A Record of the
Relatives, Ancestors and Descendants
Of
Thompson McDonald Dietz
And his wife
Mary Rexiaville Townsend Dietz
Presented to their grand-daughter
Florence Manning Sessums
By her Aunt
Florence Dietz Poindexter
(who was born in 1868 in Clark Co., Indiana)
Anno Domini nineteen hundred and thirty six

Transcribed by Robin Manning <rrjbg@powr.net>
August 11, 2002


Circa 1936

Dear Florence {Florence Manning Sessums},

Here is your copy of our “Family Tree”.  I think you will appreciate it and keep up the record so long as you live and hand it down to whoever is most interested in this sort of thing.  If I could have had all my data before I began writing I could have arranged it better, but I got a little at a time and wrote as I got it, so there are plenty of mistakes in composition and writing, but I could not afford to rewrite, and I know you will overlook them and if there are things you do not understand I will be glad to explain.

We are indebted to my cousin Laurie Coombs Achenbach for the Garnsey genealogy.  I was so glad to get that as it told us something of Grandfather and Grandmother Dietz and the dates of the birth of all their children.

I hope you will get Katie to help you with a record of Mannings and Fishers to add to this.

On Grandmother Dietz’ side there are 10 direct generations, 11 in sister Gracie’s family for she has one great-grandchild.  In mothers family we go back to 1579, but there is a missing link.

In the Poindexter genealogy we go back to 1250.

You are getting your copy written later than I intended.  It is given you in the name of your mother and you can keep it in remembrance of us both.

With Love,
Aunt Florence
{Florence Dietz Poindexter}



Abigail Guernsey was born in Ontario Co., New York, May 15, 1816.  In less than a year her parents moved to Indiana.  On Nov. 28, 1833, she married Thompson McDonald Dietz.  In 1842 she united with the Methodist church under the ministration of Rev. C. Bonner at Bowert Chapel.  Some years later she united with the Disciples or Christians.  She was the mother of eleven children.  A good Christian mother, faithful to every duty, lenient to every fault, whose law was that of kindness and generosity.  Well may it be said of her as of one of old, “She hath done what she could”, Mark 14:8.  She departed this life in July 1902, at Memphis, Indiana.  Buried in Bowery Cemetery, Blue Lick, Indiana.  At the grave Rev. Thompson Mc Hawes of Louisville, Kentucky, a grandson, paid her loving tribute.  At the time of her death she had living, 6 children, 36 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.



The following extract is from an “In memoriam” written by Uncle Will Dietz (also provided by Robin Manning <rrjbg@powr.net>):

