Wilson | May 31, 2009
I was rummaging through a bureau filled with old news clippings, dead batteries and broken radios and stumbled across a container filled with all the minutiae a household collects and never throws away. A few old pennies, odd buttons and safety pins. Dried out pens, tie tacks and a spool of thread with a needle. [...]
Wilson | May 7, 2008
This is a letter to Minnie Smith from a friend Amelia. Her “long” journey to Newberry from Glenn Springs via Laurens amounts to 57 miles using the route they likely traveled. She doesn’t specify train or wagon but I suspect the latter. It surprises me to read of the gaiety she describes considering the date. [...]
Wilson | May 6, 2008
Now. You know as much about this photograph as I do- as all thats written on the back is “Bob”. It is interesting that this is the first I’ve found taken by a Spartanburg studio, A. Bernhardt. The rest of the Spartanburg photos were taken in an around the home.
Wilson | May 4, 2008
Here’s a postcard sent to Miss Minnie from Charleston, in 1905. It’s difficult to read but here’s a shot: Dear Cousin Minnie, I wish you a Happy brighter New Year. I thought you might like this view of the old Church. Your grandfathers grave is under the tree at left of the picture. With Love, [...]
Wilson | May 4, 2008
A letter to “Mary” from her cousin “Jane C. Mott”, if I can read her signature correctly. In this letter Cousin Jane discusses her health and the lengths to which she goes to find relief- mostly by traveling to several popular areas with mineral springs. In a familiar manner, she describes her favorite water as [...]
Wilson | May 4, 2008
This is a letter from Christopher Faber to Dr. William F. Smith. Christopher was the brother of Christina Marie Faber, William’s mother. “Love to Aunt Catherine and respects to the Doctor” refers to Christopher’s other sister, Catherine, who was married to William’s uncle Dr. John Winsmith. At this time Glenn Springs was a popular tourist [...]
Wilson | May 4, 2008
The Friendship Post Office was less than five miles from Glenn Springs, but before the telephone it was still a distance best bridged by letters. Here is a letter from a Minnie to Miss Minnie Smith, daughter of Elihu Penquite Smith. Dear Minnie. Now yellow paper I hear you exclaim. I dislike to use this, [...]
Wilson | May 4, 2008
Here is a letter to Miss Hattie Means from her cousin written on State letterhead. I don’t find the envelope and so can’t tell if the State picked up the postage. The references to the crowds and confusion of Fair Week are interesting. I wonder if she attended. Columbia, Sc Nov. 2, 1899 Miss Hattie [...]
Wilson | May 3, 2008
Here’s a check written by Elihu Penquite Smith to who appears to be William James Smith for 500.00. I see online that 500.00 1860 dollars converts to $13,500.00 today so this must have been for a land purchase, or some other large investment.
Wilson | May 3, 2008
Here is a letter from a Cousin in Newberry County, SC. The inquiry about Minor Smith is the first mention of him I’ve found. He was born Minor W. Smith in 1852, of Elihu Penquite Smith and Mrs. Christina Marie Faber Smith, the recipient of this letter. Flint Hill May 15th 1878 My Dear Aunt, [...]
