Confederate Soldiers In The Family

The American Civil War Participants in my Family


It really doesn't matter at this point where you stand on the merits or pitfalls of the Civil War, what matters is that we remember and honor those that had a real time stake in the war. They followed through with their commitments to their homeland and communities and with their neighbors and family members as the dictates of the day demanded. I am proud to have these roots and very proud to have ancestors that took a stand against what was considered "Northern Aggression". States rights were being infringed upon and the long standing issue of slavery was the "scape goat" for the political powers in the north to assert their leverage over the southern states. Any historical study shows slavery was in place long before the war but quickly became the financial "break point" to cripple the south. Slavery by modern standards is and should be considered inhumane and cruel. At the time it was accepted, both north and south, America and generally across the modern world as a common practice. Regardless, I respect and honor those of my ancestors that stood for what they believed was the right thing to do at the time.

Tom Reed is the son of Charles William Reed, Grandson of Charlie Wiley Reed, Great Grandson on George Byron Reed, Great Great Grandson of John Wiley Reed, Great Great Great Grandson of John Reed, and Great Great Great Great Grandson of Samuel Reed. All of South Carolina.

In their memory I present this list

Confederate Soldiers In The Family

Reed Family Confederates Served During the War –

Barnwell County, SC

Captain James William Reed 1827 – 1901      Captain 14^th. Cavalry SC Volunteers

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Hugh Reed (1783-1854) and Jane McSpeddon Reed (1794-1839)

Captain Reed was the youngest son of Hugh and Jane McSpeddon Reed who married Anna Rebecca Tyler and they had 13 children. Captain Reed and Anna Rebecca lived in the Willow Swamp District of Orangeburg County, SC. This is where he first formed a Calvary Company at the request of President Davis for the troops to rally for the war. After getting the Company started he fell ill and was not able to be elected to an officer position within the company. When he recovered from his illness he wrote a letter of petition to General GW Randolph asking for a company of his own (letter dated July 15, 1862). He was granted his request and commanded Company D  14 BN SC Calvary. He served through the war and was in service in the early part of 1865 when General Sherman was making his march through South Carolina. Near the end of January Anna Rebecca learned that General Sherman was nearing their plantation (near the town of Denmark, SC) in Orangeburg County. The following is a family historical account of what transpired in late January – early February 1865.

Gen. William T. Sherman Meets Anna Rebecca Reed

As told by Roger Ganis

In December 1864, Anna Rebecca Reed received the news that Union Army troops under the command of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman had marched from Tennessee to Savannah, GA, during the summer and fall of 1864.

During January & February 1865, Anna Rebecca was at home on the Reed Plantation with her nine children while her husband, Capt. James William Reed, was off serving with the Confederate Army. The children were: William Hugh, age 19, George Sylvester, 16, Michael Joshua, 13, Henrietta, 11, Adella Ellen, 9, Ann Rebecca, 8, James Alexander, 5, Stanmore Judson, 2, and Mary Salina, 1.

Around the last week of January 1865, she learned that Sherman's troops had left Savannah, GA, and were marching through South Carolina. It was thought he was headed to Charleston, SC. The first week in February 1865 she learned that Sherman's Army had been involved in a battle on February 2 & 3, 1865, at "Rivers Bridge" on the Salkehatchie River, near Ulmer & Ehrhardt, SC. She also learned that most of his army was headed toward Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. The Reed Plantation lay directly in Sherman's path between Rivers Bridge and Columbia. (Near today’s town of Norway or Denmark, Orangeburg County, SC)

After hearing of the battle at Rivers Bridge, Anna Rebecca learned that Sherman's Army was near The Reed place. She had her children and what slaves were left take all of the valuables from the plantation house and hide them by burying them in the ground and hiding things around the plantation. She also had most of the food that had been canned or preserved removed and hidden along with the livestock in the swamp area away from the house so Sherman's Army could not find them.

She had the slaves and her children start preparing food and setting up tables out in front of the plantation house. When the army scouts from Sherman's Army arrived at the Reed place, she advised them the food was being prepared for Gen. Sherman and his officers. Some of the scouts returned to Gen. Sherman and told him about the dinner that was being held at the Reed Home for him.

