Month: April 2018

Civil War · Genealogy Research · My family Genealogy

Civil War Treasures – The Buck Island Massacre

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In researching your family history sometimes you are lucky enough to find a first person account describing a person or event in your family line.  One of the most memorable stories I have found about a member of my family is that of the Buck Island Massacre, which was told by C.L. Hardcastle in 1892.  The article was written up by John A. Wyeth and published on September 11, 1897 in Harpers Weekly.

The Roden family, headed by Benjamin Roden (my 4x great grandfather), lived in Marshall County, Alabama.  Benjamin, along with his son, Portland Roden (my 3x great grandfather) were murdered by notorious marauder, Ben Harris on December 7, 1863 on Buck Island. C. L. Hardcastle, the sole survivor, gave this account of the massacre

“On the 21st of December, 1868, I was at home on furlough.  My people at that time were living in Marshall County, Alabama, on the northern side of the Tennessee River.  About ten days before the expiration of my leave of absense we were alarmed by the sudden appearance in our neighborhood of the notorious Ben Harris and his gang of marauders.  Knowing that if we were caught, we would in all probability share the fate of many others who had been killed by this murderer, I together with James M. Roden, F. M. Roden, and Porter Roden, sought refuge in Buck Island, where Ben Roden had already driven his cattle, and constructed a rude cabin for the shelter of himself and his family in case of necessity, and in order to prevent his cattle from being stolen by various parties of foragers.

At this place of concealment, we were joined by old Mr. Ben Roden himself, shortly after we arrived there.  We remained here in supposed security until the morning of December 27, when about two o’clock, we were roused from our sleep by a knocking at the door and a demand for our surrender.  To our dismay we found we were in the hands of Ben Harris!

 

He demanded to know the place where we had concealed our boat, and we were promised our lives if we would aid him and his men in raising the boat, which we had sunk, and ferrying the stock from the island to the north bank of the river.  He was accompanied by a squadron of men in the uniform of the United States cavalry. [Harris and his gang were not enlisted in the Union army].

After we had accomplished this work we were taken a few hundred yards down the river-bank, and were then informed that we had to be shot.  It so happened that old Mr. Roden had long been acquainted with Captain Harris, and he asked him to step aside that he might speak to him privately, but his plea for our lives was in vain.  When he returned he told us that our case was hopeless, and we were condemned to be shot, and we all then saw that the object of Harris in shooting us was to prevent it being known, when the war might be over, that he had taken cattle and property belonging to Mr. Roden.  Harris stated to us that if any of us wanted to pray, we could do so, and that if we had anything that we wished to send to our people, they would take it to them for any of us.  Porter Roden gave them several things to carry back to his wife and little children.  I have since learned that they never gave these things to the widow they had made.

In looking back over this horrible experience, it still seems to me the prayer Porter Roden made for himself and for all of us …was one of the most earnest appeals…th

at ever fell from the lips of mortal.  When he had finished we faced them, and as we stood in line it so happened that I was the last one at the end in the right of the line.  Harris and his men began the shooting from the head of the line, and show them all from two to four times each with their pistols.  I, being at the foot of the line, was the last one, and at the flash of the first pistol shot aimed at me at close range I fell to the ground as if dead.  The ball, which wounded me, passed through my right arm, for I turned sideways to them as they show me, and the bullet cut the artery in my arm.  When they were dragging our bodies to throw them into the river, they stopped to feel my pulse, but fortunately for me, they felt the side that had already been wounded.  As the pulsation at the wrist was absent, they threw me, with the others into the river, like so many hogs.  As I was plunged into the water, unfortunately, I became slightly strangled and coughed.  Some one said, “Stick your sabre into his d–d body”, but I had floated out from the bank, beyond the reach of the weapon, when they shot at me again but missed me.  As they fired, I held my breath and sank under the water, and they turned and left me for dead.”

 

Genealogy Research · Revolutionary War

William Miller – Revolutionary War Soldier

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On June 7, 1832 Congress passed an Act specifying how Revolutionary War soldiers could apply for a pension.  They were required to appear in court and give information about their service during the war.  They were also required to provide proof such as a commission or discharge.  If that was not available they could procure a credible witness to provide testimony as to their service.

