"Some of the letters were quite colorful as they related to Harley's pre-marriage days in McHenry County. There was correspondence with a friend of his named Sam Kelly, who used some pretty rough language (about men and women)."
Copies were made of those letters and most remain in the possession of the Parentis. Another set of copies was presented to the county historical society museum in Union. The originals, according to Mrs. Parenti, are now in the archives of the Illinois State Historical Society.
"Mr. Britton was about 76 years old when he came to visit us," said Mrs. Parenti. His wife, Esther, had died around 1948 or so. He lived another ten years and we kept somewhat in touch."
Britton's will left a carriage stepping stone, four of Captain Harley Wayne's tunic buttons from the Civil War and other mementos in the possession of the Parentis.
"He thought the stepping stone (which has Wayne inscribed on the side of it) went with the house and when and if we sell the house it will stay here," said Mrs. Parenti. "As well as the other memorabilia we have concerning the Waynes.
--Old Secesh
No comments:
Post a Comment