Always have more than one source
Published 9:34 am Wednesday, November 2, 2011
My main reason for including information about the Confederate census was to show that different documents will sometime take liberty with records. Just because you see something written down, does not mean it is fact. You always need more than one source. You need to compare as many sources as possible before making a mistake that take you away on a wild-goose chase:
The Confederate census is continued.
McGowin, Joseph Edward; Brewton, AL; born 17 Nov 1844 on Flint River at McGowin’s Ferry, GA; Private – entered service Spring 1862 at Corinth, MS in Co D, 16th AL Regt until close of war. Paroled at Savannah, GA. J. E. McGowin (17 Nov 1844-5 Jan 1922) along with Laura H. McGowin (1848-1932) are buried at Ft. Crawford Cemetery in East Brewton, Alabama. Joseph Edward may have been the son of Anthony and Martha McGowin. Anthony was a brother to Samuel Lewis McGowin.
McGowin, Alexander; Boykin, AL; born 6 Jan 1835 near Brooklyn, Conecuh County, AL; Private – entered service April 1862 at Old Sparta, AL in Co. D, 16th AL Infantry until just before close of war. Was at home on furlough when Lee surrendered. Alexander McGowin, Sr. (16 Jan 1836-19 July 1914) and Nancy Floyd McGowin (29 Feb 1832-23 Apr 1903) are buried in Union Cemetery. Alexander was the son of Samuel McGowin and Martha Mason. Nancy was the daughter of Thomas M. Floyd and Elizabeth Ann Bryant. She had been married first to Peter McGowin, Alexander’s brother. Peter died 19 Dec 1863 in a Confederate camp near Mobile. He is probably the one listed in the 1860 census as being 17 years old and living with Samuel and Martha McGowan.
McLain, John Elmore; Atmore, AL; born about 1832 at Louisville, Barbour County, AL; Private – entered service about 1862 at Newton, AL in Co. E, 1st Alabama until close of war. Discharged at Franklin.
McLendon, Louis M.; Brewton, AL; born 10 Jan 1848 at Wadesborough, Anson County, NC; Private – entered service in September 1863 at Macon, MS in Co. A, 1st MS Regt. Was with the State Troops until Jan 1864; Re enlisted as Commissary jan 1864 at Jackson, MS in 1st MS Cavalry until July 1864; Re enlisted in Transportation Guard July 1864 at Meridian, MS until 1865. Dr. Louis Marshall McLendon (10 Jan 1848-8 Sept 1912) along with Mary Ann Cullum McLendon (29 June 1847-20 Mar 1917) are buried at Hall Family Cemetery in Canoe, AL.
Neal, William Shaeffer; Brewton, AL; born Mar 1843 at Carrolton, Pickens County, AL; Private – entered service April 1862 at Selma, AL in Daniels Guards, Co G, 44th AL Regt. Was assigned to General Hood’s Signal Corps at Fredericksburg in Fall of 1862 and remained with said corps until it was disbanded at Richmond during the siege. William Shaeffer Neal (1843-1920) along with Sallie Slaughter Neal (1846-1924) are buried at Union Cemetery. Sallie was his second wife. He married 1st Julia Ann Morton (13 Feb 1841). “The History of Escambia County” says 1814 but I would think it was more likely 1841. W. S. Neal was the son of P.T. Neal and Harriett Selena. He had at least three brothers that died in the war.
Nippen, Silas Francis; Brewton, AL; born 3 Feb 1833 at Ridles’ Bridge, Randolph County, AL; Private – entered service March 1862 at Ridles’ Bridge in Co G, 30th AL Regt; Wounded at Missionary Ridge 25 Nov 1863; Carried to hospital in Eufaula and remained until Dec 1864; Then carried to Opelika to the Buckner Hospital; Went to Columbus, GA 14 Apr 1865; Captured 15 April 1865 and carried to Macon, GA and disbanded.
Nolen, Rolly Durham; Teddy, AL; born 20 Dec 1823 near Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, AL; Private – entered service Spring 1862 at Mobile, AL in Co F, 18th AL until close of war.
O’Bannon, William Harrison; Brewton, AL; born 10 Jan 1846 at Germany, Monroe County, AL; Private – entered service 10 Mar 1863 at Tuscaloosa in Co. F, 8th AL Cavalry; Discharged at Greenville, AL 5 April 1865. ( He said, in 1907, that A.F. Prince of Tuscaloosa was his Captain and he had a certificate from Capt Prince saying he was a good and faithful soldier and that he had entered the service at the age of 14). Dr. William Harrison O’Bannon (12 Jan 1844-12 May 1914) and Sallie Elizabeth Walker O’Bannon (22 Oct 1846-24 Jan 1935) are buried at Union Cemetery. He was the son of William Jasper O’Bannon and Sarah Ann Barganier.
I would love to hear from someone who is descended from one of these veterans. For instance, This O’Bannon must have had descendants and it was, at one time, a well known name in this area, but I don’t have anything on the family.