| Husband: | William O. BECKETT |
|
|
|
| Wife: | Ann Brown "Annie" ROSS |
|
|
|
 |
CHILDREN
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
Supplementary Information
1820
FEDERAL CENSUS--
There were no BECKETT/BICKET/BECKET households
listed in the printed index to this census, but upon searching the microfilm
copy line by line, the discovery was made of several BECKETT families, and
others probably related to them, either directly, or indirectly, through
marriage.
Listed on page 193 was the household of SAMUEL BECKET, whose household consisted of 3 free white males under age 10, one male age 45 or older, 2 females under age 10, 2 females age 10-15, and one female age 26-44; and he owned one male slave, age 14-19. Also listed on this page were GEORGE WILSON, JOHN OSBORN, PETER ROSS (2 men by this name), PETER WOLF, ALEXANDER OSBORNE, HENRY ROSS, and HENRY WOLF.
Listed on page 194 was the household of JAMES BECKET, whose household consisted of 2 free white males under age 10, 1 male age 1-15, 1 male age 16-17, 1 male age 16-25, and 1 male age 45 or older; also 3 females under age 10, 2 females age 10-15, 1 female age 16-25, and 1 female age 26-44. The report indicated 2 members of the household were involved in "agriculture," and there were no slaves.
Also listed on page 194 were the households of
MARTIN ROSS, JACOB WOLF, JOHN ROSS, and JOHN OSBORN. This MARTIN ROSS is probably the father of
ANN BROWN ROSS. Need to get details
of this census.
1827 Feb 8: WILLIAM O. BECKETT married ANN BROWN ROSS
this date, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, per ANN BECKETT's
own words, in her divorce bill of complaint (filed 7 Apr 1868--recorded in Tallapoosa
County Alabama Chancery Court Record from 1867 to 1873, pages
258-263). There probably was not an
official record on file with the state of NC, because prior to 1868 a special
license was not required in order for a marriage ceremony to take place. Though marriage bonds were issued in some
cases, most marriages took place after marriage banns were published for three
consecutive weeks in church. Then, if no
one protested the union, then the marriage could take place. Although a certificate was issued stating
that the procedure had been followed, it was not required that it be placed on
file. (Photocopy of the divorce
record on file..)
For further information regarding W. O. BECKETT, previous to his
marriage, see family group record for his father, JAMES BECKETT. For further details regarding ANN “ANNIE”
BROWN ROSS BECKETT and her ancestors, see family group record for her parents, MARTIN
and PEGGY (BROWN) ROSS.)
1827: JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT, first child of WILLIAM
O. and ANN B. BECKETT, was born, at Mecklenburg Co., NC (this year based on 1850
Federal Census information). Very
little is known about this son. He was
mentioned in the 1850 Federal Census, living in the household of his
father WILLIAM O. BECKETT, and his military record related some of his
activities during the CIVIL WAR (including his death, in prison camp). William Walter Beckett (son of Samuel Wilson
Beckett) told his son Roy Beckett that he had an uncle named
1829 Nov 13: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT was born, in
Mecklenburg Co., NC, per tombstone inscription on his grave, at
1830 FEDERAL CENSUS--MECKLENBURG CO., NC: The following four BECKETT households were listed, living close to one another.
Listed on page 329 (line 18) was the household of
WILLIAM BECKET (name spelled this way on
the record), which consisted of three males (two under age 5, one age
20-29) and one female (age 20-29). He
owned no slaves. This was the household of WILLIAM O. BECKETT. Copy of census microfilm
image and worksheet on file.
Also listed on page 329 (line 24) was the household of JOSEPH BECKET (name spelled this way on the record), which consisted of one male (age 20-29) and three females (two under age 5, one age 20-29). He owned no slaves. Copy of census microfilm image and worksheet on file..
Listed on page 343 (line 18) was the household of JOHN BECKET, consisting of two males (one under age 5, one age 30-39) and three females (one under age 5, one age 5-9, one age 30-39). He owned no slaves. (This probably was the son of JAMES BECKETT. Need to prove.) Copy of census microfilm image and worksheet on file.
Listed on page 386 (line 3) was the household of
JAMES BECKET (name spelled this way on
census report), consisting of two males (one age 20-29, one age 60-69) and
five females (two age 15-19, two age 20-29, one age 50-59). There were three slaves—tow males (one under
age 10, one age 10-23) and one female (age 10-23). Copy of census microfilm image and worksheet on file.
1831: JAMES
BICKET, SR. was mentioned in the ledger of merchant SOLOMON V. SIMONS (entry on
page 20, July 16-September 29, 1839).
His son JAMES BECKET, JR. was mentioned on page 25 (July 19-September
21, 1831) of the same date of the ledger.
On page 25 was the name PHILLIP WOLFE (August 24-October 29), and on
page 45 was the name WILLIAM BECKET (August 10-September 27, 1831). See http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jganis/unionco/solomonsimonsledger.html,
for this ledger. Transcript of the
contents of this web site in in Word file “BECKETT –
Ledger of Solomon V. Simons.
(Transcribed and by Julie Hampton Ganis. Original document belongs to the Union County
(NC) Heritage Room,
1832 Jan 8: SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT, third son of WILLIAM
O. BECKETT, was born at Mecklenburg Co., NC, per the BECKETT family Bible dated
1854, in the possession of T. A. BECKETT, son of THOMAS A. BECKETT, the great
grandson of WILSON BECKETT. (T. A.
Beckett resides in Bruce,
1834 Aug 23: ELIZABETH BECKETT was born in Mecklenburg
Co., NC, per the Lee Roy Beckett and Fred Beckett genealogy file and the
inscription on her tombstone, in the Beebe,
1836: The Creek Indians were removed from Tallapoosa
County, Alabama, allowing rapid settlement of the area by people from Virginia,
the Carolinas (where the BECKETTs were still living
at this point), and Georgia (from which W. O. BECKETT would ultimately move his
family to Tallapoosa Co., AL, by 1848). With
the discovery of gold, the population in this future home of the BECKETT family
grew from 6444, in 1840 (when they had just moved to
1837: GEORGE MADISON BECKETT was born to WILLIAM O. and ANN BECKETT, in Mecklenburg Co., NC, per 1850 and 1860 censuses. (See notes on those census reports, below.) Clarice Winfrey, descendant of Elizabeth (Beckett) Bailey, believes he was born in 1839. (Need to reconcile.) He lived to age 25, when he died of battle wounds suffered at the Battle of Cedar Run, VA, during the Civil War. He never married, according to statements by his father, filed 13 Jan 1863, in claim of his pay and compensation, after his death. See note below, under that date.
1840 FEDERAL CENSUS--
Listed on page 329 was the household of WILLIAM OSBORNE (no township listed), consisting of one male under age 5, one male age 5-9, one male age 10-14, one male age 30-39, one male age 40-49, one female under age 5, two females age 5-9, and one female age 10-14, with no slaves and 3 people employed in "agriculture."
On line 7 (three names down) of the same page was listed the household of W. O. BECKETT, consisting of one male under age 5, two males age 5-9, one male age 10-14, one male age 30-39, one female under age 5, and one female age 30-39. There were no slaves. Three people were employed in agriculture. (Note: At this time, both WILLIAM O. BECKETT and his wife ANN BROWN ROSS BECKETT would have been between ages 30-39, and this report accurately reflects that fact. The ages of their children are also accurately reflected--GEORGE MADISON BECKETT would have been under age 5, WILSON and MARION BECKETT both would have been age 5-9, ADRIAN BECKETT would have been age 10-14, and ELIZABETH BECKETT would have been age 6.)
On line 12 was listed the household of JOSEPH WOLFE,
consisting of one male under age 5, one male age 5-9, one male age 30-40, one
female under age 5, one female age 5-9, and one female age 30-39. There were no slaves. One person was employed in agriculture. On
the next page (330) was listed PETER WOLFE, whose household consisted of one
male age 10-14, one male age 15-19, one female age 5-9, one female age 15-19,
one female age 20-29, and no slaves.
There were 4 people employed in agriculture. (See BECKETT file, for
worksheet, copied from census microfilm, 1996.)
1840 FEDERAL CENSUS--
Listed on page 260 was JAMES BICKET (line 16), whose
household consisted of 1 free white male age 60-69, 1 free white female age 60-69, and 8 slaves (four males under age
10, one male age 24-35, two females under age 2, and one female age
36-54). One person was reported as involved in
"agriculture." (I believe
this was the household of JAMES and ELIZABETH BECKETT. He would have been about 67 years old, at
this time.)
Listed on line 16 of page 260 was also another JAMES
BICKIT (spelling copied as found on microfilm), whose household consisted of 2 free white males age 2-4, one
male age 30-39, one female age 1-4, one female age 5-9, two females age 10-14,
and one female age 30-39; the report
listed one person involved in "agriculture," and there were no
slaves. (This was probably the son of
JAMES and ELIZABETH OSBORNE BECKETT.)
Listed on page 261 (line 17) was the household of
JOHN BICKET, consisting of 1 free white male under age 5, one male age 5-9, one
male age 10-14, one male age 30-39, one female under age 5, one female age 5-9,
one female age 10-14, one female age 15-19, and one female age 40-49. He owned no slaves, and the report listed one
person as involved in "agriculture."
(This was probably the son of JAMES and ELIZABETH OSBORNE BECKETT.)
Listed on page 321 was the household of HENRY
PENNINGER. This was probably the husband
of JANE BECKETT PENNINGER. Listed on page 342 was the household of JONATHAN
WOLF. It consisted of one male under age
5, one male age 30-39, one female under age 5, two females age 5-9, and one
female age 30-39. One person was
employed in agriculture, and there were no slaves. (This was probably the household of MARGARET
S. BECKETT WOLF, daughter of JAMES and ELIZABETH BECKETT.)
Listed on page 342 was the household of GEORGE D. WOLF, consisting of one male age 15-19, two females under age 5, one female age 15-19, and one female age 20-29. One person was employed in agriculture, and there were no slaves. (This was probably the household of SARAH M. BECKETT WOLF, daughter of JAMES and ELIZABETH OSBORNE BECKETT.)
There were 4 other WOLF households listed on this page, whom I assume were probably relatives of these brothers who were married to two of W. O. BECKETT's sisters. Only one of these included a male who would be old enough to perhaps be the father of W. O. BECKETT's uncles--HENRY WOLF, who was age 60-69. (See BECKETT file, for census worksheet on these WOLF households, taken from the census microfilm.)
Listed on page 343 were also other WOLF households.
1840 FEDERAL CENSUS--
On line 8, ZACH STEARNES was listed; his household
consisted of one male under age 5, one male age 20-29, one male age 40-49, two
females age 10-14, one female age 15-19, and one female age 40-49. He owned 10 slaves. Twelve people were reported in
"agriculture," 1 person employed in "manufactures and
trade," and 1 person employed under the category of "learned
professions and engineers." (Do
not know connection, but SAMUEL BECKETT, son of JAMES BECKETT, married
THRYZA/THRYSY STEARNS; so this could be a connection by marriage.)
On the next line (line 9) was listed SAMUEL BECKETT, whose household consisted of one male under age 5, one male age 5-9, one male age 30-39, one female under age 5, and one female age 20-29. They had no slaves, and 2 people were listed as employed in "agriculture." (This was probably the brother of WILLIAM O. BECKETT. See census worksheet taken from this microfilm, in BECKETT file.)
On line 11 was listed the household of THOMAS WILSON; on line 21, the household of ELSON FLOURNOY, and on line 27, the household of JON FLOURNOY. WILLIAM WILSON was listed on page 236.
1841: Sometime during this year, JONATHAN ZEPHANIAH
BECKETT was born in
1841 Jan 8: WILLIAM OSBOURN of Henry Co., GA, sold land
to SAMUEL BICKETT for $700 cash, "in the Eighth old district of Henry
County, Georgia, containing 202-1/2 acres more or less known and distinguished
in the plan of said district by Number 242." Wit.: JOHN VANDIGRIFT, ELI CONGER, J. P. (Recorded 8 Dec 1841, in Henry County
Georgia Deed Records, Deed Book J, page 120.) See BECKETT file, for photocopy of the
original record and a transcript of the record.
See also Word file, “BECKETT - LAND RECORDS –
1841 Mar 3: SAMUEL BECKET sold to WILLIAM O. BECKETT both
of Henry Co., GA, 90 acres of land, known as Lot 242, in District 8, for
$300. Wit.: WILLIAM OSBURN, JOHN VANDIGRIFT, J. P. C.M. SPEAR, Clk. (Recorded 13 Nov 1846, in Henry County
Georgia Deed Records, Deed Book L, page 101.) I found this information in
1841 Mar 23: SAMUEL BECKETT sold land to WILLIAM O. BECKETT for $300 cash, in "the Eighth Old District of Henry County known in plans of said district as No. 242 and being part of the said lot commencing in the center and running due west one hundred and twenty-eight pole to a bunch of rock, thence due South twenty-six pole to a pile of stone, thence due west fifty two pole to the original line, containing 93 acres of land." (This was not recorded until five years later, on 13 Nov 1846.) Henry County Georgia Deed Records, Deed Book L, pages 101-102.) See BECKETT file, for photocopy of the original record and a transcript of the record. See also Word file, “BECKETT - LAND RECORDS – GEORGIA.” for transcript.
1841 Nov 13: WILLIAM O. BECKETT’s purchase of 90 acres of land from SAMUEL BECKET was recorded this date, at Henry Co., GA, in Henry County Georgia Deed Records, Deed Book L, page 101.) (See 1841 Mar 3, for details.)
1841 Dec 8: WILLIAM OSBOURN’s
sale of 202-1/2 acres of land to SAMUEL BICKETT was recorded this date, at
Henry Co., GA, in Henry County Georgia Deed Records, Deed Book J, page
120. See note under 8 Jan 1841, for
details.
1842: WILLIAM O. BECKETT was elected to office of
deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Georgia Conference, per Methodist
Preachers In
1845 Dec 29: CHARLES C. HICKMAN, et al. (CHARLES C. HICKMAN and SUSAN A. HICKMAN and WILLIAM F. STERNS) sold 120 acres of land at Tallapoosa Co., AL, to SAMUEL BECKETT, for $100. It was located off the West end of the South half of Section 35, Township 24, Range 21, in the Tallapoosa Land District, Tallapoosa Co., AL. JACOB McCLENDON had surveyed it. Witnessed by JOHN M. MILLER and W. A. PENTER. Certified 12 Dec 1846. Filed and recorded 26 Dec 1846. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book E, page 72-73; see BECKETT file for photocopy.)
1846: WILLIAM O. BECKETT was elected to the office of elder, in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. See details, under 1842 note.
1846 June 14: QUILLA/QUILLIE ANN BECKETT was born to ANN
and WILLIAM O. BECKETT, in Henry Co., GA, this date per Clarice H. Winfrey, descendant of ELIZABETH BECKETT
BAILEY. According to the 1850 Federal
Census, she was 6 years old, at that time; and according to the 1860
Federal Census, taken in the month of August, she was 14 years old, by
then. This information is consistent
with probate records, Tallapoosa Co., AL.
In this same year (1846), WILLIAM O. BECKETT was elected to the office
of elder, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Georgia Conference, per Methodist
Preachers In
1846 Oct 29: WILLIAM O. BECKETT sold land to JAMES SPEARS
for $300 cash, land in "the Eighth District of Henry, known in the plans
of said District as No. 242 and being part of said lot commencing in the Center
and running due west 128 poles to a bunch of rock thence due South 26 poles to
a heap of stones, thence due west 52 poles to the original line, containing 93
acres of land." Wit.: LEE HANKINESS, A. STEWART, J.P. Recorded 9 Feb 1848 in Henry County
Georgia Deed Records, Book L, page 276.
