21.00--Richard Gwin; lived near Jamestown, Virginia, said to be of Scotch Irish descent; m. Sarah Chesley; one known son:

22.00--Isham Gwin; m. Mary Canterbury; eleven ch., ten known; lived in Virginia, in Sevier Co., TN, and in Harrison, Crawford, and Orange counties, IN;

23.04--John Gwin (middle name unk.)--b. in what was then NC but soon became TN, probably Sevier Co., on 7 Nov 1792; d. 7 Mar 1877 at Wilsonville, Ala.; m. 8 Apr 1812 in Blount Co., Tenn., by Joseph Walker, JP (and brother of the bride), to Jane Walker, d.o. Thomas Walker, Sr., and Elizabeth Magill, both of Virginia; nine known children;

24.01--Mary Gwin m1. Drury Roark; m2. Abel Turner
24.02--Thomas Gwin m. unk.
24.03--Isom Gwin m. Mary Burdine Wilson
24.04--William Gwin m. Roseanna "Roe" Carlisle Jones Wilson
24.05--Sarah Gwin m. Louis Basset
24.06--Mary Ann Gwin m. Joseph L. Basset
24.07--Martha J. Gwin m. Jesse Comelander
24.08--Chesley Gwin m1. Mary Frances "Fannie" Elizabeth Bell; m2. Mrs. Paralee Blevins
24.09--Louisa Gwin m1. Mr. Gaviness; m2. William G. McKnight

24.04--William Gwin (middle name unk.)--b. 18 Dec 1820 at Cahaba, AL; d. 29 April 1889 at Wilsonville, AL, buried there also; m. 12 May 1842 to RoseAnna "Roe" Carlisle Jones Wilson (b. 22 Aug. 1822, d. 29 Mar 1907 at Tampa, Fla., buried at Wilsonville, AL). [October 1999--Barbara Ward wrote: Found a marriage record Dallas Co. (AL) for a Wm. Guin and Rosa Ann Wilson 13 May 1842.]; In 1900, Roe reports having had ten children, three of whom were still living;

25.01--Mary Ann Elizabeth Gwin b. 23 April 1843; m. Robert Guy Lochridge
25.02--Martha Jane Gwin (1845-1847); -- died as infant
25.03--William Sutton Gwin (you are here--outline of his family continues below these pictures)
25.04--John Wesley Gwin, M. D. b. 15 Mar 1851; d. 29 Aug. 1877, age 26;
25.05--Rufus King Gwin b. 16 May 1853; m. Ann Turner
25.06--Lucy Marcella Gwin b. 1 Dec 1855; d. 22 Feb 1871, age 16
25.07--Isham Griffin Gwin, Sr. b. 25 Sep 1858; m. 1881 to Mary Etta (Molly) Self
25.08--unk. Gwin b. ca. 1860; d. young; [John M. Gwin Note: In May 2009, I noticed for the first time Roe's report in 1900 that she had ten ch. (not 8 as I'd believed before). Looking, then, for places the other two could've been born, this 4.5-year gap between Isham and Thomas seemed most likely.]
25.09--unk. Gwin b. ca. 1861; d. young; [John M. Gwin Note: In May 2009, I noticed for the first time Roe's report in 1900 that she had ten ch. (not 8 as I'd believed before). Looking, then, for places the other two could've been born, this 4.5-year gap between Isham and Thomas seemed most likely.]
25.10--Thomas Wilson Gwin b. 10 Feb. 1863; d. 1877;

Left:  In1982 Uncle James B. Gwin gave to his baby brother--my dad, Adrian Sutton Gwin--this photo of their grandpa--William Sutton Gwin, as a six-year-old boy ca. 1854. Center: Here's Sutton as a young man in his mid to late teens. Taken professionally in Selma, this photo appears in the old album belonging to Barbara Ward (click here to see more of this album's 70+ photos). The photo on the right was sent to me, John Gwin, by a friend in Wilsonville, AL, the late Mr. Oland D. Smith. The writing on the margin of the picture makes it clear that this is Wm. Sutton "Sutt" Gwin, taken near the end of his life (say, 1900, age 52, to 1916, age 68). His ear is exactly the same as that of my father--Adrian Sutton Gwin, WSG's grandson (12 Sep 1916 - 7 May 2001).

Here are Sutt's and Ida's Twelve Known Children:

26.01--Ida M. Gwin
26.02--William Basset Gwin
26.03--James Basset Gwin I m. Adrian ("Ada") Bell Vardaman
26.04--Kate Lula Gwin
26.05--William Sutton "Duck" Gwin, Jr. m. Georgia Craft
26.06--John Louis Gwin m. Ruth Irwin
26.07--Lucy Jane Gwin m. Lawson Rochester "Laws" "Loss" Hebb
26.08--Margaret "Maggie" Bassett Gwin
26.09--George Henry Gwin m. Valera Laruna Riddle
26.10--unk. Gwin
26.11--Nelle "Nellie" Densler Gwin m. George Marshal Marable
26.12--Peter King Gwin, Sr. m1. Betty Kate Cartwright m2. a widow, Mrs. Alma Rayner

26.01--Ida M. Gwin b. 5 Jul 1869; d. as infant 25 Jul 1870, age 1 year, 20 days;

26.02--William Basset Gwin --b. 12 Dec 1870; d. as infant 30 Nov 1871, age 11 mo., 12 days.

26.03--James Basset Gwin I b. 21 Apr 1872 at Frog Level, AL, near Bellevue, a mile or so west of Browns on the Southern RR, Dallas Co., AL  [John Gwin Note: Dad, Adrian Gwin, told me in 1999 that his mother, Adabelle, had told him when he was in high school that Jim Gwin was born near Bellevue, AL]; age 8 in the 1880 Wilsonville, AL, Census; d. 21 Oct 1921 under the wreck of Southern Railway #17 near Greensboro, AL, as the train's conductor, having lived for two hours after being thrown from the window and pinned at the waist under the railroad car in which he'd been riding; bd. at City Cem., Selma, AL; m. 22 Feb 1909 in Birmingham, AL, to Adrian ("Ada") Bell Vardaman (b. 3 Feb 1877 in Coosa Co., AL; d. 26 Feb 1954 in New Orleans, LA; bd. at Smyrna Primitive Baptist Ch. Cem. about 3 miles east of Goodwater, AL).  Jim and Ada were living in Selma when Jim's dad, Wm. Sutton Gwin, died in 1916.

27.01--James Bassett Gwin II (1 Jun 1910 - 1 Mar 1984); (family data on James Basset Gwin I's page)
27.02--John Vardaman Gwin (23 Apr 1912 -  _____); (family data on James Basset Gwin I's page)
27.03--Julia Ida Gwin (12 Dec 1914 - ___1990?); (family data on James Basset Gwin I's page)
27.04--Adrian Sutton Gwin (12 Sep 1916 - 7 May 2001); (family data on James Basset Gwin I's page)
[John Gwin NOTE: I have a note written to me by my dad, Adrian S. Gwin, dated 18 Jun 2000.  He wrote it while living in the apartment on Triviz here in Las Cruces, NM, where I visited them daily.  It reads:

"John - in the bottom drawer at left under sink cabinet in kitchen at 7 Keiffer there is a rolling pin wrapped in a cloth and with two cans for biscuit cutters on the "long" end--looks something like this (all one piece):

This was Mother's prized keepsake from Grampa Gwin, Dad's dad (who died night before I was born) HE MADE IT, turned on a footpowered lathe - gave it to her shortly after they were married on 2-22-1909 -- (the other rolling pin, somewhere there, with the spindle-prong end, is NOT HIS -I dunno where that one came from -- trash)   Keep it, give to Pat, or any of the grandchildren who will keep it -- pls. keep in family!  If one of the girl grandchildren--Courtney or Lauren, too-- is good biscuit maker, give to her!  I've used it countless times since Ma quit the boardinghouse!  It's a good rolling pin!  I've neve seen another rolling pin with only a "thumb" hold on the left, so: {Here he draws another profile sketch with an arrow pointing to the left handle}  But it's a good r.p. - I've used it years'n'years -- "handmade by footpower!"  It should have been mentioned in the "biscuits" column recently because I'm sure she got it out for that occasion--she did not cook 1st few yrs of marriage - they boarded here & there - Anniston was 1st home they bought - so she would have used the rolling pin there - and forever afterward - take care of it -- Dad"

After Dad died 7 May 2001, I returned to WV for his memorial service and to get the house ready for sale, but I could not find the rolling pin.  I remembered seeing it many times there in the kitchen over the years, but it had disappeared.  When my father-in-law, Stan Hamrick, died just days later, Sharon came to WV with our daughter Charity to help us get both houses ready to sell, and we found a hand-made rolling pin (shown here) in the trunk in the attic very similar to the one Dad described, but it's not the same one.  I believe this is one that Dad himself made, probably in the 1980's when he was making wooden kitchen utensils for everyone for Christmas, as it has the marks of his work on it and does not look to have been turned on a lathe but rather sawn and whittled into shape; further, the special thumb-only left handle is longer on this one than it is in his sketch and my memory--Grampa Sutt's was shorter, flatter--looked more like one of the wooden drawer pulls on an inexpensive chest of drawers.

