This letter was generously shared and transcribed by Diana Bryan Quinn,Virginia Beach, VA
The following is a letter written, in 1952, by my great-grandfather Charles Giddens, son of George Lullen Giddens. George was the son of Mitchell and Letisha Britt Giddens. Lina was Charles Giddens' half-sister from George's second marriage. Lina's daughter, Helen Pemberton, owns the original letter.
June 7- 52
Dear Lina
your letter of 1 / 2 received Glad to hear from you and to learn where your Fla residence is located. My son Charles lives at Hollywood Fla which is not far from your place. We were down to see him and Louise his wife in 1946. That was before we left St. Louis for Tex. We were in Florida in 1928 and in 1939 and covered both east and west Fla, but in 46 we went by Deland , Sanford, Orlando Kissin then Okeechobie then around the lake. Then on down to Hollywood. We had quite a trip. Geneology or family tree you wrote about I know a little which I learned from Louis Giddens of Goldsboro several years ago I knew nothing until he mentioned it to me that was his hobby. The first known to come to this country were from Wales and they came over with lord Baltimore and landed in Baltimore, Md. One of them drifted down to N.C. Wayne County and married a Miss Taylor I think her first name was Mary. The next I know anything about was our grandfather Mitchell and his brother which was Louis Giddens' father both married sisters whos names was Britts. Our grandmother was Laticha or something like that. This is where you branch off and drop all except the Mitchell branch. I was born Nov 22nd1865 at Giddensville Sampson Co NC You can get sisters history from Hugh and Pearl she was about two years younger than I. My children are all dead but two Charles and Edith I do not know where Edith is Charles may be able to tell you if you write him his address is Hollywood Box 1042 Fla. Lucy my first wife was borned in Vermont and about three months younger than I, her last name was Glenn.
Our great-grandfather was married when he was quite old and had two sons George Britt one of the boys used to visit us at Giddensville and we went to dances together around the Holliday. He was about three or four years older than I was , he was a good sport. Let me hear from you often and come to see us sometime.
Love and best wishes
Charles and Stella Giddens
2005 E. Broadway Sedalia, MO.
1800 CENSUS WAYNE COUNTY, N C
GIDDENS, JOHN
4 males under 10
2 males 16-26
1 male 45 & over
1 female under 10
1 female 10-16
1 female 26-45
1810 CENSUS WAYNE COUNTY, NC
ISAAC GIDDENS
2 males under 10
1 male 26-45
2 females under 10
1 female 26-45
1790 CENSUS BURKE COUNTY, NC
JAMES GIDDENS
1 male over 16
1 male under 16
4 females
1 slave
WILLS, COURT RECORDS & STUFF
1949 Obituary: J. W. GIDDENS 88 of Wallace, NC, leaving sons F. C. GIDDENS, Wallace, NC; W. D. GIDDENS, Latta, NC (Lotta?)
and daughters MRS MARY ENGLISH, CARRIE GIDDENS, both of Wallace, NC.
27 October 1740 Hyde County, NC, WILLIAM GIDDENS witnessed the Will of JOHN AVERY
14 November 1742 Beaufort County, NC, MARGARET GIDDENS mentioned in the Will of JUDITH BERGERSON, as her daughter.
13 July 1747 Johnston County, NC, THOMAS GIDDINGS' Will mentions sons: JACOB, WILLIAM, ISAAC, BENJAMIN and ABRAHAM.
10 November 1757 Hyde County, NC, WILLIAM GIDDINGS' Will mentions sons: THOMAS, JACOB and JOHN
19 September 1774 Onslow County, NC, JACOB GIDDENS' Will
mentions brothers: ABRAHAM and ISAAC; Sister: NANCY, Mother: RUTH.
2 April 1779 Onslow County, NC, ISAAC GIDDENS Will mentions brother: ABRAHAM, sister: NANCY SHEPARD, Mother: RUTH
1 November 1807 Onslow County, NC, ABRAHAM GIDDENS' Will mentions wife: ALIF (?), sons: ABRAHAM & THOMAS, daughters: SYRENE, NANCY, & SUSANNAH.