Emma L. Richey  Alexander

ALEXANDER, EMMA L. RICHEY (1858~1938) Emma L. Richey Alexander, Confederate widow, was born in Pickens County, Alabama on January 18, 1858, to Clark Richey and Annie E. Ball, both of Alabama.

Her Confederate Home Roster states that she married a Dr. H.S. Hamilton in 1874, but there is no evidence to substantiate her marriage to a Hamilton. In fact, it is more likely the surname was Hudgins. There is evidence she married in 1874, for she did have two children: Cora L. Hudgins who was born in 1874, and Richard Hudgins who was born in October of 1886. Her first husband died between the years of 1886 and 1894, for Emma met and married Angus Chism Alexander on April 6, 1895, in Dallas County, Texas.

Listed in the 1900 Census for Hunt County, Texas, is Angus, Emma, and a step-son named Richard Hudgins who was 13 at the time. Cora never traveled to Texas to live with her mother. She, for unknown reasons was left in the care of the Harper family who lived in Montevallo, Shelby, Alabama. She remained with them up until her marriage to William A. Allen and they moved to Jefferson County, Birmingham, Alabama. Richard, on the other hand, moved with his mother and lived with her and Angus up until Emma's entrance into the Confederate Women's Home in 1924. There is no evidence of Richard after 1920.

Emma continued her life with Angus up until his death in Van Zandt County, Grand Saline, Texas on October 28, 1921. Angus Alexander was a Captain in Co. C. 12th LA Infantry. He enlisted as a private on August 13, 1861, and rose through the ranks, was promoted to Lieutenant and eventually Captain. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Van Zandt County.

After his death, Emma continued to live in Grand Saline but after three years on her own she became indigent and could not take care of herself and so she entered the Confederate Women's Home on September 22, 1924, where she continued to live until she died suddenly at the age of 80 on April 2, 1938, while being served breakfast.

She was buried in the State Cemetery, according to her wishes. She left everything she owned, as well as her funds, to her daughter Cora who came from Birmingham to attend the funeral and burial held on April 4, 1938.