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.
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:
- The same is excellsive, having reference to the station and habits of the applicant, and the debts of the estate of the deceased.
- 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.
- 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.
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