Hi everybody, A lady who visited my website sent this to me, after seeing the information about Union Church. I was very excited to read this letter, because I've been trying to connect my g-g-grandfather, Isaac Garrett, to another family from Sumter for ages. He came (alone, as far as I know) from Sumter District, SC in the mid-1840's. I've always suspected he shared his ties to Sumter with someone who was already at Union Church when he arrived, but these are the first families I've found who were, also, from that district. Anyway, it's my favorite kind of letter, nice and chatty! Enjoy. Nancy P.S. I believe some of you may have a connection to the Bowens? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below is a letter from Frances (Fannie) Farmer Bowen (daughter of William Henry [1794-?] and Eliza Kimbrough Brockington Bowen) who was born in Sumter, SC, c 1830. Eliza's mother was Penelope Benton Brockington Bishop [Feb 1800-?], the wife of Dr Jacques Bishop, after whom Bishopville, SC. was named. Fannie sent the letter to her cousin Penelope "Neppie" Vermelle Bowen (1836-1918). Neppie lived all of her life in and married Clinton Larkin Freeman in Sumter. I will put my notes in brackets in the text. The original of this letter is in the possession of Mrs. Nancy Parks of Augusta, GA. If you too are researching any of these surnames, please get in touch with Marcia F. Bowen-Astley Union Church, March 15, 1857 My Dear Cousin: As James has just received a letter from Albert [possibly the son of her sister Penelope Bowen Dixon--Mrs John Dixon; if so, Albert was killed in the second Battle of Manassas. His mother died three years later in 1868] and he said that you wished me to write to you, there has been a great change in our family since I saw you last, and I expect that there has been the same with yours. I have enjoyed myself finely in some respects and in others I have not; in losing my sister was a great trial of my life. [Henrietta Bowen Hurst, wife of Wm Hurst, was Fannie's younger sister, who died in 1851 at the age of 17, in the Mississippi home of Dr C.C. Campbell. Campbell also came from Sumter and was married to Fannie's deceased eldest sister, Louisa.] I do not think that I have been as happy as before still I know that she is a great deal better off. We have her babe and he is a good sized child now. His Pa has married again, he speaks of taking his child away from us, but Papa says that he will not give him up now....Ma [Eliza K.B. Bowen] has gone with John [Fannie's brother?] on one of his appointments today, they may not return tonight. Ma has been in bad health for a long time, but I believe that she has improved within the last two weeks. She suffers a great deal from headache and rising in her head. The Dr. advised her to blister her neck and she did it and I think it has helped her. Papa's health has not been very good for some time, he too is getting old and infirm, so can't expect them to be well all the time. They will soon be gone. It makes me feel so bad to think that they can't live many more years at best although they may out live us. The young die as well as the old. When I think of my bye gone days, how happy I have been among my relatives. I almost take the blues to think that I never will see all my kindred again and those happy moments are gone forever. I almost wish that I was a child again. I think now how different I would live. I never would leave my happy old home and kindred for all the gold in California. I wish that I was back in Carolina. I think that I would stay there, that is if Ma, Pa & brothers would go too. I don't believe that I could be content without them. I shall try to stay with Ma & Pa while they live. After their deaths I know that we will all be scattered. This is a subject that I do not like to dwell on, so I shall leave it. Jimmy is grown, you would not know him if you were to see him; Addy is very tall, he is 6 feet and a very handsome man. Henry is not quite as tall as I am. He will be before many years, you would not know any of us. Oh Neppy how I do wish to see you all. I hope I shall see you all again. I wish that you would send me your likeness, I have almost forgotten how you look. You must answer this as soon as you get it and tell me all the news, as I like to hear any and every thing that happens in my native land. Tell me who is married and who you are going to marry and when; and when I find the young man that I like I will let you know and invite you and Eliza to wait on me, so you may hold yourself in readiness. Tell me how many children Aunt Charlotte [Neppie's mother was Charlotte Crosswell Bowen who married Howell Stuckey, sometime after the 1840 death of her first husband, James Spearman Bowen.] has and the news of her health and such, and how Cousin John [John Henry Bowen 1827-1892] is and Cousin Dud (William Dudley Bowen 1828-1915] and if they are married and what they are doing; and Cousin Sisuing [name unclear] if he is grown; now when you answer this be sure to answer all my questions. When you write to your brothers [in addition to John and William, there was James Frierson Bowen who was born in 1838] or see them tell them that I wish them to write to me and I will be sure to answer them. I have just received a letter from Cousin Rebecca Brockington [Rebecca, Caroline, and Mary Jane are probably the children of William Brockington, her Mother's brother,] which I must answer before many days. Uncle Edward's family were all well the last that I heard from them. Also, Uncle Jack's family, his girls are all married and have families, except Emada. She is single yet. Caroline [M.B. Brockington?] and Mary Jane [Brockington] are in Austin, Texas. Francis Spruce, his daughter, and Emma are in Monticello. Caroline married a man named George Grey and Mary Jane a Hamilton. Uncle Ed has had two married. Frances married Hubert and died & he is married again, & Dr Bowen and ...[name illegible] they have had two children. Bob is grown, he is studying law. Ed is nearly grown & Martha is also.... I believe that I have given you all the news that is worth relating, so I believe that I shall close for the present. My fingers are cold and I can hardly write, so no more at present. Give my respects to Aunt Charlotte and sister [Penelope Bowen Dixon] and her family when you see them; also, to your brothers and my brothers [as far as we know, Fannie's brothers were William B., John, Jacques B., and James L.] when you see them or write to them. I remain as ever your loving Cousin until death. Write to me soon, Frances Bowen P.S. When you write, direct your letter to Union Church, Jefferson County, Mississippi. Ma & Pa wishes to be remembered to Aunt C. & the rest, also the boys all join with me in love to you and all, no more but your cousin, Fannie Bowen Nancy Websites: www.geocities.com/twincousin2334 www.thepastwhispers.com List Admin.: USCW-Seven_Pines; Carmichael; Cates; Fairley; Godbold; OldWestOutlaws&IndianScouts; Message Board Admin.: Missouri Civil War; Fairley; Godbold; Richmond County, NC; Caithness, Scotland