Below is a copy or the original letter sent to "Sally'' Sarah Mullins McClaugherty by her grandson who was traveling in the South. Sally was the wife of James McClaugherty and the sister of Mourning Mullins Davidson:

Aug. 16, 1857

I took a trip to Alabama this spring, went through Bedford County, Tennessee, where Mathew Mullins lived. He is dead, and I went to his grave. I saw two of his sons, James and John. I stayed with James two days. He is a fine man and wealthy. Matthew Mullins has another son, William, a preacher, living near Lewisburg, whom I have not seen.

From there, I went through Franklin County, Tennessee and stayed all night with Lewis Davidson and his wife Mourning Mullins Davidson. Lewis Davidson and his wife look very old but are enjoying reasonably good health.

Aunt Mourner was completely overcome when I told her who I was, and she could not speak for sometime. She talked about you, Grandma, whom she had not seen since she left Giles County, Virginia. She talked about you nearly the whole time I was there. They have one son and one daughter living nearby. They both came to Uncle Lewis' to see me.

On my return home I came by where John Mullins lived. He died last February. I saw his wife, two of his sons and two of his daughters, Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Smith. They all seemed glad to see me.

From there I came to Manchester and saw another daughter of Lewis Davidson, who is the wife of R. E. Lasater. He is a merchant in Manchester. I was perfectly delighted with the whole family, particularly with his beautiful and accomplished daughters.

( The above letter is a true copy of one sent to Mrs. Henry M. Martin ( Emily Lucille Harris) from Mrs. Reese T. Bowen (Lena Walker) of Bluefield, West Virginia in 1957, one hundred years from the time the letter was written. Mrs. Bowen was the grandaughter of Sally Mullins McClaugherty. Mrs Bowen is now dead.)