These Crider family letters were provided by Scott Lee.
Some years ago a distant cousin of mine, who has since passed away, gave me copies of some letters she owned. They are mainly from my 3xgr grandmother, Cassiah "Cassie" Jane Ford Womelduff Crider, to her son & my 2x great grandfather, James Henry Womelduff. There are about 15 letters. They were written by or for Cassie who lived in Crittenden county (with her 2nd husband Wm. Bennett Crider) to James Henry who had relocated to Belle Rive, Jefferson county, Illinois. There is one letter from 1888 but the remaineder are from 1890 to 92. I have copies of the originals but they are difficult to read (even the originals are hard to read) so I carefully read them and typed them up exactly as they are written. They mention a number of people in the Piney Fork community including births, deaths, marriages, etc. Scott Lee
Oct 13th 1888 I will drop you all a few lines to let you know how we found things when we got home. they were all well and doing well I hope this may find you all well the connection are all well so far as I know there were some deaths while we were gone. we reached Henderson at 2 Oclock wednesday morning started from there at 6 O'clock and got to Marion at 5 A.M. Ed was there with the Wagon and we just got in and came home all safe and sound Sarah and her Children were here just ready to start home but she stayed long enough for me to tell how all the people was. I guess you all are still having times about the election I dont want you to let Politics just carry you away. There was a big march in Marion the 8th of the Democrats the Republicans will march the 23 of this month. There will be a Show in Marion the 16 Old John Robinson will exhibit on that day I will close Ma's letter and write a few lines for my self from your Mother C.J. Crider to J H Womelduff and family _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Aggie Cora and Lota I thank you all very much for the presents that you sent. Tell Nora and Josie that I send my best wishes to them. I would like to see you all but do not know when I will. Ma has been bragging on all you girls since she came home and says Willie is a good little boy but I guess she is mistaken about that. Miss Timmie Wheeler is teaching our school I havent went any yet. I will now try to finish my letter it has been raining some today and looks terrible gloomy this evening we are all expecting to go to the show tomorrow I wish you girls were here to go with us. I will close for this time Writ soon from Dellie Jane to her little neices and nephew Aggie Cora Lota and Wallie Womelduff When this you see remember me Though many miles apart we be this letter will be old when you get it the morning we went to the show we were in such a hurry to get off that we forgot the letter have some more news Jack has a 11 lb girl at his house [Note: Aggie Cora and Lota were children of Henry and Rose] ================================================================================ (Postmarked: Blackford, Ky. March 25, 1890 and Belle Rive, Ill. March 26, 1890. ) Marion Crittenden Co. Ky., March the 22nd 1890 Mr. J H Womelduff and family. Dear Bro, this leaves us all moderately well We have been setting up all this week with Vernon Craynes little boy whome we beried to day at old Piney Fork cemetery. He died last night at 7 1/2 oclock with something like a grip or spinal complaint the old Dr Travis said he did not understand the disease. Old uncle John R. Boyd was beried to day also. I did not learn what was the matter old age I suppose. Two of Frank Roberts children died yesterday with hooping cough, there is a great deal sickness of one kind and another in this country the good Lord has protected me and mine thus far for which I feel very grateful to Him and when this letter reaches you I hope it will find you all in good health and prospering boath religiously and financialy Well Jim sence I reseaved your last letter and affidavids I have heard that Dan Hughey was ded please tell me in your next letter what was the matter with him Amison Crider wants to no. He is in bad health and he thinks he is labouring under the same disease that Dan was so please give the particulars of his case Well Jim now concerning the pension claim you said you wanted my honest opinion in the matter. I would not jest with you about it that would do me no good or you either. So I think as soon as the case is called it will be fully decided in our favor I have furnished an abundance of proof on every point called for and from as good men and women as Crittenden County can afford such as Squire Bugg and wife Well I will give you all the names of parties who made good affidavids in the case Hsse J.P. Bugg and wife Long Bill Fralick George Hillyard Jack Alexander Dan Vinson Amison Crider Watt Vinson Dan and John R. Hughey Squire Bugg made the best affidavid I ever heard, though they are all good Dr. Travis made out. an affidavid and a good one. But like the milk cow he kicked it all over at the last by saying pa died of phneurnonid I burnt it up and have proved that Bill Johnson was his doctor and that pa died from the affects of measles setling on his lungs and kidneys. the have all the testamony in the case they want. I am looking for vouchee, vouchee, vouchee right SSSS H B Fox Good By Jim [Note: Pa being Tilath P. Womelduff, all related to Civil War Pension,] ================================================================================ Marion Crittenden