Letters from Mary E. Hampton (Ashford) from Bradley County, Arkansas

These letters were written in July 1884 by Mary E. Hampton, who was teaching school in or near New Edinburg, AR., to her uncles James A. Hampton and Charles G. Hampton in DeSoto County, MS.

The information and letters appear courtesy of Melinda Freeman.

(Surnames that might find interest in these letters: HAMPTON, ASHFORD, TOLLETT, MCKINNEY, WILLIAMS, BRADLEY, FOWLER, WAGNON, JOLLY, ERWIN)

From the letters we learn she is living near Uncle Charlie and Aunt Em Williams, Charlie's sister Darcus Williams Jolly Erwin, Pete Wagnon. She mentions finding a beau.

From our research we know:

1. The Charlie Williams, Jolly, Erwin and Wagnon families are well documented in Bradley at that time. Aunt Em would be Rebecca Emaline McKinney Williams. On the 1880 census we find Mary E. Hampton, 18, as a granddaughter living with Mary A. McKinney, 57, and her son John H. McKinney, 25 (Moro Township, Bradley). Mary A. McKinney owns land.
2. From marriage records, M. E. Hampton marries G. M. Ashford of Fayette Co.,TN (son of Hiram and Margaret) in January 1885. Marriage bond signed by C. H. Bradley. Marriage performed by J. F. Fowler.
3. George and Mary are found on the Little River Co, AR. census 1900, with 2 children, F. E. (dau) and G. H. (son). By 1920, we find G. H. with wife Annie Wilson Ashford, in Little River, and in 1930 with 2 children Latbelle (?) and Chester H.
4. In Campground Cemetery, Winthrop, Little River Co., we find Mary E. and George M. Ashford; their son George H. and Annie Wilson Ashford, and the Ashford children George H. Jr., Mary Ruth Ashford, and Betty Louise Ashford Tollett and we assume her grandson Tommy Keith Tollett.

We are searching for the families descended from the Ashford-Hampton marriage. We are also looking for proof of Mary E. Hampton's identity. We believe her to be the daughter of Benjamin F. Hampton and Mary C. McKinney Hampton. We assume she is living with her maternal grandmother McKinney (mom of both Rebecca and Mary C.?) in 1880. If she is BFH's daughter, he enlisted for the civil war in Warren, Bradley, in 1862 and died same year at Camp Gum Springs. She was born 1861; BFH bought land in Bradley in 1861.

You can click on an image to view larger images of these letters.

TRANSCRIPT: New Edinburgh Ark July "6" 1884 Mr. C. G. Hampton My dear uncle, I will after so long a time answer yours of June "10". I was very glad to hear from you. I have waited for news but I believe news is as scarce with me as was when I received yours. Well I will write all I know and I hope you will excuse the rest. How did you enjoy July the fourth? Hope you had a gay time. I did. I wish you could have been with me. I was at a wedding reception and had oh such a nice supper. I found me a sweet heart too. I tell them that I don't think that I will have to live an old maid now that I have found

one that I think probably I can get. Well you know I have to have a little fun. I hope you are ready to pay me that visit now and that you will come soon. Come and we will go and have some photographs made. There is a splendid photographer here now. I believe I will wait for you to come and go with me to the gallery to have my pictures made. That is if you won't stay off too long I will wait. Have you an idea of going to Texas? I received a letter from Cousin Mollie and Aunt Caroline lately. Aunt Caroline sent me a lock of her hair in her letter. I was so glad to get a lock of her hair. I thought I would send her a lock of my hair in my next letter. I want you to be sure and come to see me this summer. Hope you will excuse this letter as I want to write to Uncle James and Uncle Charlie Williams is going to Warren, going to start this evening, so I haven't time much to write. Hope to hear from you soon. Your niece, Mary E. Hampton

Note in top margin of letter: Uncle got off to Warren before I completed my letter and I did not get to send my letter to the office that day. My school will be out in one more month and then I will be free. Then I can answer any letters more prompt. Please excuse all errors (word I can't read). Your niece, Mary E. Hampton to CGH

TRANSCRIPT: New Edinburgh Ark July "13" 1884 Mr. James A. Hampton My dear uncle I was gladly surprised to get your dear letter. I received your letter some time ago. Pardon me please for not answering sooner. I have but very little time to write as I am teaching. Sunday is all the time I have to write and I have but little time then for I very often have company. But I will soon be free again. I just have one month to teach and I will be through teaching for this year. You spoke of going to Texas this summer. If you go you are going to come by to see me are you not. I want you to be sure and come by. I am very anxious to see you and uncle Charlie. I thought I would answer your letter last Sunday but failed to do so. We are having some fearful hot weather now. It is wearysome to me to have a mile and a half to walk through hot lanes. You know how

the road is from Mr. Williams, the old man's, place to Mr. Pete Wagnon. It is nothing but a lane hardly. We live half a mile from Uncle Charlie Williams, between his house and the Moro Creek. He lives on his Pa's old place. Mrs. Jolly, uncle's sister, is dead. She married a man by the name of Erwin. Her son, James Jolly, is dead. Laura and Lulia (?) married. Lulia is dead also. Aunt Em and Uncle are raising one of her little boys. He has been going to school to me all this year. I think your children are very smart to know so much and are so young. That is the way to give them an education. Start them while they are young. Tell Aunt Fannie that I would like to (words on crease; can't read)... Tell her that I imagine she is a great hand to my uncle James. I want you to send me your picture and aunt Fannie's and those sweet little children. I would like to take one peep at their sweet looks. I hope to hear from you soon. Excuse all errors please and write soon. From your affectionate niece, Mary E. Hampton