Servants of Mr. Jackson, Mr. Wests, and R. L. McWhorter

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

Penfield Baptist Church: 1839–1885

p. 140

Penfield, Feb. 12th 1850 

The African Branch met in conference, Bro. Stillwell presiding. The Report of the Committee was heard and the case postponed till next conference. Letters of dismission were granted to the following members: Peter, a servant of Mr. Jackson, Ferraby, Lucy, Milley, Viney, maid servants of Mr. Wests.

Adjourned. 

Davis Clk. pro tem.

p. 148.

Sep 15th 1850 

Colored church conference. Bro. Dews presided. Radford and Harriet, servants of Bro. R. L. McWhorter were received by letter from Palmyra Church. 

Thos. A. Morgan, Clk. C.p.t.

Reference

Penfield Baptist Church Minutes: 1839 – 1885, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, pp. 140 and 148. 

Isaac William Carter Gaston of Hillcrest Cemetery

This sketch highlights the life of Isaac William Carter Gaston who is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point, Fulton County, Georgia.

Isaac “Ike” William Carter Gaston, son of William Burns Gaston and Alice Lillian Carter was born in Carrollton, Carroll County, Georgia on November 30, 1902. His parents had at least 12 children—Emma Gaston, Bessie Gaston, Teresa “Tessie” Gaston, Celesta D. Gaston, Willie Belle Gaston, Sallie R. Gaston, Alice (Allie) L. Gaston, Inez Gaston, Savannah Gaston, Lena Gaston, James Gaston, and Isaac “Ike” William Carter Gaston. 

Photo from The Atlanta Journal, March 10, 1940

On April 22, 1910, the Gaston family lived in College Park, Fulton County, Georgia. Ike was the youngest member of the family. His parents had been married for 29 years. Ike’s father worked as a mill hand/cotton carder at the mill. His sisters Sallie and Inez worked as winders and Allie a spinner at the cotton mill. Ike’s mother had given birth to 12 children, 11 of which were living. His widowed sister Emma lived in the home as well, along with her two daughters, Hattie (6) and Lee (5). Emma also worked as a winder at the cotton mill.

By January 2, 1920, the Gaston family had moved to Pumpkin Vine, District 0141, Paulding County, Georgia. All but James and Ike had moved out of their parents home. Ike’s father now worked as a farmer on a general farm while both James and Ike worked as farm laborers on the home farm. Everyone in the home could read and write.

Ike married Louise Kathryn Astin, daughter of Julian and Lillian Astin, about 1929. There was an 11 year age difference between the two. Ike and Louise had four children together—Julian William “Billy” Gaston, Robert “Bobby” Lee Gaston, Isaac Carter Gaston, and Kathryn Gaston. Their son Isaac, born on October 6, 1929 lived less than three months, dying from bronchial pneumonia at Grady Hospital in Atlanta on December 27, 1929. His death certificate records his burial location as Roseland Cemetery in Atlanta (noted as an unmarked grave on his Find A Grave memorial page); however, a December 29 funeral notice published in The Atlanta Constitution reported he was buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery:

GASTON—The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Gaston are invited to attend the funeral of Isaac Carter Gaston, their two months’ old son at the residence, No. 62 Fair street, S.E., at 2:30 o’clock. Interment will be in Mt. Zion cemetery. Harry G. Poole, funeral director.

On April 10, 1930, Ike and his wife Louise lived in a rental home on Jackson Street in College Park. Ike worked as a barber in a barber shop. The 1933 Atlanta City Directory showed that Ike and Louise still lived in College Park and that he worked as a barber at a shop in East Point.

On the night of March 7, 1940, Ike disappeared from his one chair barbershop in East Point, Fulton County, Georgia. A man from the restaurant next door to the barber shop witnessed Ike “lying on his shop floor, apparently in an intoxicated stupor.” According to The Atlanta Constitution, the barbershop was found “empty, but with the front door open and the lights on” later that night. Ike’s body was found the next day by a farm hand who worked on the property, located just beyond the Ben Hill community of East Point. Ike had been badly beaten with a “flogging device” found nearby and described as a “heavy wooden handle eight inches long and about the size of the gripping end of a baseball bat, and a strap four feet long, three inches wide and one-half inch thick” that had been braided and “bound with wire.” Police believe Ike was forcibly taken by several men and driven to the field where he was flogged. Countless lash marks across his “back to his knees,” scratches on his face, and missing teeth were found by the police and undertaker. It was determined Ike had “stumbled along for 75 yards toward the road, finally dropping to the ground where exposure finished the work of the floggers.” He “had been dead for more than 12 hours” when found. Ike’s death was ruled a homicide by flogging and exposure to “rainy and snowy weather” according to his death certificate. The story of his disappearance and death was the headline in the newspaper on March 9.

The Atlanta Constitution, March 9, 1940

Ike had a history with the East Point Police force, having been previously arrested for charges related to drinking and spousal abuse. He was also known by the police chief “to be handy with a razor in a fight” and had been involved in a couple of altercations. In an interview with The Atlanta Constitution, Ike’s wife admitted that he drank “heavily and frequently” and that “she had been forced to call the police to control him,” but “nothing that Ike Gaston ever did justified the treatment he received at the hands of those men.” Community members described Ike, the son of a former sheriff, as “one of the best barbers in the state.” When not drinking, he “was kind and indulgent to his family.” But when he drank, “he was savage and hostile.”

Once released by the funeral home on March 9, Ike’s body was taken to his sister’s home in East Point. The funeral, officiated by Rev. Joseph Head, took place the next day at the Mercer Avenue Baptist Church in College Park. One of the floggers identified by a victim was seen at the funeral. Ike’s burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point followed after the service. Ike, 36 years old, was survived by his wife Louise, sons Julian and Robert, daughter Kathryn; five sisters and one brother. 

