Annie Somers Gilchrist Explained

Annie Somers Gilchrist
Birth Name:Annie Somers
Birth Date:1841
Birth Place:near Dresden, Tennessee, U.S.
Death Date:February 2, 1912
Death Place:Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Resting Place:Dresden
Occupation:writer
Alma Mater:Mary Sharp College
Notable Works:Some Representative Women of Tennessee
Children:Oscar Gilchrist
Signature:Annie Somers Gilchrist signature (A souvenir of the Tennessee centennial, 1897).png

Annie Somers Gilchrist (1841 – February 2, 1912) was a pioneer woman author of Tennessee during the long nineteenth century who wrote novels, poetry, and biographies. As a novelist, she was best known by the popular novels: Rosehurst, Harcourt, and The Mystery of Beechcroft. Her poems were numerous. She was also an excellent musician and elocutionist.

Early life and education

Annie Somers was born at "The Oaks", her father's plantation near Dresden, Tennessee, 1841.[1] Her father, James Somers, served in the War of 1812. In 1820, he married Ann McFarland of Wilson County, Tennessee, and removing to Weakley County, Tennessee, he amassed a large fortune, the major part of which he lost during the civil war. She had several older siblings including Jacob, John, James, Jane, Lafayette, and Earskin. John went on to serve as chancellor of the Tenth Division Chancery Court.[2]

She was a Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) by right of her descent from Captain Matthew Somers, nephew of Sir George Somers, the traveler and soldier for whom Somers Islands (now called Bermuda) were named. On her maternal side, Gilchrist was a descendant of Mary Arden's brother; Mary Arden was the mother of William Shakespeare. Gilchrist's grandfather, John Somers, a descendant of Captain Matthew, was born in Warwickshire, England, and, marrying there Catherine Arden (cousin to William Shakespeare), emigrated to the Thirteen Colonies, and held a captain's commission in the Revolutionary War.

Gilchrist was educated at the Mary Sharp College, Winchester, Tennessee, receiving instruction in writing from Adelia C. Graves.

Career

She began writing after marriage, becoming a regular contributor to Godey's Lady's Book. Her first story, "The Mystery of Beechcroft", appeared as a serial in that magazine. As a novelist, she was best known by the popular novels: Rosehurst, Harcourt, and The Mystery of Beechcroft.[3]

"The Indian's Prophecy", "Put None but Americans on Guard To-night" (which was recited by her at the inaugural of the Tennessee Centennial), "Ethel", "To Annie", and "Our Glorious Banner, the Hope of the Free", were favorably known. "The Indian's Prophecy" and "Put None but Americans on Guard To-night" were read by every D. A. R. chapter in the U.S. as they were published in the association's organ, the American Monthly Magazine. "The Blue Tennessee", "The Great Secret", "Visions", and "Night Thoughts" appeared in Godey's, 1877; "Night Thoughts" was inscribed to Mrs. Hallie Simpson, of Memphis, Tennessee.[4]

In addition to the D. A. R.,[5] she was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy,[6] and the Nashville Woman's Press and Authors Club.[7] In 1906, she was elected Recording Secretary of the local branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.[8]

Personal life

In Weakley, September 4, 1860, she married John Alexander Gilchrist (1836–1891),[9] a native of New York, and who was of the well-known Gilchrist family. He was a businessman in her native county of Weakley. She resided with her husband in the North during the civil war, 1861–65, but following the close of the war, returned to Nashville where her husband conducted a hotel. They had at least one child, a son, Oscar. By 1897, she was widowed by some years.

In religion, she was a member of the First Baptist Church, Nashville.

Annie Somers Gilchrist died at her home in Nashville, February 2, 1912. Interment was in Dresden.[10]

Selected works

Compilations

Novels

Poems

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Collective Biographies of Women . cbw.iath.virginia.edu . University of Virginia . 12 July 2022.
  2. News: WOMAN'S COLUMN . 12 July 2022 . . . 19 September 1886 . en.
  3. Book: Gilchrist . Annie Somers . A souvenir of the Tennessee centennial; poems . 1897 . Gospel Advocate Publishing Company . Nashville, Tenn. . 12 July 2022 . en . Internet Archive.
  4. Hale . Sarah J. . Godey . Louis A. . Table of Contents . Godey's Magazine . 1877 . XCIV . 12, 66, 233, 416, 520 . 12 July 2022 . Godey Company . Philadelphia . en.
  5. News: IN SOCIETY'S GAY WHIRL . 12 July 2022 . The Commercial Appeal . Newspapers.com . 4 November 1894 . 12 . en.
  6. News: Daughters of the Confederacy . 12 July 2022 . The Commercial Courier . Newspapers.com . 16 August 1901 . 4 . en.
  7. News: MEMORIAL IS DRAFTED; OBITUARY . 12 July 2022 . The Tennessean . Newspapers.com . 4 February 1912 . 23 . en.
  8. News: IMPORTANT MEETING HELD. W. C. T. U. MET AND ELECTED OFFICERS AND DELEGATES. . 12 July 2022 . Nashville Banner . Newspapers.com . 13 September 1906 . 5 . en.
  9. Web site: Annie Somers 1841–1912 9NQS-GS9 . ident.familysearch.org . 12 July 2022.
  10. News: Obituary for Annie Somers Gilchrist . 12 July 2022 . Nashville Banner . 3 February 1912 . 2 . en.