William Miller appeared in Court in October 1833 in Ware County, Georgia and gave this statement:

 

State of Georgia

Ware County

On this the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Lott? Warren, Judge of the Superior Court for the Southern District in said State, and for the county aforesaid, now sitting, William Miller, a resident of the County of Ware in said State, aged Seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, on order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June seventh eighteen hundred and thirty two.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

In or about the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine, the said William Miller volunteered under Captain Frederick Harget (afterwards colonel) in the County of Craven (after Jones) in the State of North Carolina, the Senior General Caswell being chief in command of the Militia in which he served: that he arched to the town of Wilmington, North Carolina, was stationed there about a month under the officers aforesaid, when he received a verbal discharge and returned home to the county of Craven aforesaid.

That within a few months thereafter he was drafted in the North Carolina Militia for a four month tour, in the said county of Craven, for the purpose of marching to the defenses of Charleston, South Carolina in the company under Captain Blanks in the Second Regiment of Brigadier General Con?? Brigadr.  He marched through Fayetteville, North Carolina, Camden, South Carolina, and arrived on the River Santee in South Carolina, advancing to the relief of Charleston, where the Regiment aforesaid which at said River head of the capture of Charleston, South Carolina, by the British, whereupon the said Regiment instantly retreated to Cross Creek, near the River Cape Fear, Forth Carolina, when he was stationed about three months when the term expired for which he was drafted, whereupon he received a written discharge which is hereto attached.

After the British had taken Wilmington, North Carolina, General Craig of the enemy and his Army, joined and aided by the Tories, marched to Newbern in the State of North Carolina, on a plundering expedition, passed in group to and from Newbern, through the said county of Craven and the neighborhood in which the said William Miller was born, committing outrages and ___ times upon the honor and property of the citizens of North Carolina.  He served as a drafted soldier four months, as required by law, as will be seen by his written discharge; and he also served three months as a volunteer, one month as first stated, and two months after his written discharge under Captain William George (Col. Harget in command) in skirmishing and scouting parties against the tories.  The tories almost daily killed some of the whigs and citizens: for so doing the tories were often and severely punished by the whigs, many of them put to death.  The said William Miller was present as one of the company under Captain George when a party of seven or eight tories surrendered to Captain George and complied with the law.  He was never in a regular battle.

The said William Miller has the Record of his age as he ___ it from his parents, from which it appears (and he has no doubt of this fact) that he was born on the eighth day of April seventeen hundred and fifty nine, in the county of Craven (since Jones) in the State of North Carolina.  From the time this birth he resided in said county until he removed to the State of Georgia between or about the year seventeen hundred eighty five and seventeen hundred and ninety in company with David Blackshear, a native of the sa e county with the said William Miller.  Coming directly from North Carolina as aforesaid the said William Miller first settled in Burke County, State of Georgia, and resided ten or fifteen years in Burke County aforesaid: about twenty or twenty four years in the county of Bullock in the state last aforesaid, and upwards of Four years in the County of Ware in the State of Georgia where he now resides.  The said William Miller was known from his youth by the said David Blackshear (at present General Blackshear of Laurens County, Georgia) by whom alone as any human living so far as he knows or believes, he can __ prove any of his Revolutionary services.  The said William Miller served all the while as a private.

He stated that to the best of his knowledge and recollections a law was passed by the Legislature or General Assembly of North Carolina ordering a draft of Militia for the revolutionary service , in pursuance of which the said William Miller was drafted to serve a term of four months, which he completed as before mentioned, and that he was not engaged at any time of his service aforesaid in any civil ___.   The other three months service was exclusively as a volunteer.  He is known in his neighborhood, who can certify to his truth and veracity, to Mark Addison a clergyman and James Jones and others.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the ___ and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.

Signed Wm Miller

Genealogy Resources

Dearly Departed – The Will of John Coleman

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Wills are a valuable part of genealogy research as they often shed light on relationships between family members.  Sometimes they help to tie together a variety of documents found for a person.  John Coleman lived in Jefferson County, Georgia and evidently had some marital difficulties.

A notice appeared in the newspaper on February 25, 1800 in Jefferson County, Georgia.  It read:

“Whereas my wife, Rhoda Coleman, has left my bed and boarding against my will, these are therefore to forewarn all persons from dealings with her on my account, as I am determined to be the disposer of my own property, and to pay no debts but those of my own contracting.” Signed John Coleman.[i]

He evidently remained separated from his wife and began a relationship with another woman.  In March 1802, the Grand Jury in Jefferson County made the following presentment:  “We present John Coleman and Mary Ford for living in adultery.”

