Temperance Estelle Davison

Temperance “Estelle” Davison, daughter of James McCluney Davison Jr. and Estella “Ella” Martin Tiller, was born on March 19, 1879 in Greene County, Georgia . There were four children born to the Davison family—James M. Davison, Joseph Robert Davison, Mary “Pearl” Davison, and Estelle, my 3rd cousin 3x removed. Our nearest common relatives are Robert L. Hobbs Sr. and Mary Marion Caldwell. 

Sadly, Estelle would never know her brother Joseph who died in 1877, two years before her birth. Nor would she know her father who died in Greene County on May 2, 1880 when Estelle was just one year old. Her father, age 46 at the time of his death, had probably been in ill health since suffering a “severe stroke of paralysis” in 1875. Both Joseph and James were buried in a family plot at Greensboro City Cemetery in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. You can’t miss the plot as you walk through the cemetery—just look for the large stone marked “Davison.” 

Davison plot, Greensboro City Cemetery

I have been unable to locate Estelle and her family in the 1880 census record and we know the 1890 census was lost due to a fire so I have a large gap in her early years. My best guess is they stayed in Greene County but I can’t prove that at this point.

On June 8, 1900, Estelle lived in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, in a house full of extended family members. Her brother James, a lawyer, was head of the household. Estelle was 21 years old and working as a school teacher as was her 23-year-old sister Pearl. Estelle’s mother and maternal grandmother Temperance Tiller (I guess we now know where her first name came from) were also living in the home so it was a three-generational household. Ann H. Newsome, age 65, Temperance Tiller’s sister and Estelle’s aunt, was another member of the household. Two servants completed the household—Shadrack Ferrell (age 26) and Simon Daniel (age 23), both white males working as farm laborers. In 1901, Estelle and her sister Pearl, apparently quite popular, started showing up in society columns of the Atlanta newspapers. In July of that year, they hosted an “at home” for “Misses Crenshaw of Atlanta, and Durham of Woodville.” But it wasn’t long before the 1903 marriage of Pearl to Mercer Reynolds ended their fun times together. Sometime after Pearl’s wedding, she and her husband moved to Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. In 1904, Estelle and her mother moved from Woodville to Greensboro. Two years after Pearl’s wedding, Estelle was engaged to George Alexander Merritt, son of John C. Merritt and Louisa F. Burke. The Atlanta Georgian published the announcement on June 2, 1906:

MERRITT-DAVISON – Mrs. Ella Davidson, of Greensboro, has announced the engagement and approaching marriage of her daughter, Estelle, to Mr. George A. Merritt, the wedding to take place at the Baptist church, Greensboro, on June 5. The young couple will leave immediately after the marriage ceremony for Tallulah Falls, to spend several weeks.

George, a lawyer and former councilman and mayor of Greensboro, was a widower with a 13-year-old daughter. His first wife, Lila O. Boswell, died nine days after the birth of their daughter, Lila Boswell Merritt, in 1893.

Estelle and George’s marriage took place in Greensboro on June 5, 1906. The Atlanta Georgian published an article detailing the wedding on June 7, 1906:

MERRITT-DAVISON – One of the most beautiful weddings which ever occurred in Greensboro, Ga., was that of Miss Temperance Estelle Davison to Colonel George A. Merritt Tuesday afternoon at 4 o’clock at the Baptist church in that city. Before the ceremony Miss Marie Barnhart sang “Harts and Flowers,” after which the bridal party entered to the strains of Mendelssohn’s wedding march, played by Miss Nellie Hall. 

The ribbon-bearers, little Misses Norme Little and Sammie Gheesling, with long ribbons of tulle formed an aisle, down which the bridal party walked. First, Miss Kate Evans and Mr. Wade Durham, of Woodville; Miss Carrie Davison and Dr. E. G. Adams, Miss Addie Copelan and Colonel J. P. Brown, Miss Willie May Tappan and Mr. Luther Smith. 

Then the little flowers girls, Sara Hall and Marion Park, immediately preceded the bride with her matron of honor, Mrs. Mercer Reynolds, down the middle aisle, while the maid of honor, Miss Frances Adams, going down the right and the best man, Colonel James Davison, with the groom, down the left aisle. 

The ceremony was performed by Rev. A. F. O. Kelley.

