Marker Details

Sessums, John, Jr.


3500 West Dallas

Houston , 77019

Notes:
09HR25, Class of 2009, listed in THC Atlas with minimal information, not searchable
Directions: marker is in (HTC) College Memorial Park Cemetery, east of Shepherd & west of Dunlevy, on south side of West Dallas; marker is on the rear, west side of the cemetery; from gate right on first road, then south on north-south road on west side of cemetery approx. 100 yards to marker on right near the western cemetery fence line

Key Time Period: 1866 - 1876 Reconstruction

Corretions/New Research:

Marker Text: (ca. 1849-July 7, 1928)

John Sessums, Jr., was the first - and during his lifetime, the only - African American member of the Houston Light Guard. Organized in 1873 as the first uniformed militia company in post-reconstruction Houston, the Houston Light Guard was an all-white, prestigious militia mobilized as needed to restore or maintain peace during crisis periods such as quarantines, labor strikes and political feuds. The guard, known for its dominance in military drill competitions from 1875 through 1889, later became one of the oldest National Guard companies in the state.



Sessums joined the guard during the late 1870s and served for over 50 years as its only drummer. By 1880 he also organized and commanded a drill company called the Davis Rifles. He later led several additional African American drill companies, including the Sheridan Guards, Scurry Rifles, Packard Zouaves and Lawlor Zouaves. Sessums also found time to serve as a mascot for the Houston Heralds baseball team in 1887 and to participate in "Afro-American" fairs and Juneteenth celebrations. Black residents of Houston could always depend on his drill companies to entertain them with their "attractive" maneuvers.



In 1910 former members of the company organized the "Houston Light Guard Veterans Association" and bestowed the title of "Perpetual Drummer" on "Captain" Sessums, who continued to lead drill teams in competition. In 1918, the veterans association voted to provide for his living expenses while he lived with a family in the Fifth Ward. Sessums died in Hermann Hospital - an all-white facility - surrounded by his fellow guardsmen. Almost 2,000 black and white citizens attended his funeral. (2009)



Marker is property of the State of Texas
Marker Type: Marker with Post
Historical Org: Texas Historical Commission (THC)

Key Map Information: 492 R

GPS Coordinates: 29 45.357, 95 24.350

Precinct No: 1

Marker No: 15803