Citation
  • Laura Stevenson, "Letters: Laura Stevenson to Minnie Forsythe" (unpublished).
Data
  • Category: Memoir
Detail
  • Author: Laura Stevenson
  • Publisher: unpublished
  • Submitter: Mary (Forsythe) Bouschard
  • Submission Date: Nov 4, 2000
Source Note
Excerpts from the handwritten letters that Mrs. Stevenson (1888-1987) sent to Minnie (Humphrey) Forsythe.
[] added for clarity.
Page: 1
  • Text: Letter #1: "23 May, 1977: My mothers father Alpha - Forsyth oldest one, lived in Hancock Co. His front yard bordered on Adams County. He had some land in that Township."
Page: 2
  • Text: Letter #2: "9 July, 1977: I came across the large picture of the Forsyth Brick House [Alpha's home]. ... On the front porch, not too clear, seated, my mother. Standing in front of the front door is Mary Ann Forsyth - later and last name Lanstrum, also Harper, Married twice. Standing on the ground is Ethel (long E pronounced) oldest daughter of Mary Ann standing in light dress is Nancy Forsyth Worrells, oldest daughter, Luella Leila Worrell-Coombs. On back clearly written all names and "likely", it say "after Mr. Forsyths death". I spose they meant soon, and the hired man, or some man seated on the porch floor. ... I looked to see if I had a picture of Mrs. Alpha Forsyth. Found one and it say (Lucinda Witt Forsyth) in my writing - I'd written he came from KY (I believe place is Paris). ... Flossie and a Pauline by Harper husband and they lived in the lovely, 2 story brick, first Forsyth home [again Alpha's home]. Beautiful stair way! Big basement with bins, Large covered back porch, leading to a 2 story big work shop. And an out side brick meat house. O, I was in it many times."
Page: 3
  • Text: Letter #3: "Labor Day, 1977: A picture of Nancy Elizabeth Forsyth-Worrell third son Ralph Eugene Worrell, in the back of said picture, is "83 Duffield Ave Galesburg, U.S. Postal Clerk." on the Rail Road and I recall, he stayed with Lizzie and Joe [Joel Madison Forsyth, Alpha's grandson and Elizabeth O'Hara. This was their address] ... There was a Mary Ellen Clark, married Dick Clark. I spose lazy, and no manager. And I feel sure, for some reason, Grand father [Alpha] gave her, just a little section, maybe for a house, yd. And she had 2 girls, cant recall well names, Once in a while mother would drive by to call, and have an idea where she was. I felt it was such a different family but never asked or said a word... directly some what across, from Grand fathers [Alpha] lived Jake Woods..."
Page: 4
  • Text: Letter #4: "13 August, 1977: Report from Ruth and Walter as to cemetery [Forsythe family cemetery on Alpha's farm in Hancock, Illinois], "quite very hard to see exact lettering, weeds, lilies all around them, very hard to see exact lettering, best I could make out and I think [?], on the tall stone was - Wm H Forsyth died May 17_ [11] 1871 age 26 yrs. 5 mo. 13 days. "How many hopes lie buried here," Now, this was very plain all that one that stone, There was a smaller stone saying Alpha L. son of W. H and M. L. [William Henry Forsyth, Alpha's son, and Martha Lurinda McFarland] (this [?] name follows the M.L.) GOSHOM [photos of the stone do not reveal this] Born July 24 - 1866 died July 30 - 1844 [1884]. Now Ruth Adds the other small stone had the same as the tall one, why the same I do not know, but the tall one was for the family and all that died would be put on it as it, had 4 sides and the marking was on the north side instead of the front." Now all that from her letter but the Monument was tall, and my last visit, not inside the fenced cemetery I got my mothers Fathers [Alpha] dates and lost them. Hester maid, black, left to my grand father [Alpha] in will [of Oliver], and she was buried there - Grace once told me, Hester name, on a stone. You see I was 3 when Grandfather [Alpha], and I believe his middle initial could have been "L" as Edna claimed, and surely she got it from Aunt Martha [Martha Lurinda McFarland] who lived in Quincy, and Mother and I went to see her twice. We rode train, from Stillwell to Quincy to trade in Duckers and other stores there. Since I had idead, mothers 2 married brothers, died very young - I wondered if one were buried there - or LaPrairie - The train I think ran thru LaPrairie. Who was connected with McFarlands in Camp Point? There was an Aunt Alice, second marriage to Dr. McNutt in Monroe City MO, and surely, she was Nancy Forsyth's sister in Law, as she comment to my mother, why Mr. Forsyth [Alpha] didn't leave her (something) or more, And she went to care for dead sisters children and married the Dr. ... Surely the sons of grandfathers [Alpha], were left well off - because he sure could help sons, as well as my mother and sister. Mother recieved 160 A, [?] for at all from her fathers home in Hancock Co, In front of his home across Rd is Adams County. He left her 110 acres and $1,800.00 cash, In Carthage, the lawyer in fathers and mothers presence, had business closed and said "Now whose name shall I put this in[?] "And my Mother said, "It is left to me, put it in mine."... Study these initials and see whom by dates, if 1 could have been grandfathers Joel son [Alpha Joel?]. I'm very disappointed as to tall monument, and not grandfathers initials. On one of Mother's silver sparms? I [?] [?]ly obscured - 'A. L. F.'"