C.M. SPEAR, Clk. (See BECKETT
file for photocopy of this record and a transcript. See also Word file, “BECKETT – LAND RECORDS –
1846 Nov 13: The land transaction of 23 Mar 1841, was
recorded, of 93 acres sold by SAMUEL BECKETT to WILLIAM O. BECKETT (on file at
1846 Dec 26: The purchase of land in Tallapoosa Co., AL,
by SAMUEL BECKETT from CHARLES C. HICKMAN, et al., one year previously, was
filed and recorded this date, in Tallapoosa Co., AL. See 1845 Dec 29, for details. Photocopy
of original record on file.
1847 Dec 11: JOHN A. URQUHART and wife MARY JANE URQUHART, of Muscogee Co., Georgia, sold land in Tallapoosa Co., AL, to WILLIAM O. BECKETT, for $550. The tract of land was described as the South half of Section 2, Township 23, and Range 21. Certified same date. Filed and recorded 10 Feb 1848. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book E, page 370; see BECKETT file, for photocopy of record.)
1848 Jan 23: WILLIAM O. BECKETT, as Justice of the Peace, performed the marriage between FRANKLIN EDWARDS and DRUCILLA TODWINE, in Tallapoosa Co., AL, with ISAAC STOW acting as bondsman. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 2, page 320. (This proves that WILLIAM O. BECKETT was living in Tallapoosa Co., AL by the beginning of the year 1848.)
1848 Feb 9: The land transaction of 29 Oct 1846, wherein
WILLIAM O. BECKETT sold his land in Henry Co., GA to JAMES SPEARS, for $300 was
recorded in Henry County Georgia Deed
Records, Book L, page 276. See
note under 29 Oct 1846, for details.
1848 Feb 10: Purchase of land by WILLIAM O. BECKETT from JOHN A. URQUHART and wife MARY JANE URQUHART filed and recorded. See note on 11 Dec 1847, above.
1848 Dec 16: SAMUEL BECKETT, of Tallapoosa County,
Alabama, sold land located in Henry County, Georgia, to WILLIAM UNDERWOOD, of
Henry County, for $400 cash, the land located in the "Eighth old District
of Henry County containing 110 acres more or less, it it
being the North half of the Lot known and distinguished in the plan of said
District by No. 242 and Eight acres off of the Northwest corner of the South
half of said lot as surveyed by WILLIAM OSBURN, Surveyor." Recorded 15 Sep 1849. Henry County Georgia Deed Records,
Book L, page 527. (See BECKETT file for
photocopy of record and transcript. See
also Word file “BECKETT – LAND RECORDS –
1848 Dec 23: WILLIAM O. BECKETT performed the marriage ceremony between DAVID A. BRYANT and REBECCA J. HARLAN, in Tallapoosa Co., AL, which is another indication that he had settled in the area by this time. He was a Justice of the Peace. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 2, page 395)
1849 Feb 23: WILLIAM O. BECKETT was named as Executor to
the last will and testament of his father, JAMES BECKETT. (On file at
1849 Sep 15: SAMUEL BECKETT’s sale of his land in Henry County, Georgia on 16
Dec 1848 (he, now a resident in Tallapoosa Co., AL) to WILLIAM UNDERWOOD of
Henry Co. was recorded at Tallapoosa County, Alabama, in Henry County
Georgia Deed Records, Book L, page 527.
On file in Tallapoosa Co., AL. See
note under16 Dec 1848.
1850 Jan 20: W. O.
BECKETT performed the marriage ceremony, in the capacity of "O. M.
G." ("Minister of the Gospel"), of ISAAC F. STOWE and MRS. NANCY
YOUNG, per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 2, page
498. This indicates that he was still a
minister. ISAAC F. STOWE was the uncle
of AMY E. STOWE, who five years later married the son of W. O. BECKETT, SAMUEL
WILSON BECKETT. (For further
information regarding this STOWE family, see family group records for ABRAHAM
R. STOWE and JOEL STOWE.
1850
FEDERAL CENSUS--TALLAPOOSA CO.,
Listed on page 106A (lines 20-27), taken 3 Jan 1850,
living in Dwelling 1558 (Family 1558), was the household of WILLIAM O.
BECKETT. He was age 43, a farmer, owning
real estate valued at $1200, born in NC.
He reported seven children living in the household, all born in
Listed on page 106A (lines 28-37), taken 3 Jan 1850, living in Dwelling 1559 (Family 1559), was the household of PETER W. PENNINGER. He was age 32, a farmer whose real estate was also valued at in $1200, also born in NC. Living in his household was ANN PENNINGER (age 32, born in NC) and seven children--(1) ELIZABETH J. PENNINGER (age 13. born in NC, (2) GIVENS? A. PENNINGER (name very difficult to read, male, age 11, born in GA, attended school within the year), (3) MYRAM G.? PENNINGER (female, age 9, born in GA, attended school within the year), (4) JOHN F. PENNINGER (age 7, born in GA, attended school within the year), (5) NEWSOM/MARDIE? P. PENNINGER (name very difficult to read, age 5, born in GA), (6) TAYLOR P. PENNINGER (male, age 3, born in GA), and (7) HENRY P. PENNINGER (age 1, born in GA). Also living in the household was THOMAS WILSON, who was age 23, a farmer, born in SC, unable to read and write). Could this person's name be the source of SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT's middle name?? I am not sure how this family is connected to the BECKETT family, but probably they are related somehow through JAMES BECKETT's daughter, JANE BECKETT PENNINGER. In fact, living next to this dwelling was the household of W. O. BECKETT's sister and brother-in-law, JANE and HENRY PENNINGER. This was not the son of HENRY and JANE, as they listed a child in their own household by the same name. Need to prove connection. (Note: The 1850 Slave Schedule for Tallapoosa County, Alabama, taken 3 Oct 1850, by ELI T. POUNCEY, page 691, listed PETER W. PENNINGER as owning 4 slaves--2 Black males ages one and 15, 1 Black female age 20, and 1 Mulatto female age 3, the latter listed as "fugitive from the state." Copy of census microfilm image and work sheet on file.
Listed on page 106A (lines 38-42) and 106B (lines 1-3), taken 3 Jan 1850, living in Dwelling 1560 (Family 1560), was the household HENRY PENNINGER. He age 51, a farmer, with personal property valued at $800, born in NC. JANE PENNINGER was age 53, born in NC, unable to read and write. They reported six children in the household—(1) JAMES PENNINGER (age 23, a farmer, with personal property valued at $300), (2) MARGARETTE M. PENNINGER (age 25, born in NC, this probably being the wife of son James, as the census taker wrote down her surname, but need to prove), (3) DRUCILLA PENNINGER (age 20, born in NC), (4) RACHELL P. PENNINGER (age 19, born in NC), (5) HENRY N. PENNINGER (age 17, born in NC, attended school within the year), and (6) PETER W. PENNINGER (age 13, born in NC, attended school within the year). (Note: According to the 1850 Slave Schedule for Tallapoosa County, Alabama, taken 3 Oct 1850, by ELI T. POUNCEY, page 691, HENRY PINEGER owned one slave, a Black male, age 14. Copy of census microfilm image and work sheet on file.
Listed on page
106B (lines 4-5), taken 3 Jan 1850, living in Dwelling 1561 (Family 1561) was
the household of JAMES BEKETER (actually,
William O. Beckett’s father JAMES BECKETT).
He was age 77, born in
Listed on page 108
(lines 28-34), taken 4 Jan 1850, living in Dwelling 1587 (Family 1587) was the
household of JOHNOTHAN G. WOOLF, who was age 41, a farmer, owning real estate
valued at $1000, born in NC. MARGARRET
WOOLF (name spelled this way on the
record) was age 47, born in NC. They
reported five
children, all born in
NOTE: There were also several DUBERRY households in
Township 20, Tallapoosa Co., AL, at the time of this census. Copies of related census microfilm images and
work sheets on file.
1850
FEDERAL CENSUS—
Living in Dwelling 295 (Family 295) was the
household of SAMUEL BECKET (surname spelled this way on the record), who
was age 41, born in NC, a farmer with real estate valued at $800. His wife SARAH M. BECKET was age 38, born in
TN. They listed 7 children, all born in
TN—(1)
1850
FEDERAL CENSUS—
Living in Dwelling 1 (Family 1) was the household of SUSANAH BECKET, who was age 64, born in NC, occupation not given, but having real estate valued at $400. Living in her household were 11 other individuals, apparently children and grandchildren. The first two were probably her children, both born in NC—(1) JAMES BECKET (age 30, harness maker, real estate valued at $150) and (2) WILLIAM BECKET (age 24, tanner, no real estate value given). The next 9 individuals listed appear to be an adult couple and their children, perhaps the woman being a daughter of Susanah Becket, but maybe another relative living with them, all born in TN—(3) JAMES P. EWING (age 37, shoemaker, real estate valued at $600), (4) REBECCA EWING (age 37), (5) ROBERT ANN EWING (age 16, attending school), (6) MARTHA ANN EWING (age 14), (7) LOUISA EWING (age 12, attending school), (8) SARAH JANE EWING (age10, attending school), (9) CALADONIA EWING (age 8, attending school), (10) MILANA? FRANCES EWING (female, age 5), and (11) JAMES K. P. EWING (age 3/12, or 3 months of age). . This is probably the widow of Samuel Becket (brother of James and Elizabeth (Osborne) Beckett). See BECKETT file, for copy of the census microfilm image
1850
FEDERAL CENSUS—
Living in Dwelling 879 (Family 608) was the household of THOS. BECKET, who was a farmer, age 45, born in KY. He owned real estate valued at $650. He was the only member of the household. . This is probably a descendant of James Beckett’s brother Samuel Beckett. Need to prove. See BECKETT file, for copy of the census microfilm image
1851 Apr 1: WILLIAM O. BECKETT performed a marriage ceremony in the capacity of "M. G." ("Minister of the Gospel"), per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 3, page 64.
1852 Aug-Sep: In Aug, SAMUEL BECKETT performed a marriage
ceremony in the capacity of "M. G." ("Minister of the
Gospel") per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 3,
page 93. Then, in September, he
performed another marriage, ceremony between T. C. WHITE and MARY J. WOLF, per
Book 3, page 195. (This SAMUEL
BECKETT was probably the brother of W. O. BECKETT?? Also, was this young woman the daughter of
Jonathan G. Wolf??)
1852 Sep 13: The JAMES BECKETT will was propounded for the
record, naming WILLIAM O. BECKETT as Executor.
It was filed and recorded 17 Sep 1852.
On file in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.
See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1852 27 Oct: Inventory appraisement of JAMES BECKETT estate, of which WILLIAM O. BECKETT was Executor, was filed at Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Recorded in Vol. 2, page 416. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1852 Nov 9: WILLIAM O. BECKETT sold the personal property of his father JAMES BECKETT, acting as Executor of the estate, in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. The total proceeds from the sale was $683.97. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1852 Dec 26 and 30: SAMUEL BECKETT performed two marriage ceremonies in his capacity as "M. G.,” per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 3, page 133 and page ??.
1853 Jan 29: Executor WILLIAM O. BECKETT recorded Sale of the personal property of JAMES BECKETT estate in Probate Court. On file in Tallapoosa County, Alabama See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1853 May 26, July 13, Dec 15: SAMUEL BECKETT performed marriage ceremonies, as "M. G." (Minister of the Gospel). See Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 3, page 145 (marriage of J. C. COKER), page 148 (marriage of THOMAS HARLAN), and page 165 and 165 (marriage of JAMES PENNINGER).
1853 Sep 5: On a list of personal property items of JAMES BECKETT estate, being sold before the courthouse door in the town of Dadeville (Tallapoosa), Alabama, to wit: "One little Negro to JONATHAN G. WOLFE, for $45." Evidently, this was CLARY's little child. (from Inventory And Appraisement Records Of 1848 To 1952, page 470, research by FRED BECKETT.)
1854 Jan 3: WILLIAM O. BECKETT, acting as Administrator of JAMES BECKETT's estate, filed a report of sale of JAMES BECKETT's property, as per court order, and the report was recorded. On file at Tallapoosa County, Alabama. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1854 Feb 25: WILLIAM O. BECKETT filed for final settlement of his father's estate. He was ordered by the Probate Court to place an ad in the Dadeville Banner for three consecutive weeks, notifying any persons "adversely interested" to appear at Probate Court, at Dadeville, on 28 Mar 1854. On file at Tallapoosa County, Alabama. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1854 Apr: SAMUEL BECKETT performed the marriage of his niece SARAH E. WOLF to W. M. WHITEHEAD, in his capacity as "M. G." (See Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 3, page 184.) SARAH E. WOLF was the daughter of MARGARET S. (BECKETT) WOLFE, wife of JONATHAN G. WOLFE. MARGARET S. WOLFE was the sister of SAMUEL and W. O. BECKETT.
1854 Jul 13: WILLIAM O. BECKETT, as Executor of the estate, made Final application for settlement of the JAMES BECKETT estate. On file in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1855 Feb 24: SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT was granted license to
marry AMY ELIZABETH STOWE at Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Her family owned a large plantation, in
Tallapoosa County, as well as Stowe's Ferry and mill. The ceremony was performed by Judge M. C.
Lane, Judge of Probate, in March 1855 (exact day omitted in the record). Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records,
Book 6, page 189. See BECKETT file for
photocopy. Also, see family group record
for SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT, for further details regarding their marriage and
descendants, and the subsequent marriage and descendants of his widow, AMY
ELIZABETH (STOWE) BECKETT FLOURNOY, in 1864.
(See note on her marriage to JOHN FLOURNOY, 16 Nov 1865. See also supplementary notes on the family
group record for her father ABRAHAM ROBINSON STOWE.)
1855 Jun 26: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT was married to LUCINDA
MILES (daughter of ROBERT P. MILES) at Tallapoosa County, AL, by JOHN WHEELESS,
J. P. The marriage license was dated
June 25th, signed by WILLIAM M. BECKETT and ROBERT MILES. (Per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage
Records, Book 4, page 4. See
BECKETT file for photocopy.)
1856 May 31: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT and wife LUCINDA sold land to JAMES D. BALLENTINE for $200, "commencing at the SW corner of Section 1, Township 23, Range 21, extending North 64 rods, then East 42 rods, then North 16 rods, and then East 31-3/4 rods and North 80 rods, thence East 8-1/4 rods, thence South to section line, thence West to the corner or commencing point." Witnessed by W. O. BECKETT and D. D. GORDON. Signed by WILLIAM M. BECKETT and LUCINDA BECKETT. Certified 2 Aug 1858. Filed 27 Oct 1858. Recorded 28 Oct 1858. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book L, page 245; see BECKETT file for photocopy of record..)
1856 Dec 15: GEORGE W. COLLINS sold land to SAMUEL BECKETT for $1300, the SW 1/4 of Section 22, Township 24, Range 21, and 20 acres off East end of North 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Section 21, Township 24, Range 21. Signed by GEORGE and SARAH J. COLLINS and JAMES L. BURKE, Acting J. P. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book K, page 588)
1858: SAMUEL BECKETT was elected to the office of elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Georgia Conference, per Methodist Preachers In Georgia 1783-1900 (ed. and comp. by H. Lawrence). This was not SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT, because he was living in Alabama.
1858 Jul 21: WILLIAM O. BECKETT, living in Tallapoosa Co., AL, bought land from REUBEN C. SHORTER, J. BERRIEN OLIVER and VIRGINIA A. OLIVER (formerly VIRGINIA A. SHORTER), JOHN A. URQUHART and MARY JANE URQUHART his wife, heirs at law of ELI S. SHORTER deceased--all of Muscogee Co., Georgia. He paid $450 for the tract of land described as the North half of Section 2, Township 23, Range 21, East, in Tallapoosa Co. Certified same date, in Muscogee County, GA. Filed 27 Oct 1858. Recorded 28 Oct 1858. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book L, page 243-244; see BECKETT file for photocopy of the record.)
