Copies of Letters to Postmaster, Williams Mills, NC in answer to advertisements for settlement of Henry Lewter Estate in Chatham County, NC2281

Arkadelphia, Ark. Clark County
May 19, 1886
Postmast
Williams Mills, NC

Dear Sir,

I noticed an advertisement in a news paper stating that the heirs of Kinchen and Joseph Lewter could hear something to their interest by addressing you. I take this method of introducing myself to you as a son of Kinchen Lewter who left that country some 50 years ago...now living in Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours

M.C. Lewter

I will further say that our father has bin dead for years, myself and one brother is all of Kinchen Lewter family that is now living.

Mathias Lewter

Write to me as soon as you get this letter and let me know what you want and oblige yours.

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Arkadelphia, Ark. Clark County
4 June 1886
H.D. Mason, P.M.
Williams Mill, NC

Dear Sir,

Your letter of May 28 has just reached me and contents noted. I now proceed to give you what I can remember of my NC kindred from memory entirely.

My fathers name was Kinchen Lewter. I had an uncle Henry K. Lewter who moved to Tenn. about the year 1826-27. (I was with my father - a boy about 10 years old and may not give exact date). My grandmother Lewter moved with my father and uncle to Tennessee. I always called her Grand Ma. But I think the negroes called her Miss Sallie. She died about 18 years ago. We have the family Bible.

My mother's name was Jinsey or Josey Marden Fason or Faison. She died in Giles County, Elkton, Tenn. (My father and Grandmother died there also since the late war between the States and are known to all the old settlers.

My father and mother raised 8 children, seven still living, 2 in Ark. The balance in Tennessee about Elkton and Columbia.

My Uncle Henry K. Lewter is dead. Lived on the line of Alabama and Tenn., near Elkton. He left five children, grown, married and scattered about.

I cannot now recall any of the Lewters in NC except Wiley Lewter who kept tavern at the forks of the road (name of place not remembered).

My mother's brothers were Dick and Jim Faison or Fason. I also remeber Jim Woods who, I think, was a brother of my grandmother.

I am now 68 years old and the matters that I have been attempting to recall happened about fifty eight years ago, and I may not be very accurate, but as I understand your letter you simply want to identify the heirs of Kinchen Lewter.

Now in conclusion I can show by the Govenor of the State, Simon F. Hughs, or my representative in Congress Hon. C. McRae or by my US Senator John James K. Jones - and by my attorney H.W.M. Millan who is a native of NC, Robeson County and educated at Chapel Hill, graduated there in 1855, who and what I am now. Please write me fully about what there is in this matter.

Yours

(signed) M T. Lewter

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Elkton, Tenn.
9 Aug. 1886
Mr. H.D. Mason, P.M.
Williams Mill, Chatham Co., NC

Sir,

Yours received and contents noted. I am inclined to believe that we are the ones alluded too. As none of the old people from NC hever heard of anyone but my father named Kinchen. And for boys to be born after father left and named Kinchen and grew up to 18 or 20 years old they could not have gone from NC 40 or 50 y. I don't want to claim anything unless it is just. Below I give you some of the posterity so you may not mind answering these questions.

1st. What amt is pending. 2nd. is it by wil or comon heirship. 3rd Who is the maker of the will or whose estate is it. 4th How long has will been made and has your Kinchen Lewter and Sisters or sisters heirs in NC.....have you heard of any other Kinchen get who moved west 50 y ago.

M.G. Lewter of Arkadelphia, Ark. is my only bro. living. I don't know what he has written you..But I will say that Kinchen and his bro Henry & their mother Sarah came from North hampton Co., NC near Jackson....Hardy Lewter married Jacob Bunn daughter and begat Elias Lewter who married Sarah Wood who is father and mother of Kinchen and Henry Lewter. I think there must be a mistake in the name of Joseph instead of Henry. Hardy Lewter lived near Raleigh, and I suppose has other sons beside Elias. Now you can answer all my questions and tell me what the valuable news is that the papers speak of. I would like to know the particulars whether you think I am interested or not....you have the Bunn, Woods & Lewter family as a connection of mine and my mother was a Faison. Write soon and give me the particulars.

Yours Resply

(signed) James M. Lewter