The bridesmaids wore pink and white dresses with pink sashes and white hats and carried arms full of pink and white sweet peas. The matron and maid of honor wore white dresses and hats and carried pink and white sweet peas. The bride’s beautiful wedding gown was of soft white point d’esprit over taffeta, made princesse, with a great deal of hand work on the corsage. Her going-away gown was of gray voll made with an eton coat, which she wore over a lingerie blouse. 

Mrs. Merritt is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Ella Davison and is greatly admired. 

Colonel Merritt is one of the best known lawyers in the county and has many friends throughout the state.

The young couple left on the afternoon train for Tallulah Falls, where they will spend several weeks. 

Among the out-of-town guests present were: Mr. Wade Durham, Mrs. William Cartwright, Mrs. R. E. Davison, Mr. Jim Armstrong, Mrs. Floyd, Mr. J .H. Bowles, Mrs. C. C. Davison, Miss Annie Davison, Misses Young, of Woodville; Mrs. J. B. Davison, of Atlanta; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lewis, Misses Annie Lou Tappan, Carrie Merritt, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Merritt, of Siloam; Mr. and Mrs. Genie Merritt, of White Plains; Misses Newsome, Hart, Sibley, Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton, of Union Point; Mrs. Charlie Sanders, Mrs. Lelch, Miss Colclough, Miss Calloway, of Penfield.

Merritt-Davison marriage license

On June 9, 1906, The Atlanta Georgian published an article detailing a shower held for Estelle the Friday before the wedding:

Last Friday afternoon, Misses Kate and Jennie Evans entertained at a miscellaneous shower in honor of Miss Estelle Davison, whose marriage to Mr. G. A. Merritt was the social event of the week. The house was decorated with quantities of pink and white sweet peas, palms and ferns. Punch was served in the hall by Misses Mary Asbury and Lila Merritt. When the guests were assembled, they were each given a little book in which to write a recipe for the bride’s future use. After they were written, they were collected and presented to Miss Davison by Miss Jennie Evans. Ices were served during the afternoon. About fifty young ladies enjoyed the Misses Evans’ hospitality.

Later that summer, Estelle found herself pregnant and on April 30, 1907, gave birth to a son they named George Alexander Merritt Jr. Estelle’s mother moved to Chattanooga in 1909 to live with Pearl. That same year, Estelle emersed herself in the church and the Young Matron’s club, and often took short trips visiting friends and family. She gathered friends at her house on a Saturday afternoon in June 1909 for dominoes. She entertained friends on December 1, 1909 with a Thanksgiving themed dinner. 

In 1912, Estelle, pregnant with her second child, died suddenly at home in Greensboro on September 24. The baby, a daughter, lived long enough to be listed as a survivor in Estelle’s obituary, but then sadly died herself. The Atlanta Constitution reported Estelle’s death on September 25, 1912 but made no mention of an infant daughter:

Mortuary, Mrs. G.A. Merritt, Greensboro. Greensboro, Ga., September 24.-(Special.) Mrs. George Merritt, wife of Colonel G. A. Merritt, prominent lawyer and member of the state legislature, died very suddenly at her home here this morning. Mrs. Merritt was one of the most popular young matrons of the city. She is survived by her husband, one young son, her mother, Mrs. Sarah Davison; one brother, Colonel James Davison, of Greensboro; and one sister, Mrs. Mercer Reynolds, of Chattanooga, Tenn. The funeral will take place from the Methodist church, of which she was a devoted member, tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock. Interment at City cemetery.

Estelle’s half uncle, Alexander Hamilton Davison, was a prominent member of the Athens, Clarke County, Georgia community. With that said, The Athens Banner reported Estelle’s death on September 25, 1912, with no mention of her daughter:

Funeral Yesterday Neice [sic] of Mr. A. H. Davison. Mr. A. H. Davison leaves this morning for Greensboro to be present at the funeral and burial of his neice [sic], Mrs. George Merritt, whose death occurred there at her home yesterday morning. Mrs. Merritt is survived by her husband, one little son of three years, her mother, Mrs. Ella Davison, a sister, Mrs. Reynolds of Chattanooga, Tenn. And one brother Mr. James Davison, of Greensboro. The funeral will be conducted today at 11 o’clock.

