Robert Jemison, Jr.

Robert Jemison, Jr. (September 17, 1802 – October 16, 1871) was a Confederate senator from the state of Alabama, United States, from 1863–1865.

He also served in the Alabama General Assembly from 1837 until 1863.

Memorials

Some believe a park in Birmingham, Alabama is named for the senator. And others believe that the name Robert Jemison Jr. on other streets and buildings refer to the Confederate senator. In fact, the park in the references is in Mountain Brook, AL., an affluent suburb developed by a different Robert Jemison Jr., probably the most important single developer in Birmingham's history for many years of his more than 7 decades in the Real Estate business. He died in 1971 and his descendents are still active in real estate development.

The Irony is that there are many landmarks in the Tuscaloosa area connected to the Senator Jemison (and there were others). He was active in development in that area, but his death occurred long before the establishment of Mountain Brook and the year of his death is the same as the first year of Birmingham's existence. He was not involved in the city's development.

References

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=robert+jemison+jr+park Google Map of Park]
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/jelinek-jenkin.html#RIL1C49Q2 Political Graveyard]
* [http://www.csawardept.com/history/Congress/1st/index.html Confederate Congress bio]
* [http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4017coll2&CISOPTR=789&CISOBOX=1&REC=14 Jemison Park named for Realtor, Birmingham News, 1/16/1950] ]