not disposed to murmur or repine at the
dispensation of Divine Providence. While my lot in life may seem indeed
sad, yet I remember it might be infinitely worse. I am well cared for by
my daugher and husband, getting all the attention and kindness shown me
that is necessary for any temporal comfort.
My friends and acquaintances visit me which makes the days of my life pass
more pleasantly and my desire is to cultivate a spirit of contentment and
resignation. I have made arrangements for a visit to Sister Caroline in
Kinston, and intend spending some time with her, esteeming such
opportunities a great blessing and comfort. The loss of sight was the
principal cause of my leaving my farm and moving to Trenton. I keep my
farm rented out and am fortunate in securing good tenants. Now as the
history of the Browns possibly you know more than I do, for they all moved
to Ga. from N.C. 60 yeas. or more ago, but not from New Berne as you think.
They lived some 34 miles from there, and their Post Office must have been
Trenton. There are quite a number of Browns now living in this country.
Maybe descendants of the same forefathers. The father of Stephen was named
Samuel Brown. His wife was a Mill Williams, both died at the old
homestead, Jones Co. near what was then and still known as Reedy Branch.
The father of Miss Williams was named William Williams and lived in Lenoir
Co.
Our ancestors on the Leary side first settled in the N.W. part of the
state and are still to be found there largely represented , for futher
information along this line, I am requested to refer you to the Hon. James
A. Bryan of New Berne, N.C., who I am informed makes it a specialty to
search the records in the interest of the Daughters of the Revolution. He
will do his utmost for you.
My daughter Cora, with whom I live has four little children 3 sons
and a daughter. I find the noisy dear little grandchildren a great comfort
and good company. I truly love them, regarding them as a blessing sent to
comfort and brighten declining life.
I may be able to gather further information as to ancestry. If so,
will gladly give you the benefit thereof.
Having as thoroughly answered your letter as prepared to at present,
I close with the hope that what I have written may be of interest to you,
and that I may hear from you soon, I send my love to all my kinspeople and
yourself especially.
I am affectionatly,
Your Great Uncle,
Job Leary