Gen. Sherman returned to the Reed home along with the scouts and found a large dinner had been prepared. Anna Rebecca Reed, on meeting Gen. Sherman, invited him and his officers to eat. Gen. Sherman accepted her offer, left, and returned to his camp to wash up and put on a clean uniform. A short time later, Gen. Sherman returned along with some of his officers and ate the dinner with the Reed family. Anna Rebecca Reed offered Gen. Sherman the use of her cotton fields for his army to camp on. Gen. Sherman and some of his army set up camp in the cotton fields for the night.

The next day before his army continued their march northward, Gen. Sherman gave orders to his army that no one was to take anything or burn anything belonging to the Reed Family. Before leaving, Gen. Sherman went to Anna Rebecca Reed and thanked her for her hospitality.

A few weeks later, Anna Rebecca learned that Columbia, SC, had surrendered to Sherman's Army on February 17, 1865, and the city had been burned.

While Sherman was at the Reed House, a soldier was discovered inside the house on the stairs going up to the bedrooms. One of the Reed daughters was upstairs at the head of stairs, and asked him what he was doing there. He replied that he just wanted to talk with her. Some of her brothers saw what was going on and grabbed him and during a scuffle someone hit the soldier on the head with a shovel. The blow killed the soldier, and they decided to hide his body in a closet under the stairs until the other soldiers left.

The next day, after Gen. Sherman left with his Army, they carried the soldier’s body out back behind the house and buried him in an unmarked grave. No one ever came back to check on a missing soldier. Soldiers were deserting from both the Union and Confederate Armies all the time during this part of the Civil War.

Major Jacob Haysmith Hydrick 1819-1903      Major in SC Militia 15^th Regiment then transferred as 1^st Lieutenant Company D  20^th SC Infantry CSA

Great Great Grandfather

Father of Rowella Hydrick Reed (1858-1937) married to George Byron Reed (1857-1929)

Jacob Haysmith Hydrick was the husband of Margaret Jemima Hildebrand and they had nine children. My great grandmother was the seventh of these, Rowella Elizabeth Hydrick. Rowella married three times due to losses of her first two husbands. Her third husband, George Byron Reed was my Great Grand Father. Major Hydrick served with the 20^th. South Carolina Infantry Company D as a 1^st. Lieutenant. His rank of Major was assigned to him in the SC Militia prior to his entering CSA service as a Lieutenant.

Corporal George William Boylston 1843-1925             Served with Company B 2^nd. SC Artillery  1^st, Cousin 4X removed

Son of Austin Boylston (1802-1880) and Mary Reed Boylston (1801-1877) Served in Company B 2^nd. South Carolina Artillery

Corporal Boylston was one of six sons and one of four that served the Confederacy during the war. He was the eight of nine children. He served in the 2nd. SC Artillery and was the one of two of the four brothers serving from this immediate family to return home alive. His brother Lucian (Lute) Austin Boylston was killed in action in 1864 as was his brother Samuel Reed Boylston, SR. (1829 – 1864). His brother Preston Jefferson Boylston also returned home safely after the war.

Private Jacob HW Hydrick  (1819-1903) Served with Co H 20^th. SC Regiment Infantry

Great Grand Uncle

Son of Jacob Haysmith Hydrick (1819-1903) and Margaret Hildebrand Hydrick (1819-1877)

Private Hydrick served with honor from November 27, 1861 throughout the war and was furloughed July 28, 1864 after a short stay in the Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.

Private Wesley Washington Cutter 30 July 1823 – 16 Novermer 1907 Private Co B 25^th. SC Infantry

Husband to 1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Married to Georgianna Reed Cutter 1831 – 23 November 1852

Georgiana Reed was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Boylston Reed. Georgiana married 
WW Culler who served in Company B 25^th. SC Infantry. He served as a teamster, wagon master, and forager as well as a clerk at the end of the war.

Private James Henry Reed 1825 – 1901 Private SC Reserves 2^nd Artillery Volunteers

Great Great Grand Uncle

Son of John  Reed (1792 – 1854) and Julia Odem Reed (1801-1883)

Private Reed was the brother of my Great Great Grand Father, John Wiley Reed. He served in the SC Artillery Company B. He is laid to rest in the Reed – Odom Cemetery in a field just off Gardenia Road in Blackville, South Carolina. He rest there with his mother Julia Odom Reed, his brother John, two sisters Ellen and Martha, a brother in law Henry Kemp and two nephews, Cornelius and Christopher. 

