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This is Page 1 of a letter written by Virginia Kirk, wife of Allen C. Kirk, to my brother Jerry F. Bott in reference to an inquiry about our KIRK genealogy. This letter is significant in that it has maiden names, birth dates, death dates from a family bible.

It is additional evidence that the wife of Abner B. Kirk was Rachel Kirk nee Arledge. Note that it was a variant spelling and spelled Aldridge in the bible. That is also the spelling used in Federal Census records for her father, John H. and Milly Ann Aldridge nee Rowell.

Additional information on this subject came from my grandmother, Emma Lucille Bott nee Kirk, one of Abner and Rachel’s daughters. All of Emma's family has always said that Rachel was an Aldridge/Arledge.

Some researchers have suggested that Rachel's maiden name was Weeks and not Arledge. It appears that there were two Abner kirks and two Rachels with similar birth years. However, until and if, there is proof that Rachel was a Weeks and not an Arledge, I will remain firmly in the Arledge camp.

Jeff L. Bott
April 30, 2008

This is Page 2 of a letter written by Virginia Kirk, wife of Allen C. Kirk, to my brother Jerry F. Bott in reference to an inquiry about our KIRK genealogy. This letter is significant in that it has maiden names, birth dates, death dates from a family bible.

It is additional evidence that the wife of Abner B. Kirk was Rachel Kirk nee Arledge. Note that it was a variant spelling and spelled Aldridge in the bible. That is also the spelling used in Federal Census records for her father, John H. and Milly Ann Aldridge nee Rowell.

Additional information on this subject came from my grandmother, Emma Lucille Bott nee Kirk, one of Abner and Rachel’s daughters. All of Emma's family has always said that Rachel was an Aldridge/Arledge.

Some researchers have suggested that Rachel's maiden name was Weeks and not Arledge. It appears that there were two Abner kirks and two Rachels with similar birth years. However, until and if, there is proof that Rachel was a Weeks and not an Arledge, I will remain firmly in the Arledge camp.

Jeff L. Bott
April 30, 2008

June 19, 1906
Tyler Daily Courier