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Note: As of this date, I have not been able to give the proper time to get to know James and his family. I do know they left Talladega for Texas, looking for greener pastures. It appears that the West was good to him and his family.
Many of our current generation have fond memories of James's son; "Cousin Albert". Albert, who relocated to Douglas, Wyoming, made a concerted effort to stay in touch with his grandfather's second family, our Sims line. Many of his 1/2 1st cousins and 1/2 2nd cousins visited him at his ranch and still have very fond memories of their visits.
Once I have completed my original mission, I will try to circle back around and find out more about James and his family.
Lisa Allen Baggett
October, 2002
UPDATE November, 2002:
1868: James, 21 and single, moved from Alabama to Clinton, Hickman Co., KY
1889: James and family were living in Harwood, TX
Update: Letter from James to his father, Henry Sims. James was 21 when he wrote this letter and I assume had just left Alabama for Kentucky. I believe the Aunt and Uncle his speaking about is Henry's brother Albert G. Sims and Eliza, his wife, who located in Kentucky in 1844. This would place Albert's year of death in 1868; he would have been 60.
Clinton, Hickman Co., KY
May 9, 1868
Dear Pa:
You will overlook my failure to write earlier from the fact of my being in Clinton since my arrival where the mails are quite irregular. My trip to Kentucky, though longer than I anticipated, was quite pleasant. Saw several of my friends in Selma with who I spent the day. Leaving Selma at 6 in the evening I landed in mind next morning at 5 am, three hours behind time owing to the cars running off the track. Remained over until next morning and came to Columbus Sunday Night. Here I found Aunt had left the hotel and moved to Clinton on the farm. I find the family very pleasant and getting on well.
Met Mrs. Chino as living with Aunt and rather aiding in her affairs. Aunt's health is very bad and she suffers greatly also from tremble (?). If a change is not made in her habits her time of life will be quite brief. She is not just up from a severe spell she has had since I came.
In regards to the situation of the estate, I am not fully prepared to inform you. Hilliard farmed on the place last year and managed to get all the proceeds and even saving her for $900.00 as the expenses of the farm for tow years.
She is suing him for damage but in my opinion neither party will come out benefited. Hilliard has certainly acted a rascal since Uncle's death judging from what I can see.
This farm this year is rented for a stipulated amount and will bring in something. The Hotel in Columbus of course paid nothing and I think there is no money in Aunt's possession now. On account of her late illness I have not talked much with her in regard to the affairs of the estate yet I am satisfied some of the land will be sold to pay off debts.
I consider this portion of the country healthy and as good body of land as one could wish. In the event the land is sold, I do not think you could do better than buy a home on it offering as it does, great inducements to good farmers.
Columbus seems to be a business visit and a good prospect of growing rapidly. At this time there are four physicians then yet none of these exceedingly promising. Drs Bryant and Richarson drink and gamble the most of their time and same may be said of Jackson, a new comer.
Chriss (?) tell me he has many friends there and feels confident I can soon secure a good practice. Think of going there in a few days and try to get an office.
I am especially well pleased with Kentucky and think this portion certainly a neglected portion.
I will write you again at an early day and hope then to be better able to give you full information in regard to affairs generally.
Please write me at your earliest convenience. Your affectionate son,
James H. Sims
Harwood, Texas
July 4, 1889
Dear Pa:
Your letter has been received. Would have been glad you would have been more explicit as to your condition and I would have known better how to make a prescription. It will try and prescribe for the common ailments of old men - Put the powder I enclosed in a pint of boiling water-let stand for two hours, strain and add one ounce of good whiskey. Dose - A teaspoonful two or three times a day as may be required.
Kindly write me again and tell me just how you are and I will know better what to do - Whether you are up frequently at night, if your back hurts you.
I am getting along as usual. Have a good business this year and have now the finest prospects for crops, I have ever seen in Texas. There is already a large crop of corn and cotton is growing mighty fine.
Tell Herbert if he will come to Texas I will come back with him this winter. He can find plenty to do here while pleased with the country.
There is yet plenty of sickness and the prospect for physicians to be busy during the summer.
I will be glad to see you all again and spend more time with you. I hope to see you often after the business of the Fall is well over.
Write me again. My love to the family. Your Son,
Jas H. Sims
Harwood, Texas
July 9, 1889
Dear Pa:
I ordered on yesterday from Phil, one 37 inch Wates (?) pad Double Elastic Truss. The Truss will get to you in a couple of days and kindly acknowledge the receipt as I wish to know if you received it when. I though the size rather large but had to go by the size you sent me.
Tell Herbert to bundle up and come to Texas at once. Should anything go wrong at home one or both of us can come back. I need him here, will for several months at least.
Write on receipt of this. Your Son,
Jas H. Sims
Lisa Allen Baggett March 2003
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