Lieutenant John Wiley Reed 1829 – 1909   Private SC Reserves 2^nd Artillery Volunteers

Great Great Grand Father

Son of John  Reed (1792 – 1854) and Julia Odem Reed (1801-1883)

Private Reed was my Great Great Grand Father, John Wiley Reed. He served in the SC Artillery Company B. He was the father of George Byron Reed, my Great Grand Father. He went by the name Wiley. He is laid to rest in the Reed – Odom Cemetery in a field just off Gardenia Road in Blackville. He rest there with his mother Julia Odom Reed, his brother James Henry, two sisters Ellen and Martha, a brother in law Henry Kemp and two nephews, Cornelius and Christopher. 

Private Elliott Reed 1844-1880 Served in Company B 2^nd. SC Artillery

2^nd. Cousin 3X removed

Son of Hugh Reed (1783-1854) and Jane McSpeddon Reed (1794-1839)

He served from January 1862 until December 1864 without major injury. He was from a family of thirteen children and one of five sons. His older brother Robert Hugh died at the age of 11 in 1851. His younger brother, Samuel Elijah served late in the war, 1864. The youngest brother, Tulley Washington was too young to serve as he was only eight years old when the war ended.

Private Elijah Samuel Reed 1846-1889 Served in Company B 2^nd. SC Artillery

2^nd. Cousin 3X removed

Son of Hugh Reed (1783-1854) and Jane McSpeddon Reed (1794-1839)

He served during 1864 without major injury. He was from a family of thirteen children and one of five sons. His older brother Robert Hugh died at the age of 11 in 1851. His next oldest brother, Elliott, served from January 1862 until December 1864 without major injury. The youngest brother, Tulley Washington was too young to serve as he was only eight years old when the war ended.

Private George William Boylston 1843-1925 Served with Company B 2^nd. Artillery

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Austin Boylston (1802-1880) and Mary Reed Boylston (1801-1877)

Private Boylston was of nine children and one of five sons, four of whom served. Two of his brothers would give their lives to their cause, Samuel and Lucian or “Lute” as he was called. He served from 1861 until wars end.

Private Presley Jefferson Boylston 1840-1920 Served with Company B 2^nd. Artillery

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Austin Boylston (1802-1880) and Mary Reed Boylston (1801-1877)

Private Boylston was of nine children and one of five sons, four of whom served. Two of his brothers would give their lives to their cause, Samuel and Lucian or “Lute” as he was called.

Private David Furman Hair (11 November 1834- 7 September 1901)

Served with Co D 12 Regt Texas Inf. And Company F 6^th Texas Infantry

1 st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of David Hair (1791-1843) and Lavisa Reed Hair (1794-1843)

David F Hair and his brother Joseph P Hair joined the 12th Infantry Company D. Youngs Regiment out of Grimes Coounty, Texas  I’m sure that David joined with Company D in Grimes  County to be with his brother, and their wives could be together. He Enlisted May 23,1862.   Irene, David Furman’s wife, had a baby born July 1862 and Henrietta, Joseph P. Hair’s wife was expecting.  David served 8 months (to January 1863) when he hired a substitute to take his place so he could go home to a sick wife and a new expectant baby. Henrietta’s baby was born Nov 1863.  Irene said she and David then moved back to Bell County Texas. David re-joined under Capt. Henry Bradfords Company F, 6th Tx. Infantry. They lived there until the end of the war.  By birth dates and census records David was there until late March 1863.

Private Joseph Pinckney Hair 1828 – 1873

1 st. Cousin 4X removed

Served with Company D  12 Texas Infantry

Son of David Hair (1791-1843) and Lavisa Reed Hair (1794-1843)

Joseph P. Hair joined the 12th Infantry Company D. Youngs Regiment out of Grimes County, Texas.  I’m sure that JP joined with Company D in Grimes  County to be with his brother, and their wives could be together. He enlisted May 23,1862.   Henrietta, Joseph P. Hair’s wife, was expecting.  Henrietta’s baby was born Nov 1863.  