1858 Aug 2: Land transaction between WILLIAM MARION BECKETT and LUCINDA BECKETT and JAMES A. URQUHART et al. was certified in Tallapoosa County, AL, filed and recorded, the end of Oct 1858. (See note above for 31 May 1856.)
1859 Mar 31: SAMUEL BECKETT bought land from HENRY PENNINGER (brother-in-law of WILLIAM O.) for $85.00, 60 acres off West end of North 1/2 of North 1/2 of Section 2, Township 23, Range 21 E. Signed by HENRY and JANE PENNINGER and PHILLIP WOLF, J. P. , per Tallapoosa County Alabama, Deed Records, Book I, page 549. This was probably the brother of WILLIAM O. BECKETT and JANE BECKETT PENNINGER, though it could possibly be SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT. (Though the latter did not list real estate value, in the 1860 CENSUS, this land transaction was not recorded until after that time.) Need to prove.
1859 Aug 22: SAMUEL BECKETT bought land from JESSE M. EDDINGTON and wife MINERVA EDDINGTON, for $400--the SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Section 21. Certified by HUGH T. HACKNEY, J. P., 5 Sep 1859. Filed and recorded 11 Jun 1860. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book M, page 472; see BECKETT file, for photocopy of record.)
1850's: During the 1850's there was already heated debate, in Alabama politics, regarding slavery and secession. One must wonder where the BECKETTs stood, in this controversy. By January 1860, Tallapoosa County had come out in favor of the stand of "Cooperationists," who opposed secession at that time, the majority of the county citizens being in favor of staying in the Union. According to History Of Tallapoosa County, it was written by some that the people of the hill counties (including Tallapoosa County) looked upon the continuation of slavery as a rich man's cause, but a poor man's fight, which they did not wish to support. It was also said that a branch of the Underground Railway for runaway slaves had reached as far south as Tallapoosa County; however, this story has not been substantiated, according to the above mentioned publication, and it seems far-fetched, since over 25 per cent of the population was slaves, until emancipation. Of the 100 delegates to the Secession Convention for Alabama, 54 were secessionists and 46 were cooperationists, an indication that Tallapoosa County was not alone in its opposition to secession. Nevertheless, the Ordinance of Secession was passed in January 1861, and the first troops left Tallapoosa County, in March 1861.
1860 FEDERAL CENSUS—BUZEKVILLE (COOSA), ALABAMA (Southern Division, taken 13 Jul 1860 by I. W. Tuttle, lines 30-38), page 83:
Living in Dwelling 607 (Family 619) was the
household of NOEL J. LEWIS, a farmer age 41, born in SC, with real estate
valued at $4000 and personal estate valued at $17,000. His wife SARAH LEWIS was age 34 (occupation
“house wifery”), and she, too, was born in SC. They
listed 5 children between the ages of one year and 13 years old. Also living with them was a physician named
W. F. BECKETT, who was age 26, with personal estate valued at $1000 (no real
estate value given), born in AL. For
further details from this census, see BECKETT file, for copy of census
microfilm image and worksheet.
1860 FEDERAL CENSUS—TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA (Western Division, Beat 10, Pinkneyville Post Office, taken 28-29 Aug 1860 by S. T. Strickland, Roll M653_25):
Listed
on page 350 (lines 22-26), living in Dwelling 1058 (Family 1058) was the
household of JONATHAN G. WOLF, who was listed as age 37, a farmer, with real
estate valued at $1920 and personal property valued at $5000. He was born in NC. MARGARET WOLF was age 36, born in NC. They listed 3 children living in their
household, all born in NC--(1) JACOB WOLF (age 21), (2) MARGARET A. WOLF (age
18), and (3) MARY S. WOLF (age 16).
Note:
According to the 1860 Census Slave Schedule for
Tallapoosa County, Western Division, taken 24 Jul 1860 by S. T. Strickland,
page 18/300, JONATHAN G. WOLF owned 5 slaves--a female age 30, a male age 29, a
male age 7, a female age 2, and a female age 4.
He owned one slave house.) Copy
of census microfilm image and work sheet on file. Also, copy of slave schedule image on
file.
Listed on page 357 (lines 3-5), living in Dwelling 1097 (Family 1097) was the household of HENRY PENNAGER (name spelled this way on the record), who was listed as age 61, a farmer, with real estate valued at $900 and personal property valued at $1800, born in NC. JANE PENNAGER was age 63. Only one child was living in their household, at this time--RACHEL PENNAGER, who was age 25.
According to the 1860 Federal Census Slave
Schedule for Tallapoosa Co., AL, taken 24 Jul 1860 by S. T. Strickland,
page 301, HENRY PENAGER owned one slave, a Black male, age 21. Copy of
census microfilm image on file.
Listed on page 357 (lines 6-10), living in Dwelling
1098 (Family 1098) was the household of JAMES PENNAGER, who was age 33, a
farmer with real estate valued at $800 and personal estate valued at $695, born
in NC. JANE PENNAGER was age 23, born in
NC. They reported three children, all
born in
Listed
on page 365 (lines 11-18), living in Dwelling 1159 (Family 1159) was the
household of SAMUEL BECKETT (name spelled this way), who was age 30,
born in NC, and a farmer with real estate valued at $2000 and personal estate
valued at $8000. THERSY BECKETT (name
spelled this way) was age 47, born in NC.
They listed 6 children—(1) ELIZABETH BECKETT (born in GA), (2) ZACHARIAH
BECKETT (born in GA, attending school), (3) THERSY BECKETT (age 12, born in
According to the 1860 Federal Census Slave Schedule, recorded by Solomon T. Strickland on 1 Sep 1860, page 309, SAMUEL BECKETT owned 5 slaves, at this time--a male age 27, two females age 20, a male age 14, a male age 11; and he owned one slave house. This was the son of JAMES and ELIZABETH BECKETT. Copy of census microfilm image and work sheet on file.
Listed on page 365 (lines 34-39), living in Dwelling
1162 (Family 1162) was the household of WILLIAM BECKETT. He was age 54, born in NC, a farmer with real
estate valued at $3000 and personal estate valued at $7000. ANN B. BECKETT was age 52, born in NC. They listed 4 children living in the home—(1)
ELIZABETH BECKETT (born in NC, age 22), (2) GEORGE M. BECKETT (age 21, born in
NC), (3) JOHN BECKETT (age 19, born in GA, attending school), and (4) QUILLA
BECKETT (age 14, born in GA, attending school). According to the 1860 Federal Census
Slave Schedule for Tallapoosa Co., Alabama, reported by Solomon T.
Strickland, 30 Aug 1860, page 35/308--WILLIAM BECKETT owned 7 slaves, at this
time--4 Black females (ages 47, 23, 14, and 4), 1 Mulatto female (age 12), and
2 Black males (ages 17 and 3). He had
one slave house.) . This was the son of JAMES and ELIZABETH
BECKETT. See BECKETT file, for copies of
images taken from census microfilm, for both the regular census and the slave
schedule. NOTE: I have not been able to locate William and
Annie Beckett’s son JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT, in this census. He probably was living in the area, since he
enlisted in the Confederate Cavalry at Youngville (
Listed on page 365 (line 40) and page 366 (lines
1-3), living in Dwelling 1163 (Family 1163) was the household of WILSON
BECKETT. He was age 24, born in NC, a
farmer with personal estate valued at $300.
No value was given for real estate, so he was probably farming some of
his father’s land. ELIZABETH BECKETT was
age 24, born in
Listed on page 366 (lines 4-8), living in Dwelling 1164
(Family 1164) was the household of W. M. BECKETT, who was age 30, born in NC, a
farmer with personal estate valued at $100.
There was no real estate value given.
He probably was helping to farm his father’s land. LUCINDA BECKETT was age 24, born in GA. They listed 3 children, all born in
Listed on page 375 (line, living in Dwelling 1098 (Family 1098) was the family of JAMES PENNAGER, age 33, a farmer, with real estate valued at $800 and personal property valued at $695. They reported three children--(1) BILL PENNAGER (age 7), (2) JOHN PENNAGER (age 3), and (3) JOSHUA PENNAGER (age 10 months). Copy of census microfilm image and work sheet on file.
1860 Sep 6: ELIZABETH C. BECKETT married JOSHUA T. FLYNT at Tallapoosa Co., AL, per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 4, page 782. I do not know who this is, yet. (See BECKETT file, for photocopy.) (This person could have been the ELIZABETH BECKETT listed in SAMUEL BECKETT's household. It could also have been the first marriage of W. O. BECKETT's daughter ELIZABETH BECKETT, for family tradition holds that she had married a JOHN FLINT. (See census note, above. Need to prove.)
1860 FEDERAL CENSUS--STOWE'S FERRY (TALLAPOOSA), ALABAMA (Beat 14, taken 7 Sep 1860, by Solomon T. Strickland):
The
household of WILLIAM OSBORNE was living in Dwelling 1154 (Family 1048). He was age 30, a carpenter, with real estate
valued at $600 and personal property valued at $100, born in GA. Living in his household was MARTHA OSBORNE
(age 22, born in GA) and GEORGIA OSBORNE (age 10 months, born in AL). (Need to verify connection with our
BECKETT families, but he is probably connected to the family of ELIZABETH
(OSBORNE) BECKETT, wife of JAMES BECKETT.)
NOTE: There were several other families listed in
this census of Tallapoosa County, who were probably related to our BECKETTs, but I need to prove the connections. They bore the surnames OSBORN/OSBURN/OSBORNE,
WOLF/WOLFE, HOPSON, FLOURNOY, ROSS, and STOW/STOWE.
1861-1862: During this period, according to ANN B. BECKETT (in her divorce complaint against WILLIAM O. BECKETT, in 1868), her husband became "cross and crabid" and spoke "insultingly and even abusively" of her. See note on the complaint, filed 7 Apr 1868, below. One must wonder what impact the events of the war had on his alleged behavior, or on their relationship, in general. The Ordinance of Secession, in Alabama, had been passed in January 1861, and the first troops had left Tallapoosa County in March 1861. From that point forward, through the following tumultuous war years, the anxiety and suffering of the family had to have been immeasurable--with death an everyday part of their lives, their economic situation probably deteriorating by the week, the agony of not knowing what was happening to their loved ones, or what the outcome was going to be, ultimately, not even able to live and eat as they had been accustomed.
1861: The Ordinance of Secession was passed, and
1861 Jul 24: On this Wednesday, just three days after the first great battle of the war--the Battle of Bull Run—JONATHAN Z. BECKETT was enlisted in Company B, 14th Regiment, Alabama Infantry by CAPT. H. BROOKS, "for the war." The place of enlistment was Hackneyville (Tallapoosa), Alabama, and he enlisted at the rank of Private. It was at the Battle of Bull Run that STONEWALL JACKSON was given his nickname (“Stonewall”), and the Southern soldier proved himself in this battle as a force with which the Union would have to reckon. The day after the battle, on July 22nd, the Confederate Congress in Richmond had called for a day of thanksgiving, as elation spread in the South over the victory at Manassas (Bull Run). Undoubtedly, there were many young men, such as J. Z. Beckett, whose sense of adventure and patriotism was fueled by the events of this week. There had probably been much heated discussion over the previous months among the Becketts and their neighbors. Also on July 24th, JAMES M. RUSSELL wrote to the Dadeville Banner, "I wish to raise a company of Guerilla Volunteers to go into service immediately. I have assurance from GOV. MOORE that we will be received as soon as a sufficient number join my company. I mean to fight and do not intend to deceive or be deceived. All who join will be sure to go."
1861 Jul 25: The "Hillabee
True Blues" (name by which J.Z.'s 14th
1861 Oct 4: The Dadeville Banner reported that Ladies Military Aid Societies were springing up all over the county, for the purpose of furnishing the soldiers with clothing. They organized sewing and knitting societies. The editor even offered to take socks and gloves for payment of subscriptions, which he contributed to the army "for the protection of our boys from the frosts of winter, while they protect us from the vandal hordes of the North."
1861 Oct 31: J. Z. BECKETT received pay for service in the
Confederate States Army, per military record.
(This could have been after his unit had arrived in
1861 Nov 14: J. Z. BECKETT's regiment left Richmond for Fredericksburg and Manassas, one day after his brother MARION BECKETT's 32nd birthday.
1862 Jan-Apr: In January, the entire regiment with which
JONATHAN Z. BECKETT was serving was ordered to Richmond, by the Secretary of
War, to "regain their strength after going through the usual camp
diseases," per a report included in official war records. (See War of the Rebellion Record, Vol.
V, page 1035.) According to F. H.
Holmes, the camp had suffered greatly from measles. J. Z. BECKETT probably suffered from this disease,
as he did apparently return home to
1862 Apr 1: According to a National Archives record for
"WM. M. BECKETT," he was enlisted this date in Oswick,
AL, by CAPT. BICKERSTAFF, in Company B, 24th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, for 3
years. His rate of pay was $11 per
month. (See note under 1865 May 1,
for note on parole, after surrender. I
have not been able to locate the town of
1862 Apr 6-8: According to sketchy notes in the Civil War
diary of WILLIAM MARION BECKETT, he and his brother SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT may
have fought at the Battle of Shiloh (Tennessee), which took place at this
time. The notes in his diary are not
entirely clear. They mention battles
they have seen, but it is not clear whether they participated in them. (This
diary is in the possession of Fred Beckett, great grandson of Samuel Wilson
Beckett.) The losses at
1862 Apr 9-15: Against the backdrop of the fall of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry (TN) in February, followed by the
devastating losses at Shiloh, the previous week, J. Z. BECKETT was getting
ready to return to his regiment (14tth Alabama) in VA; and his
brother GEORGE MADISON BECKETT, enlisted in Company C, of the 47th Regiment,
Alabama Volunteers/Infantry, which was being organized, at Loachapoka (Tallapoosa), Alabama. (Organization of this regiment was completed
May 22nd.) He was a private, in CAPT. J.
T. RUSSELL’s company, enlisting, as was common
practice, "for three years or the war." The 47th
On April 15th, the 34th Regiment, Alabama Infantry was
organized at Loachapoka (
Note: The Confederate Government had passed the Conscription Act, under which all men between the ages of 18 and 35 were to be enrolled in the army, which resulted in 19 new regiments being formed in Tallapoosa County, in April and May.
1862 May-Jul: J. Z. BECKETT's
regiment was at
1862 Aug 9: GEORGE M. BECKETT's regiment (47th Alabama) received its "baptism of fire" at the Battle of Cedar Run, under the command of STONEWALL JACKSON. In that battle, JACKSON's forces encountered GEN. POPE's army. Nearly one-half of them were wounded severely, at the Battle of Cedar Run, and George M. BECKETT was among them. He was removed to a military hospital at Staunton, VA, where he died of his wounds 20 days later, just one day before his regiment fought at Manassas Plains, at Second Bull Run. Without him, they moved on to Chantilly, Harper's Ferry, amd the Battles of Sharpsburg and Gettysburg, before wintering on the Rappahannock.