Photo used with permission of Cynthia Jennings, Find A Grave ID 48321835

Possibly at the same time Ike’s funeral took place, an announcement was made that “several arrests” would be made soon as detectives knew “those responsible for the death of Ike Gaston.” However, they postponed making any arrests due to the possibility that whoever flogged Ike was also responsible for other floggings that had taken place. East Point and Fulton County police, who believed the flogging had been carried out by an organization and that “many persons who were members of the organization knew who flogged Gaston,” wanted to gather more evidence first. Instead, they questioned one man already in jail, sought a mill worker who had witnessed several men enter Ike’s barber shop and leave with him “huddled among them,” and continued to investigate 11 other recent floggings involving both blacks and whites. Four of the floggings had only been reported after the incident with Ike. When the police talked to the four victims, they discovered several details like what they found in Ike’s flogging. Three of the four victims stated they could identify their assailants. 

Within a week of Ike’s death, an officer investigating the recent floggings received a death threat in which a caller told him “You’d better lay off this investigation, or you’ll look like Ike Gaston did.” Several Fulton County deputy sheriffs and East Point police officers were alleged to have been engaged in “mysterious actions” involving “night riding activities” using “county-owned automobiles” and the Ku Klux Klan. It was also alleged that many of the floggings in the area “were never reported to police because the victims feared reprisals.” 

When rumors spread that the Ku Klux Klan may be linked “with a self-appointed group of vigilantes that police blame for the floggings,” the imperial wizard offered the services of Klan members “to place the responsibility where it belongs.” He also suspended the charter for the East Point Ku Klux Klan, “for cause.”

A week after Ike's death, the East Point City Council, East Point Post of the American Legion, and Legion Auxiliary adopted resolutions denouncing the floggings.

A coroner’s inquest was conducted at the funeral home. A witness testified that he “saw three men bring a man (apparently Gaston) out of the Gaston shop, and place him in a car.” Ike’s father-in-law testified “about a Ku Klux Klan parade at the Gaston home last summer. Mr. Astin said he heard about the parade but that Mrs. Gaston saw it.” Mr. Astin also testified that Ike immediately stopped drinking after the parade took place. Ike’s wife told the jury about a recent visit “by two men two weeks ago who asked to see her husband.” The coroner’s jury found that “Gaston came to his death as the result of an unlawful beating administered by three or more men, the identities of whom were not revealed by the evidence.” As a result of the coroner’s inquest, many victims and witnesses came forward regarding the other floggings. The Governor offered a $250 reward for information in Ike’s flogging case. Early in the investigation, police had four suspects they were looking at. The whip used to flog Ike was sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation laboratories in Washington, DC. A grand jury was convened to hear testimony of the over 100 victims and witnesses, including 25 women. Many had received death threats if they told their story so the courts brought in extra protection. To further protect witnesses, some were questioned “in a secret rendezvous away from the courthouse.” The Fulton County police chief received a “threatening letter” “which seemed to suggest injury to the chief’s two-year-old grandson.” By the end of March, 10 Klan members had been indicted for participating in the floggings.

It was said Ike’s presence was felt in the courtroom when the trial began for the other floggings in mid-April 1940 and said those who participated in the floggings did so to punish men who “had been derelict in some way at home, or even took a little drink.”

Ike’s wife Louise appeared on the 1940 census record taken in Atlanta on April 11 as a widow with three children—Julian (age 9), Bobby (age 6), and Kathryn (age 3 months). This means that Kathryn was a newborn when Ike was killed. Louise and the children moved next door to her parents in Atlanta after Ike’s death.

By mid-August, Ike’s case was set aside while the Solicitor General sought re-election. The grand jury investigation into Ike’s flogging, however, led to the “indictment of 18 alleged members of the East Point and neighbor Klans on misdemeanor ‘flogging’ charges,” three of which were Fulton County deputy sheriffs and Klansmen.

Ike’s death and the subsequent floggings that came to light after his body was discovered was named the crime story of the year for 1940 in Atlanta. 

Ike had his faults but even with them, Louise loved him. When he was sober, he provided for his family in his own way. After his death, Louise came on hard times. The strain of the floggings and its aftermath took a huge strain on her; she struggled to feed her children and provide necessities. She eventually had to send her daughter to live with family in Boston. It was just too much to bear. 

Seventeen men were indicted with eight of them convicted for the 53 floggings uncovered after Ike’s death. As of March 6, 1942, Ike’s case remained unsolved. All eight convicted were pardoned by late 1942.

