World War I Letters of Russell County, January 31, 1919

The following letter originally appeared in the January 31st issue of the Lebanon News:

"A Lebanon Boy Writes From Germany

American Expeditionary Forces,
Office of Assistent Provost Marshal
42 Division
Ahrweider Germany, Dec. 25, '18

Mr. E. R. Combs,
Lebanon, Va.

Dear Uncle,

Your letter of November 20th, just received, and I agree with you in regard to the end of the war. Of course, we came over here with only one aim - to win the war and talk about it afterwards, but I, as well as everybody I know over here, am glad that it is all over and that we got off with as few casualties as possible. I was very sorry to hear that Lawrence Robinson had been killed, but some of us had to pay the price.

I understand that the President is now in France, but I do not think he has ever been in Germany. I have heard that he does not intend coming up here. I am glad he came over and feel sure that peace terms will be drawn up much quicker with him present, and that's what I'm looking for, as I am of the opinion that the "Rainbow" is bilted with the Army of Occupation until everything is straightened out. Since the march and the hardest part of the work is over, I am glad we were put in the Third Army, or Army of Occupation, as most of us would have felt slighted had we been left out and sent back in France to await the final wind-up. We had a pretty long march from Bugency France through Belgium and Luxembourg into Germany, but most of the time we had good weather and very good roads. We were thirty days on the march, of course we rested at a few places five or six days, but I guess Sherman has nothing on us for marching. We started November 14th and finished up here on December 16th.

I have heard a good deal of stuff about the 10th C. A. C. expecting to come over here to do guard duty, while we were being sent back home and mustered out, but I'm afraid they are guessing too much, as I feel sure we have enough troops in this country to do the guard duty, even if all of the Divisions that were in the front lines were sent home. Out of the 60 Divisions, not more than one third of them every got close enough to hear the guns, much less get into action. Looking at it in this light, I guess C. D. and Bill will have to put off their trip to France and Germany. Am expecting to receive a letter every day saying they have been mustered out of the service. They are perfectly welcome to the trip and the guard duty also, but I guess it isn't reasonable.

So far, I have not heard of any friction between US and the German civilians. They do as they are told and tell us how glad they are that the Americans are occupying this particular part instead of the French or English, and on the French and English from they are tell them the same thing. I don't care how much they say they like us, I won't believe it, as I do not see how I could like an invading Army, no matter how considerate. We are treating them better than I ever thought we would. We do not ask for anything unless we pay them for it. Of course we requisition, but they will get their money. Almost all of the men have returned, that is the ones that live on this side of the Rine, and we do not bother them so long as they leave off their darned old green uniform. But I guess we don't love our enemies like we ought to.

Have been hearing all kinds of dope about coming home and every time the date set comes around is just 40 days more. The latest date for sailing is Jan. 17th. Have heard that we are to go on down the Rine and sail from some port in Germany and that we were going back through France also. I don't care which, so long as we go. My, but I would feel like a millionaire on one of those Hommer 40, Chevaus 8 ([...] long), again. Last spring and summer re rode them so much that it was almost a second nature and I guess I am going to hunt up a real box car to come one on. Passenger cars are not in my line any more. we have some real box cars over here with two wheels under each end and U. S. A. in big red letters on them. They make me homesick every time I see one.

Talking about making me homesick, but while we were at Apremont, just before the final showdown, and American train came into a town about four or five miles back that had a real N. & W. passenger train whistle on it. I'g get up anytime to see that train it had been a little closer. I'd dear that whistle and immagine No. 8 comin' in.

Your nephew
ELLIS HARGIS

P. S. Stanley Hargis and Pete Shomaker are both stirring and are as usual."

World War I Letters of Russell County, January 31, 1919

The following letter originally appeared in the January 31st issue of the Lebanon News:

"RECOVERING FROM WOUND

General Hospital No 2

Fort McHenry,
Baltimore, Md. Jan. 14 1919

Dear Sister,

Your letter received today, was glad to hear from you and glad to know you are all well. As for myself I am O. K. and I think I will be out soon. I don't think I will be discharged before February or March, but if I don't get my discharge soon I will try to get a pass and come to see you all.

