Letter from Charles Edgar Midgett, Sr., son of Levi Midgett and his wife Caroline Ann, born 20 March 1872 in Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC and died 24 June 1951 in Miami, Dade Co., Florida. This letter is submitted by Kay Midgett Sheppard with kind permission of James Emery Midyette of Engelhard, NC who is now in possession of said letter. This letter was passed down to Mr. James Emery Midyette from his father, Benjamin Jackson Midyette, Jr. (6 Feb. 1876—12 Nov. 1952). Mr. Midyette stated he didn’t know how his father came into possession of this letter.

Punta Gorda, Fla.
March 3rd 1899

Mr. Benjamin F. Midgett
Lake Landing Hide County

Dear Sir, I met in Mobile Ala., Maurice and Frank Midgett, and they think that I and them are cousins, and I am curious to find out if we are. Maurice give me your adress and wants me to investigate the matter, perhaps you knew my Father and theres my father was named Levi Midgett, he has been dead about eighteen years. Lived in Carteret County about fifteen miles from Beaufort. Maurice’s Father was named Benjamin Franklin, they are the only people I have met by that name outside of N.C. I have one Brother in Onslow and one in Carteret County. My Father told me he had relatives in Hide County but I was small and dont remember much about it. now if you can give me any information in the matter I Will apreciate it very much. I Will go to Mobile again in three or four weeks and if you can tell me whether our fathers were Related or not please do so at the earliest convenience and you will greatly oblige

Yours Respt.

C.E. Midgett

Maurice and Frank Midgett, referred to in this letter, were sons of Benjamin Franklin Midyett, Sr. who was born 17 Nov. 1819 and died 19 Dec 1877 in Navy Cove, Baldwin Co., Alabama. He came into Alabama from Currituck Co. when he was quite young and settled there. It is said that he came by ship and met his wife, Caroline Strumer, who had just arrived from Bavaria, Germany. They had three children. After Caroline’s death in 1873 he married Caroline Nelson and they had one daughter. He was a Lighthouse Keeper at Fort Morgan, Alabama. Benjamin Franklin Midgett, Sr., to whom this letter was written, was born 2 July 1867 in Hyde County and died 24 Feb 1906. He is buried in Hyde County at Soule Cemetery. In the 1900 Hyde County census he is listed as a keeper of a home for the aged. Benjamin Franklin Midgett, Sr. and Benjamin Jackson Midyette, Jr. were cousins.

Copyright 1997

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