Source: Old newspaper article in family scrapbook.

Miss Willie Wyatt of Montgomery has sent to the Judson a fine photograph of Col. William Easley Blassingame, one of the first trustees and patron of the school. It is taken from a portrait, now in the possession of a granddaughter in Texas and represents him in the handsome uniform of Colonial times.

Col. Blassingame was born in S.C. in 1798, graduated at the State University in 1817 and married Miss Eliza Townes, a sister of Major S. A. Townes, who wrote the "History of Marion". He was a founder of the Marion Seminary in 1836, and the Judson in 1838 and his children, Elizabeth Aurelia, Mary and William were among the first pupils of the Judson. He was highly cultured, a type of the best men of his times, wealthy and chivalrous and as Dr. Jewett says, " in his person, lofty spirit and courtesy of manners, was a splendid representative of the chivalry of his native state. His early death removed one of the most gallant defenders and ardent advocates of the Judson.

Col. Blassingame died 1841 and was buried in Marion Cemetery, where his grave may be seen to this day near the north entrance.

His daughter, Aurelia became the wife of Governor Fitzpatrick, and was a brilliant, handsome, and accomplished woman, one of the Belles of the Fifties; her picture is in Mrs. Clay Copton's book.

His niece, Eliza Miller married Mr. William Newton Wyatt; and there are several other families in Marion descended from and connected to the Blassingames.

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Note: Information provided by Shirley Mellon Dewberry

Col. William Blassingame was my gg-grandmother, Mary Benson Blassingame Hornbuckle's brother. My grandmother was named Roberta AURELIA Roberts after Col. William Blassingame's daughter, Elizabeth AURELIA Blassingame.

Eliza Miller mentioned in the newpaper article was the daughter of Permelia Blassingame and George Miller. Permelia was Col. William Blassingame's sister.

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James P. Blassingame / Mary Gowan
William Blassingame / Mary Earl Prince & Eliza Towns