Materials for a History of the Sessions Family in America was compiled by Francis C. Sessions and published in 1890 as a documentary record of the descendants of Alexander Sessions of Andover, Massachusetts, who is recorded there in 1669. The work reflects the author’s long effort to gather genealogical information from a family widely dispersed across the United States, and it preserves material that might otherwise have been lost.
Sessions makes clear that the volume is not presented as a complete or definitive genealogy. Correspondence was often fragmentary, and many inquiries went unanswered. Acknowledging the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies, the author nevertheless chose to place the material in permanent form so that it might be of use to later researchers and family members. Much of the content had not previously been published.
The volume consists largely of transcribed correspondence, genealogical notes, lineage charts, biographical sketches, and reminiscences. These are arranged with minimal editorial interpretation, allowing original voices and documents to speak for themselves. A detailed table of contents and a list of illustrations further reflect the author’s intent to preserve source material rather than to construct a polished narrative history.
Materials for a History of the Sessions Family in America
Table of Contents
- Amasa Sessions to John Sessions, 1838, 29
- Thomas Sessions to H. S. Flynt, 1845, 34
- Wm. H. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 37
- Wm. V. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 38
- Walter L. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 40
- Gilman L. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 41
- John Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 44
- Perregrine G. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 46
- Jairus A. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 48
- Alexander J. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 49
- Eliakim W. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 5°
- Mrs. Milton Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 53
- Gilman L. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 53
- Alexander G. Rich to John W. Sessions, 1859, 58
- H. S. Flynt to John W. Sessions, 1859, 59
- Phillip Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1859, 65
- James P. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1860, 66
- Alexander J. Sessions to John W. Sessions, 1860, 69
- E. C. Sessions to E. C. Sessions, 1869, 70
- William V. Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 70
- Joseph W. Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 71
- Samuel Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 79
- E. W. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1871, 80
- David Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 85
- John Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 86
- Joseph W. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1871, 89
- S. W. Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 92
- David Sessions to Alfred Poor, 1871, 96
- D. A. Dwight to Alfred Poor, 1871, 97
- Alfred Poor to F. C. Sessions, 1871, 98
- C. Hammond to F. C. Sessions, 1871, 99
- C. Hammond, genealogy of Nathaniel Sessions, of Pomfret, 100
- Alonzo Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 111
- C. E. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1884, 113
- Charles E. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1884, 114
- C. E. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1884, 115
- Moultrie M. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1886, 120
- J. F. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1888, 122
- Estrays, 123
- Early generations of the Sessions family, 127
- Jay Sessions — descendants of Nathaniel Sessions, 131
- Nathaniel Sessions, 136
- Robert Sessions, Jr., 143
- Biographical sketch of Francis C. Sessions, 145
- Francis Sessions, father of Francis C. Sessions, 168
- Descendants of Nathaniel Sessions, 169
- Descendants of John Sessions, 170
- Descendants of George Sessions, 173
- Lineage of Francis C. Sessions, 177
- Biographical sketch of Frederick Sessions, 190
- Biographical sketch of Walter L. Sessions, 191
- Biographical sketch of Rev. John Sessions, 194
- Biographical sketch of Alonzo Sessions, 195
- Biographical sketch of Wm. M. Sessions, 198
- Biographical sketch of Wm. R. Sessions, 201
- Historical sketch of M. H. Sessions, 218
- Prof. L. O. Emerson to F. C. Sessions, 1890, 201
- H. H. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1890, 203
- H. H. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1890, 206
- Chart showing genealogy of Sessions family, 209
- J. F. Sessions to H. M. Sessions, 1890, 216
- Dr. Lewe Sessions to H. M. Sessions, 1890, 217
- Wm. V. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 1890, 179
- Reminiscences of F. C. Sessions, 1890, 183
- Reminiscences of Mrs. Jane Sessions Robinson, 181
- Extract from funeral service of Robert Sessions, 225
- Letter from T. R. Sessions, 227
- Biographical sketch of David Robert Sessions, 228
- Item from Mrs. Ruth Huntington Sessions, 229
- Letter from Emma D. Cowdry (nee Sessions), 230
- Martha Jane West, children of, 233
- Family of N. C. Newell, 233
- E. Bicknell to F. C. Sessions, 235
- Perregrine G. Sessions, 237
- Chart, 238
- First ancestors in America, 239
- Miss E. W. Sessions to F. C. Sessions, 240
- Errata, 243
List of Illustrations
All illustrations are on unnumbered pages facing the page number listed. They have been provided in the gallery.
- Francis C. Sessions, title page
- Coat of Arms, p. 4
- Walter L. Sessions, p. 63
- Rev. John Sessions, p. 120
- The old Congregational Church, South Wilbraham, Mass., p. 179
- Residence of Robert Sessions, Hampden, Mass., p. 179
- The Old School House of Robert Sessions, District, p. 180
- Judge Wm. M. Sessions, p. 204
- Wm. Robert Sessions, p. 220
- Gen. M. H. Sessions, p. 240
Source
Sessions, Francis C., Materials for a history of the Sessions family in America : the descendants of Alexander Sessions of Andover, Mass., 1669, Albany, N. Y. : Munsell's sons, 1890.