Well Mary, I did not get hurt very bad, just got my fingers broken and blood poison set up and I had a lot of trouble. I came very near losing my hand, but I am about well now. Sister I don't know how bad Craig was hurt, I saw him the day that I was going into the lines in September. I got hit the 30th day of September and I have been in the hospital ever since I landed in U. S. A. the 11th day of December.

Mary, many thanks for the $5.00 because I haven't any pay since July and I haven't had any mail since about the first of August. I went into the lines the 1st of August, at Albert, France, and then to the Verdun front. I was in the town of Verdun and it is all shot down, just like all towns in the war zone - they are all shot to pieces. I had some things to bring back with me but they were stolen from me. Tell Bob I intended bringing him a helmet, but could not as everything that I had was stolen.

Your brother,
G. G. Worsham"

Settlement of the Accounts of Joel Campbell, Deceased, 1851

Settlement of the Estate of Joel Campbell dec'd

The Accounts of William Campbell administrator of the Estate of Joel Campbell deceased being before me for settlement, and having advertised at the Courthouse door according to law, the following statements of his accounts is made.

Receipts.

Balance in his hands and standing against him by previous settlement of his administration accounts, June 27 1845 $17.79

Various other debts collected for the estate as per list herewith filed 160.87 3/4

Amount of an account settled with Wilson Elliott 15.31 1/2

                                                    $193.98 1/4

Disbursements.
Account paid J. H. S. Fugate a Constable for serving warrants	1		60
Account allowed Wilson Elliott (see above)	2	15	31 1/2
Account paid James Presley	3	9	9
Tax ticket for land for 1849	4		45
Debt paid Isaiah Fuller, as per receipt	5	14	13
Tax ticket for land 1848	6		45
Commissioner' ticket for transfer of land to heirs	7		75
Account paid Scoffield Maddox	8	1	50
Sheriff's ticket paid J. F. McElhenney	9		75
Note executed to James Gilmore, paid Cummings Gilmore	10	18	19
Receipt from Cummings Gilmore for money collected on a receipt for notes, by intestate	11	14	89
Amount paid on Constables receipt from Joel Campbell to D. Sergant, paid J. F. McElhenney	12	48	50
Balance of a note paid Henry Campbell senr.	13	10	30
Account paid same	14	3	70
Clerk's ticket paid	15		18
Account paid John W. Hendricks	16		16
Receipt for money paid N. B. Gray	17	9	71
Account paid Anderson Hendricks	18	4	82
Receipt for money paid Jesse Vermillion	19	1	17
Account paid James W. Hendricks	20	10	00
Tax Ticket paid J. F. McElhenney for 1845	21		45
Account paid Joseph Tod, as per receipt	22	8	08
Do do	23	9	09
Amount of Disbursements forwarded		$182	27 1/2
Account paid Richard T. Fields	24		80
Account paid Henry Harman, as per receipt	25	2	17
Tax ticket paid Johnston Howard S. R. C. for 1846	26		45
Clerk's ticket paid	27		18
Cash paid John C. Ferguson on Constable's receipt executed to him by intestate.	28	42	037
Cast paid Hopkins & McElhenney, as per receipt	29	10	00
Amount paid on a Receipt to John Scott	30	8	78 1/2
Account of tax paid on a deed admitted to record	31		50
Receipt for money paid Charles H. Monk on Account of Obedience Elliott's Estate	32	8	09
Account due Dickenson & Kernan	33		75
Cast paid on a note to Andy F. Hendricks	34	24	58
Cash paid J. F. McElhenney on a note executed to Snider V. Caldwell	35	4	87
Cash paid Thos. J. Riley on a Constables Receipt	36	2	57
Account paid Green C. Fields	37		83
Cash paid on a receipt for notes put into hands of dec'd to collect for Boyd & Vermillion	38	15	00
Cash paid on a similar receipt to T. C. M. Alderson & Co.	39	63	02
Tax ticket paid R. Boyd D. S. for 1850	40		45
Do do paid same	41		76
One half fee for recording deed to John & H. Campbell			75
		$369	82 1/2
Recapitulation		$369	82 1/2
Amount of Disbursements		193	98 3/4
Leavning an Amount paid behond his receipt of		$175	83 3/4

Given under my hand this 22d day of September 1851.

