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By JUDY FOWLER KILGORE
Henry and De lived their lives out in Campbell County and the remainder of Henry's diary recounts visits from relatives and friends, an almost daily weather report, and happenings around the county. Here are some typical entries: "November, 28th 1912 We moved to the Redland Farm out near Fairburn, Ga. and cultivated crops there for the years, 1913-1914-1915-1916. Our nearest neighbor D.H. Garner & wife were very kind and pleasant. T.A. Henderson & family were sure good neighbors. E.N. Tatum & family were good neighbors. C.W.D. Stone & family were good neighbors, real good. J.W. Rickels was a good neighbor. J.C. Smith & family were good neighbors, very good. E.L. Bishop & others were nice people ... "August 23 1917 My heart is torn often this morning. My Gods richest Blessings on my Family. I am the only one of my father's family left now. My Brother Frank Cochran died in Alabama August, 23 1917. "February, 13 1918 Warm and bright. I am weak and nervous this morning. Mrs. S.A. Cochran died this morning at 2:45 AM. She was the wife of Brother Felix. A good woman gone. She is to be buried at Bethlehem Church tomorrow at 11:00 AM. "Feb 15, 1918, My father and mother came to Georgia from the Abbeville District of South Carolina about 62 years ago. There were 8 of us then, but counting Brothers and sisters and their husbands and wives there were 14. Now all are dead except myself out of 14. I feel very lonesome, and I alone am left to tell thee. Out of 8 in my own family there is 3 left, Ola, Edgar and myself. Where are they? I was born December 15th. 1848. (Note: June 2nd. They are all gone now except Edgar and myself). "July, 21 1918 Sunday-Mrs. Lottie Freeman died yesterday. She to be buried at Piney Woods tomorrow. J.H. Cochran died today, he is to be buried at Bethlehem tomorrow. "July, 4 1921(?) There was a big barbecue at Union City today. This closes my Diary after 50 years, ( H.N.C. ) "I hope all who read this will succeed better than I have. "December, 25 1921, I am by myself De and the boys are gone. "December, 24 1921 De and Floy have gone to Fairburn and the Boys have gone hunting. I am by myself and have spent a lonesome day here. I have spent all the money that I have made up till a few years ago and now I have no friends or money either. "While you have money you have friends. If you have no money, you have no friends. "I have spent my life, I have spent my money and yet I have no friends to help me on. "April, 2 1922 I am sick today and the boys have gone to Lake Beaver. De has gone to Floy's. "Mary Oleana: I have been informed that she was buried at Cox's cemetery 10 miles from Canton on the Canton and Browns Borough Road, on the left hand side of the road. She married James E. Maddox in this beautiful Campbell County and was taken to Texas in Van Zandt county and soon died for the want of proper care. (Note: Oleana apparently had a son, Guy L. Maddox, he wrote a letter to H.N.C. from somewhere in Texas 2-24-1919) "January, 5th 1924 It is very cold today the temperature is 22 degrees. I am not able to work and have no money. We are now living in a Negro house on rented land. "I have been so that I could buy almost anything I wanted, with a good bank account to my name and good credit all over the county. But now I don't own a dollar, and have no clothes fit to go out in company. When I once could dress well and loaned money, owned and sold 547 acres of land. But now I own a lot in the cemetery at Antioch Church about 20x40 feet. Such is life and misfortunes in this rich land of America. I am 75 years and 20 days older than when I was born in Abbeville S.C. in 1848 on the 15th day of December. "I have paid out all I had on my debts and lack $600 of having enough to pay all I owe, and I feel so bad about it. "Verse: ST. John XX1:18 - Verily, verily I say unto thee. When thou wast young thou girdest thy self and walkest whither thou wouldest: But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shalt gird thee and carry thee where wouldest not. "This has surely been a fact. "I am 75 years, 1 month and 19 days old. "May, 2 1924 I have been in bad health during 1924. Edgar brought Dr. Thorton Camp to see me, and he also gave me $ 5.00 to get me a pair of pants. I hope he will be blessed for it. "May, 24 1924 I am by myself today De has gone to Palmetto and the boys have gone to L.S. Sneeds. "September, 4 1924 I am 75 years, 7 months, and 19 days old. If I could recall my life again, how different it would be." This is the last entry in Henry's diary. He died 14 April 1825 and is buried at Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery in South Fulton County beside his first wife, Matilda. Following Henry's death, De lived with her son, Frank, until the 1950s, then lived with her daughter, Floy Pritchard in Atlanta. She died in 1961 and is buried at Providence Church, South Fulton County. Once again, many thanks to Bill Cochran (saltercoc@aol.com) for sharing this family treasure. Send your south metro Atlanta family histories to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; E-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com. Until next week, happy hunting! (Judy regrets that time does not permit her to do personal research for others.)
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