NOTE
REGARDING THE BATTLE OF CEDAR RUN, WHERE MADISON BECKETT WAS WOUNDED:
According to Battle
Chronicles of the Civil War (Vol. 2, 1862, James M. McPherson, ed., pages
176-179. Macmillan, 1989), the
temperature was climbing toward 100 degrees in the late morning, when Banks'
cannon muzzles "blazed fire and
roared thunder over Cedar Run, bringing the Confederate vanguard to a
halt." (This was reportedly the
hottest day on which major combat occurred in the Virginia Theater, during the
Civil War.) After five o'clock, the
artillery's exchange had slackened. Then
suddenly Union infantry "came swarming out of the woods, charged across
the wheat field on the left, over a rise and through the corn in the
center." The surprise attack
apparently dealt the Confederates a staggering blow. According to this account, one Virginia
officer wrote home, "I tell you they slaughtered our men." The 1st VA Battalion was nearly destroyed. Taliaferro's men
(among whom MADISON BECKETT was fighting) were aligned in the roadway shooting
to their front, when they suddenly found Yankees coming from their left and
rear; brutal hand to hand fighting followed.
One Virginian wept later, "We were literally butchered." MADISON BECKETT's
47th Alabama and the 48th Alabama, who were new regiments, at first fled in
panic, according to some accounts. One
Virginian commented, "Raw men can't stand that kind of music." It looked as though Jackson's whole army was
on the verge of a rout, when Jackson did something he had never done
before. According to John Bowers, in Stonewall
Jackson: Portrait Of a Soldier,
Jackson hopped on Little Sorrel and galloped toward the Stonewall Brigade and
the Bluecoats who were overrunning them, rode through this picture of carnage
and chaos, through the deafening roar and clatter of musketry, thick with smoke
and dust. He rode through riderless horses--crazed, some struck, some trampling the
wounded and dazed; and in the midst of the chaos and death, according to
witnesses, he was a transformed man.
Going for his sword, he found it stuck in its scabbard; so he just
unfastened its clasps and waved the encased sword, crying to his men,
"Rally, brave men, and press forward!
Your general will lead you!
Jackson will lead you! Follow
me!" He had never drawn his sword
in battle, before. His presence was
electric, and the retreating troops began to resist. It was a startling sight, and at first
Confederates reportedly stopped in their tracks and gaped for a moment, to make
sure the sight was real, before they began to rally. They began to yell like Jackson, and the tide
of retreat turned into an assault, according to Bowers. The Blues began to fall back. "The next day's sun rose upon a
battlefield littered with arms and accoutrements of armies, also with a piteous
array of moaning, badly wounded men; and surgeons and burial details went to
work." There were about 1400
casualties. Another account tells that the next day (Sunday, Aug 10) dawned hot
and humid, with the quiet of the battlefield broken only by the moans and
shrieks of the injured blue and gray, crying piteously also for water as the
sun rose, burning and stiffening their wounds.
(According to E. B. LONG, in The Civil War Day By Day,
skirmishing continued, even on the 10th.)
It was not until the second morning (Aug 11th) that a deputation of
Federal horsemen came under a flag of truce, proposing an armistice for the
removal of the wounded. Soldiers of both
sides proceeded to remove their wounded.
It would appear, from this information, that GEORGE MADISON BECKETT
probably lay on the battlefield for many hours--perhaps even one and one-half
days--before he was finally taken to Staunton, to the military hospital.
1862 Aug 15: About one week after his brother was wounded (It is not known whether he had received word of his brother's plight), WILLIAM M. BECKETT was mustered into service with Company A, 1st Alabama Conscripts, in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, by LT. ISBELL, one day after observing the 2nd birthday of his youngest son, JAMES BECKETT. He went off to war, leaving behind three small children, ages 6, 4, and 2; and his wife was pregnant with their fourth child. His enrollment was to December 31, 1862, and it appears that he was drafted into service, as he was part of the "conscripts," according to his military record. He evidently re-enlisted, later, or else by that point in the war, could not resign from service, because his military record places him in the same regiment as his brother SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT--Co. I, 34th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, at the rank of Private, by April 1864 (see notes below). Neither of the military records indicates when/where they enlisted, though it was definitely before March 1863, as family tradition tells us that MARION BECKETT was on the battlefield when his fourth son was born, in March 1863. (This information has been passed down through MARION BECKETT's descendants, in Arkansas, where he settled, after 1870. Also, on his pension application, in 1913, WILLIAM MARION BECKETT stated that his service in the 34th AL began in 1863.) Both brothers were present for duty when their companies were mustered near Dalton, GA, on 5 April 1864, at the outset of the Battles for Atlanta, per their military records; and MARION BECKETT, according to BECKETT family tradition, later witnessed his brother's death during the Battle of Jonesboro (on 31 August 1864; see note under that date).
In his Civil
War diary, WILLIAM MARION BECKETT listed the following battles, in addition to
the ones for Atlanta: The Battle of
Shiloh (TN), the Seige of Corinth (MS), Chickasaw
Bayou (MS), Arkansas Post (AR), Vicksburg Surrender (MS), Champion Hill (MS),
and Lookout Mountain (TN). Because of the dates, locations, and records of
these battles, it seems unlikely that this was a list of battles in which the
34th Alabama actually participated.
Perhaps it was a list of battles with which he was familiar.
1862 Aug 16-Sep
2: J. Z. BECKETT fought in the Second
Bull Run, under GEN. ROBERT E. LEE, August 16th to September 2nd. On the 25th, he received, at Richmond,
Virginia, the sum of $47.00, for pay from May 1 to Jul 1. (According to his military record, he received $11 per month for his service,
plus $25 for clothing.) Also, on this
date, he penned the following note: "Richmond,
I hereby authorize JOHN H. BALLARD to draw and receipt for any monies due me
from the Confederate States."
It was witnessed and signed by J. Z. BECKETT. (Such notes were commonly
written by soldiers just before going into battle, especially if they were
anticipating a major battle. The notes
would be pinned on their uniforms, so that they could be speedily identified,
in case they did not survive. J. Z.
BECKETT did, in fact, begin his march into battle that very day, as JACKSON’s troops commenced from below the Rappahannock,
marching toward the site of the first Battle of Bull Run, where the Second
Manassas Campaign (Second Bull Run) opened the next day, August 26th. J. Z. BECKETT's
regiment fought in Pryor's Brigade, Wilcox's Division, Army of Northern Virginia, during the battles
of August 28th to September 1st, with Manassas Plains taking place on the
30th and the final day (September 1st)
being at Chantilly or Ox Hill, VA. It was during this time, on August 29th, that
GEORGE MADISON BECKETT died, in the military hospital at Staunton, VA, of the
wounds he had received on August 9th. He
was buried at Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA. (This cemetery is located at 1041 W. Beverley
Street, Staunton, VA 24401. The military hospital where GEORGE MADISON
BECKETT died was housed in the Virginia School for the Blind and Deaf; and
after the war, it was again used for that purpose. In fact, even today, it serves as the
Virginia School for the Blind and Deaf.
The school and the cemetery are located at opposite ends of
Beverley Street.) According
to MADISON BECKETT's military record, he died 29 Aug
1862, but the cemetery record gives his burial date as 27 Aug 1862. Two possible explanations for the discrepancy
are (a) the military record might have been miscopied at the point when the
Confederate military records were transcribed by hand for the National
Archives, or (b) the cemetery record may have been incorrectly transcribed into
the computer files (As of 6/95, a clerk had been in the process of entering all
the cemetery records into computer files at the cemetery office, for two
years.) I believe the military record is
probably more credible; but the issue is not crucial, because the two dates are
so close. Only three of the graves in
the Confederate plot are marked by stones.
All of the other men, even those whose names and regiments were
registered in cemetery records, were buried in trenches. There are about 1777 soldiers buried here,
870 of whom are recorded by name, company, and regiment; MADISON BECKETT was
among 49 men who had been part of Alabama regiments. Of the remainder, 207 men were recorded by
name only, and about 700 men were not recorded by name. A stone does not mark MADISON BECKETT’s grave. (See
BECKETT CIVIL WAR MILITARY RECORDS file, for cemetery map with notes, also maps
of Staunton showing location of the cemetery; and see PHOTO file, for photos of
the Virginia School for the Blind and Deaf and Thornrose
Cemetery, taken 6/95.) On August 31st, J. Z. BECKETT appeared on his
company's Muster Roll, present for duty; and he was given bounty and
commutation pay, per his military record.
(This was the day after the Second Manassas, the afternoon of which
JACKSON moved his troops to west of Chantilly.
(LONGSTREET followed, the next day.)
There were small skirmishes at various points of the lines. (Military
records of both brothers on file at National Archives, Washington, DC. See BECKETT file for photocopies.)
1862 September: J. Z. BECKETT was present for duty during the whole month of September, per his military record. On September 12-15, his regiment fought at Harper's Ferry, VA, under the command of GEN. STONEWALL JACKSON, fighting in the Maryland Campaign, at Crampton's Gap, MD and South Mountain, MD, on the 14th, before capturing Harper's Ferry, on the 15th. JACKSON's men made a hard night's march, to be in place for the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), in which they fought, on September 17th, under GEN. ROBERT E. LEE. This particular day was thought to have been one of the bloodiest of the Civil War. Although LEE was outnumbered (reportedly about 75,000 to about 40,000, per E. B. Long), the Confederate army managed to hold its position, with great losses to both sides. A Pennsylvania soldier reportedly walked over the battlefield after the battle and said, "No tongue can tell, no mind conceive, no pen portray the horrible sights I witnessed this morning. God grant these things may soon end and peace be restored. Of this war I am heartily sick and tired." A Wisconsin man reportedly called the battle "a great tumbling together of all heaven and earth." J. Z. BECKETT surely must have concurred with these Federal soldiers. His brother MADISON's 47th Alabama had suffered heavy losses during this battle. According to a report in Confederate Military History, the 14th Alabama Regiment (J. Z. B.'s) served with distinction at Sharpsburg. On September 19th-20th, they were back at Shepherdstown, Virginia.
1862 Oct-Dec: There was considerable skirmishing between Confederate and Federal cavalry along the Potomac near Sharpsburg, MD, Shepherdstown, and Martinsburg, western VA, on October 1st (per E. B. LONG, The Civil War Day by Day). Apparently, J. Z. BECKETT was wounded during related skirmishes, for his military record reported that he was admitted to the 2nd Alabama Hospital, in Richmond, VA, on October 1st; and he remained there for 15 days, before being returned to duty, on October 16th. LEE's army remained in the northern portion of the Shenandoah Valley, nearly idle, until the last few days of the month, when they crossed the Potomac into Virginia. J. Z. BECKETT was paid bounty and commutation, on October 31st. He was present for duty for all of November and December, and he had received pay to November 1st. On November 6th, JAMES LONGSTREET was promoted from the position of major general to lieutenant general, in command of the First Army Corps, of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia; and STONEWALL JACKSON also received a promotion--to lieutenant general, in command of the Second Army Corps, of Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. On November 10th, according to J. Z. B.'s military record, the regiment in which he was serving was transferred to LONGSTREET's new command, to Wilcox's brigade, Anderson's division, First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, still under GEN. ROBERT E. LEE. They fought at Fredericksburg, on Dec 13th, with JACKSON's and LONGSTREET’s forces holding the right and left flanks respectively, in position to defend the city, the night of the 12th. On the 13th, LONGSTREET’s men were posted on and at the foot of Mary's Heights, a ridge behind the city. Though the Federals repeatedly attempted to take the ridge, they met "murderous fire" and were repulsed again and again by the "exceedingly well entrenched Confederates of LEE." GEN. LEE reportedly remarked, "I wish these men would go away and let us alone." A Union soldier said, "It was a great slaughter pen...they as well have tried to take Hell." Meanwhile, on November 16-21, there was a Federal expedition from Helena against the Arkansas Post (AR); and on December 29-30, the 34th Alabama was at Chickasaw Bayou, MS, north of Vicksburg, when Sherman's men failed in their attempt to advance upon the bluffs of that city (per the Civil War diary of WILLIAM MARION BECKETT).
1862 Dec 31-Jan 2: The 34th Alabama Infantry, in which both MARION and WILSON BECKETT were serving, had its first battle experience, at Murfreesboro, TN. Their military records do not reveal whether they were present, at this time. On his pension application, in 1913, WILLIAM MARION stated his service in the 34th Alabama had begun in 1863, which could be an indication that he was probably serving in the 34th Alabama, by this time. According to family tradition, he was on the battlefield when an infant son was born, in March 1863. This would have been in Manigault's brigade, Withers' division, Army of Tennessee. MANIGAULT commended the fighting men for their bravery, during this battle. Though the Confederate casualties had been heavy, they were successful in their assault.
1863 Jan-June: On Jan 14th, WILLIAM O. BECKETT claimed and was granted the compensation due his slain son, GEORGE MADISON BECKETT for his service in the C. S. A. In his claim, W. O. BECKETT stated that his son was not married and had no children. The claim amounted to $76.70, for bounty and commutation for clothing and provisions from April to August 29, per his military record. (See photocopy, in BECKETT file.) Meanwhile, according to J. Z. BECKETT's military record, he was present for duty from January through June of this year, and as of the end of June, he had received pay on Jan 1, Mar 1, and May 1. During this period, his regiment participated in the fighting at Suffolk, VA, on January 30th, in which the Confederates withdrew. On March 17th they were at Kelly's Ford, VA (on the Rappahannock), where they forced Federals back across the Rappahannock. They participated in the Siege of Suffolk, VA, on April 11th-30th, led by GEN. LONGSTREET, then at the Battle of Chancellorsville, on May 1st-4th, under GEN. STONEWALL JACKSON. It was said to have been a perfect Virginia springtime, with peach and cherry trees in full bloom, and anemone and other wildflowers in bright bloom. After praying, JACKSON had his men on the road by 3:00 a. m., on May 1st, marching toward Chancellorsville, while the Federals were moving through the Wilderness, toward them. JACKSON took about 26,000 men through scraggly brush lands, to attack HOOKER's Federals, leaving early on the morning of May 2nd and commencing battle by 6 o'clock that evening, in the darkness. JACKSON was critically wounded in the arm by one of his own men, who mistook him for a Federal, in the confusion of the darkness; and his arm had to be amputated during the night because of his critical condition. He never again led J. Z. BECKETT's regiment, dying of pneumonia on Sunday, May 10th. GEN. A. P. HILL took over the command of the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. This must have been a dark day for the men who had followed STONEWALL JACKSON for so long. At home, during this period, life went on, while the men were away at war: AMY STOWE BECKETT probably observed her 8th wedding anniversary without her husband, on Feb 25th, and MARION's son ROSS saw his 5th birthday, on Feb 16th. In March, MARION's wife LUCINDA BECKETT gave birth to a son, and he died 4 days later, with MARION never having seen him (per family tradition, passed down among his children and grandchildren, also per his statement on his pension application, indicating that he was on active duty during this time). Their son JAMES BECKETT celebrated his seventh birthday, one week later. In April, SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT’s son WILLIAM WALTER BECKETT saw his 4th birthday. In June, MARION’s daughter celebrated her 7th birthday. LUCINDA BECKETT (wife of MARION BECKETT) probably observed their eighth wedding anniversary alone, on June 21st.
1863 Jul-Aug: J. Z. BECKETT's regiment fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 1st-3rd, under the command of GEN. ROBERT E. LEE, "with distinction," per Confederate Military History. The War of the Rebellion Records indicates that the 14th Alabama was under LT. GEN. AMBROSE P. HILL, Anderson’s Division, commanded by MAJ. GEN. R. H. ANDERSON, WILCOX’s Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. CADMUS M. WILCOX. The commanding officers of the 14th Alabama were COL. L. PINCKARD and LT. COL. JAMES A. BROOME.