I can only assume that either (1) Mother, in her dementia, gave the thing away to a relative, or (2) someone took the old one from their kitchen without Dad knowing it, and the one pictured here is one Dad had made himself.  Reader, if you know what happened to this old rolling pin, please e.mail me. I'd really like to keep it in the Gwin family, as this was Dad's wish.]

26.04--Kate Lula Gwin b. 4 Jul 1874; age 6 in the 1880 Wilsonville Census; d. 22 Aug 1953 in Tuscaloosa Co. [Vol. 36, Certif. 17519, Roll 5]; never married; she was living in Wilsonville when her dad, Wm. Sutton Gwin, died on 11 Sep 1916. [John Gwin NOTE 1: These two pictures of Kate (right) were sent to me by Virginia Cousin Ann Gray of the Basset side of the family.  They were with several other pictures (below), at least one of which was taken in Talladega, AL, in the mid-to-late 1930's; therefore, it seems likely that these may have come from that same time, meaning that Kate was possibly living in Talladega by then--or she may have been just visiting from Wilsonville (the two cities are only about 40-50 miles apart).  The respective backs read, in probably Nell's hand: "Kate Gwin and my friend Miss Sallie Pippen" (center), and "Kate out in my yard."] Kate had infantile paralysis as a child and walked with a limp--thanks for this last to cousin Martha Marable Hanson. [John Gwin NOTE 2: I speculate that Kate Lula was named for her father's first cousin, Lula Gwin, b. ca. 1861 to Chesley R. Gwin and Fannie Bell Gwin; perhaps the older Lula died just before Kate Lula was born, prompting the namesake.]

Kate Lula Gwin and friend, Miss Sallie Pippen

Aunt Kate

26.05--William Sutton "Duck" Gwin, Jr., b. 25 Dec 1875; age 4 in the 1880 Wilsonville Census; d. 1956 (?) [Ancestry.com transcription of death certificate says 5 Jul 1955 in Mobile Co. (Vol. 29, Certif. 14209, Roll 5)]; m. 18 May 1909 to Georgia Craft (b.?; d.?); according to the obituary of his father, WS Gwin, Sr., Duck was living in Little Rock, AR, when WSG Sr. died on 11 Sep 1916; one child;  [My dad, Adrian Sutton Gwin (6.3--7.4 above) told me 14 Jul 2000 that he never met this uncle but heard of him all his life.  He remembered that "Uncle Duck" lived in the Mobile, AL, area.]

Hi, I found your history of William Gwin and Ida Basset online. I am the Candice Gwin you mention who lives in St. Louis. My dad, Alan Gwin, passed away this past Tues., Nov. 14. I thought I would let you know so that you can update your records. My grandfather, David William Gwin, Jr., passed away 14 years ago. Thank you, Candice Y. Gwin Hello, I am Margaret White Gwin, wife of David Wm. Gwin who died Sept. 23, 1992. You spoke with my son Alan before he died on Nov. 14, 2006.  I have really enjoyed  trying to catch up with family history. I see where you also heard from my granddaughter Candice from St. Louis. She married Apr. 4, 2008.  Shirley Gwin Phillips lives in Mobile, Donny lives in Tenn., Betty (Elizabeth) Gwin Kepner and Beverly Gwin Jones live in Huntsville, AL, and Reba Gwin Butts is in Montgomery, AL. What area do you live in?  I have family in the Houston area, and my two living sons live near me.  Thanks for all your hard work and research. Sincerely,  Margaret Gwin

29.03--Stephen Donald Gwin b. 13 Feb. 1961; m. unk.;

30.01--Stephen Taylor Gwin, b. ca. 1991
30.02--Christopher Adam Gwin, b. ca. 1993

28.02--Shirley Kaye Gwin b. 29 Jul 1935; m1. 3 Jul 1955 to Millard Earle Cooper; div.; m2. in Aug 1965 to Henry S. Phillips

29.01--Kenneth Lehman Cooper b. 16 Apr 1956
29.02--Mack Stephen Cooper b. 29 Dec 1959
29.03--Gary William Cooper b. 19 Jan 1960

28.03--Elizabeth Lee Gwin (called "Betty") b. 13 Jan 1939; m1. William Gilbert Powell; div.; no ch.; m2. 5 Sep 1964 to Charles Owen Anderson; adpd. one son;  m3. Ken Kepner

(29.01)--Richard (Dickie) Anderson b. 13 Jun 1963

28.04--Donald Orr Gwin b. 27 Sep 1940; m. 23 Apr 1960 to Jo Ann Gale (b. 20 Jan 1939)

29.01--Donald Orr Gwin, Jr. b. 7 Mar 1962
29.02--Gregory David Gwin b. 12 Aug 1964

28.05--Reba June Gwin b. 27 Jan 1942; m1. 20 Feb 1959 to Thomas Butts (b. 13 Dec. 1941); div.; m2. James Benton; 1 dtr.; div.; rem3. Thomas Butts

29.01--Tina Lynn Butts b. 5 Jul 1959 29.02--Robin Rene Butts b. 22 Oct 1961 29.03--Donna Kaye Benton b. 17 Aug 1965 28.06--Beverly Dean Gwin b. 27 Sep 1944; m. 20 Apr 1965 to Wayne McGahee ( b. 30 Nov 1942); 1 dtr. 29.01--Kelli Lee McGahee b. 17 Jan 1966 26.06--John Louis Gwin b. 30 Sep 1877; listed as John W. Gwin, age 3 in the 1880 Wilsonville Census--however, his full name could easily have been John Wesley Louis Gwin, since he was born only days after the death of his uncle, Dr. John Wesley Gwin, for whom he was likely named; d. 18 May 1942 in Arizona; m. 19 May 1906 to Ruth Irwin (b. unk.; d. 1930); no children; according to the obituary of John's father, WS Gwin, Sr., John and Ruth were living in Prescott, AZ, when WSG Sr. died on 11 Sep 1916;  [John M. Gwin Note: In Apr 2006 I received this photo from my dear friend, Ms. Mary Elizabeth Tinney Hill, of Wilsonville, AL. I believe the John Gwin in the picture to be this John Louis Gwin, who would've been 24-25 years old and single in 1902. The Osceola "Osie" Tinney is her relative. She said, "Shelby Co. Reporter is selling a new book of pictures gathered from around the county. The book cost $43.50; this encludes postage. Let me know if you get this. Love, Mary Elizabeth Hill"] The caption under the picture, far right, says: "A group of Wilsonville's young men in front of Weldon's, 1902. Seated, left to right: John Gwin, John Bolin, Jim Kimbrough, Lon Smith, Floyd Wilkins, Eugene Wilkins, Calvin Weldon, and Ben Berham. Top row: Charlie Bolin, O. C. Wolfe, Charles Niven, Ocie Tinney, Roy Smith, Jerry Strickland, Earl Williamson, and Duncan Wilkins." Courtesy Wilsonville Public Library The near photo is my enlargement of this John Gwin whom I believe to be our John Louis Gwin.

26.07--Lucy "Lizzie" Jane Gwin b. 13 Jan 1879 in AL [listed as "Lizzie", age 21 and b. Jan 1879, in the 22 Jun 1900 census of Yavapai Co., AZ Terr.]; age 1 in the 1880 Wilsonville Census; d. 18 Nov (1957?) in Prescott, Arizona; m. 18 May 1898 to Lawson Rochester "Laws" "Loss" Hebb (b. Sep 1866 in TN [listed as "Lawson", age 33 and b. Sep 1866, in the 22 Jun 1900 census of Yavapai Co., AZ Terr.]; d. 13 Feb 1938); one child; according to the obituary of her father, WS Gwin, Sr., Lucy and Laws were living in Prescott, AZ, when WSG Sr. died on 11 Sep 1916; (Click the above link to see some photos of Aunt Lucy, Uncle Loss, and Cousin Gwin Hebb.)

[John Gwin Note: A 1907 letter to my grandfather, Jim Gwin, from his mom, Ida Gwin, seems to substantiate with all but complete certainty that the following letter from Laura Baker is correct:

Subject:  Lawson Rochester Hebb; 
Received:  2/11/02
From:  REEHWMSBRGataoldotcom    
To:  john, jmcdgwin@zianet.com

Mr. Gwin,
In response to your posted message, I believe we have a match!!  There were (2) Lawson Hebbs born in my line.  The first was the son of George Vernon Hebb and Jane Yell, my gg-grandparents.  He was born in Sep 1866 in Lincoln Co., TN;  the family moved to Wilsonville AL; I am still researching as to when.  The 2nd was the son of my g-grandfather, Richard S. Hebb and Iona Crumpton; he was born in Dec 1895 in Wilsonville. --Laura Baker ]

27.01--Unk. Hebb, b. ca. 1899 [not listed in the 22 Jun 1900 census of Yavapai Co., AZ Terr., but reported there by Lucy as having been born and died]; d. bef. 1900 as infant; bd. unk., but prob. in Yavapai Co., AZ; m. never; no ch.

