Samuel R. Harrell
			           902 Washington Avenue
       			                Indianapolis 5, IND,

						Feb. 26, 1944.

My dear Mrs. Withers*:

	Mrs. Harrell and I were delightfully surprised to receive your letter of February 18th. 
I am sending a copy of your letter to my mother who knows the Harrell tree better than I do.I 
should be very glad to have our connection with the Harrell family properly verified and your
letter indicates the missing link.  My grandfather came from Wythe County, Virginia, and it 
was always said that his parents came from North Carolina to Virginia. Wythe County as you 
will note, is in the western part of the state and very close to North Carolina. Have you ever 
traced the Harrells through the Virginia Historical Society, particularly at Wythe County?

	I met an Englishman a few years ago, who resided in London, and he was very 
much interested in my name. He said that there were many Harrells in West London and 
he had grown up with them. In 1937 I represented our country at an international congress 
of flour millers and grain dealers, at a meeting held i Paris. At the final banquet I sat opposite 
the French Secretary of Agriculture and the French Secretary of Commerce.  The former said 
"Har-ell - that's French."  I remarked that I didn't know that although I had understood there were 
a number in London.  He said, "Yes, I know. They came from Normandy and went to England 
with William the Conqueror."  The Frenchman continued that a statue was erected 
to Madam Har-ell at Camembert and said that she is credited with having originated 
Camembert cheese. He also said that he came from there and had grown up with 
Har-ells in Normandy.  In one of the spring issues of the National Geographic 
[See Feb. 1940, p. 203] April or May, 1938, there is a reproduction of Madame Har-ell 
and a background of the Har-ell farm at Camembert.  (Later an Englishman remarked 
that it was a matter of doubtful distinction to have an an-cestor who originated Camembert cheese).

	I am indeed very glad to learn of your interest in Valley Forge [note, my grandfather, 
Samuel Runnels Harrell,  was always interested in Valley Forge and even named his Noblesville, IN 
farm Valley Forge Farms] and should like to make your acquaintance when in Washington or Philadelphia.

	Do the records at Valley Forge show a Captain John I. Harrell? I hope we may establish our 
connection.  I thought the roster of the men who were at Valley Forge, and particularly the officers of the 
Revolutionary, were definitely recorded although I can understand how they might not be. I shall send 
you more news about our family the next time I write.

	Hoping to have the pleasure of meeting you and continuing this interesting correspondence, 
I remain
	
					Very truly yours

SHR:JM					/s/ Samuel R. Harrell

(See who's Who in America" (1942-43)

(*Mrs. Withers was the author of The Harrell Bk (Emily Theresa Harold Withers))