Townsend Genealogy

Elijah Townsend came from Susquehannah, PA to Yates Co., NY, in 1793
2.  Uriah Townsend
   + Dorothy (Dolly) Fox
3.Daniel Townsend
 3. Dorothy (Dolly) Elisabeth
        +  Henry Ferris
3. Mary Townsend
3. Catherine Townsend
  3.  Henry Townsend
  3. John Fox Townsend, d. 1870
      + Celesta Ferris d. 1860, both buried in Sharon, Michigan, they were Quakers
   4. died in infancy
   4. Ann Eliza Townsend
      +   ---- Barns
   4. Uriah Lafayette
      +Diantha Tuttle
   4. George Ferris Townsend
   4.  John Fox Townsend
   4.  Sarah Townsend
      +----- Walters
    5. Charles Walters
    5.  Lucy Walters
      +  --- Johnson
    5.  Jessica Johnson
    5. Lida Johnson
   4.  Charles Edward Townsend, killed in Civil War
   4.  Dolly Jane Townsend
+George Cooke, b. Sept 3, 1828, Mass., m. Oct 8, 1852, soldier in war, served as private, corporal, sgt, lieutenant, and captain, d. Staveland, KS, May 13, 1912, they were Quakers
   4.  Adelaide Townsend, died as young woman, unmarried
   4.  Sophia Elizabeth Townsend, born in NY
      + Parady Payne, m. 1853, all children born in Blue Lick, IN
    5.  died in infancy
    5.  died in infancy
    5.  William Park Payne
       + Nora Sprague
    5.  Lillian Celesta Payne
       + Daniel Guernsey
    5.  James Andrew Payne
       + Millie Russell
    5.  Dr. George Ferris Payne
       +Adda Guernsey
    5.  Charles Parady Payne
       +Katie Hawes
    5.  Blanche Virginia Payne, d. at 18 years of age
    5.  Hamilton Payne, also died young
    5.  Arthur Payne
       + Elizabeth Fischer (this is crossed out, and Manning written in)
    5.  Kate Victoria Payne
       + Frank Carney
    5.  John Fox Payne
       + Rose ---
   4.  James Andrew Townsend
      +Serena Trotter, all children born in Blue Lick, IN
    5.  Albert Townsend
    5.  James Townsend
    5.  Charles Townsend
   4.  William Park Townsend
      + --- ---
  4.  Mary Rexiaville Townsend, b. Mar. 20, 1848, in Ohio, moved to
Michigan at 2, at 16 to IN, in 1895 to Lake Charles, LA,  and some 10 years in Houston, TX, d. Dec 7, 1928, in LA
      + Thompson Mc Dietz, II, b. Feb 22, 1848, m. 1867, d. Dec 26, 1891
    5.  Florence Celesta Dietz, b Jan 6, 1868
+ George Ellsworth Poindexter, m Dec 26, 1889, in Memphis, IN, all    children born in Sellersburg, IN
6.  Edna Hope Poindexter, b. June 18, 1891 m. Galveston, Tx, Jan 17, 1912, children born in Houston, TX
    + Frank Willis Orr, b. July 31, 1886,
 7.  Willis Poindexter Orr, b. Nov 13, 1916
 7.  Ellen Jane Orr, b. Sept 20, 1922
6.  Horace Ellsworth Poindexter, b. Sept 29, 1893, m. Oct, 1912, Galveston, TX, children born in Houston
   + Blanche Screckengaust, b. May 26, 1893
 7.  Beverly Hope Poindexter, b. July 28, 1913
7.  Delilah Hilda Poindexter, b. May 5, 1917, d. Oct 24, 1921
        + Sarah Elizabeth Gates, b. July 14, 1904, m. Nov 2, 1926
7. Michael (Mickey) Horace Poindexter, b. Nov 11, 1928, Houston, TX
     6.  Mary Rexiaville Poindexter, b. Feb 8, 1896,
   + John Frank Hildebrandt, b. Dec 4, 1889. m. in Houston, Nov 20, 1914
 7.  John Poindexter Hildebrandt, b Jan 11, 1916
 7. Joyce Hope Hildebrandt, b. Dec 5, 1920
6.  Kathryn Juanita Poindexter, b. Sept 25, 1900, m. May 10, 1919, in Houston, TX
   +William Alvin Steele, D.D., b. May 10, 1890
 7. William Alvin Steele, Jr., b. dec 2, 1920, in OK
 7.  Carroll Maurice Steele, b. Feb 13, 1926, in OK
 7.  Kathryn Bernice Steele, b. Jan 19, 1928, in OK
6.  George Emerson Poindexter, b. Feb 9, 1905, m July 10, 19--, Houston, TX