27.02--Rochester Gwin "Gwin" Hebb, b. 22 Jun 1901 (in AL?); d. 28 Apr 1967; m. Apr. 1925 to Jean Crume; 1 child; [JMG NOTE:  My uncle, James B. Gwin II, from whom I inherited much or most of this information, had recorded from some unknown misinformation that Gayle, the only child of Gwin and Jean C. Hebb, was adopted. I accepted that as truth and posted it here. Later, after I had made contact with Gayle via e.mail, her son Ron had noticed this error and was distressed to discover that Gayle "was adopted". He immediately contacted her, and she contacted me, assuring me that this was not the case, that she had a copy of her birth certificate. Any reader who finds another place on this or another site which is perpetuating the error is encouraged to contact me. Thanks so much.]

28.01--Gayle A. Hebb; m. Ernest D. Cox;

29.01--Ronald Gale Cox, b. Aug 1947;

26.08--Margaret "Maggie" Bassett Gwin, b. 14 May 1880; age 1 month in the 1880 Wilsonville Census; d. in infancy 1 Aug 1880, age 79 days.

26.09--George Henry Gwin, b. 10 19 Feb 1882 at Wilsonville, Ala., d. 8 Aug 1953; [Gail Gwin Little NOTE, 26 Jan 2007:  Dad went to Florida this Christmas (2006) and finally got the information correct: George Henry Gwin b. Feb 19th, 1882 d. Aug. 8, 1953; Valera Riddle Gwin b. Dec. 20, 1886 d. Dec. 23, 1976]; m. 27 Dec 1908 to Valera Laruna Riddle of Wilsonville (b. 20 Dec 1882 1886 [listed as Valeria L. Riddle, dau, b. Dec 1886, age 13, in the 18 Jun 1900 census of Pct. #9, Wilsonville (not the town proper), Shelby Co., AL]; d. 23 Dec 1976); according to the obituary of his father, W. S. Gwin, Sr., GHG was living in Manchester, GA, when WSG Sr. died in 1916. [JMG NOTE:  My dad, the late Adrian Sutton Gwin (26.03--27.04 above) told me 14 Jul 2000 that his uncle, George Henry Gwin, was a conductor for the Seaboard RR somewhere on the east coast and went on strike.  In 1931, Dad and his family lived in Demopolis, AL, and that was the very year that Uncle George's family stopped to visit Dad's family for several days on their way to the west coast to live in Oregon where George continued to work as a railroad conductor and flagman.   He believed that Aunt Valera may have died out in Oregon; regardless, Uncle George finally retired there and moved to Florida where he lived his remaining years. [Gail Gwin Little Note:...you stated that [he] thought Valera, my grandmother, died in Oregon; she didn't, she died in Miami 3 days after her 94 90th birthday, Dec. 23, 1976.] For several years Dad and their son (Dad's first cousin), George H. Gwin II, exchanged Christmas cards, most recently in December 1998.  Dad gave me cousin George's 1998 address in Miami Springs, FL.] 27.01--Henry Riddle Gwin, b. 18 Mar 1912; d. in an accident 17 Feb 1945 (age 32); m. 26 Nov 1936 to Vivian Ione Brant; (b. 16 Jul 1917; d. unk.; m2. in 1947 to Ed Shearer); 3 children;  28.01--Henry Alan Gwin, b. 10 Oct 1937; lives near Ocala, FL, is retired, runs cattle as a hobby on his old orange grove; [Gail Gwin Little Note: m. Judith Ann Jettner (b. 26 Aug 1943; d. unk.)] 28.02--Milicent Ione Gwin, b. 13 Dec 1942; d. unk.; m. Terry Clements (b. 28 Jun 1941; d. unk.) 29.01--Jeffery Brian Clements, b. 27 Feb 1968; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.   Valera Laruna Riddle Gwin 1886 - 1976 Photo taken at Valera's home in Miami, FL, in 1974 by her granddaughter, Gail Gwin, then 13 George Henry Gwin 1882 - 1953 Photo taken  in 1931 in Demopolis, AL, at home of George's brother's widow-- Mrs. James Bassett Gwin (nee Adrian Belle Vardaman) and her family --see below 28.03--Fonda Rae Gwin, b. 3 Dec 1943 [Gail Gwin Little Note: b. 2 Dec 1942]; d. unk.; m. Peter Haddad (b. 27 Jul 1937d. unk.)] 29.01--Robert Michael Haddad, b. 10 Mar 1969; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.; 29.02--Vivian Denise Haddad, b. 13 May 1971; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;  27.02--Earl Chester Gwin, b. 14 Oct 1913; d. 16 Apr 1987; m. 18 Oct 1940 to Chelsea "Shell" Kendal (b. 4 Apr 1911; d. unk.); one child; according to the above obituary notes, he was living in Whittier, CA, when his mother died in 1976; 28.01--Irma LaVerne Gwin, b. 28 July 1941; m. N. K. Shaw (b. unk.; d. unk.); m2?. Mr. Carlson (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); at least one ch. 29.01--Tracy Lynn Shaw, b. 8 Apr 1965; d. unk.; m. Mr. Haggerty (b. unk.; d. unk.); 2 known ch. 30.01--Jenny Michelle Haggerty, b. 17 Sep 1986; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 30.02--James Dean Haggerty, b. 5 Jul 1988; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. I am LaVerne Gwin, now Carlson, and I read all the info; some needs corrections, but I was interested in the Hebb family history.  I was born here in California, and the rest of my dad's side of the family stayed in Florida.  I went to Gene Hebb's home and played with a son, so I would love to hear from Gayle Hebb if at all possible. My dad was Earl C. Gwin, formerly a line from the Suttons, and I remember "Uncle Duck" as we called him.  Nice to see the pictures of our family and a picture of my great-grandmother.  I would love to print this out, but there's so much info.  I was trying to see if the family is more Scottish or Irish or Welsh. LaVerne Carlson [In August 2003, Ms. Mary Elizabeth Tinney Hill of Wilsonville, AL, sent me a copy of her notes taken from an obituary for Valera Riddle.  Below is my transcription of those notes. --John M. Gwin] Obituary Riddle Daughter of Walter Elmore Riddle and wife #1 Valera L. Ray of Four Mile, Ala Miami News - Saturday Dec. 25, 1976...  Mrs. Valera Ray Gwin's death.  90 years old.  She came to Miami in 1943 from Oregon.  Was a member of Central Presbyterian Church. 6 children:  E. S. Gwin, Bellview, Fla.  E. C. Gwin, Whittier, Calif.  I. M. Fett, Miami J. B. Gwin, Miami  G. H. Gwin, Miami  W. C. Gwin, Lawton, OK 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; 5 of her boys served in WW II Van Orsded Coral Cables Chapel 4600 S. W. 8th St. Burial - Graceland Cem. 27.03--Elmore Sutton Gwin, b. 6 Jun 1915; d. 11 Dec 1977; m. 28 Feb 1943 to Mary E. "Betty" Flynn Dorminy [Gail Gwin Little Note: Mary Dorning Flynn] (b. 2 Jul 1915; d. unk.); one child; according to the above obituary notes, Elmore was living in Bellview, FL, when his mother, Valera Riddle Gwin, died in 1976; 28.01--Kenneth Elmore Gwin, b. 21 Nov 1943; 27.04--Ida Mae Gwin, b. 8 Aug 1918; d. aft. 1992; m. Nov 1941 to Herbert C. Fett (b. 3 Jan 1912; d. 17 Dec 1953); 3 ch.; according to the above obit. notes, she was living in Miami when her mother died in 1976; div.; From: "Kathy Fineman" kathyfinemanatgmaildotcom Date: December 26, 2007 To: "John Gwin" Subject: Herbert C. Fett Dear John, My mother, Loretta Traynor Kenny, is 86 years old.  She dictated the following to me, and since it involves Herbert C. Fett, M.D., from 1922, I thought you'd be interested.  I'm not a member of the geneology site I located you on, but please pass this on to the descendents of Dr. Fett--the older one than your cousins.  I think he'd like to know that my grandmother's crutches hung in Lourdes after his miraculous surgery saved her leg and her life. Thanks and happy holidays, Kathy Kenny Fineman [John M. Gwin Note: I found a physician, Herbert Fett, 28, in the January1920 census of Brooklyn Borough, New York City, NY, along with his wife, Maria, 24, and their two babies, John, 1yr. 8 mo., and Doris, five months. I believe this is the doctor who treated Kathy's grandmother.  No mention is made, however, of a Herbert C. Fett (who would've been age eight in 1920), so at this point, I really don't think this incident is about our Herbert C. Fett after all. Nevertheless, the story is interesting, and I present it here for the benefit of those readers who'd like to investigate it further. Thanks for sending it, Kathy!] On September 9, 1923, Loretta Traynor and her mother, Bridget Mary Clarke Traynor, were released from St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn. Loretta, the second youngest child, had been born there on September 21, 1922, and remained in the hospital while her hospitalized mother was treated for gangrene of the leg and "milk poisoning".    