Chapter 15

Letters and Bible Pages

In posting the following letters, I have sometimes added words in italics for clarification.  I have also endeavored, at the end of each document, to augment the work with additional information that, hopefully, provides a fuller explanation of the events of the time and people mentioned.  With that being said, I have made a concerted effort to keep the integrity of the original writing, even when the grammar and spelling are in error.

Sample of Old family letters

We can learn a lot about the lives of James and his family by the letters that were sent back to relatives in Virginia. These communications serve as a window into their world.  Although transcribing them was often challenging, our ancestors wrote with an honesty and forthrightness sometimes lacking today.  They did not hesitate to share their opinions, hopes, dreams, and even their disappointments.  Their written legacy is a treasure.

Transcription of 1811 Letter from James Ware II to his Son,

James Ware III

Transcribed by Judy C. Ware © April 2009

On outside of folded letter

Mr. James Ware

Frederick County, Battletown, Virginia

Postmark – Lexington, June 25, Kentucky

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When Cornelia Ware Anker first transcribed these letters in 1945, she was using a very old typewriter.  It’s hard to tell if some of the misspelled words and grammar errors are due to faulty typing or merely an effort on her part to be true to the original writing. She admitted freely that “I have copied these letters as well as I could; most of them are very hard to read.  The penmanship is beautiful, but it is small and, of course, dim with age.” 

I have noticed in some of her later correspondence, however, that these same kinds of errors occurred even when she was writing about current times.  Even so, in an effort to keep as much authenticity as possible, I have also transcribed her work verbatim – all errors included. See Below     

David’s Fork   Fayette Co’ty

June 16^th 1811

Dear James,

We got safe home to this place in Sixteen days all well Horses held out well, the colt performed well.  I have got them now in C. Ware’s stabels up to their eyes in the best of feed etc.  We had a veary good time the roads good & fine weather.  I should have wrote sooner but got Geo. Ware to goe down to Shelby to see the sheriff as I write give you some acct. of the Business you know what.  He returned 2 or 3 days a goe and sayd the Sheriff has collected between 3 & 4 th’d doll. which he has now in his hands & ready to pay it when call’d for but says you aught to get from Mr. Joseph Tidball who to pay this money two as the Execution is now in his name.  You can get from under his hand & have it certifyd from the Clark of the County & send it out then you can draw that money he says that he expects to receive seven or eight th. doll. including what he has got in course of this next month.  Then he says he will try at the Manchain House & large track he says he is afraid to try that til he has collected this sum now due.  He thinks the __of Lynch will pay the Ballance then risk that land to be executed but says he will cash it at all events as soon as he makes this collection.  We have got the finest prospect just now for a crop that i most ever see all fine but flax it was dry a month or tow ago which damaged Flax.  Your Buzzard Colt here is fine & veary large upperds of fifteen hand high & I think the longest __that i ever see young or old she is not halter broak yet intend it soon when the weather are not two hot, Charles was sick he says last fall or would have had it done.  The Sheriff from Shelby told Geo. that he would write you the next day veary like you have got his letter before this.  Charles Ware has wrote you.  Issac webb has got no money of C. Webb’s Estate in cash in his hand takes Bond for the Hire of Negroes, & never asks them for the Money let the notes goe on interest.  Thompson Scott was Married to Winny Webb the 12th of the month.  I have got a large young Horse here 2 years old this Spring nearly 15 hands high now & will make a fine waggon horse in a year or two more you may have him if you want.  C. Ware has got one 3 years past that nearly 16 hands & will fitt a waggon to a bea he intends to send him to you if he had an oppertunity.  Charles Ware made allmost 3 Ton of Hemp last year & has sold it to John Belcherson for $7 -  and weight 12 Months he owes him a hundred - 10 pound Hemp now is $6. Charles has got the greatest prospect this year will make I sepose 4 or 5 ton if it comes in well his corn is also veary fine will make I think 5 ht. Barrels of off 40 acres Wheat very good - - has not more than 12 acres.  I want to here who purchased the Mill -  we stopped at Washington H staid two nights & a day, got there late in the evening  I sent the letter direct to Mr. Taylor & word that we would breakfast with next morning & intending going on but it was veary hot & Mrs. Taylor advised us to stay we all went up to Thos. Marshal’s & dined with him & was veary agreeable entertained.  Mrs. Taylor talked of going in nest Spring, but she would let me know this summer, it cost us 5 doll.  their & we neither eat nor drank at the public House but the first night had supper.  Betsy Scott was with us.  This trip has cost me sixty two doll.

 Remember me to Harriet & the children    I am

Your Friend etc.  James Ware

 Below is a more readable transcription – with some words added in italics for clarification.  I have also included details and background information for further understanding.    Judy Ware

David’s Fork

Fayette County

June 16^th 1811

Dear James,

We got safe home to this place in sixteen days; all aree well.   The horses held out well & the colt performed well.  I have them now in Charles Wares stables; up to their eyes in the best of feed etc.  We had a very good time, the roads were good and fine weather.  I should have written sooner but I got George Ware to go down to Shelby to see the sheriff so as I write, I can give you some account of the business you know about. He returned 2 or 3 days ago and says the sheriff has collected between 3 & 4 thousand dollars which he has now in his hands & is ready to pay it when called for, but he says you ought to get from Mr. Joseph Tidball the name of who it is that he is to pay this money to, as the execution is in his name.  You can get from under his hand and have it certified from the clerk of the county and send it out; then you can draw that money.  He says that he expects to receive seven or eight thousand dollars (including what he has already got) in the course of this next month.  Then he says he will try at the Mansion House and large track.  He says he is afraid to try that until he has collected this sum now due.  He thinks the -- of Lynchburg  will pay the balance rather

We have the finest prospect just now for a crop that I most ever have seen.  All is fine but flax.  It was dry a month or two ago - which damaged flax.  Your buzzard colt here is fine & very large – upwards of fifteen hands high & I think the longest __that I have ever seen; young or old.  She is not halter broke yet.  I intend to do it soon when the weather is not too hot.  Charles was sick, he says, last fall or he would have had it done.

The sheriff from Shelby told George that he would write you the next day; it’ss very likely you have gotten his letter before this one.  Charles Ware has written you.  Isaac Webb has got no money of Charles Webb’s estate in cash in his hand.  He takes bond for the hire of Negroes and never asks them for the money; just lets the notes go on interest.  Thompson Scott was married to Winny Webb the 12^th of the month.

I have got a large young horse here, 2 years old this spring.  He’s nearly 15 hands high now and will make a fine wagon horse in a year or two more.  You may have him if you want.  Charles Ware has got one that iss 3 years past that age and nearly 16 hands high.  He will fit a wagon to a tea.  He intends to send him to you if he has an opportunity.  Charles Ware made almost 3 tons of hemp last year and has sold it to John Belcherson for $7. - and weight 12 months he owes him a hundred -- 10 pounds.