   +Allie Mae Owen, b. Jan 16, 1911
 7.  George Owen Poindexter, b. June 12, 19—
 7.  Robert (Bobby) Emerson Poindexter, b. Mar 16, 19--
     6.  Naomi Bernice Poindexter, b. Mar 6, 1908, m. Mar 13, 192-
        + Kay Leo Jorgensen, b Dec 26, 1902 in Copenhagen, Denmark
      7.  Kay Leo Jorgensen, b. Dec 5, 1927, Houston, TX
      7.  William (Billy) Roger Jorgensen, b. Nov 4, 1935
    5.  Anna Ruth Dietz, b. Nov 10, 1869, d. Sept 18, 1885
    5.  Grace Darling Dietz, b Nov 2, 1871, m. Sept 24, 1890
   +  Amery Goodloe White, b. Ap 24, 1860 in Johnson Co., IN, m. in Memphis, IN
 6.  Ruth Ann White, b. Nov 12, 1891, m. Sept 5, 1912
    + Charles Gruber Shelton, b. May 23, 1888
  7.  Ruth Ann Shelton, b. May 31, 1913, Indianapolis, In
     + Ernest Stewart,  m. Ap 18, 1934
   8. Norma Jean Stewart, b. Jan 20, 1935
  7.  Amery Albert Shelton, b. May 1, 1916, Indianapolis
 6.  Joseph Stanby White, b. Oct 9, 1893, m. Nov 30, 1921
    + Louise Vaustan (?), b. May 17, 1896
 6.  Mary Rexiaville White, b. July 18, 1897, m. June 4, 1917
    +  William Everett Lemen, b. Sep 8, 1895
  7.  William Everett Lemen, Jr., b. Jan 14, 1932,     Indianapolis
 6.  Fannie Helene White, b. Oct 8, 1899, m. Nov 29, 1928
    +  Edward Patrick Mooney, b. Aug 31, 1897
 6.  Walter Otis White, b. Jan 13, 1902, m. July 2, 1921
    +  Golda Margaret Ray, b. Jan 9, 1901
  7.  Walter Otis White, Jr., b. Aug 22, 1924, Indianapolis
  7.  Charles Ray White, b. July 12, 1926,          “
  7.  Robert Franklin White, b. Aug 18, 1928,    “
  7.  Amery Goodloe White, b. Nov 9, 1930,      “
 6.  Grace Dietz White, b. Feb 2, 1906, m. Sep 24, 1924
    +  John William Mathews, b. Ap 3, 1904
  7.  Margaret Dolores Mathews, b. Nov 28, 1925
  7.  Janice Carol Mathews, b. Dec 27, 1927
  7.  John Edward Mathews, b. June 5, 1934
 6.  Alvin Kenneth White, b. Oct 19, 1908, m. June 15, 1935
    +  Waneta Mae Herner, b. July 21, 1909
5.  Fannie Eugenia Dietz, b. Jan 3, 1874, m. Sep 1894 in Memphis, IN, d. May 21, 1922
   +  George Julius Manning, b. Mar 7, 1873, Clarksville, TN, d. Jan, 1930, Houston, TX
6.  Phillip Dietz Manning, b. Oct 1, 1895 in Memphis, IN, m. July 18, 1917, in Houston at 1st Presbyterian Church, d. Nov, 1984
  +  Mary Rubydick Blackburn, b. July 16, 1898, d. 1967
 7.  Phillip Dietz Manning, Jr., b. July 31, 1918
    +  Louise ---
  8.  Nancy Manning
     +  Burton Wade
   9.  Kate Wade
   9.  Burton Wade
  8.  Phillip Dietz Manning, III
  8.  William Manning
     +  ---
   9.  ----
 7.  Robert Blackburn Manning, b. Oct 31, 1926
    +  Elizabeth Anne Turner, b. Nov 14, 1926
  8.  Robin Elizabeth Manning, b. Aug 24, 1955
     +  Robert Loyd Hawkins, b. May 6, 1955
   9.  Joe Richard Hawkins, b. Nov 26, 1981
9.  Robert Benjamin Hawkins, b. Dec 11, 1983
9.  Grace Eleanor Hawkins, b. Aug 24, 1985
       8.  Robert Blackburn Manning, Jr.,b. Ap 28, 1959
          +  Kim Outz
        9.  Robert Blackburn Manning, III
        9.  Elizabeth Christine Manning
       8.  Richard Turner Manning, b. May 15, 1961
          +  Dawn Ann Rosson
        9.  Katy Beth Manning
        9.  Makenzie Anne Manning
      7.  Mary Belle Manning, b. Jan 1, 1929
         +  Lemuel Dale Wooddy, III
       8.  Mary Lynn Wooddy, b. Jun, 1955
          +  Lawrence Payne
        9.  Bryan Payne
        9.  William Payne
       8.  Lemuel Dale Wooddy IV,
          +  Kathy –
        9.  Jennifer Wooddy
        9.  Lemuel Dale Wooddy, V
          + Sarah ---