Bridget was called "Momma" by her children, "Gram" by her grandchildren, and Mary by her husband, Hugh. Hugh felt that "Bridget" was the stereotyped name people called their Irish maids, and his wife, whom he adored, was no maid. Mary was not expected to survive; the poison was already in her system. Dr. Murphy told Hugh to make arrangements for his and Mary's eight children at home to be spread around to family members, since a single working father couldn't care for eight small children on his own.  Mary's sister Nelly, against her husband's wishes, promised to keep them all; no one was going to separate her sister's children if Mary died. Surgery was scheduled to amputate her gangrenous leg when Dr. Mahoney, Mary's surgeon, told Hugh that there was an orthopedic resident, Dr. Herbert C. Fett, who had an experimental procedure that might save the leg.  He told Hugh it was a long shot, but he should meet with the resident.  Everything was explained to Hugh.  He had to decide whether to allow Dr. Fett to do an operation on the leg, but not to amputate it.  If Dr. Fett was wrong, the gangrene would surely kill his wife.  Hugh didn't know what to do, so he prayed to St. Theresa of the Little Flower.  He then went to the Convent of the Cloistered Carmelite Sisters on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn to ask for guidance in this life-death decision about the experimental treatment for his beloved Mary's leg.  He spoke with one of the nuns who gave him a relic of St. Theresa of the Little Flower.  She told Hugh to pin it on Mary and make sure it stayed pinned to her throughout the surgery.  Hugh did this and prayed. Dr. Fett's surgery worked.  After a long, painful recovery time, Mary survived and walked the rest of her life with a limp.  Her crutches hung in the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes Church as a miracle.  Mary and Hugh had one more child.  Mary outlived her beloved husband.  Momma raised her children.  And Gram was both active in the lives of and a blessing to her grandchildren until she died.  Her baby Loretta, well, she lives a purposeful, blessed, giving, good life in the tradition of her momma. 28.01--Harry James "Tony" Fett, b. 11 Aug 1942; d. 1996; m. Marsha Leana Hunter (b. 5 Sep 1946; d. unk.); 29.01--Amy Suzanne Fett, b. 28 Nov 1972; d. unk.; m. Bryan (nee unk.) 29.02--Karen Elizabeth Fett, b. 27 Apr 1976; d. unk.; m. unk. 28.02--Valera Louise Fett, twin, b. 15 Nov 1948; d. 4 Feb 1992; m. Fillmore Flowers (b. 7 Sep 1946; d. unk.); 29.01--Necole Dawn Flowers, b. 29 Sep 1972; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.   29.02--Adam Fillmore Flowers, b. 18 Jan 1977; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. VLFett m2. Edmond Timberlake (b. 13 Oct 1945; d. unk.) 28.03--Valerie Lynn Fett, twin, b. 15 Nov 1948; d. unk.; m. Oliver George Powers (b. 27 Nov, unk. year; d. unk.); still living as of Aug 2003; 29.01--Stacy Lynn Powers, b.  23 Feb 1977; d. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 29.02--Melissa Ann Powers, b. 9 Aug 1979; d. unk.; m. unk. 27.05--George H. Gwin (the aitch is only an initial--was originally going to be Henry, but since the oldest brother was already Henry, they decided to just leave it at aitch), twin, b. 1 Jun 1922; d. 19 Aug 1998; m. 21 Dec 1941 to Una Lee Wells; div. 1944; no children; according to the above obituary notes, he was living in Miami, FL, when his mother died in 1976; 28.00--Glenda Gwin, b. 22 Aug 1973; d. unk.; m. unk.  29.00--Henry Clift Gwin, b. Jun 1994; d. unk.  GHG m2. Philo Alston Edwards (b. 21 Aug 1924; d. 7 Feb 1994) 28.00--Clay Ellen Gwin, b. 21 Dec 1951; d. unk.; m. Steve Terry Wexler (b. 5 Mar 1950; d. unk.) 29.01--Shana Lynne 1st Wexler, b. 1 Jul 1974; d. 31 Jul 1974 29.02--Shana Lynne Wexler, b. 12 Feb 1976; m. 20 Jun 1999 to Gregory Cherry (b. 21 Oct 1970;) 30.01--Brack Alston Cherry, b. 21 Sept 2006 28.00--George Harvey Gwin, b. 4 Dec 1954; lives near Atlanta, GA; m. 14 Aug 1976 to Regina Ann Szot (b. 2 Jun 1954; d. unk.) 29.01--Kelly Marie Gwin, b. 29 Aug 1981; d. unk. m. unk. 29.02--Brandon Coley Gwin, b. 10 Dec 1983; d. unk. m. unk.  29.03--Caitlin Theresa Gwin, b. 5 Jul 1986; d. unk. m. unk. 29.04--Carrie Ann Gwin, b. 10 May 1991; d. unk. m. unk. 28.00--Brian Coley Gwin, b. 11 Aug 1958; d. unk.; m. Ana Maria Perez (b. 6 Mar 1959; d. unk.) 29.00--Emily Danielle Gwin, 23 Jan 1989; d. unk.; m. unk. BCG m2. Yvette Rosado  (b. 17 Jun 1960; d. unk.) 27.06--James "Jim" Bassett Gwin III, twin, b. 1 Jun 1922; m. 20 Jun 1947 to Ada Belle Rawes ([Beale Rawls] b. 30 Mar 1927; d. unk.); no natural but two adopted children; according to the above obituary notes, he was living in Miami, FL, when his mother died in 1976; still living as of Aug 2003 in Miami; 28.01--James Bassett Gwin, IV, b. 13 Mar 1954; d. unk. 28.02--Robin Marsha Gwin, b. 6 Nov 1958; m1. Roberto Suarez (b. 20 Jan 1957; d. unk.); m2. Jose L. "Joe" Rodriguez (b. unk.; pastor in Hialeah, FL) 29.01--Robert Ray Suarez, b. 1 Dec 1981; d. unk.; m. Raquel (nee unk., b. unk.; missionaries to Northern Ireland--www.IrelandAG.org) 27.07--Walter Clift Gwin, b. 12 Dec 1929; m. Helen Pauline Davis (b. 27 May 1931; d. unk.); according to the above obituary notes, he was living in Lawton, OK, when his mother died in 1976; lives in Lawton, OK, as of August 2003; m2. Judith Shelby Sheppard (b. 25 Nov 1937; d. 1984) Pastor Joe and Robin Rodriguez Robert and Raquel Suarez 28.01--Susan Eileen Gwin, b. 6 Nov 1953; m1. Richard Shaw (8 Aug 1952; d. unk. ); m2. Howard Jerome Norris (b. 22 Sep 1951; d. unk.); live in San Antonio, TX, as of August 2003; 29.01--Mikel Dawn Shaw, b. 5 Nov 1971; d. unk.; m. Joel "Joey" Reinard Keeler (b. 8 May 1974; d. unk.) 30.01--Zane Bennett Keeler, b. 9 Mar 2001; 28.02--Kathryn Marie Gwin, b. 24 May 1955; d. unk.; m. Howard Howe (b. 13 Nov 1951); live in CO as of August 2003; 29.01--Tabatha Ann Howe, b. 16 Sep 1971; d. unk.;  m. David Stout (b. 11 May 1971; d. unk.) Joey and Mikel Keeler 30.01--Mason Tyler Stout, b. 17 May 1994; d. unk.; m. unk. 30.02--Mariah Unique Stout, b. 20 Feb 1998; d. unk.; m. unk. 29.02--Shanna Leanne Howe, b. 13 Jan 1977; d. unk.; m1. David Jones (b. 8 Sep 1971; d. unk.) 30.01--Serena Jones, b. 29 Nov 1994; d. unk.; m. unk. SLHowe m2. Justin Wayne Kirkpatrick - 236 (22 Oct 1976; d. unk.; m. unk. 30.02--Britney Marie Gonzales, b. 22 Oct 1999; d. unk.; m. unk. KMGwin m2. Freddie Morales (26 Apr 1954; d. unk.; m. unk.) 29.03--Meagan Morales, b. 20 Jun 1989; d. unk.; m. unk. 28.03--Gail Gwin, b. 2 may 1961; lives in Lewisville (Flower Mound), TX, as of August 2003; m. ca. 1980 to James Clifton Little (b. 16 Jan 1955); [JMG NOTE:  Gail and her cousin Brian (27.05--28.01 above) have been working on the history from their end and have contributed all in this gold. 29.01--James Clifton Little, Jr., b. 6 Jan 1981; d. unk.; m. unk. 290.2--Robert Paul Little, b. 8 Apr 1983; d. unk.; m. unk. [John Gwin NOTE: Today, 23 Aug 2003, I spoke with Cousin Walter, now 73, who provided all the info under George Henry Gwin's section in this dark green color. And this week, Christmas 2006, his daughter (and my second cousin, Gail Gwin Little, 28.03 above, has contacted me and continues the story in this gold color. She sent her report to me 3 Jan 2007 on the known Descendants of George Henry Gwin compiled 30 Nov 2001, and I am incorporating her data into the page.] above, l-r: Ida Mae Gwin Fett, Walter Clift Gwin, James "Jim" Bassett Gwin III and George H. Gwin (the twins). The picture was taken in Miami, FL, in front of Jim B. Gwin's house in 1992. George died  six years later; the other three are still living.  above, l-r, front:  Gwin cousins, Demopolis, AL, summer 1931--Adrian,15; twins Jim and George (or vice-versa!), 9; Walter, 1; Ida Mae, 13; and Julia, 16; rear: driver unk. -- Photos probably taken by Adrian's and Julia's oldest brother, James B. Gwin II below: A page from a photo album belonging to my dad, Adrian S. Gwin

