A Path Between Paris and Montgomery

After ten years of marriage, Dr. Bibb and his wife, Susanna, had birthed their four children, Mattie Gilmer Bibb, Dr. James Porter Bibb, George Dunlap Bibb, and Fred Lewis Bibb. The photo shows the distinguished Dr. Bibb and his exquisite mustache.

A hand-written letter with an attached lock of blond hair arrived in Montgomery in 1888. The author, Clintie Porter, was married to Susanna's brother, Dudley. Mattie, the child mentioned in the following letter, was the only daughter of the Bibbs, and she was my grandmother.

From Cousin Clintie Porter to Susanna. D. P. Bibb (Mamie)

Paris, Tennessee

May 24, 1888

Montgomery, Alabama

Dear Cousin Susie,
"Dudley and I were delighted to get little Mattie’s picture. Tell her it is just like her and everyone that has seen it says it is beautiful. I know little Dudley thought it was pretty too, for I was afraid he would ruin it kissing it, before I could get it away from him. …
I have thirty young turkeys. I am afraid I won’t raise many though for little Dudley runs them every day and yesterday killed one! ….Little Dudley hasn’t any pictures but requests me to send little Mattie one of his curls."
With much love
Yours affectionately
Clintie
The home is the Porter home in Paris, Tennessee, and the photo represents four generations of family.