Sometimes it's just fun to find old letters that piece together the family photos, the family bible, death certificates, and obituaries. We know that Wiley J, 1807 and Louisa Morris, 1817 had five children. Three of these offsprings, Wiley (Tobe) 1838, sister Adelade (married Willis Cox), and youngest brother David Morris, 1850 settled in Kansas. One son of Tobe's and many of David's offsprings to include his daughters Addie, Hoolie, April and Lou [Louise] went to California. But this railroad family (many of the husbands worked the railroad), travelled between Kansas and California to visit first cousins. They also wrote, confirming their close-knit family and relations. Today cousins from these three Morris branches still celebrate in the Wiley J. Morris Reunion. For 2015, it will be held in Omaha, Nebraska.
The following two letters are between all 3 cousin "groups" with the following mentions:
Tobe
Pearl (Morris) Simpson, daughter of Tobe, nicknamed "Duck"
Jessie (Jess), Granddaughter of Wiley (Tobe) Morris
David
Addie Belle Tucker, daughter of David, nicknamed "Sister"
Hoolie (looks like Ollie), daughter of David
Louise, daughter of David, seamstress in CA. (Often called "Big Sister")
Cleave, son of David, lived in Kansas but visited California
Sarah Adelade
Myrtle and Pauline, granddaughter of Sarah Adelade (Morris) Cox
Mattie Cox, daughter of Sarah Adelade Morris Cox (mother of Myrtle and Pauline)
Letter 1 from Addie Tucker, CA to cousin Pearl Simpson, KS 28 Sept 1954
Hello, well I don’t know what to say_______this is I am so glad to rite you. This is your cussin Addie, your uncle Dave Addie they called me Sister. Duck I wish I could see you. Can you come to see me. I would come to see you but I am sick all the time with hi-blood pressure [pressure] & haven’t seen you in a long time. I got a chance to see Jessie last night but I were [was] so glad she gave me your address. I have thought aboutyou so much thinking I would never here [hear] from you. But thank God for this blessing. Send me your picture so I can see you. Well all of us is about dead so I sure do want to see you cousin. Mat [Mattie Cox] girls live out here. Mirtle [ Myrtle] and Pauline. I have Pinks picture taken with me when I was 17 years old and have 2 sister out here April and Lue. Borther Cleave did last month. Excuse Bad spelling. All so [?} and don’t see to good. But I am ok and I do thank God for my youth. Well answer at once. I sure do want to see you all [and] hear from my you and family. So goodbye. Hope to hear from you. Your cousin Addie Tucker 631 E 52nd St, Ph ad4-1056, Los Angeles, CA.
Letter 2 to Pearl (Morris) Simpson, Great Bend Kansas from Jessie and Myrtle
Dear Aunt Pearl
Here I am at Myrtle’s and we both have said how we wished you were here. I told her yesterday I could all most see you laughing at us fussing. Myrtle is just as fast as ever. Last night she had a beautiful party for me. Alright in the morning before the party she went out to her club. I went sight seeing. Se got home about 4:30. She fixed a wonderful dinner. Had her party food already and was yelling at John and I to come to dinner at about 6. And she did have love party food. Some gal. Her house is beautiful I will tell you about it when I see you in Omaha. But I have found nothing more beautiful in L. A. I surely have gone to many one [ size] with ever convenience. She sill has some body coming and going all day. [ ] He has a nice job with the telephone company. I had a visit with [Hoolie]. She is fine. Today Myrtle and I going out to day to a place they call Farmers Market and to Lane Bryants store. Then on & on into the nte. Well also todayI am going to see Sister Addie. I can’t tell her last name. But will later. She keeps saying how she would love to see “Duck” when , well Aunt Pearl there was 25 all together 1-3-3- cousins that goes to 7 [?] that was a party. Mattie Earl’s family and Uncle Dave’s kids. Oh I will tell you later. But fun O yes Ollie [Hoolie] had a nice [ ] down town for me. Will see you later. Love Jessie.
Sidebar:
Hi Simpson sorry I didn’t get to see you again. We went on [stopped] every place and finally got to NY and we sure did our number there. Great to have Jess. [?] meddled with her business to my own[?]. Smile. Love Myrtle.
Conclusion
Where possible or needed for understanding we made spelling/grammar adjustments. Due to the difficulty in writing and numerous spelling errors, an actual transcript was not included. If this is needed, order via a3Genealogy @gmail.com. The highlighted sentence 'Aunt Pearl there was 25 all together 1-3-3- cousins that goes to 7 [?] that was a party. Mattie Earl’s family and Uncle Dave’s kids" tightly links all three families and verifies their recognized kinship. The family bible also confirms kinships as do many newspaper articles and other family records.
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy@gmail.com
Accurate, accessible answers
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