26.10--unk. Gwin b. ca. 1884? ; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. never; no ch.; [John M. Gwin Note: Grandma Ida Eliza Basset Gwin reported in 1900 that she had given birth to 12 children, 8 of whom were still living. If she was correct, then this five-year gap between George and Nelle is the most likely place in the birth order for this child, and I will list her/him here until we know otherwise.]

26.11--Nelle "Nellie" Densler Gwin b. 2 Apr 1887; d. 24 Oct 1948; m. George Marshal Marable; according to the obituary of her father, W. S. Gwin, Sr., Nell was living in Talladega, AL, when WSG Sr. died in 1916. [My dad, Adrian Sutton Gwin (26.03--27.04 above) told me 14 Jul 2000 that he remembered "Aunt Nell" and her son Billy; it was in 1932, '33, or '34 that the two of them visited Dad's family's home in Anniston for several days.  The Marables lived in Tuscaloosa at the time, as did Aunt Kate.  He doesn't remember Mr. Marable being there on that visit, nor does he know whether he had died or they were separated or divorced, or was simply away on business.]; [according to the Marable website of Mr. James Marable of Davis, CA--James' family members are numbered using the pound sign--#Geo. Marshal Marable was b. ca. 1862 in Walton, GA, the son of #119--George Marable and Elizabeth Burge)  (http://www.marable-family.net/jlmarable/gm030402/d1548.htm#P1548)]; [John Gwin NOTE: These pictures of Nell (left and right) and with Kate (center) were sent to me by Virginia Cousin Ann Gray of the Basset side of the family.  They were with several other pictures (above and below), at least one of which was taken in Talladega, AL, in the mid-to-late 1930's; therefore, it seems likely that these may have come from that same time.]

From: "Sue Ellen Marable" semcm1atverizondotnet Date: Thu Jun 08, 2006 To: jmcdgwin@zianet.com Subject: Marable I am researching the family of the George Marshall Marable that you mention in your Gwin genealogy. His brother, Draughn William Marable, was our ancestor. If anyone would care to contact me so that we could share information, I'm more than willing. Thanks for your work. Sue Ellen Marable

27.01--#703. William Marshall ("Billy") Marable; b. 27 Oct 1919 at Talladega, AL; m. Mary Myrtle Sudduth (b. 25 Oct 1920; d. unk.); was chief of police in Tuscaloosa, AL, for many years; 2 ch.; [John Gwin NOTE: This picture of Billy was sent to me by Virginia Cousin Ann Gray of the Basset side of the family.  It was with several other pictures (above), and was taken one morning in Talladega as he was heading for school at Talledega High School (his shirt reads "Talladega Bears")--probably taken, then, ca. 1935-38.  If you back away from a screen a bit, the closeup may give you a better view of his face.  I think he greatly resembles my dad, Adrian Gwin, Billy's first cousin.] 28.01--#1283   Martha Nell Marable, b. 10 Dec 1943 in Tuscaloosa, AL; m. Stanley David Hanson, of Mt. Sterling, OH; 2 ch. [John Gwin NOTE: Tonight (20 Nov 2004) I was pleased to visit by phone with this cousin, who has much memorabilia--photos, personal belongings, etc.--from Wm. Sutton Gwin's family and era. We hope to get pictures of some of it online in days to come. She told me that her grandpa, G. M. Marable, was 15 years older than her grandmother Nell (for whom she is named), that he had been married before and divorced, that her daddy had a half-brother by George's first marriage, that Nell was excommunicated from the Episcopal church for marrying a divorced man, that Nell attended the Methodist church thereafter, that George Marshall Marable was the "black sheep" of the Marable family, etc.]

29.01--Eva Katharine Hanson, b. ; m1. Mr. Mercy; div. m2. Mr. Schweitzer.; div.

29.02--David Adam Hanson, b. ca. 1974; d. Sunday, 8 Jan 2006, in Hueytown, AL; m. DeLina Pate; no ch.

From the 10 Jan 2006 Tuscaloosa News: HUEYTOWN -- David Adam Hanson, age 31, of Hueytown, passed away on January 8, 2006. Funeral Services will be held at Crestview Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with Brother Ray Brooks and Rev. Carl Sudduth officiating. Burial will follow in Crestview Memorial Gardens with Crestview Memorial Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2006, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Survivors include his wife, DeLina Pate Hanson of Hueytown; parents: Stanley and Martha Hanson of Ocala, FL; and sister, Eva Hanson of Allentown, Pa. Flowers will be accepted; however, memorials may be made to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital or the Kings Ranch.

28.02--#+1284 William Grover Marable, b. 26 Jun 1946 in Tuscaloosa, AL; m. Sharon Camille Bagwell; 2 ch. [John Gwin NOTE: I am in regular contact with this cousin, whom I met in person July 2004.]

29.01--#1988  Kyrah Leigh Marable, m1. Jim unk.; div.; m2. Jason Karasevich;

30.01--Marshal Adam Adriane Karasevich, b. ca. Aug 2009;

29.02--#1989 William Marshall "Will" or "Beau" Marable II, m. Michelle Simmons;

30.01--Brooklyn Michelle Marable, b. ca. 1999;
30.02--William Marshall Marable III, b. ca. 2001
30.03--Isabelle Claire Marable, b. 2004

27.01--Mary Elizabeth Gwin, b. 11 Apr. 1911 in TN [age 18 in the 3 Apr 1930 census of Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS]; m. after Aug 1929 to Chauncey Hoffman, MD (b. 5 Jan 1906 in Richland Twp., Cambria Co, PA; d. 7 Apr 1994 in Windber, Somerset Co., PA; bd. in Richland Cem., Richland Twp., Cambria Co., PA; see data sources, right) 3 ch.; 28.01--Jane C. Hoffman, b. unk. date in Richland Twp., Cambria Co, PA; d. bef. 1998 in Richland Twp., Cambria Co, PA; bd. unk.; m. Mr. Hughes (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd, unk.); unk. ch. 28.02--"Bettie" Ann Hoffman, b. Richland Twp., Cambria Co, PA; d. Johnstown, Cambria Co., PA; m. Donald Shaffer, Jr. (b. 10 Oct 1939 in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., PA; d. 25 May 2002 in Windber Hospice, Windber, Somerset Co., PA; bd. unk.); unk. ch. 29.00--D. J. Shaffer--[PRIVATE] [John M. Gwin Note: D. J. is my 2nd cousin once removed] Friday 07/17/2009, D. J. Shaffer signed my guestbook as follows: Name: DJ Shaffer E-Mail: deeg65@atlantticbb.net Referred By: Just Surfed In Location: Johnstown, PA Comments: My grandmother was Mary Elizabeth Gwin married to Dr. Chauncey Hoffman. My mother is Bettie Ann Shaffer; she is not deceased; however, my father Donald Shaffer, Jr., is.