Page: 5
  • Text: Letter #5: "14 August, 1977: Mr. Alpha (L) Forsyth had only William and Joel, and this person died the year my parents married."
Page: 6
  • Text: Letter #6: "6 September, 1977: Around Camp Point Il, Golden, Ebenezar and Autich[?], two latler[?], mostly a church, but a place, area, call "Big Neck", lived Sam and Billy Witt. See, grandfather Forsyth [Alpha], married a Witt [Lucinda Ann Witt"
Page: 7
  • Text: Letter #7: "21 January, 1978: Alpha Forsyth my Mothers father is buried in Hancock, Co. in land Mother inherited and it still belongs to the Worrells - (Mothers heirs) On the South side of 160 in Hancock Co, Is other side of Road, Adams Co, and records said "My Mother born in Adams Co." so her father lived near in same house, in Adams Co. while [?] [?] Big Brick ... Laura's mother's mother was Lucinda Ann Brewer Witt. And her mother was Martha White, one of twins. Lauras Mother's Father was Alpha - Forsyth and his father was Oliver no middle White a twin. Now there is "?" after White"
Page: 8
  • Text: Letter #8: "2 February, 1978: Picture of the Forsyth home, really didn't do it justice but taken long ago. I was married in 1914 and I feel sure it was still untouched, and always lived in"
Page: 9
  • Text: Letter #9: "17 February, 1978: great grand Mothers' (speaking by [?] of picture), or Martha Brewer Witts She was the wife of a Daniel Witt, grand Mother to Nancy Elizabeth Worrell, Martha was a twin, Dan was in war of 1812 lived near or in Norfolk VA. She died of tumor, buried at yorkneck, in Adams CO. Ill. Now I Laura have that picture, I spose I got from sister Grace[?] Aunt Rebecca. By another Page - I think s[?] hand written as No 1 Martha Brewer Witt wife of daniel Witt. She was the mother of Lucinda Witt, George, Jack and Dan, She was the grandmother of Nancy Eliz. Forsyth Worrell - Martha was a twin, Lived in old Virginia at or near Norfolk, Buried in York Neck Cemetery, Adams Co, not far from Golden Ill, West and likely South. Daniel Witt served War 1812 at that time they located their house as being near the St. Patrick Court House, in Patrick Co. (Laura where is that CO)? he died of tumor, "Alpha Franklin" Forsyth was a cousin to Lib[?] William[?] As always I though his initial were A F Forsyth you see. Alpha F. Forsyth, and sons are buried in a Private Cemetery, one mile east of Chili and 1 mile South. It is on Forsyth owned lands donated as a private cemetery. Laura Adds tall Monument still there - on 160A Lauras Mother inherited on 1 corner he donated land, County School to 8 grade, I substituted from H. S. a few days teached[?] for Bro Darrah"
Page: 10
  • Text: Letter #10: "21 March, 1978: I married in 1914... This week I mailed Wilson at the Worrell farm, if the Forsyth tall monument needed support (after all these years) I [?] send a check to cover the same, He's a very likeable man. I expect not interested in cemetery, as its always had and filled with these, lily bulbs, I expect small markers long been grown over with said etc. ... The Cemetery was right along the road! for traffic. ... I'll try look at the record when I'm 'stable' Ha and see, the two sets of turns' if I had it correct. Now when do you think Alpha, 5 mo. old, at time of Census. Siting here - I'd not know what year the Census, I know "Lulu" child? buried there. I'm not looking at any records"
Page: 11
  • Text: Letter #11: "19 February, 1979: I can clearly hear Joe Forsyths [William Marion Forsyth, not his brother Joel] voice, so pleasing, you see th[?] was killed in explosion R. Road he was my Mothers nephew, if I'm right. Father and Mother was in St. Louis, Mo. at her sisters Mary Ann Forsyth Landstrum (second husband Harper, Her first husband died, My parents went on to Galesburg, to funeral"
Page: 12
  • Text: Letter #12: "15 February, 1982: Forsyth was my mothers name, and never had an E on it. In Galesburg, one High Sch, boy [William Henry Forsyth, William Marion's son], stuck an E on end of Name. Our farm - owner gave, yrs ago, room for Cemetery, and Mr. Alpha Forsyth installed high pillars, still stand, and I have a picture of the tall marble. I sold art[?], long ago, my share, 4 sisters, 3 Brothers, and Hester the maid, buried there."
