The letter was addressed on the outside to,
"Mrs. Piety Humfleet
Tuttle, Ky."
Apr. 23, 1888
Spickardsville Mo. Grundy Co.
Dear Sister & Family
I thought I would write you a few lines. I am still on the land
amongst the living, but I don't feel that my time is very long
here.I am growing old and feeble but when the Lord calls I am
ready to go. I am the last of the family and I have been left
here a long time to suffer and toil. But that hope I have of the
rest after death sustains me through this toilsome life. I am
crippled with the rheumatism so I can't hardly get around.
Paris has three children two boys and a girl. The oldest is
six years old. They are named Jimmy, Willie, and Betty.
Paris es (sic) wife isn't very well now. Paris is plowing for
corn he is going to put in about thirty acres of corn. We are
doing very well. This is a good country. Wages run from
18 to 20 dollars per month.
I want you to write and tell me something
about brother John's wife. Where is she and where is
Berty Williams and sister Mary's girl. What became of her.
And give my love to all the friends.
I want some of you to write me as soon as you can. I don't
know how long I will be here to receive and write letters.
I would like very much to hear from you often. I feel that I
am nearly alone in the world. Paris and his family are all I
have here and sometimes I feel very lonely. And a letter
from my old home would cheer me up. I will close
hoping to hear from you soon.
Ever remember your affectionate sister and friend.
Sarah Grindstaff
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Was printed in "Knox County, Kentucky Kinfolk" 2 (no. 1):
January 1, 1978, pp. 6-7
(reprinted for the Knox County Genealogical Society under
the Reprint Program of Cook-McDowell Publications, Inc.,
719 E. 6th Street, Ownesboro, KY 42301
[p. 6] "A LETTER FROM THE PAST"
Contributed by Mr. Robert W. Helton,
5739 North 98th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53225
The following letter was also [in addition to another item published
in the previous pages of the same issue] found in a trunk belonging to
my great-grandfather, Arthur Humfleet. The letter was transcribed by
his grand-daughter, Eva (Humfleet) McHargue and was typed
by Robert W. Helton on December 10, 1977.
Special Note:
Robert W. Helton adds the following regarding the above letter:
"William and Piety Humfleet are found in the 1850 Knox County Census.
Living with them was a Sarah Humfleet, age 40, born N.C.,
who is either a sister or widowed sister-in law of William in my
opinion. The writer of the letter, Sarah Grindstaff, may be this
Sarah. Where the word sister is used in reference to Piety in the
letter, I am absolutely positive she is not a blood sister."
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