References

• ‘8 or 10’ Indictments Sought in ‘Flog’ Cases, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 14, 1940.
• Atlanta, Georgia, City Directory, 1933.
• Can Pick Them Up at Once, Asserts Fulton Detective, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 10, 1940.
• Chief Gets Threat in Flogging Case, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 19, 1940.
• Cope, Willard, Active Part in Whippings Laid to ‘Crew Boss,’ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, April 18, 1940.
• Cope, Willard, Body is Streaked with Welts from Ingenious Whip: East Point Victim's Clothes Replaced After Attack; Region Scene of Several Lashings, The Atlanta Constitution, March 9, 1940.
• Craig, Pete, Five New Flog Victims Quizzed for Evidence Against Ten Klansmen, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2, 1940.
• Death Threat to Officer Marks Flogging Probe, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 13, 1940.
• East Point Council Resolution Decries Activities of Hoodlums, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 13, 1940.
• East Point Legion Attacks Flogging, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 13, 1940.
• Father-in-Law of Flog Victim Tells of Parade, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 14, 1940.
• Federal Grand Jury Told to Probe Floggings, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 11, 1940.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46372577/isaac-william_carter-gaston: accessed 26 September 2023), memorial page for Isaac William Carter “Ike” Gaston (30 Nov 1902–8 Mar 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 46372577, citing Hillcrest Cemetery, East Point, Fulton County, Georgia, USA; maintained by East Point Historical Soc (contributor 50779333).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76806859/isaac-carter-gaston: accessed 26 September 2023), memorial page for Isaac Carter “Buddy” Gaston Jr. (6 Oct 1929–27 Dec 1929), Find a Grave Memorial ID 76806859, citing Roseland Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Jeff Goodwin (contributor 47515838).
• Flog Witnesses Being Quizzed in a ‘Hideaway,’ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, September 22, 1940.
• Flogging Probe Events Traced from Day-to-Day, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 31, 1950.
• Flowers on Ike Gaston’s Grave Mark Date of Flogging Death, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 6, 1942.
• Gaston obituary, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 10, 1940.
• Gaston, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, December 29, 1929.
• Gov. Talmadge Pardons Three Floggers Here, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, December 8, 1942.
• Important Clues Hinted in Flogging Mystery, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 10, 1940.
• Isaac (Ike) Carter Gaston Certificate of Death no. 0709, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1940.
• Isaac Carter Gaston Certificate of Death no. 29-32791, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1929.
• Jarman, Rufus, 2 Fulton Deputies Night-Riders, Policeman’s Testimony Implies, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 13, 1940.
• Job Necessary Now, So Widow of Gaston Can’t Attend Hearing, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, November 25, 1941.
• Julian William Gaston and Lois Gold, Certificate of Intention of Marriage no. 67-7872, State of New Hampshire, 1967.
• Klan Floggings Rated First in Ten Big Stories of Year Here, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, December 18, 1940.
• Klan Offers Help in Solving South Fulton Flogging Death, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 9, 1940 (evening).
• Long, Don, Busy Grand Jury Hints ‘Major Break’ in Flog Quiz, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 21, 1940.
• Male Mystery Witness Found in Gaston Case, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 23, 1940.
• Martin, Harold, Gaston Ghost’s Presence Is Felt in Courtroom, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, April 18, 1940.
• Mr. Ike C. Gaston, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 9, 1940.
• Reward of $250 offered by State in Flogging Case, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 12, 1940.
• Scarborough, Flog Figure, Quits as Deputy, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, December 30, 1941.
• Scott, Deezy, Gaston’s Heart-Broken Wife Relates Story of Life with Him, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 12, 1940.
• Three Floggers Given Pardon by Talmadge, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, December 8, 1942.
• U.S. Federal Census, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, College Park, Fulton County, Georgia, 1910, 1930.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 714, Carroll County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Pumpkin Vine, District 0141, Paulding County, Georgia, 1920.
• Violence of Nature, Human Emotions Dominate Year’s News, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, December 29, 1940.
• W. V. Ingram, Certificate of Death no. 1653, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1929.
• Wholesale Floggings Bared at Probe of Fatal Whipping, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, March 10, 1940.
• Willie Belle Ingram, Certificate of Death no. 29117, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1934.
• Wizard Hopes He Can Restore Charter of Klan, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, April 20, 1940. 

George and Ben, servants of Samuel Patrick and Mr. Ellington

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

Shiloh Baptist Church Minute Extracts 

Shiloh Church January 21st, 1855

Church met in conference for the benefit of the colored members. Opened a door for the reception of members when George, servant to Samuel Patrick and Ben, servant to Mr. Ellington came forward and related an experience and was received in the fellowship of this church. No other business, conference adjourned.

Jas. Devant, C. Clk. J. S. Dagg, Modr.

Reference

Church records, 1839-1859, Greene County, Georgia, Shiloh Baptist Church Records, image 101 of 122; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C34J-3QKP?i=100&cat=193117 (free registration required). 

Margaret Gilchrist

Margaret Gilchrist, daughter of James Gilchrist and Jean (or Jane) Russell was born September 20, 1801 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland. There were at least five children in this family—Margaret Gilchrist, Elisabeth Gilchrist, Jean Gilchrist, Ann Gilchrist, and Helen Gilchrist. 

Margaret is my husband’s 3rd great grandmother with their nearest common relative being his 2nd great grandmother, Jane Wylie. 

Margaret’s birth record

Margaret’s parents celebrated their first wedding anniversary on January 18, 1802, so she was most likely conceived right after the marriage. The Gilchrist family still lived in Falkirk when Elisabeth was born on December 22, 1802. By the time Margaret’s sister Jean was born on January 11, 1805, the family had moved to Airdrie, New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland and were still living there when Ann was born on April 12, 1807. They had moved once again to Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland by the time Helen was born on April 12, 1809. I am not able to confirm, but it appears the family stayed in Kilmarnock for the next 17 years.

The next chapter of Margaret’s life began in Kilmarnock on October 13, 1826 when she married James Wylie, son of Moses Wylie and Janet Armour, after proclamation.

Margaret and James' marriage record

Six children were born to this union—James Wylie (1829), Jane Wylie (1831), Moses Wylie (1833), Hugh Wylie (1837), William Wylie (1839), and John Wylie (1840).

In 1841, the Wylie family lived on Back Sneddon Street in the parish of Paisley Middle Church, county Renfrewshire, Scotland. James, who was listed on the census page before the rest of the family, worked as a cabinet maker. Their youngest son, John, was six months old.

1841 Scotland census

In 1851, Margaret, James, and sons Hugh and William lived at 2 Garthland Lane in the civil parish of Paisley Abbey Church, county Renfrewshire, Scotland. James worked as a cabinet maker and Hugh (age 16) worked as a weavers assistant.

1851 Scotland census

In 1861, Margaret, James, and William lived at 51 Muirhead Street in the Hutchesontown district, parish of Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland. Both James and William worked as cabinet makers.

1861 Scotland census

In 1871, Margaret and James still lived in the Muirhead Street house. Both were enumerated as 60 years old. James still worked as a cabinet maker. Two rooms in the house had one or more windows.

1871 Scotland census

Margaret became a widow on March 24, 1873 when her husband James died of Bright’s disease/dropsy at age 70. He was buried at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow two days later.