The following notes are from Wilcox’s report (per The War of the Rebellion Records, Vol. V, page 1035, Report No. 537, Headquarters, Wilcox Brigade, pages 616-621) and from Civil War Day by Day:
Anderson’s Division had been encamped for 3 days in Fayetteville, when on July 1st, they moved forward on the Chambersburg & Gettysburg turnpike. Although they could see artillery fire exchange with enemy forces, ahead of them, by 2:30 p.m., they did not see battle, until the next evening. They spent the night of July 1st to the rear of the division, then took position in line of battle, at 7:00 a.m. the next morning. They ran across an open field to thick woods, where the 14th Alabama was held back for two hours. The brigade took position in line of battle, on the extreme right of the army, but saw no real action until 2:00 p.m., when troops were advanced to attack, mainly cannonading until 6:20 p.m. (80 Federal guns answered Confederates) At this point, under artillery fire, Anderson’s division descended about 600-700 yards, into a ravine crossing plank and stone fences as they advanced. They were met by 2 lines of infantry, whom they drove across a stream—at which point they found themselves being pummeled by grape and canister fire, from about 200 yards up on the ridge. When they had almost won that stronghold, they were confronted by yet another line of infantry who were descending the slope “at a double-quick,” in support of fleeing comrades. Being outnumbered at this point, Wilcox sent a messenger for more support, but none came. The enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to drive the brigade back. Without support on the right (J. Z. Beckett’s 14th AL position) or left, Wilcox finally deemed the contest “too unequal” and withdrew his men, under heavy artillery fire. The men returned to their original position and bivouacked for the night, thus ending the first day of battle, July 2. Their losses were 577 killed, wounded, and missing. Four of their regimental commanders were wounded in this first day of battle, including COL. PINCKARD, of the 14th Alabama, who was succeeded by LT. COL. BROOME, The next day, July 3rd, the brigade was ordered out before sunrise, having had nothing to eat since the morning before. They moved to the front to support the artillery, marching about 200 yards off and parallel to the artillery in front, mostly on the road (Emmitsburg Turnpike), until 3:20 p.m., when their artillery opened fire on the enemy and continued about an hour. According to the report, they had never engaged so many artillery. Wilcox’s brigade suffered fewer than 12 men wounded/killed, though the brigade to their right suffered severely. Pickett’s division now advanced—for the famous “Pickett’s Charge”--and the “hostile artillery” advanced upon them; yet they moved on without wavering, according to the report, being opposed on front and both flanks, for about 20-30 minutes. “Every sort of artillery missile was thrown upon them,” and then Wilcox’s brigade of about 1200 men (including the 14th Alabama) was ordered forward to support Pickett’s division, covering the same ground over which the latter had moved, facing the enemy’s terrible artillery, concentrated on them from both flanks and directly in front of them. According to The Civil War Day by Day an eyewitness wrote, “Men fire into each other’s faces, not five feet apart. There are bayonet thrusts, sabre-strokes, pistol-shots…men going down on their hands and knees, spinning round like tops, throwing out their arms, gulping up blood, falling; legless, armless, headless. There are ghastly heaps of dead men.” Amid this carnage, according to Civil War Day by Day, the men “moved smartly ahead through the artillery fire; musketry opened, and the infantry charged the dug-in Federals…Artillery and Federal infantry closed in mercilessly. Units were broken, battle flags falling with the men.” According to the official report, in the midst of this carnage, the officer could not even see any of Pickett’s men whom he had been called to support. Following orders, though, he ordered his men forward, and they went down a slope and near the hill where the enemy was entrenched; and there, they “were exposed to a close and terrible fire of artillery.” At one point, seeing the enemy artillery moving toward the rear of the left flank, the officer told his men to hold their ground until he could get them artillery support; but when he rode back rapidly for the artillery, he could find none near that had ammunition. Not seeing any of the troops that he was ordered to support and not having the artillery he needed, he ordered the men back. They retired, again, under heavy artillery fire, but the enemy did not pursue them; and the line was reformed on the ground they had occupied before the advance. The Battle of Gettysburg was over. He complimented his men for acting with gallantry.
Where was J. Z.
BECKETT, in this place? How did he deal
with the memories, after the war was over?
Nine days later, on July 12th, his regiment was at Funktown,
MD, and one month later, August 11th, he was issued clothing to replace that
which must have been tattered from battle, per his military record. On Aug
17th, his brother JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT enlisted in Co. I, 8th (Wade's)
Regiment, Confederate Cavalry (also known as the 2nd Regiment., Mississippi and
Alabama Cavalry, formerly Co. B, 1st (Beall's)
Battalion, Alabama Cavalry), at Youngville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. (Youngville is
today known as Alexander City, Alabama.)
He was enlisted by MAJ. WRIGHT, served at the rank of Pvt. WHEELER's report of Chicamauga
says that Wade's regiment was picketing from Guntersville to Decatur, on Aug
27th. (His military record is on file
at the National Archives, Washington, DC.
See BECKETT file, for photocopy.)
1863 September: J. Z. BECKETT was present for duty all this month, per his military record. During this time, the battlefront in Virginia was relatively quiet, with some skirmishing between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, during the middle of the month. On the 29th, he was issued clothing, again. On Sep 8th, GEN. NEGLEY (Union) reported the 8th Confederate Cavalry (Wade's, in which JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT was serving) was near Lafayette, and on September 13th, they fought near Summerville, GA, under GEN. JOSEPH WHEELER. The next day, September 14th, they fought near LaFayette, GA; and on September 15th, they were at Tryon Factory. On the 17th, they were at McLemore's Cove, GA.
The 8th (Wade's) Confederate Cavalry also fought at the Battle of Chicamauga, where WILSON and MARION BECKETT's regiment were fighting, on Saturday, the 19th. In his report of that battle made on October 6th, MAJ. JOHN N. SLAUGHTER mentioned the activity of Wilson’s Company B, south of Chicamauga Creek, on Sunday at 10:00 a.m., as follows (per The War of the Rebellion Records):
CAPT.
WOOD’s Co. B were thrown forward as skirmishers; and
the regiment marched in line of battle across the Chattanooga and Lafayette
Road near an old home and charged through a field, a woods, then another field,
over enemy breastworks, into another body of woods, before stopping. The regiment was formed in a ravine, until
being commanded to fall back (which the men did not want to do). All this had been “performed at a run, and
our men were very much exhausted, some so much that they could not return with
the regiment and were captured.” From
there, they formed in line near the base of Missionary Ridge and ascended the
hill on which the enemy was posted, lay down about 100 paces from the top,
before proceeding over the top, where “they were exposed to a sweeping fire of
the enemy’s artillery and musketry.”
After that, he reported, they came under severe fire, whereupon they
faltered; and there was confusion and mixing of men with the 28th
AL. They rallied, though. He said that nearly half had not had a drop of
water for 24 hours; and the rest, very little, because they had lost their
canteens the previous evening. All
movements had been performed at a brisk run, in the morning, running one mile
in the first charge; and, without time to rest, running back to the Lafayette
& Chattanooga Road, with knapsacks and blankets on their backs, part of the
time under heavy fire and unable to return the fire—then at a brisk pace over
the rugged spurs of Missionary Ridge, to the last position, in order to keep up
with the line. He commented on the
almost-complete exhaustion of the majority of the men. They were also confused by the falling back
and mixing up with Deas’ men; and as they rose up
above the hill, they were “swept by canisters and musketry without being able to
return the fire, forced to advance slowly because of the steepness of the
hill.”
ADRIAN BECKETT's cavalry unit was at Chattanooga Valley and Stevenson's Gap, on September 21st. They were at Pt. Lookout, TN, on the 23rd and at Hiawassee, TN, on the 26th. They fought at Cotton Port Ford, TN, on September 30th. ADRIAN's military record does not specify his presence at these battles, so it is not known if he was present for duty. On September 19-20, the 34th Alabama Infantry (regiment of WILSON and MARION BECKETT) was fighting at the Battle of Chicamauga (TN). Their military records do not indicate whether WILSON and MARION were present, but I assume they probably were. Later, GEN. MANIGAULT warmly commended the regiment; and the commanding officer, MAJ. JOHN N. SLAUGHTER, was highly complimented.
1863 October: J. Z. BECKETT'S military record indicated he was present for duty this month, and had been paid through July 1st. On Oct 4th, his regiment, the 14th Alabama, fought at Bristoe Station, VA, under GEN. HETH. His brother JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT was absent from service, in fighting that took place in TN all that month, due to sickness, by order of SURGEON SHAFFER, according to his military record, which also indicated he had not yet received any pay. (Military record did not indicate the nature of his sickness, nor where he recuperated.) During his absence, the 8th Confederate Cavalry was reported (by GENERALS HOOKER and HOWARD, Union) to have been 300 strong, at Trenton, TN, on October 14th. The next day, his unit was reported to be under Capt. J. H. FIELD, in HAGAN's brigade, MARTIN's division; then they were near Summerville, TN, on Oct 28th, without his presence.
1863 November: JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT continued to be absent from duty, for the second month--sick, per Surgeon's orders. His regiment was in Lookout Valley, TN, on the 5th, per M. M. Phillips, Scout, in military records. The next day, his unit was moving to Spring Place, TN, per General Martin's report. On Nov 2nd, J. Z. BECKETT was issued clothing for the 4th quarter of 1863 (per his military record). On Nov 6th, his regiment fought at Droop Mt., VA, then at Kelly's Ford, the next day. At the end of this month, on Nov 25th, the regiment of his two brothers MARION and WILSON BECKETT (34th Alabama) was at Missionary Ridge (GA). Though their military records do not specify that they were present, they most likely were. According to military reports, many of the men were taken. According to Gandrud’s Alabama Records, a man named W. C. BECKETT, age 60, enlisted, as a private in CAPT. B. C. YOUNG's company, of the Tallapoosa County Militia, about this time. (This person could have been our WILLIAM O. BECKETT--though the middle initial is incorrect, and the age is slightly off. I have not been able to locate any other WILLIAM BECKETTs living in Tallapoosa County, at this time--searching the census records, or any other records. He very well may have joined the militia, in order to help protect the homeland. (Need to prove.) In Virginia, from November 26 to November 30, J. Z. BECKETT was with his unit, fighting in the Mine Run campaign, under GEN. LEE, against Union GENERAL GEORGE GORDON MEADE's Army of the Potomac. It was a campaign of marching and maneuver, with the Confederates outnumbered by the Federals.
1863 December: JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT was again reported absent from duty, sick, all this month, per Surgeon's orders. His military record indicated that as of the end of this month, Dec 31st, he had never received any pay. However, it could be that he just was not present to be paid, perhaps receiving pay at a later point. The following June 30th, a report was filed, indicating he had been paid on Oct 31st. Meantime, during his reported absence, his cavalry unit fought in Wade's Brigade, Kelly’s division, Wheeler's Cavalry Corps. His brother J. Z. BECKETT was present for duty at Walker's Ford, WV, on Dec 2nd. One week later, on December 9th, he was issued clothing, per his military record. MARION and WILSON were both probably present for duty with their regiment during this time, though we do not have specific information, in their military records (except that in MARION's pension application, in 1913, he stated that he had been serving, in 1863); the 34th Alabama reported 388 men and 281 arms, during this time.
1864 Feb-Apr: On Feb 6th, J. Z. BECKETT's regiment was fighting at Morton's Ford, VA. The following month, on March 17th, J. Z. BECKETT's brother SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT, was ill with "remittant fever," according to his military record; and he could not appear for duty with his regiment. A letter from a physician (included in his military record) stated, "This is to certify that S. W. BECKETT, private in Com. B, 34th Regiment, Ala. Vol., is unable to report to an army surgeon from remitent fever and would actually endanger his life to do so. I therefore recommend an extention of his furlough fifteen days this March 17th, 1864. W. L. Banks, M. D." He did, in fact, report for duty near Dalton, on April 5th, along with his brother WILLIAM MARION BECKETT. This was at the outset of the battles for Atlanta. Both were serving in the 34th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, with MARION BECKETT serving in Co. I, and WILSON BECKETT serving in Co. B. According to Ronald H. Bailey, in Battles for Atlanta (1985), the spring had been unseasonably cold, and by the end of April, it had suddenly turned warm. One private in the Army of Tennessee commented on this cold, uncomfortable weather in his diary, on April 6th: "The weather is extremely cool for the season, and last night was almost cold enough for a frost." Two days later, he wrote, "The weather is very unsettled. It rained nearly all day yesterday, and last night it poured down in torrents with a great deal of thunder and lightning and a heavy wind." (Quotes taken from The Reluctant Rebel, by Robert Patrick, private in a clerk's job, in the supply corps; in the files of Fred Beckett) The 34th Alabama regiment was in all the major engagements from Dalton to Atlanta (also known as “Hundred Days’ Battle), according to Confederate Military History (Vol. VIII). In his diary, WILLIAM MARION BECKETT named the following battles in which they participated, during this period--Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahootchie, and Atlanta. (See the note below, for July 1864, for more details regarding fighting conditions during this period.) Back home in Alabama, WILLIAM WALTER BECKETT celebrated his 5th birthday, while his father was on the battlefield. Meanwhile, in Virginia, on April 30th, J. Z. BECKETT was again issued clothing, for the first quarter of 1864; and their brother, JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT, was serving under LT. COL. JOHN S. PRATHER, in Allen's Brigade, Kelly's Division, Wheeler's Cavalry Corps.
1864 May: JONATHAN Z. BECKETT received pay, on May 1st, and four days later, he was fighting in the Wilderness (VA) Campaign, (from May 5th to 7th) under GEN. ROBERT E. LEE. His regiment reportedly served there "with distinction." They then fought at Spotsylvania, VA, May 8th-18th, under the command of GEN. ROBERT E. LEE; and again, his regiment was reported to have served with distinction. On the 23rd J. Z. BECKETT was at North Anna and then at Tolopotomoy, VA; and the next day, the 24th, he was issued clothing. He was still serving under LEE. On May 5th, JAMES ADRIAN BECKETT's cavalry unit was mentioned in the MEMPHIS APPEAL (newspaper), in a report of the fighting at Latimer's Mill (TN), statement by COL. MINTY. On May 12th, GEN. JOSEPH WHEELER took all available cavalry around the northern tip of the ridge of Rocky Face (GA), to see what GEN. SHERMAN was up to, and they found STONEMAN's Federal cavalry; Dalton was abandoned by GEN. JOHNSTON's forces that night. (Neither MARION's nor WILSON's military records specify whether the three brothers were, for certain, in the same area, but they probably were, as all three of the military units were there.) MARION and WILSON BECKETT, meantime, were under the command of GEN. JOHNSTON, following the railroad south, toward Atlanta. WHEELER's cavalry reportedly kept up a running skirmish with SHERMAN's swiftly pursuing Federals.