I only found one news article that mentioned the baby, published by The Atlanta Semi-weekly Journal on September 27:

Mrs. E. A. Merritt Dies at Greensboro (Special Dispatch to The Journal.). GREENSBORO, Ga., Sept. 25.—Mrs. Estelle Davison Merritt, wife of Hon. George A. Merritt, died Tuesday morning at her home in this city, after a very brief illness. Mrs. Merritt was one of the most popular and beloved young matrons in the state. She was prominent in both club and church work.

The deceased is survived by her husband, a little son, G. A., Jr., a baby girl a few hours old and step-daughter, Miss Lila Merritt, besides a mother, a brother, Hon. James Davison, and a sister, Mrs. Mercer Reynolds, of Chattanooga, Tenn.

The funeral occurred Wednesday afternoon at the Methodist church. Rev. W. H. Mackey officiating.

As reported in the Atlanta Georgian on September 25, Estelle, age 33, was buried in plot B-4, 20’x20’ at Greensboro City Cemetery on September 25:

Greensboro Matron Dies. Greensboro, Ga., Sept. 25—The body of Mrs. Estelle Davison Merritt, wife of G. A. Merritt, who died at the family home in this city yesterday after a brief illness, was buried this afternoon from the Methodist church. Mrs. Merritt was prominent in club and church work. She is survived by her husband, a young son, G. A. Merritt Jr., a step daughter, Miss Lila Merritt, her mother, a brother, Colonel James Davison, and a sister, Mrs. Mercer Reynolds, of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Although none of the news articles mention it, the baby daughter who died hours after Estelle, was apparently buried with her mother. 

Family and friends came from several cities throughout Georgia—Madison, Atlanta, Woodville, Athens, and Greensboro to name a few—as well as from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to attend the funeral. 

Estelle’s husband took his own life in January 1916. News reports suggested he was “unbalanced” due to finances, but perhaps losing two wives and an infant daughter had something to do with it.

References

• Col. James Davison suffers stroke, The Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, August 6, 1875.
• Dominoes, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 13, 1909.
• Funeral Yesterday Neice [sic] of Mr. A. H. Davison, The Athens Banner, Athens, Georgia, September 25, 1912
• Funeral, The Augusta Daily Herald, Augusta, Georgia, September 29, 1912.
• G. A. Merritt, Prominent Greene County Official, Ex-Legislator, Suicides, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, January 14, 1916.
• Georgia Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, vol. 2, 1906.
• Greensboro Matron Died, Atlanta Georgian, Atlanta, Georgia, September 25, 1912.
• Greensboro news, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, November 27, 1904.
• Greensboro, GA., The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, October 3, 1909.
• MERRITT-DAVISON, The Atlanta Georgian, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2 and 5, 1906.
• Misses Estelle and Pearl Davison, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, July 29, 1901.
• Mortuary, Mrs. G. A. Merritt, The Atlanta Constitution, September 25, 1912.
• Mrs. E. A. Merritt Dies at Greensboro, Atlanta Semi-weekly Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, September 27, 1912.
• Mrs. Ella M. Davison obituary, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 30, 1929.
• Thanksgiving Idea, Atlanta Georgian and News, Atlanta, Georgia, December 3, 1909.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900.
• Wedding shower, The Atlanta Georgian, Atlanta, Georgia, June 9, 1906.
• Young Matron’s Club, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, August 1 and November 21, 1909.

George William Perry Holland

George William Perry Holland, son of John Holland and Elizabeth Hutchinson Majors, was born in Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina on November 20, 1849. William grew up in a large family that included his parents and 10 siblings—Elijah Major Holland, Martha L. Holland, Gambrell W. Holland, Leroy Thomas Holland, Symantha C. Holland, Caroline Emeline "Emma" Holland, Miranda Elizabeth Holland, Nancy L. Holland, Jane A. Holland, Samantha Jane Holland, John Louis Holland, Mary M. Holland, and Eliza Amanda Holland, and P. C. Holland. His brother Leroy is my 2nd great grandfather which makes William my 2nd great grand uncle. Our nearest common relatives are his parents. Early in his life, records listed his first name as George. But as he grew older, the name George appears to have been dropped.

