Mary Polly Harper ¹

   Another name for Mary was Polly Harper.

  General Notes:

The following letter was written by Polly Harper Kirk to her sister Sarah Harper Shaver during the Civil War. The original was presented to Mary (Polly) Kirk's grandson, J. Durham Caston of Heath Springs, South Carolina by Rosa Roshee (Mrs. P.W.) Shaver of Herbert, Alabama.
The letter follows:

"South Carolina:
Lancaster District: dear Sister I seat myself to answer your kind letter I received and to inform you we are will ate present and hoping these few lines may find you well and to inform you of my troubles - W.J. (William) was killed in the battle at Manassas on the 29th of August he was shot in the head and died instantly he had just bin in the war twelve months he was mustered in the service the 29 of August 1861 and he fell on the 29th of August 1862-- a friend wrote that W.J. died bravely at his Post - James is 1st lieut. he was in the fight at Manassas all of his officer got wounded but himself he come out with 14 men unhurt James M. Shaver has four sons in the war M.J. Shaver was in Va.. James stated he was left behind as they went on to Maryland sick. We have heard from him since

(2nd page)

Mrs. Stewmans sons has all ben in the war John A. Stewman died in Richmond the ninth of february and Phillip Stewman died in the hospital at Charleston Miles Stewman was wounded in the shoulder - his shoulder is mending but I don't think he will ever have the use of his arm again Robert and James Harper went in the 12 regt and Alfred Caskey and Cousin John Craig had three sons went in the war Robert and Thomas went in the camp that William went in that is the 12 regt and Robert did not live very long he had the meezles and he died about a month and Thomas got wounded in the arm at the fight in Richmond and he was home on furlow and he is wound at the Manassas fight Alexander went in another Camp he did not live very long he had meazles and he died with them I must cume to a close I remain your sister until death
Mary Kirk to Sarah Shaver"

Mary married Matthew Biggart Kirk, son of Matthew Kirk and Grace Johnson, about 1832. (Matthew Biggart Kirk was born on 18 Feb 1812 in Lancaster County, South Carolina and died on 7 Jan 1852.)

  Marriage Notes:

Reference Number:191335