Private Tobias Still 7 (October, 1816 - 28 January, 1889)

Served Co G  SC 2^nd. Artillery

Husband of 1^st. Cousin 4X removed 

Married to Jane E. Hair Reed Still (1826-1868)

Appointed Postmaster of Blackville, SC 20 December, 1849. Private Still may and most likely is buried at Martin-Still Family Cemetery in Blackville, Barnwell, South Carolina.

Private Samuel Ledwick Hair (1825-1899) Served with Co A 28^th. Louisiana Infantry POW

2^nd. Cousin 3X removed

Son of David Hair (1791-1843) and Lavisa Reed Hair (1794-1843)

Samuel L. Hair was taken prisoner at Bayou Teche, LA. on April 20, 1863. He was paroled at Port Hudson, LA. On May 11, 1863. He was exchanged in New Orleans, LA. In 1863.

Killed in Action

Captain Samuel J. Reed 1826 – 1862  KIA Captain SC 2^nd. Artillery died in Battle at Secessionville, SC June 16, 1862

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Samuel Reed (1795-1847) and Elizabeth Boylston Reed (1797-1853)

Captain Reed fell at the battle of Secessionville in South Carolina on June 16, 1862. Excerpt from battle report of Secessionville, SC by Colonel Lamar reads as follows “Capt. Samuel J. Reed or Barnwell District and commanding Company B fell while gallantry fighting at his gun. I may safely say that his place cannot be filled. He was everything that could be desired in an officer and as a brave, true and gallant a man as ever sacrificed his life on a field of battle, Peace to his ashes !” He is buried in Richmond, VA on June 30, 1862.

Sergeant Samuel Reed Boylston 1829-1864 KIA

Served with 5^th. SC Cavalry died 6-19-1864

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Austin Boylston (1829-1880) and Mary Reed Boylston (1801-1877)

Sergeant Boylston was of nine children and one of five sons, four of whom served. He was one of the brothers who would give their life to their cause, along with Lucian or “Lute” as he was called. Records show that Sergeant Sam Boylston, while defending against Federal assaults, was seriously wounded in the hand. He died at Charlottesville & Jackson Hospital in Richmond Virginia.

Sergeant Cornelious Hartzog 1824 – 1864  KIA Served in Company I SC 5^th. Cavalry

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Henry Hartzog (1791-1846) and Rebekka Reed Hartzog (1798-1871)

Served with Company D, 14^th Battalion SC Cavalry

CC Hartzog served in Company I 5th SC Cavalry died of wounds received 28 May, 1864 as referenced in Broken Fortunes page 153. He died at the age of 40.

Corporal Erwin Reed Hair 1834 – July 4 1864 KIA

1 st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of David Hair (1791-1843) and Lavisa Reed Hair (1794-1843) (Lavisa was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Clark Reed)

Died July 4, 1864 at Cumburago Hospital from wounds received May 28, 1864 at Halls Shop, Hanover, VA (CSA Service records) at the age of 30.

Private Wyatt J. Hartzog 1833-1862 KIA

Served with 14^th. Cavalry under Captain JW Reed

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Henry Hartzog (1791-1846) and Rebekka Reed Hartzog (1798-1871)

Private Hartzog died at home at the age of 29 on 9-23-1862 from war wounds. He is buried in Pocotaligo, SC (source is Broken Promises page 153).

Private George F. L. Harzog 1840-1863  KIA  Served in 5^th. Cavalry

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of Henry Hartzog (1791-1846) and Rebekka Reed Hartzog (1798-1871)

Geroge, FL Hartzog was in the 5^th SC Regiment. He lived in Grahams Turnout (now Denmark), SC in Orangeburg County. His occupation was farmer before enlisting at McPhersonville, SC on the 13^th of May, 1862 at the age of 22. He died of a liver disease at McPhersonville, SC on November 9^th, 1863. His brothers Cornelious and Wyatt J. Hartzog also served.