Update 12/16/24: After thoroughly reviewing my research, I have revised the number of children born to John and Elizabeth Holland from 16 to 11. I have crossed out the names of the children that I no longer included in this family.

On August 16, 1850, the Holland family lived in the Eastern Subdivision of Anderson County. At nine months of age, William, enumerated as George W. P. Holland, was the baby in the family. His father was a farmer with real estate valued at $1500, Elijah was a student at age 21, and Leroy a farmer.

1850 census

On June 25, 1860, the Holland family lived in Regiment 4 of Anderson County. William’s father, a farmer, had real estate valued at $2000 and a personal estate valued at $500. William was enumerated as George W. Holland in the 1860 census record. The family lived next door to William’s sister Nancy and her husband Marcus Hall.

On August 16, 1870, William lived with his brother Elijah and his family in the Belton Township of Anderson County. At age 20, William worked as a day laborer. They lived two houses from Robert King and Frances Holland King, William’s grand uncle and aunt. Frances was the daughter of Moses Holland, a leading citizen of Anderson County and Baptist minister who founded many churches in the area. Moses, a drummer during the Revolutionary War, “was present at Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown in 1781.” 

By 1876, William had married Sallie Lee Sims and started their family of at least four children—John William Holland, Charles Allison Holland, Lilly B. Holland, and Frank Holland. I can’t be certain though that Sims is Sallie’s maiden name. In my research, I found death certificates for John, Charles, and Frank and all three list a different last name for Sallie. Charles’ death certificate lists his mother as Sallie Lee Sims, on John’s certificate, it’s Sallie Suber, and on Frank’s it’s Sallie Dumas. Frank’s obituary only lists his father. It appears that Sallie died sometime after Frank’s birth in August 1886 and that William married Josephine Miller about 1891. William and Josephine had at least four children—Robert Perry Holland, Ruby Estelle Holland, James Carlyle Holland, and one child that did not survive infancy.

By June 2, 1900, William had moved his family to McFarland Drive in Florence, South Carolina. The census enumerator noted that William and Josephine had been married for nine years. Josephine had given birth to three children, with only two living, Robert and Ruby. Three children from William’s first marriage were still in the home—Charles, Lilly, and Frank. William worked as an engineer for the railroad. Josephine died in 1905 and was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Florence.

On April 19, 1910, a widowed William lived in Ward 1 of Florence. He still had three children at home, Robert (age 16), Ruby (age 13), and James (age 7). William was no longer working. His son Robert, however, worked as a clerk in a grocery story. None of the children were attending school. William was still living in the McFarland Drive home in 1913.

William apparently suffered from melancholia, or severe depression, and on December 19, 1915, his life ended tragically in Florence at the age of 66 from “injuries received by jumping from a window.” Three news articles reported the circumstances of William’s death.

"The Greenville News," Greenville, South Carolina, December 23, 1915. Jump Proves Fatal. William P. Holland Dies from Injuries at Florence. Florence, Dec. 22—William P. Holland, for many years an engineer on the Atlantic Coast Line, died here on Sunday afternoon as the result of injuries received in jumping from the second story window of the infirmary where he had been sent for treatment on account of an ailment from which he had suffered for years, and which was the cause of death, hastened by his accident. Mr. Holland came to Florence from Anderson county in early life and was employed by the Atlantic Coast Line as long as he was physically able to work. Four sons and one daughter survive him.

"The Intelligencer," Anderson, South Carolina, December 23, 1915. The following from yesterday's Columbia State will be of interest since Mr. Holland was formerly a resident of this county: Florence, Dec. 22— ... [carried the same article above that ran in "The Greenville News"] … .

"Yorkville Enquirer," York, South Carolina, December 31, 1915. William P. Holland, for many years an engineer on the Atlantic Coast Line railway, died last week from injuries received when he jumped from the second story window of a Florence sanitarium where he was undergoing treatment.

William’s death certificate listed his occupation as locomotive engineer. He was buried in the family plot at Mount Hope Cemetery in Florence on December 21, 1915.

