Julia Pleasants Creswell

Julia Pleasants Creswell (, Pleasants; pen names, Adrienne and Amelia; August 21, 1827 - June 9, 1886) was an American poet and novelist of the south who lived in Alabama and Louisiana. She was author of Aphelia, and Other Poems by Two Cousins of the South, in conjunction with Thomas M. Bibb Bradley, of Huntsville, published in 1854; Poems; Callamura, an allegorical novel, published 1868; posthumous volume of poems; Abracadabra, a novel which was never published; and a book of short poems which she had ready for publication but never published, dedicated to George D. Prentice in appreciation of his devotion to Southern literature. Early life and education Julia Pamelia Pleasants was born in Huntsville, Alabama, August 21, 1827. Her parents were Col. James Jay, a commission merchant, and a native of Hanover County, Virginia, and Emily Julia (Bibb) Pleasants. Her father belonged to the Pleasants family, of Virginia, which contributed several distinguished names to the history of that State. John Hampden Pleasants, of Richmond fell in the Ritchie duel. James Pleasants was the 22nd Governor of Virginia; and there was also Hugh Rose Pleasants (1809-1870). The Pleasants were from Norfolk, an old family of England. John Pleasants emigrated to the United States in the year 1665 and settled in Henrico County. He left two sons: the younger inherited the estate called Pickernockie, later owned by Boyd and Edmond, on the Chickahominy River. From this, his descendants were called "Pickanockies". From this younger branch of the family came the aforementioned names. Tarleton Pleasants, Julia's grandfather, was highly educated. He was ninety-four years old when he died. His means were limited, and Julia's father left his home in Hanover county at the age of sixteen to seek his own fortunes. He worked awhile in Virginia as printer's boy, and then as sub-editor. The Alabama Territory was then attracting new settlers, and he went there, landing at Huntsville, one of the earliest to do so. His manners won him popularity, and he was elected to the office of secretary of state (1822-1824), Thomas Bibb being at that time the second Governor of Alabama. Mr. Pleasants married the second daughter of Thomas Bibb. Gov. Thomas and Pamelia (Thompson) Bibb lived at Belle Mina homestead, near Huntsville, the former of whom having succeeded his brother, William, who was the first governor of the state. Julia was the second child of the marriage. Soon after his marriage, Mr.