Private Lucian (Lute) Austin Boylston 1846-1864 KIA Died September 29, 1864 1^st, Cousin 4X removed

Son of Austin Boylston (1829-1880) and Mary Reed Boylston (1801-1877)

Private Boylston was of nine children and one of five sons, four of whom served. He was one of the brothers who would give their life to their cause, along with Samuel Reed Boylston. Records show that Private Lute Boylston was wounded and died at the battle of Cummings Farm Virginia on September 29, 1864. This is near Stony Creek, VA. He is most likely buried at Sappony Baptist Church near Stony Creek VA in an unmarked grave. He was only 18 years old when he died.

Private James W. Hair 1821 – 1863 KIA 

Buried Nathan Anderson Historical Cemetery, Ringold, Georgia

1 st. Cousin 4X removed

Son of David Hair (1791-1843) and Lavisa Reed Hair (1794-1843) Daughter of Samuel and Mary Clark Reed)

Served in Company I  IngLis  Light Artillery

Private Hair was born in 1821 in Blackville, Barnwell County, South Carolina, He died Mar. 3, 1863 in Catoosa County Georgia, USA.James is one of the 137 men who died here between 1862 - 1863. James was wounded at Shiloh Tennessee on April 6, 1862, wounded at Corinth Miss. April 28, 1862 died of pneumonia at Catoosa Springs, Georgia. Father of sons Wentworth b 1843, Alonzo b. 1846, Sarah America, b 1848,  James A. 1850, Barnwell R. 1850, Christopher C. 1852, Judson James Hair b. 1850/1852 He was the husband of Georgiana Enicks Family links: Parents: David Hair (1791 - 1843) Children: Christopher Columbus Hair (____ - 1901)* Sarah A. Turnage (1847 - 1884)* Judson James Hair (1850 - 1932) Burial: Nathan Anderson Historic Cemetery Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia, USA

Private William Lemuel Hair 1838-1862 KIA Killed @ Manassas, VA August 29, 1862

1^st. Cousin 4X removed

Co H  9^th. Louisiana Inf.

Son of David & Lavisa Reed Hair

Killed at the battle of Manassas at the age of 24. Buried at Old Purceville Cemetary, Claysville, Washington, Pennsylvania.

Allan (Allen) Family Confederates Served During the War

The names Allan and Allen were used interchangeably at this time

Banks (Habersham) County, Georgia

Maternal Side of Thompson William Reed

Col. Thompson Allan (Allen)(20 September,1819–17 September, 1865)

2^nd. Great Grandfather (Maternal)

Served with SC State Militia as Colonel then entered the CSA as a staff officer with the rank of

1^st Lieutenant as Comptroller of Finance for CSA in Richmond, VA.

Honor to Whom Honor is Due

Atlanta Constitution 18 November 1871  Atlanta Georgia, USA:

Colonel Thompson Allan is a candidate for the office of Comptroller General, and is especially commended to favorable consideration of the present General Assembly. His merits, only exceeded by his modesty, have not been trumpeted before the public or the Legislature; but truth, candor, and a proper appreciation of true worth, requires this notice. Colonel Allan was born in humble circumstances, and reared at the plow-handle, until about seventeen years of age. What education he has, was obtained at a manual labor school, where he labored three hours a day as part payment for board and tuition.

The expense of his education was deducted from his distributive share of his father’s estate, so that it may be truly said, he is a self educated man. He held high and honorable positions in the old as well as Confederate Government, and President Davis justly said of him that he was the most efficient head of a Bureau in the government. His war record will compare with the best. He held a civil position all the time in Richmond for which his talents and training were better suited, but his services were none the less valuable to his country. And his services were not alone devoted to his office duties as hundreds of war-worn veterans can testify. He never turned his back on a soldier, but was always ready to aid him in times of need. Hundreds of heart broken wives, mothers, and fathers can testify to his kindness in forwarding their letters through the lines, often at his own expense, and other tokens of love and affection to their loved ones languishing in the Northern position. As to the competency to fill the office he has few equal and no superior. As to his morals, a life of unselfishness and unquestioned honor form the proper answer. In politics he is an unwavering Democrat.  