County Ky May the 15 1890 Dear Bro and family this leaves us all well Hopeing it may find you all well nothing strange to rite you at present everything is bac!:ward this spring here nobody is done planting corn yet some havent planted eny I am not done yet I have planted four or five acres it is ready for the plow now my oats looks fine I have 7 or 8 acres in oats. I want to plant about 8 acres more corn if I can. I have the care of 3 churches and can not raise tobacco. I refused the call of piney creek last meeting also the church at Caldwell Spring I cant give all my time to churches and farm for my living to and churches dont pay there pastars enough to live on unless he is all the time fighting from the pulpit for money. Which thing I will not do our neighborhood is not getting along eny too well religously We have a good Sunday School at piney creek. But I think piney fork is on the back ground some way Well I sent your Willim the Marion monitor the other day. Ma paid for it for one year it is not much paper I like the press much better aside from all politics. Well I think our pension claim has been granted. I wrote to Gelston, our attourney When I sent the last papers to rite me when he thought the case would be decided. He wrote that as soon as official acttion could be had he would further advise. Sence that time he has ast for proof of date of Alberts and Sarahs births which proof I am going to town this evening to send him. Squire Bugg has taken this morning the affidavids of aunt Nancy Crider and Farrah Crayne who were present when they were boath born I think in 2 weeks we will get the final answer and as soon as I do I will rite you all about it. if you cannot come before you must make your arrangements to come in Sept the association meets with piney creek church then. Well we have a nice garden plenty of young aples peaches over lOO young chickens and all things considered getting along pretty well (Bless the Lord) We are nobodys survants but the Lords Well Jim I beleave there is a certain spere for every man that leads to Honor and success and that no man will prosper until he gets in the stream in which he belongs I have bin wonderfully Blest, Boath Spiritualy and temporaly in the last 3 years past For which I feel like joining Dr Watt in saying) praise God from whome all Blessings flow praise Him all cretures here Below Next Sunday I will preach the funeral sermon of Bro Randy Clark. Deceased a young Bro. who professed Religion in one of my meetings last fall Whome it was my lot to Baptise Wish you could be with us Write Soon yours Fraturnly Eld H B Fox to James H W and family [Note: H. B. Fox is brother-in-law of James Henry who married Sarah L. Womelduff.] ================================================================================ June l9th 1890 Marion Ky I will answer your letter which came to hand a few days ago was glad to get a letter from you all again. We are all well at this date we are having hot sultry weather here now are needing rain pretty bad the corn crop looks well yet. Oats will be a failure wheat is just tolerable good there is not being much tobacco set in this county this season. You spoke about your garden being late my garden is late this time I havent had but one mess beans and Sarah sent them to me She is coming down to see us Saturday week She hasent been here since last September. Henry says he had the matter fixed up about your paper. I dont know whats the reason you havent got it. there has been some few deaths here lately. Mr. Bill Fralics wife died last week and Will Fralics child died. I think they died with the flux. I reckon some of you will come out to the camp meeting they are aiming to have a Lady Preacher this time would like for some of you to come if you can Well Della I have a heap of young chickens and will save them till fall if you all will come out and help me kill and eat. I guess you will get all the news of interest when you get your paper. Hale Walker spoke about seeing you Jim when he was out there he said you was all well I believe that was about all he told us. Well that is all I know to write at present hoping to hear from you all soon I remain as ever your Mother until Death ================================================================================ (Addressed to: Mr. J H Womelduff Belle Rive ill Postmarked: Marion Ky Aug 4 1890 Belle Rive, Ill Aug 5 189O) Marion Ry July 31st 1890 I will try to answer your rnost welcome letter which I received a few days ago was glad to hear from you all. We are all well at this date we are having hot dry weather here now. We got a letter fror., John Jacobs a few days ago and he says there wont be hardly any crop raised in Kan. he said he sowed about 60 acres of small grain and dont think he will make to bread him. hot winds have done the damage there. I guess John will want to come back to old Kaintuck about this fall and Jim Scott also. but Scott said when he left that he never amed to come back here. I dont know very much of interest to write as I guess you get all the news of interest in the "Moniter" there is some sickness in this community now and some few deaths a Mrs Stembridge of this neighborhood died of consumption last week she left a husband and 3 little children. Well Jim I wish you would come on to the camp-meeting I would like to see you all once more. if you dont come to the meeting come when you can I would be awful glad to see you all any time you would come. tell John R and Polly to