On May 25, 2009, at 3:50 PM, CamCoPa wrote: Hello John.  I have no idea as to whether the Chauncey Hoffman who attended the Hoffman School in Richland Twp. Cambria County, PA, may be your Chauncey. However, here is what little information I can provide on the person whom (I believe) was in the Hoffman School picture (no indication that he was a Dr.).  Chauncey Hoffman,  son of Samuel S. Hoffman and Rachel Anne Kelley, was born 5 Jan 1906 in Richland Twp, Cambria Co, PA, and died 7 Apr 1994 in Windber, Somerset Co, Pa. He was buried in Richland Cem., Richland Twp., Cambria Co., PA. He married Mary E. GWIN. She was born 11 Apr 1911 in TN, and died 27 Apr 1998 in Scalp Level, Cambria Co., PA.  Children of Chauncey HOFFMAN and Mary E. GWIN are:   1.  Jane C. HOFFMAN was born in Richland Twp, Cambria Co, Pa, and died Bef 1998 in Richland Twp, Cambria Co., PA. She married a Mr. HUGHES.  2.  Bettie Ann HOFFMAN was born in Richland Twp, Cambria Co, PA, and died in Johnstown, Cambria Co, Pa. She married Donald SHAFFER. He was born 10 Oct 1939 in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co, PA, and died 25 May 2002 in Windber Hospice, Windber, Somerset Co, PA.  3.  Samuel R. HOFFMAN was born in Richland Twp, Cambria Co, Pa, and died bef. 1998 in Somerset, Somerset Co, PA. Good Luck in your search. Don Varner -:Cambria County, PA,, Schools Pages - http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pacambr2/  - I will search my Varner- Warner- Werner- Verner- database (157,000+ persons) OR my Cambria Co. PA database (89,000+ persons) anytime and share information.  VISIT: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/v/a/r/Donald--R-Varner OR http://www.genealogy.com/genealogy/users/v/a/r/Donald-R-Varner

Name in 15 Apr 1930 US Census of Richland, Cambria Co., PA Age Samual Hoffman 55 Rachael Hoffman 48 Viola Hoffman 15 Foster Hoffman 13 Graham Hoffman 10 Martin Hoffman 6 Chauncey Hoffman 24 Elmer Hoffman 2

27.02--Peter King Gwin, Jr., b. 27 Aug 1913 in AL [age 16 in the 3 Apr 1930 census of Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS]; d. 25 Nov 1940; m. Nellie Crews; no ch.;

27.03--Charles Cartwright Gwin, Lt. Col., b. ca. 1928 in MS [age 2 in the 3 Apr 1930 census of Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS]; d. unk.; m. Faye Branning (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.) three ch.;

[John Gwin Note: Today, 23 Aug 2003, I met and spoke on the phone to my long-lost first cousin once removed, Charles Cartwright Gwin of San Antonio, TX, who told me of visiting Loss, Lucy (26.07 above), and Gwin Hebb years ago in Arizona.  From him I learned that Lucy was a registered nurse and used her skills to care for Loss in his last days, and that Gwin was a master machinist who made beautiful hunting rifles.]

28.01--Robbie Gwin, b. 1958; d. 28 Jan 2009 at her residence in Carrollton, TX; bd. Magnolia Cem., m. Greg Clark (b. unk.);  unk. ch.

[John M. Gwin Note: I found and took the above data from the following online obituaries for my second cousin Robbie in the Meridian Star's and Dallas Morning News' website: "Graveside services for Robbie Gwin Clark were held Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at Magnolia Cemetery. Mrs. Clark died, Jan. 28, 2009, in Carrollton, Texas. She was born to Faye Branning and Charles Gwin of Meridian in 1958.  Survivors include her husband, Greg; her mother and step-father, Lt. Col. H. J. Vanbebber, of Fort Worth, Texas; and her father Lt. Col. Charles Gwin; and brother Chris Gwin of San Antonio, Texas; and her aunt Rachel Branning Keller of Meridian."]

Clark, Robbie Gwin - Clark, Robbie Gwin, age 50, passed away on January 28, 2009, at her residence in Carrollton, Texas. North Dallas Funeral Home 972-241-9100... Published in the Dallas Morning News 29 Jan 2009

28.02--Chris Gwin, b.; d.; m.;

28.03--unk. Gwin, b.; d.; m.;

[John Gwin Note: My dad, Adrian Sutton Gwin, told me 14 Jul 2000 that Mary Elizabeth was the oldest of the three (b. about 1912); PKG Jr. ("Little Pete") was second (b. about 1914); and Charles was youngest (b. about 1928), all of which is confirmed by the above census document.  He also told me that Aunt Betty died before MEG was married (1930ish).  They all lived in Meridian, MS, where Uncle Pete was the Chief Dispatcher for the GMNO (Gulf, Mobile, and Northern RR). Dad didn't know what happened to Little Pete or Charles, but MEG married and moved to Pennsylvania. More added Apr 2007: I didn't know it at the time, of course, but this last tells me that the Chauncey Hoffman in the 1930 census above is almost certainly the same. When the 1940 census becomes available in 2010 or so, we'll know for sure.  Now even more added May 2009: I discovered on the internet Don Varner's site on Cambria Co., PA. When I contacted him, he was able to access the above information from his database on Chauncey Hoffman and his family, who is now clearly seen to be our Chauncey.]

Importance of Selma to the Confederacy

Because of its central location, production facilities and rail connections, the advantages of Selma as a site for production of cartridges, saltpetre, powder, shot and shell, rifles, cannon and steam rams soon became apparent to the Confederacy. By 1863 just about every war material was manufactured within the limits of Selma, employing at least ten thousand people within the city limits. The hull was laid for at least one Confederate ironclad, the Tennessee, and millions of dollars worth of army supplies were accumulated in and distributed from Selma.

The following is a verbatim account of the Battle of Selma, excerpted from the book by John Hardy, History of Selma, 1879.* The syntax is his, and I have added a few locations for positions described.

While growing up in Selma I explored the breastworks east of the Range Line Road, played in a house in Burnsville where Lt. Gen. N.B. Forrest is reputed to have pulled a marauding Federal soldier out from under a bed where he promptly shot him, sawed lumber from cypress trees from the Blue Girth Swamp containing metal from the battle, and witnessed the salvage of guns from the adjacent Alabama River. I call this essay "The First Battle of Selma" because there has since been another battle, almost 100 years later, that may have been much more significant in the minds of men, the March across the Pettus Bridge in 1964.

The First Battle of Selma

"As a matter of precaution, it was thought best to fortify Selma; the work was put in charge of Col. Ledbetter, aided by Capt. Lernier, an experienced engineer, who, with the labor of a large number of slaves collected from the planters of the surrounding country, succeeded in the construction of a bastioned line around the city, from the mouth of Beech Creek, on the river, to the mouth of Valley Creek, where the same empties into the river, about four miles in length.

Previous Attempts on Selma

The capacities and importance of Selma, in its relation to the Confederate movement, had been notorious in the North, and too great to be overlooked by the Federal authorities, as early as 1862.  But to reach it with a Federal force baffled the ingenuity of the federal Generals.  As the place grew in importance, the greater the necessity to reach it with a Federal force.  Gen. Sherman first made an effort to reach it, but after advancing as far as Meridian, within one hundred and seven miles, retreated to the Mississippi River; Gen. Grierson, with a cavalry force from Memphis, was intercepted and returned; Gen. Rousseau made a dash in the direction of Selma, but was misled by his guides and struck the railroad forty miles east of Montgomery.

Wilson's Preparations

Finally, in the winter of 1865, through the advice of Gen. Thomas, who commanded the department of Tennessee, Gen. Grant selected Maj. Gen. J. H. Wilson, a prudent and sagacious officer, for the task of capturing Selma, with an independent command. After a careful canvas of the question, Gen. Wilson selected from the Federal army of the west, a force of about thirteen thousand men, and encamped them at Gravel Springs on the Tennessee River. After a thorough drilling and equipment unsurpassed by any cavalry force of the world, on the evening of the 17th of March, 1865, this splendidly mounted and equipped force was ordered to march on the next morning. The Tennessee River was crossed, the force composed of the first, second and third divisions, commanded respectively by Gens. McCook, Long, and Upton, were in motion to strike a blow that would be felt by the Confederacy. After burning the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and destroying the iron works in Tannehill and Montevallo, this force moved on through the mountainous country of Alabama, and with scarcely any opposition, until the first day of April, at Ebenezer Church, near Dixie Station, on the Alabama and Tennessee railroad, 27 miles from Selma, Gen. Forrest made a stand; where it is said that Gen. Forrest and the brave Capt. Taylor, of the 17th Indiana Regiment had a running fight of over 300 yards, resulting in the death of Taylor---Forrest falling back upon Selma, pressed hard. On the night of the 10th of April, this force camped at Plantersville, 22 miles from Selma.  Here Gen. Wilson was informed by spies from Selma, that it was the intention of Dick Taylor (Commander of Confederate forces) to evacuate the place and make no defense---that Forrest himself advised it, and for a time led Gen. Wilson to believe he would meet with no resistance at Selma. (Wilson's headquarters house is still standing in Plantersville).

On Sunday morning, the 2nd of April, 1865, this force was again in motion, the advance arriving in view of the city about twelve o'clock, and Gen. Wilson himself arriving about 1 o'clock. The guns mounted, the movement of soldiers, and various other demonstrations inside the breastworks, were too plain to leave resistance in doubt, and by four o'clock, the whole force was in position to make the attack.  Gen C. C. Andrews, who was in the force, gives the following account of the assault on the city by Gen.Wilson.

