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Envelope-front (return address preprinted on envelope)
S.G. Bittick MD Henrietta, Texas (postmark)
Henrietta, Texas Jun. 14, 1890
J.H. Bittick
Florilla
Douglas Co MO
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Envelope-back
Florilla, Mo
Aug., 12, 1890 (postmark)
Henrietta Jun 14, 1890
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1
Henrietta Clay Co
Texas
June 14th 1890
Mr. J.H. Bittick
Dear Sir & Kinsman
I received your letter today and take pleasure in answering it. My Great
Grand Father on my father's side was named Francis. He had five sons.
Their names were John, Simeon, Thomas, William and Samuel. This Samuel
was my Grandfather and I was named for him.
2
My Fathers' name was Francis - he being named for his Grandfather Francis.
My Great Grandfather Francis Bittick settled near St. Louis about the year
1800 and my Grandfather Samuel died there when my father was quite a small
boy. My Father with his mother moved to Arkansas when my father was quite
small. My father moved to Texas 1852. James Bittick who lived in Jefferson
County, Missouri
3
and who died there last winter in his 79th year was an own cousin to my
father. I had corresponded with him last year. He was a son of old John
Bittick a brother to my Grandfather Samuel. Every Bittick in Missouri I
presume is a descendant of my Great Grandfather Francis. My Great Grand
Father Francis had a brother named Samuel who came with him from Wales to
America. This Brother settled in Tennessee.
4
And Tennessee is full of his descendents, a good many of his descendants
are in Texas, some of whom I have seen. But I have never in my life seen
a Kinsman of my father's name who was a descendant of my Great Grand
father Francis - and it would be a curiosity to me to see one of my
father's people.
5
My father had no brothers and I have none. I had one sister and she has
been dead about fourteen years. My father died 15 years ago at the age of
64. My mother is alive and lives with me, she is 81. She has told me more
about my father's people than any one else. She lived in Missouri when a
girl and knows a good deal about the old stock.
6
I have heard her talk about the Hilderbrands you speak of. My Mother knew
all the old members of the Bittick family. You ask if my father had an
uncle by the name of Thomas. Yes. He (had) an Uncle Thomas, an Uncle John
and (an) Uncle William and an Uncle Simeon. Well you can tell from this
what our relationship is. I will be 43 years old next September. I have
six children 3 boys and 3 girls. My oldest boy, 19 years old, is called
Leonard Marshall.
7
My next boy is named Francis E. Bittick and my next boy is named Samuel F.
My oldest Daughter is named Mary Lena, she is 17 - she has just got home
from college. My next girl is Leona V. She is 15 years old and my youngest
named Birdie is 18 months old. I have been in Texas ever since I was four
years old and don't know anything about any other Country. When you write
tell me your father's Name and your Grandfather's name
8
and your Great Grandfather's name. I know we are descendants of the same
stock and the same blood courses our veins. Write and tell me all you can
think to say for I like to get long letters. Send me your Photograph and I
will send you mine. How much do you weigh? I weigh 216 but a good deal
of this is tallow. Yours Truly.
Samuel G. Bittick
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Letter found within Bible of John R. Bittick 1813-1904. Written on lined
writing tablet paper, pages folded in half, black ink.
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David Kelley 1997