Letisia Hudson

     Letisia Hudson was born on 28 January 1843 in Summitt, Blount County, Alabama, the daughter of James Hudson (1796-1880) and Nelly Harrington (1794-1844.)¹ However, according to the 1900 census she was born in January 1845 in Tennessee.² Letisia Hudson also went by the name of Lou.

Letisia Hudson appeared on a census enumerated 9 November 1850 in Blount County, Alabama. The household was listed as James Hudson, a 53 year old farmer born South Carolina; Nancy Hudson, 30, born Tennessee; Mary Hudson, 12; Aluney Hudson, 7 female; and Albert G. Hudson, 6 months old. The last three were born in Alabama.

Letisia Hudson appeared on a census enumerated 24 June 1860 in Eastern divisiion, Aurora, Marshall County, Alabama. The household was listed as James Hudson, a 65 year old farmer born in South Carolina; Nancy A. Hudson, 40, born Tennessee; Littitia Hudson. 16, and Albert G. Hudson, 10, both born Alabama.

Letisia married Dempsey J. G. WEAVER, son of Jesse WEAVER and Rebecca SANFORD, on 21 March 1869 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The wedding took place at the home of Hollis Hudson, and was performed by Stephen Bowen, Justice of Peace. The bride was listed as "Lutisia Hudson", but her last name was crossed out and changed to "Reed". Both parties were listed as "of lawful age". The license was signed by George Weaver.^3,4

Lou Hudson and Dempsey J. G. WEAVER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The household was listed as Dempsey Weaver, age 27, farmer; Letisia(?), age 28, keeping house; Addie [Adelia], age 5; and Earme(?) [???], age 4/12, born February. All were born in Alabama. They lived near household of Daniel H. Watts.⁵

Letisia married James Braxton Forrester after 1881 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His first wife, Sarah Brogden, died after the 1880 census.² She witnessed the marriage of George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed on 7 January 1883 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.^6,7

The following is the text of a 23 July 1892 letter from J. B. Forester of Bessemer to "Geo. and Dela Wats" [George and Adelia Watts]: "Dear Children, I got your letter and was glad to hear you all was well and sorry to hear that Mealy [Permelia Weaver] was ded. this leaves us all well. times is so dull that ther is nothing a going on. it has rain so much it have ruin prety well everything. Dela is ther any school fer a young on down there[?] if there is let me know hool is teaching and how long will ther teach[?] Dela your ma ses she will need help to eat beans for tha are roten on the Ground. your ma ses times is so heard that she dont know how she can come. she will come as soon as she can. she want to see you all mity Bad. the [unreadable] is all well as faras i know. let me know if you have hird from Bell [Belle Weaver, Adelia's sister] in your next letter. Rite soom to your Father & mother". [Note: All periods added by editor to make letter more readable. James B. Forrester is thought be be Adelia's step-father, the husband of Letisia Hudson Weaver].⁸

Lou lost an eye when a splinter pierced her eye while chopping wood. Her second eye failed later, apparently from infection.⁹

Lou Hudson and James Braxton Forrester appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 14 June 1900 in Precinct 7, Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama. The household was listed as James B. Forrester, age 70, born April 1830 in Georgia, and his wife, Lula Forrester, age 55, born January 1845 in Tennessee. James was a farmer and his parents were born in South Carolina. Both of Lula's parents were born in Tennessee. She was the mother of eight children, only three of them living at this date. The census listed them as married 40 years. Neither of them could read or write. Living next door was George and Viola Weaver, ages 22 and 16. George was the son of Letisia and Dempsey Weaver.¹⁰

On 22 January 1923 Letisia Forrester was living with a daughter in Watson, Jefferson County, Alabama. She was buried after 1923 in Village Falls Cemetery, Mulga, Alabama.