Descendants of Thomas Essman

Thomas Essman, my great-great-grandfather, as indicated in the October 1, 1850 Shelby County Alabama census records was born about 1820 in Tennessee. However, as indicated in the census records of (1) June 19, 1860, he was born about 1813, (2) July 13, 1870, he was born about 1811, and (3) June 19, 1880, he was born about 1815. He married on October 31, 1844 in Shelby County Alabama to Martha J. Fulton, born about 1826 in Alabama, died about 1883. She was the daughter of David Fulton and Rebecca Lindsay. Visit "David Lindsay, A Revolutionary War Soldier" for further information. Thomas Essmon, as indicated in The Gadsden Times-News, Gadsden, Alabama, Friday, January 30, 1885, "Died in Alabama ... In Siluria, Thomas Essmon" as noted on Page 2, "News of the Week" [condensed from our Exchanges]. As indicated in the 1850 through 1880 Shelby County Alabama census records, the children of Thomas and Martha Essman are as follows:

(1) Rebecca Essman, 1846-1888, my great-grandmother, married November 28, 1866 in Shelby County Alabama to Francis Marion Stamps, 1843-1878, son of Miles Stamps and Amanda Horton. Visit "The Stamps Family" for further information.

(2) Charles E. Essman, born March 1848, died May 15, 1909 at 11 a.m. in Saginaw, Shelby County Alabama. As indicated on his Certificate of Death, he died about 18 hours after receiving "injuries caused by fall off of house." He is buried in Elliottsville Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama. He enlisted on April 15, 1864 in Columbiana, Shelby County Alabama in the C.S.A., Private, Co. "B", 3rd Reserve, and later served as Sgt., Co. "I", 63rd Infantry. He was captured April 9, 1865 in the Battle of Blakeley, was on the "Roll of Prisoners of War" received at Ship Island, Mississippi on April 15, 1865, was transferred from Ship Island, Mississippi to Vicksburg, Mississippi on May 1, 1865, and was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi on May 13, 1865.