write and tell us how they are getting along. from your Mother Dear brother and sister: I will write you a few lines as you dont ever write to me. but I hope you havent forgotten your sister I would like to see you all but dont know when I will. unless you come out to seems Sarah and the children came down about two weeks ago and stayed a day with us. Well I dont know what else to write that is of any interest. Jim I guess you will think this is a starving letter but is the best I could do now. so I will close by asking you to write soon. from your sister Dellie Jim come out next Sunday and see your sister as I think I will get off that day. come and I promise you that you get as much custard as you can eat and cake too. so good bye. direct your letters to me here after in my new name. Jim son ef the rent is comirg to you on the old plas com and get it com to the meeting if you can if not come as soon as you can good by son and Earuley [John R. and Mary "Polly" Crider Hughey] ================================================================================ (Addressed to: J. H. Womelduff Postmarked: Marion Ky Oct 28, 1890) Marion, Ky Oct 26 1890 Dear son and family I will now try to answer your letter which I received some time ago would have answered sooner but my letter writer has left me now and I havent got anyone to write for me now but Dellie will write this time for me we are all tolerable well at this date hope you are all the same there is some sickness in this neighborhood now though no dangerous cases as yet I was glad to hear that Dr Ball and John R and Polly was better There has been a heap of rain here this fall people are most done harvesting their tobbacco and are now preparing to sew wheat. fruit of all kind is scarce here this fall. I had to quit with my indelible pencil and try the pen. There will be a right smart of corn made this season old corn is selling at 45 cents per bushel pork is worth 5 cts per lb. and everything else in proportion Jim as you didnt get to come to the camp meeting I want you to come when you can would be glad to see you come any time. We had some good preaching during the meeting there was a Lady preached for us. I like her mighty well though some dident like her atall, but I think them that dident like her was just a little prejudiced Rev George Hughey was also with us at the meeting and did some good preaching. the Sanctified host held a meeting at Will Dale in last month. it went on about two weeks and I think there was a good many others are doing bad Etty Parfitt (as we call her) and her man are parted Vetus has been to see his Aunt Emeline I dont know whether he has been to see his new married aunt or not. I guess you had heard about the widow Arpy Cannon and Joe Crayne being married. She has got six children at home and he has seven. Will be a very small family only 15 in all. I will close for this time write soon. Written by your sister for her mother my best friend Well brother and family I wilL say a few words for myself. I would like to see you all very much but dont know when I will. I am living at my own home now with a pie or Custard I meant. I go to see my mammy sometimes though but havent stayed all night with her since I left there and it will soon be 3 months since I left there so no more at present. Write to me all of you. The old man Bennett said he would send the rent money by Vety perhaps you will get it before you do this letter. good bye brother & sister ================================================================================ (Addressed to: J.H. Womelduff, Jefferson Co, Belle Rive, Ills Postmarked: Marion, Ky Dec 22, 1890 Belle Rive, Ill Dec 23 1890) Dec 21st 1890 Well Jim I will try to answer your letter which I received yesterday and the deed also you say you dont understand the deed I will try to explain it to you hope you will understand it this time. You said you didot know how Bennett could coming 1/2 of the whole amount when he just had 1/2 of 2/3 as 1/2 of two thirds is $200.00 which was his part but of course $200.00 is not 1/2 of the whole amount but Dave Woods told me before we made the deed that if I should die before the place was sold that half of it would fall to Bennetts heirs as you know that $133 1/3 is Dellies part and Bennett give her his part which was $200.00 that makes her $3331/3 and Bennett has no interest in the land now atall. I have the notes for it all but that $200.00 which Bennett give Della and she has it. I aim to pay you all your part when it is payed to me and if I dont live to collect it the notes goes to the children. Well as I have explained the matter to you as best I could I will close by saying that we are all well at this date and hope Leota is well by this time and that all the rest of you are well and doing well so good by from your mother C.J. Crider to J.H.W. I will send the deed to you again for your consideration and to sign if you understand it. I will not send the deed with the letter but want you to answer right away and let me know whether you understand this or not if you do I will send the deed right away ================================================================================ Feb 1st 1891 Dear Son in answer to your letter a week or two ago I will write. I was so glad to get it. You spoke of the deed being changed, in what way do you want it changed. I aim to do as nigh right as I know how. I want to please you all if I can. We havnt got Henry out yet he says he will wade in blood up to