Isom-Cochraham Family History
By Tina Watson
From as far as we can remember, we have had family gatherings that are now referred to as family reunions. Everyone wanted to be home at the same time that a favorite aunt, uncle or cousin was coming. Now, as we have migrated across the country for jobs, marriages, and/or schools, it has become necessary to set aside a special time to touch bases with our roots. The lineage of the Isom/Cochraham Family has been collected in a most rudimentary manner: researched from the words of our elders and records obtained from the old Bibles still remaining in the family.
Our family begins with the union of Kelso Isom (b. 9-1-1847/d. 3-1914), one of thirteen 13 children born to Janie, a slave and her master… and Laura Whiteside (b. 3-11-1857/d. 6-8-1917), whose mothers name was Amanda… Kelso came from Virginia and was set free by his master/father, who never sold any of his thirteen (13) children by Janie.
To the union of Kelso and Laura, eleven (11) children were born:
1. Gordon David Isom – Married Mollie Lee Chestnut
2. Will Isom – Married Mary Cochran
3. Margie Isom – Married Anthony Eckels
4. John Isom – Information unknown
5. Dorothula Isom – Married Charlie Lile
6. Lydia Isom – Married Ed Tolbert
7. Lillian Isom – Married Henry Cloud
8. Kelso Isom – Married Marie Querard
9. Julia Isom – Married Walt Jones
10. Gertrude Isom – Married Jess Mynatt
11. Harvey Isom – Married Addline Staples
Gordon David Isom, the oldest son, married Mollie Lee (Chestnut) on January 1, 1893. They were blessed with thirteen (13) children, nine (9) sons and four (4) daughters:
1. William Joe Isom – Married Sarah E. Easley
2. Ada Pearl Isom – Married Roderick Luther Cochraham (aka Sam)
3. Jacob (aka Jake) Isom – Married Ruth Tate
4. Charles Porter Isom – Married Maggie Moore
5. Elmer Isom – Married Vernie Simpson
6. John Henry Isom – Died at age 9
7. Augusta (aka Gus) Isom – Married 1st Alice Williams and 2nd Cindy Wilson
8. Sam Isom – Married Ruth Cox
9. James (aka Jim) Isom – Married Helen Ray
10. Lucille Isom – Married Harrison Henry
11. Mamie B. (aka Mae) Isom – Died at age 2
12. Hugh Isom – Married Goldener Price
13. Annie “Nan” Isom – Married 1st Louis Galbraith and 2nd James Horton
And so our journey begins…
ADA PEARL ISOM COCHRAHAM AND RODERICK LUTHER COCHRAHAM
Ada Pearl Isom (born of Mollie Lee (Chestnut) and Gordon David Isom) married Roderick Luther Cochraham (born of Agnes Celestia (Hudson) and Jesse Caswell Cochraham. They married on Thursday, December 14, 1916. Little did they know as they were united in Holy matrimony in Morristown, Tennessee, that they would be the origin of one hundred and fifty (150), give or take a couple, Cochraham descendants.
Sam and Pearl, as they were known, were the proud parents of eight (8) lovely and wise daughters: in order of births, Clara Belle, Agnes Celestia, Minnie Lucille, Ada Pearl, Dorothy Omelia, Charlotte Madeline, Margaret Ernestine and Cecil Annette. The seventh daughter expired at birth. The seven remaining daughters were raised on the family farm in Russellville, Tennessee. The daughters soon tired of the country-farm life and went forth into the world seeking their fortunes and eventually producing families of their own.
The Sam and Pearl Cochraham family descended to the families of Buford and Clara Cunningham, Arthur and Agnes Martin, James and Minnie Jeter, Bob and Ada Ingles, Billie Hugh and Dorothy Billingsley, Tucker (Aaron) and Madeline Tucker, and Junior and Annette Burnside. As these seven sisters were united in marriages, the following years saw the births of thirty-two (32) grandchildren.
As the legacy keeps moving on, there are approximately one hundred fifty (150) grand, great-grand, great-great-grand (including spouses) children to date, with many more to come.
The Isom/Cochraham Family members, whose roots were developed in middle Tennessee (St. Clair, Morristown, Mooresburg, Mohawk & Russellville), are making a concerted effort to unite all branches, bringing us together from Virginia, Massachusetts, California, Ohio, the nation’s capitol, Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina, Washington and Kansas to name a few.
