This is a letter written by Lucy Fox Hieatt on April 24, 1896. She is a descendant of Lewis Hieatt and Barbara Allen. Lewis is reportedly the brother of Jonathan Hieatt, who married Mary Conner. Both brothers moved from Virginia to Kentucky in the 1790's.

A transcription of the text from Lucy's letter is provided below, as well as a scanned copy of the actual letter. If there are errors in the transcription please let me know. You can download the scanned copies by "right-clicking" on the picture and selecting "Save Image As". I have also provided a larger PDF more suitable for printing that you may download by clicking this link - Original Scan (0.75MB) - LucyHieattLetter.pdf.

Many thanks to Betty Myers who first provided this copy to me.

Versailles, Kentucky

Apr 27, 1896

Dear Miss Hieatt –

My father received your letter of Apr 6th, and as he rarely writes asks me to reply to it. We are sorry to be able to give you so little information, excepting of the one son and descendants. Of the others we know comparatively little.

My father’s grandfather was Lewis Hieatt born Feb 6, 1761 : died Dec 12, 1812. his wife’s maiden name was Barbara Allen, whether the heroine of the old song, I don’t know – but believe she (illegible) away and died – did she not? She was born Aug 5, 1761 – died June 14, 1808. They lived on the place we do now. We children are the fourth generation of Hieatt’s and my brother’s children the fifth living at the “old Homestead.” There two children of the above marriage = Allen, born Jan 11, 1792 died Nov 18, 1869. – Susannah Hieatt – born Sept 19, 1784

Allen married Hannah Moore, born 1784 died Aug 6, 1833 – his second wife Polly – died Aug 9, 1851 – his third wife was a Mason Co. widow, and survived him – there no children except by the first marriage. Susannah, or “Aunt Susy” as Pa calls her, married Samuel Berry. There were several children but we know of only one’s descendants, a daughter married a Serarce. her son Will Serarce lived near Shelbyville and died there some years back leaving some daughter, I believe. Allen Hieatt’s children were Benjamin M. Hieatt born Aug 21, 1814 – died Sept 30, 1836. he was a Dr. and died in La of a Southern fever. He had just gone there to locate. Lucy P. born Apr 4, 1816 died Sept 26, 1834. She married Americus Gaines, left one girl Lucy. Susan born Sept 5, 1817 died Dec 3, 1838 – married Dan. Dwyer and left one child Katherine. America – born Jan 10, 1820 died Apr 8, 1852 – married Samuel Lyons. There were four children, Catherine Hannah died in infancy. Cleopatra – reared by the family of Dr. Joseph Carlin in Versailles – died unmarried aged 25: George B. born July 12 1846 – now living in Brooklyn, N.Y. – married to Carry McCarthy no children. His wife is a niece of Justin McCarthy, M.P. – across the water. I spent the winter with them a year ago. Susie, the youngest was raised by the family of the Will Serarce of Shelby, & died in her young womanhood unmarried. She is buried in the Shelbyville cemetery.

Harbin L. born June 24, 1823 – married Annie B. Fox of Mason Co Ky – she died Jan 12, 1876 – his children are William F. Benajamin M. Katherine F. Allen & Lucy. Will married Annie E. Riley – who died last Feb. leaving Martha Fox – two years old & twin girls Kate & Nannie – a year old. He now lives here at home – his children four miles distant with their maternal grandmother. Ben lives at home. Katherine married Andrew Hutchinson of Troy, Ky & lives in Holders Mo. – She has three girls Annie, Alice & Lucy. her husband farms. Allen is an a farmer near Shelbyville – I live with my father here at home.

Katherine Frances born Aug 24, 1825 died Oct 13. 1851 married Frank Hearnce their one son Joseph C. is a doctor. He lived until recently in Hannibal Mo. and now lives in San Diego, Cal. He has been eminently successful and has a fine surgical reputation. He married Fannie Brown of Hannibal – three children Allen, Virginia & Katherine were born – Allen died – the latter are beautiful grown girls in college. Dr. Hearnce is married to his second wife Mrs. Arvas Stillwell of Hannibal. he was tried in the Bowling Green (Mo) courts last Dec. for the murder of her first husband, six years ago, but was fully and honorably cleared – even of suspicion. I know them well – have visited his first wife twice.

Lucy Gaines (going back to the grandchildren of Allen Hieatt) married Dr. James Thompson of Mason Co. Ky: died May 30, 1863 – left one child Allen – he lives in Maysville now – is married – no children – in machinery business. Katherine Dwyer married Simean Scearce & lived on adjoining farm till her death in 1875. there were six children – two dead. the four living are Allen of Oklahoma Mrs. John Rout – Ver. – Jennie & Annabel who live with her.

These are the names & dates so far as I can gather from the tombstones & an old family bible. There is a family burying ground here in which are a number of them buried. You will see the woman all died young, it seems a stranger fatality that no mother among them was allowed to raise her children – my sister being the only exception, and her children are still young. We take so little interest in the things of the kind that our knowledge is rather scant – but cheerfully send you what we do know. I know no one by the name of Hieatt at all. I have been told there are a number down around Smithfield and Eminence. My father knew your father – met him in (illegible) – both were selling hogs.

I visit in Louisville a good deal at 416 E. Chestnut. My friend is Letty Taylor. I am very fond of your city, and when I next go down I would be please to have you come and see me. I am quite fond of all of my father’s kin – though they are so few in number. Cousin George Lyons has charges of the white goods depart. At Buckley, Dunhaus & Co. N.Y. a position he has held twenty-five years. They have a lovely home down at Bay Ridge, on New York Bay. it is now a suburb of Brooklyn, and I enjoyed my visit to them very much indeed.

Hoping this will not be the last of our acquaintance. I am very sincerely –

Lucy Fox Hieatt