his knees before he will give possession. He had ten days notice and he would not get out, and then they gave him 20 days more he still said he would not get out unless he was put out by a jury. Last Friday the jury met at Henrys with two lawyers and a judge and they all thought it best for him to give possession but he still refuses and wants an appeal and says he will stay till June, and spend the whole thing in law, before he will give possession, Henry has sard a heap of hard things. He says he is going to write to you and have you help him in it. He said there was not a meaner woman out of hell than I am. I am sorry for Sarah and the children. Sarah seems to think hard of you for not writing to her. I was at Aunt Katherine Love's burying last Sunday. Mr. Frank Wilson died last Friday. There is quite an excitement over mad dogs and stock in this neighborhood. A G Crider one dog, 3 hogs and 3 sheep and has a mad cow. Well Jim have you ever seen Vetus since he went home from here. This leaves us all well at present. Write soon From your Mother Jane C henrey sayez if i will pay jury one hunderd dolerz he will get out do you think that would be right or let him spend it in law Jim I wish I could see you and talk with you about many thinges if I ever get anything for the land I want you three children to have my part one as much as the other I dont ame to make any diference in the devide do you tak the moneter yet can you reed this ================================================================================ (Addressed to: J. H. Womelduff, Jefferson Co, Belle Rive Ills Postmarked: Marion Ky June 10 1891) Belle Rive Ill June 11 1891 Marion Ky June 9th 1891 Well Jim I will try to answer your letter which I received yesterday it was taken out of the office by the widow Crider by mistake. I was glad to hear that you were all well but sorry to hear of John R being sick and of Sarah having a cancer on her face. We are all well at this date. Bennett talks like he would go out there to see John R and Polly when court brakes if he goes you may look for me too. but I dont much believe he will go. Crops look very well we have had enough of rain so far to do very well You wanted to know how old Dellies boy is he was born the 25th of April. he isent nanmed yet tell Willie to send him a name. There was a soldiers march at Piney Fork the 30th of may but i dident go. Aunt Cynthia Turley is very low dont think she will ever get well. You wanted to know who was living on the old place. Prince Pickens is living there now and I heard some one say that it looks entirely different now to what it did. Frank Heill is in this country now. dont know what his business is . Amason Crider is in bad health he cant speak above a whisper but is up and about most all the time. Tell Aunt Polly that Bennett will write to her before long he is attending court now. I hardly know what to say about putting that business in the care of Mr. Taylor I expect he would do the best he could. but it is so far off and I cant write to do any good. I was thinking about getting Rufus Morgan or Mr Moore one to attend to it but just dont know what to do for the best. for I cant get around to see about anything myself. Well I will bring my letter to a close as I know nothing else to write of importance. write soon, from your mother C. J. Crider to J.H.W. ================================================================================ (Addressed : Mr J.H. Womelduff Belle Rive Jefferson Co Ills Postmarked: Marion Ky July 29 1891 Belle Rive Ill July 30 1891) July the 23 1891 Son Dawter and famley we receved your leter sometime ago and have neglected writing we ar all well the connection is all well except sarah is in bad helth ther hav bin severll dethes heare this sumer ant sinthey turley is ded the meeting will soon be heare i would be glad you could com and take a hand with my in the meeting wee are having plenty of rane crops look fine how is unkle John r and how is sarah canser i will send you the leter i receved from gelston you can heare whot he says about the penson and let me no whot you think about it from C J Crider to J H Womelduff and famely Plese send gelston leter back ================================================================================ (Addressed to : J.H. Womelduff Jefferson Co Belle Rive Ills Postmarked: Marion Ky Sept 14 1891 Belle Rive Ill Sep 15 1891) Marion Ky Sep 10 1891 I will write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well the connection are all well I believe. There is some sickness though amongst the people in this part of the country. Amerson Crider is very low with consumption is not expected to live long. We are having a right smart of rain here this fall. Corn will be hard to gather on accourt of it being blown down so bad and it has rotted some already. Martin Hemper who came from Knsas last fall is going to start back in a short tirne he formely lived here and went to Kan, come back and is going again. Write and tell me what you think about that letter I sent. I mean that pension letter that I got from Gelston. I believe I have written all I now thats of any interest but will say that I want you all to come and see us. I will close for this time. Write soon dont delay writing as long as I have. from your mother ================================================================================ Oct 22 and 1891. I will write you a few lines to let you know that we are tolerable well I havent heard a word from you since