Mary Frances Piercy Nichols’ Diary – Section 5

Friday, February 6, 1959

Mary Frances Piercy Nichols’ Family — My father was Wm Thomas Piercy and he married my mother Alice Elizabeth Dodson, April 25, 1892. I was born May 3, 1893 at White Haven, Tenn., my brothers (Bill) William Piercy was born January 8, 1895, Duke Piercy was born Sept. 18, 1896, Walter Fletcher Piercy was born Dec. 23, 1898. Duke died of scarlet fever on Oct. 4, 1901. My father’s father was born May 14, 1822, he was a doctor and his name was Dr. Duke Piercy. My father’s mother, Frances Elizabeth Hinds, was born Aug 27, 1827. I know nothing of my grandfather Piercy’s family. My grandmother Piercy was born near Hernando, [MS] her father was Dr. Josiah Hinds. I’ll check at the church and cemetery which has the dates and later write it in this space ————.

My great grandmother Hinds, I’ll check for the date also —————-.

I’ve already told of the others in the family. Now as to my mother’s family. She was born Alice Elizabeth Dodson, in Mississippi, her father

Saturday, February 7, 1959

first name I don’t know, her mother was Sophia Herring before her marriage, both were buried in Edmondson Cemetery on Miss – Tenn state line East of 51 Hi-way – past White Haven. Both of my parents were also buried there.

My mother had an uncle, Tom Dodson, that I knew as a very young child. I knew several of his children some of who were older and some younger than my mother. She was very fond of her cousin Frank Dodson and his wife Bessie. He owned a number of houses. He rented out and a store right at the Frisco ???hood bridge on Airways. He had 3 children, 2 girls and a son.

My mother [Alice Elizabeth Dodson Piercy] spoke of her grandfather Dodson [Valentine T] who helped rescue a bride, that the Indians had captured, when he went with her husband to search for her. The Indians had her getting wood to burn herself at stake. My mother’s grandfather offered beads and other attractive things of what kind for the bride’s ransom. It was accepted and the bride was released and returned to her home.

Sunday, February 8, 1959

My brother Bill Piercy [William Henry Piercy, Sr., m. Willie Alma McOwen], you well know, his children are Annie Mae Johnston [1922-2004], W. H. Piercy Jr. [1926-1973], Mary Ruth Turnpin [1929-2011], all married, Edd [b. 1932], Jeane [Norma Jean, 1935-1993] and Alice Piercy [1936-2008], the last was named for grandmother Piercy. [Martha Lee was also a sibling 1924-1929]

Bill was always a good brother and a very kind and thoughtful son. He always meant lots to me. Walter, of course we loved, he was sweet and one of the prettiest babys I ever saw. He grew up to be 6 feet tall like my Papa. Bill was shorter and leaner. One other person who meant lots was her mother’s brother’s wife, Aunt Lizzie Herring and her family. Walter and Ida, who married. We always called him Cousin Lewis Martin, their oldest son. Chester is my age and still is living. He has been connected with 1st National Bank in Memphis since he was a very young man. Arthur, another of his brothers, died during the bad flu epidemic in Memphis. His younger brothers, I lost sight of, but Mama loved her cousin Walter Herring and named my brother Walter for him.

Monday, February 9, 1959

Elbert R Nichols Family

Elbert R Nichols born Oct 20, 1889, Obion County, Kenton, Tenn. His father was W. H. Nichols [William Henry], born in East Tenn. died at age of 58, when Elbert was about 15 yrs old. W. H. Nichols married Margaret Brown (near Troy, Tenn.), and to the union 11 children were born.

• Alfred Nichols about 1872, died about 1950 [1871-1950]
• Will Nichols died about 1944 [William Thomas 1867-1964]
• Ida who died at 17 yrs of typhoid fever [abt 1879]
• another young child 2 yrs died [Odis 1883-1884]
• Walter Nichols about 13 years older than Elbert, he was a lawyer and died about 1954 in Clearwater Florida [1873-1954]
• Miss Martha Nichols 15 months younger than Walter at present lives in Florence, Ala [Martha Jane “Mattie” 1876-1959]
• Ora Nichols who died from operation about 42 yrs ago in Denver, Colo. was buried at Kenton, Tenn. Union Grove Cemetery [1885-1916]
• Effie Nichols who is now 71 this April 1959 married Sam Harrison both lived at Kenton and are now in Florence Ala. they have 2 children Walter Nichols Harrison and Margaret Brown Harrison who is married to Junius Liles. They now have 3 sons. Walter has four children and both live in Florence Ala. his wife’s first name is Maurine and very lovable. [1887-1962]

