26. Friends from everywhere, and all races!
Dear folks, It has been really touching today to read about the life and mission of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. It brings quite a few thoughts to my mind. These are from the histories of Pratt and Ruth Miles book. My great-great grandfather, on my mother's side, John Lowe Butler, whose journal is included in our book of my ancestors, was married in Tennessee in 1831, and given 2 slaves as a wedding present from his wife's family. They became converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and were baptized in 1835. This is in their history: (On Page 119) "At the wedding celebration held in their home, parents of bride Caroline Skeen, surprised her with three special gifts. According to family tradition, Jesse and Keziah Skeen, gave her an expensive sidesaddle so she could ride horseback in style, like a Southern woman of breeding should. They also presented to her and new son-in-law John Lowe Butler -- handsome, tall, and blue-eyed, two