Mary
E. (Clarkson) Rowlett
(or Rowlette; spelling varies over time), wrote letters
to Annie
Walker Burns in the late 1920s and early 1930s that
Annie later republished in her books.
27 June 1930
From AWB1957,
pages 25-26. This letter was only partially copied and
was partly paraphrased in my notes.
[Rantoul, Illinois, 27 June 1930]
I remember Edward Walker [Edward
Walker, Jr.]
who served in the War of 1812. I never saw his
first wife. I can remember when had his sale of
slaves. I don't remember how many he had, but
I remember his sale. I remember my mother bid
on a horse he had. I remember his last life Sarah
Cromley [sic] Walker.
Patsy Walker Clarkston [sic], my mother, died
on March 10th before I was married. I have been
married 46 years. Her right name was Martha Gillus
Walker, her nickname was Patsy. I named my oldest
daughter for her.
She also states that she and her
husband married in Maynardville, Union County,
Tennessee, although there is no entry in the marriage
index. She the goes on to list a few relatives
who are dead and living, and there are definite
problems with her information or, more likely,
Annie's transcription of it. Specifically, she
lists:
a "niece", Jane Walker
Muncy, who is deceased; this person is unknown.
her "papa" was still
living; in fact, he died in 1920.
"Uncle Bill Walker"
was still living; assuming she means William
Walker, son of Edward, Jr., he had died long
before.
Eva Owens of New Tazewell [unknown]
Albert Clarkston [her brother,
who was still living]
her uncle Johnathan [who was
dead]
Mary visited Annie apparently in
1930 in Frankfort, although Annie later writes
that the visit occurred in 1929. AWB writes "She
stated that she could remember… Henry Walker…
was buried with Mason uniform on, and he had his
white gloves on and his Mason sword in hand. He
used to preach at Sugar Grove; he just preached
wherever he wanted to." Mentions Charley
Clarkston.
