The letters of Alexander Mars and Jane Shannon and of James Shannon recently shared by Michael Shannon is interesting, and throw some light of the life of Captain James Shannon and his Reid in-laws in Warren Co. KY. Since details revealed in these letters are included in Louise Shannon Dedman's work on the Shannons, I suspect that she not only had access to the original letters but also that she was the mysterious source of the transcripts. I have several other observations on them. The Mars letter must have dated from 1820 rather than 1802, because of the family events that it reports (the death of Samuel Reid's wife, the remarriage of James Shannon to the widow McClung and the fact that Annes Reid was still alive). I suspect that Samuel Harleson is actually Samuel Harbison, a resident of Shelby County and eventually the father-in-law of Ammecetta Shannon (daughter of Samuel Shannon and Deborah Younger). Brother James who is reported in the Mars letter to be married to the widow (Mary) McClung would be Jane Shannon Mars's brother Capt. James Shannon (of Samuel Shannon & Jean Reid) of Warren County KY and author of the other letter. They married in 1817 after the 1815 death of his first wife, Mary Reid (of James Reid and Annes Reid). That death was reported in the James Shannon letter. Louise Shannon Desman also notes that James and the widow McClung lived unhappily, perhaps based on the Mars letter. Annes Reid, also of Warren Co. KY, would be the grandmother that two of James Shannon's older children lived with. She was indeed "alive yet" until her death at age 79 on 12 July 1825. Her late husband James Reid was a brother to Jean Reid (Mrs. Samuel Shannon) and Sarah Reid (Mrs. John Shannon), so Annes would be, as the Mars letter refers to her, "Ant Reed." The Samuel Reid, mentioned in both letters, referred to is a son of James and Annes Reid, and the reference to his dead wife is to his first wife Elizabeth Roberts who died 26 March 1820 in Warren County. Family records record a birth date for her of 14 October 1784, however Shannon Desman reported a birth date from her tomb stone of exactly 30 years earlier. I believe that it is Shannon Desman who is in error. This Elizabeth Roberts was the daughter of Agnes Roberts, who, contrary to Dedman's reconstruction, I believe to have been Agnes Shannon, daughter of John Shannon and Sarah Reid, and the widow of James Roberts. Shannon Desman reconstructs that Agnes Shannon as the wife of a John Reid. I will lay out my arguments in a later note. Melinda, mentioned in the James Shannon letter, was another daughter of James Reid and Annes Reid, and the future Mrs. Benjamin K Whittaker. The family of James Reid would have been very familiar to all of Samuel and Jean's children. Not only was he Jeans brother, but, after the death of their father John Reid in Lancaster Co. PA, the young James seems to have been raised by sister Jean and her husband Samuel Shannon. As he matured and married Annes Reid, he was a neighbor to Samuel and Jean in Amherst Co. VA and a frequent witness to his land deeds. After the Samuel Shannon family moved to the Cumberland Settlement in Tennessee, their son, James Shannon of these letters, returned to Virginia to marry his cousin Mary Reid, daughter of James and Annes. As his letter notes, James and Mary left the Cumberland Settlement in 1815 to settle near Mary's mother in Warren County, KY. Russ Reid, Louisville, KY -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, November 04, 1999 3:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [SHANNON-L] Shannon letter #4 Shelby County Kentucky April 15th 1802 Dear Brother and Sister: I write to you with pleasure to let you know that we are all well at present thanks to God for his mercies, hoping that these few lines will find you in the same. I have nothing particular. I receive a letter from sister Ann a few days ago. She was well and living with her son William in Indiana in Washington near Salem. She has one son with her that is single. Brother James' three eldest children was with us Christmas his son James wants to learn tanner trade with Samuel Harleson but did not agree with him and he has gone home. Brother James is married to Widow Mclung he and his wife lives very unhappy his three oldest children has left him. Two of them lives with her grandmother Reed. Ant Reed is alive yet. Samuel Reed's wife is dead. Friends in this country I believe is well, We had a very hard winter Money is very scarce and are very much in debt. I want you to write to let us know how you are. Give my complements but remains your afectionate brother and sister til death Alexander and Jane Mars This was written to Jane's brother, Thomas Shannon on Walker's Creek, at Poplar Hill, Giles Co.,Va. Jane Mars and Thomas, are both children of Saml and Jean Shannon. ============================ August the 5th 1816 Deare Brother & Sister; I take this chance by the mail of communicating to you to let you know that myself and children are all well at present thanks be to the author of Our Mercies, hoping this may find you and family well. I suppose you have heard of my loss of my companion one of the greates loses that this life cane experience I have tryed to bareup and resine to the will of providence thoe I find it a hard tryel. one reflection hopin that her soul is happy is a concilation. I shall give you the pertiquerlers of her deth. She was taken about the sixth of last August with chills and fever at that time being in a delcate sittiation she was dilivered of a daughter the thirteenth of August, and departed this life the fifteenth. Mother-in-law and Melinda tooke the child to rais it. It never enjoyed much health. Every attention posible was taken to rais it. It took sick about the first of March, and died the ninth. I have five children, my youngest in the ninth year of his age. I still keep house and my family together with me. I exparience a very lonesome life. I think no man can forme a correct idee, but them that exparience such a loss as I have. I wish you to write me by the mail as it appears all the way of communication we have. I sold my land in Tennessee & moved to this place last April was a year. I have bought a plantation in two miles of Mother-in-law's. I have plenty of open land and a good orched and plenty fruit. I have a verry good aperence of having a good crop. I am much better satisfied living here then whare I lived in Tennesee. I suppose you have heard of the deth of James Mars he died some time last spring the pertiqulers of his deth I have not had. I exparienced a good many seanes in life since I saw you last. I had the feteigue of a hard campain in our last war, which I stood verry well, thoe I find myself not as able to stand hardship I have. As for news I hante any worthe your attention. Our relatives in Tennesee was well the last acount I had from them friends here are well except Samuel Reid family is not well this time. I shall conclud. I & my family joins in sending our compliments to you, Agness, and all the rest of youre family & to all inquiring friend and soe remains your loving brother til deth. James Shannon Written to Thomas Shannon at Poplar Hill,Va. by Capt. James Shannon, his brother.