"He directed Gen. Long to assault the works by moving diagonally across the road upon which his troops were posted, while Gen. Upton, at his request, with a picked force of three hundred men, was directed to penetrate the swamps upon his left (Blue Girth Swamp), break through line covered by it, and turn the garrison's right, the balance of his division to conform to the movement. The signal for the advance was to be the discharge of a single gun from Rodney's battery, to be given as soon as Upton's turning movement had developed itself.

Before that plan could be executed, and while waiting for the signal to advance, Gen. Long was informed that a strong force of Confederate cavalry had been skirmishing with his rear, and threatened a general attack upon his pack train and led horses. He had left a force of six companies well posted at Valley Creek (northwest of the city), in anticipation of that movement. Fearing this affair would compromise the assault upon the main portion, Long determined to make the assault at once; and without waiting for the signal gave the order to advance.

His command was formed in line of battle, dismounted, the 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry on the right, and next, from right to left, the 123rd Illinois, the 98th Illinois Mounted Infantry, the 4th Ohio Calvary, and the 4th Michigan Calvary, comprising 1500 officers and men. They had to charge across open ground 600 yards to the works, exposed to the fire of artillery and musketry, and that part of the line they were to attack was manned by Armstrong's brigade, regarded as the best of Forrest's corps, and numbering 1500 strong.  Long's division sprang forward in an unfaltering manner. Its flanks had some difficulty crossing a ravine and marshy soil, but in less than 15 minutes it had swept over the works and driven the Confederates in confusion toward the city. But the loss was considerable, and among the wounded was Gen. Long himself, who was temporarily succeeded in command by Col. Mint.

Gen. Wilson arrived on that part of the field after the works were carried.  He at once notified Upton of the success, directed Col. Minty to form Logan's division for a new advance, ordered Col. Vail, commanding the 17th Illinois to place his own regiment and the 4th United States Cavalry, Lieut. O'Connel, and the Board of Trade Battery, Capt. Robinson commanding, and renew the attack. The garrison had occupied a new line, but partially finished, on the edge of the city.  A bold charge by the 4th United States Cavalry was repulsed, but it rapidly reformed on the left.  It was now quite dark.  Upton's division advancing at the same time, a new charge was made by the 4th Ohio, 17th Indiana, and 4th Cavalry, dismounted. The troops, inspired by the wildest enthusiasm, swept everything before them, and penetrated the city in every direction. Upton's division met with little resistance. During the first part of the action, the Chicago Board of Trade Battery occupied a commanding position and steadily replied to the garrison guns."

The garrison fought with great coolness and skill.  Forrest was reported to have been engaged personally in two or three romantic combats, and he, with Gens. Armstrong, Roddy, and Adams, and a number of men, escaped by the Burnsville road (south-east of Blue Girth Swamp), who were followed by a party of Upton's division until long after midnight, capturing four guns and thirty prisoners.

The fruits of Wilson's victory were thirty-one field guns and one thirty-pounder Parrott, two thousand seven hundred prisoners, including fifty officers, and an immense amount of stores of all kinds.

As soon as the troops could be assembled and got into camp, Brevet Brig. Gen. Winslow was assigned to the command of the city, with orders from Gen. Wilson "to destroy everything that could benefit the Confederate cause."

Thus we have the Federal account of the capture of Selma, and it scarcely does the subject justice.

While matters were going on thus on the outside, it would be well for us to look on and see what was taking place on the inside.  Gen. Wilson's visit had been expected for ten days, but the Confederate forces were so scattered over the country, and especially the cavalry part of it, that to centre a force at Selma was utterly impossible. Gen. Forrest's forces had been reduced to a mere handful, and really, the only reliable force in reach was Gen. Armstrong's, numbering only about fifteen hundred. There were a large number of "boom-proof" officers and stragglers in the city, upon whom little reliance could be placed.  But on Saturday it was determined that the place should be defended. Everybody who could walk was called upon to go to the breastworks, with whatever arms could be procured.  Squads of armed men were traversing the streets and examining various buildings for soldiers to go to the breastworks, sparing nothing that wore pantaloons, and by Sunday, 12 o'clock, there were collected in the ditches around the city, about four thousand persons, not more than two thousand of them reliable, to meet a force of nine thousand of the flower of the Federal army, and equipped in a manner unexampled in the history of ancient or modern armies.  Confederate Gen. Dick Taylor left the city as fast as a steam engine could take him, about twelve o'clock on Sunday, leaving command of the city divided between Gens. Forrest, Adams and Armstrong, and as the latter had control of the only real force in the fight, was gallant enough to meet the invaders at the point of the first attack, on the Summerfield road, and Long's division felt the result.  A large number of the women and children had been sent out of the city.  A number of the quartermasters, too, had gone with their supplies, mostly to Meridian.  The assault was made, and no one who comprehended affairs could doubt the result. The Federal forces, with the flush of victory, entered the city in the hour of night, and terrible scenes of plunder and outrages were witnessed in every direction.

At the breast works, the Confederates fought with all the vigor their arms and experience allowed.

About ten o'clock Sunday night, the first house set on fire was the three story brick building on the corner of Water and Broad Streets, the third story of which had been used by the Confederates for a year or so, as a guard house for Union men and skulkers from the Confederate service.  It was said this house was set on fire by a man by the name of Gibson, who had been imprisoned in it.  From this house, others along Broad Street took fire and were consumed. Next day, the Arsenal and the Naval Foundry and all the places of manufacture were set on fire by an order from Gen.Winslow, Commander of the Post, in charge. The fire continued to rage until about Tuesday night, by which time the city was nearly destroyed. During this time there was scarcely a house in the city, either private or public, but what had been sacked by the Federal soldiers. The small contents of private stores were most wantonly destroyed, and by Friday morning there was but little of any kind of property left in the place.

The 2,700 prisoners, comprising almost every man in the city, were huddled together in a large stockade just north of the Selma and Meridian railroad track, on the east of the Range Line Road, near where the Matthews cotton factory now stands.This stockade was built and had been used by the Confederates. In this pen, in which a dry place scarcely large enough for a man to lay down could not be found, were the prisoners kept until Saturday morning, when they were all paroled and allowed to go wherever they pleased or could. On the 6th of April Gen. Wilson met Gen. Forrest at Cahaba, for the purpose of arranging for an exchange of prisoners, but no definite arrangement was effected.

On the 9th, Wilson's forces commenced evacuating the place by crossing the river on pontoons, and by the 10th his entire force had succeeded in crossing the river. Thousands of negroes had flocked to the Federal camps, of all ages and sex, and after crossing the river, four regiments were organized out of the able-bodied black men in and around the Federal camps. To these regiments proper officers were assigned, and those unable to bear arms were driven from the camps.   Gen. Wilson, in speaking of these regiments said, "that in addition to subsisting themselves upon the country, they would march thirty-five miles in a day, and frequently forty." About four hundred wounded Federal soldiers were left behind in Selma, all huddled together in the different stories of the present hardware store of John K. Goodwin.

A scene of utter ruin was presented. The commons around the city were almost covered with dead and crippled animals, and the people without means to move them. A meeting of the few citizens of the place was held, all went to work and in a few days all the dead animals had been hauled and thrown into the river. Subsistence was collected from the spoils and wastes of provisions, thus enabling the people to get a scanty living.

It is due to both Gen Wilson and Gen. Winslow, to say, that in no instance, after Sunday night, when they were applied to for protection to person and private property, but that protection was readily given, and by Tuesday evening almost every private family in the city had a soldier or soldiers stationed on their premises.

Taking into consideration the severity of the battle, and the overwhelming number of Federal forces, the small loss of the Confederates was remarkable. Of the 4000 persons in the battle, there were not more than twenty Confederates killed, and scarcely as many wounded.

The federal wounded remained in the city for about two weeks, when Gen. Steele came up the river with gunboats and transports and removed them to Mobile.

With the fall of Selma and the evacuation of Richmond, Va., on the same day, Sunday, 2nd April, 1865, did the Confederacy fall."
 
 

*Selma: Her Institutions and Her Men, By John Hardy.

Selma, Alabama: Times Book and Job Office (T. J. Appleyard, Manager), 1879  Reprinted in 1978 by the The Reprint Company, Publishers, Spartanburg, South Carolina

119. George MARABLE was born about 1801 in Virginia?. Clarke Co., GA? He died about 1876 in Walton Co., Georgia.

He was married first to Prudence S. JENNINGS on 26 Sep 1831 in Clarke Co., Georgia. George MARABLE and Prudence S. JENNINGS had the following children:

   +279 i. John Jennings MARABLE.
   +280 ii. Prudence Lucy MARABLE.

He was married second to Sarah Ann EARLY on 22 Sep 1824 in Oglethorpe Co., Georgia.

He was married to Sophia O. _____. George MARABLE and Sophia O. _____ had the following children:

   281 i. Mary H. MARABLE was born about 1846 in Walton Co., Georgia.
   282 ii. Martha B. MARABLE was born about 1848 in Walton Co., Georgia.

