(1880 – 1962) and (1879 – 1944), respectively

Esther Caroline, born on 25 May 1880 in Wicomico County, Maryland, was our grandfather, Carlton’s sister. Their parents were James W. T. Robertson and Caroline Lawson Catlin Robertson. Caroline died 30 August 1880, at 29 years, – 3 months after giving birth to Esther – so it’s safe to say Esther never really knew her Mom.

James WT married again in December of 1883, slightly more than 3 years later. His third wife, Mary Priscilla, and he had 5 children – so there was quite a crowd for Carlton and Esther to grow up with.

Esther appears first in the 1900 Census. She is 20 years old and still living at home with JWT, Mary Priscilla, and 8 kids.

Esther marries Allen Willis Mezick, whose parents were Thomas Mezick and Annie Matthews. There is some uncertainty about when exactly they got married. One source says 1900. The 1910 Census says they had been married for 4 years, which – by my math, makes their marriage year 1906. Allen is listed as a farmer in all the Census data we have, but his obituary adds “Timberman” as well to his occupation.

They have two sons, Allen Kendall Mezick (called Kendall) and Thomas Harris Mezick (called Harris). By the time of the 1920 Census, the family is complete – Allen is 40, Esther 39, Kendall is 12 and Harris is 9. They are all living in the Tyaskin District of Wicomico County, Maryland and Allen is a farmer with a mortgage!

By the 1930 Census, Kendall seems to have left home, but Harris is still around through the 1940 census, at which time he is 28 years old.

Esther Caroline is the Aunt Esther we heard so much about. She must have been a figure in my Dad’s childhood, and around to help out once Mattie, his mother died.

Esther’s husband, Allen W., died on 12 October 1944, at the age of 65. His obituary says he had been sick for 2 months. The obituary also mentions Esther (Mrs. Esther Robison), and Kendall – who is living in Chester, PA, and T. J. Harris, who is living in Mardela, MD. Funeral services are at “the home in Tyaskin” so I think it is safe to say Allen and Esther were still living in Maryland in 1944.

Esther lives for 18 years as a widow, presumably still in Maryland. She passes away, however, at the age of 81 at the home of her son, Kendall, whom she was visiting at the time of her death, 7 February 1962.

The obituary also mentions Harris – still living in Mardela – and 4 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Both Allen and Esther are buried at the Robertson Family Cemetery in Clara.