Tenny Lucille Richardson Sewell Family

By Tenny Lucille Richardson Sewell

Tenny Lucille Richardson Sewell was born on August 15, 1902 in Alexander City, Alabama. Her parents were Benjiman Washington Richardson, born on November 14, 1865 in Alexander City, Alabama and Hixie Adella Meadows born on November 22, 1885? in Alexander City, Alabama. Her parents came to Matagorda County in 1909 looking for good land for farming. Her grandparents were Robert Gilbert Richardson and Agnes Cook. The birthplace of her grandparents was unknown.

Benjiman Washington Richardson and Hixie Adella Meadows Richardson had twelve children:

James Arthur, born on August 11, 1883;

Walter L., born on August 4, 1885;

Lemma Agnes, born on January 2, 1887;

Benjiman Roe, born on November 4, 1888;

Roddy Chester, born on February 19, 1891;

Maggie Lena, born on September 20, 1893;

Robert Gilbert, born on December 30,1894;

Bryant Jefferson, born on October 14, 1896;

Joseph Samuel, born on June 8, 1898;

Moses Dewell, born on March 4, 1900;

a twin to Moses Dewell born on March 4, 1900; and

Tenny Lucille, born on August 15, 1902.

All of the children were born in Alexandria City, Alabama. Five of the nine sons served in World War I.

Tenny Lucille married William Clifton Sewell on October 16, 1920. They had two sons: James Clifton, born on May 18, 1926, served in World War II and married Oralee Coston; and Earnest Carl, born on July 23, 1929, married Alta Fay Williams.

The first school that Tenny attended was in Van Vleck in 1909, but in 1910 school was held in one room of their house. At that time, they lived at Chances Prairie, which was later known as Old Ocean. Miss Mary Doss of Wadsworth was the teacher. She roomed and boarded with the family. In 1911 the children rode horseback to school at Sweeny. Tenny boarded with a family in Sweeny in 1912. Then they moved to Hasima where they attended school in a small vacant house. There were no desks or seats and they had to sit on benches. P. R. Cates was the teacher. This was in 1913-14. In 1915 there was no school at Hasima, so in 1915-16, Tenny went to live with her aunt and uncle at Glen Flora and attended school there. She took music lessons for three months and learned to play the piano and organ. After she came home she enjoyed playing the organ for singings. Again in 1917-18, they were able to have school in one room of their house. Miss Belle Brigham was the teacher. She roomed with the family as her home was in Columbus. In 1918-19, the school district built a school house, and Miss Eddie McLendon of Bay City was the teacher. Later the school district consolidated with Van Vleck, and all children attended there. The high school children traveled by bus to Bay City High School until Van Vleck had a high school.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, pages 479-480

Copyright 2009 - Present by the Sewell Family
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