Sixth Generation

285. James Lindsay Skillman was born in 1806 in Alcorn Co., MS. He died on 3 March 1860 at the age of 54 at farm in near Kossuth, MS. DEATH OF JAMES SKILLMAN (TISHOMINGO'S LARGEST CITIZEN DIED NEAR KOSSUTH MS)
Many of the older citizens of Tishomingo County will remember James L. Skillman, who resided at the time of his death on a farm near Kossuth. Mr Skillman died on the 3rd of March, 1860, of pneumonia. He was one of the largest men that ever lived in the state of Ms, weighing at the time of his death 600 pounds, and it required 400 feet of lumber to make his coffin. He was respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, was a prominent Mason, and a number of his relatives are today living in Alcorn County. Tusumbia Lodge No. 179, of which he was a member, passed the following resolutions: "Whereas, God in His providence has, by death, removed from among us our esteemed friend and brother, James L. Skillman, be it resolved : "First - That we calmly submit to the dispensations of an All-Wise Providence, who doeth all things right...
Cincinnati Historical Society. reference 976.2995 H2C He was buried at Hinkle Cemetery in Alcorn Co., MS. He was one of the largest men that ever lived in the State, weighing at the time of his death 600 pounds, and it required 400 feet of lumber to make his coffin. He was respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, was a prominent Mason, and a number of his relatives are today living in Alcorn County. Tusumbia Lodge No. 179, of which he was a member, passed the following resolutions:
"Whereas, God in His providence has, by death, removed from among us our esteemed friend and brother, James L. Skillman, be it resolved:
"First - That we calmly submit to the dispensations of an All-Wise Providence, who doeth all things right;..."

James Lindsay Skillman and Mary Ann Hammonds were married on 1 February 1854 in Tishomingo Co., MS. Ancestry.com, MS Marriages, 1776-1935 has m. Alcorn Co., MS. Mary Ann Hammonds, daughter of Philip Hammonds and Mary Ellen Allen, was born about 1834. She died. She fell from a barn loft while hunting eggs and died of injuries from the fall.

Epitaph on her headstone by Dr. J.W. Wells.

Amiable and beloved wife, fare thee well. Our years on earth are but few but thy virtues were many. They are recorded, not on this pershing stone, but in the book of life and in the hearts of thy bereaved husband and our two infant children. I will not forget thee, the past and the future are blended together by love's dearest ties, not a link in the chain. But I cherish and nurture till my spirit freed meets thee when this body dies.

James Lindsay Skillman and Minerva Lucinda Tate were married. Minerva Lucinda Tate, daughter of Zachariah Hamby Tate and Margaret Steen, was born on 20 January 1835. She died on 23 January 1916 at the age of 81. She was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Keownville, Union, MS.