The Shemwell Family

Frank was born in 1844 in Louisiana most likely in New Orleans. We do not know alot of details about Frank's life. We do know that by about 1860, Martha had moved from her 2 Bienville address in the city, to 319 Dryades. This last address would be her home until her death in 1883. Elizabeth, Allen Frank and Alice were living with her in 1860 - as well as 12 boarders. At the start of the Civil War, Allen was 21 and would quickly join the Chalmette Miltia and would serve bravely until the end. Frank, age about 17 would have been "prime" soldier age - so why did he not serve? We know that - for whatever reason - Harris left Martha somewhere between about 1850 and 1854. When Allen left, Martha and the girls would have been without a "man of the house". This is purely speculation on my part - but I think there is a possibility that Frank was given the hard task of staying behind to take care of the family while Allen was away. The next public record for Frank is on a poll tax list for New Orleans in 1869. The city directories show him as a store clerk for "J.A. Perkins" in 1870, as a clerk involved in "cotton pickery" in 1874, and as a clerk for O'Brien & Co. in 1881. Martha died on September 14, 1883 - surely a blow to all the family members as they had all lived together for all these years. In 1884, Frank is listed as a foreman for the N.O.C. & L. railroad. On June 1, 1885, Frank entered the Esplanades Street Car Station. He had been ill with a lung problem for an undertermined amount of time, but on this day, at the age of 41, Frank collapsed at the station and died in the arms of strangers. Frank never married and was buried in Lafayette Cemetery #1 along with Martha. - Courtesy of Herb Shemwell

Microfilm Roll #56 Book M Page 553 Harris H. Shemwell I, Harris H. Shemwell, of the County of Stewart and State of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills by me at anytime heretofore made. First, it is my desire that after my death, that my remains be plainly and decently buried. Secondly, I desire my funeral expense and just debts all by speedily and punctually paid out of any money that I may die possessed of or that may first come into the hands of my executor. In view of the faithful services heretofore render me by Elizabeth Black or Cheek, I hereby give and bequeath to the said Elizabeth Black or Cheek and her children by me, Henry, Iowa, Joseph and Thomas, Mary, Rolin, and Luther, during her natural life, and until she marries, all my real estate consisting of one tract of land lying in Stewart County, Tennessee, dist #3, a portion in Trigg County, Kentucky, bounded on the North by lands of W.W. Carr on the east by Carr, on the south by Carr, on the west by the lands of Bill McReynolds. Also all my personal estate I may have at the time of my death, and at her death or marriage or when she fails to live and act as a decent woman or keep a house of ill famed or becomes a prostitute, then and in that case, the property, both real divided among the children above named to wit: Henry, Iowa, Joseph, Thomas, Mary, Rolin and Luther. I also authorize and empower the said Elizabeth Black and my brother, Z.T. Shemwell, to sell land and personal property in case they both think best, the proceeds to be vested in other lands in any state they may think best. Fourthly, I hereby nominate the said Elizabeth Black or Cheek, my executix to this my last will and testament. I direct the county court require no bond to be given by her when she qualifies as executrix to such.. Witness my hand this August 24, 1873. Witness: Z.T. Shemwell H.A. Shemwell James Taylor J.P. Wimberly Proven in the October term of court, 1878 (Stewart County Will and Testament) http://www.tngenweb.org/stewart/will/WillBookL.htm will of Harris H. Shemwell: legatees are Elizabeth Black (or Cheek) and their children Henry, Iowa, Joseph, Thomas, Mary, Rolin & Luther; executors are Elizabeth and brother Z. T. Shemwell; wit: Z. T. Shemwell, Jarrus Taylor, J. P. Wimberly; written 24 Aug 1873, proven Oct. term 1878