In Memoriam of Thompson Allan

“ The Constitution” Atlanta, Ga. issue date 24 Sept. 1875, page 3

 With a sad heart, a long time friend of this true and noble man, pens a few words as a tribute to him whose name appears above. He was an honest man, a gentleman, and a patriot of the highest type, adorning every station he filled, and was honored most by those who knew him best.
He was born in Habersham County, Ga. in that part which is now Banks County, Ga. on the 20th day of September, 1820, and died on Friday last, the 17th instant, at his home, on the same place where he was born, lacking but two days of being 55 years old.
He received a good high school education, studied law and was admitted to the bar in early manhood, and practiced his profession for several years. He afterwards went to Washington D.C., where he received the appointment of Chief of the Pre-emption Division of the General Land Office, early in 1856, and remained till the State of Georgia seceded from the Union, when he resigned and came home to cast in his lot with his own people. While at his post, by his fidelity, ability and integrity, he made his desk one of the most important branches of the Land office. It had been neglected and was an annoyance to the Chiefs of the Bureau and the Interior Department, because for some time, no one who had been assigned to the duties had been competent to the discharge thereof.
It was but a few months before Thompson Allan brought order out of the chaos and caused the division to reflect much credit upon the Land Office and the Department. The writer hereof happens to know that the Secretary of the Interior was greatly delighted that he had found one so competent and efficient in a place of so much importance.
After the Confederate government was organized, he was called to occupy a very important post in the Treasury Department; and when the Bureau of Taxation was established by the Confederate congress, he was selected as the most competent man that could be found to fill that position. He was appointed Commissioner of Taxation and held the office till the close of the war. He discharged his duty with fidelity and with a high sense of justice-giving satisfaction to the government and the country.
He was in a position where a man, by sacrificing honor, could have made thousands upon thousands, but he came home at the close of the war without a dollar, or a cent of assets saved while it was going on.
When Hon. Madison Bell was elected by the Republican legislature comptroller general, he tendered Mr. Allan the situation of his Assistant in the office, which he accepted, discharging his duty with fidelity till the end of the term for which Major Bell was elected. He was a firm uncompromising Democrat from his youth, to the day of his death. The situation was tendered him by Major Bell, because they had been old personal friends from boyhood, and Major Bell knew his ability and worth as a business man. He took the situation with a distinct understanding that his political principles were not to be in the least compromised.
His disease was an ulceration of the stomach, from which he has suffered much for several years. His few last days were comparatively free from pain, and he died, surrounded by his wife and children, in perfect peace. His funeral took place on Sunday last. He was buried with Masonic honors by the fraternity, attended by one of the largest concourses of people that ever assembled in Banks County.
He was a true friend and a true man, of great ability, superior judgment and good sense; but he was modest and unobtrusive, and did not receive that distinction in life which he richly deserved. Peace to his ashes and honor to his memory.
A Friend
 NOTE: Thompson ALLAN (James Allan) was born 20 Sept. 1819. ALLANDALE, Habersham/Banks County, Georgia; died 17 September 1875, ALLANDALE, Banks County, Georgia; buried ALLANDALE, Banks County, Georgia. 

