NOTES FROM GABRIELLA HARRIET WISE GROAT, FOR A LETTER TO NELL DOWNING NORTON, 1944. Transcribed by her granddaughter, Mary Gabrielle Lyon Keck, 1998. Grandfather Thomas J. Wise born somewhere in (Va. scratched out) Mayslick, Ky. came to Mo. with his two sisters and bro. Abagal + Persilla and baby brother John S. Married twice--and the second time to Gabriella H. Pogue at that time. He had 2 children Mary Jane + William. Grandfather came to Mo. at an early age. After his mother died, his father was married again. His two sisters, not liking the thought of a step mother, brought the two young brothers West. I knew Aunt Abby quite well. As a child, I remember her son John Wimer, his wife and small children. I believe Sally was the name of his oldest girl, and I think his wife was named Jennie. I was too young to remember much about them. I believe if we advertize through the bur of missing persons, we could find some trace of John Wimer�s family. I have heard my father say that the Gov. of Virginia, Henry A. (Wise) was a close relative, but don�t remember if he was a cousin or what. I wish I knew more about Grandfather�s people, and hope you find out all about them and I surtenly want a copy of the record. I am Father�s (Charles W. Wise) oldest child. He had 11 children, one step son. I met a cousin of my father at Marion, Kans. in 1884. Her name was Lizzy Dobins Goldsmith. She + her husband was visiting Fanny Patten Costello. I have heard the name Burges mentioned a lot, but never got the connection--but they were connected to Father some way. I wish I had asked more questions. My father�s children were named Gabrielle Harriett, Minnie Isibell, Thomas (?--struck over, unsure if it is Thomas--MK) Douglas, Margret May, William Wimer, Mary Adalade, Jesse Golden, Felicia Ellen, Lola Lara, Josephine and John Bonnie. Transcriber�s note: This appears to be a draft my grandmother wrote out to write a letter in response to one she evidently received earlier from Nell Downing Norton. I have the letter Nell wrote in response to this information--it was posted to the WISE mailing list in 4 parts on 10 Jan 1998. I have transcribed it exactly as my grandmother wrote it, including the apparent misspellings of several of the names.