Hemp now is $6.  Charles has got the greatest prospect this year.  Hee will make, I suppose, 4 or 5 tons of it, if it comes in well.  His corn is also very fine.  He will make, I think, 5 ht. barrels of it off of 40 acres.   Wheat is very good    though he has not more than 12 acres.

I want to hear who purchased the mill.  We stopped at Washington H & stayed two nights & a day.  Wee got there late in the evening.   I sent the letter directly to Mr. Taylor & word that we would breakfast with him the next morning.  We intended going on, but it was very hot & Mrs. Taylor persuaded us to stay.  We all went up to Thomas Marshal’s & dined with him & was very agreeably entertained.  Mrs. Taylor talked of going in next spring but she will let me know this summer.  It cost us 5 dollars there & we neither ate nor drank at the Public House; but the first night we had supper.  Betsy Scott was with us.  This trip has cost me sixty- two dollars.

 Remember me to (your wife) I am

Your friend etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

James III was the only one of his father’s children who did not settle permanently in Kentucky.   His first wife, Elizabeth Alexander, passed away in 1806 and two years later, James married Harriet Taylor.  They also stayed in Virginia.

I have them now in Charles Wares stables; up to their eyes in the best of feed etc.”

When James II and Caty Ware moved from Virginia to Kentucky, Charles was still in his teens.  He stayed with his parents for about two years and then went back to Virginia to live with his older brother, James III, for a while.  He mentioned in a letter to his niece that “I did not go to live with him (James) until the fall of 1793.  We then continued together almost until I married in 1803.”  By the time of this letter, Charles was 36 years old and had been married for eight years.  He, obviously, was doing well with his land and crops.

“I got George Ware to go down to Shelby to see the sheriff so as I write, I can give you some account of the business you know.”

There are several times that “Shelby” is mentioned in some family letters.  It refers to a section of land that rests between Lexington and Louisville; considered the heart of Bluegrass Country.  When James III lived in Kentucky before returning to Virginia, he “engaged with a Mr. Johnston, the clerk of Jefferson County, and wrote in his office until he became fully acquainted with the business.”  It would seem that he may have still had some dealings with people in Shelby after moving back to Virginia, and his family (including brothers, George and Charles) were helping him handle things on that end since he no longer lived there. 

“Thompson Scott was married to Winny Webb the 12^th of the month.” 

Winny Webb was one of James III’s cousins by his Aunt Lucy and Uncle Isaac Webb.. 

“I want to hear who purchased the mill.”

Probably refers to Ware’s Mill in Frederick County, Virginia.. 

“We stopped at Washington H & stayed two nights & a day.”

When the state of Ohio was formed, the county seat was Washington Court-House, located on a fork of Paint Creek.  It is possible this is the location James was writing about in his letter.

“We all went up to Thomas Marshall’s & dined with him & was very agreeably entertained.”

Col. Thomas Marshall was the father of Chief Justice John Marshall.. 

(Ref. 1024) He built his estate, named Buck Pond, within a few miles of Versailles.  Colonel Marshall served in the Revolutionary War, first as a commander of the 3^rd Virginia Regiment, Continental Line.  Afterwards, he commanded a regiment of Virginia artillery.  “In his native home of Virginia he was both a neighbor and a close friend of George Washington.” (Ref. 1024)  Col. Marshall and his family came to Kentucky by way of the Ohio River, just as James Ware II did in 1796.  He and his wife had 15 children, and although he went to live with one of his daughters in his later years, he returned to Woodford County in 1803 where he died at Buck Pond. (Ref. 1024)

“he will try at the Mansion House”

Around 1806, “J.J. Marshall, a son of Humphrey Marshall, built a fine brick hotel called the Mansion House on the corner of Montgomery (now Main) and St. Clair streets.””  (Ref. 2284) The Inn was well known to the residents of the area.  In fact, “the Mansion House was still standing and in service at the time of the Frankfort Centennial in 1886.” 

Transcription of 1810 (11) Letter From Charles Ware In Kentucky

to His Brother James Ware III

Researched and transcribed by: Judy Ware     © Judy Ware 2009

ON OUTSIDE OF FOLDED LETTERR

Missent & forwarded

From Winchester

June 30, 1810   I believe this was originally transcribed in error and the letter was actually written in 1811.  See below for reasons.

                                     Mr. James Ware

                                     Frederick County

                                     Virginia

                                                                                     June 17, 1810 (1811)

Dear James,

I received, by our father, your letter and am glad to hear you are all well - which at the present is the case with us and I believe all our relations. 

Winny Webb was married on Tuesday last to Thompson (Matthew Thompson) Scott, a very pleasing match to all parties.  Thompson Ware (brother of James) talks of building a brick house.  He has paid $90.00 and a horse toward it, but has put it off until next year.  William Conn has settled between Thompson Ware’s and his father.  He has built a brick house and cleared about 20 acres of land and put it in corn and hemp.  Thompson has (for the first time) a little hemp agrowing; by the way of speculation.  I raised, last year, some better than 2 ½ tons of hemp which I sold to Capt. John Richardson and son (who has established a Rope Walk on his farm)  at seven dollars p. hundred; payable in 12 months, which will expire the 15^th of March next.  Hemp is worth about $6.00 now.  It was up for two weeks only last winter - worth $7.00.  I had a good deal of trouble with the breaking of my hemp, having taken it almost all up before it was well rotted.  Notwithstanding, it passed in great credit.  I’ll know better next time.

My father (James II), brother George, and Newland all have undertaken to give the news of your Shelby business.  I have put, as directed by my father, $100.00 to Mr. Webb, $150.00 to George Ware, and other matters to the amount of the rent, accepting about $40.00.  I have at last (not without great labor) repaired the fencing in such a manner that with little trouble, it will last my lease, and I have 13 acres of hemp a growing that is promising; notwithstanding a severe drought this Spring.  From 1 April until the 10th of June was less rain than ever was known (by me) to have fallen in the same months.  Our flak and oats will, I fear, not be worth saving.  Wheat is good.  Corn is very low but looks very well.

Your buzzard colt is very large and promising.  I neglected to halter break her last Fall but will do it soon and shall do it with great caution as I know the danger.  I have a very stout 3 year old (and well broke) wagon horse that I think is just another horse as good as Rainbow was that I can spare very well which I will send to your wagon.  If a good opportunity offers, this horse I mean as a present for the boots you sent me by George, and (I) insist on receiving nothing else for him. 