Major Thompson Allan

                                                                                                                                                                                                       " The Constitution", Atlanta, Ga., issue date 24 Sept. 1875, page 2

      The sad intelligence reached us yesterday of the death of Major Thompson Allan, at the old homestead (Allandale) in Banks county, on Friday last, the 17th, of ulceration of the stomach, from which complaint he has suffered several years. He was buried on Sunday with Masonic honors, attended by one of the largest assemblages of persons ever collected in Banks County. He was born on the 20th day of September 1820, near the Hudson River in that portion of county of Habersham, now in the county of Banks.
      His father, James Allan, was an Englishman by birth, of superior culture; he was educated at Westminster school, London. Early in the present century he immigrated to this country and settled in Madison County, where he married the widow of Col. Gilbert. In 1818 or 1819 he removed to the "wild woods" of Habersham, where he settled and subsequently, after his first wife died, he married the daughter of Simon Terrell. By this lady he had a number of children, of which Thompson was the oldest boy, if not the oldest child. Mr. James Allan amassed a considerable estate and established at his place a school where quite a number of young men were educated.
Upon obtaining his majority, Thompson removed to Clarkesville, where he read law in the office of Col. Samuel A. Wales. About the year 1841 he was admitted to the practice of law and shortly after married the beautiful Miss Charlton, a niece of the Hon. H. P. Charlton of Savannah. Becoming displeased with the law, he turned his attention to hotel keeping, and in conjunction with his mother in law, Mrs. Collier, kept a first class hotel in Clarkesville. This was the popular summer resort of the aristocracy of Georgia and South Carolina, and every summer they congregated in large numbers.
      Soon the construction of railroads, however, left Clarkesville out of the range of summer resorts, and Major Allan moved to Lawrenceville, in Gwinnett County, where he engaged in business with his brother in law, Col. John R. Stanford. They did a large business for several years, but the generosity of Major Allan was too large for the profits, and in 1856, at the request of Hon. Howell Cobb, he accepted the position of chief of the pre-emption division the general Land office, which he filled until Georgia seceded, with marked ability. After the organization of the Confederate government, he rendered his services to President Davis. He was appointed superintendent of the tax-in-kind department and held it until the close of the war. Few men in the southern states could have so easily administered or so ably handled the intricate and multiplied troubles of the laborious office. When the war closed he returned to the old homestead in Banks County, without a dollars worth of assets saved.
      When Madison Bell was elected comptroller general of the state by a republican legislature, knowing Major Allan's ability and honesty, he tendered him the position of assistant, which he accepted with the understanding that his political principles were not to be compromised. After retiring from this position at the end of Mr. Bell's term Major Allan returned to his farm, taking but little interest in public affairs.
      Major Allan was six feet high and weighed 225 pounds. He was a man of large intelligence, genial humor, and of attached friendships. These characteristics drew around him a large circle of friends in Georgia and South Carolina. He was an honest man and although millions passed through his hands no taint of dishonesty or corruption ever attached to his name.
      He was manly, cheerful, and possessed of the all the instincts of a true gentleman. He possessed a large hearted sympathetic nature and it is feared he left little else to his family but that native hardihood and strength characteristic in so eminent a degree. His wit was well seasoned and his repartee handsome, the natural offspring of a well stored mind and extended reading. Like his distinguished father he was fond of books, literature and literary men. Being a man of cultivated taste, the refined and beautiful left him speechless. Considering his training and remoteness of commercial centers of his rearing, he was one of the best men for general business affairs that have ever been illustrated in upper Georgia since its settlement. He was modest and unobtrusive in his manners and a welcome guest in every assemblage. He has left his children and the state a rich legacy in the epitaph which may be justly inscribed on his tomb, "Here lies an honest man."

2^nd. Lieutenant Robert Allan (Allen)  1824 – 14, October 1862)

2^nd. Great Grand Uncle (maternal)

Served with Co. A   2^nd. Georgia

Robert Allan

“ Southern Watchman” Athens, Georgia, 30 November 1861

Departed this life, near Manassas Junction, Virginia, on the 14th October, ROBERT ALLAN, aged thirty-seven years and seven months, 2nd Lieutenant of the “Banks County Guards,” known as Company A, 2nd Regiment Georgia Volunteers.  He died of Typhoid fever, after an illness of thirty-one days.  His body was brought to Georgia and interred in the family burying-ground, near the residence of his family, in Banks County.  The burial service was performed by the Masonic Fraternity of Phi Delta, with the usual honors.  Thus cut down in the prime of life, the Confederate Government has lost a firm and valiant officer from the State of Georgia, one of the foremost to assert her rights in her Legislative Halls.  As one of the first to volunteer in her army, his patriotism shines forth in living light.  Banks County has been deprived of one of her best and most useful citizens and a member of the Masonic Lodge of a worthy and consistent member of  the community of a liberal and public-spirited member – his family of a kind and affectionate husband, a tender and indulgent father.  Well may they mourn their irreparable loss.  Doubtless the change is his gain.  His firm integrity and spotless character are evidences to us that he has passed to the abode of happy spirits, where wars and disease trouble not.  C. S. W.
NOTE: Robert ALLAN (son of James Allan & Hannah Terrell) born 14 April 1824, ALLANDALE, Habersham/Banks County, Georgia; died 14 October 1861 near Manassas, Virginia; buried in ALLANDALE, Banks, County, Georgia

Sergeant Major James Charlton Allen (1844-1912)

Great Grand Uncle

Served with Company A  30^th. Reg. Georgia Calvary

Son of Colonel Thompson Allen and Mary Waytt Charlton

Obituary

James Charlton Allan

Charlie Allan Passes to the Great Beyond 

A dark shadow of sadness fell over Banks County Sunday when the news was spread that Charlie Allan was dead.  The end came suddenly Saturday night at his home near Yonah, the result of an attack of heart failure.  While it was known that he had been in feeble health lately, he was better now, and his death was a general shock. 

