THE REIDS OF GRIFFIN, GEORGIA
The Griffin, Georgia Roots of the Reid Family
Letters from Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor to his mother, Maybelle Reid Allen, during his 1978 visit to Griffin, Georgia to explore the Reid family roots
Letters written to and from Muriel Reid Kranson while she was researching the Reid family history in Griffin, Georgia
The Kitty Reid Family In The Griffin, Georgia Census
Records from 1870 and 1880
THE MURIEL LETTERS
Muriel Reid Kranson—the daughter of Thomas Reid Jr., the granddaughter of Thomas Reid Sr. and Virginia Reid—was the first, and probably the most important, family historian of the Reids of California. She collected much of the information that has helped the family reconstruct the Reid family history. During the 1960's, Muriel wrote and received several letters to and from descendants of the brother and sister of Thomas Reid, Sr. detailing some of those family ties. These letters were passed down to and preserved for the family by Ivy Reid Lewis, daughter of Charlie Reid and another of the important Reid family historians.
Two of the Muriel letters—one from the daughter of Lela Reid Simmons, the other from the daughter of Richard Reid—are reproduced below. Judging from the fact that Annie Akins was not sure of the relationship between her father, Richard, and her aunt, Leila, and Thomas Reid Sr. of Berkeley, the letters between Annie Akins and Cousin Muriel appear to have been the first contact between the Reids of California and the Reids of Georgia for many years. The letter from Annie Akins refers to a Julette. In a 1967 letter to Charles Reid Sr., Cousin Muriel identified that person as Julette (or Juliette) Gay, a Los Angeles resident at the time who was one of Thomas Reid Sr.'s grandnieces and, most likely, the granddaughter of Lela Reid Simmons, Thomas Reid Sr.'s older sister.
July 18, 1967
Annie Pearl Reid Akins to Muriel Kranson
Griffin, GADear Mrs. Kranson,
Receive letter. My name is Annie Pearl Reid Akins. My father name were Richard Reid. Everybody call him Dick Reid. My aunt, his sister, were name Leila B Simmons. They both now is dead. I do not know if Mr. [Thomas] Reid were related to them. My phone number is ____________.
Cousin Maggie [Margaret Burden], Aunt Leila' only daughter, is married and Juliette can tell you about here.
I don't know who my dad's father was. I know his mother were nam Kitty.
I haven't pictures of Aunt Leila or Dad's house were once and everything were in it. I am living in house where I was born. Of course it [can't decipher] once. I'm 57 years old. I have 6 of Edith's kids. The one who live with Julette and 3 of my niece who leave her kids here with me. The oldest daughter of Edith I've had her every since she was 1 years old. She go to college at Albany State. This term will be her 2nd year.
You have lots of folk there. It's about 3 Reids here and they is only 2nd cousin.
Look to hear from Julette and go to see her. I'm sure you both will be glad to see each other. Looking to hear from you again soon.
Annie P. Akins
August 13, 1967
Margaret Burden to Muriel Kranson
Minneapolis, MNDear Mrs. Kranson:
Your letter came as one of life's strange, unexplained experiences.
I was looking at a picture of my mother, singing her favorite hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," and crying, for I have never after 30 years gotten over my mother's death—the door-bell rang and the postman handed me your envelope.
When I opened it my mother's picture fell out. You can imagine how amazed I was.
It is so nice hearing from one in her brother's family after so many years.
I know she was part Indian for she looked it and told me many times that her mother's (Kitty Reid) mother was a full blooded Indian.
I do not know the names of my grandmother's mother or father.
My mother's father was white. His name was Johnson. I think his first name was Thomas.
My mother had 3 brothers, Richard (Dick), Thomas ("Tump") and Sancho Panza, all dead. We have a cousin in Chicago who may know more of the family history. His name is Emmett Reid, 6214 [street difficult to read] Blvd.
I hope to hear from you again, and often.
I would love to have a picture of you and your family.
Include the pictures.
With best wishes,
Margaret Burden
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