1864 June: By Jun 2nd, J. Z. BECKETT's regiment was fighting at the Battle of Cold Harbor, VA, where the Confederates were entrenched, seeking to keep Grant's army from advancing on Richmond, which was just a few miles away. (The fighting was so close to the city that the sounds of battle could be heard by the townspeople.) This was a very hot day that had ended with rain, in the evening. J. Z. B. now found himself at the brink of yet another major battle, probably wondering if he would see the dawn of another day--perhaps even still suffering from the wounds he had received at previous battles. Though there were skirmishes, this day, Grant had actually postponed the main attack, which would, instead, come early the next morning (on June 3rd). The rain that had been falling during the night had ceased, and at about 4:30 a. m., the next morning, Grant gave the orders to attack. It was a desperate attempt by Grant to break through the Confederate army, to seize Richmond--a crucial defense by the Confederate army, in order to hold Virginia. Grant's men made a "smashing, headlong attempt to ram through, regardless of cost" (per LONG, in The Civil War Day by Day), and it was a costly move, with 7000 Union soldiers slain within well under an hour. By noon, Grant had called off the attack and reportedly regretted he ever launched it. LEE had scored a great victory, despite being outnumbered, again. Charles Francis Adams, Jr. (Union) wrote that the Federal army had "literally marched in blood and agony from the Rapidan to the James." The next day found J. Z. BECKETT's regiment at Bethesda Church (per Confederate Military History), still under GEN. ROBERT E. LEE. Both armies remained entrenched at Cold Harbor, at a stalemate, until June 12th, when the Federals moved out, across the James River, under cover of darkness. J. Z. B.'s regiment participated in the Petersburg assault, beginning June 15th, under GEN. BEAUREGARD. During this period of time, GEN. BEAUREGARD's men were entrenched (June 20-30), at Petersburg. During this time, JONATHAN Z. BECKETT was again apparently wounded and was admitted, on June 24th, to the hospital at Petersburg. The complaint shown on his military record was "U. S.," or "Urel Sclosset." The record did not elaborate further on this. According to his son, MARVIN BECKETT (who was visited in Little Rock, AR, in 1960, by Fred Beckett and Lee Roy Beckett), J. Z. BECKETT was wounded during the war by a minnie ball at close range. The account which he gave to his family was as follows: He had been walking sentry duty along a brush pile line, when a Yankee soldier slipped up and hid in the brush pile. Hearing a noise, he called out, "Who is that!" His answer came as a blast from a gun, fired at close range. It knocked the nose bridge off, as well as his right eye and a piece of skull from the right side of his head. He was laid aside to die. According to his son MARVIN BECKETT, when he regained consciousness, he overheard a doctor saying, "Don't bother with him. He will certainly die." He protested, "I won't die; I will live!" He reportedly told the doctors to do something for him, because he was NOT going to die! (He wore a patch over one eye, the rest of his life.) Five days later, on the 29th, he was transferred from General Hospital, Petersburg, VA., to Richmond, VA, being received there, the next day, Jun 30th, he was admitted to General Hospital, Howard's Grove, Richmond, VA. Meanwhile, ADRIAN BECKETT was recorded as absent from service, beginning June 14th, having been furloughed for 15 days, by orders of GEN. JOHNSTON (Military record does not indicate reason for furlough); and he was also absent from duty on June 30th, per military record. The fighting had begun at Kennesaw Mtn., GA, on Jun 10, and ADRIAN BECKETT's cavalry unit was mentioned in a report by COL. MINTY of a skirmish at McAfee's (perhaps his furlough was related to these events). On Jun 21st, during ADRIAN's furlough period, COL. MINTY reported on a skirmish at Noonday Creek, Georgia.
1864 July: On Jul 9-10, GEN. JOHNSTON’s army (in which the 34th Alabama regiment was serving) crossed the W/A railroad, to Atlanta. A rebel soldier wrote in his diary, on July 15th, the following account: "Everything is quiet this morning. The enemy doesn't seem to be making any attempt yet to cross the river. The troops are in the best of spirits, notwithstanding the hard time they are having. Perhaps for duration and the fierce, obstinate nature of the conflict, the present campaign in Georgia is unparalleled in history. It is now about 70 days, the opening campaign beginning at Dalton. Few of these days but what there has been fierce fighting along our lines. These were followed by weary nights of incessant toil, oftentimes of fighting and building breastworks and entrenchments. Our men have seen a hard time, passing wearied nights of restless anxiety with the cold, damp ground for their beds, sleeping on wet leaves or branches of trees, sometimes on rails, to keep them out of the mud; and frequently their rude couches were rendered too hot for them by the pattering of bullets, which came to disturb their relentless pursuers. They have literally disputed every inch of ground from Dalton down to our present position." (Taken from The Reluctant Rebel, by Robert Patrick, private, clerk's job in the supply corps, Army of Tennessee.)
On July 17th, GEN. JOHN BELL HOOD replaced GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. (According to BELLE FLOURNOY, the half sister of WILLIAM WALTER BECKETT, SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT was under CAPT. HOOD (notes in the files of Fred Beckett). This is consistent with historical facts. On July 20th, the 34th Alabama Infantry fought at the Battle of Peachtree Creek, under GEN. HOOD (CLEBURNE's division) against GEN. SHERMAN, and on Thursday, the 21st, a truce was called, to bury the thousands of dead from that battle. The night of the 21st, they were on the march, participating in Hood's 1st sortie; and they were at Atlanta on Jul 22nd. On July 25th BRIG. GEN. F. A. SHOUP reported that all was quiet along the line, and the next day that the enemy was slowly shelling; skirmishing was reported, on the 27th. (Per The War of the Rebellion Record, Series I, Volume XXXVIII, Part III: Reports, Report No. 602 (“Memoranda of Movements and Events in Army of Tennessee, kept by Brig. Gen. F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff for Gen. Hood”), pages 688-696.)
On July 28th, they were at Ezra Church, after which their regiment was mentioned in BRIG. GEN. ARTHUR M. MANIGAULT's report of the battle and also in the report of their commanding officer, MAJ. JOHN N. SLAUGHTER--recorded in The War of the Rebellion Record (Series I, Volume XXXVIII, Part III: Reports, Report No. 634, pages 781-786), as follows:
GEN. MANIGAULT reported that the men of Hindman’s Division had moved at noon on the 27th of July from the trenches which they had been occupying for some time. They marched to several points just within the breastworks, then bivouacked that night on the Lickskillet Road. At 10:30 the next morning, July 28th, they were ordered into line of battle and moved along that road, then were moved to the front just after noon, under the command of MAJOR JOHN N. SLAUGHTER. They advanced through dense wood, then an open wood, then in open field, and across deep ravine, beyond which the Union opposition were firing upon them from behind breastworks, on a steep and high wooded ridge. He described this as a “galling fire.” He was complimentary of the men and officers for their conduct, even though they failed to carry the hill. “They fought as gallantly as I have ever seen them do, but were outnumbered to too great an extent,” with the enemy’s strong position. The 34th Alabama lost 14 men killed, three officers and 43 men wounded, and nine captured or missing. The Beckett brothers marched on.
MAJ. JOHN SLAUGHTER’s report of the 34th Alabama was equally complimentary, adding a few more details of the battle. He reported that they had been ordered to move out of position (in the trenches) and take up a line of march on the Sandtown Road, southwest of Atlanta. They crossed both lines of entrenchments and proceeded about three-fourths mile, then filed to the left through a field. He described their movement as through very thick woods, over very uneven ground, through an old field, to an old house on the road. Ordered into battle, they crossed a field, about 500 yards wide, then into a woods again, to a branch., then up to within 50-60 yards of the enemy works. They received a “heavy and destructive enfilading fire on the left, having no support on that side. Notwithstanding this fire, they proceeded forward.” He noted that this was the fifth general engagement in which the regiment had participated, but it was by far the most destructive fire they had ever been under. “They behaved nobly and did all that could be done under the circumstances to carry the position…The men and officers were exhausted by their effort and by the heat of the day. They were ordered forward a second time and advanced to the brow of the hill. Again, they were ordered to retreat and seek protection from behind stumps, logs, brow of the hill, and gullies, and fire upon the enemy. They rested a short time.” MAJ. SLAUGHTER spoke with great admiration and highest appreciation of the conduct of his regiment--"We labored under great difficulties. The regiment was nearly without water, not having time to fill their canteens before going into action. They had marched two or three miles without resting. In this, as in most other engagements, the regiment has suffered from rapid movements, just before going under fire." He further said in his report that it would probably not be his lot to again command this regiment, which has "conducted itself so well on all occasions and under all emergencies, that it has only to be known that it was engaged to know that it has done well." He said that he hoped that their next commander might find them as faithful and gallant as he had.
GEN. HARDEE, in his report of the 28th, said that two-thirds of Hood’s army was engaged this day and so great was the loss on men, organization, and morale in that engagement that no action of the Atlanta campaign probably did so much to demoralize and dehearten the troops engaged in it.
July 31st found the 34th Alabama under the command of Manigault's Brigade, Lee's Corps, Army of Tennessee. GEN. HOOD, with CAPT. HENRY J. RIX, was commanding the regiment. ADRIAN BECKETT's cavalry unit, as part of Wheeler's cavalrymen, was reported to be fighting, dismounted, with "fierce valor" at Decatur; they had driven a Federal brigade from town, but SHERMAN, then, had sent in reinforcements. At the end of the month, JOSEPH WHEELER's cavalry pursued and caught up with STONEMAN's (Union) cavalry riders, at Clinton, Georgia, the latter having attempted to free Union POW's incarcerated at Macon and Andersonville. GEN. STONEMAN and 700 of his men were captured by WHEELER’s men.
J. Z. BECKETT's regiment fought, this month, around Petersburg and Richmond, VA--under GEN. BEAUREGARD, at New Market, Malvern Hill, and Darbeytown, VA, Jul 26-29; then, under GEN. ROBERT E. LEE, at Petersburg Mine, VA, on July 30th.
Meanwhile, the war came closer to home, in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. GENERAL SHERMAN, who was headed for Atlanta, decided to send GENERAL ROUSSEAU on a raid from Decatur to the Montgomery West Point Railroad, in order to cut off the railroad from Atlanta to Montgomery. ROUSSEAU's raiders passed through Tallapoosa County on July 16th entering from Bradford (Coosa), AL. At Socopatoy, they cut toward Youngsville, where they headed for the "tax in kind" depot, where the Confederate government had stored one-tenth of the production of the land; they took what they wanted and burned the rest. Local tradition has it that they ransacked and burned the Flint Hill Methodist Church, which was being used as a Confederate hospital. From there, they headed for the Tallapoosa River, and they reached it by evening. The river was swollen, hampering their crossing; so ROUSSEAU sent COLONEL HAMILTON downstream, where he found an elderly Black man and forced him to lead them to Stowe's Ferry (owned and operated by the family of AMY E. (STOWE) BECKETT, WILSON BECKETT'S wife), so that they could ford their artillery and ambulances. They forced him to show them the ford, at gun point; and they crossed, in the dark, the treacherous waters, with men stationed about 50 feet apart. The Black man was killed, when he and his pack mule were swept over a boulder by the swift current. (See History of Tallapoosa County Alabama) According to STOWE family tradition, the raiders raided homes, as well, taking even featherbeds outside the houses and ripping them apart with bayonets. (See supplementary note in family group record for ABRAHAM ROBINSON STOWE.) The raiders arrived at Dadeville about church time, on the 17th, skirmishing, enroute, with a party of Confederates who had been sent out belatedly to destroy Stowe's Ferry, in order to delay the expedition.
The War was probably taking its toll on the BECKETT family, at home, as well as on the battlefield. According to History of Tallapoosa County Alabama, farming emphasis had shifted from cotton exports to producing food for the home people and for the soldiers in the field. Women and children worked in the fields, and they produced their own fabric for clothing. They wove their fabric and made all kinds of cotton goods and gray jeans for the soldiers.
1864 August: This was a terrible month for the BECKETTs, on the battlefield. Their son MADISON BECKETT had already been
slain on the battlefield. Another son,
JONATHAN ZEPHANIAH, was still fighting in
1864 Aug 31 – Sep
4: SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT was killed at
the Battle of Jonesboro, at
MAJ. J. N.
SLAUGHTER was the commanding officer of the 34th
There is a sword
that, according to family tradition, belonged to SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT. His brother WILLIAM MARION BECKETT brought it
home to Alabama after the war. It is now
in the possession of CLYDE BRAMLITT, who is a grandson of WILLIAM WALTER
BECKETT, residing in Bruce (Calhoun), Mississippi. BELL FLOURNOY (known as “Aunt Belle,” the
daughter of the fallen Beckett’s widow, by her second husband) gave him the
sword. (For photograph of this sword,
see BECKETT photo file.)
1864 September: According to his military record, JONATHAN Z. BECKETT was on wounded furlough from September to November 10th. Details regarding where and when he was wounded or the nature of the wounds (or the place where he was recuperating) were not provided, in the record. However, we do know from his record that his regiment was involved in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond during all of August and that they were vastly outnumbered, almost two to one. From August 18th to 20th, they had been involved in the Battle of the Weldon Railroad, where the Federals had moved out from the Petersburg lines. The Confederates had occupied over a mile of the railroad (running south from Petersburg); and then they had headed north, for Petersburg, having halted south of the city. On August 25th, J. Z. BECKETT.'s regiment participated in the Battle of Ream's Station, VA, where they had mounted a surprise attack against Federals who were in the process of destroying the Weldon Railroad. This could have been where J. Z. B. was wounded.
Meanwhile, on the
Western front, on September 6th, ADRIAN BECKETT was captured by the enemy in a
skirmish between Woodbury and Readyville, Tennessee,
by forces under the command of MAJ. GEN. THOMAS, commanding Dept. of the
Cumberland. According to a report of
operations near Readyville, by COL. GEORGE G. DIBRELL
(Confederate), MAJ. WRIGHT's cavalry were on picket
duty, there. DIBRELL reported that his
forces had picked up new recruits at Sparta and had then been enroute to the vicinity of Nashville. They had been joined by 200-300 more
recruits, stragglers, and absentees, swelling his numbers to 1000-1200, about
300 of whom were armed, but with little ammunition. They had marched until about midnight,
encamping between Readyville and Woodbury, stationing
pickets, with orders to move out at daylight.
The next morning, according to his report, just as they were getting
ready to move out, about 800 of the 9th Pennsylvania surprised them, getting
between the pickets and the camps; and they came charging upon the mostly
unarmed men. COL. DIBRELL reported 2
killed, 2 seriously wounded and left behind, and 61 captured; they lost about
50 horses. He reported that the
Confederates killed 10, wounded 25, and captured 8 of the enemy. (See BECKETT military file, for photocopy
of the record from The War of the Rebellion Record, Series I, Volume 39,
Part I: Reports, pages 496-497.) The
commanding officer of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, on the other hand, related
a very different version, seemingly somewhat exaggerated. COL. THOMAS J. JORDAN reported that at 1:00
a.m., his command of 550 men had proceeded in search of DIBRELL's
column, and they had discovered the Confederate encampment at Readyville, at daybreak.
At 4:45 a.m., he gave the command to attack. He claimed that there were 1800 Confederates,
1200 of whom were armed, the remainder of whom were recruits. The action had begun, he reported, at Stone's
River, at Readyville; and they pursued the
Confederates 5 miles, to Woodbury. He
claimed 130 prisoners captured, 200 horses, 200 saddles, and a large number of
rifles, which were destroyed. He
reported that the Confederates lost 25 killed and about 100 wounded; and he
reported his own losses to have been one man killed, six men wounded, and five
missing, in addition to eighteen horses killed or disabled. (See BECKETT military file, for photocopy
of the record from War of the Rebellion Record, Series I, Vol. 39, Part
I: Reports, page 495.) After
his capture, ADRIAN BECKETT was held in
On Sep 28th, J. Z.
BECKETT's regiment was fighting at Chaffin's Farm, in
VA, under GEN. ANDERSON, then at
1864 Oct-Dec: While he was on wounded furlough, from
October through the first part of November, J. Z. BECKETT's
regiment was still at Petersburg and Richmond, VA under GEN. LONGSTREET and
GEN. ROBERT E. LEE--still outnumbered, 2 to 1.
They fought at Darbeytown Road, VA, on Oct
7th. J. Z. BECKETT's
wounded furlough was to have ended on November 10th; his military record does
not specify whether he reported to duty, at this time. In December, the Petersburg-Richmond area
looked relatively quiet. By Nov 30th, MARION BECKETT's
34th Alabama Infantry was at Franklin, TN, but they reportedly did not take part
in the worst part of the fighting, there.