In 1881, at age 79, Margaret lived with her son Hugh and his family at 59 Raeberry Street in the civil parish of Barony, Glasgow, Scotland. Hugh worked as a painter (journeyman). His step-son, Robert Peters, worked as a draper, someone who sold cloth to be used for clothing. A 23-year-old female named Annie Aird lived in the home as a lodger.

1881 Scotland census

Margaret died of cerebral disease/general debility on September 13, 1885 at the City Poorhouse in the district of St. Rollox, Glasgow, Scotland. The death register listed her age as 73, but if you do the math, that was wrong. She was also listed as the pauper widow of James Wylie, cabinet maker/journeyman.

Margaret's death record

Margaret was buried on September 15 at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow. The burial register listed her as the mother of James Wylie.

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery burial register, Glasgow, Scotland (1 of 2)

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery burial register, Glasgow, Scotland (2 of 2)

References

• Draper, Dictionary of Old Occupations, Family Research; https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/glossary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations-jobs-beginning-D3.html#Draper. 
• Hugh Wilie, Census 573/32/19, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• James Wilie, Census 573/32/17, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• James Wylie, Census 644/10 82/16, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• James Wylie, Census 644/10 82/16, page 16 of 21, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• Jas. Wylie, Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland, Daily interment books, 1861–January 1874, p. 824, www.familysearch.org.
• Margaret Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 479/Falkirk, page 257 of 686, National Records of Scotland, 1801.
• Margaret Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Marriages 597/Kilmarnock, page 141 of 243, National Records of Scotland, 1826.
• Margaret Wylie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 1101, National Records of Scotland, 1885.
• Margaret Wyllie, Census 644/10 97/24, National Records of Scotland, 1871.
• Margt. Wylie, Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland, Daily interment books, July 1878–December 1885, p. 922, www.familysearch.org.
• Robert Peters, Census 644/9 66/9, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Willm. Wylie, Census 559/11/1, National Records of Scotland, 1851. 

Francis H. Cone’s will, 37 slaves named

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

Francis H. Cone’s Will 

Georgia, Greene County. I, Francis H. Cone, of the County and State aforesaid, being in feeble health, but in full possession of my mental facilities, do make, ordain, and publish this my last Will and Testament, as follows.

First. I give to my son Theodore C. Cone, in trust, to and for the sole and separate use of his wife Hattie Cone, and for the support and education of their present child, Francis, and such other children as may be born of the marriage, the following negroes, Jacob, a blacksmith, Dick, a man and Harriet his wife and their children Anna, Emma, and Eliza, Abram a man and Nancy his wife, and their children Tempe, Evilina, Augustus and an infant name not known and Frank a man, and all the future increase of said negroes and neither the same Trustee nor Cestui give trust nor both shall possess any power to charge said property with the payment of any debt whatsoever, or to encounter the same, nor to sell or otherwise dispose of the same, but the said Theodore C. Cone, as Trustee aforesaid shall hold said property for the uses and purposes aforesaid, during the continuance of the marriage, and if the coverture shall be determined by the death of the said Theodore C. then said property is to be held in trust by such Trustee as may be appointed for the uses and purposes aforesaid for and during the widowhood of the said Hattie Cone, and at her intermarriage or death, said property with all its increase is to be equally divided among the children of said marriage that may be living at that time. But if the said Theodore C. should survive the said Hattie, then said property with all its increase shall belong equally to the children of their marriage that may be living at the time of the death of the said Hattie. But the said Theodore C. shall have the management and control of said property, as the natural Guardian of his said children.

Second. I give to my daughter Victoria Daniel the following negro slaves, with all their future increase to wit. Frances, Nancy, Tempe and Jane, girls. Edward and his wife Tempe and all their children (except Alfred called Diddle), and also Isaac the carpenter and Alfred. I also give to my daughter my miscellaneous library together with the case to which it mostly is, also my horse John and buggy.

Third. I give to my son Francis H. Cone the following negro slaves with all their future increase, namely Reason, a man cook, Vincent, a carpenter and his wife Dorcas and her children Jane and Daniel, Charlotte and Isaac and also Jane’s child George, Brine, a woman and her children Henry, Ann and Felix, Terrell a man, Simon, Mary, Betsey and Alfred called Diddle, the child of Edward and Tempe, and I enjoin upon my son to treat Simon with great kindness, inasmuch as he was borne in the family and has been a most faithful servant. I wish him made happy and comfortable in his old age. I also give to my son Francis all the silverware I possess, and my watch, chain, and seal.

Fourth. I direct that all my real estate together with all my personal property, not herein specifically bequeathed, be sold by my Executors upon such that and in such manner as they may deem most for the interest of my estate, and I suggest that the plantation in the counties of Catoosa and Walker be divided for the purpose of sale, as my Executors may deem most advisable, and the monies arising from these sales together with such monies as may be due me and such monies as I may have on hand, I direct shall constitute a fund for the payment of debts, and after all my debts are paid, I direct that one third of the balance that may remain shall be by my Executors invested in Bank Stock, and be then conveyed to my son Theodore C. Cone, in trust, for the same uses and purposes, and subject to the same limitations and restrictions, as the property conveyed by the first clause of this will. The remaining two thirds of said balance, I give in equal part to my daughter Victoria and my son Francis H. 

Fifth. I give the use of my law Library to my son Theodore C. and my nephew Frederick C. Fuller, so long as they may see proper to use the same, and then to be sold and the proceeds to be disposed of as my other personalty not specifically devised.

Sixth. I give and devise all my real estate in the Township of East Haddam, State of Connecticut, to my mother, Sally Cone, and my sister C. C. Cone, and to the survivor of them: It being the place where they now reside, where I was born and my father lived and died. After the death of the survivor, I give said property to my son Francis H. Cone and his heirs, forever. A yoke of work oxen on said place belonging to me, I give to my said Sister.