the camp meeting. have written to you but got no answer. would be glad to hear from you all again and would be gladder to see you all. Come to see us this fall from your mother C.J. Crider ================================================================================ (Addressed: Mr James Womelduff Belle Rive Jefferson Co Ills Postmarked: Marion Ky Feh 5 1892 Belle Rive Ill Feb 6 1892) Feb 4th 1892 Dear Son I received your letter some time ago but could not reply on account of sickness. I commenced having the chills in Oct had them about two months and took the grip Bennet has the Grip too and is poorly yet. The rest of the kin are all well as far as I know. There has been a good deal of sickness through this country this winter but is better than it was I suppose you have heard of Amerson Crider's death he died this last fall. Old Aunt Elvira Boyd is dead and Sec Hill and T Burke. And several others. We have had some very cold weather this winter. but it is warmer now. People are beginning to sow oats now. Bennet says tell you that Jas Turly still owes ninety dollars rent on the place but he can't get it Well Jim I reckon I will close for this time. I am not well enough to think of much you must write as soon as you get this and let me hear from you all. Your Mother Mrs. Jane Crider ================================================================================ (Addressed to: J. H. Womelduff Jefferson Co Belle Rive Ills Postmarked: Marion Ky Apring 2 1892 Belle Rive Ill April 4 1892) Marion Ky April 1st 1892 Dear brother I will try to write you a few lines let you know how we are all getting along. We are all well I was at ma's last monday. She said for me to write you how they are getting along. Ma is up and about but she isent able to do very much yet. She has been sick all winter has been bed fast a good deal of the time. There has been some sicknees in this part of the country and some deaths also. Old uncle John K. McNeely died last sunday of heart disease. You spoke of I.N. Hughey and wife visiting in this state. Ma said they never saw them at all. You asked if the Monitor had been payed for this year. Ma never told me whether or not perhaps she will tell you when she writes you. Henry and Sarah are living at Piney Creek right close to Church so I have heard. Henry built him a house on the side of the road next to Marsh Craynes, dont know whether he bought land from Marsh or not. I reckon he is still trying to preach but I would guess try was all. I havent saw Rufus Ford in two or three years and the last I heard from him he was in town his face red and eyes too I wouldent have thought that of Rufus. Jas Turley owes some rent but I dont know how much it is but little or much, like you say I need my part and would like to have it. I dont know anything about circumstances. Whether he has got any stock or not. Jim I wish you all would come to see us all once more I would be so glad to see you all again you have two children I have never Łeen. Tell Agnes and Cora and Leota and Willie and the baby howdy for my baby is 11 months old can neither walk nor talk but he is mean and rowdy. He hasent got but just a little hair on his head and its as white as cotten. His name is Ellis Ray Custard tell me your baby's name. I think Della might write me a line or two I think I wrote to her last. Well I will quit for this time write soon. Give best respects to all from your sister Della J. Custard to J. H. Womelduff and family ================================================================================ (Addressed: James H Womelduff Belle Rive Jefferson County Illinois Postmarked: Marion, Ky June 8 1892 Belle Rive Ill June 9 1892) Marion Ky June the 7 Dear son and famley it is with plesure that I try to ancer youre leter I receved last evening I was so glad to hear you wos all well and are well as comen I am not much well my self som dayes I feel very wel and som dayes I cant hardley go atole the conection is all well as coman Sary has bin under the tretement of a docter all winter and spring she keepes up the most of the time osker has bin helthey for three monthes he first had the grip and melar fever and rumety he is mending sloly now he can git up som now he has no use of his feet and legs some thinkes that osker will be a cripel I am in hopes he will get all write agane henrey has bought a litle pece of land at piney creek and has put a cuple of rumes up and is living thare Deley and her famley is all well I havent seene Deley in too monthes she lives a mile and a quarter from me Jack sayes he sent you a leter last summer by vety porfet and has hin looking for a leter from you Jack is working hem self to deth Abe and ed had to come back to bab & bab has too hired handes and is at all expences and after all there stock and gives them half that is made on the place Prince Pickens is living on the old home place peple are behind with thare cropes on a count of so much rane the peple arnt don planting corn and seting tobaco Jim com in the foll Presbetrey L will be at Piney in october Pleze com i can tel you many thinges that I wont writ well Deley I would lik to see you and the children i have a good garden considern the cold wet wether i have lotes of young chickenes tel youre mother i havent forgoten here would to see here excuze bad writing and did arbey make a good chois or not i must close fore this time from C J Crider to James henrey Womelduff and famley [Note: This letter is in Cassie J. Crider's own handwritting.]