...... Office Of .........
M. R. Buttery
Sheriff of Hancock County
Sneedville, Tenn
May 10, 1897
M. R. Buttery
Sheriff of Hancock County
Sneedville, Tenn
May 10, 1897
Mr. Mc Donald Furman
Ramsey, S. C.
Ramsey, S. C.
Dear Sir: I would have written you sooner but got your letter mislaid.
The man Hatfield you inquire about is no relation to the notorious Hatfield of Kentucky. As to the Melungeons I know of no book containing any history of them. They are a peculiar set of people, most of them are very dark, straight hair and high cheek bones resemble a Cherokee Indian. Since the war they have become civilized and a great many of them are good citizens and good livers. I knew old Sol Collins when I was a little boy and was well acquainted with two of his boys and one his girls. I guess she is the largest woman in the State. She ways about five hundred pounds. If you will write Capt L. M. Jarvis of Sneedville he will write you a good history of the Melungeons.
Yours Respectfully,
M.R. Buttery
