| Summary: | Florence historian Lee Freeman: this is a letter from Reuben Patterson (1836-1929), a cook and former slave who moved to Florence ca. 1868 with his former master, Col. Josiah Patterson, expressing his "heartfelt thanks" to several "white gentlemen" who had presented him with a suit of clothes in gratitude for his efforts with other members of the black community of Florence, in assisting white residents in fighting a disastrous fire on Sunday, December 7, 1868 which destroyed "a whole Square [Court Square, the area surrounding the court house] with the exception of one house." Several homes and businesses in Court Square, including the businesses of black businessmen John H. Rapier, Sr. and the stable of Rush Patton, Sr. were wiped out by this fire (Rush's horses and buggies were saved). Editor Dr. David R. Lindsay (brother of AL Governor Robert B. Lindsay and uncle of Maud Lindsay) of the Florence Journal of Wednesday, December 10, 1868 stated: "The colored folks were out in good numbers, many of whom strove with a praiseworthy emulation, vieing [sic] with the whites in the labor of an imperative duty. The exertions of many of the colored men were noticed, and the names of those of them who labored so faithfully and efficiently are noted down, and will neither be forgotten nor overlooked."
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