I applied to Mr. Webb who says that he has not a single dollar of the estate money in hand.  Neither does he expect to receive any soon as those in debt prefer paying interest to paying the money.

I sold my Shelby land to old Capt. Pearson (who is now living on it) for one thousand dollars only, payable in 1 year with interest from the date.  It was worth more money, but it was in a very invaluable part of the world.  I sold my tobacco that I had in that county for 14 shillings p hd.   My father’s man, Jim, is tolerably well satisfied.  He says nothing about returning to Virginia; I think will this fall or next spring.

I have nothing more to say at present.  I wish very much to see you, Harriet, and children, but never shall unless you should visit this country- which I flatter myself will be the case ere’ very long.  I enjoy but a moderate portion of health generally and not a great share of content.

Tell Harriet she must make haste and increase her family and send me one, as I fear Mrs. Alexander will not spare any of theirs.  Notwithstanding, give my best respects to her for I always was as fond of her as I was of anybody.  Tell Sally and Charles to write to me and not to forget that they once knew me.

                                             My wife joins me in love to all

                                                        C. (Charles) Ware

Date confusion:

In Cornelia’s transcriptions of 1945, there were numerous typing errors throughout her work.  In looking at the text of this letter and another one that was written by the father of both Charles and James in 1811, it clearly looks as if this letter was written in 1811 and not 1810.  There are several reasons why.  In comparing the two letters, I will print excerpts of the one from James II in green and the one from Charles in blue.  [Note the same time frame they are using.]

(1) In the father’s (James II) letter, he mentions the following –

“Thompson Scott was married to Winny Webb the 12^th of the month.” 

Charles writes: “Winny Webb was married on Tuesday last to Thompson Scott, a very pleasing match to all parties.

Several other references record the wedding date of Thompson and Winny Webb as June 12, 1811.

(2) James II wrote:  “Charles Ware has written you.”   

Since the date on the father’s letter was June 16^th and the one from Charles was only one day later on the 17th , the verb tense HAS WRITTEN would validate the same year of 1811.

(3) James II wrote: “. . . to go down to Shelby to see the sheriff so as I write, I can give you some account of the business . . .”

Charles writes: “My father, George, and Newland all have undertaken to give the news of your Shelby business.”

(4) James II wrote: “Isaac Webb has got no money of Charles Webb’s estate in cash in his hand.”

Charles writes: “I applied to Mr. Webb who says that he has not a single dollar of the estate money in hand.”

(5) In short, all the information that both parties wrote about (even down to the crops and horses) is in the same time period, and it would be highly implausible to think that there was an entire year spaced between the two letters.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Thompson, James, Charles, and George were all brothers.  At the time Charles wrote this letter, he was 36 years old and James III was 40.  Their father

(James II) was 70. 

“Winny Webb was married on Tuesday last to Thompson Scott, a very pleasing match to all parties.”

The man that Winny Webb married was, indeed, called Thompson Scott, but his full name was Matthew Thompson Scott.  They were married on June 12, 1811. 

“Thompson Ware (brother of James) talks of building a brick house.  He has paid $90.00 and a horse toward it, but has put it off until next year.”

In a letter from James Ware II to his son, James III, in 1812, he mentioned that “Thompson (your brother) is very slow lived in his old cabin which I had as leave live in a barn if could have fire.”  Obviously Thompson did put off building his home for at least another year.

“William Conn has settled between Thompson Ware’s and his father.”

William Conn was the brother-in-law of Thompson Ware, whose wife was Sallie Conn Ware.  He married Fanny Webb, the daughter of Mary “Polly” Webb and her husband, Charles.  William was also the brother of James Conn who married Kitty Webb (Lucy and Isaac’s daughter.) Another letter states that “William Conn has bought James Conn’s place adjoining him.”  The father of all the Conn children was Thomas Conn, a very large landowner in Kentucky.

“I had a good deal of trouble with the breaking of my hemp, having taken it almost all up before it was well rotted.”

Example of breaking hemp in the 1940’s (Ref. 2285)

“I raised, last year, some better than 2 ½ tons of hemp which I sold to Capt. John Richardson and son (who has established a Rope Walk on his farm”).

Hemp was a major crop grown in Kentucky, used largely for the making or rope and sailing equipment.

“My father’s man, Jim, is tolerably well - says nothing about returning to Virginia; I think he will this fall or next spring.”

It is possible this “Jim” was one of the slaves that came with the Ware family to help get settled in Kentucky.  Since it mentions him returning to Virginia, it is even conceivable that he is the same slave that eventually worked on Springfield farm.  Josiah inherited both land and slaves when his father died.  In his diary, he wrote, “Set the wheat machine in the evening. Big Jim, Jim Bell, Henry, Jo, Alfred, Samson, Violet, and myself worked it.”  There were, of course, many slaves named Jim, but we know that Josiah kept his slaves all the way into their retirement and then took care of them in their old age.  If the man mentioned in the letter was even as old as 30, it would still be possible for him to be working for Josiah in 1827 and only be 46.  In the memoirs of Josiah’s son, he wrote, “As they got old, light work was assigned, or none . . . how often I have seen the ‘retired ones’ sleeping in the sun.”

“I wish very much to see you, Harriet, and children.”

James III was first married to Elizabeth Alexander Ware.  When she died in 1806, however, he remarried in 1808 to Harriet Taylor.  She raised his children from his first marriage and also had several children with James III herself.  Charles and his wife never did have any children.

“Tell Harriet she must make haste and increase her family and send me one, as I fear Mrs. Alexander will not spare any of theirs.”

At the time of this letter, Harriet and James had only been married for three years.  They had already had two sons together; hence the use of the word - “increase.”  However, Harriet was the second wife of James.  He and his first wife, Elizabeth Alexander Ware, had several children before her death.  The “Mrs. Alexander” would have referred to the grandmother of James’ children by Elizabeth.  Her name was Sarah Snickers Alexander.

“Tell Sally and Charles to write to me and not to forget that they once knew me.”

Charles had (at one time) lived with his brother James and his first wife, Elizabeth Alexander.  He wrote in an 1831 letter that “I did not go to live with him until the fall of 1793.  We then continued together almost until I married in 1803 . . .” He was obviously living with them when they had all their children.  Sally (daughter of James and Elizabeth) was Sarah Elizabeth Taliaferro Ware.  Charles refers to the older brother of Josiah Ware who died at age 23.  Josiah was not mentioned because he would have only been a few months old when Charles moved back to Kentucky.

“My wife”   

Charles was married to Frances Whiting.

