MR. EDITOR — I wish to inquire
for my relatives — my mother, sis-
ters [sisters] and brothers. My mother's
name was Annie Straan; she be-
longed [belonged] to Billie Straan. We were
first brought from Butt's county,
Georgia, and from there to Ala-
bama [Alabama]; from there to Mississippi,
and from there to East Texas, Jas-
per [Jasper] County. Our owner, Billie
Straan, got in debt in Alabama,
and run away with us to Texas, be-
cause [because] his property was to be levied
on. The sheriff came to Texas for
us, and took my mother and five
children back, but Martha and
Maria remained out here with our
old owner, Billie Straan. The
sheriff was Billie Straan's brother,
Sam Straan. My brothers are
named Columbus and Richard;
sisters are Hannah, Betsy, Matilda,
Amanda and Martha Maria. Sis-
ter [Sister] Hannah is the oldest and
Amanda next. Hannah was left
in Alabama. When last heard
from they were all still in Alabama.
Sister Martha Maria is dead. I
heard indirectly from them a few
years ago, but nothing definite
enough to give satisfaction. Sam
Straan, my owner's brother, that
carried my mother and five chil-
dren [children] back to Alabama, I heard,
got shipwrecked while on his way
back to Texas after Martha Maria
and myself. I am alone here in
Texas, with no relative except two
of my deceased sister's children.
Aunt Mary is dead; also old Billie
Straan. My name was formerly
Amanda Straan, but is now Amanda
Whitfield. I wish to know if any
are yet living in Alabama, Louis-
iana [Louisiana] or Georgia, for I am very
anxious to hear from some of my
people. This is the second letter I
have written, but have never had
an answer. Aunt Mary Straan's
two daughters, Caroline and Har-
riett [Harriett], are still living and anxious to
hear from any of our people. Aunt
Mary Straan is a fellow servant of
my mother, Annie Straan. Ad-
dress [Address] in care of the M. E. Church,
Amanda Whitfield, Columbus,
Texas."