FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) Sessions
Sheriff 1965-2001
SESSIONS IN FREESTONE COUNTY #2

  This is the continuation of information given by Grandson J.R. at this years  
Woodland Cemetery Memorial where for several years programs have been 
presented by different families. As no one stepped forward for this year one 
was given on my family.
  G.A. “Gus” Sessions the first in Freestone Co. married Martha Carter with 
their property merged. “Miss Martha” was described as a brisk little woman 
who ran their plantation efficiently. She always wore her house keys on a 
chain around her waist, and the servants came each morning to receive the 
day’s supplies.
  “Mr. Gus” a man of quite strength and benevolence, often serving as judge 
and jury for whites and blacks who accepted this old gentleman’s opinion as 
a legal ruling. On Sabbath mornings he gathered his field hands together 
with the house servants around his ample back gallery and taught them the 
bible and prayers. At Christmas time he gathered here for greetings and 
gifts.
  G.A. Sessions joined Captain L.D. Bradley’s Company May 9, l862 in 
Fairfield. He was 32 years old and listed as #77 on the muster roll. Captain 
Bradley’s Co. became Co. B of Waul’s Texas Legion and fought valiantly in 
the 40 day siege of Vicksburg. The siege ended July 4, l863 when Gen. 
Pemberton surrendered the Confederate Forces under his command to Gen. 
Grant. He came back to Texas and joined the reorganized Waul’s Legion
which then became Company A Timmons Texas Infantry. During this time 
he was often sent over the State to collect, horses, food and clothing for the 
soldiers.
He fought with Timmons’ Texas infantry on the Texas coast until 
the end of the war.
     In 1866 he traveled by carriage to Galveston, then by boat into 
Alabama. Here he went by hack to Lowndes County, gathering his 
half brother’s five orphan children, brought them back to Texas 
and raised them with his own children.
    G. A. Sessions was elected to the Constitutional Convention 
from Freestone County to form the present Constitution of the state 
of Texas. He served as a trustee of Woodland Boys’ College, for 
many years served as deacon and church secretary of the 
Woodland and Caney Baptist church, and he donated the land for 
the Sessions Black Cemetery in Kirvin.
   G. A. & Martha Sessions were the parents of four children, 
Elizabeth Browning Sessions, Zora Sessions, Fannie Sessions, and 
Carter Sessions.
  Martha Carter Sessions died at the family home at Woodland in 
1885 and is buried in the Carter Family Cemetery near Kirvin.
  G. A. Sessions died in Mexia at the home of his daughter, 
Elizabeth Browning Sessions Bonner, November 11, 1902, and 
buried on a day so cold only the pall bearers went to in the Mexia 
City Cemetery.  His daughter Fannie Sessions married John L. 
Wortham, their son Gus Sessions Wortham became a giant in the 
insurance business and strong supporter of Woodland Cemetery.
                                       More next week.