Re: John and Sarah Chessman-Guthrie, IA
-
In reply to:
Re: John and Sarah Chessman-Guthrie, IA
12/03/01
William Wesley Chessman was the brother of Lucy Jane Chessman McQuary, my great-grandmother.Their father, John Chessman was born in Boston in 1805.In 1830 John Chessman and Clarissa Morrill were married in Newport, Kentucky--just a bit upriver from Cincinnati.They are on the 1830 census for Cincinnati.They moved to Madison County, Indiana (Clarissa's father did, too) and are on the 1840 census.Though three of their children were born in Wayne County, Indiana (1847-1853), I have not yet been able to find them on that census record.The Chessmans were in Appanoose County, Iowa, by 1862.John Chessman enlisted in Co. G of the 37th Iowa Infantry in December of that year and served until May of 1865.The men of the 37th Iowa were all above draft age (45 or older), and the only unit of its kind in the Union Army.The purpose was to relieve younger, more physically able men for active duty.The 37th Iowa served as military prison guards at Alton, Illinois, at Rock Island, Illinois, and various places in Ohio.Co. G was at Camp Chase (Columbus, OH).I have a letter that he wrote to his sister-in-law (Lucy R. Morrill Shaw) while he was there.In his letter, he mentioned he had written a poem and was sending it, but I don't have that. Her husband, John W. Shaw, had also enlisted in the 37th Iowa, and had died about 5 months after he enlisted.In 1870 John and Clarissa Chessman are in Macon County, Missouri, where Lucy Jane met and married John E. McQuary.John Chessman's occupation is listed as type caster (same as 1840 census).Clarissa's occupation is milliner.Among my mother's things were pictures of Lucy Jane Chessman (age 16) and her mother; William Wesley with his wife and children; and a newpaper clipping of the 50th wedding anniversary for William Wesley and Mollie. Will write more to you by email.