Transcription of 1812 letter from James Ware II

To his son, James Ware III

Transcribed by Judy C. Ware   March 2009

 Judy Ware © 2009

         On the outside of the folded letter

                                              Lexington, Kentucky   Nov. 13, 1812

Mr. James Ware

Frederick County

Battletown, Virginia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The writing and language of this letter was so unique that I have first posted it exactly as it was written in 1812, complete with all the spelling and grammar errors.  A revised (more readable) version of the letter can be found following this original copy.

                                                                                                 David’s Fork

                                                                                      November 4th 1812

Dear James,

I got here abt 2 weeks and had a good time in wriding the roads better than I ever see them before.  When I got to Chillicothe at Dr. Scott’s I staid 4 days by reason for weighting  Betty Scott.  My horse was well pleased at the stay.  He has now moved ¼ mile out of town up the river all in view, has purchased 25 acres and as hansom a place as I want ever see good buildings and with fine lots of bluegrass and clover.  He has more practice than any doctor that I ever new he was going night and day.  Before I started was sent for to Lanchester; 30 odd miles, will make a fortune in 5 or 6 years, at this date dont drink now,  has 2 young men in his shop that help him much now.  I see Gen’l Harrison at the town came for some accommodations for the troops, he said Dan’l Scott was veary ill had taken a swelling his legs & was afraid it would become dropsy, prevailed him to come home but he would not agree to it.  Don’t expect he will ever return.  I allmost hate to goe to Frankfort to see poor Kitty. 

George Ware is married at last to Mrs. Ferguson’s daughter a close neighbor.  He has gave him 3 Negros  Hock - -for he is an able fellow for the money- -more in the business.  He was married the day I started from Frederick.  There is the finest crops but hemp low 3 dol.  George has $1,000.00 for Mary and their children 200 is due yet which he owes to C. Ware he took up his bond.  He has not got that money from Caroline but was wrote some time ago that if he would come he will let him have a veary likely Negro.  I wanted to start him off direct, but he is not gone yet.

Thompson is veary slow lived in his old cabin which I had as leave live in a barn if could have fire.  George has got another fine colt out of his old mare by a horse they call Peacemaker.  She is now with fold by Noxly pedegree enough. 

     Tell little James I will have a colt ready for him next spring.

                                     My respects to Harriet and yours etc.

                                                       James Ware

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                                                                 David’s Fork

                                                                                      November 4, 1812

Dear James,

I got here about 2 weeks ago and had a good time in riding; the roads better than I have ever seen them before.  When I got to Chillicothe at Dr. Scott’s, I stayed four days by reason of waiting for Betty Scott.  My horse was well pleased at the stay.  He (Dr. Scott) has now moved ¼ mile out of town, up the river - all in view.  He has purchased 25 acres and as handsome a place as I want ever to see – good buildings and with fine lots of bluegrass and clover.  He has more practice than any doctor that I ever knew; he was going night and day.  Before I started, he was sent for to Lanchester; 30 odd miles.  He will make a fortune in 5 or 6 years.  At this date he doesn’t drink now & has 2 young men in his shop that help him much now.

I saw General (William Henry) Harrison at the town; he came for some accommodations for the troops.  He said Daniel Scott was very ill; had taken a swelling in his legs and was afraid it would become dropsy.  He prevailed him to come home, but he would not agree to it.  I don’t expect he will ever return.  I almost hate to go to Frankfort to see poor Kitty. (your sister) 

George Ware (your youngest brother) is married at last to Mrs. Ferguson’s daughter; a close neighbor.  He has given him 3 Negros.  Hock - - - for he is an able fellow for the money- - - more in the business.  He was married the day I started from Frederick.  There are the finest crops, but hemp is low at 3 dollars.  George has $1,000.00 for Mary and their children.  Two hundred is due yet which he owes to C. Ware since he took up his bond.  He has not gotten that money from Caroline but was written some time ago that if he would come he would let him have a very likely Negro.  I wanted to start him off directly, but he is not gone yet.

Thompson (your brother) is very slow lived in his old cabin which I had as leave live in a barn if could have fire.  George has got another fine colt out of his old mare by a horse they call Peacemaker.  She is now with foul by Noxly; pedigree enough. 

Tell little James (my grandson) that I will have a colt ready for him next spring.

                                     My respects to Harriet (your wife) and yours etc.,

                                                       James Ware

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Frederick County

Battletown, Virginia

It is of interest to note that this letter was sent to James Ware III in Battletown, Virginia – the original name for Berryville.  The name Battletown was bestowed in the late eighteenth century, and it was not until the early 1830s that the town increasingly became known as Berryville.

David’s Fork

David’s Fork is located around the Fayette County and Lexington area of Kentucky – the place where the Ware & Webb families settled in 1791. 

James Ware

There are three generations of men by the name of “James” referred to in this letter.  The author is James Ware II and he is writing to his son, James Ware III.  The young James mentioned at the end of the letter is the son of James Ware III and his 2^nd wife Harriet Taylor.  James Ware IV was born in 1809.  He was three years old at the time of this letter, but he would die at the young age of 18 on board the ship named “Herald” bound for Charleston, South Carolina.  This information is recorded in the Ware Family Bible.

“When I got to Chillicothe at Dr. Scott’s . . .”

There were several “Scotts” and doctors in the family at this time, but I feel sure the Dr. Scott mentioned in the letter was Dr. Joseph Scott.  Here is why:

Winny Webb (niece of James Ware II) married a Matthew Thompson Scott but he was not a doctor – he was a banker.  Another one of his nieces (Betsy Frances Webb) also married Dr. Matthew Thompson Scott when her sister died, but again, he was a banker - not a doctor.  Dr. John Mitchell Scott was the husband of Catherine (Kitty) Ware (sister of James II) but he died in 1812 and their home was in Frankfort, Kentucky.  Although he was a doctor, he seems best known for his military service.  The main reason why I don’t believe John Mitchell Scott is the doctor mentioned in the letter is because at the very time it was written (1812) he was serving with the Kentucky militia, right before his death.  His younger brother, however, was Joseph Scott.  Dr. Joseph Scott was practicing medicine in Chillicothe.  In fact, he was “enrolled at an early date among the Chillicothe doctors and was an able physician and a man of considerable financial ability.”  Joseph was well known “as one of our ablest and most successful physicians.”   Also, in a letter written in 1819 by the granddaughter of James Ware II (Catherine Webb Conn), it states “. . . my third son is named Joseph Scott after Dr. Scott formerly of Chillicothe.”

“I saw General (William Henry) Harrison at the town; he came for some accommodations for the troops.”

General William Henry Harrison established his military reputation on the 7th of November 1811 when he obtained a victory over the Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  He continued his military service during the War of 1812 and later went on to become President of the United States.  

“I almost hate to go to Frankfort to see poor Kitty.” 