By December, they were fighting in Nashville, TN, against
well-entrenched Union forces. The 34th
Alabama was now part of JOHN BELL HOOD's Army of
Tennessee. They were in need of rest,
having come directly from the fighting at Franklin, to Nashville. By December 3rd, both sides were entrenched,
and on December 9th, a heavy storm of freezing rain set in, followed by sleet,
making any movements hazardous, on the ice-covered ground. By the 14th, the ice had melted; and on the
15th, GEN. GEORGE H. THOMAS's Army of the Cumberland
came out of the trenches, in heavy fog, and struck a devastating blow to GEN.
JOHN BELL HOOD's Army of Tennessee. The next day, they were fighting in rain and
snow. The 34th
1865 Jan: During the whole month of January, J. Z. BECKETT's regiment was still involved in the Siege of
Petersburg, under GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE, against the Union command of GEN.
ULYSSES S. GRANT. The Confederates were
vastly outnumbered, reportedly about 54,000 to 120,000 men. On Sunday, the 13th
of January, ADRIAN BECKETT, who was still imprisoned at
NOTE: I visited this Confederate Cemetery, in
August 1995. The prison no longer
exists, but the cemetery, which contains the remains of 2263 Confederate
soldiers who died there, has been surrounded by a fence, by the UDC (United
Daughters of the Confederacy). On each
marble gravestone is engraved the name and military unit of the deceased. Buried in Lot 775 is a soldier known as
"JAMES A. ROCKETT," of the same regiment and company. This person's card is also included in the
military record of JAMES A. BECKETT, at the National Archives. The person who originally transcribed the
record onto the cards, at the National Archives, had noted that this
information had been penciled in, on the register (as though they might have
questioned it). It was transcribed from
a "list of prisoners of war buried at Camp Chase, Ohio." I believe that the grave no. 782 is probably
the accurate one, as this information was taken from the original military
record of JAMES A. BECKETT. Either way,
both men are buried near one another.
(See BECKETT photo file, for photographs of this cemetery and the
gravestones.)
1865 Feb-May: J. Z. BECKETT's regiment was still involved in the defense of Petersburg and Richmond, in Virginia. They were at Dabney's Mills and Hatcher's Run, from Feb 5-7, under GEN. A. P. HILL.
On Feb 23rd, J.Z. BECKETT's sister LIZZIE BECKETT (on the marriage record, written ELLEN E.) married JOHN S. BAILEY, in Tallapoosa County, AL, per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 6, page 102. Bondsman was T. P. WATKINS, and date of bond the same as the date of the marriage; ceremony was performed by Z. W. BARNES, M. G. License dated 22 Feb 1865. (See BECKETT file, for photocopy of record. Also, see family group record for ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY and JOHN S. BAILEY, for more information regarding her descendants.) According to Clarice Winfrey (great granddaughter of ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY), JOHN BAILEY was the son of JOHN MILTON BAILEY (born 1809 in Elbert Co., GA) and HARRIET DUNN BAILEY (born 1813 in SC). (Correspondence, 1997, see BECKETT file.)
By March, WILLIAM MARION BECKETT's regiment had moved into North Carolina, where they fought at Kinston, on the 14th and at Bentonville, on the 19th. J. Z. B.'s regiment was still fighting to defend Richmond, all during the month of March. They fought at Fort Stedman, VA, on Mar 25th, under GEN. GORDON.
By Apr 2nd, GEN. LEE is said to have commanded an army of 50,000, against GEN. GRANT's army of 120,000!
1865 Apr 9: With their numbers depleted, the 34th Alabama, in which WILLIAM MARION BECKETT was still serving, were consolidated with the 24th Alabama and the 28th Alabama, about April 9, 1865; and they were subsequently surrendered at High Point, NC. There were fewer than 100 men—of the original 1000 men—left their regiment, by this time.
GEN. ROBERT E. LEE surrendered the Army of Virginia, including J. Z. BECKETT’s regiment, the 14th Alabama, and GEORGE MADISON’s old regiment, the 47th Alabama Regiment, on April 9th, at Appomattox, VA. The 47th Alabama was paroled here, with 17 officers and 188 men left in the regiment. On May 23rd, JONATHAN Z. BECKETT was paroled at Talladega, AL. The war was finally over, for the BECKETTS!
1865 May 1: WILLIAM M. BECKETT's name appeared on the muster roll of men paroled "in accordance with the terms of a military convention entered into on April 26, 1865, between GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Commander, Confederate Army and MAJ. GEN. W. T. SHERMAN, Commander, U. S. Army in North Carolina." (Private, Co. B, 24th Regiment, Alabama Infantry)
1865 Sep 7: QUILLA/QUILLIE ANN BECKETT married LEROY G. MORRIS in Tallapoosa Co., AL, the ceremony performed by Z. W. BARNES, M. G. The license had been granted on the 4th of September. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 6, page 189; see BECKETT file for photocopy of the record. Also, see family group record and associated notes, for L. G. MORRIS and QUILLA/QUILLIE BECKETT MORRIS, for further information regarding their marriage and descendants.) One of their children was LOVIC ALBERT MORRIS, per The California Department of Health Services Office of Health Information and Research. Vital Statistics Section. Information Online database at Rootsweb.com
1865 Nov 16: SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT's widow, AMY ELIZABETH (STOWE) BECKETT, remarried, one year after his death, to JOHN F. FLOURNOY, at Tallapoosa Co., AL (per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 6, page 264, license dated 15 Nov 1865). F. M. SANDERS served as bondsman, and WILLIAM ROGERS, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony. (See BECKETT file, for photocopy of the record.) For further information about JOHN FLOURNOY and AMY's subsequent life with him, see the supplementary sections of the family group records for ABRAHAM R. STOWE, SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT and WILLIAM WALTER BECKETT. According to research done by Lee Roy Beckett and Frederick Beckett, AMY and JOHN FLOURNOY had five children by their marriage, so that W. W. BECKETT and FRANCIS BECKETT did grow up with siblings--(1) CORNELIUS FRANKLIN FLOURNOY (born 29 Aug 1866 in AL, d. 13 Feb 1905 in Calhoun Co., MS), (2) JOEL MANSON FLOURNOY (born 29 Jun 1868, d. 20 Feb 1880), (3) SARA HELEN ELIZABETH FLOURNOY (born 21 Apr 1871), (4) VIRGINIA BELL FLOURNOY (born 8 Sep 1874), and (5) PRUET STOWE FLOURNOY (born 28 Apr 1878, d. County Home, Webster Co., MS, 2 Dec 1957). This information is consistent with the 1870 census information (see below). According to the 1860 Slave Schedule, for Tallapoosa County, AL (Beat 4, taken by J. CRITTENDON on 21 Aug 1860, page 35/273), J. F. FLOURNOY owned 2 slaves, at that time--one female age 26 and one male age 22).
1865 December: ANN B. BECKETT stated in her divorce complaint
against W. O. BECKETT that on this date, her husband had first brought MARY
DUBERRY into their home, to assist ANN in her household duties. (She stated that this was needed, because she
was in poor health.) According to her,
MARY DUBERRY remained there until 12 July 1867.
During this time, according to ANN BECKETT, MARY became illicitly
involved with her husband, WILLIAM O. BECKETT; and he became increasingly
abusive to ANN. (Per divorce record,
filed in Tallapoosa County Alabama Chancery Court from 1867-1873, pages
258-263; see BECKETT file for photocopy of record. (NOTE:
I do not know exactly who MARY DUBERRY was, but there were several
DUBERRY households listed in Township 20, in Tallapoosa County, AL, in the 1850
Federal Census, three of which included a child named "Mary," who
could have been the "MARY DUBERRY" in question. See 1850 Federal Census worksheet, for
Tallapoosa County, AL, in WILLIAM O. BECKETT file.)
1866 Oct 24: W. O. BECKETT performed the marriage ceremony of ALFRED WRIGHT and MARTHA DUNN. J. T. WRIGHT was the bondsman. Signed by W. O. BECKETT, M. G. (from Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records 1833-1880, page 498).
1867 Mar-Aug: On March 21st, ANN BECKETT caused MARY DUBERRY to leave, per her claims in the divorce complaint. On the next day, March 22nd, she said that WILLIAM drove her from her home, and she went to stay with one of her children, fearful of his threats. She further claimed that on April 25th, WILLIAM went to the home of his son, WILLIAM M. BECKETT, and convinced her to return home with him, promising to treat her better; but upon her return, she found MARY DUBERRY there. MARY remained there until July 12th. During this period, ANN claimed to have been very ill, "near unto death." WILLIAM O. BECKETT's abusive behavior continued, according to her, until Aug 8th, when he told MARION to take her away. She said she had been living with her children, ever since, i. e., from August 1867 until the date of her claim, which was April 1868. (See notes under those dates, below.)
1868: Sometime during this year, JONATHAN ZEPHANIAH BECKETT's first child was born, in Alabama. She was named LELA BEATRICE BECKETT. (She was living in North Little Rock, Arkansas, by the time she died.)
1868 Jan 13: WILLIAM O. BECKETT awarded to MARY DUBERRY, "for past care and attention to me and my family and for the good will and regard I have and entertain for MARY DUBERRY" his land and personal possessions. She paid $10 for the following property received from WILLIAM O. BECKETT: "All of Section Two (2) Township Twenty Three (23) Range Twenty One (21), except 160 acres sold off the northern part of the section to SAMUEL BECKETT and HENRY PENNINGTON and 100 acres off the Eastern part of the Section sold to WILLIAM M. BECKETT, which lies East of a branch running through the section." He gave her "380 acres plus 2 dark colored mare mules, one bay mare, 12 head of cows and young cattle, 15 head of sheep, 11 head of hogs, 900 pounds of pork, 200 bushels of corn, 25 bushels of wheat, one buggy and harness, one waggon, set of blacksmith tools, all my household and kitchen furniture, gin, thrasher, fan, and all fixtures attached to them, seven bee gums, all my farming tools and implements, and one silver watch." (W. C. HUTCHINSON, W. B. WIER, and JAMES B. McDONALD witnessed it. Filed 18 Jan 1868. Recorded 21 Mar 1868. On file in Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, BOOK O, page 581-582; see BECKETT file for photocopy of the record.) (Note: SAMUEL BECKETT is probably the brother of WILLIAM O. BECKETT, here; and HENRY PENNINGER is probably his son-in-law. Need to prove.)
1868 Jan 22: JONATHAN Z. BECKETT married MARY ANN MELVIRA
VINES at Tallapoosa County, Alabama, with WILLIAM M. BECKETT as bondsman and L.
R. BELL, M. G., officiating. (Tallapoosa
County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 7, page 20; see BECKETT file, for
photocopy. See also family group records
for JONATHAN Z. BECKETT, for further information regarding their marriage and
descendants.) The parents of
MELVIRA VINES were JOHN VINES and ELIZABETH (MILES) VINES, according to
research of Tracey Barrett Baldwin. JOHN
VINES fought on the side of the Confederacy, during the Civil War, and he was
killed. In a letter to his wife during
the war, he included a note to his daughter, referring to her as “MELLY.” (See note under 27 Sep 1877, regarding
letter from her brother regarding the death of their mother.)
1868 Mar 21: Transaction wherein WILLIAM O. BECKETT awarded MARY DUBERRY his lands and possessions was recorded at Dadeville (Tallapoosa), AL (per Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book O, page 581-582). See note under 13 Jan 1868.
1868 Apr 3: MARY DUBERRY signed over to WILLIAM M. BECKETT, for one dollar, "as attorney in fact for his mother ANN B. BECKETT, wife of WILLIAM O. BECKETT," the title to lands given her by WILLIAM O. BECKETT--"All of Section Two, Township Twenty Three of Range Twenty One, except those portions heretofore sold and conveyed to WILLIAM M. BECKETT, HENRY PENNINGTON, and SAMUEL BECKETT." The record further referred to this transaction as "a compromise and full settlement and payment of all claims which the said ANN B. BECKETT may have on said lands as Dower and in lieu of all claim for Dower by the said ANN B. BECKETT on all estate of the said WILLIAM O. BECKETT either real or personal which he may now possess or hereafter acquire." The actual land sold to W. M. BECKETT "as Trustee for his mother" included "the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4, and the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 2, Township 23, Range 21." Dated 3 April 1868. Filed and Recorded 14 July 1868. (Tallapoosa County Deed Records, Book P, pages 12-13; see BECKETT file for photocopy.)
1868 Apr 7: ANN BROWN ROSS BECKETT filed a divorce complaint against WILLIAM O. BECKETT, in Chancery Court, Dadeville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. She apparently did not appear before the court ("Copy of Trial Docket" specified "ANN B. BECKETT, by next friend, vs. WILLIAM O. BECKETT"; and the list of parties involved in the suit also indicated her representation by "next friend, et al."). Her son WILLIAM MARION appeared on her behalf, according to the record. At the time the complaint was filed, MARY DUBERRY was still living in WILLIAM's house. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Chancery Court Records, page 258-263.
1868 May: ANN BROWN ROSS BECKETT testified that she had three children to perish in the Confederate service (per research done in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. She was age 60, per her testimony, and she had left him on March 6, 1867. She was staying with her son WILLIAM MARION BECKETT on April 25th, and WILLIAM O. BECKETT went to get her. Upon returning to her house with him, she "ran MARY DUBERRY off." The next day, her husband, "ran her [ANN] off." (From Final Records, Minutes & Decrees, from 1867-1873, Chancery Court, Tallapoosa County, Alabama.)
1868 May 20: WILLIAM O. BECKETT made his answer to his
wife's divorce complaint, in Chancery Court, per "Complete Record, Answers
Filed and Decrees Conferred" section, also under "Pleadings
Filed," (Final Record, Minutes
and Decrees, Chancery Court from 1867 to 1873, Chancery Court Tallapoosa County
Alabama, page 258-263). He supported her statement that she had been in
very delicate health for the past 20 years.
He charged, however, that her complaints regarding his abusive treatment
of her were "inaccurate" and
demanded strict proof from her. Five
people, including three of ANN BECKETT's four living
children, were witnesses on her behalf--LIZZIE BECKETT, A. H. SLAUGHTER, W. M.
BECKETT, W. H. STERNS, and J. C. BECKETT (should be J. Z. BECKETT), per Tallapoosa
County Alabama Chancery Court Minutes 1863-1880, page 159. (See BECKETT file for photocopy of the
record,
1868 May 29: The divorce was granted to ANN B. BECKETT. The decree stated that WILLIAM O. BECKETT could not legally remarry during the lifetime of ANN BECKETT. He was also required to pay her $250, for her support and maintenance during the pending of the suit; and he had to pay all the costs of the suit. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Chancery Court, May Term 1868, Chancery Court Minutes 1863-1880, page 162. See BECKETT file for photocopy of the record, also for transcript of the record.
1868 Jul 8: WILLIAM O. BECKETT died, at Tallapoosa County, according to Probate Court record, which also mentioned the fact of the divorce and stated that his wife was now residing with her children, naming them as WILLIAM M. BECKETT, J. Z. BECKETT, E. E. BAILEY, wife of JOHN M. BAILEY, and Q. A. MORRIS, wife of L. G. MORRIS, all being over 21 years old. The coffin in which he was buried cost $15, which was paid the following December (per probate records, on file at Tallapoosa Co., AL. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1868 Aug 10: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT and J. Z. BECKETT petitioned the Court of Probate, Tallapoosa County, AL, to be named administrators of WILLIAM O. BECKETT's estate, as the only living sons, and in the absence of a will. The court record named his surviving children, "to wit, WILLIAM M. BECKETT, J. Z. BECKETT, E. E. BAILEY, wife of JOHN S. BAILEY, Q. A. MORRIS, wife of L. G. MORRIS; all of whom are over 21 years of age; also the following grandchildren, who are the children of S. W. BECKETT, who is deceased, to wit, FRANCIS A. BECKETT, and WALTER BECKETT, both of whom are under 21 years of age and are living with their mother AMY E. FLOURNOY--all of the above named parties live in the County of Tallapoosa, Alabama. That said WILLIAM O. BECKETT died leaving real estate worth about 1500 dollars and personal estate worth about 500 dollars." (Tallapoosa County Alabama Probate Court Records, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. See BECKETT file, for copy of the record.