Tuesday, February 10, 1959

Walter Piercy Nichols 39 today

• Elbert R Nichols, married Mary Frances Piercy. Six children were born to this union. Mary Frances Nichols July 26, 1914 in Memphis, married Lake (J.T.) Howard [John Timberlake] who too was born July 1st 1914. They were married Aug 16, 1935. They have one daughter, Glenda Jeane Howard, born Jan 7 – 1942 (Lake & Frances graduated together at South Side High School)
  • Elbert R. Nichols, Jr. born March 16, 1918 at Troy, Tennessee. He graduated South Side High School Memphis. His first marriage was to Virginia via there was one son, Jerry Lynn Nichols, his next marriage after divorce was to Ladye Frances heath of Rector Ark – Oct 31, 1945, just after Elbert Jr. was discharged from World War service of War II, he was with Gen. Patton’s Army and returned home from Germany, Near Hitler’s Hideout.
    • (This is supposed to have followed Elbert Jr’s record of his four children following his 2nd marriage Marilyn Ann, Feb 22, 1947, Nancy Carol, Feb 1951, James Elbert, Mar 29, 1953, Janet Leigh April 18, 1954.)
  • Walter Piercy Nichols born Feb 10, 1920, at Bradford, Tenn., was married to Dorothy Moore in May 1940 – both graduated at Munford High School. To this union three sons were born: David Elbert, Nov 25, 1941, Richard Steven, July 11, 1945, St. Vincent Hosp. Indianapolis, Ind., Walter Byron Nichols, Nov 4, 1953, his grandad and I afferated (?) at his birth. [His grandparents delivered him]

Wednesday, February 11, 1959

• [Elbert Sr and Mary Frances Nichols’ children cont.]
  • Richard Thomas Nichols 3rd son of Elbert and Mary Nichols, born Dec. 7, 1923, at Bradford, Tenn. was married to Helen Bomar at Munford Methodist Church, June 6, 1943, two children born to this union, John Richard Nichols April 21 1947, with his granddad and I ??? at his birth. Laura Lee, Jan 17, 1951.
  • Margaret Alice Nichols, born Dec 22, 1934 at Methodist Hosp. Named for her two grandmothers – Alice for grandmother Alice Piercy and Margaret for grandmother Nichols. Married at Munford Methodist Church to J. T. Williams [Jim Tom] June 17, 1956.
  • Nancy Anne Nichols, born Jan. 16, 1937, at home your mother was almost 44 , your dad and your sister effectuated (?) at your birth. Married to Norris Gross, Nov. 23, 1955 at Munford Methodist Church with Rev. Humphrey Davis officiating at both yours and Margaret’s wedding – you and Norris graduated at Munford, Margaret did too, Tom Williams lived in Mason and graduated at U. T. Knoxville.
• Ross Brown Nichols [Elbert Royal Sr’s brother] born 1891, Kenton, Tenn. ??? W.A.Y Margaret Nichols, Married Gertrude Sinclair 1917. Three daughters were born to this union, Evelyn, Martha and Virginia.
• Alvie Reeves Nichols, [Elbert Royal Sr’s brother] born 1894 at Kenton last of 11 children of W. H. and Margaret Nichols.

Thursday, February 12, 1959

[Alvie continued] He was married to Louise [Mary Louise Connell [1907-1952], the other name I don’t remember, she was 14, two sons were born to this union, W. H. Nichols, Jr. and Clyde Nichols. Louise died many years ago and Alvie died in Memphis in 1958 and was buried in National Cemetery with Dr. W. W. Boston officiating. Dr. Boston was a cousin. His mother was a Nichols, he has 4 other brothers who are ministers.

Margaret Brown Nichols, my mother-in-law, but to me one of the best and finest of women. She lived to the ripe age of 92 and was buried in Florence, Ala., where her daughter, Martha, and Effie still live there.

A tribute of highest regard I pay her for to me she was always a friend, always had understanding, she was jolly and lots of fun too. She was always anxious for me to learn something of interest and had jest to it and I’d tell it to her to see her laugh. She was good and she and my mother, were good friends. Ma Nichols lived with us part time in Memphis and later I’ll tell you more of Ma and me(?).

Friday, February 13, 1959

Nancy Carol Nichols 8 years old today.

Today, I started to write the very first words of this book and so it was when I prayed, as I always do, at the breakfast hour, giving thanks and asking for health and guidance too, from Him and all the family and others too, are included in the prayer. And, now, I ask He guide me to try to write the things I should – hoping you will enjoy the things I try to say to you, today, is a dark and really wet, rainy day. We are all very well no one even has a cold in the family.