Lastly. I appoint as my Executors of this my last Will and Testament, so far as regards, all my property in Georgia, my nephew Frederick C. Fuller and my son Francis H. Cone, and as to my property in Connecticut, I appoint as my Executor, Theodore Fuller my nephew.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and seal, after revoking all former wills by me made, and sanctioning the interlineations on the first and third pages of this will. This 15th day of March 1859.

Francis H. Cone L.S.

The foregoing writing signed, sealed, published, and declared by Francis H. Cone as his last Will and Testament in presence of us, who have at his request signed the same as witnesses, in his presence and in the presence of each other the day and year above written.

Joshua Hill
N. G Foster
Y. P. King
Isham S. Fannin
A. G. Foster

Georgia, Greene County. I, Francis H. Cone, of said County and State having heretofore to wit, on the fifteenth day of this present month of November made and published my last Will and Testament, do now make this Codicil to my said Will, to wit.

I revoke the bequest of the negro boy slave Alfred called Diddle, which I have given to my son Francis and I now give said boy to my daughter Victoria.

In testimony of all which, I have hereunto set my hand, and have published and declared this writing a Codicil to my said Will. This nineteenth day of March in the year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-nine.

Francis H. Cone

The foregoing writing signed, sealed, published, and declared by Francis H. Cone, as a Codicil to his last Will and Testament dated 15th March 1859, in our presence who have signed the same as witnesses in the presence, and in the presence of each other, at his request, this 19th day of March 1859.

Y. P. King
A. G. Foster
Joshua Hill

Court of Ordinary, June Term 1859

Georgia, Greene County. Personally came into open Court, Yelverton P. King, one of the subscribing to the within and foregoing last Will and Testament of Francis H. Cone, late of this county deceased, and Codicil thereto annexed, who being duly sworn, deposes and says that he saw Francis H. Cone, the Testator, sign, seal and heard him declare and publish the same as his last Will and Testament and Codicil, freely, voluntarily, and of his own accord and without any compulsion whatever; that at the time of the execution of said Will and Codicil, said Testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory; that the deponent, together with Joshua Hill, Nathaniel G. Foster, Isham S. Fannin, and Albert G. Foster, signed said Will as witnesses, and all of which said persons signed said Codicil as witnesses, except Isham S. Fannin and Nathaniel G. Foster, in the presence of each other and in the presence of the Testator, at his special instance and request.

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court June 6th, 1859.
Eugenius L. King, Ordinary

Yelverton P. King

Reference

• Francis H. Cone, pp. 199-203, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992. 

Cullen Jackson Caldwell

This blog post is another in a series connecting the dots in my tree to the souls buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

Cullen Jackson Caldwell, son of William Miles Caldwell and Mary Ann Caldwell, was born in Georgia on May 15, 1835. He had three brothers and one adopted sister—Joshua Augustus Caldwell, John Caldwell, Miles A. Caldwell, and Mary W. Caldwell. Cullen is another one of those “distant” cousin links to Bairdstown Cemetery. In this case, he is the father-in-law of a 1st cousin 3x removed. We have no common relative. The connection comes in through my Lankford/Wilson lines.

Sometime after Cullen’s brother Miles was born, his family moved to Alabama. On November 19, 1850, Cullen (age 15) and his family lived in District 19 of Chambers County, Alabama. His father was a farmer and Cullen a student. No one in the family could read or write. There was a Colwell family living next door—Joshua Colwell (62), born in Maryland, his wife Mary (52), and their son Joshua Jr. (18). Both Mary and Joshua Jr. were born in Georgia. I noticed several times in my research the spelling of Caldwell was Colwell so assume they were family, but at this point, do not know the relationship.

Cullen married Sarah W. Bailey in a service performed by Justice of the Peace James A. Ray on December 16, 1858 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. I believe Sarah’s parents were Francis E. Bailey and Sarah Jackson but need to find more records before I can confirm that.

Cullen and a man named James A. Bailey, who I believe is Sarah’s brother, put up a $200 bond for the union.

Cullen and Sarah had nine children—Cullen S. Caldwell, Eliza Pope Caldwell, Robert Esmond Caldwell, Annie E. Caldwell, Julia B. Caldwell, John Miles Caldwell, Cumi J. Caldwell, and two unnamed children.

On August 2, 1860, Cullen and Sarah lived in the Southern Division of Chambers County, Alabama. At age 24, he was working as a school teacher and had a personal estate valued at $250. It appears Cullen and Sarah moved to Georgia within two years after this census was taken. The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, however, Cullen waited until March 1, 1862 when he was enlisted by Lt. Fuller as a private in Company A, Infantry Battalion of Phillips’ Legion, Georgia Volunteers at Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia for a period of three years.

Cullen’s military records help tell the story of his service during the Civil War:

May and June 1862: Present; last paid March 1, 1862.

August 31 to November 31 [sic], 1862: Absent, at home in Georgia sick; last paid September 1, 1862. 

September 16, 1862: Admitted to Chimborazo Hospital, No. 1. in Richmond, Virginia suffering from gonorrhea. Furloughed 40 days from November 6, 1862. Was Cullen sent to Richmond from home in Georgia? The record does not make that clear.

October 24 and 31, 1862: Appeared on a Register of Approved Furloughs kept by the Medical Director’s Office in Richmond, Virginia.

November 6, 1862: Appeared on a Register of Medical Director’s Office in Richmond, Virginia for Chimborazo Hospital No. 1. Furloughed.

November 30 to December 31, 1862: Absent, at home in Georgia sick; last paid September 1, 1862.

January and February 1863: Present; last paid at hospital September 1, 1862. The muster roll does not specify where the hospital was located. At the time, he would have been in Georgia.

May 23, 1863: Appeared on a Register of Receiving and Wayside Hospital, or General Hospital No. 9, in Richmond, Virginia.

