Bird Griffin Letter Collection

Contributed by Calvin L. Smith, Vincent, La.

Note: Underlined words not clear; interpretation doubtful. Typed by Mary G. Auburtin, August 11, 1981.

Letter 1

Copy of letter from J. H. Awtery to Bird Griffin, dated Feb.15, 1863

( No corrections have been made)

State of Ala. Calhoun County

february the 15 1863

dear brother & sister I taking pen in hand to inform you that we are all well hopeing these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. We have another fine boy he was born Crismas night we have not named him yet I have rote 2 letters & have not got no ancer I want you to rit as soon as you git this letter

I want you to let all of the connections see this & all of them to rite if the pleas I would be glad to see you all but hit is out of my power to come to see you I want some of you to come and see us if you please tell James & Lige Smith to rite if the cant come I want you to rite hoo of the cin is gone to war & hop is not & for some of them to come to see me I thought I would of come to see you last fall but I went to the salt works & was gone a month I went by Randolph but I had corn puny or I would of come to of seed you. I can tell when I ever can come You must come when you can & I will do the same You must rite & not sate for me Meat is worth from 25 to 30 cts. corn 2 dollars wheat 7 dollars factorry thread 7 dollars a bunch cottton 15 to 20 cents and more at present but remain your friend to Bird Griffin

J. H. Awtery

Letter 2

State of Alabama Calhoun County (No corrections of any type have been made to this document.)

August the 11 1867

Dear brother briant smith and bird griffin I seet myself to drop you lines to let you no wee are all well hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same blesing.

I have nothing strange (?) to rite you as soon as you can rite all the news. When I git a letter from you I will write all the news I have _____ no more at presant but remains your brother until death.

J. H. Awtrey

Letter 3

Contributed by Calvin L. Smith, Vincent, Al.

Copy of letter found in papers of Bird Griffin. (Believed to be from an Awtrey cousin to Angeline Griffin, daughter of Bird and Alsira (Autrey) Griffin. Copied by Mary G. Auburtin, 8-11-1981. (No corrections have been made other the addition of a period so the whole letter is not just a long sentence.)

Copy of letter from J.H. Awtrey to Bird Griffin, dated Feb. 15, 1863. Note: Underlined words not clear; interpretation doubtful. Typed by Mary G. Auburtin, August 11, 1981.

UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION

Calhoun Co. Ala. Sept _________

Miss Anga Griffin

dear

I am well & hop when those few lines come to hand they may find you awl enjoying the same blessing . I haven't any news to write to you. I have enjoyed verry good health since I seen you last. I have been at home five months. I have enjoyed my self verry well ever since Brother Arch is at home & Brother Lige awslo and we never have heard a word from brother Y.P. since the war ended. He was captured in S.C. Cousin, I would live verry well to see you awl but I don't no any chance less you all come up with Uncle James Awtrey when he comes back. Cousin the girls has been marrying a write smart since the boys got home. They have been several weddings given this steele ment awl a gals marryed be fore I got home. I would write to soem fo the girls down ther but I am a fraid they are awl married _____ that I am acquainted with. Give awl of my cousins my best respects & tell them I would like to see them ______.

Write to me. I so must close this as to you awl I haven't time to write to awl.

brother

J. H. Awtrey