His death marks the passing of a notable figure from Banks County, Ga.  No man in it was more widely known and loved.  Bright, witty, cultured and genial, his was an engaging personality.  He enjoyed a singular capacity for making and keeping strong and true friendships.  James Charlton Allan was born at Clarkesville, Habersham County, Georgia, November 7th, 1844 and was in the sixty-eighth year of his age at the time of his death.  

In his young manhood he was a Page in the United States Congress and met Abraham Lincoln when the latter came to Washington as president.  But as a boy, Mr. Allan left his place at the outbreak of the Civil War and played a man’s part in that deadly struggle.  He enlisted in the Confederate Army, a member of the famous Banks County Guards, and carried himself with distinction throughout the great conflict. 

Coming to Banks County after the war, Mr. Allan became one of her most prominent figures and remained so until his death.  Always an influential factor in politics, he occupied at different times many positions of honor and confidence.  In his boyhood, Mr. Allan was a Page in the halls of the National Congress.  In his later years, he was Tax Receiver of Banks County for many years at different terms, Clerk in the Georgia Legislature, and a brave soldier.  He was always ready to serve his Country in whatever capacity he was called.  Noble, generous, and true, he will be missed alike by Country, family and friends. 

He was married on November 30^th, 1869 to Miss Martha Burns Wynn, who survives him.  Besides his wife, he leaves two brothers, Messrs. Tom (Thompson 2^nd) Allan of Florida, Will (William Robert) Allan of Atlanta, and the following living children:  Misses Sue Wynn Allan and Rosa Allan, Mrs. Joseph Madison (Annie Clifford Allan)Jones, Mrs. Thomas Jeff (Mary Hannah Allan) Scales and Messrs. Tom (Thompson Allan 3^rd), Will (William Burns Allan), Charlie (Charlton Reviere Allan), and Jesse (Young Jesse) Allan all of this County; Bob (Robert Duncan Allan) and Talmadge (John Talmadge) Allan of Atlanta.  Two other children, Ed (Edwin Edward Allan) and Berta (Alberta Charlton Allan) preceded him to the grave. 

The remains were interred Monday afternoon at the Wynn family burying ground with impressive funeral services conducted by the Rev. A. J. Lovern of Belton, the exercises being largely attended by a sorrowing concourse of relatives.  

NOTE: James Charlton Allan (Thompson Allan) (James Allan) was born 07 November 1844 in Clarksville, Habersham County, Georgia and died 05 May 1912 near Yonah, Banks County, Georgia; Buried Wynn Cemetery, Banks County, Georgia.

NOTE:  This clipping is in James Charlton Allan’s Bible.  There is no date or publisher’s name.

2^nd Lieutenant Isaac M. Young  1785 – 1843

2^nd. Great Grand Uncle

Served with Co. I   16th. Georgia

Married to Emily C. Allan 1834-1893 Daughter of James Allan (1785 – 1843) and Hanna Terrell (1786 – 1847)

Isaac Young was listed as a “Sawyer” on an 1860 US census roll. I looked up what a “sawyer” was and the explanation is as follows: “A "sawyer" was also the man in the sawmill who ran the saw. He would determine how to get the most lumber out of the log. He ran the mill and the actual sawing. He had the experience to get whatever was being required from the log; one inch boards or maybe railroad ties. The guy who helped him, and positioned the log on the bed to be sawed (shimmed so it would stay in place) was called the tail sawyer. In big mills there might have been one or two more who helped with the heavy work. In smaller mills the sawyer and tail sawyer did it all alone.”

Confederate records on Fold 3 are listed under I.S. Young but show what might appear as a “J” instead of an “I” written on most records. One record shows the name spelled out Isaac M Young.

Last update February 27, 2015