June 30, 1863: Appeared as present on the General Hospital No. 19 muster roll in Richmond, Virginia; last paid April 30, 1863.

July 10, 1863: Appeared on a Register of Chimborazo Hospital, No. 2 in Richmond, Virginia suffering from diarrhea. 

August 7, 1863: Transferred to Camp Jackson.

August 10, 1863: Admitted to Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia suffering from debilitas. At the time, he was attached to Waffords Brigade. 

August 31, 1863: Appeared on the Hospital Muster Roll at Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia; last paid by Capt. Kemper on June 30, 1863.

September 16, 1863: Appeared on a Morning Report of Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Returned to duty.

September and October 1863: Present; last paid at hospital September 1, 1863.

March and April 1864: Present; last paid March 1, 1863.

May and June 1864: Present; last paid May 1, 1864.

July and August 1864: Present; last paid July 1, 1864.

November 5 and 27, 1864: Issued clothing.

April 6, 1865: Captured at Burksville. [This entry tells us that Cullen was involved in the Battle of Sayler’s Creek, a significant battle that took place near Farmville, Virginia.] 

April 14, 1865: Arrived at City Point, Virginia. Appeared on a roll of Prisoners of War.

June 26, 1865: Released after swearing an Oath of Allegiance to the United States at Point Lookout, Maryland. Cullen was recorded as being 5’, 7 ¾” tall, having a fair complexion, light brown hair, and blue eyes.

 

July 6, 1867: Appeared on the Penfield, Greene County, Georgia Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstructions Oath Books. 

August 1, 1867: Signed an oath in Greene County. 

On August 24, 1868, Cullen signed an Official Oath of Clerk of the Superior Court for Greene County. 

Apparently, something did not set right with the election for Cullen because in September 1868, he promptly declined. The Greensboro Herald reported the situation on September 3:

A Gentleman and a Democrat.

—C. J. Caldwell, who was elected Clerk of the Superior Court of Greene county, upon the Radical ticket, refuses to serve, stating that his name was associated with the party without his consent. Who of the rest will follow this example?

Cullen lived in Bairdstown when his son Robert was born in October 1868.

He was relieved of “political disabilities” in early May 1870. On June 21, 1870, Cullen and his family lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. Cullen worked as a farmer while his wife Sarah was keeping house. They had three children at the time—Cullen, Eliza, and Robert. They lived two houses from my 3rd great grandparents, James and Caroline (Hobbs) Lankford. In December 1877, Cullen applied for an “Exemption of personalty and setting apart and valuation of Homestead.” The application was advertised in the Greensboro Herald on December 6, 1877.

Georgia—Greene County. 

Cullen J. Caldwell applies for Exemption of personalty and setting apart and valuation of Homestead, and I will pass upon the same at 10 o’clock, a.m., on Tuesday, December 25th, 1877.

J. F. Thornton, Ord’y.

December 4, 1877.

On June 3, 1880, Cullen and his family lived in the 138th District of Greene County, Georgia. He continued to work as a farmer and his wife, enumerated as Sallie, was a housekeeper. There were five children living in the home at this point—Pope, Robert, Annie, Julia, and John. Cullen’s parents lived next door, along with his adopted sister Mary and brother Miles. Pope was the only child attending school. Robert could read but not write. Annie, Julia, and John could neither read or write. A couple named Early (age 60) and Martha (age 57) Caldwell lived next door to Cullen. Next door to Early was a couple named Elisha (age 26) and Kate (age 25). I have not yet determined how or if they are related to Cullen. 

The Oglethorpe Echo reported Sarah being sick with the grippe in February 1892. The Caldwell family was living in Bairdstown at the time. The Echo reported a curious item on November 16, 1894:

—There is a red hat-eating red mule down in Greene county, especially if you leave the hat on a gate post. C. J. Caldwell says he is the durndest hat eating mule this side that place where Dives went when Lazarus got so hungry.

Cullen’s son Robert married Miss Sophronia “Wattie” Hudson in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia on December 27, 1894. The Oglethorpe Echo reported the marriage on January 4, 1895:

—Married, in Rome, Ga., on Thursday morning, Dec. 27th, Mr. Robt. E. Caldwell and Miss Wattie Hudson, both of Rome. As soon as the ceremony was performed the happy couple took the fast train, via Atlanta, to Bairdstown. They were met at Union Point by a party of the bridegroom’s relatives and were donducted to Bairdstown where in waiting was a party of friends and relatives. Then a two mile drive to the hospitable home of Mr. C. J. Caldwell, where a sumptuous feast had been prepared for the August occasion. That all enjoyed themselves goes without saying. After all had partaken of the feast we adjourned to another room where we were entertained delightfully with sweet music by Miss Minnie Bouschell, the lovely daughter of Mr. Bud Bouschell, and Miss Julia Caldwell. Then as the hour hand of the clock that set on the mantle pointed to twelve, we bade the happy couple good night, and many were the wishes of all, and especially Racket, that not a wave of trouble shall ever cross their pathway along the line of time. 

For those researching this family, the marriage date recorded on Robert and Wattie’s marriage certificate, December 19, was different than what the Oglethorpe Echo reported, December 27. 

Cullen’s daughter Julia married Radamanthus (Red or Raddie) M. Boatright Jr. in Greene County on December 4, 1895. The Oglethorpe Echo published the marriage announcement on December 6, 1895:

—Married, at the residence of the bride’s father, C. J. Caldwell, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 4th, 1895, Mr. Red Boatwright, of Wilkes county, and Miss Julia Caldwell, Rev. J. S. Callaway officiating. The groom has won a prize to help him through life. They left at once for their future home in Wilkes county. Our loss will be Wilkes’ gain. Our best wishes for their future happiness through life.

