There is no salutation nor is it dated, but from the few dates mentioned and some facts at hand, she wrote this Between 1910 And 1915. All, or most of her life was spent at Coldwater, Mississippi.
They landed in Charleston, South Carolina, whence my grandfather afterward went to Augusta. There he married my grandmother, Winifred Anderson, of Scotch-English descent. They were both very superior people. You have the sketch of my grandfather's life published by the Alabama Historical Society which gives you an idea of his sterling worth and integrity, but which does not mention the part my granchnother had in that success. She was proud, ambitious, a THINKER and withal possessed of unusual executive ability - her name the synonym of cleanliness and industry - she was a noted housekeeper.
My grandfather recognized her ability, respected her opinions and gave her free rein to think and act for herself, which she did to an extent - then quite unusual for women. She was interested in all public questions, well informed and an earnest advocate of whatever measures she thought most conducive to the public weal. On occasions their opinions clashed, but my grandfather was broad enough to concede her the right of free thought and free speech; as each honored the other, these differences did not affect their happiness.
My grandmother was a century ahead of her day, and this knowledge, together with the fact that my grandfather thought none the less of her on account of an independent individuality, makes me very proud of both, since in that day women were expected to be mere reflectors of their husband's opinions, and take no part whatever in discussions of public probity. Thinking for herself and the fearless expression of her thoughts, in a way, isolated my grandmother from the common herd, causing her to be called unwomanly, masculine, etc., when she never neglected a housewifely duty; in fact she excelled in every line of woman's work.
To them five sons and three daughters were born, all of whom received careful educations: the sons were sent to college, and the daughters to the best female schools of the time.
Another conception of Uncle Leonard's was the deepening of river channels for purpose of navigation, a scheme in which more money was sunk, simply because others could not be brought to see that his plans were feasible and would result in great profit to all living near the Cahaba River.
Neither ever recovered from these losses; the only satisfaction to us is the knowledge that they dreamed TRUE, and that others, two generations later, have accomplished what they endeavored to do.
Uncle Leonard was twice married; by the first wife he had four sons and one daughter, Mildred. The sons, Milton, Willis, George, and Leonard all gave brilliant promise, but alas! They inherited a tendency to tuberculosis and became early victims to that dread disease, leaving only memories behind them. Mildred lived past middle age, but never married.
The second wife bore three or four children: one boy, Henry [Weissinger], living through childhood. This wife was a Mrs. Johnston, nee Bond, with one son, George [Johnston], when my Uncle married her. This son became a General in the Confederate Army, and later a lawyer and politician of consequence in Alabama, but you are familiar with Cousin Henry, his family and know their worth.
His eldest daughter, Fannie [Weissinger], married one Mr. Lloyd near Columbus, Mississippi, a splendid man. She died, leaving two children, of whom I know nothing.
The next daughter Myra [Weissinger], married a Mr. Wingfield, a Methodist minister of ability. He died leaving her with seven children, four sons and three daughters. She died a few years ago, and was a sweet, Christian character. Her eldest son, Gus [Wingfield], went to New Mo. where he was living when last heard from. Walter, John and Richard [Wingfield] have prospered and do business, mercantile and planting in Greenwood and Shell Mound, this state. Florence [Wingfield], eldest daughter, married [m1]first Randall Schlaghter, her third cousin, and by him had two sons, fine fellows, Ron and Ed {Schlaghter], both married and now living in Schlaghter. Since Rondall's death, Florence has married [m2] Capt. Anderson, has one child, Florence [Anderson], by this marriage, and they also live at Sclaghter. Alice Wingfield, second daughter, is married to Kennon Townes and has one child, Florence. They live near Minter City and own quite a property. Myra Wingfield, youngest child, has never married.
When the war ended so disastrously for the South, Uncle John swore he would not live under the U.S. flag. He sold his property in Alabama and sailed away to Brazil with wife and children, Robert, Alex, Wesley, Florence and Alice [Weissinger], and I think, one or two younger. He did not live many years after, and lost some of his children before his death. Aunt Elizabeth [nee' Coleman] survived him many years, living to be quite old, and the other children are permanent residents of Brazil.
When Dr. Wingfield died, Wesley [John Wesley, Jr.]Weissinger came from Brazil to aid his sister Myra. He remained with her until quite sure that her sons were dependable and would support her and their sisters. When he returned to Brazil, he married a Spansh girl there.
By his first wife he had four children: Blanche, Sallie, George and Harry.[Weissinger] Blanche [Weissinger] married a Smith and left some children, of whom I know nothing. Sallie [Weissinger] died in the flush of youth. George [Weissinger] lost an arm in the Southern army, and practiced law in Kentucky afterward. He has been dead a good many years, but I know nothing of his children. Harry [Weissinger] accumulated great wealth - is a multimillionaire, happy in his marriage to Bell Muir and having five children: three daughters, Isabel, Margaret and Lillian [Weissinger]; two sons, Muir [Weissinger] now a judge, and Philip [Weissinger], associated with his father in raising blooded stock on a fine farm near Shelbyville, Kentucky.
After the death of his first wife, Uncle George married [m2] Miss Eliza Ponyard, an accomplished woman, by whom he had one son, Rozelle [Weissinger], who was a distinguished jurist and legislator. He died unmarried at age 46; a distinct loss to the state of Kentucky. Uncle George died of a congestive chill before reaching age 50.
He could not have done a small thing nor had one ignoble thought - a mind broad, brilliant, cultivated - a taste for all that was beautiful in nature and in art, with the refinement and modesty of a woman yet with the fearlessness of a lion. He was as true to family, to friends and to principle as the planets to their courses; ready to offer up life and property on the altar of his country, our beloved Southland. His ears were open to the cry of distress from the humblest and his hand ever ready to relieve, even to his own hurt - a humane master, considering his slaves as much his care and responsibility as his children: such I knew and remember him. He was the product of conditions and influences which no longer exist, therefore his like will no more be known. He was too fine for the scramble after place and wealth which came after the downfall of the Confederacy; having sacrificed his health in defense of the cause, he departed this life August 8, 1865. This was before he or we realized the depths to which we had to descend during the never-to-be-forgotten horrors of Reconstruction times.
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