Phoebe Jane

My Darling Daughter-in-Law,
By now you will have heard that I have took ill. Many come up to my porch to see the contrary old lady finally getting her justice. Just last week I had to toss biled water on a few of them. Gave me a laugh and did feel some better for a piece. I count myself lucky to make it out to my ol rocker and take the air for a good spell. However, I do find the breath in me comes harder at night and believe my time to be nigh.

I write to you now dear one some advice as I can’t be assured of seeing your sweet face again.

As you know my “dear” son’s father was reported dead of fever soon after leaving with his regiment. That rank smelling excuse for a commander came by not too long ago to chaw a bit with me. He again recollected how that May of 1861 my husband took sick at the first camp they set to. Fearing a spread of disease, he was forced to set him up on some folks eager to help our loyal sons. The commander tells me again the queerness of it being just the one fella to up and die and having left those at home in a state of well being. That first-rate raskal’s eye gleamed with knowledge, but for now he ain’t told my secret.

I have ever regretted that my son took so much after his daddy and their people. The devil does hide behind all that charm. If I had knowed it sooner I believe I would have warned you off. I reckon the devilment comes too late to be seen or we both would have turned out differn. The truth of it is, even the war came too late for me else I would not be setting here about to tell you the thing I did.

I woke up one bleak winter day just knowing it was him or me. I was much wearied of the pain that would split my head as the great ignorant hand would strike it. The laudanum dulled my caring but not my pain. Misery was no longer welcome in my house. Even the good Lord must see a thing must be done. Fasting from gravy on my plate I spilled it generously over your father-in-law’s meat. He was happy enough to eat it night after night, too greedy to figure it the source of pains that gripped him of a night. I stopped for awhile, guilt giving me a gripping.

War news was spreading and the 45th Infantry from our county was formed up. They were set to head east towards Richmond. I thanked the sweet Lord and his blessed Mama that I would be waving goodbye to my torment. His last night he come in, liquor on his breath. He left me with a shut up eye that stayed swolled up for weeks after he left out. I made him a heaping plate of his favorite biscuits and gravy.

I know you will find in my words some of your own plight. This is my advice to you…take yourself to church, pray some. Love up on your girls, praise God you ain’t got no boys. Then go out on the porch and call up all the sorrow you have in your heart, weigh it out. Toss that grief to the wind. Go on in the house and make you all some supper. I have enclosed my recipe for gravy.

Your ever loving and not long for this world mother-in-law,
Phoebe Jane

It is true that my great-great grandmother was Phoebe Jane Ward, born Dec. 10, 1838 and died on Christmas day 1916. Her first husband Mr. Cox died of fever soon after heading off with his regiment. She later married my great-great grandfather Mr. Sheppard Lee Daniel, civil war veteran. The photo is the home of my great – grandfather Benjamin Ward Daniel, the son of Phoebe and Sheppard, Phoebe died in this home. I made the rest up.

Ezekiel Amos Adams

Ezekiel Amos Adams is my maternal great-great grandfather.

Born September 29, 1846   Died August 8, 1927

• The Butler Herald, September 1, 1927

Death claims Mr. E.A. Adams, Confederate Hero

In the death of Mr. Ezekiel Amos Adams marks the passing of another Confederate
soldier, leaving only twelve others of his noble band in Taylor County
to wear the badge of honor so worthly bestowed.

Mr. Adams was a native of the county, being born in the eastern part of
the county 81 years ago and was named for his father, Mr. Ezekiel Adams.

The death of Mr. Adams occurred at 1:20 Sunday morning, August 8th at his
home near Bethlehem church in the southern part of the county. He had been
in declining health since November of last year and recently his condition
had been critical.

Mr. Adams had a very large number of friends in Taylor County who will
be grieved to learn of his passing. He was a man of sterling worth and
integrity and held the confidence of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
He put his every trust in his Maker and professed Christianity to a marked
degree. He believed firmly in the doctrine of the Primitive Baptist faith
and order and attended services at a church of that denomination regularly.

His faithful companion for many years was called to the Great Beyond April
7, 1919 leaving him with three sons and three daughters who still survive
towit: Mr. E.B. Adams and Mr. S.C. Adams of this county, Mr. H.V. Adams
of Jacksonville, Fla; Mrs. C.B. Barfield of Macon County; Mrs. Y.J. Garrett
of Jacksonville; and Mrs. Kate Stalnaker, of this county.

Funeral and interment of the remains of Mr. Adams took place at Bethlehem
cemetery Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, services being conducted by Rev.
J.T. Adams.