Cullen’s mother, Mary Ann Caldwell, died in Oglethorpe County, Georgia on June 11, 1897. The Oglethorpe Echo reported her death on June 18, 1897:

—Mrs. Caldwell, the mother of Messrs. Cullen, Miles and Joshua Caldwell, died last Friday evening at 2 o’clock and was buried in the cemetery Saturday evening at 3 o’clock. Rev. J. F. Cheney conducted funeral ceremonies. She was 79 years of age, had been a consistent member of Bairds church since moving to this State from Alabama. The family have our sincere sympathy.

On the same day, the Oglethorpe Echo also reported that Cullen planned to build a “nice dwelling house this summer.” Cullen was “alarmingly ill” in mid-April 1898, but had recovered within a week. In mid-August 1898, daughter Julia spent a week at home in Bairdstown visiting her family. Cullen was considering a move to Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia in November 1898, but decided to stay where he was. However, on October 20, 1899, the “Maxeys’ Local Matters” column of the Oglethorpe Echo reported “a number of invitations were sent out to an entertainment at Mr. C. J. Caldwell’s Monday night and those who attended report an enjoyable time.” Does that mean he actually lived in Maxeys at the time? I believe he lived in Bairdstown, not Maxeys based on an October 20, 1899 article published in Oglethorpe Echo, which also tells us what Cullen was celebrating:

—A party was given at Mr. C. J. Caldwell’s last Monday evening in honor of Mr. John Caldwell’s return.

—Mr. John Caldwell, from Arkansas, is now at home on a visit to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Caldwell.

Cullen’s son-in-law, Raddie (Red) Boatwright (husband of daughter Julia), died at his home in Wilkes county on April 10, 1900. The Oglethorpe Echo carried the announcement of his death on April 13:

—Mr. Raddie Boatwright died at his home in Wilkes last Monday evening. May God comfort the bereaved family.

Julia, now a widow, and her son, Guy M. Boatwright, moved back to her parents' home in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia which is where the census enumerator found them on June 7, 1900. In addition to Cullen, his wife Sarah, Julia, and her son Guy, their son John (age 23) and daughter Cumi (age 21) were living there as well. Cullen and Sarah had been married for 42 years. Sarah was enumerated as having had nine children, seven of which were living. Cullen worked as a farmer and John a farm laborer. A black male named Abe Cheney (age 20) also lived in the home. He was enumerated as a servant and worked as a farm laborer. They lived six houses from his brother Miles and his family. Cullen was visited by Charlie Smith and Ed Caldwell from Siloam, Greene County, Georgia in March 1901. Sometime before July 26, 1901, Cullen’s house(s) apparently burned. On July 26, the Oglethorpe Echo reported the following:

—Mr. C. J. Caldwell is hauling stock to the mill to rebuild the houses he had burned. We all sympathize with him in his loss which is good as far as it goes but let us do something more substantial.

I looked for an article reporting the fire but did not find one.

A wedding took place at the Caldwell home when Cullen’s daughter Cumi married Joseph P. Clark in Greene County on December 18, 1901. The marriage announcement was published in The Echo on December 20, 1901:

—Miss Cumi Caldwell and Mr. J. P. Clark, near Maxeys, were married Wednesday at the bride’s home in Greene county. Mr. Clark is a flagman on the Georgia railroad and Miss Caldwell is one of the pretty young women of Greene county and they entered married life with bright and flattering prospects.

 

In May 1902, the Oglethorpe Echo reported that Cullen had “been in rather bad health for two weeks.” An Administrator’s Sale notice for the estate of Mrs. A. J. Callahan published in the Oglethorpe Echo on October 31, 1902 reported that Cullen lived in Bairdstown. Her land was bordered on the west by Cullen’s and P. M. Stevens. 

Cullen’s daughter Cumi died in Greene County on July 21, 1903 following a short illness. The Echo published the announcement of her death, as well as that of an infant son, on July 24, 1903:

—The many friends here of Mr. J. P. Clark sympathize with him in the loss of his wife which occurred Monday at Union Point. Mrs. Clark was Miss Cumi Caldwell and a sweeter little girl never lived. 

 

—At her home in Union Point on the 21st inst. Mrs. J. P. Clark passed away after an illness of three days. She was the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Caldwell. She was loved and admired by all who knew her. She was in her 23rd year, had been married about two years. Her infant babe was buried just two days before she was. They were both laid to rest in the cemetery here, Bro. J. D. Mell conducting the funeral services. The family have our heartfelt sympathy. We commend them to God who makes no mistakes but doeth all things well and for the best.

  

Both Cumi and her son were buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

As the month of July began, Cullen was sick and was still sick at the end of the month. He may have suffered from the same illness that killed Cumi and her son. Cumi’s death would not be the only one in 1903. Her sister Julia died in Wilkes County, Georgia on December 7, 1903. Julia was buried at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Rayle, Wilkes County, Georgia. Daughter Julia’s husband, Radamanthus M. Boatwright, had died in Wilkes County on April 10, 1900, now leaving their young son an orphan. Guy would remain in the care of his grandparents, Cullen and Sarah.

On April 22, 1910, Cullen and Sarah lived in Bairdstown with Guy, now 13 years old, still living with them. Cullen worked as a farmer on a general farm. Sarah was enumerated as having had nine children, five of which were living. I have been unable to find two of the children. Cullen and Sarah had celebrated 52 years of marriage. 

Cullen submitted a Confederate Pension Application in Greene County on August 8, 1910. At the time, Cullen owned 175 acres of land valued at $1000. He owned livestock that included a cow and calf valued at $20, horses and kitchen furniture valued at $75, and he received $125 a year for rental of some of his land. Mr. J. R. Robins submitted a witness application stating he had known Cullen for 48 years and had served with him during the war. Robins was captured at the same time as Cullen and was with him in prison. Cullen and his wife paid taxes on $1025 in 1908, $1050 in 1909, and $1090 in 1910. He was paid a pension of $60 for 1912. 