John Coleman and Mary Ford were again charged with Adultery on March 23, 1810 by the Grand Jury. [iii]

John Coleman and Mary Ford married in 1811 in Jefferson County, Georgia.[iv]

John Coleman made his will on July 22, 1836 in Jefferson County, Georgia.  It is unusual in that he identifies not only his legitimate daughter, Rachel, but also two “natural” children, William and Ellender.  All three of the children inherit property from his estate and he comments, “these two natural children of mine are entitled to as much love and consideration from me as though they were my legitimate children and I intend doing for them and their children as well as for my legitimate daughter.”[v]

 

Will of John Coleman

In the name of God Amen I John Coleman of the County and State aforesaid being of sound and disposing mind but very weak and unfirm in body and low in health do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following…

First I will that at my death all of my just debts to be paid out of my perishable property to wit my stock consisting of horses, hogs and cattle, my plantation tools, my household and kitchen furniture which are to be sold for that purpose and also the crop which may be growing … on my plantation, all of which I want sold and after paying all of my just debts, the residue or remainder if any there be to be equally divided between my following named children share and share alike between them to wit Rachael Johnson who is my legitimate daughter, William A. Coleman who is my natural child and Ellender Thomas, the wife of William B. G. Thomas who is also the other natural child of mine and these two natural children of mine are entitled to as much love and consideration from me as though they were my legitimate children and I intend doing for them and their children as well as for my legitimate daughter.

Secondly I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Ellender Thomas, the wife of William B. G. Thomas the following property to wit one tract of swamp land lying in the county of Jefferson and on the waters of Rocky Comfort Creek on the south side of the same containing one hundred acres more or less.  Known and distinguished as the Isaac Lefeaver tract.  I give and bequeath the same to her heirs of her body on account of the love and affection I have for her and her children.  I wish them to have the same forever also to her and her heirs I give and bequeath a slave by the name of Dave, about thirty years of age to have and to hold in like manner with the land to her and her heirs of her body forever.

Thirdly I give and bequeath to my grandson John H.S. Coleman the son of my natural child William A. Coleman and for whom I have the same love as though his father was my legitimate child – I give to him a slave by the name of Charles to have and to hold the same to him and his heirs forever.

Fourthly I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Rachael Johnson who is my legitimate daughter one tract of land containing forty acres more or less … in the county of Jefferson upon which is my dwelling house and part of my plantation known as the orchard tract also another tract of land joining the before mentioned piece containing forty five acres more or less all of which said land I give and bequeath to her and the heirs of her body forever and in case that she should depart this life without issue then and in that case, the land is to revert back to the children of William A. Coleman and Ellendar Thomas share and share alike between them and this I promise to be my last Will and testament and I wish for my property to be disposed of according to this will and I wish no fuss about it at my death and I do appoint my beloved natural son William A. Coleman & the husband of Ellendar my natural daughter William B. G. Thomas as executors to this my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal to this the 22nd July 1836.

John Coleman

[ii] Poss, Fay Stone, Early Jefferson County Newspaper Abstracts, 1799-1811, Snellville, Georgia, 2001, p. 141.

[i] Poss, Fay Stone, Early Jefferson County Newspaper Abstracts, 1799-1811, Snellville, Georgia, 2001, p. 41.

[iii] Ports, Michael A., Jefferson County, Superior Court Minutes, Volume III, September 10, 1804-September 28, 1818 p. 225, Clearfield Company, reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 2016.

[iv] Stephens, Jeanne & C.W., Early Jefferson County, Georgia Marriages, no publication information, no page numbers.

[v] Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990, digital images (unindexed), FamilySearch.org (https://familysearch.org; accessed 10 January 2018) citing Jefferson County Wills 1797-1873, volume A, image 325-326 of 540, Jefferson county courthouse.

Civil War · Genealogy Research

Civil War Treasures – John H. J. Knowles letter 3

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John H. J. Knowles’ third letter was written from Lynchburg, Virginia on June 18, 1862.  He died in July 1862 in a Confederate Hospital in Lynchburg and is buried in the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg.

I have retained the actual spelling and capitalization, but have added some punctuation at the end of sentences and spacing for paragraphs to make the letter easier to read.  This letter had more extensive damage on the folds, and had some mold, so there are several lines that are illegible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linch Burg va

June 18 1862

Dear wife I take my pencil in hand to drop you a few lines [illegible]. I have the chance of sending it to Roy [illegible-page tear] fix to invite you. But god has Blessed me so far. I am yet able to poke about tho I am in a horsepitle [hospital] & has Bin ever sence I written to you. Before I left the richmon horsepittle last {page tear} 13 I travled [page tear] day & night on the car and got to this foruling [following?] the rigment and we had to by rest heare one day on Sundy. on munday we got to sharlotvill va & the men [page tear] went down on me & I was forst to go to a horsepittle. But I got over them. son they did not hert me hand [illegible]. But I got sick with my Brest and the muralsey. it is herting me the worst now. I am much Better to night than last night my throat & brest is about the same as it was when I was home. more than I feel ___ every week I cant march at al.

