Letter from Daniel Potter to his Daughter, Sallie Margaret Potter
Senatobia, DeSoto County, Miss., April the 26th, 1867
My Dear Sallie, It is now after supper and I will not write much to night, for it takes all the time from 9 to 4 of a morning to make me feel like I had slept enough. I had waited with some patience this week, thinking maybe your Ma would write to you this time; but you know she is slow about writing any way, so the pleasure falls to my share again. Well Sallie, I have heard nothing from you since I saw you last: I have received any number of our town Paper but not a single letter. We are all at home to night and in usual good health. Your Ma has been sick since I came home from Pontotoc, but she is on feet but complains of weakness: I hope she will soon regain her usual strength. There has been so much rain that our farms are in bad order at this time and can't be otherwise soon: the corn we planted has not come up well, the Irish Potatoes have done so badly that I call it a failure; we have not planted cotton seed yet, and what things we have in the garden are only tolerably good for the season. I had made some calculations about future religious pleasure and priveleges in going to the Baptist State Convention which is to meet in Holly Springs in May, and the Southern Biennial Convention which is to meet in Memphis in May too; but we will be so pressed with our crop that I have given up to stay at home and work hard until time to go to Pontotoc again. I had thought that the trip to Memphis was to be one of business as well as pleasure in going to the Convention, but the rain was so heavy last Tuesday and Tuesday night that we could not plow for a day or two, and the sugar and molasses being just out, I concluded to get to Memphis on Wednesday, so after breakfast I started from home, about 8 oclock I took the cars at Senatobia, and between 10 and 11 oclock was in the City. My stay was short and hurried. I bought some groceries and some Dry goods: all the members of the family got something, but I, I held myself to a pocket combe; the molasses was fine, they will do to take along. Sallie, I believe I must bring the letter to a close; your Ma says if she is well enough she will finish up in the morning. Betty and Hannah are going to school. Hannah has made nice start to learn; she says she lacks 6 leaves of being to Horseback; Molly says she is large enough to go to school. I hope this may reach you in good time and find in good health. Give reports to all. Be kind to all your Teachers and learn all you can. You are very kindly remembered. May you remember from whom all your blessings come and may the giver of them bless you much and ever. Brother Paslay's family was well last Sunday. Receive many kind wishes from your Parents and a Father's especial love. As ever your Father,
D. Potter
Notes:Sallie Margaret Potter, born 17 June 1851, daughter of Daniel Potter and Mary Rebecca Smith. At the time this letter was written, she was away in Lexington, Holmes County attending School.
Mary Rebecca Smith, born 13 Jan 1830, daughter of James Smith, Jr. and Sarah Teague.
Daniel Potter, born in 1824 in Crawford County, GA, son of James Potter and Margaret Parker. Daniel lived & owned property in Pontotoc County MS (where many of his brothers and sisters lived also) prior to moving to DeSoto County and it appears that he and his wife both traveled back and forth between Pontotoc & DeSoto on a relatively frequent basis. Daniel Potter died shortly after the move from Pontotoc to DeSoto County on 13 Aug 1867. His daughter Mollie E. died the same day and his son John R. Potter died just 4 days later on 17 August 1867.
The reference here to "cars" indicates that Daniel took the train.
Betty Potter, born 1856, sister to Sallie Margaret Potter.
Hannah Potter, born 1860, sister to Sallie Margaret Potter. Hannah was age 7 at the time this letter was written and had obviously just started attending school. Thanks to members of the Boone Family, we now know that Hannah grew up to marry Charles F. Boone, whom she wed on 26 Feb 1879 in Tate Co, MS. Her middle name was Catherine and her exact birthdate is 08 Dec 1860. Hannah and Charles had 8 children and she lived until 28 Feb 1910. Hannah is buried in the Baldwyn Cemetery in Lee Co, MS.
The "lacks 6 leaves of being to Horseback" is a very strange phrase; yet there is no mistaking the handwriting; these words are very clearly written. I believe that what this is referring to is that Hannah was required to either memorize or write a certain number of these "leaves" in order to show her mastery of the subject at hand and that having done so, would be "advanced" to a higher level, in this case the "horseback" level.
Molly E. Potter, born 1863, sister to Sallie Margaret Potter. Molly was about 3 years, 5 months at the time this letter was written. She died a few months later on 13 Aug 1867 and is buried in the "Old Carolina Cemetery" in Senatobia, MS. The headstone must be greatly worn as researchers upon reading it believed it said "Ottie E. Potter, Aged 3 years, 8 months and 26 days"; however, we now know from this letter that the correct name was Mollie. [Note from the transcriber: Since transcribing this letter I have located and visited this graveyard and can personally confirm that the headstone reads "Mollie E. Potter" and not Ottie E. Potter.}
Note: Transcribed 27 June 2000 by K. L. Rhodes from a bad photocopy of the original letter. No corrections were made to spelling/grammar or punctuation.
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