Exactly two years after the last census was taken, Cullen died in Greene County, Georgia on April 22, 1912. He was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery. His obituary and tombstone tell us he was a Mason. The Oglethorpe Echo reported his death on May 3, 1912:

The many friends of Mr. C. J. Caldwell of near Bairdstown regret to learn of his death and burial last week. He was a Mason and a member of Howard lodge at Maxeys. He was seventy-five years old, joined the Baptist church when young and served his country in the Confederacy.

  

At the time of his death, Cullen owned two acres of “very poor land” in Greene County that had a cash value of $800. His household and kitchen furniture was valued at $100. Sarah filed a Widow’s Application for a U.S. Confederate Pension on July 12, 1912. On May 25, 1912, she filed a petition with the Greene County courts seeking one year of support from the estate.

Greene Court of Ordinary, Years Support.

In Re. Mrs. C. J. Caldwell,

And now in response to the citation published, come Hodgson Brothers, and show that they are creditors by judgment of C. J. Caldwell, the deceased out of whose estate a years support is sought, and they caveat the return of the appraisers setting the same aside upon the following grounds:

1. The same is excellsive, having reference to the station and habits of the applicant, and the debts of the estate of the deceased.
2. The valuation of the land set apart at $800 is entirely too small, and land being fairly worth $2,000, and not more than half thereof should be set apart as a years support to said widow.
3. Said applicant is already in the enjoyment of said land as a homestead, and is not entitled to a years support in additional thereto.

Wherefore caevators pray that these their grounds of caveat be sustained, and that judgment be rendered accordingly.

[Signature unreadable]

 

The petition was withdrawn on June 1, 1912.

 

A request was made to the courts to appoint five discreet and proper persons to act as appraisers for the estate, to pay for her support and maintenance, and to set apart sufficient household furniture. 

 

W. A. Hewell, W. P. McWhorter, W. J. Durham, C. G. Moody, and G. F. Callahan were appointed as appraisers for the estate. They assessed that $1000 be set aside for Sarah’s support and maintenance for a period of 12 months, and that she be allowed to keep all the household and kitchen furtniture owned by Cullen at the time of his death.

References

• A Gentleman and a Democrat, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, September 3, 1868.
• Administrator’s Sale, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, October 31, 1902.
• Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, December 6, 1895.
• Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, July 31, 1903.
• Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, March 15, 1901.
• Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, May 2, 1902.
• Bairdstown,The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, November 18, 1898.
• Brought by Mail: From the Different Sections of Oglethorpe County—Near Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, February 26, 1892.
• Brought by Mail: From the Different Sections of Oglethorpe County—Little River, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, November 16, 1894.Death of Cumi Caldwell Clark, The Echo, Lexington, Georgia, July 24, 1903. 
• Brought by Mail: From the Different Sections of Oglethorpe County, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, January 4, 1895.
• Brought by Mail: From the Different Sections of Oglethorpe County—Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, June 18, 1897.
• C. J. Caldwell, Georgia, U.S., Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1960.
• C. J. Caldwell, U.S., Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865.
• C. J. Coldwell, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992.
• Collen J. Caldwell, U.S., Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865.
• Cullen J, Caldwell, Georgia, U.S., Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869.
• Cullen J. Caldwell, Georgia, U.S., Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869, Greene County, Georgia, July 6, 1867.
• Cullin I. Caldwell, Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967.
• Cullin J. Caldwell and Sarah W. Bailey, Alabama, U.S., Select Marriage Indexes, 1816–1942.
• Cullin J. Caldwell, Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967.
• Cullin J. Caldwell, Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805–1967 for Cullin Caldwell, Tallapoosa 1834–1948.
• Cumi Caldwell wedding announcement, The Echo, Lexington, Georgia, December 20, 1901.
• Echoes by Mail: Those Sent Us by Correspondents from Different Sections of the County—Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, October 20, 1899.
• Echoes from Little River, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, April 15, 1898.
• Exemption of Personalty and Setting Apart and Valuation of Homestead advertisement, Greensboro Herald, December 6, 1877.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43091306/infant-son-clark: accessed 06 February 2024), memorial page for Infant Son Clark (1903–1903), Find a Grave Memorial ID 43091306, citing Bairdstown Cemetery, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA; maintained by D Mathis (contributor 47000209).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51378317/julia-boatwright: accessed 03 January 2024), memorial page for Julia Caldwell Boatwright (21 Apr 1875–7 Dec 1903), Find a Grave Memorial ID 51378317, citing Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery, Rayle, Wilkes County, Georgia, USA; maintained by SP (contributor 48324886).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43091291/cumi-j-clark: accessed 03 January 2024), memorial page for Cumi J. Caldwell Clark (20 Jul 1880–20 Jul 1903), Find a Grave Memorial ID 43091291, citing Bairdstown Cemetery, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA; maintained by D Mathis (contributor 47000209).
• From Our Correspondences: The County Localized by Communities—Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, July 03, 1903.
• From Our Correspondents: The County Localized by Communities—Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, July 26, 1901.
• Helena Dots, The Advocate-Democrat, Crawfordville, Georgia, August 12, 1898.
• Julia B. Caldwell and R. M. Boatwright, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978.
• Maxeys’ Local Matters: As Our Special Correspondent Finds Them, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, October 20, 1899.
• Mrs. C. J. Coldwell, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992.
• Mrs. Sarah W. Caldwell, Widow’s Application, Georgia, U.S., Confederal Pension Applications, 1879–1960.
• Official Advertisements, The Weekly New Era, Atlanta, Georgia, May 11, 1870.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery.
• Robert E. Caldwell and Miss Wattie Hudson, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978.
• Robert Esmond Caldwell, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
• U.S. Federal Census, 138th District, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 19, Chambers County, Alabama, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 140, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Southern Division, Chambers County, Alabama, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1910.