April 22, 1887 Letter from James A. Benson of Washington, GA to John F. Armstrong about the Interstate Commerce Commission
March 23, 2018Irish-born merchant James A. Benson (c1843-1913) of Washington, GA wrote this letter to John F. Armstrong on 22 April 1887. In it, he expressed concern that the Interstate Commerce Commission “discriminated against our town”. He addressed JF as “My dear John” and signed the letter as “I am with best wishes, yrs. truly, Jas. A. Benson”.
According to JF and Sarah McAndrew Armstrong‘s descendants, JF and Sarah sent their son, Frank (1872-1884), to recuperate at the Benson’s home in Washington, GA after he became sick on the way home from a trip to Ireland. He died in his sister May‘s arms on the Washington, GA line of the Georgia railroad on his twelfth birthday, August 16, 1884.
For more information on James A. Benson, see the references and attached notes below.
Marie Van Sant Hudson provided most of the research for this post.
References
“Augusta News,” Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA), 20 August 1884, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/34217026/?terms=Armstrong : accessed 23 March 2018), citing original p. 2 [835].—-Notes: Obituary for Francis “Frank” Bernard Armstrong (16 August 1872-16 August 1884), the oldest child of John F. Armstrong and Sarah McAndrew Armstrong. Frank died on his twelfth birthday on the Washington (GA) line of the Georgia Railroad.
Candler, Allen Daniel and Clement Anselm Evans, “Benson, James Ambrose,” Georgia: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, Volume 1, (Atlanta: State Historical Association, 1906), 174-175; digital images, Google Books (MzAE#v=onepage&q=james a benson washington%2C wilkes co georgia&f=false : accessed 27 March 2016).—-Notes: Short bio of James A. Benson of Washington Co., GA. Says he was born and raised in County Sligo, Ireland but his obit in the 13 June 1913 Augusta Chronicle said he was born in County Leitrim.
Casey, Frances “Frankie” Armstrong (1893-1988), daughter of JF and Sarah’s oldest child Mary Ellen “May” Armstrong Casey Morrison (1870-1950), taped interview in Augusta, GA by Tulie Wheeler Taylor, Tallahassee, FL, 1984.—-Notes: According to family stories passed down, Frank had gone to Ireland with his father and gotten sick on the trip home. He was sent to live with friends in Washington, GA to rest and get well. They sent word to Augusta that he was getting worse and his older sister May, age fourteen, was sent to bring him home. She woke on the train on 12 August 1884, his birthday, to find him dead in her arms. In a 1984 taped interview, Frances Armstrong Casey, Sarah and JF’s oldest grandchild and who was named for Frank, said that he had lived with James Benson and his family in Washington.
“Mr. Jas. A. Benson Died In Savannah: Was One of Leading Citizens of Washington, Ga. – Was father of Mrs. D. P. O’Connor of Augusta – Remains Pass Through This City Today,” Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA), 13 June 1913, online archives, Genealogybank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 13 March 2014), citing original p. 7.