Stone photos by Darlington SC, Find A Grave member ID unknown

References

• Charles Allison Holland, Standard Certificate of Death no. 56 011650, Division of Vital Statistics—State Board of Health, State of South Carolina.
• Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/130529182/william-perry-holland: accessed 11 July 2021), memorial page for William Perry Holland (20 Nov 1849–19 Dec 1915), Find a Grave Memorial ID 130529182, citing Mount Hope Cemetery, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by Find a Grave (contributor 8).
• Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/130529348/josephine-holland: accessed 18 July 2021), memorial page for Josephine Miller Holland (1862–1905), Find a Grave Memorial ID 130529348, citing Mount Hope Cemetery, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by Find a Grave (contributor 8).
• Frank Holland, Standard Certificate of Death no. 15992, State of South Carolina, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State Board of Health, 1933.
• James Carlyle Holland Certificate of Death no. 338, North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1941.
• Jump Proves Fatal. William P. Holland Dies from Injuries at Florence, The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina, December 23, 1915.
• Melancholia, Merriam-Webster Dictionary; https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melancholia.
• Moses Holland, Manley McClure to Join Anderson HOF in October, Anderson Observer, August 16, 2014; http://andersonobserver.com/news/2014/8/16/moses-holland-manley-mcclure-to-join-anderson-hof-in-october.html.
• Robert Perry Holland Certificate of Death no. 59 009572, Vital Statistics—State Board of Health, South Carolina, 1959.
• Ruby Estelle Van Collom, Commonwealth of Virginia—Certificate of Death no. 85-000683, Department of Health—Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics—Richmond, 1985.
• The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, December 23, 1915.
• U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, South Carolina, Florence, 1913.
• United States Federal Census, Belton, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1870.
• United States Federal Census, Eastern Subdivision, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1850.
• United States Federal Census, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, 1900.
• United States Federal Census, Florence, Ward 1, Florence County, South Carolina, 1910.
• United States Federal Census, Regiment 4, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1860.
• William Perry Holland, Certificate of Death no. 23528, State of South Carolina, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State Board of Health, 1915.

Ernest W. Allen

Ernest W. Allen, son of William P. Allen and Mollie Mae Burnett, was born in Georgia, probably Walton County, about July 1909. He was the oldest child of four—Ernest W. Allen, Millie Frances Allen, William Wardell Allen, and Jimmie Allen. Ernest is my 1st cousin 2x removed with our nearest common relatives being my 2nd great-grandparents, Samuel Pride Burnett and Millicent Virginia Overton.

On May 5, 1910, the Allen family lived in the Buncombe District of Walton County, Georgia. Even though he was 10 months old at the time, the census enumerator listed Ernest as “Infant Allen.” His parents had been married for one year. Ernest was the Allen’s only child. Ernest’s father worked as a farmer on a general farm, his mother a farm laborer on a home farm. Both of his parents were able to read and write.

On January 31, 1920, the Allen family lived on a rented farm on Covington Road in the Buncombe District of Walton County. At 10 years old, Ernest was attending school and able to read and write. Since the last census was taken, Ernest had gained two siblings, sister Millie (age 4 ½) and brother William (age 8 months). Ernest’s father continued to work as a farmer on a general farm. His mother, now with three children, was no longer employed.

On April 2, 1930, the Allen family lived at Covington and Walnut Grove Road in Walnut Grove, Walton County, Georgia. At age 21, Ernest worked as a farm laborer, his father a farmer on a general farm. The Allen family had gained one more member—a boy named Jimmie who was 7 years old. Everyone in the home except Jimmie was able to read and write.

Sometime after the 1930 census was taken, Ernest married Miss Harcrow. Something tragic happened on July 19, 1936 when Ernest and his father-in-law got into an argument at the Harcrow home, ending with his father-in-law shooting Ernest in the abdomen. In critical condition, Ernest’s friends drove him to Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. Mr. Harcrow turned himself in and confessed to the shooting. The Atlanta Constitution published a story on July 20 stating “No charge was placed against him, but he is being held pending the outcome of Allen’s injury.” 

Headline of news article the The Atlanta Constitution reporting the shooting

Ernest died at 10:14 a.m. on July 20, apparently after the newspaper was published. His death certificate recorded his death was caused by a hemorrhage with surgical shock following a gunshot wound to the abdomen on July 19. Ernest was buried on July 22 at Corinth Christian Church cemetery in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia. At the time of his death, Ernest, who worked as a farmer, lived in the Snapping Shoals community of Newton County, Georgia, about 14 miles from Covington. I have been unable to find an article in The Atlanta Constitution reporting Ernest’s death or any follow-up to the shooting.