6.  Florence Naomi Manning, b. Aug 5, 1899 in Houston, TX,    m. June 3, 1923, in Houston, TX
   +  Ralph Henry Moritz, b. July 11, 1892
 7.  Frances Arlyne Moritz, b. Mar 15, 1926, Houston, TX
    +  Charles Leake, Jr.
  8.  Gregory Charles Leake, b. Feb 21, 1946
    +  Bertrand Cyral Williams, b. Mar 10, 1912
  8.  Barbara Jill Williams, b. Nov 6, 1954
 7.  Kent Manning Moritz, b. Aug 23, 1928, Shreveport, LA
    +  Wanda Belle Day, b. Nov 6, 1927
  8.  Kenda Moritz, b. Feb 27, 1961
  8.  Paul Manning Moritz, b. Sep 2, 1962
  8.  Bentley Ann Moritz, b. Aug 26, 1964
  8.  Christopher Brian Moritz, b. Aug 26, 1964
   +  David Cotton Sessums, b. Aug 4, 1896, m. Jan 27, 1934
 7.  Barbara Jean Sessums, b. Oct 30, 1934, d. May 6, 1953,
       in car wreck
    5.  Thompson Mc Dietz, III, b. May 25, 1876, m. Apr 19, 1899
       +  Lena Ethel Guild, b. July 25, 1878
     6.  Rosamond Ethel Dietz, b. May 17, 1900, m. Sept 7, 1919
        +  Max Sloan
      7.  Mary Joyce Sloan b. Oct 4, 1926
     6.  Thompson Mack Dietz IV, b. Mar 11, 1902, m. Dec 26, 1919
        +  Violet June Leet, b. June 6, 1902, Poplar Bluff, MO
      7.  Thompson Mack Dietz V, b. Oct 10, 1923
     6.  Charles Granville Dietz, b. June 29, 1904, m. May 28, 1933
        +  Bertha Haynes
     6.  Grace Darling Dietz, b. Feb 2, 1906
     6.  Edna May Dietz, b. Oct 26, 1908, m. May 16, 1934
        +  Cecil Hayes
      7.  Richard Guild Hayes, b. Mar 19, 1934
     6.  Guild Steven Dietz, b. Jan 28, 1910
6.  Dorothy Marie Delaine Dietz, b. Oct 16, 1914, m. May 19, 1934
   +J. Ed Eaves
 7.  Jacquelyn Ruth Eaves, b. Dec 28, 1934
     6.  Fanny Elizabeth Dietz, b. Nov 7, 1919
        +  Kirby Dean
    5.  Walter Ferris Dietz, b. Dec 7, 1878, m. Sep 3, 1902
       +  Viola Conrad Locke, b. May 22, 1882
     6.  Nita Mary Dietz, b. June 15, 1905, m. Dec 12, 1931
        +  Wallace Keel Scotcher, b. May 20, 1904
      7.  Antonia Fay Scotcher, b. Nov 14, 1932
     6.  Ferris Locke Dietz, b. Sep 22, 1906, m. Feb 1, 1936
        +  Melida Maud Merriam
     6.  Gene Victor Dietz, b. Dec 31, 1923
     6.  Melda Fay Dietz, b. Sep 17, 1925
5.  Maurice Bryan Dietz, b. May 25, 1885, m. in Memphis, IN, June 21,   1911
   + Lillian Fischer, b. Aug 1, 1887
6.  Vivian Adele Dietz, b. June 17, 1915 in Houston, TX, m.      June  6, 1936, Kingsville, TX
          +  John Mark Dixon, b. Oct 26, 1912
      7.  Gay Johnelle Dixon, b. Oct 2, 1939
         +  George Harrison Stewart
      7.  Ann Adele Dixon, b. Aug 12, 1942
         +  Edward A. Alpere
      7.  Sue Lillian Dixon, b. Feb 7, 19—
      7.  John Mark Dixon, Jr., b. Oct 7, 19—
 