Richard went to work, as you know he is now Tenn. Employment Manager and works in Memphis. Walter is back at work at International after a strike. Tom will start to work Monday for International in their offices near Riverside Park in Memphis. So Margaret and Tom will soon move to Memphis. Elbert, Jr., Ladye, Marilyn, Nancy C, Jim, and Janet here out to show us their new 1959 Ford car. Helen had some warts removed from chest yesterday. ???? ?? making for George Baddour, for Mrs Churn while she is ill. Dorothy and Byran are fine. David and Steven went with Margaret and Tom last night to see the ball game at Ripley

Saturday, February 14, 1959

Valentine Day, its really rained and the new pond we had made last year is now full, but about 2 feet. We hope to have it stocked with a lot of fish and enjoy it later on in the year – all the family. Well, had a valentine from Frances yesterday. Walter was 39, 10th Feb and Nancy Carol 8, 12th of Feb, Marilyn will be 12, 22nd Feb.

The rain is still falling, Dorothy came up and fixed my hair, she walked up here in the rain. Walter was working, your dad took her back home. She is a mighty fine and good person.

? night, the weather was cooler, well with the dampness and chill, my ole arthritis really loves me and if I stay warm and in dry room, it sure doesn’t hurt as much. Richard and Johnny came for a while about 5pm and Richard asked me to go with to Mrs. John Bomar’s [Myrtle Bomar] and eat with he and the children and her. I would have but I had just had supper and really full to the brim. Richard is so good and thoughtful, has also been a good boy. He loves people and never wants to hurt any one.

Sunday, February 15, 1959

This day we went to Hinds Chapel near Horn Lake, when I say we, I mean your Dad and I, we left about 12 o’clock (noon) went through Memphis from Bellvue on 51 to Bull Frog Stop that you west if you want to go to Horn Lake, then we drove on down 52 to next crossroad. There was a store on left and deep well was written outside. We turned right off of 51 going west, followed a gravel road that past Bethlehem Presbyterian Church with a cemetery on past there, with markers we turned left and right up on hill was Hinds Cemetery and Church.

Speaking of roads, back in my childhood, the 51 highway, was known as Hernando Road and had some gravel on it, when you reached what is still, Miss. Ave, it was bricked in those days and I can still hear the horses’ hoofs as they went over the brick streets. The times I can remember as we turned off of Brooks onto Hernando Rd and then come to Nonconnah Creek, so many times they were trying to repair the wooden bride over it and Papa would drive down the bank and ford it. I was so scared of water. They would lead me across on some planks, I had a horror of turning over in that swift running water, Hernando Rd was left off from Miss Ave on South past Perry’s store, to the East is now 51 hwy. Coming from Bellvue – Nonconnah bottoms has ??? watery and full of trees. ?? has in the Civil War days my grand mother Piercy would get in a wagon with a negro to drive and go to Memphis for supplies. It was where nurses are begins or did begin in those days at Kerr Ave. That the Yankees had pickets to search everyone, some items as quinine was not allowed, my grandmother’s husband, Dr. Piercy and her brother Dr. Joe Hinds had gone to War. Grandma with her three children lived with her father, Dr. Josiah Hinds, he had an office out in the yard, people here dying of malaria and they couldn’t get quinine, so when Grandma came t Memphis from near Hernando, Miss, she wore hoop skirts and in the folds of those whoop skirts she would hide quinine. One day she told of being over

Tuesday, February 17, 1959

taken in Nonconnah bottoms and she said her heart stood in her mouth almost with fear of being found with an unusual amount of quinine that day but that wasn’t what they wanted. They had over looked some technical form – what a relief for the quinine could save a lot of lives of the people who were either old or young who had been left home. Her father was the only doctor around, he was too old to go to war. Another incident my grandmother, or maybe papa, told me was once, some neighbor shot a Yankee close to their home and my grandmother said her father felt he had better give him the best care possible and he told Grandma Frances with your help we’ll do our best. He put the Yankee in the office in front yard and Grandma carried him feed and they helped him to get well. They felt if he should die the Yankees might come and burn them but Grandma said her sister 20 years younger thank her, Mary Hinds, and Grandma’s daughter, Mary Frances Piercy,

Wednesday, February 18, 1959

both could sing and often when the Yankees came my Great Aunt Mary Hinds and my Aunt Mary Piercy would sit on front porch and sing. The Yankees listened and went on. I recall serving several negroes who were slaves of my great grandfather Hinds, after I was a girl. My father told me as we would some time passing on our trips to Memphis – they still had the name Hinds, because he had been so good to them, they were fond of the family and always glad to see my father. He was a boy when the Civil War was over so they knew and remembered him as a southern gentleman, always kind, stern in the belief right was the course all should follow.

Next, section to be posted 7-14-2019.