The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1902-12-18


interest rs ,elic OF the early days Of
Louisiana aud its original publication
as one OF the queer events performed by
the "whirligig of time" II was 6rst
brought to the knowledge of family de-
scendants by its publication as "quaint
relic" In the San Antonio (Texas) Hei-
aid Of Dec. S, 1860. All efforts TO trace
how and where aud through whose
hands the original got there proved uu-
availiug.
The writer with his family came from
Newport. R. l., in I77r or I777 and set
tied on a high point on the Mississippi
river, iust below the site of Baton Rouge
and now known as the Hickey Place"
In this "wilderness" he erected the first
and probably the only Quaker church
ever built in Louisiana. In a story, en-
titled "Clara Ismeua, or the Leapiug
Fawn," published In "rhe casket."
popular magazine printed in Philadel-
phia, IS75-I83S, the scenes of which
were laid iu Louisiana aud Mississippi,
the heroine is made to remain awhile
cat the dwelling Of the good old Quaker,
Richard Carpenier" Richard Carpen-
ter left three children. The only child
by 6rst marriage, Mary, married DR..
Samuel Flower, from whom comes the
Flower, Matthews, Meaker, Dalton,
Buck aud Faulkner families and their
numerous descendants In Louisiana and
Mississippi. By. second marriage
snu, James. married Anne Somerville
Marbury, from whom come the carren-
ter, Slaugh ghter and Scott families; and a
daughter, SslIie, married Judge George
Matthews. [His first marriage.1 Her
nearest ascendant, a granddaughter,
being Mrs. Lou r. Matthews of Rapides.
AT NV HABITATIoN ON THE MISS. I
Dec. 26, 1878 ]
Dear Sister-Thiue by Captain Whip
pie Of Oct. 78 I received with pleasure.
to hear that thyseIf and the rest Of my
friends are still jogging on with as much
satisfaction as this uncertain world is
capable OF afordiug. Thee tells me
that people wonder at my coming to
this wilderness. It Is indeed a wilder
ness at present; but It Is q 6us, easy
country, and don't see where I could
lave gone to do better. 1t would have
been much more agreeableto to me TO have
lived in the place OF my nativity could
have done It upon equal terms. have
here a good living, with little Indus
try, which Is as much as could have
expected In my own country and as
for satisfaction, thank Divine Provi-
ience, I have enjoyed as much since
have been here as oth.r countries have
afforded me.
"some secret comfort every state attends"
The paths of life are so strewed with
disagreeable things that the most happy
are not always able to sbun them. We
see here abundance of different faces
some English. some French, some Span
iards, some Indians. Perhaps at the
same time we have boats at our landing
from New Orleans, from the illinois,
from Natchitoches aud from the Ohio.
Some stop to get dinner and some to
cook their own. We have no near neigh
bors yet, none n@arer than three miles,
and none that we visit nearer than a
league and half; but there are a num-
Der coming soon. and 1t Is likely to be
settled with the best people of any pert
OF the river. The lands In our neigh
borhood are all in very good hands,
therefore the regulators and strsgglers
from the back of the carolinas cannot
get a footing. However, thee and /
must ere long leave our settlements,
with all the cares, pleasures and troub-
les attending them, and hope We shall
be So happy as to 6nd habitation where
trouble cannot enter. From thy affec-
tionate brother,
RICHARD CARPENTER.
Shall inclose the account OF thy ven
ture with friend Sisson, receipts for the
amount which hope thee will receive.
He appears to me to be very worthy
man, and has been of very great service
in taking care Of the family when I
have been obliged to be abseutun the
vessels account. Present my best re-
specls to sister Green, sister Magsum
and family, sisters Hannah and Betsey,
and Sam Collins and spouse.
Many OF the descendants Of the writer
Of the above letter are we'll known here,
notably the Buck family. Others reside
In Teusas parish, La.