References

• Mr. Ernest Allen, Certificate of Death no. 19701, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• United States Federal Census, Buncombe, Walton County, Georgia, 1910, 1920.
• United States Federal Census, Walnut Grove, Walton County, Georgia, 1930.
• Victim of Gunshot in Critical State, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, July 20, 1936.

Robert Thompson Miller

Robert Thompson Miller
(attribution in references)

Robert Thompson Miller, son of Joseph M. Miller and Alice Athya, was born in Auckland, New Zealand on July 21, 1894. He was the third child of four—George Athya Miller, Aileen Catherine Miller, Robert Thompson Miller, and Marjorie Alice Miller. If you follow my blog, you know one of the surnames I research is Athya, the source of my husband’s Scottish ancestry. Athya is not a very common name so anytime I find someone with that surname, I’m very interested. Robert’s mother Alice was the daughter of John Athya, born in Scotland about 1829 and his wife Catherine Bell, born in Scotland about 1831. To date, I have been unable to connect this line of Athya’s to ours. It’s a work in progress—I’m guessing there’s a connection there somewhere.

UPDATE on May 1, 2022 - Since this sketch was posted, the Athya family connection has been made. Robert is the 2nd cousin 2x removed of my husband Charles. Their nearest common relatives are Isaac Athya and Janet Graham, Charles' 3rd great grandparents and Robert's great grandparents.

World War I started on July 28, 1914 when Robert was 20 years old. Most likely in preparation for enlistment, Robert was examined on June 5, 1915. During the examination, approved by B. J. Dudley, it was determined that Robert was 5’ 10” tall, had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark brown hair. His chest measured a minimum of 32 inches and a maximum 35 inches. Robert’s teeth were in fair condition. He was troubled by varicocele (varicose veins within the scrotum). It was noted in the medical record this condition had been present for many years and as a farmer, Robert had never had any trouble from it. Robert’s religious orientation was of the Presbyterian faith.

A little over a year after the war began, on August 24, 1915, Robert enlisted in the Army at Trentham, New Zealand to serve with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Trentham was a “suburb of Upper Hutt, a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand” according to Wikipedia. Wikipedia also notes that … “The Trentham Military Camp was used extensively for training soldiers in preparation for World War I …” so it appears he would stay in Trentham to prepare for the war. When filling out the recruitment paperwork, Robert stated he was born in Auckland on July 21, 1895, a year later than recorded on the New Zealand birth index found on ancestry.com. He listed his father Joseph Miller of Station Road in Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand as his next-of-kin. Robert listed Station Road as his last residence so he was apparently living at home with his parents. At the time, Robert worked as a farmer. When asked for the name and address of his present or last employer, he answered J. V. Hardie, Poro, O, Tarao. Robert wasn’t married. He had never been imprisoned by the Civil power. Although not at the time of his enlistment, Robert had previously served five years of cadet training, two years with Col Cadets and three years with Ter’ls in Sydney Australia. Some, if not all, was compulsory military training under the Defence Act of 1909. He had never been rejected as unfit for the military or naval forces of the Crown. Robert was willing to be vaccinated and to serve in the Expeditionary Force in or beyond the Dominion of New Zealand for the term of the present European war or longer.

Robert served in New Zealand’s military for just a short time, August 24 to November 13, 1915, before entering the foreign service with the 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment, A Squad, 8th Reinforcements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. According to Wikipedia, “the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment was a mounted infantry regiment from New Zealand raised, in August 1914, for service during the First World War. It was assigned to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.” Robert held the rank of Trooper, Service Number 13/2573.

Mounted Section Aucland Mounted Rifles (attribution in references)

The 8th Reinforcements left Wellington, New Zealand for Suez, Egypt aboard the H.M.T. Tufua on November 13, 1915. During the voyage, the troops would have been responsible for the care of their horses. They arrived in Suez on December 20, 1915. On January 23, 1916, they left by train for Canal, Zeitoun (a district in Cairo, Egypt). Once in Zeitoun, the men and horses spent time in desert training. He was still in Egypt on August 1, 1916. 

