Below is a letter from Rev. Wm. Henry White in answer to one from his Aunt Sallie, sister of James Henry Calvert, in which he mentions the migration west to Texas: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prattville, Autauga Co., Ala., April 19, 1939 Mrs. M. Oscar Gentry 130 Dean St., Spartanburg, S.C. My Dear Aunt, You may have the card that I wrote yesterday, ut I am recovering so much from the "Flu" now that I am writing you this letter. The others in the family are well on the way to complete recovery. Yes, I am a Presbyterian Minister, have beenfor about 55 years. To to back some years, if you please: In 1877 I returned from Tex. to Spartanburg Co., S.C. . I worked for Uncle (Major) Henry McDowell a year, then taught school at Antioch Church, near Grandfather White's old home, one session; then taught four sessions of school in and near Campobello, Spartanburg Co., S.C.. While there I was attending a union S. School for about 155 people. The Supt. was a Mr. Stuart, and he was a Steward in the M.K.(?) Church. One Sabbath he came down to the class for us young men and stated that he wanted a teacher for the class. And he nominated me to teach them, and unanimously they so voted before I could object. I was the only Presbyterian in the school, not one worth speaking of, as I was not even a church member. I told him this, but I believed in the bible and I promised that I would do the best I could. But this matter stuck in my conscience as to why I should not be a ! Christian. I went to praying in earnest and reading the bible. Within about six months I went down to Spartanburg and untited with 1st Presbyterian Church, Dr. Thos. H. Law was the Pastor. I recall that he told me that I made 100 on the roll then. It was in the 3rd building before the present one now--just one long room with a gallery at the front. Within about a year after this I decided to study for the ministry, entered Wofford College the 1st of Jan. 1882--also, attended in 1883, going to Columbia Theological Seminary--Presbyterian--in Sept. 1883, graduating there on May 14, 1886. My first vacation from the Seminary I preached (bushwhacked I called it) in vacant chs. in Union Co., summer of 1884. In summer of 1885 I labored in Laurens Co. in and near Dorrah. After graduating in 1886 I left for Greenville, Ala., the county seat of Butler Co. with a group of three chs.. Then four years at Troy, Ala.. In 1891 we moved to Marion, N.C. where I was pastor about tenyears, then to Lockhart, S.C. about seven years. Then it was that I came to Spartanburg on my way to the World's Fair, St. Louis, Mo.. also to meet dear brother Edward W. White whom I had not seen in 27 years, and to see his wife whom I had never seen till I met her at the Fair. I have never seen either of them since, but I believe that we will all! meet in that upper and better country, in the city not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." After this we returned to Ala where I served in regular ministorial work for about 12 years, until overtaken by advancing years--will be 84 on Aug. 20, 1939. Our home is here (Prattville), a town of about 3000 people, 12 miles from the capital, Montgomery on paved highway between W. and Birmingham, Ala.--on M. & O. R.R.. You mentioned that I used "We" above. I married in Columbia, S.C. on Oct. 16, 1889 to Miss Carolina Hamilton Stenhouse, the daughter of the Cleerk of the Session (Ebenezer and Agnes H. Barclay Stenhouse) of the 1st Presb. Church there. We have three daughters, then two sons, and then another daughter--all six living and in good health, except one son who recieved much injury during the World War. All but one of our chldren have been teachers, two are teaching now; one here in the Grammar School. She will soon graduate in the US.V. Ala. Summer school. Our oldest son has his M.S. from Ala. Polytechnic Inst. (Alabama Polytechnic Institute is now called Auburn University), same as Clemson College in S.C.. He has been teaching Voc. Agr. for 15 years, and married. One daughter is married. Have five grandchildren. all trying to be happy and contented in living for the Master. Sister Nannie Calvert and I corresponded for many years. but have not rcvd a letter in some time. We exchange Christmas cards regularly, lately. I can just recall abou tthe visit of your father, mother, and yourself visiting us at our home two miles east of Glenn Springs. Our farm home was on Fair Forest Creek, on each side of the stream, below old Cow Ford Bridge, and South of the public road over the bridge. Yes, (on the trek to Texas) we all stopped every Sunday till we reached Upshur Co. Texas (NOTE: In other letters they talk of how they they stopped their little wagon train like that and did all their washing and cooking to last until Monday as "Sister Jane" woul not work on the Sabbath), except when the steamboat on the Mississippi River 600 miles, meanderings included, and then several hundred miles up the Red River to Shreveport, La, then out Cadde Lake to Jefferson, Tex.. It was a great trip for us youngsters anyway. And all have done well in the great West by the Lord's goodness. All I believe are trying to serve the Divine Master well, which is our main business here. NOTE: In answer to a query in Aunt Sallie's letter asking about the trip and about Blacks that were turned back because they were not allowed in "that part of the country, the next paragraph answers it: One Negro man, who drove one of our wagons, went all the way with us to Texas. We left him in Upshur Co., when we went to Cooke Co. in 1873. But I cannot recall other Negroes starting with us. It may have been so, and they were turned back at the N.C. line above Spartanburg near Tryon, N.C.. I recall about the wagon wheel dropping into the Mississippi River as it was being loaded--dropped between the boat and the bank, but was recovered. The greatest, that is longest river, in the world ((the Miss.--Mo. rivers combined) is a wonderful sight, from a half to two miles wide at low water, always waving on the surface. The boats, some hundreds of yards long then, pulling loaded barges by the sides at times. We slept on board in our wagons, comfortably & to protect property. I was at Charleston many years ago at the meeting of the Synod of S.C.. It is a very interesting city because of its age and surroundings. I see that the members of your family are very busy in the work of the church. That is very commendable--they could do nothing better. Our daughters and sons are trying to do their best likewise for the Master in our church. Wish that I could see dear old Spartanburg, S.C. again and folks there. But only a few of you older ones would know me, and we would have to gaze awhile to be sure. But we can meet up there and know one another, for I am believe that there will be heavenly recognition. Would state that I can go to church every Sabboth morning, cannot go out at night. My good wife has not been out to church in several years, all others go regularly. My wife is up most of the time, that is, in good weather. Remember us all in your prayers. We will do likewise for you and yours. Will gladly give you other infomation if I can. Excuse errors, as typoinig is not as easy for me as formerly. Love to all, Sncerely your Nephew, William Henry White. (His signature here) P.S.: I appreciate your spelling my nane out in full as above. I have not heard it, or seen it that way since leaving old S.C.. It makes me think of mother and all home folks. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I thought that someone might find some of this history and info interesting or of some help.