James P. Carrell, Commissioner

Russell County, to wit: This day James P. Carrell made oath before me a justice of the peace of said County, that he has been engaged four hours in taking the above account. Given under my hand this _____ day of ____ 1851. J. P.

At Russell October Court 1851.

This Settlement of the Administration accounts of William Campbell on the Estate of Joel Campbell deceased was reported to the Court, and there being no exceptions thereto, it is ordered that the same be recorded.    Teste,

James P. Carrell, C. R. C.

World War I Letters of Russell County, February 14, 1919

The following letter originally appeared in the February 14th issue of the Lebanon News:

"SOLDIERS WRITE HOME.

Somewhere in France,
January 7, 1918.

Mr. E. B. Sutherland,

Dear father:

I will write you a few lines as I have some time. I received your letter two days ago and was some glad to hear from home again. I just came back from the hospital but I am all o. k. and feeling fine.

I had a fine Christmas, also a fine Thanksgiving dinner. We are on our way to the coast but don't know when we will sail for the U. S.

I received a letter from Douglas a few days ago and was glad to hear from him. I was close to him once but didn't know it. One of our company boys met him and brought me a letter from him. He was o. k. I was glad to hear you were all well. I hope the creek is on a boom.

Denny Grizzle, Sherman Parson and I are together now.

You asked me if I was in the battle where Lafayett Sexton was killed. I was there and it was some battle. Rufus Kiser was wounded in the same battle. We are in good hopes of being home soon. I know it will be sad for us there, so many friends dead, but I have lost some friends here too.

We have some time with the French girls. I will try to see Douglas soon. You would not know me now, I weigh 170 pounds and still going up like a reed. We just received a compliment from Richmond, Va., wishing us good luck a safe arrival home. Well I will close as we are ready to move. Answer soon. I remain your son.

DEWEY JACK SUTHERLAND"

Death Mentions in County Court Law Order Books, August 1854 Through December 1854

Russell County's official death records date from 1853, however not all deaths were reported. Additional death information can be gleaned from several sources, including newspapers, cemetery records, and other civil records.

The following information related to deaths in Russell County from August 1854 through December 1854 come from the County and Circuit Court Law Order Books. These excerpts are all mentions of the words executor, deceased, and guardian from the records.

See the full transcriptions on my other site for more details.


August, 1854 County Court Order Book

On motion of William Salyer who took the oath of an administrator prescribed by law & entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of $400.00 with Jacob Dorton as his security, a certificate is therefore granted him as administrator of David Salyer deceased in due form.

Ordered that Charles C. Gibson, Shanklin Salyer, and Nimrod Elam after first being duly sworn do appraise all the personal estate to them produced of David Salyer deceased by the administrator and return such appraisement under their hands, signed by the administrator to the Court.

Ordered that Robert Boyd be appointed guardian to Celia Lavina Mutter infant daughter of _____ deceased and thereupon he entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of Seven hundred dollars with Wm. B. Aston as his security, conditioned as the law directs, which bond is ordered to be recorded.

Ordered that John F. McElhaney be appointed guardian to Mary F. Carothers infant daughter of John F. Carothers deceased and thereupon he entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of $200.00 with Wm. B. Aston Robert Boyd as his security, conditioned as the law directs, which bond is ordered to be recorded.

Ordered that Andrew C. Ferguson be appointed guardian to James H. Ferguson infant son of Andrew C. Fergusons, and thereupon he entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of Two hundred dollars with David C. Ferguson as his security, conditioned as the law directs, which bond is ordered to be recorded.