Charles E. Essman first married, probably in Shelby County Alabama, to Susan "Sudie" Tyler, born about 1849 in Coosa County Alabama, daughter of Enoch Tyler and Comfort Lewis. Their children, all born in Shelby County Alabama, (1) Annie E. Essman, born about November 1869, married in Shelby County Alabama on April 24, 1888 to William F. Wells, son of Abner J. Wells and Sarah Cunningham. It has been told that Bill Wells, as he was called, died from an injury while working at the saw mill in Saginaw, Shelby County, Alabama. The Peoples Advocate, Thursday, December 21, 1899, "Saginaw Dots ... Mr. Will Wells is still very low. His sister, Mrs. Woodward (Mariette, a.k.a. Mary E. Wells, married A.M. Woodward), of Knoxville, Tenn., is with him now...."  At the time of his death in early 1900 his wife, Annie, was expecting their sixth child. She and the child died at "child birth."  Their oldest child, Robert Edward Wells, 1889-1973, married on March 1, 1908 in Shelby County Alabama to Lillian Edith Seagle, daughter of Charles Augusta Seagle and Betty Martin Pledger. Their next child was Charles Wells, no further information after the June 19, 1900 Shelby County Alabama census records. It has been told that he, at a young age, was "hit and killed by a train."  However, the three youngest children were adopted by John L. and Maggie Hart as indicated in the April 19, 1910 Conecuh County Alabama census records. Leonard Hart, 1894-1921, Susie Hart, 1896-1921, married Gordon Henry Rowland, and William Thomas Hart, 1898-1966, are all buried in Hartwood Methodist Church Cemetery in Conecuh County Alabama. (2) Frances J. "Fannie" Essman, born about January 1873. After the death of her sister, Mattie, it has been told that Fannie married Walter Augusta Seagle, the "widowed" husband of her sister. If so, they probably married in Shelby County Alabama. "Burials by Jacobs" in Bessemer, Jefferson County Alabama indicate Fannie Seagle, died December 4, 1913 at the age of 44 years and is buried in Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. (3) Charles Thomas Essman, born March 25, 1872, died September 25, 1953 in Jefferson County Alabama. He married on January 11, 1896 in Jefferson County Alabama to Minnie Louvinia Gable, 1877-1950, daughter of William Franklin Gable and Elizabeth Goodwin. Their children were Dora Bell Essman, 1897-1938, William Walker Essman, 1898-1960, Jewel Essman, born and died 1901, Sudie E. Essman, 1903-1907, Louese Essman, 1906-1907, Elsie Atlas (Essman) Shaddix, 1908-1947, George Waller Essman, 1911-1981, Charles Alton Essman, 1914-1998, and Jessie Edward Essman, 1917-1983. (4) Sintha Kate Essman, born about 1876. She married Reuben Green Carter in Shelby County Alabama on March 8, 1894. They had no children, and she was deceased at the time of the June 15, 1900 Shelby County Alabama census records. His parents were William James M. Carter and Martha A. S. Willingham. (5) Joseph S. Essman, born April 22, 1877, died January 24, 1916 in Jefferson County Alabama. On November 12, 1899 in Shelby County Alabama he married Lexie Knowles, 1881-1942, daughter of William Knowles and Nancy C. Mowdy. Later, Lexie, and her four sons moved to Denver, Denver County Colorado. They are all buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. Joseph S. Essman and their two children that died in infancy in 1911 and 1917 are buried in Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery in Bessemer, Jefferson County Alabama. (6) Martha Lilla Essman, born about March 1880. No further information after the June 19, 1880 and the June 19, 1900 Shelby County Alabama census records. (7) Enoch Owen Essman, born March 25, 1882, died September 27, 1945 in Jefferson County Alabama, married on May 11, 1902 in Jefferson County Alabama to Mary Melissa Goodwin, 1882-1955, daughter of Newton Columbus Goodwin and Frances "Fannie" Crotwell. Their children were Clayton Edward Essman, 1908-1928, Amelia (Essman) Bush Maynard, Mary Elizabeth (Essman) McRee, Mildred Gertrude (Essman) Grimes, Marjorie Jo (Essman) Pitts, and Enoch Owen Essman, Jr., 1921-1979. (8) James Monroe Essman, born August 13, 1886, died May 18, 1939 in Jefferson County Alabama. His last marriage was on July 31, 1909 in Shelby County Alabama to Mittie Jane Franklin, 1892-1944, daughter of Appleton Manneville Franklin and Frances P. "Fannie" Lovell. Some records indicate her name was Mary Frances Lovell, 1875-1905. The children of James Monroe and Mittie Jane Essman were Linner Vera (Essman) Vines, 1912-1986, Dewey Manneville Essman, 1915-1976, Thelma Majesta (Essman) Bell, 1918-1979, James Monroe Essman, Jr., 1922-1991, Fred Calvin Essman, 1925-1974, and Edith Joy (Essman) Knight. (9) Alma Essman, born about August 1887, died October 24, 1936 in Jefferson County Alabama, married on August 16, 1906 in Shelby County Alabama to William Harrison Seagle, 1883-1959, son of William David Seagle and Ludia Ray. (10) Mattie Essman, born about January 1889, married February 23, 1908 in Shelby County Alabama to Walter Augusta Seagle, 1887-1963, son of Charles Augusta Seagle and Betty Martin Pledger. Their child was Walter C. Seagle, born October 15, 1909, died March 25, 1910. His last marriage in Jefferson County Alabama on October 31, 1914 was to Willie Mae Lucas, daughter of Jasper Newton Lucas and Mary Idella Carlyle. In about 1918 they moved to Stiritz, Williamson County Illinois. They are buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, Williamson County Illinois.

Charles E. Essman second marriage was in Shelby County Alabama on March 28, 1895 to Miss Sallie Shaw, born about October 1859, died July 5, 1920 in Bibb County Alabama. She was the daughter of Sanders Shaw and Bessie Henderson. Charles E. and Sallie Essman had no children. Her sister, Laura Shaw, "single", born May 1840, was enumerated with them in the June 19, 1900 Shelby County Alabama census records. Also, Sallie Essman, "widowed", was enumerated in the May 4, 1910 Bibb County Alabama census records with her brother, John T. Shaw, 1855-1937, and his family.

The estate of C.E. Essman was filed in Shelby County Alabama on September 11, 1909 by Charley T. Essman. He died "leaving no last will and testament."  The heirs and distributees of the estate were Sallie Essman, widow, and his children (1) Charley T., (2) Fannie, (3) Joe, (4) Enoch, (5) Monroe, (6) Alma, and (7) Mattie.

(3) Nancy Elizabeth Essman, born about 1849, married Wiley Harris in Shelby County Alabama on December 15, 1872. No further information on Wiley and Nancy Elizabeth Harris. Could this be the same Wilie Harris that married Mary E. Jarvis, daughter of John R. Robinson and Amanda Jane (Horton) Stamps Robinson, on January 2, 1879 in Shelby County Alabama (Mary E. Robinson married Andrew J. Jarvis on July 6, 1871 in Shelby County Alabama). If so, the 1880 census indicates Wiley and Mary Harris and family were living in Bibb County Alabama. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

(4) Mary Ann Essman, born about 1850. She apparently died after the October 1, 1850 and before the June 19, 1860 Shelby County Alabama census records.

