William A. Findley

Notes:

Letter from Lavada FINDLEY to her sister in Georgia, Mary D. HOLT: "Dear Sister,

"I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am still in the land of the living, though many miles from you. Sis, I traveled 60 days. I crossed mountains, hills, rooks, large rivers, creeks, and branches. I came through towns and cities. I had snow, rain, hail and sleet more or less all the way here. I camped one one week in this state on ---- Creek. It rained on us all the time we stayed there. Water and mud were shoemouth deep. I came on to Mr. Williams' in this state. I stayed in my tent three days in the rain and snow. We were aiming to go to the Indian Nation or to Nebraska. We thought we would stop till spring, so Mr. Findley looked about and got a school house. We started to it through the snow, eight miles. There we stayed about four weeks. Mr. Findley found a place that suited him. He went and bought it. He was gone two weeks. Sis, I slept and ate on the ground floor over three months.

"Sis, I can not tell you much about the country. I have been here four months. I have not been out of sight of my house but one time since I have been here. From what I can see and learn, the land is good and productive as anyone need to want. It lies in hills and valleys. The hills are rocky and covered with grass and blackjack. There is some other timber. The valleys are the good land. Running water is scarce here. There are several good springs at the head of this valley. I came through Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois to Howell County in this state. I think I will be satisfied if we can have our health. People look well here, and they tell us it is healthy here. We have good well water. It washes well. I don't think I will lack for water. Some have to haul water in summer here. They are careless about their wells in this country. They will dig one and throw some poles over it and let it stand for years. There is a better chance to get a good home here than in Georgia. Land is cheaper and chance to enter or homestead.

"Sis, our place is bad out of fix. There is a heap of work to do. The land is not much to clear; shrub off the largest bushes and hitch two or three yoke of oxen to a large plow and tear it all to smash. We have a good chance for a crop. It was dry here last year. The drought was from Georgia here.

"Sis, I must tell you something about my children. I have got as pretty baby as you ever saw. It is seven weeks old. Its name is Alfred Webb. The rest are all well and growing fast. Sam has grown and is as well as I ever saw him at this season of the year. They send you howdy. I am not very stout, though improving.

"Sis, I want you to read this letter to all the rest of my brothers and sisters. I want you all to go to old Ebenezar to meeting and visit those graves. Look at my baby's for me as I never saw it. I never shall forget that place. Notice my little cedars and write to me how they all look. Ann, I want you and Jim to write. John, you and Lou write. Bob, I want you to write how you are getting along and what you have done with the Neals. Tell Taylor and Columbus to write.

"Now don't fail. It is all the pleasure I ever expect to enjoy in this life with any of you without a mere accident. Sis, read it to all the connections on Tieanetly. I want them all to write. Give me all the news of your country. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Now Sis, I want you and John to write. Don't fail. I have not heard a word from you since I left.

"So I close. Farewell to Mary D. Holt and John."

Lavada M. Findley [found online at http://www.angelfire.com/biz/finleyfindings/VOL1.html

William married Lavada Melinda Holden about 1850 in Middle Division, Dickson County, Tennessee. Lavada (daughter of Ozias Holden) was born about 1830 in Georgia, USA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Samuel A. Findley was born about 1850 in Georgia, USA; and died.
2. John W. Findley was born about 1853 in Georgia, USA; and died.
3. Mary E. Findley was born about 1855 in Georgia, USA; and died.
4. James J. Findley was born about 1858 in Georgia, USA; and died.
5. Manuel T. Findley was born about 1860 in Georgia, USA; and died.
6. Benjamin S. Findley was born about 1862 in Georgia, USA; and died.
7. George Louis Findley was born on 17 Apr 1863 in Georgia, USA; died on 3 Feb 1941 in Atrisco district, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA; was buried in Albuquerque-Sunset Memorial Park, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
8. Robert S. Findley was born about 1866 in Georgia, USA; and died.
9. Alfred W. Findley was born about 1870 in Missouri, USA; and died.
10. Barnett Findley was born about 1872 in Missouri, USA; and died.
11. Joseph B. Findley was born about 1874 in Missouri, USA; and died.