He was married third to Elizabeth BURGE. George MARABLE and Elizabeth BURGE had the following children:

   283 i. Margret E. MARABLE was born about 1859 in Walton Co., Georgia.
   +284 ii. George Marshall MARABLE. GMM married Nell Densler Gwin, d/o William Sutton Gwin and Ida Eliza Basset.
   +285 iii. William Isaac MARABLE.

703. William Marshall ("Billy") MARABLE (Private).

William Marshall ("Billy") MARABLE and Martha M. SUDDOTH had the following children:

   1283 i. Martha Nell MARABLE (Private).
   +1284 ii. William Grover MARABLE.

1284. William Grover MARABLE (Private).

William Grover MARABLE and Sharon Camille BAGWELL had the following children:

   1988 i. Kyrah Leigh MARABLE (Private).
   1989 ii. William Marshall MARABLE II (Private).

So nice to hear from you again.  Now let me see what I do remember about the Gwins from my parents.  I have been sitting here reading all your wonderful work.

I saw the name Self.  A Self family lived next door to my grand parents William T. Tinney and wife Martha Jane Mashburn, Tinney.

The Tinney family cemetery is located next to the Wilsonville City Cem.  When you enter the Wilsonville cemetery through the brick entrance way, you will see my Tinney cemetery area immediately to the left, about one-half acre maybe. It is now fenced and gated.

The Selfs lived next to the Tinneys who were on the right. The Daniels lived on the left of the Self home. The Daniel home and the Self home are no longer there.

At age 83 I am not getting about very fast.

Well, my grandfather Hugh Elzer Smith and wife Louisa E. Lowery Smith moved to Wilsonville in 1900 from Fayetteville, Ala., in Talladega Co.

A Gwin family lived at the corner of McGowan Ferry Rd (Now called McGowan Rd). and Highway #25.  Entrance to cem. there is just across the highway.

The front entrance you need to drive on the road leading out of the city towards Fourmile community.

Pap's first home after moving from Fayetteville was just across the highway.

I will send you some pictures of what I have.

(This old beautiful home is now gone.  A tornado damaged the roof area and the young whippersnapper who owned the property had it torn down.

My mother, Ethel Smith, was 6 years old when they moved to Wilsonville.

Pa sold his #1 home there and bought home #2--I would suspect from the Self family?

I have a picture of that home that was in family pictures.  There are several on the front porch area.  I do not know who they are. (I will send you a copy by E-mail.)  I  remember when the home looked like that.  My Grandmother Louisa E. Lowery died there soon after living there in 1910.  The children were young and wanted to not live there any longer.

Next Papa bought the Jessie Taylor homeplace across the Southern railroad there in town.  Drive down Hebb Rd. about one-half mile.  The home sits off the road.  There was a nice long driveway to the street.  Had nice oak trees lining the sides.  The Taylor home was large.  I do not know but I would suspect it was in need of a new roof?  At that time Papa removed the nice two bedrooms on the left and turned the area into porch area that he also let extend to the front door area.  Papa fixed an upstairs bedroom for the boys' room.  Oh, I have wonderful memories of the Smith home and the Tinney home.

Let me stop writing and see what kind of pictures are still on my moniter that I can send you now. Wilsonville is a small town.  But we are full of history.  Genealogy is my hobby, so I maybe can tell you a bit about the place.  I lost my husband to Parkinson's disease March 29, 2002.  We waited upon him here at our residence.  I have two sons only: John Stanley lives at Gardendale, Ala.; Jerry Rand lives here next to me.  All my Tinneys are dead except me.  The Smiths are all dead with exception of Herbert.  He lives in Birmingham, Ala.

I will enjoy trying to help you.

Love always.    Mary Elizabeth Tinney, Hill
 

----- Original Message -----
From: John Gwin
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 2:54 PM
To: Jerry Hill
Subject: Re: Memorial Day

Well, hello, hello Ms. Mary Elizabeth Hill!!!  I am so tickled to meet
you--THANK you for writing!  :-)

On Monday, May 26, 2003, at 01:00 PM, Jerry Hill wrote:

> Hello!  were your Gwinns living in Wilsonville, Ala.  Shelby Co. years ago?

YES!

> I remember my Mother mentioning Mr. Sutt Gwin.

William Sutton Gwin, whom everyone called "Sutton" or "Sutt", was my daddy's grandpa!

> She was Ethel Smith, Tinney of Wilsonville.  They lived just across the highway from the Gwins.

Do you know the address, or can you give me directions to the place on a map?  I'm going there in July and have NO IDEA where to start looking. Your e.mail is a light in the darkness for me!  I do know that Grandpa Sutt and Grandma Ida are buried there, and I've been there to see their graves and have pictures, but I'd love to know much more:  What did he do?  Where did they live?

Actually I do know quite a bit, all of which is located at my page for them at http://www.zianet.com/jmcdgwin/GwinWmSutton.htm.

> I would like to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your nice piece here.  I am making me a copy to place in my notebook holding the record of my paternal grandfather William T. Tinney of Wilsonville.  He resided in the area behind the Wilsonville Baptist Church.  His property joined the church property.

Does this mean that my g-grandpa Sutt lived near the church, too?
>
> I would love to hear from you.

And I can hardly WAIT to hear from you again!   :-)
>
> Mary Elizabeth Hill

Below:  Mary E. Stinson-Hill, Jerry Sr., and boys

From: "M. Jo Goodwin" <goodwin@ipa.net>
Date: Sat Sep 27, 2003  08:41:26 PM US/Mountain
To: "John Gwin" <jmcdgwin@zianet.com>
Subject: Texana Wilson

Good evening John,

Just a quick message to tell you I have found Texana in 1900 census

1900 5 June, Wilsonville, Shelby County, Pre. 9; #64/64
Pope, John F, Aug1853, 46 M 19 Al Al Al all;
Jamile? K. Pope, wife Apr 1860 40 M 19 ch: 7/5;
Purnisa A. Pope dau Aug 1882 17;
Leon C. Pope son Aug 1885 14;
Elgin? J. Pope son Aug 1888 11;
Frank  Pope, Dec 1890 9;
Mildred W. Pope dau Aug 1897 2;
Louise Pope dau Nov 1899 6/12;
Texana Wilson, WF  Sept 1854 45 Single
- there are black servants listed as well; Williams and Woods surnames.

Also, Williams S. Gwin and family and the next one is listed as
Rebecca but I think it is RoseAnn C. Wilson Gwin.

1900 is Rebecca C. Gwin, living as HOH next door to William S. Gwin.  She is Aug 1822 77 widow 10/3 Al Al Al.  This could be Rose Ann C. Wilson Gwin.
These are on the first pg of Wilsonville Census, Shelby Co, Ala, Prec. 9.

1900 Census, Wilsonville, Ala Shelby County - Precinct 9 family 6/6 is
William S. Gwin June 1848 51 M32 Ala; Ala; Ala;
Ida E. wife May 1845 55 M32 CH: 12/8 Ala England England;
George H Feb 1882  18 S ;
Nellie D Apr 188713;
Peter K. Oct 1888 all kids Al Al Al.

More to come cousin,
Lord Bless,
Love ya, Jo

 

Soldier Names  ------------------------------------------------------------------------  No.   Soldier Name   Side   Function   Regiment Name  1   Gwinn, William  Confederate   Infantry   30th Regiment, Alabama Infantry  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soldier Names  ------------------------------------------------------------------------  No.   Soldier Name   Side   Function   Regiment Name  1   Guin, William  Confederate   Infantry   20th Regiment, Alabama Infantry  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

I saw the information on the website about 4 years ago. It's all amazing. A lot of my information has changed that I need to update. The computer says I'm married to Roberto Suarez. He was my first husband and is the father of my son Robert Ray Suarez who is now 28 and is on the internet site www.IrelandAG.org if want to add a picture. There are pictures of him and his wife. My current husband is the one you have on the internet. His name is Jose L Rodriguez. Goes by Joe. We have been married 13 years. He's a pastor and also works for the Medley Police Dept. My son Robert as you will see is a missionary to Ireland and also an ordained Minister. If you need any further information, let me know. I love the site and seeing the pictures of my dad and Uncle George in the farm. And of my grandmother Valera Gwin who passed many years ago. I remember my dad's brothers Earl and Elmore both had HUGE barber shop mustaches like you. That's what I remember the most about them. I loved seeing your picture and seeing your mustache. Looks great. It was great talking with you. Hope to again soon. Robin Gwin Rodriguez 6555 W 26 Dr #21-35 Hialeah, Fl 33016 305-820-4052 email: Hedied4me@bellsouth.net. Our church website (under construction, really don't know what we are doing!!!) is www.churchofacts360.org) Maybe you could help us get it looking better. We don't have time, ideas, talent in that area and no money to pay anyone. Well, write or call when you can. Great to make contact wit you. I'm going to share this info with my brother, and my dad will get a real kick out of it also. Thanks! Love, Robin

Robert and Raquel Suarez Source: www.IrelandAG.org