Copy of a letter sent to me by Louise Dedman Shannon, Lee Co.,Miss. March 13,1871 Mr. Thomas Shannon: I write you, believing you to be my cousin. My Grandfather, Samuel Shannon Sr., removed from Wythe Co., Va., to Tn on the Cumberland, as it was then called, about 1784. My father, Samuel Shannon Jr., removed to Miss., about 34 years ago (about 1837 ). He died 6 Jan 1851 leaving 4 children; the oldest, John Motheral, next Constantine C., next Mary Jane, next Edmond G.(note; his Grandparents would be Saml & Jean. His parents; Saml & Catherine Motheral). My brother John died on 24 Nov 1867, and my mother on 23 Dec 1867. My brother John left 4 children, 3 daughters & 1 son Albert G. who stopped with you on his return from the University of Virginia last summer. He has located in Houston, Miss., about 30 miles from here & is practicing law. My older brother, Constantine is living near Oakland, eight miles from here on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. He has 7 children, 5 sons & 2 daughters; 2 sons are married. My brother & I are living together here, the place belongs to my brother; there is no house on my land that I would live in. I heard recently that Uncle George Shannon's children are al dead; his grandchildren, I suppose are doing very well, I was at cousin Samuel's Uncle James Shannon's son, about 3 years ago last summer. He lives in Warren County, Ky postoffice Rockfield. His brothers three I think, & sisters are living in Mo, about 60 miles above St. Louis. I saw one of Uncle John Shannon's sons, Jefferson at Shakertown, Ky. one lives in Smith co.,Tn. Their brother Samuel left 2 daughters at Shakertown; I saw them when I was there. Uncle Joseph Shannon's son Granville lives in AR. There are some of Uncle David Shannon's sons or grandson in Ittawamba Co.,Ms. My father's sisters Jane & Anna married Marrs, Aunt Esther, I have seen, She married James Ralston. Aunt Sallie did not marry. The Marrs, my father had pretty nearly lost sight of bvefore he died. I think the last they knew of them they lived in the state of Indiana. Aunt Esther's eldest son, Samuel Shannon Ralston, is a preacher of some note, of the denomination of Ce-Ceders. He went to Iowa from Mo., before the war. He wrote a book on the Millinium, I think it is called "Ralston on the Millineum". His brother David is in Mo. His brother John is in Lincoln Co., Tn., & their sister, I have forgotten who she is married is also in Tn, I suppose. My brother Edmond speaks of writing to you sometimes. We are very much obliged to you for those old letters; one written by my grandfather & one by my father. To: Thomas G. Shannon Yours Respectfully, Walker's Crk., Poplar Hill Mary Jane Shannon Giles Co.,Va.