This cause came on this 10th day of August 1854, to be heard upon the bill and exhibits filed in the cause the answer of the infant Defts. by their guardian ad litem and

From an estimate presented by the Clerk of the Court of a debt due from the County to the estate of Aaron Hendricks deceased, it appears that the amount including interest, till the 8th of this month, is $3002.61 for money loaned to build the new Courthouse, and supposing that there may be in the Sheriff's hands from collection of the County levy of 1852 & 1853 a sufficiency to pay off said claim no allowance for the present is made, on account thereof.

George W. Hopkins vs. Andy F. Hendricks, guardian &c.    In Case.

September, 1854 Circuit Court Order Book

Samuel Smith surviving admr. of John Smith deceased who sues for the benefit of Isaac Vermillion admr. of Joseph Jessee deceased      Plt.

Johnson P. Gibson admr. of Thomas Gibson deceased &c. defts.

September, 1854 County Court Order Book

A writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of John Owens, deceased, was proven in Court by David Jessee senr. and Abram Nordyke the subscribing witnesses.

Ordered that Wm. Salyer be appointed guardian of Johnathan Salyer whereupon he executed bond in the penalty of $600. with John  H. S. Fugate as his surety conditioned according to law.

J. F. McElhaney surety of Johnson P. Gibson administrator of Thos. Gibson deceased declare in Court that he will not longer remain surety, the said John P. Gibson also being present in Court & refusing to give other surety his office aforesaid is made vacant. On motion of Jesse Wampler & Jefferson Bannion who made oath and together with Aaron H. Nash & J. F. McElhaney their sureties entered into and acknowledged bond in penalty of 600$ conditioned according to law. Certificate is granted them for obtaining administration de bonos non. on the estate of said decedent in due form.

Larkin J. Samples, infant of James Samples deceased being of full age for that purpose in open Court made Choice of Elizabeth Samples, his mother as his guardian which is approved by the Court whereupon Elizabeth Samples with E. Ferrell as her surety entered into and acknowledged a bond in the sum of $2000. conditioned according to law. Ordered that Elizabeth Sophia their mother be appointed guardian for Celia Lavina Samples, Elizabeth, Nancy Jane, Sarah Ellen, & Elbert Severe Samples infants of James Samples deceased thereupon Elizabeth Samples & E. Ferrell as her surety entered into the

Penelope E. and Henry Lewis Fletcher infants of Basil Fletcher deceased being of full age for that purpose in open Court made Choice of Sarah Fletcher their mother as their guardian which is approved by the Court - whereupon Sarah Fletcher with E. Ferrell and Gabriel Jessee as her sureties entered into and acknowledged bond in the sum of $1000. conditioned according to law.

Ordered that Sarah Fletcher their mother be appointed guardian for John Larkin, Leah Jane, Nancy Howard, Charles Lilborn, Ruben Lee, Mary Rogers Fletcher infants of Basil Fletcher deceased thereupon Sarah Fletcher with E. Ferrell and Gabriel Jessee as her surety entered into the aforesaid bond.

October, 1854 County Court Order Book

On motion of the plts by their Counsel it is ordered that Dale Carter be appointed guardian ad litem to the infant defendants to defend them in this suit, thereupon he made oath to and filed his answer.

On the motion of George W. Candler who took the oath of administration prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of eight hundred dollars with Robert Boyd and Vincent Jessee as his securities, conditioned as the law directs, a certificate is therefore granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of William Necessary deceased in due form.

...the personal estate to them produced of William Necessary deceased and return such appraisement under their hands signed by the administrator to the Court.