The “poor Kitty” mentioned in the letter was the sister of James Ware III (Catherine Todd Ware Scott).  A letter written to President Rutherford B. Hayes states, “Aunt Catherine Scott settled in Frankfort.”  She was also called Kitty.  At the time of this letter, Kitty’s husband (John Mitchell Scott) had been serving as a colonel in the War of 1812.  He died that year. 

“George Ware (your youngest brother) is married at last to Mrs. Ferguson’s daughter; a close neighbor.”

 George Ware was the youngest son of James Ware II and the youngest brother of James Ware III.  He married Nancy Ferguson in Kentucky and they eventually had 10 children.

“Tell little James (my grandson) that I will have a colt ready for him next spring.”

James Ware IV was born in 1809, and was three years old at the time of this letter.  He was the son of James Ware III and his second wife, Harriet.

“My respects to Harriet”

Harriet Milton Taylor was the second wife of James Ware III.  They were married after his first wife, Elizabeth Alexander Ware, died.

Transcription of May 1819 Letter From Catherine (Kitty) Conn

To Sally Ware (her cousin)

Researched & Transcribed by Judy C. Ware   © April 2009

** S.E.T. Ware was Sarah (Sally) Elizabeth Taliaferro Ware – daughter of James Ware III and granddaughter of James Ware II.

*** Catherine Conn was the oldest daughter of Isaac and Lucy Ware Webb; Lucy being the sister of James III.  Catherine (also called Kitty) was first cousins with both Sally and Josiah Ware and all three (Catherine, Sally, and Josiah) were the grandchildren of James Ware II.

OUTSIDE OF ENVELOPE  

Paris, Kentucky             MAY 11^th

Miss S.E.T. Ware                Snickers Ferry              Frederick County, Virginia

                                                                                         May 6, 1819

Dear Sally,

I received your affectionate letter by Dr. Conn and I was much pleased to think that my dear Sally had not entirely forgotten me.  I would attempt an apology but am sensible of the neglect I have been guilty of in not writing to one of the greatest favorites I have on earth.  I am in great hopes that you will write to me frequently, as I do assure there is nothing gives me more pleasure than receiving a letter from you.  I am very much pleased to hear of your grandmama’s recovery.  I have had four sons; three are living.  My first I call John Scott after Dr. Scott of Frankfort, my second son Webb is named after my father, my third is named Joseph Scott after Dr Scott, formerly of Chillicothe (the doctor is now living in Frankfort,) and Thomas after Grandfather Conn.  My second son, Webb, I had the misfortune to lose (last March was a year) with whooping cough and measles.  Winny Scott has five children; two sons and three daughters.  Lucy Scott has one daughter; we call her Lucy Catherine.

Fanny Conn had one only, Mary Catherine, and she is in her 9^th year.

Our connections are well, generally, except my grandfather who I am afraid will never enjoy good health again.

I am very much pleased to hear Father still has in contemplation to visit Kentucky.  I wish you could prevail on your grandmama to pay us a visit in Kentucky.  There is no acquaintance on earth I should be more pleased to see than your grandmama, and as to yourself - I must beg it as a singular favor she will let you spend a few months with your Kentucky relations.

                                                                I have nothing more to say but

                                                             Your affectionate cousin until death

                                                                             Catharine Conn

N.B. Give my love to your grandmama and all friends.

                                                                K.C.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At the time of this letter, Sally Ware (sister of Josiah Ware) was 22 years old and her cousin Catherine Conn was 28.  Catherine (or Kitty, as was her nickname) was already married, but Sally did not marry until a year later in 1820.  Kitty died just one year after she wrote this letter, on May 24, 1820, of cholera. 

The “grandmamma” of Sally’s that is mentioned in the letter was probably her maternal grandmother from her mother, Elizabeth Alexander Ware.  The grandmother’s name was Sarah Taliaferro Snickers and Sally was actually named after her.  The Snickers name was well known in northern Virginia.

“Winny Scott has five children”

Winny Scott was the younger sister of Kitty who went on to have 11 children.

Lucy Scott has one daughter

Lucy Scott was another younger sister.  She would eventually have 10 children.

Fanny Conn

Fanny Conn was a cousin; daughter of Kitty’s Aunt Polly and Uncle Charles Webb. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Transcription of December 1825 Letter From Thompson Ware

To His Niece, Sally Ware Stribling (Sister of Josiah Ware)

Background research & transcription done by Judy C. Ware   © April 2009

                                                    Original letter owned by Cornelia Ware Anker 1945

From:          Bourbon County, Kentucky                   December 25, 1825

         Dear Sally,

Your brother Josiah starts from my house to Virginia in a few days.  I feel a kindred spirit towards you as the daughter of my brother (James III).  We were raised and educated together until our father took us to Kentucky and there left us.  We got separated; he located at Louisville and I in the neighborhood of Lexington when my age was 20 and his about 18 months younger.  We would sometimes accidentally see one another in the course of a year or two for several years until he entered into marriage to your mother in Virginia and it took him from Kentucky – where he settled not far from where he was raised and while living, we used to correspond and hear from each other’s family.  But we have been neglectful and absent from each other for a number of years and Josiah William Ware is the first and only one of the family that I ever saw.  And, in seeing him, I see your father more so than any painter could represent.  It has given me great pleasure to see Josiah at my house and if all my family could only see Sigismunda at my house – what rejoicing!  But I fear that is not to be; the distance is too great and to come in to Virginia is not impossible but very improbable as I am getting to be an old man. 

Sally, we have had twelve children – eleven living and eight of them daughters.  Our youngest is a son; one year old.  Josiah can tell you the particulars of my family.  Our families are all in Kentucky (except yours) where we can at least see one another once or twice a year.  Your Aunt Polly Webb lives within a mile, where we can see each other every week. 

Your cousin, Betsy Sharp, lost her husband the 1^st Sunday in November last by a midnight assassin.  He was stabbed in the abdomen in his own house at 1 or 2 o’clock and expired without speaking a word in a few minutes in the midst of his family.  The night before the Legislature was to meet (he was a member,) a man was taken up on suspicion and sent for further trial.  Poor Betsy was quite deranged for several days.  She has since recovered and has come to her right mind.  She has three children – a daughter and two sons.  Mr. Sharp has left her a sufficient competency for her support.  He had a very severe spell of sickness last summer which caused him to make a will, and he left Betsy everything except two farms, as I am informed. 

Your Aunt Polly Webb and Aunt Kitty Scott are both widows and I suppose will never marry again.  I must conclude by giving my wife and family’s best love to you and little Sigismunda.  I shall be glad to hear from you at all times.

