This is a transcription of a letter probably dictated by Col. John J. Colson of Anson Co, NC to one of his family. The "Old Colonel" was born 12 Apr 1827 and died 27 Apr 1921. His parents were Thomas Colson and Mildred Kirby. He mentions that he can hardly see so I am sure that he dictated this letter to someone. The copy I have was made from a copy belonging to Fred W. Colson, his gg-grandson. I am posting this with his permission. Thank you Fred!
Lilesville NC
Aug 10 1918
Dear Addie,
I received your letter and would have answered sooner but could not see
to write and could not get any of the rest to write. I am getting on all right
I am getting kinder(?) I can not see to get about much. I dont do anything but
lie aroun in the house and play with my great grandson Jes's boy, he can crawl
to me and all over
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me and play with my walking stick. Well you wanted to know about your kin.
The Kirbys and Colsons came from VA and settled in N.C. The Kirbys came from
Ireland the Colsons from England. they came over to this country before the
Revolutionary War 1776. Jacob COLSON my grandfather came to NC from VA when a
young man and married Charity DUMAS they had two sons Joseph and Tomas one daughter
named Mason who married a WATKINS. My father married Mildred KIRBY her father was
John KIRBY
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he married a BETTLE [BATTLE?], my father had three sons Tomas, Joseph [actually
Jacob per will] and John two daughters Betsy Charity and Mildred. Tomas married
a WATKINS. Joseph married a THREADGILL [again this is Jacob H. COLSON who married
Zilpha D. THREADGILL], John maried a MARTIN. Charity and Betsy married brothers
named ROBERSON [ROBINSON], your grandmother COLSON was the daughter of James MARTIN
who married Charlotte KIRBY daughter of William KIRBY who married a DEBERRY.
The DEBERRY came from England
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on teh Mayflower they were decendences of the Bourbons of Nepolian Bonapart
[France?]. John KIRBY my grandfather and William KIRBY were brothers my mother
and your grandmother COLSON's mother were brothers children your grandmother
COLSON had four sisters Ellen Emily Julia and Virginia. Ellen & Emily married
brothers named WADDELL. Julia marred HOUGH she had two brothers Edmond and James
they married sisters MCRAYS. Your Grandmother COLSON's father's
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mother's maiden name was Chloe HOUGH. My brother Tom has one son living name
Tomas who married a DUNLAP. Joseph [Jacob] has one son named Jonah and one
daughter Sarah. Jonah married AVIT. Sarah is unmarried. I am the only one
of the COLSONs of the old generation living I am 89 years old. The MARTIN
generation is numerous. The only KIRBY of the old generation living is William
KIRBY my soninlaw. Well Addie I have told your as near as I can your generation.
Millie has the genligy
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of the KIRBYs HOUGHs MARTINs and DEBERRIES to the first generation but I cant
write so I wont bother the rest. Tell all to write to me often I want to get
letters from you all. Your must write often to your old grandfather.
J. J. Colson