Bessie Marsela BROWN

     Bessie Marsela BROWN, daughter of Waymon Leggett BROWN and Fereby Jane CHISM, was born on 6 January 1879 in Bibb County, Alabama.

Bessie Marsela BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1880, in the household of her parents Waymon BROWN and Jane CHISM in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. She was listed as daughter, Marsela Brown, age 6 months.¹

Bessie Marsela BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1900, in the household of her parents Waymon Leggett BROWN and Fereby Jane CHISM in Benson, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as daughter, Bessie M. Brown, age 20, born January 1880 in Alabama.²

Bessie married James David HAGGARD on 6 March 1907 in Clanton, Chilton County, Alabama. The service was performed by L. H. Reynolds, judge of probate.³

Bessie Marsela BROWN and James David HAGGARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as James D. Haggard, age 35, Farmer, born Kentucky, parents born Tennessee; wife Bessie M., age 30, born Alabama; and son Charlie P; age one year and 9 months. They had been married three years and had one child. They lived on the Montgomery Road near Francis H. Brown.⁴

Bessie Marsela BROWN and James David HAGGARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 January 1920 in Stanton Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as James Haggard, a 48 year old farmer born in Kentucky and his wife, Bessie, age 39, born Alabama. They had two sons, Charlie, age 11, and James, age 7, both born Alabama.

Bessie Marsela BROWN and James David HAGGARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 April 1930 in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as J. D. Haggard, a 57 year old farmer born in Kentucky and his wife, Bessie M. Haggard, age 50, born Alabama. Their son Charlie was a 21 year old bank clerk and their daughter Annie was 9. They lived on the Maplesvile and Randolph road.

Bessie Marsela BROWN and James David HAGGARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 April 1940 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as James D. Haggard, a 67 year old farmer and his wife, Bessie Haggard, age 60. Their son, Charlie, was a 31 year old school teacher with 4 years college and their daughter, Annie, was 19 who had completed one year of college. She was attending school. They lived on the Randolph road.

Bessie Marsela BROWN and James David HAGGARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 25 April 1950 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as J. D. Haggard, a 78 year old farmer and his wife, Bessie, age 71. Their son Charlie was a 41 year old teacher and their daughter-in-law Willie Nell Haggard was a 34 year old teacher. They lived on the road from the Maplesville city limits by the Vinus Plant to the Bibb county line.

Bessie Marsela BROWN died on 17 April 1973 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 94.^5,6 She was buried in Maplesville City Cemetery.