Page: 13
  • Text: Letter #13: "Labor Day: Not even now, can I see one thing in Ruth Parker brief words, that says, "in tall stone was the name Alpha L. Forsyth." And she said Goshen in that queer name was really not clear, to read well, Of course Grandfather buried his wife there - and now, I see that accounts for his having erected the tall monument, it was always said "he put it up before he died." His second wife surely left, when or after he died. "They Att, or some one wanted set off the Forsyth residence to my mother, Nancy E. Forsyth". But Fathers minister had built a 2 story house, for just a few $ per, acre. Had to [?] 2 stories, not drink. Land covered tall Johnson grass, Papa preferred area where he, and we all lived."
Page: 14
  • Text: Letter #14: "Monday AM: "Oliver" and I observed they used Franklin so no telling Alpha F. Forsyth and used "Joel"."
Page: 15
  • Text: Letter #15: "no date: I apologize, Ruth Parker did refer "tall Stone" you see I call the real tall marjer a Monument. Alpha L. Forsyth's wife died before him, since I only recall there was a person, "Cill" (2nd wife) that's way name sounded. My mother, as I recall, never mentioned her [?] mother neither, that her father had a second wife. And what ever was said and that so little, was there was "legal papers", leaving Hester to grand father Forsyth. But, that, relative could have lived in another state! I feel sure we wil be able in time, to get some History from Forsyth Ga. or Paris Ky. Now, perhaps that is "I hope". Your dates state 2 children buried there - am I correct - and you have the dates ([?]) Did Mother and her husband have 2 children buried there?... O, if some one like myself were close by, present, and hired a complete agreement, to have all the depth of lilies dug, and cast off, and observe what stones they might come to, It would need be very careful. You see, Aunt Alice was surely a wife of 1 son, or she late in life, be annoying my mother, why Mr. Forsyth didn't "leave her something or more". You see I was still a child, and I really do not recall her being in our Worrell home. This leaves us, doesn't it not knowing where 1 son was buried. And I can not account, on tall monument, "Alpha L Forsyth" (I though sure on it) being seen!"
Page: 16
  • Text: Letter #16: "no date: I want to go over your outline, and if I see some comments, I'll call your attention. O yes!!! In my Bible reading ... I SAW total queer name in the one stone. O I thought I marked it but, now can't guess where I saw it, Goshom - now recall, Ruth Parker stated could scarcely make out a Name. I feel sure it was Hester the black maid. Of course the Witts were related because Joel Forsyth, Forests father, only one to come to farm for he still had his land, No didn't finally sold. And, the two others Sam and Billy Witt brothers farm Big Neck, located in a Country side, they two called Aunt Nan. But I've not had any name come to mind that they were sons of. I never heard "Alfa or Alphie", In reference to Mary Ann, who married Al Lanstrum. Maybe a D. in name [referring to Lan(d)strum]. ... P.S. I've written much else. Did I send picture, standing, you could keep? Asked in other part, also, Did you get card, lettering 4 silken spoons had A.L.F. engraved.... Sept 4- 1891 grandfather Forsyth's death above, in pencil. I [?], wrote above his name, "Lyman" wrote in pencil, so if ever any other name found I could erase [?] feeling sure, Edna said it was "Lyman"."