(5) Sarah J. "Sallie" Essman, born about 1851. She is enumerated in the June 19, 1860, the July 13, 1870 and the June 19, 1880 Shelby County Alabama census records. The Shelby Sentinel, Thursday, January 12, 1882, "MARRIED. Tidwell - Essman - At the residence of Mr. Thos. Essman, the bride's father, near Longview in this county, on Thursday the 29th ult., by T.F. Bailey Esq., Mr. H.J. Tidwell (correction Hampton C. Tidwell) and Miss Sallie Essman. We extend congratulations and wish them much happiness in their wedded life." Their son was Thomas Hampton Tidwell, born in Elliottsville, Shelby County, Alabama in 1883, died in 1948 in Bibb County Alabama. His mother, Sallie (Essman) Tidwell died in September 1896, as reported in The Birmingham News, dated Friday, September 4, 1896, "Blocton, Ala., Mrs. H.C. Tidwell of this place, died this week." Hampton Tidwell, 1855-1928, and his second wife are buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bibb County Alabama.

(6) Angeline Essman, born about 1854, married J.J. Davis in Shelby County Alabama on December 29, 1872. The June 22, 1880 Shelby County Alabama census records indicate, living next to James F. Essman and family, James Davis, age 28 years, "works at sawmill", born in Alabama, his parents born in Georgia, his wife, Maggie, age 23 years, born in Alabama, her father born in Tennessee, her mother born in Alabama, and their children, all born in Alabama, Emma L. Davis, daughter, age 3 years, and Sarah Davis, daughter, age 7 months. Who were his parents? No further information on James J. and Angeline "Maggie" Davis and their family. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

(7) James F. Essman, born March 5, 1849 (however, it should be about 1856), died June 22, 1919 in Smith County Texas. He married in Shelby County Alabama on May 28, 1876 to Georgia Ann Dial (should be Dyus), born June 8, 1858, died December 18, 1945 in Smith County Texas. She was the daughter of Ransom S. Dyus and Nancy J. Yarbrough from Talladega County Alabama. As indicated in the June 22, 1880 Shelby County Alabama census records their children were Ada J. Essman, daughter, age 3 years, and Jeff L. Essman, son, age 3 months. Mr. & Mrs. J.F. Essman are buried in Sand Flat Cemetery, near Antioch Baptist Church, in Smith County Texas. The obituary, The Tyler Courier-Times, Tuesday, December 18, 1945, "Mrs. J.F. Essman, 87, a resident of Smith County for more than 50 years, died at 2:15 a.m. today at her home 118 South Vine after an illness of four years. Mrs. Essman was the last member of her family. Funeral services were to be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon at the Antioch Baptist Church, were she was the oldest member. Interment was to be in the Sand Flat Cemetery under the direction of Thorndike-James-Pool Funeral Home." If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

(8) Martha Margaret Essman, born October 5, 1859, died July 4, 1920 in Jefferson County Alabama. She married William Franklin Asbury Grant, 1848-1918, in Shelby County Alabama on June 29, 1875. His first marriage on September 19, 1867 was in Tallapoosa County Alabama to Nancy Rebecca Huckerby. Their children were William Oscar Grant, 1868-1939, and Alice M. Grant Crawford, 1871-1958. The 1880 census records indicate F.A. Grant and family were enumerated in Chilton County Alabama. In 1900 Frank A. Grant and family were enumerated in Jefferson County Alabama and in 1910 Frank Grant and his wife, Margaret, were enumerated in Tuscaloosa County Alabama. Franklin A. Grant and M.M. Grant are buried in Oakland Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. Their children were (1) Samuel Eugene Grant, 1877-1956, (2) Ashley Grant, born 1879, died young, (3) Jessie C. Grant, 1884-1961, married in 1908 to John Milton Harper, (4) Mattie Lou Grant, 1886-1968, married in 1903 to Charles Watson Anderson, (5) C. Frank Grant, 1890-1913, and (6) Grace C. Grant, 1894-1973. Miss Grace Grant retired in 1961 as an elementary teacher with the Birmingham, Alabama City School system. She was never indicated in any census records with F.A. and Margaret Grant, however, she was indicated as a "sister" to Jessie C. Harper in her obituary and the 1910 census indicate that Margaret Grant had "10 children born, 5 children living at that time."   If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

(9) Carrie Bamissa Essman, born about June 1866. As indicated in the 1900 and 1910 Shelby County Alabama census records she married in about 1881 to Frank M. Coe, 1860-1911. Their children were Maggie Margaret Coe, 1883-1956, married in Shelby County Alabama on December 20, 1906 to William Jasper Harrison, 1881-1926, Clifford Conley Coe, 1885-1966, Thomas Essman Coe, 1882-1962, and Robert Emmett Coe, 1890-1939.

I would appreciate any additional information that anyone could provide me to further expand my knowledge of the ESSMAN families from Shelby County Alabama. Please e-mail me at bjseales@bellsouth.net.