My great-grandmother was the daughter of James J. and Mary A. [née Paul] Devlin of Cedar Springs, Abbeville County, South Carolina. Essie Devlin was born on September 27th 1853; the ninth of ten children.

Essie graduated from Due West Female Institute on July 20th 1871.

On September 25th, 1872 Essie married Rev. Joseph B. Muse, son of Robert and Jane [née McKell] Muse of Starkville, Oktibbeha Co., Mississippi. The result of this union was eight children:
Lois Atlanta {m. Kerr} (1873-1942)
Annie Coral {m. Lyons} (1875-1955)
Janie Blanche {m. Smith} (1876-1963)
Minnie Myrtle Muse (1879-1960)
Robert Lowry Muse (1881-1911)
Mary Devlin {m. Elvington} (1886-1915)
Joseph Pressly Muse (1888-1968){my grandfather}
Sarah Eunice {m. Kibler} (1891-1911)

Essie Devlin Muse, a lifelong member of Cedar Springs A.R.P. Church, departed this life on June 12th 1941 at her home in Greenwood, South Carolina. She was buried beside her husband of 48 years in the family plot at Cedar Springs Church.

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Mrs. J. B. Muse, a lifelong resident dies at 87

Essie Devlin Muse, 87, a long time resident of Greenwood and Verdery, widow of the late Reverend Joseph B. Muse, died Thursday, June 12th at her home.

Born in the Smithfield area of Abbeville County on September 27, 1853, Mrs. Muse was the daughter of the late James J. Devlin and Mary Paul Devlin. She is survived by five of her eight children: Mrs. John Kerr of Verdery, Mrs. John Smith and Miss Minnie Muse of Greenwood, Mrs. Alph Lyon of Abbeville and Mr. Joseph Pressly Muse of Charlotte, North Carolina. Reverend Muse and her three children: Robert Lowry Muse, Mary Devlin Muse Elvington and Sarah Eunice Muse Kibler, all precede her death. Mrs. Muse is survived by many loved grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Muse was a member of Cedar Springs A.R.P. Church and will be buried in the churchyard cemetery at 11 a.m. Friday, the Reverend William L. Pressly will officiate the service.

Obituary published in The Greenwood Index-Journal
June 13, 1941, page 8