Potomac Families

Tabitha May was Alexander's second wife, with whom he had 8 children. His first wife, Eliza Feight, was the mother of George and William Messersmith. Photo source: R.A. Messersmith via D. Creary.

George Messersmith enlisted in the Union calvary and served under General Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. This tin-type photo of George in uniform was likely taken in the early 1860s. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

George & Jemima lived through the Civil War and had 17 children together. Jemima was Abraham Lincoln's fifth cousin, once removed. Photo source: D. Creary.

Harry was one of George and Jemima Messersmith's 17 children. Photo source: D. Creary.

Photo source: D. Creary.

Nathan is standing behind the horse. He became a teacher and raised a family of 8 children in Johnstown, PA. This photo postcard was taken in 1911 in Johnstown. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

The back of the previous photo is postmarked April 13, 1911, in Johnstown, PA, and is addressed to Mary V. Diehl in Hancock, MD. It reads: "Dear Sister & Family - We are all well. I thought I would get a letter from Russell. The children say the bunny is coming. Hope you have a pleasant Easter. By-bye, N.B.M."

Per Elva Grace Diehl, this tin-type photo is of William Diehl, the father of Jesse Diehl. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

Jesse was born in 1969 in Bedford County, PA. In the 1880 census, he was listed as "adopted" by the Francis L. and Sarah E. Mills family in Monroe, PA, but was probably just a young hired hand on their farm. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

Jesse and Mary, the daughter of George and Jemima Messersmith, lived in Bedford County, PA. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

Taken around 1913 in Bedford County, PA, pictured are (back l-r) Elva Grace, Russel E., Carrie Alice, and George; (front l-r) Lester E., Mary V., Marshall E., Jesse W., Raymond E., and Clara J. Diehl. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

Elva Grace was the daughter of Jesse and Mary Diehl. She married a Davis and then a Bostwick and lived to be 97 years old. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

George, the son of Jesse and Mary Diehl, and his wife Lydia are pictured in their Model-T next to the C&O Canal in Hancock, MD. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

This photo was taken at 209 Dale Street in Hancock, MD, at the house that George built after the couple's original home was washed away in the 1936 flood. Photo source: E.M. Calemine.

Alexander (1823-1892) & Tabitha Messersmith

Tabitha May was Alexander's second wife, with whom he had 8 children. His first wife, Eliza Feight, was the mother of George and William Messersmith. Photo source: R.A. Messersmith via D. Creary.