                                                                          I am yours respectfully

                                                                                    T. (Thompson) Ware

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

“Dear Sally”

Sarah Elizabeth Taliaferro Ware Stribling was the daughter of Thompson’s brother, James III.  At the time of this letter, Sally was 28 years old and her Uncle Thompson was 56.  Sally had married Sigismund Stribling about five years prior to the letter and had given birth to a daughter named Sigismunda.  James Ware III had already passed away in 1821.

“could only see Sigismunda at my house”

Sally had married Dr. Sigismund Stribling and Sigismunda was their only daughter. 

“as I am getting to be an old man.”

He was 56.

“Sally, we have had twelve children – eleven living and eight of them daughters.  Our youngest is a son; one year old.” 

Thompson had married Sallie Conn, and the children he is referring to were:

(1) Catherine Todd (2) Thomas (3) Cassandra (4) Sally (5) Mary (Polly) (6) Lucy (7) Davidella (8) James Thompson (9) Frances (10) unnamed baby boy (11) Eliza (12) Charles William.  The eight daughters were Catherine (Kitty), Cassandra, Sally, Polly, Lucy, Davidella, Frances, and Eliza.   

“Your Aunt Polly Webb lives within a mile, where we can see each other every week.”

Thompson’s sister, Polly Ware Webb, had married Charles Webb.

“Your cousin, Betsy Sharp,

(daughter of Thompson’s other sister, Catherine Scott, and her husband Dr. John Mitchell Scott)

lost her husband the 1st Sunday in November last by a midnight assassin.” 

Betsy (also called Eliza) was married to Solomon Sharp.  See chapter 10 for more details on the assassination. 

“Your Aunt Polly Webb and Aunt Kitty Scott are both widows and I suppose will never marry again.”

Polly Webb (Mary Todd “Polly” Ware Webb) was married to Charles Webb on February 24, 1791.  Charles died in 1806 - so by the time of this letter, Polly had been widowed for 19 years.

Kitty Scott (Catherine Scott) had married Dr. John Mitchell Scott.  He had died in 1812, so she had been widowed for 13 years when this letter was written. 

“I must conclude by giving my wife”

Sallie Conn Ware

“and little Sigismunda”  

Daughter of Sally Ware Stribling & her husband Sigismund Stribling

T. (Thompson) Ware

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Transcription of a Kentucky Letter written circa 1830-1831

From Lucy Ware Webb to her Niece, Sally Ware Stribling

Research & transcription by Judy C. Ware © 2009

ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FOLDED LETTER

Mrs. Sally E. T. Stribling     Virginia   Near Battletown         June 5^th

            No year and postmark illegible

My Dear Sally,

I received yours and my dear Josiah’s letters and I need not say what a pleasure it gave me to find my dear relations were again restored to health, and I was also pleased to see they were not ceremonious with me.  I can (with truth) say that a short time before I received your last letter, I took up one of yours and Josiah’s letters that I received some time ago and thought when I read them that I would instantly answer them.  But some person came in (which at that time prevented me) and procrastination being a great evil attending human nature, I still thought I would – until I received your last letter and immediately fulfilled my long determination.  And you, not being acquainted in this country, can’t have much interesting to you.  I must, therefore, give you a detail of your relations and their families.

Your Uncle Thompson Ware’s daughter, Sally (Russell), has been as ill as ever any person was, to recover.  She had a son and in three weeks, was taken ill with child-bed-fever.  When her life was despaired of by her physician, Dr. Innes, (and every person that beheld her) they sent for Dr. Scott.  They kept him three days there.  Your Aunt (Polly) Webb went from her last week.  She was there two weeks and at the time Dr. Scott was there.  She told me she was satisfied that she (Sally) would not have lived until morning.  When he (Dr. Scott) came, she said it really appeared like raising the dead.  Sally was taken with strong convulsion fits in an hour after he got here – which lasted nearly two days; one after another.  But before he came away, she began to mend slowly and has been mending ever since.  She can now walk about the yard but not entirely come to her reason.  I suppose your Aunt Ware (Thompson’s wife, Sallie) would have been frightened almost to death had not Dr. Scott told them she would be quite childlike – perhaps for two or three months.  Your aunt (Polly Webb) observed to me, with tears in her eyes, “O, if he could have only seen Fanny (Fanny Conn, her daughter), I think she would have got well.” 

I suppose you heard his (Thompson’s) daughter, Polly Allen, died very suddenly.  Her child was about 3 or 4 weeks old.  She had been quite sick for two weeks, but Mary thought had gotten nearly well.  She (Polly Allen) got up in the morning, put on her clothes, walked to the fire, fell sick, was carried to the bed, and died in a few minutes.  She left a son – Kitty (her sister) takes care of it as if it was her own.  Lucy Ware, another of your Uncle Thompson Ware’s daughters, has married Mr. Bedford. He married two of Mr. Blanton’s daughters – both of them died in childbed; I have no doubt of want of skill in their physicians.  He then married Miss Hutchcraft.  She had two children and died when the youngest was 6 months old.  Their first child died at a year old.  He then married Lucy Ware.  I should have disliked being any man’s fourth wife, but he is a very clever man, not more than 26 years old, made an excellent husband and is quite independent.  I hope she will do well.  Kitty and Cassandra are still single, Davidella and Frances grown, Eliza is ten or twelve years old now.  Charles William I suppose never will walk a smart child.  He was taken sick and continued so for a year.  His head enlarged (opened) when he was sick at about two years old.  He has never walked since; his head very large now.  Whether he took too much calomel or what, I don’t know.  James is a fine boy; 15 years old I believe.  (All of the above were Thompson’s children) 

Your Aunt Scott (Catharine “Kitty” Ware Scott,) with her two daughters, lives with Betsy Sharp (her oldest daughter).  Catherine and Arabella are amiable girls; the latter thought handsome and of a very wild turn, and the other very sensible and economical.  She would make one of the finest wives for rich or poor.  Your aunt’s son, John, started three weeks ago to West Point - there to finish his education.  Her other son, Harrison (William Henry Harrison Scott), is living some distance from her; I really do not know where.  There was a report he was married.  I have not heard the truth of it, but don’t believe it.  Betsy Sharp is well and in good spirits.  She’s a pretty sensible woman and has 3 fine children.  They are Jean, John Scott, and Solomon (he was called Thomas but after the death of his father, they changed it to Solomon.)

Your Aunt Webb (Polly Ware Webb) looks well; though thinner than usual.  Nancy Innis (her daughter) has 4 children: Charles, Mary, Frances, and Robert.  The doctor is a very clever, rich man.  Winny Williams (another daughter of Polly’s) has four children; Mary, Franklin, Frances Webb, and I think the youngest is named George.  She (Winny) is in very bad health ever since her confinement about 4 months ago.  Mr. Williams is a sensible, clever man.  I suppose he will be rich at the death of his father – should he outlive him.  But Winny is very independent herself.  With the assistance of her mother, they are all doing well.