This cause came on this day to be heard on the bill of Complainant and the answer of the infant defendants by D. Carter their guardian ad litem and was argued by counsel and it appearing to the court that the Spa. in the cause has been duly served on the resident defendants and that an order or publication has been duly made posted and published against James Samples the absent Deft. and they failing to appear & answer to bill the same as to them is ordered to be taken for confessed. And it pearing to the court that the salve in the bill mentioned cannot be divided between the heirs of James Samples in kind. It is hereby ordered adjudged and decreed that Stephen G. Samples who is hereby appointed a Comr. for that purpose do sell said slave to the highest bidder at the front door of the Court house of Russell County after having advertised the time and place of sale for one month by an advertisement at the front door of the Courthouse of said County. And that the he be take bond with good security from the purchaser payable to himself as commissioner and the he reports his proceedings to this court at its next term, till when this cause is continued.

November, 1854 County Court Order Book

On the motion of John D. Alderson who took the oath of admr. prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of two hundred dollars with N. E. Burdine as his his security conditioned as the law directs, a certificate is therefore granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Andy Harvey deceased in due form.

Ordered that William Frick, Abel Alderson, N. E. Burdine and John W. Dorton or any three of them being first sworn before a justice for that purpose do view and appraise in current money all the personal estate to them presented of Andy Harvey deceased and return such appraisment under their hands signed by the administrator to this Court.

On the motion of William Campbell senr. who took the oath of administration prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of 500$ with Wilson Elliott as his his security conditioned as the law directs, a certificate is therefore granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Nathaniel Monk deceased in due form.

Ordered that Wilson Elliott, Isaiah Cumbo, & Henry Campbell being first sworn before a justice for that purpose do view and appraise all the personal estate of Nathaniel Monk deceased and return such appraisment under their hands signed by the admr. to this Court.

Henry Samples who being of full age for the purpose appeared in Court and made choice of William Samples as his guardian who was accordingly appointed, and thereupon he entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of $800.00 with Ira Reynolds as his security, conditioned as the law directs, which bond is ordered to be recorded.

The last will and testament of James P. Carrell, deceased was exhibited in court and proven by the oaths of Samuel W. Aston & William B. Aston the subscribing witnesses there to, and ordered to be recorded.

And on the motion of Charles Carrell, executor therein named, who made oath thereto and with Henry Dickenson, James Dickenson, William B. Aston and Samuel W. Aston as his sureties, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $75,000.00 conditioned according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat of the said will in due form.

Resolved that these resolutions be entered among the records of this Court, and a copy be furnished by the clerk to the widow of the deceased, and another to the Abingdon Virginian & Democrat for publication.

Geo. W. Hopkins vs. Andy F. Hendricks Guardian &c. In case.

On the motion of Vincent Browning who took the oath of administrator prescribed by law, and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of three thousand dollars with Robert Burk as his security conditioned as the law directs; A certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate Enas Browning deceased in due form.

December, 1854 County Court Order Book

Ordered that Edward J. Culbertson be allowed the recording fee on the following deed and deeds of trust to wit John Gillum to Charles F. & Abram J. Bond, Jesse Davis to Linkhorn Blevins, Charles F. & Abram J. Bond to John Gillum, Samuel Taylor jr. to Samuel Taylor sr., John D. Alderson & wife to Joseph Combs, Elizabeth Meade to A. W. & Wm. B. Aston, Joseph Eastep to Hiram Eastep, Benjamin A. Warder & others to William Clark, James F. Litton to John Morrison, Isaac Fields & wife to Robert Stinson, Jacob Combs to Elexious Musick, Joseph McReynolds to Harvey Gray, George A. Pruner & wife to John F. McElhaney, all of said deeds were recived for record before James P. Carrell late Clerk of this Court died but was not admitted to record till since his term of office expired, therefore as Edward J. Culbertson C. pro tempore has to record said deeds he is allowed the recording fee & said Carrells Executor is allowed the tax on said deeds.

On the motion of James H. Bays who came forward and qualified as Committee for Joseph Bays a person of unsound mind, acknowledged his bond in the sum two hundered & fifty dollars, with William Bays as his surety the bond conditioned as the law directs, therefore he granted the power act as guardian for said Joseph Bays.

Ordered that Andrew Fraley be appointed as Commissioner to make partition of the lands of ARcher Jessee deceased in the room of Nathaniel Dickenson.

