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Letter from Judge Benjamin Holmes Zellner to his cousin, Francis Zellner, in 1891
contributed by Jan Chambers
Forsyth, Monroe
County, GA
April 25th, 1891
To: Mr. Francis Zellner, Cameron, Milam County, Texas
Dear Cousin:
Your brother Henry who lives in Tennessee near Nashville has been visiting us and spent some five or six weeks with my father and off-spring in this county. My father, Andrew Zellner, now nearly 93 years old, and your father married sisters which makes us double cousins. At father's request I write you. He wishes to hear from you all. He is stout and well for his age. He has been successful farmer and a Primitive Baptist from his early manhood, and wishes to know of you, if there are any Baptists of that order in your vicinity. Cousin Henry is an enthusiastic religionist. Primitive Baptist are numerous here, our whole generation, including the Holmes, here of that persuasion.
My mother (Rebecca) died in April 1875, aged 72 years. Since her death father has rented his lands and lived with his children and grandchildren - mostly with me. I, his oldest am 71 years old, have my only wife, eight children and 42 grandchildren, near all living in this county. I have succeeded as a farmer - held nearly all the county offices, at different times, and represented the county several times in the legislature. Father has seven children (one, however, died two months ago, Francis Arnold aged 69 years) about 70 grandchildren, one hundred-forty great-grandchildren, and nearly all living in this county.
All your mother's brothers and sisters and half-brothers and sisters are dead. The last Thomas Holmes, died in Houston, Texas about three years ago - age 85 years. He had lived up to a few months before his death at Osage, Coryell County, Texas. Droughts and failing crops drove him away from there. The family he left, I suppose, lives now at Houston. Johnathan Holmes, the youngest of our grandfather Benjamin Holmes' children, died near here about 7 years ago. His children and grandchildren live in this and adjoining counties. Our mother's sister Mary died on lands adjoining mine some 10 or 12 years ago. As also did her husband, Duncan McCowen. Their posterity live hereabouts. Our grandmother, Mary Zellner is buried on my premises - died 1847, aged 84. Uncle John Zellner died in Harris County, GA thirty-odd years ago. His children and grandchildren are mostly in Alabama and Florida. His twin sister Sallie McCord died near here about the same time. Her posterity are mostly in this vicinity.
In and near Forsyth, Georgia, we have several very old persons - Alex Perkins in his 97th year, Cyrus Sharpe is 94, Andrew Zellner is 93 and George Driskell is 92. All these are in general good health. All our generations, Zellners, Holmes, McCords, and McCowans of whom I have knowledge and information are moral, peaceable, quiet, and law abiding citizens, all honest and honorable and almost entirely belong to the middle class in society, none very wealthy nor any paupers.
Arnold Zellner, a half-brother of yours and Albert Zellner, your nephew - I believe - were here during the late war between the states. Until Cousin Henry came down we had pretty much lost sight of you all - did not know who of you were living. Our lands here are old and worn and unless freely fertilized they do not produce well - yet many farmers, of push and energy, are doing as well as farmers ever did in this county. A great many whites are renting or selling their lands to Negroes and moving to the towns and village. The young white men of the county are mostly getting positions in the cities and towns.
I was able to give my children, each, a start in the world with $5000 and they are all doing well. Three sons farming very successfully, none a merchant, and one a cotton warehouseman and secretary of a $250,000 security and investment company. One of my daughters married a doctor, one a lawyer, and one a farmer of energy and enterprise - he represents our county in the Georgia Legislature.
Thus, I have tried to give you a history of the family and local information that I thought would interest you.. Please write to me. My father, as well as the rest of us, greatly desires to hear from you. Give us in your letter the post office and address of your brother Marion.
Affectionately your cousin, Benjamin Holmes Zellner
P.S. There are a great many Zellners here and sometimes we get our mail mixed. I once was Judge of the Inferior Court of the County, and afterwards Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues of the County. Hence am everywhere known as "Judge B. H. Zellner."