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Office Of
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M. R. Buttery
Sheriff of Hancock County
Sneedville, Tenn
May 10, 1897
Mr. Mc Donald Furman
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