Robert received a gunshot wound to his right wrist on April 19, 1917, the first day of the Second Battle of Gaza. He spent time in the hospital at Moascar, Egypt, which I believe was a base camp. In May 1917, Robert posted back to the field with his regiment and spent time recovering in Alexandria, Egypt. In July 1917, he was admitted from the field to a hospital in Heliopolis, Egypt (I believe Aotea Hospital) suffering from gastritis and varicocele. He was discharged back to duty with his regiment by mid-August.

The Battle of Beersheba took place in southern Israel on October 31, 1917. According to the New Zealand History website detailing the capture of Beersheba, “On the morning of 31 October 1917 men of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade attacked Tel el Saba, a fortified hill 3.2 km north-east of Beersheba. After six hours of hard fighting the New Zealanders captured the hill.” Robert apparently was engaged in the battle and died from wounds received that day. Age the age of 23, Robert was buried in section D.4 at Beersheba War Cemetery in Palestine. 

Robert's headstone in Beersheba War Cemetery;
photo from New Zealand War Graves Project (attribution/link in references)

A History Sheet in his New Zealand military record notes “no evidence of a will.”

Robert was awarded the 1914–1915 Star Medal, British War Medal, and Victory Medal for his service. His medals, along with a plaque and scroll, were sent to his father at Gray Avenue, Mangere Crossing, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. 

Robert's medals (left to right:1914-1915 Star Medal,
British War Medal, and Victory Medal
(attribution in references)

Robert was not the only member of the family who served during World War I. His brother George served as a Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment and Royal Air Force and his sister Aileen served as a nurse.

References

• Battle of Beersheba (1917); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beersheba_(1917).
• Battle of Magdhaba; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Magdhaba.
• Battle of Romani; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Romani.
• Capture of Beersheba, 31 October 1917, New Zealand History; https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/capture-beersheba. 
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Trooper Robert Thompson Miller; https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/644928/.
• Mounted Section Aucland Mounted Rifles photo, author C. G. Nicol photographer unknown, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mounted_Section_Aucland_Mounted_Rifles.jpg.
• New Zealand War Graves Project, Robert Thompson Miller; https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/robert-thompson-miller.
• New Zealand, Birth Index, 1840-1950, ancestry.com.
• New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966; familysearch.org.
• New Zealand, World War I Service Records, 1914-1920, Robert Thompson Miller and George Athya Miller.
• Robert Thompson Miller photo – From Sarah Simpson (March 2017) via Online Cenotaph, Auckland War Memorial Museum, www.aucklandmuseum.com). Image has no known copyright restrictions; https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C10759. 
• Second Battle of Gaza; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Gaza. 
• Trentham, New Zealand; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trentham,_New_Zealand.
• Trooper Robert Thompson Miller medals. From left to right: 1914-1915 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal. From Sarah Simpson (March 2017) via Online Cenotaph, Auckland War Memorial Museum, www.aucklandmuseum.com). Image has no known copyright restrictions; https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C10759. 
• Varicocele, bing.com.

Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr.

Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr., son of Nathan Augustus Hobbs Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Lankford, was born in Georgia, probably Greene County, in 1829. He was the fifth child of eight—Robert L. Hobbs, Joel Garner Hobbs, Rebecca L. Hobbs, Caroline B. Hobbs, Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr., Minor Smith Hobbs, Elizabeth Fanny Hobbs, and Marian Langford Hobbs. He was the brother of my 3rd great-grandmother Caroline B. Hobbs so would be my 3rd great grand uncle. It appears he may have gone by his middle name Augustus, so that’s what I’ll use for this sketch.

Augustus and his family lived in Greene County, Georgia in 1830. They were still living there in 1840. Augustus attended Mercer University in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia during the year 1847. At the time, he was living with his sister Marian Langford Hobbs and her first husband, John Jenkins. 

U.S., College Student Lists, 1763-1924, ancestry.com.

On October 4, 1850, Augustus (as enumerated) lived in District 162 of Greene County, Georgia in the home of Jackson Gobram, a 32-year-old carriage maker from Vermont. In addition to Jackson’s wife Mary and 10-month-old daughter Alice, there were seven young men living in the home, including Augustus. All but one, John W. Daniel, were carriage makers.

