MYSTERIES |
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Family tradition has
always
stated that
Maximillan came to Georgia around 1800 as a stowaway from
Scotland.
It is believed he was 12 years old when he arrived and soon moved to
Tattnall
county and began farming. But a letter popped up a few years ago
and it has caused many to wonder if there is not a very different and
interesting
story about who he really was.
In 1985, Carolyn Wildes Cunningham was presented with a letter written 09 Dec. 1820. The letter was written by Richard Henry Wilde to Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Sumner Wilde. The letter mentions a bond between the men of friendship and/or family. R.H. Wilde is trying to encourage the judge to forgive his son, James, for marrying young and not following the steps of his father. In other words, James is the son of the judge. Also, he mentions that James is no longer spelling the family name the same way. He's now spelling it, "Wildes." And he is no longer using the name James. Instead, he has changed it to "Maxey Millan," by satirically rearranging the spelling of "Maximillian." The letter also indicates that James found a ship's captain to support a rumour that he arrived in Savannah as a stowaway from Scotland. Carolyn did extensive research to see if she could prove the letter to be genuine. Her research shows some strong points that support the letter, but also many weaknesses. Nevertheless, her research is very informative and gives more food for thought. Read the information and
draw
your own
conclusions. If either story can be supported with facts, it will
be included here in this forum.
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