  3. Isaac Townsend
      + Pamela Guernsey, moved to Ohio
 2.  Hezekiah Townsend
 2.  Mary Townsend
    +  John Cole, moved to Angelica ---
 2.  Henry Townsend, died unmarried
 2.  Isaac Townsend
    +  Lucinda Slater
 2.  Phoebe Townsend
    +  Clement Erl or Erd ?, had 4 children,
    +  Gilbert Sutphen?
 2.  Martha Townsend
    +  S. Timothy Plympton
 2.  Sarah Townsend
    +  ?
 2.  Lydia Townsend
    +  Stephen Bagley
 
 

Garnsey (Guernsey) genealogy

1.  Joseph Garnsey, b. Jan 13, 1674,
   +  Eleanor Disbrow, b. 1677, both died Sept 15, 1754
 2.  Joseph Garnsey, b. 1700
 2.  Jonathan Garnsey, b. 1704, Milford, Conn., m. Jan 6, 1724, d. June 14, 1776, Watertown, CN
    +  Abigail Northrup, b. May 1, 1699 at Milford, d. Oct 18, 1756
  3.  Abigail Garnsey, b. Oct 29, 1726, d. June 17, 1746
     +  Eliphalt Clark
3.  Jonathan Garnsey, b. Feb 28, 1729, m. June 5, 1755, d. 1804, fought in Revolution and French and Indian war
     +  Desire Bronson
   4.  Melliscent Garnsey, b. Mar 24, 1756, d. Aug 1756
   4.  Melliscent, 2nd, b. May 21, 1757, d. 1804
      +  Lt. Thomas Osborne
4.  Daniel Garnsey, b. July 18, 1760, Watertown, CN, d. Apr 28, 1840, Blue Lick, IN,  m. Mar 14, 1784, served in Revolutionary War
      +  Huldah Seymour
    5.  William Garnsey, b. 1784, d. 1839, served in Capt. Kennedy’s company, 1st regiment of New York militia, in War of 1812, moved to Clark Co., IN 1816.  He drowned in Musqualaluck River in Jackson Co, IN, May 1839
       +  Hannah French, d. 1825
     6.  Southmayd Guernsey
     6.  Polly Guernsey
6.  Abigail Guernsey, b. May 15, 1816, Ontario Co, NY, m. Nov 28, 1833, d. July 1902, Memphis, IN, buried in Bowery Cem.
+  Thompson McDonald Dietz, born in KY, near Attica, IN, Apr 29, 1811, d. Mar 10, 1863, Blue Lick, IN
 7.  Eleanor Dietz, b. Nov 14, 1834
    +  James Kelly Hawes
  8.  Nathan Edgar Hawes
     +  Flora Harrod
  8.  Thompson Mc Hawes, D.D.
     +  Fanny Fuller
  8.  Kate Hawes
     +  Hugh Valentine Biddison
  8.  Henry Clay Hawes
  8.  James Kelly Hawes, Jr.
  8.  Clara Belle Hawes
     +  Donald Lewis
  8.  Rosalie Hawes
     +  Henry Rawlings
 7.  Katherine Dietz, b. July 4, 1836, d. Mar 27, 1890
    +  Delaney Stark, all children born in Louisville. KY
  8.  Thomas Stark
     +  Cora Johnson
  8.  Maria McClelland Stark
     + Charles Hathaway
  8. Katherine (Katie) Stark
     +  Joseph Burge
  8.  Delaney Stark, Jr.
  8.  Annie Stark
     +  Ambrose Bruner
  8.  Nellie Stark
     +  William Atwood
  8.  Charles Bremaker Stark, twin, died infancy
  8.  John T. Moore Stark, twin,died infancy
  8.  Marian Rochester Stark
7.  Hannah Moore Dietz, b. Apr 9, 1838, m. Oct 13, 1857 by Rev. Seymour Guernsey
   +  Dr. John L. Bryan, b. Oct 3, 1829
 8.  Oscar Delaney Bryan, b. July 11, 1858, in IN
 8.  Dr. William Stanton Bryan, b. Dec 14, 1860, IN
 8.  Charles Egmont Bryan, b. Oct 10, 1863, IN
 8.  Edmond Merlin Bryan, b. Mar 30, 1866, IL
 8.  John Lancaster Bryan, b. Feb 19, 1869, IL