Augustus married Harriet Tiller, daughter of Burrell Tiller and Nancy Green, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia on December 30, 1852. It doesn’t appear that he and Harriet had any children together.

Hobbs-Tiller marriage record (click to enlarge)

On June 5, 1860, Augustus and Harriett lived in Penfield. Augustus was a carriage painter with real estate valued at $2000 and a personal estate of $400. His 13-year-old nephew, John N. C. Jenkins (son of Marian Langford Hobbs and John Jenkins), lived with them. They lived next door to Oliver P. Wilson, my 3rd great grandfather.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Augustus and brothers Joel and Minor were quick to join the cause. Augustus was enlisted as a private in Company C, Third Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Dawson Grays) by Captain Robert L. McWhorter at Penfield on April 24, 1861. Minor joined the Dawson Grays two days later, April 26. Augustus’ brother Joel joined Medlin’s Independent Company, Georgia Infantry (High Shoals Defenders). 

Partial company muster roll

The Dawson Grays arrived in Augusta, Georgia on April 30 and Augustus mustered into service there on May 3, 1861. The company left Augusta via the Georgia Railroad on May 3, on their way to Virginia. In mid-June, the regiment suffered a measles outbreak while in Norfolk, Virginia. In early September 1861, the Third Georgia Regiment was stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia where they were ordered to Hatteras inlet via the Dismal Swamp Canal. They carried cannons with them on the trip, arriving “on the coast just after Hatteras was taken.” The Third Georgia Regiment participated in the Battle of South Mills fought in Camden County, North Carolina on April 19, 1862 so I assume the Dawson Grays were part of that battle. The Dawson Grays fought at the Battle of Malvern Hill that took place in Henrico County, Virginia on July 1, 1862. On August 28, 1862 which was when the Second Battle of Manassas took place, Augustus was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No. 5 in Richmond, Virginia suffering from debility from fever. Because he was hospitalized in Richmond, does that mean he was not involved in battle at Manassas? Probably not as Manassas is 95 miles from Richmond. Augustus was transferred to Petersburg, Virginia on November 14, 1862. The company muster roll shows that he was absent sick for the period November and December 1862. In early May 1863, the Third Georgia Regiment fought in the Battle of Chancellorsville near Fredericksburg, Virginia. According to the Stone Sentinels website, this was the “fifth deadliest battle of the war” and the battle where the confederates lost Lieutenant General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. Over the next month and a half, the regiment marched north through Virginia, into Maryland, and finally to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the Battle of Gettysburg that would prove fatal to Augustus. On July 2, 1863, Augustus died at age 34 from wounds received during that battle—158 years ago today. His body was brought home and laid to rest in the family cemetery in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

Had Augustus survived the Civil War, he most likely would have lived a long life. His grandfather Robert L. Hobbs Sr. died in Greene County in 1845 at the age of 91. His father Nathan Augustus Hobbs Sr. died in Penfield in 1889 at the age of 99.

References

• Battle of Malvern Hill; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Malvern_Hill.
• Battle of South Mills; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_South_Mills.
• Burrell Tiller and Nancy Green, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Burrell Tiller, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992, ancestry.com.
• Company C, Dawson Grays, Penfield, GA., Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel, Augusta, Georgia, December 9, 1862.
• Departure of Troops, Augusta Evening Dispatch, Augusta, Georgia, May 3, 1861.
• J. G. Hobbs, U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, ancestry.com.
• Nathan A. Hobbs and Harriet Tiller, Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828–1978, ancestry.com.
• Nearly Caught, The Columbus Weekly Times, Columbus, Georgia, September 9, 1861.
• Our Special Army Correspondence, The Third Georgia Regiment, Southern Confederacy, Atlanta, Georgia, June 15, 1861.
• Stone Sentinels, Battle of Chancellorsville; https://stonesentinels.com/chancellorsville/.
• Third Georgia Regiment, Columbus Daily Times, Columbus, Georgia, September 5, 1861.
• Troops Arrived Last Night, “Supplies for the Troops,” “Camp Life Yesterday,” and “Visitors to the Camp,” Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel, Augusta, Georgia, May 1, 1861.
• United States Federal Census, District 162, Greene, Georgia, 1850.
• United States Federal Census, Penfield, Greene, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S., College Students Lists, 1763–1924, ancestry.com.