On December 3, I received an interesting letter from Ms. Lorraine Cates ... regarding inquiry about early Farmington settlers. The following is my reply to her letter:

Dear Ms. Cates - Thank you for your letter received yesterday via LBN, and all the interesting names you give re early settlers of Farmington and vicinity ... About your mention of attending Hildebrand open house. We couldn't make it; I'm sure it was interesting as history of this community.

As for George family mentioned in your letter. You have probably checked "History of Southeast Missouri" by Robert Sidney Douglas, available in most libraries. It names a Solomon George: "William Reed was the first settler in the Bellevue Valley in Iron County. He came in 1798, having received permission of Du Luziere, the Spanish official in charge of New Burbon. Solomon George came about the same time and made his home on the Little St. Francois." (This is the first time I have seen the word "Solomon." It is usually spelled "Silas." Or is this the same person?)

Re the name William Patterson, the same book mentions the Village of Patterson in Wayne County in 1802. It mentions Andrew Patterson, a second lieutenant during Indian trouble in 1814; and there is John Patterson, early settler in Cape Girardeau in 1804. But I see no William Patterson here.

My mother who passed on in 1960 was "Keeper of Records" in our family - mostly in her head. She maybe would have known Estes family whom you mention. I don't, I'm sorry to say. I wish now that I had asked her (my mother) about many things, but when we are young, who cares about ancestors! Isn't that the way? I marvel at the hardships these people went through, don't you? - and how easy we have it now. Should I run on to Estes family info (via "talking around") I shall let you know. (End of letter)."

Perhaps some of these names will ring a bell with you readers and you can share that information with Ms. Cates ... The threads of research, what mystery! Maybe a few million dollars lie hidden out there; awaiting your claim as the right relative. In which case, (now what was the name? Whatever), I'm sure I'm related. Closely!

A second letter which I received from Ms. Cates talks about William Patterson. It says: - "William Patterson is mentioned as taking the oath of allegiance to the king to secure a land grant in Judge Houck's "Spanish Regime." He is also, I'm sure, the same William Patterson who accompanied Henry Fry (Padzett) and Nancy Baker to Ste. Genevieve to be marrid when they were way laid by Indians at the Terre Bleu Crossing. (Henry Thompson's "Our Lead Belt Heritage").

"I marvel at our ancestors movability when you figure their modes of transportation ... flat boat, ox cart, horse-drawn rigs and good ole shanks mare.

"William Patterson was a blacksmith and farmer if you go by the will he left, dated 1808. His son John had the distinction of being the first criminal court case in St. Francois Co. Henry Thompson maintains he escaped (John) from jail before being hung. A cousin and I still argue this point. The interesting sidelight is that Moses Austin put up part of his bail during the trial - which my cousin says was rigged. This was all back in 1825." (End of letter).

A "P.S." to the letter adds: "When I was 'young' and asked questions, I was told, 'Now, Lorraine, you don't want to open up a lot of closets.'"