Your Uncle George Ware’s family are well.  He has two daughters, nearly grown.  One is named Catharine (she is a handsome girl; good figure) and his other children are Mary, Anne, James, Abram, Clifton, and John.  (More children were born to George after this letter.)

Your uncle and aunt are members of the Baptist church.  Your Uncle Thompson Ware (and all his family) and your Aunt Webb, Winny Williams, Catharine Gano, Fanny Conn’s daughter -all are Unitarians.  Mr. Gano is a Unitarian preacher – no great thing.  He’s a smart man enough if he would let preaching alone.  Catharine has a son and calls him William Conn.  If her mother (meaning Fanny) had lived, she (Catharine) would never have married Gano.  Her Grandmama (Polly Ware Webb) was very much opposed to it, but likes him very well now.  He’s a sickly man, worth nothing, but her father has bought James Conn’s place adjoining him.  They live there (if he ever pays for it) though the payments are quite easy. 

James Conn moved near the Blue Licks or rocks and mountains; his wife (Lucy’s daughter, Catherine who was called Kitty ) very much opposed to his selling or moving.  I have no doubt but it will be his ruin.  Kitty’s oldest son John is living with James Webb.  He (James) got me to write to his (the boy’s) father (James Conn) that if he would let him have John, he (James Webb) would educate him and give him whatever professional character his talents would best suit.  He sent him.  Kitty (Catherine and James Conn’s daughter) is living with me.  The other two (sons of Kitty and James Conn), Joseph and Thomas, are with him (James Conn) – to my sorrow.  I wrote a letter to him (James Conn) the other day that if he would give up their mother’s (Kitty’s) property that Mr. Webb (Lucy’s husband) gave her (though but little) we would take the other two boys and educate them and insure to them the property when they came of age.  But I did not send it, knowing it would displease him very much.

James Webb (Lucy’s son) is living in Chillicothe.  He married a Miss Cook (a niece of Dr. Scott).  They have two sons, Joseph and James.  Miss Cook is amiable but very homely.  They are doing, I believe, very well.  She was worth nothing.  John Webb (another son of Lucy’s ) is living in Ohio on Dr Scott’s farm.  They are all in partnership with cattle raising.  I expect Mary (Lucy’s daughter) gave you a full account of Winny’s and Lucy’s families.  Winny has 11 children living and two dead.  She expects to be confined in two months.  James, her oldest, is one of the smartest boys.  He’ll finish his education this year.  Betsy (daughter of Winny) is pretty faced, but too low entirely.  Isaac and Mary (other children of Winney’s) are going to school in Lexington.  Mary is 13 years old; as tall as Betsy now.  They are all smart, promising children and will have a good opportunity if their father (M.T. Scott), a man of energy and industry, knows the worth of an education.  If only other poor motherless ones had the same chance.  They are smart children (I mean Kitty’s).  Mr. Scott (Matthew Thompson Scott) is still living in U.S. Bank, gets 1000 dollars a year, but is very tired of it.  His family lives on a handsome farm some miles from town.  He comes home in the evening; one of the best husbands living (and fathers).

Lucy Scott (Lucy’s daughter who married Dr. Joseph Thompson Scott) has 5 children living; Lucy, Mary Epps, Catharine, Isaac Webb, and James.  Lucy and Mary are going to school in Lexington – I never saw two children learn faster in my life.  Lucy (the granddaughter) plays the best on the piano that I ever heard one for the time she has been learning.  Elizabeth, the doctor’s daughter by his first wife, is beautiful.  Poor John, her brother, died last week after a long and painful consumption.  He was ill two years; brought here last Sabbath and buried.  There was a large procession – I believe a quarter of a mile long.  He had been delicate from his infancy (was 22 years old and not larger than a 12 year old boy). 

Betsy Cunningham (another daughter of Lucy’s) has two very interesting boys, Webb and Robert.  ___ to see her, but we had so soon to part overbalanced my __.  She would have been so delighted to have met with you and Josiah. 

Isaac has two children; Lucy and Edward live ½ mile from him on Miss Winny Webb’s farm. 

I have been trying to write close so as to have room to write to Josiah, but I’m afraid you can’t read it.  My son, Cuthbert, lives this year with Dr. Scott (Joseph Scott), as Lucy was so lonesome since he moved to the country.  She is so pleased with raising so many fowls, she and Winny.  I was up there two weeks ago, and I never saw the like of the fowls in my life.  I believe we had 150 turkeys and as many ducks and chickens.  I was all but distracted with the noise and fuss with feeding.  When I came home, I found a calm both in the house and yard; but for fowls and children.

This letter, I fear, will not be worth the postage.  It will be about an hour’s conversation when we meet, which I hope will be soon.  Mrs. Jones came while I am writing and desires to be remembered to you and hopes to see you once more.  Her daughter, Amanda, married a Mr. Burton Paris – a hatter.  She has married very well (both infidels) but he coins money and has joined the Presbyterian Church.  Elizabeth lives with her mother; is very tall.  She and Louisa and herself are all members of the same church.  She wants to know if you ever heard of Mr. Snicker’s son that went to sea.

I now find no room to write Josiah, but give my warmest love and affection to him and his wife.  I want much to see you all and Sigismunda.  Tell him (Josiah) I often look at my breast pin and think of him.  I can consciously say, though I write seldom, you will ever be remembered by me as wonderful, beloved relations. 

And, my dear child, let me unite with you in praise to our Heavenly Father for his unbounded goodness to us in restoring you and your dear child to good health again.  And I pray that we may be enabled by divine grace to see His hand in all things.  I often think, “who am I that He should be so kind to me in giving me such affectionate children and such kind husbands and wives to them all, and, particularly, giving them spiritual blessings; as I hope they are all members of the church – both husbands and wives (with the exception of two or three) for which I hope ever to be truly and humbly thankful.”  When I look around and see large families all contentious, quarreling, and parting with husbands and wives - it brings fresh to my memory the goodness of God to me (who is so unworthy). 

Tell Josiah that Dr. Flournoy and his wife are parted.  He married Miss Blackburn, they parted, each got a divorce.  He then married his cousin, Mary Ann Conn.  She found, before married 11 days, she could not live with him; but stood it as long as possible for fear of the reproach.  He then drove her off.  She is now at Father’s with two children.  He has now sold off everything – going off I suppose to deceive some other person.

Tell Josiah that if my life and health is spared, I will write him in a month or two.  Farewell, my dear relations.  May God forever bless, protect, and direct you through life will ever by my prayer.

                                           Lucy Webb

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

“My Dear Sally”

Sarah Elizabeth Taliaferro Ware Stribling – daughter of James Ware III and Lucy’s neice.