Ordered that James P. Carrell's executor be allowed twenty five dollars for the services of the said James P. Carrell late clerk for examining and certifying the Commissioners' Books for the current year, which is ordered to be certified to the auditor of public accounts.

1844 Letter of Samuel Sergent to his Brother Jesse

The following letter appears in the September 9, 1927 issue of the Lebanon News. According to the article the letter was written by Samuel Sergent, living in Bloomfield, Indiana to his brother Jesse Sergent, living in Lebanon.


Greene County, Ind.
November 8th, 1844.

Dear Brothers and Sisters and inquiring friends, I once more take my pen in hand to write to you to let you know that we are all well at present hoping these few lines may find you in the same state of health. I can inform you that my old father and family got to my house on the 29th of September well and hearty, and after would return his sincere thanks to God for his kind mercies toward him. He seemed perfectly satisfied with the country, and sold his wagon and one mare for winter provisions, and David Cowan, myself and William began to prepare a house for them to live in. I took them all in my house to live with me until his house was built.

They all seemed well pleased and especially father and the negroes, as they were now free in spite of all their enemies. But alas his stay with me was short; on the 31st day of October he died having but nine days sickness and made but very little complaint of anything being the matter with him only that he had accomplished all the work the Lord had left for him to do; that he had lived long enough for all the good he had done, and he told us not to grieve for him but to prepare to meet him for he was going to rest. We had the house nearly bout finished for him, and when Soo told him the house was almost ready he told hir that hir and William and Esther and the children could live in it, that he never should go to it. He appeared in his perfect senses the most of his time. He was extremely hearty until nine days before he died, and often stated that he felt stouter than he had for several years, that the Almightly had preserved and blessed him in his undertaking, and he had accomplished his ends, in spite of all their threatnings, but he said if the Lord would forgive them he would, and that he wanted them all to try to meet him in Heaven.

A few nights after he took sick after all the family was gon to bed except Soo and myself I went to the bed and asked my father how he felt. He said he felt no particular misery but that he was not long for this life that he had been studying about his will and that it was not to his notion. He then told me how it was and how he wished it to be. I told him I would fix it for him, and immediately put out for two of my neighbors and David Cowan and when I had brought them to my house I then told him I was ready to write his will, and told him to tell these men how he wanted it written. He then told them that he wanted all his personal property after his death to be for William and that the three black children should be bound to William until they were twenty-one years of age, and provided he should die, that they would be left under my control until they were free, and that Soo and Esther should live with them until death, although they are at liberty to do as they please. I do not feel the least doubt but they will do according to his will. They are now living in their own house and seems well satisfied. Esther and hir mother is getting the offers of more work than they can do, and they are daily employed in doing all they can. As you have heard so many different tails about their freedom, I will tell you I made inquiry of one of our smartest lawyers concerning the matter and he told me if they were brought here with the intention of freedom that they were free as soon as they came into the state, but that there was a limited time for slaveholders to take their slaves through the state. He also told me that the children would have to be bound to some one until they were of age. Mr. Lasting and his wife is living about 1 mile from us. Esther and Sosanah wishes to be remembered to all inquiring friends. Tell Ferdenen am well and hope he will not grieve after me. I shall add no more but hope that if we never shall be permitted to see each others faces here on earth that we shall meet around the dazzling throne of God, where sighing and trouble, pain and distress and parting will be no more.

Yours
SAMUEL SERGENT

New Obituaries Added to Index

New Obituaries Added to Index

Over on my Russell County History site, I've added over 800 new obituary and death notices to the Master Obituary Index. These additions to the index come from several Bristol papers that have recently been made available online. I've also identified 70 new obituaries for my Civil War website. I will resume updating both sites in the near future to get these additional resources available.

The new obituaries and death notices can be located by searching the Master index for the following papers: Bristol Herald, Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol Evening News, and the Bristol News Bulletin.

If you are interested in a particular obituary, let me know, I can usually get a copy of the full obituary or death notice.