I was [at] sharlottville horsepitle today be on which I regret that I had to move. I was where I was wated on for every thing & got a plenty to eat & that ___ was klean and we [page tear] the Best old motherly women you ever saw. hear everything is to the contrary nothing to eat and what is is Badly put up. But thank god I have got anof in my knapsack to last me while I stay here if I don’t take no Backset for I am determd to hunt the rigment.

I am at this time about one hundred miles From them. I shal heare from them in a few day and then I shall go to them if I don’t stay (illegible line – mold and page tear). I shall not be able to go with the rigment unless I mend fast which I trust to god I will. I sent the Capt a letter by Dr folk for him to give me a discharge. But I fear they cant until I get to them & I fear they wont then. [b]ut dan– Has wanted me to get a discharge but I have [page tear]h out I [illegible] get well. But sence we got among the mountains I know I will not. son I have not one ce[page tear]t eny letter from home. yet I dream about you all very often which dos me som good. send me a letter By D Davidson so do the Best you can. I trust god will Bles you all. so nothin & men John Knoles

Civil War · Genealogy Research

Civil War Treasures – John H.J. Knowles Letter 2

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The second letter written by John H. J. Knowles was written on June 13, 1862 from Richmond, Virginia.

I have retained the actual spelling and capitalization, but have added some punctuation at the end of sentences and spacing for paragraphs to make the letter easier to read.

Richmond virginia June 13 1862

Dear Margaret I take my pen in hand to inform you that my helth is some Better today than comon tho I have got the mumps. But they have not hurt me much yet and I hope they will n[page torn]. [illegible] inform you that I am.  I have a [page torn] my self & Dr folks and about seventy of our rigment is hear. I should not bin hear if it had not bin for the Dr folks he wanted me to stay with him. I have not taken eny meddison sence I bin in hear.

our rigment was ordered to old stone wall Jackson last Sunday which is about two hundred [illegible line – fold in the paper]. was very sick I was Smartly on the mend til I taken the mumps. my strength is nearly non I can walk about two miles an a stretch is as far as I can go. I am as pore as any man even gets to Be & go abou.t But thank God I am as well off as I am.

our rigment is turned out to fite and has no tents to Shelter under in rain nor no other wether. all the armies that is on the field has no tents. I am afraid we can’t stand it to take the wether as it comes. if I [don’t] get Better by the time I get to the rigiment I shall try to get a discharge. we expect to leave here jest as soon as we can get transportation. we don’t Know when that will Be But we think tomorrow if nothing hapens.

I have not received eny letters yet. I never wanted to hear from home as Bad in my life. I am nearly crazy [page fold]. Send your letter to richmond virginia in care of Capt C W Hillard 26 rigment Georgia voluntiers and it will follow me. well I will tell you somthing about our fair [fare]. we get a half cup of wheat coffy & Bisket Split open sometimes two peases and somtimes one & 1 pease of meet as long as two fingers three times a day and that is all and the Best we get sick or well.

our rigment is under the fitingest general that is in this country. he never gets whipped he always whips. georgians is doing the biggest  half of the fiting hear. the night we landed in richmond the ladies found out we [page torn] georgians & they asked god to bless [page torn] & Slaped their hands and Sed they love georgians. give my love to all the family and all inquiring friends. I ask you and all the praying people to remember our rigment in prayer. prayer is all my hopes & I in tend if I dy or get kild today praying. kiss the child for me [page torn]. in good hart. god will Bless you no dout of that if you will put your trust in him.

I would Be with you if it was posible but it is 7 hundred miles from home and when I get to the rigment it will be two hundred miles farther & we have no money. I have a dollar & a Qarter & that I barred [borrowed]. all the men & officers is out of money. Dear wife rite to me. every mail that comes I get disapointed. I look for letters & get none. I looked over two hundred letters yesterday that Belong to our rigment and I coldent get nary one. so I will close By Saying nothing more at this time But remains your husband till death. hoping these few lines may find you well. excuse Bad riting

J H J Knoles