“She left a son – Kitty (her sister) takes care of it as if it was her own.” 

Kitty later married Polly’s husband, Grant Allen, in 1830.

“Lucy Ware, another of your Uncle Thompson Ware’s daughters, has married Mr. Bedford.”

This was Henry Clay Bedford

“Betsy Sharp is well and in good spirits.”

Catherine’s daughter and wife of Solomon Sharp who was assassinated.

“Your Uncle George Ware’s family are well.  He has two daughters, nearly grown.  One is named Catharine (she is a handsome girl; good figure) and his other children are Mary, Anne, James, Abram, Clifton, and John.”

More children were born to George after this letter.

“Kitty’s oldest son John (Lucy’s grandson) is living with James Webb.  Kitty (Catherine and James Conn’s daughter) is living with me.  The other two (sons of Kitty and James Conn), Joseph and Thomas, are with him (James Conn)”

When Kitty passed away, her children went with different relatives to live.

“James Webb (Lucy’s son) is living in Chillicothe.  He married a Miss Cook”

These were the parents of Lucy Ware Webb who became President Hayes’s wife.

“Winny has 11 children living and two dead.  She expects to be confined in two months.”

Not long after this letter Winny would die from cholera in 1833. 

“James, her (Winny’s) oldest, is one of the smartest boys.  He’ll finish his education this year.”

James ended up dying in 1833 as well.

“Lucy Scott (a daughter of Lucy’s who married Dr. Joseph Thompson Scott) has 5 children living; Lucy, Mary Epps, Catharine, Isaac Webb, and James.”

Lucy and Dr. Scott went on to have 6 additional children after this letter was written.

“Isaac has two children; Lucy and Edward live ½ mile from him on Miss Winny Webb’s farm.”

Edward also died in 1833.

Miss Winny Webb was the spinster sister of Isaac.

“Sigismunda”

Sally’s daughter 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Transcription of 1831 Letter from Charles Ware in Kentucky to

his Niece Sally (Sarah E.T. Ware) – Sister of Josiah Ware

Transcribed by Judy C. Ware © April 2009

No envelope or address shown

                ------                                                              January 12, 1831

Sally My Dear; (Sarah Elizabeth Taliaferro Ware Stribling)

I have concluded to give you some account of your father’s (James Ware III) history; not all the particulars but the leading features.

Your grandfather and grandmother (James Ware II and Catherine “Caty” Todd Ware) were both raised in Caroline county (Virginia).  They were neighbors and married early in life, particularly your grandmother (before she was 14 years old.) They remained in that county for some time and until your Uncle Thompson was born (1769) and perhaps your father (1771.)   Of this, however, I am not certain.  They then removed to Frederick County, in what year I can’t say, but they continued to live there until 1791.  My father (James II) (and your grandfather) then moved his family to Kentucky in the spring of this year and arrived at his home on the 16th of June.  He had, previous to this time, sent out some Negroes and an overseer to make a settlement and clear some ground on the same place that he lived and (eventually) died on.

Previous to these events, and before my recollection of particulars, in the fall of the year 1784 my father (James II) visited Kentucky and remained there the winter.  This was at a time when people lived in Stations (forts).  He then, in the year 1789, revisited this country and brought with him your Uncle Thompson and your father (James III) and left them here.  Your father then engaged with a Mr. Johnston, the clerk of Jefferson County, and wrote in his office until he became fully acquainted with the business.  He then returned to Virginia in the spring of the year (1792) that my father moved here, and he accompanied us some days and then returned (to Virginia).  Through the friendship of General Daniel Morgan, he obtained an introduction to General S. Smith of Baltimore, whence he commenced merchandizing in Louisville and continued this business until 1795, (in the fall of this year he married your mother) in which he made the beginning of his fortune.  I did not go to live with him until the fall of 1793.  We then continued together almost until I married in 1803 and sometime after your amiable and affectionate Mother had quit this world for a more blessed aboard.

Your grandmother (Caty Todd Ware) had 7 children; your father being the second and I the fifth.  I believe they all live at this day except your father.  There is a great many circumstances during this interval I could relate that would be worthy of your attention.  I have, in getting tired of writing, cut short of many particulars that you would be glad to know of.  I would rather communicate them face to face.  If that’s not done soon, I fear it can’t be done in this world for I find I decline more than my years speak of.  Your aunt (Frances Whiting Ware) is, at this time, in bed seriously diseased with severe fever and cold, and I have myself just resigned to the bed.  I have written this in some haste, so please correct the mistakes and believe me with the sincerest friendship

                                                                     Affectionately yours,

                                                                   C (Charles) Ware

My dear:  If there is any particular of your father that you wish to be informed of that is within my recollection, please advise me and it shall be attended to.  C Ware

This is miserable paper – I did not intend sending it, but thought to copy it.  I must ask you to excuse it. 

                                     I shall expect to hear from you soon. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This letter was written by Charles Ware – son of James Ware II and brother of James Ware III - the only sibling who returned to Virginia to live.  Charles was part of the large family move to Kentucky that included his father & mother (James & Caty Ware) and the following siblings who made up the “7 children” he wrote about:

1. Thompson Ware who married Sallie Conn

2. James (whom he was writing)

3.  Mary “Polly” Todd Ware who married Charles Webb

4. Lucy Catherine Ware who married Isaac Webb

5. Charles (author)

6. Catherine Ware who married John Mitchell Scott

7. George Ware who married Nancy Ferguson

The “Daniel Morgan” mentioned in the letter was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia.  He is most remembered for his outstanding service in the Revolutionary War for which he was awarded a gold medal in 1782.  His incredible and heroic military maneuver at Cowpens is “widely considered to be the tactical masterpiece of the war and one of the most successfully executed double envelopments of all of modern military history.”  Ref. Wikipedia

“We then continued together almost until I married in 1803 and sometime after your amiable and affectionate Mother had quit this world.”

Charles married Frances Whiting on November 29, 1803.  They never had any children.  James and Elizabeth were married on November 10, 1796, but Elizabeth passed away on August 29, 1803 at the age of 29. 

“I believe they all live at this day except your father.”

When this letter was written in 1831, Thompson was 62 years old.  He would live another 21 years and die at the age of 83.

Mary “Polly” was 59 years old.  

Lucy was 58 years old and would only live another two years before she would die of cholera at the age of 60.

Charles, himself, was 56 when he wrote.  He would live another eight years before dying in Versailles, Kentucky at age 64 in July 1839.   

Catherine (or Kitty) was 54 years old.  

Ware Bible owned by James Thompson Ware – published in 1854 by the American Bible Society; kindly provided through the dedicated research of Debbie McArdle