Nicholas and Mahala Carter Young

Letter written by Estella Young Carwile

My grandfather, Cecil Thomas Young (great grandson of Nicholas Young and Mahala Carter), began his genealogical research in the 1960s. He contacted various members of his extended family, asking them questions and gathering genealogical information. He must have contacted Estella Young Carwile, daughter of Nicholas and Mahala. The letter she wrote to him appears to be a response to his inquiry. My grandmother, Cecil's widow, preserved this letter (see contributors). I was made aware of it in Dec. 2005 while visiting her.

There is significant information mentioned in Estella's letter.

It establishes that Nicholas did have an older brother by the same name.
She relates the reason for having two boys named Nicholas in the same family.
Estella indicates that three of Nicholas Young's older siblings (Nicholas, John, and Annie) went to California before he was born. Our research suggests that Estella, in her older years at the time she wrote this letter, was mixing up the details of two separate stories.

First, our research indicates that at least the older sibling Nicholas went to the U.S. (not California) prior to his brother Nicholas' 1846 birth. It is possible, but not documented, that other siblings may have immigrated at the same time.

Second, Estella correctly relates that the sibings Nicholas, John, and Annie went to California. The older Nicholas was NOT in California prior to 1846. He naturalized in New Orleans in 1847 and then was in San Francisco in 1850.
She mentions Nicholas Young's brother Peter.
She relates information about Nicholas and his brothers' civil war service.
She indicates that Nicholas was the youngest child in his family. (Note: My research findings suggest that Nicholas was the youngest LIVING child in his family.)

Estella's letter Dec. 1964 page 1

Estella's letter Dec. 1964 page 2

Estella's letter Dec. 1964 page 3

Updated September 15, 2006