|
Who
is Ann Eliza Harllee
Eliza was the oldest daughter (of Peter and Ann M. (Fulmore)
Harllee); she was a lady of remarkable intelligence; died in 1895.
(Sellers).
The Confederate War began in her young womanhood. She was bereft
of her father just before its beginning and of her mother in the
midst of the war, with all her brothers in the army at the front
or at home only during their convalescence from wounds. On her
fell the responsibility of care of her younger sisters, and the
management of their Negroes and plantation.
She met these responsibilities most capably. Throughout her life
she had the devotion of her kindred, her neighbors and also the
blacks to whom she was kind, considerate and generous.
She was a woman of superior refinement and culture with tastes
and talent for music, literature, and of the fine arts; yet she
was equal to the serous burdens which the misfortunes of war and
its aftermath brought to her. Her company was sought by her kindred
and others of superior refinement, yet her sympathetic nature
extended to those in more humble condition of life.
There was a charm in her conversation and in her letters. She
maintained an extensive correspondence with her relatives and
friends. Her powers of description were vivid and exquisite. She
charmed alike all classes of people from the aged and elegant
to the little Negro children who loved to be about her.
This delicate and refined woman did not lack courage in emergencies.
Once, shortly after the Confederate War, when some Federal soldiers
came to her home early one morning to search for her brothers
and disturbed her by knocking on her window, she dashed scalding
water upon them. The on in charge who escaped this baptism subdued
the wrath of the others. She remained defiant and compelled his
respect.
This writer resided in the home of his unmarried aunts and uncle
and knows the noble part they played in the momentous struggles
of their epochal times. He was the recipient of their unselfish
devotion and care, and treasures the memories and inspirations
he received from them.
LETTER TO MRS.
ESTHER (COLEMAN) PROCTOR (S10ace)
(From
copy furnished by Major J. T. Coleman (S10ac121). The writer
and recipient of this letter were great granddaughters of David
Stuart (S1). The William mentioned herein was W. J. Proctor
husband of the recipient, Jesse was his brother, Celia his sister,
Nathan his half-brother, and Malinda his half-sister. (See S10a
for letters from W.J. Proctor stating these relationships).
William J. and Esther(Coleman) Proctor resided at Holly Springs,
Dallas Co., Ark. Thomas' Store where this letter was addressed
was probably near there).
My Dear Cousin: Little
Rock, SC, Apr., 1860
I at length seat myself to answer your
very kind letter. I was very glad to hear from you. I expect
you begin to think that I have forgotten you entirely. But if
that be the case you are laboring under a mistake. I very often
think of you and almost imagine that I see you in your old places.
You must excuse me for delaying so long. I have four or five
un-answered letters now from my cousins in the West.
You have no doubt heard of the death
of my dear Father. He died on the 8th March. He was sick about
six weeks before he died. He had great many carbuncles on him,
he suffered a great deal before he died. The carbuncles were
very extensive and also very painful. He was perfectly resigned
to death, spoke often about death during his sickness, always
expressed a willingness to go whenever it was the Lord's will
that he should.
My dear Cousin will you pray for me and may we all meet my dear
Father in Heaven at last. May your Father live long and spare
you the heart rendering affliction of his loss. We have the
consolation that our great loss is his eternal gain for which
I am thankful to Him that ordereth all things. He knows what
is best for us all. May we all be ready to go at His calling
is my constant prayer.
Tell Cousins William and Malinda that I went to see their Father,
they are all well. Celia was complaining of her teeth. They
look quite snug in that little house. I hardly think they will
leave here very soon.
Mary Ann Stackhouse (6604c) is looking very well at present.
Harriet McLaurin (6604b) is living in Richmond. I heard from
her last week. She is very well. I saw old Aunt Kitty Bethea
(66 6660221a m 6604) last Sunday. She is well as can be expected.
Tell Malinda we miss her very much. Oh, she doesn't begin to
know how much.
Mother and Amelia (104b) join me in love to you. William, and
Malinda. I must close.
Yours,
ANN ELIZA HARLLEE
P.S. When you see Mr. Nathan Proctor give him my very best respects.
If you see Jesse ask him if he has forgotten his old school
days at Liberty Chapel (the predecessor of Methodist Ch., Little
Rock, SC). Give him my best respects also I will close again.
Do write soon as you receive this. I will be more punctual next
time.
I remain, Your
affectionate cousin ANN ELIZA HARLLEE.
[The numbers in ( ) refer to the series of family genealogy
books KINFOLKS.]
|
