Lucy B. Knox Marie and Louis E. Marie abt 1925

Included in the Heritage Center's vast collection of Knox Family documents are two notes about a turkey.  In 1925, Lucy Brockenbrough Knox married Louis E. Marie, Jr., an officer in the U. S. Marine Corps. In 1928, Lieutenant Marie was posted to China, where the couple apparently enjoyed sightseeing and established friendships within the military and local communities.  The following year they were transferred to the Philippines. The two notes, quoted here, are testament to the high regard in which the Maries were held, as well as to the plight of poultry in the summer of 1930.

"Dear Sir & Madames:

I am with great pleasure sending you a turkey and a fruit cake for "The 4th of July Celebration", and I hope you will all enjoy with them.

With best regards,

I am,

Yours respectfully,

Foo Ying

5, July 1930

To Lieutenant & Mrs. Marie & Mrs. Knox [Lucy's mother lived with them]

U. S. Naval Station,

Olongapo, P. I.

My dear Friends:

I am very sorry indeed that the turkey I sent you for July 4th was dead.  I think it was because of the sea sick and the turkey had been on board the Genesee for more than four days.

But now I feel very happy that I have obtained in town another one for you, and I sincerely hope you all will enjoy with it.  I know very well that you do not like me to do that at all, but to me, you know how I feel and I cannot help it, as you all have been very kind to us.  If I want to send something to a friend, I always want to see that he will make good use of it.

With best compliments,

Yours very sincerely,

Foo Ying"

Judy Chaimson

As with many businesses and organizations, the Pratt Clinic, as it was later called, began in a basement. This one was actually located in Dr. Frank Pratt's home.  Dr. Pratt worked in partnership with Dr. Blight Harrison.  The actual clinic, first called the Fredericksburg Medical Center, was built on the corner of Lewis Street and Prince Edward.  It was built on the site of Hartley Hall, an old-fashioned boarding house run by Mrs. Lindsey.  Some of the practicing physicians included Frank Pratt, Claude Nunnally, Joseph Holloway, Paul Nutter, Talley Ballou, and after World War II, James Willis and Lloyd Moss.  Dr. Moss actually worked in the Pratt Clinic right out of school, but joined the Air Force in 1942, returning to the practice in 1948. The Clinic eventually moved to a location on Fall Hill Avenue, which was later occupied by the Quarles Petroleum Company.  When Dr. Pratt retired, the group was renamed the Pratt Clinic and today has many offices around the region.

HFFI Oral Histories

1999-056-B-073, Dr. Lloyd Moss

1999-056-B-078, Frances Pratt

(Many more entries describing the Pratt Clinic can be found in the archives of the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center)