PARENTS: Nathaniel Godbold and Harriet Jane Ruff, who were from Lowndes Co., AL but died near Elysian Fields, Harrison Co., TX. (Near Marshall and Wascom)

HUSBAND: Sidney Witherspoon Cowling, married July 5, 1866 she was married to Captain Sidney Witherspoon Cowling at her Uncle Ransom Ruff's Home.

Epitath: "A fond mother and a friend to all."

AN 1866 WEDDING LETTER:

(From Cabins to Mansions - Gleanings from Southwest Alabama, Published 1981, By Mary E. Brantley)

Excerpts from a copy of a letter in my possession, written by a bride in 1866. The bride was Miss Hattie Godbold, daughter of Nathan Godbold, and born in Conecuh County, Alabama. She was writing this letter to her aunt and uncle, the Levy (Levi)_ Godbolds who had moved to Texas.

Lowndes Co., Ala.
July 20, 1866

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Godbold

My dear aunt and uncle, I have only written you once since I visited with you. I postponed writing until I saw aunt Cynthia.

Things have changed considerable with me. I am now going to tell you something which will astonish you very much. I am married - No longer Miss. Hattie Godbold but now the wife of Capt. Sidney W. Cowling. I was married on the 5th of the month - just two weeks ago today. I am perfectly happy. Think I have done exceedingly well. Pa is perfectly delighted with my selection. I felt a little awkward at first when I started keeping house but am now getting used to it. I was married at Uncle Ransom Ruff's in the evening - about 6 o'clock. We drove ten miles over to his mother's. We had a very large party given us that night and next day we all went to his home.

Pa knew the Cowling family well. It is one of the first families in the county. His mother and uncle Ransom's wife are sisters. He is farming now, but was educated for a physician. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Pa and my nieces, I reckon, will return to Texas this summer and I will remain here until winter.

Now I know you want to hear about Aunt Cynthia. She and her daughters do all the work about the house. They haven't a servant to help them---only two or three on the farm. She has raised the smartest set of girls I think I have ever saw. I think that they are the most intelligent girls I have ever seen. The go very little into society - they say because they are not able to go out in the first circles, they will not go at all. Like the balance of us, they are proud and highminded. I admire the for it. Aunt Cynthia's oldest son, John Godbold, has returned from the war. He is more wounded than any (soildier) I have ever seen. His lower jaw is almost gone.
(Several paragraphs omitted)

Your devoted niece

Hattie Cowling