Robert Roan Tomison born 10 Feb 1833 in Alabama (We think. He gave many answers to the census takers) and died 20 Jun 1919 in Bell County, Texas. We was the son of James Tomison and Charlotte Ridgeway (we think) Tomison. Robert and his family lived in Jasper County in the early 1850s. Below are the transcriptions of 3 letters written by Robert Roan Tomison and 2 background letters from Hennis cousins.  

  Received from Steven Boman 03 Sep 2008
Howdy cuz,
back in 1979, I received a letter from Edna Mae Hennis Wright (Mae Wright), who was the daughter of Lewis D Hennis, a son of William and Malissa (Tomison) Hennis. She had been to Odessa, Texas and had visited with my Aunt Helen Hughes and had allowed Dianne to copy a letter she and her family had for many years from R. R. Tomison in Jasper county, Mississippi. Here is a copy word for word of her letter. I would scan it but it is in bad condition and is difficult to read due to the type writer ribbon being very used and the print was very faded.

  LETTER FROM MAE WRIGHT                
April 24, 1979
Dear Steven,

      I've been to Odessa and visited with your aunt Helen, she and Diane read the letter from R. R. Tomison and copied it, did they send you a copy? I believe Grandmother's name was spelled Tomison because I believe R. R. must have been her brother for she must have been there with him, because in one letter he said, Malissa sent her best regards. I remember my dad telling of his parents being the only Hennis's coming from the old country but I can't remember the country, so I asked you Aunt Vada and she said it was Grandfather and a brother, so James R maybe the brother. Vada didn't know the country they were from, but said they settled in Mississippi. Grandfather and Grandmother were in Miss. in 1852 and James was in Alabama in 1830, unless we find some records in Jasper, Mississippi.

     Maybe Grandfather and Grandmother marriage records and hopefully may tell who were their parents and where they were from.  

 Here is a copy of the letters I have:

Letter from RR Tomison #1
November 23, 1852
Jasper, County Mississippi
Dear Brother and Sister,
     I take my pin in hand to inform you that I and we is well at this time hoping those few lines may find you all well and enjoying the same state of health. I can inform you that I have failed in getting you the money that I intended to and if can make out to get here by selling of your property. I want you to come to and we will all help you all we can. I can inform you that Malisy was married on October 10, 1852 to a man by the name of William Hennis and also I was married to a girl by the name of Nancy Williams November the 10, 1852. She sends her best regards to you all. I want to see  you all very much and I hope that you will come to this country. (one sentence is voided out) your affectnit brother and sister untill death

                                                    R. R. Tomison and
                                                     Nancy Tomison, November 23, 1852
He didn't put to whom this letter was to at the gretting but at the end was another name and address.        

   To: Mr. Willi Tomison 
         Anbansia Oarkson Coanin
         Yolkson Fort County
This address is what we can make out.  

  Letter from RR Tomison #2
Jaspper County, Mississippi
May 23, 1852
Dear Brother and Sister,

     I now take my penn in hand to inform youthat we are in toberble good health. At this time hoping those few lines may find you in good health. I can inform you that I have nat recieved a letter from you in about 5 manths. I hope if you recieve this letter that you will write to me. I want you to come to this country if it is in your power.

     (too faded             ) that I am settled for life for I have got as good a place as this country a fords, and I am in about 15 miles of the railroad which will be in operation in about 2 years. We want to see you all once more if it is the will of God. My crop is very good for the season. We are very dry at this time. Crops is very good in this country. I want you to write to me ( fadeed out, unreadable) Charloty Ridgeway and I.  

Letter from RR Tomison #3
Church letter of Charloty Tomison
The State of Mississippi
Jasper county

We the primitive Baptist Church at Bethada Belonging to the Loiouarist Assosiation Do Hear by Certify that our Beloved Sister Chalota Tomison is in our fellowship, with us and is Dismist from us when joined to another Church of the same Faith and order. Dorn in Comference , Saturday Before the first Sabath in November, 1856
         Wade H Crawford  Modmaster
          R R Rogers            Clerke Protctar
                                      this November the I'st 1856

I'ld send the phothostadic copy but I think you may not can read them, so I'm sending to you what we copied.
                                    I hope this helps you out a little
                                    Sincerly yours,
                                     Mae Wright:

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