Page: 17
  • Text: Letter #17: "no date: [referring to the 1850 Illinois census report for Adams County] Well as to Alpha L Forsyth and Lucinda Witt - they did not have Mary Ann, mothers sister, strange. And unless I'm crazy - they had an "Alpha" which when I get to it again I think was the baby Alpha"
Page: 18
  • Text: Letter #18: "no date: Lauras Mother Nancy E. F. Worrell - Her mother, Lucinda Ann Brewer Witt whose mother was Martha White, 1 of twins. Lauras Mothers Father Alpha Forsyth, he one of twins, also. My mother had twin girls, me last at Ferns birth. Alpha Forsyth middle name could have been Lyman or Oliver. You have record - What ever Edna claimed."
Page: 19
  • Text: Letter #19: "no date: And. brother Alpha F. Worrell married June Baker, (correct) and they had son Wilson Olaf Worrell, (Wilson for my father) and they had two daughters - and Wilson He youngest [could this be the Wilson that still lived on Alpha's farm in 1978]."
Personal Names
PersonClaimDetailEvidence
Alpha Layson ForsythNameA. L. [F_____] [S30]
memoir
Alpha Layson ForsythNameAlpha Forsyth [S14] [S30] [S31] [S32] [S38] [S77] [S80] [S81] [S82] [S83] [S85] [S86] [S87] [S88] [S89] [S90] [S91] [S92] [S93] [S94] [S95] [S147] [S251] [S995] [S996] [S997] [S1082:509] [S1083:1191] [S1084:43] [S1085:384] [S1109:18520628] [S1110:18550516] [S1111:18631223] [S1112:18630319] [S1113:18910920] [S1118] [S1119] [S1128] [S1148] [S1492] [S1866:50] [S1922] [S2713] [S2714:18920107] [S2906] [S2907] [S2908] [S2909] [S3147]
primary
Alpha Layson ForsythNameAlpha L. Forsyth [S30]
memoir
Alpha Layson ForsythNameAlpha Lyman Forsyth [S30]
Mrs. Stevenson does not appear to be aware of the Layson surname as she never mentioned it in all her letters, many of which were genealogical in nature. It also appears from her letters that she had a loosely adherent memory. Lyman appears to be her attempt to recall a long forgotten middle name. If so, she got most of the letters correctly, so thanks Laura.
memoir
Daniel WittNameDaniel Witt [S30] [S31] [S60] [S147] [S1121] [S1170] [S1190] [S1639] [S1640] [S1649] [S2881] [S2910] [S3122]
primary
Martha White BrewerNameMartha Brewer Witt [S30]
memoir
Martha White BrewerNameMartha W. Brewer [S30] [S1121] [S1170] [S2490]
primary
Oliver A. ForsythNameOliver Forsyth [S30] [S77] [S132] [S136] [S1242]
primary
Relationships
PersonClaimDetailEvidence
Alpha Layson ForsythFatherOliver A. Forsyth (~1796-<1834) [S30] [S77]
dna
Lucinda Ann WittFatherDaniel Witt (1787-1855) [S30] [S147] [S1121]
dna
Lucinda Ann WittMotherMartha White Brewer (1797-1876) [S30]
dna
Events & Attributes
PersonClaimDateDetailAgeEvidence
Alpha Layson ForsythBirthJun 5, 1819Paris, Bourbon, Kentucky, United States [S30] [S31] [S75] [S76] [S1699]
Laura Stevenson stated he was a twin. His sister's tombstone shows her born on June 5, 1819. Most of the primary sources support this date.
If we consider the date his civil war draft registration was taken (June 1863) instead of the date that was supposed to be used for reference (1 July 1863), it supports a birthdate of June 5, 1819
primary
Alpha Layson ForsythDeathSep 4, 1891Chili Township, Hancock, Illinois, United States [S30] [S76] [S1118] [S1119:673] [S1252:18910908] [S2714:18910907] [S2906] 72y
primary
Alpha Layson ForsythBurialSep 6, 1891Forsyth Cemetery, Hancock, Illinois, United States [S30] [S76] [S2906]
primary
William Henry ForsythBurialForsyth Cemetery, Hancock, Illinois, United States [S2] [S28] [S29] [S30]
primary
Martha White BrewerBurialYorkneck Cemetery, Adams, Illinois, United States [S30] [S1170] [S3241]
primary