 8.  James Bertram Bryan, b. Sep 12, 1878, IL
 7.  Mary Belle Dietz, b. Apr 1, 1840, d. Nov 18, 1900
    +  Joseph J. Hawes
7.  Lt. Henry Clay Dietz, b. July 5, 1842, d. May 12, 1863, in battle in Raymond, Miss.
 7.  Lydia Dietz, b. June 11, 1845
    +  John D. Coombs
  8.  Annie Laurie Coombs
     +  Henry Achenbach
   9.  Evelyn Achenbach
   9.  Jesse Achenbach
   9.  Elizabeth Achenbach
  8.  John Clifford Coombs, never married
  8.  Charles Coombs
     +  Nell Tuttle
  8.  Cora Belle Coombs
     +  Will Waldrip
  8.  Helen Coombs died in childhood
  8.  Albert Coombs, died infancy
7.  Thompson Mc Dietz II, b. Feb 22, 1848, d. Dec 26, 1891
   +  Mary Rexiaville Townsend
 see Townsend gen. for descendants
 7.  George William Dietz, b. Nov 21, 1850
    +  Ruth Ann Gray
  8.  Albert Dietz, died young
 7.  James Kelly Dietz, b. June 17, 1853
    +  Virginia Belle Hosea
  8.  Joseph Bernard Dietz
     +  Lizzie Denser
  8.  Delaney Stark Dietz (twin)
     +  Blanche Gorman
  8.  Katherine Stark Dietz (twin)
     +  Otis Mayfield
  8.  Annie Dietz
     +  Arthur Abbot
   9.  Hazel Abbot
   9.  Helen Abbot
     +  Walter Jackson
 7.  Sarah Abigail Dietz, b. and d. 1856
 7.  Martha Clegg Dietz, b. Oct 21, 1858
    +  Walter P. Jobson
  8.  Walter P. Jobson, Jr.
  8.  Florence Jobson
  8.  Mary Belle Jobson
     6. 4 or 5 who died young
       +  ---Hawes
     6.  Nathan Guernsey
     6.  Lydia Guernsey
     6.  Sarah Elizabeth Guernsey
    5.  Seymour Garnsey, b. Oct 9, 1786, d. Jan 5, 1872
       +  Mehitable Beardsley
    5.  Guy Garnsey, b. Mar 7, 1788, d. Sep 12, 1828
       +  Polly Lane
    5.  Melliscent Garnsey, b. Nov 24, 1789
       +  Isaac Townsend
    5.  Anna Garnsey, b. Oct 3, 1791
       +  Francis Briggs
    5.  Polly Garnsey, b. Sep 17, 1793, d. Jun 25, 1879
       +  Jacon Lane
    5.  Bronson Garnsey, b. June 12, 1802, d. Nov 1, 1871
       +  Nancy Kelly
   4.  Southmayd Garnsey, b. Ap 10, 1763, d. Dec 4, 1851
      +  Sabra Scott
   4.  James Garnsey, b. Mar 27, 1767, d. Nov 23, 1853
      +  Anne Blakeslee (m. June 3, 1798), d. Mar 4, 1801
      +  Deborah Wilcox, m. Jan 12, 1806, d. 1854
   4.  Sidney Garnsey, b. may 7, 1772, d. Nov 24, 1864
      +  A--- Ward, m. Nov 10, 1814
  3.  Amos Garnsey, b. July 3, 1731, m. Feb 16, 1756
     +  Esther Blake
  3.  David Garnsey, b. Ap 12, 1734, m. June 6, 1754
     +  Hannah Judd
  3.  Sarah Garnsey, b. July 7, 1736, d. Oct 22, 1777
     +  Timothy Foote
  3.  Samuel Garnsey, b. Feb 8, 1739, m. May 10, 1764, d. 1819
     +  Rachel Latimer
     +  Curcence (?) Smadley
  3.  Isaac Garnsey, b. Dec 11, 1741
     +  --- Culliver
 2.  Peter Garnsey, twin
 2.  John Garnsey, twin
 

Dietz Family

My Great-great aunt Florence Dietz Poindexter wrote:
“Great grandfather Dietz came from Germany, great grandmother was a McDonald from Scotland.”


If you are interested in further information on these lines, contact Robin Manning <rrjbg@powr.net>.