My 93 year old cousin - John Steele McCormick III - in 1988 - made a book for our family - out of some old letters that had been handed down to him. He is not able to do genealogy any more but would really love to hear - if there are connections that are found. I thought I would put some of these old letters on the Henderson List - as that it where most of them were written from. To Sidney Dyer McCormick from "Aunt Matt" when she was eleven. Henderson, Dec 6, 1868 Dear Brother, I received your letter about two weeks ago. But as Pa wrote last Sunday I thought I would wait till today. Miss Allie is married and has been for two or three weeks. I like to go to school very well. I am almost through my arithmetic and it is getting right hard. If it was not for my help I would never get along. Mr. Norments (?)'s sons got into a fight and the oldest stabbed the next oldest several times and cut him in his arm severely. He lived about a week and then died. They were Miss Jefferies brothers. Pa has just come from the river and Uncle William Shelby came with him. George is well and all your friends on the river (are). Uncle William is going to be married to Miss Beck Stites a little after Christmas. Cousin Gussie is going to be married and Miss Cheatham that is maybe and probably. Cousin Nan and Mr. Wilson. George is going on the river next year. He is making the arrangements now. Pa got a letter from a man this evening wanting to know if he would write him the particulars and he wanted to buy it. Miss Glass got a letter from Nannie. We heard from her through her. Miss Florence sends her best respects to you. Ma, pa, Ida, Aib (?), Ed, Jud, and all the family send their love. Lee sends a kiss. Lee knows her letters. Give my love to Miss Sallie and Miss Nannie. From your affectionate sister, Mattie E. McCormick P.S. Excuse short letter for you wrote such a short one to me. Write soon. judy