Letter

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Feb. 19, 1947

Dearest Family!

Last night when Papa arrived from work, I said, “Surprise awaits you! We have a telegram!” He laughed and replied, “That always means a baby! But it is too soon for Anna Bob’s!” I said, Read it.”

 “Petersburg, Virginia. 1004 A. M. Feb. 18, 1947.
Charles William 4 born five A.M. Both Fine. Bill Sydnor.”

So the Sydnors have added a King to their 4 Queens! What a wonderful family!

I am so thrilled over that 4 I am just on top of the world! Bill has always written his name, C. W. Sydnor, Jr., but I suppose he must be III, and has held out the knowledge from me for the10 years he has been in our family. Well that IV sounds just like royalty to me, and I will carry my chin in the air over it for all the rest of my life!

When I was a child I used to hear my father and uncles express their utter contempt for the lowest class of people by saying,  “Well, if you asked who was his grandfather, the answer would be ^'Unknown'” But no one can ever say that of my newest grandson for you know the names of the paternal line for 4 generations when you bear his name or see it written, and I am the proudest woman in the world over it, as it is an honor I had despaired of ever attaining in my lifetime.

I think that Bill would have to take the 4 girls to Richmond to see their brother through a glass window in the hospital, as I do not believe they could possibly wait 10 days for his coming home. They would “Clamor^" to see the boy baby until he would take them for his own peace.

I never could have but one baby in 9 mouths myself, but when Anna Bob’s baby arrives in April, I will have had 4 grandchildren in 9 months by my 4 daughters, which is quite a record!  I sent Jim a dear little girl picture of Anna Bob to show him what his daughter will look like, but now be­lieve it will be a son. We have 7 granddaughters, and 4 grandsons, so think the next 3 will be boys to even the record.

The grandsons are named John Dudley Keenan, James Henderson Keenan, Robert McLain Coulter, and Charles William Sydnor, lV, so all the familiar names are included. Whatever name Anna Bob gives her son will probably be at least one name like one of his cousins, as all have been used now.

I am enclosing our usual gift of $1.00 for a Savings Account for his education. Both of his parents are graduates of a University so hope he will be also, and keep this dollar to start on it.

I see now why Carrie did not go to West Point with Bill, nor plan to go to Charleston with him, another reason for not wishing to move to N.Y. and why they have had the good cook since Christmas.

I now have 5 grandchildren I have never seen, so am getting farther and farther behind all the time, but hope to see 2 of them in March.

Bill is certainly a modest person for I did not learn that his mother was a granddaughter of Bishop Meade, until I learned his sister’s middle name was Meade. But now he will be so proud of that son, he will keep quiet about his family no longer. He is also only person in world who sends a telegram of 8 words when 10 would cost no more. Best of all were the 2 words “Both fine” which makes us very happy indeed and is very comforting. I prey he will be a true Christian and good citizen and make this world better be­cause he has lived in it.

Love, Mama.