1868 Nov 25-27: The "perishable property" of WILLIAM O. BECKETT was sold at an Administrators sale. The list of buyers and items sold and amount of each item was filed in Probate Court on 14 Dec 1868 and was 14 pages long. Among the items for sale were cattle, hogs, a grind stone, a sorghum mill, one box shucks, cotton box, bow frame, one cotton gin, one "thresh," one "frow," one crow and currier, one rock hammer, 615 lbs. seed cotton, one fan, a cotton basket, over 140 bushels of corn, 2 single trees and clivises, fodder, a partridge net, one buggy and harness, trace chains and halter chains, log chains, "hames," a pair "breeching," a pair hip straps, plow stock and collar, plow stock and clivis, plow stock and plow, a briar hook, a tar bucket, assorted implements, one "mattock," a scythe and stock, one ox yoke and lines, 50 bushels of wheat, "one lot bark," several wheat boxes, spinning wheels, cheese boxes, shoe pegs, one bench screw, two harrows and gum, 8 bee gums with bees and several empty bee gums, misc. buckets, well bucket, fruit driers, jugs of vinegar, barrels, onions, linseed oil, tar, honey, lard, several bushels of salt, several guns, one wagon sheet, 42 pounds bacon, wash tub, wash pot, dye pot, dinner pot, one "spider and lid," pot hooks, shovel and poker, oxen, smoothing irons, milk pail, one "keeler," one churn and dasher, several cheese boxes, one tub and lid, one tin trumpet, a candle stick, candle mold, one pair andirons, a crop cut saw, a double barrel shotgun and pouch, feed baskets, men's and ladies' saddles, various planes, augurs, chisels, a "gimlet," cow bell and collar, a steel trap, one American Encyclopedia, "2 vols Watson’s Theological Institutes, Wesley's Sermons (1 vol), History of the Reformation (4 vols.), Patent Office Report, History of England, Life of Wesley, Nelsons Works, Life Of Clark, A Preacher's Experience, Constitution Congregational Meth. Church, 2 Disciplines, and 2 boxes text books, "baskets of wool, one pair steelyards, a shoe jack, sheep shears, coffee mill, leather, blacksmith aprons, loom harnesses and slays, a sausage grinder and stuffer, a sunflower bed quilt, a woolen bed quilt, one counterpane, homemade blankets, straw mattress and feather bed, a "safe," wheel barrow, one pair cotton cards, a horse stretcher, and various furniture and dishes. a "cotton box," one large looking glass, some small bells, gimlets and sundries, one preserve stand, couch, cottage bed stead. (See BECKETT file for photocopy of original record. The presence of theological works would support the traditional family story that WILLIAM O. BECKETT was a Methodist preacher.)
1868 Dec 22: Payment was made for the coffin in which W. O. BECKETT had been buried--$15--per probate records.
1869: QUILLIE (BECKETT) MORRIS and her husband, along with her brother J. Z. BECKETT and WILLIAM BAILEY (related to her sister’s husband John Bailey??), rented the lands of her father’s estate (WILLIAM O. BECKETT), agreeing to cultivate the lands, pay rent plus one-fourth of all the cotton, and one-third of all grains. See BECKETT file for copy of this record. Also about this year, their first child, a son they named LEMUEL E. MORRIS, was born (per 1870 Federal Census—Loachapoka (Lee), AL, page 320B and 1880 Federal Census—Eastland Co., TX, page 32A; see notes on those censuses, below.)
1869 Jan 5: WILLIAM M. BECKETT sold 8 head of sheep, 40 pounds of iron, and two other items, for a total of $12, on the behalf of the WILLIAM O. BECKETT estate. (Hand copied record on file at the TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA CHANCERY COURT.)
1869 Nov 23: HATTIE BAILEY, daughter of ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY and JOHN W. BAILEY, was born, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, per MARVIN BECKETT (son of J. Z. BECKETT, per records in files of LEE ROY BECKETT).
1870 Apr 6: MARY DUBERRY accepted $1250 from the W. O. BECKETT estate (WILLIAM M. BECKETT and JONATHAN Z. BECKETT Executors). She had already received $650 in cash. She was given a promisory note for the remainder, due on 1 Nov 1870, as settlement of her suit against the estate for the lands and possessions given her by the now deceased WILLIAM O. BECKETT. The estate also paid all the court costs of her suit. In return, MARY relinquished the title to all "the property of any and every kind mentioned and described in said action of Detinue, and the following land, viz. All of Section 2, in Township 23, of Range 21, except 160 acres, sold off of the Northern part of said Section to SAMUEL BECKETT and HENRY PENNINGER, and 100 acres off of the Eastern part of said Section sold to WILLIAM M. BECKETT, which lies East of a Branch running through said Section, to the said WILLIAM M. BECKETT and JONATHAN Z. BECKETT, for the benefit of the heirs at Law of the said WILLIAM O. BECKETT, except such lands as have been heretofore conveyed by me to ANN B. BECKETT, or to WILLIAM M. BECKETT" in a previous suit. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Circuit Court Record, filed 6 Apr 1870; see BECKETT file for photocopy of record, also transcription, under file name WOBKTB.)
1870 May 2: A probate record stated that the only heirs of WILLIAM O. BECKETT were his children and grandchildren, viz.: W. M. BECKETT, J. Z. BECKETT, and E. E. BAILEY, wife of JOHN S. BAILEY--all of full age, residing in Tallapoosa Co., AL. It also named Q. A. MORRIS, wife of L. G. MORRIS, living in Chambers Co., AL. It named as grandchildren FRANCIS A. and WALTER BECKETT, minors under age 14, residing with AMY FLOURNOY in Fayette Co., AL. (Compare with note for Sep 1870, below.)
1870 Jun 24: Order of Continuance in Probate Court. Administrators of the estate of WILLIAM O.
BECKETT were given until 19 Aug 1870 to
serve "citation" personally upon FRANCES A. BECKETT, who was said to
be over 14 years old, at least 10 days
prior to the deadline, and to the mother of WALTER BECKETT (said to be
under 12 years of age), who was named as
ANN E. FLOURNOY. On file in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. (See BECKETT file for an original copy of
this document; also for transcription of the record.
1870 FEDERAL CENSUS--LOACHAPOKA (LEE), ALABAMA (taken 20 Jul 1870, by Calvin Stratton), page 320:
Listed in the household after Dwelling 366, but
before that of his son, which was Dwelling 367, was the family of “G. M.”
The census taker apparently forgot to indicate the dwelling/family
number before going on to the next residence.
He also forgot to write the surname of Garrett Morris, who was listed on
the last line of page 320A; he did write down the surname at the top of the
next page, where the rest of the household is listed. (See census microfilm image, in MORRIS file.) Listed on line 30 of page 320A was “G. M.”
who was age 78, a farmer with real estate valued at $870 and personal estate
valued at $500, born in SC. The listing
of his family continues at the top of page 320B, lines 1-4. L. MORRIS was probably his wife, a female,
age 55, “keeping house,” born in AL.
They listed 3 children, all born in AL, all attending school—(1) B. F.
MORRIS, age 17, a student--probably their son BENJAMIN MORRIS, age given in the
1860 census as 8 years, (2) E. F. MORRIS (female, age 15—probably the daughter
EMMA MORRIS, age 6, listed in the 1860 census), and (3) M. L. MORRIS (female,
age 11—probably the MARY L. MORRIS, age 1, listed in the 1860 census). See MORRIS file, for copies of the census
microfilm image and worksheet. This “G.
M.” was the father of LEROY G. MORRIS, whose name was GARRETT MORRIS; he living
in the dwelling next to that of his son.
Living in Dwelling 367 (Family 367, on page 320B) was the household of L. G. MORRIS. He was age 28, a farmer, born in Alabama, with no real estate value given, but personal estate valued at $100. Over 21, he was eligible to vote. His wife Q. A. MORRIS was age 24, born in GA, her occupation, "keeping house." They had one son, L. E. MORRIS, who was age 1, born in AL. See BECKETT file, for census microfilm image and worksheet.
1870 FEDERAL CENSUS--HACKNEYVILLE (TALLAPOOSA), ALABAMA
(taken 15-16 Aug 1870 by James M. Holly):
Listed on page 6 (34B, Dwelling 37, Family 37, lines
16-19, taken 12 Aug 1870) was the household of JAMES BECKETT (this actually
being JONATHAN Z. BECKETT, age 28, born in GA, a farmer laborer, with personal
estate valued at $400, no real estate value given). MELVIRA BECKETT was age 20, born in AL,
“keeping house.” They had only one
child—LULA BECKETT (age 1, born in AL).
NANCY VINES was living with them.
(This was the sister of MELVIRA BECKETT.) She was age 18, and her occupation was given
as “Asst. K. House.” The estate of J.
Z. Beckett’s father W. O. Beckett, was still tied up in probate court, at this
time.
Listed on page 28 (taken 15 Aug 1870), living in Dwelling 194 (Family 194, lines 4-9) was the household of DUNWIDDIE WOLF. He was age 55, born in NC, and a farmer, with real estate valued at $1000 and personal estate valued at $6000. He was not able to read and write. ANN WOLF was age 45, “keeping house,” born in NC. She also could not read or write. They listed 4 children, all born in AL—(1) LOUCINDA WOLF (age 16, attending school), (2) MINERVA WOLF (age 12, attending school), (3) WILLIAM WOLF (age 9, attending school), and (4) MILON WOLF (age 6).
Listed on page 28 (taken 15 Aug), living in Dwelling 195 (Family 195, lines 10-11) was the household of ROBINSON WOLF. He was age 21, born in Al, a farm laborer with personal estate valued at $300 (no value given for real estate). Living with him was MARY WOLF, age 22, born in GA. Her occupation was given as “keeping house.” She was not able to read and write.
Listed on page 28 (taken 15 Aug 1870), living in Dwelling 197 (Family 197, lines 12-20) was the household of WILLIAM OSBURN (age 20, born in AL) His wife was listed as FRANCES OSBURN (age 21, born in AL),, and they listed 3 other people in their household, all born in AL--(1) MARY OSBURN (age 1/2), (2) MARTIN KARR (age 19, white farm laborer), and (3) LAURA GIBSON (age 17, Black, “assistant housekeeping”).
Listed on page 30 (46B, Dwelling 211, Family 211), taken 16 Aug 1870, was the household of PHILLIP WOLF. He was age 58, a farmer, born in NC, with real estate valued at $1000 and personal estate valued at $600. There were 7 other individuals living in the household—(1) MARY WOLF (age 28, “keeping house,” born in GA), (2) ARDILIA WOLF (age 25, born in GA), (3) JULIA WOLF (age 21, born in GA), (4) WASHINGTON WOLF (age 17, born in GA), (5) PAYNE WOLF (age 15, born in AL, (6) PIERCE WOLF (age 7, born in AL), and WALTER WOLF (age 5, born in AL). No one in the household was able to read or write, and no one was attending school.
Also listed on page 30 (46B), in Dwelling 213 (Family 213, lines 27-33, taken 16 Aug) was the household of MARION BECKETT. He was age 40, a farmer with real estate valued at $700 and personal estate valued at $600. He was born in NC. LUCINDA BECKETT was age 36, “keeping house,” born in GA. They listed 5 children, all born in AL—(1) ROBERT BECKETT (age 14, attending school), (2) ROSS BECKETT (age 12, attending school), (3) JAMES BECKETT (age 11, attending school), (4) MILES BECKETT (age 4), and (5) ANNA BECKETT (age 1).
See BECKETT and WOLF files, for census microfilm
images and worksheets.
1870 FEDERAL CENSUS--WHITE COUNTY, ARKANSAS: There were no BECKETT households listed at this location, yet.
1870 August: On Aug 10th, Probate Court of Tallapoosa
County, Alabama, named JOHN BOSTOCK, ESQUIRE as guardian ad litem
to represent and protect the interests of FRANCES A. BECKETT and WALTER BECKETT
in the matter of the sale of the lands belonging to the W. O. BECKETT estate. (See BECKETT file for photocopy of record) On Aug 19th, Court of Probate, in Tallapoosa
County, Alabama, ordered that the WILLIAM O. BECKETT estate be sold to the highest
bidder, on 5 Oct 1870, at his former home.
On file at Tallapoosa Co., Alabama.
(See entry for date of sale, 5 Oct 1870, for details.) See BECKETT file, for copy of the
record. On Aug 25th, in compliance
with the court order, the first insertion in the Tallapoosa News
(newspaper in Dadeville) was made, to advertise the coming estate sale. "In pursuance of an order of the Court
of Probate for Tallapoosa County, Alabama, made and ordered the 19th day of
August 1870, we will sell to the highest bidder on the 5th of October, at the
residence of Wm. O. Beckett deceased, the following described lands, to
wit: The SW 1/4 of Sec 2, in Town 23 of
Range 21; also the W 1/2 of the SE 1/4, and the W 1/4 of the NW 1/4 and about
10 acres on the west side of the East 1/2 of the SE 1/4; also, about 5 acres on
the west side of the SE 1/4 of the NE
1/4, all on same Section, Township, and Range, which lands contain a good Frame
Dwelling House with six rooms, good Kitchens outhouses, Gin House and Screw, an
excellent well of water, also a good spring convenient. Said lands are 19 miles west of Dadeville, on
the Road to Talladega, on the Oaksasawasey Creek,
near Hackneyville, in Tallapoosa County,
Alabama. Said sale made to pay
debts. Terms of sale--One-half cash, and
the other half, on twelve months time, with a note and two good
securities. Persons wishing a bargain
will do well to examine. Will be sold at
the same time and place, one Four Horse Wagon and one Silver Watch, terms made
known on day of sale." W. M.
BECKETT and J. Z. BECKETT signed it.
From Tallapoosa County Alabama Inventory And Appraisement Records Of 1848 To 1852,
page 620. (See BECKETT file for
photocopy of record, also transcript.
1870 September: WILLIAM M. BECKETT and J. Z. BECKETT petitioned
the Court of Probate to allow them to sell the BECKETT land, in order to cover
debts of the estate, the prior sale of W. O. BECKETT's
personal property having been insufficient to cover said debt. This document also named the heirs as
"his four children, to wit, W. M. BECKETT, J. Z. BECKETT, E. E. BAILY,
wife of JOHN S. BAILY, all of whom reside in Tallapoosa County, and Q. A.
MORRIS, wife of L. G. MORRIS of Chambers County, Alabama." It further
named "two grandchildren, the children of S. W. BECKETT deceased who are
minors under 14 years of age, and named FRANCES A. and WALTER BECKETT, who live
with and are under the control of their mother AMY BECKETT, who was the widow
of said S. W. BECKETT, who has since intermarried with JOHN FLOURNOY, the said
AMY and JOHN being over 21 years and who reside near Davis Creek Post Office,
in Fayette County, Alabama. The said S.
W. BECKETT having died before the said WM. O. BECKETT, to wit., in 1864." (On file at Tallapoosa County,
Alabama. See BECKETT file for photocopy
of record, also transcript.
1870 Oct 5: WILLIAM O. BECKETT estate sale was conducted at his former residence.
1870 Nov 1: The last payment of $600 was due to be paid to MARY DUBERRY. (See note under 1870 Apr 6, above.)
1870 Dec 29: J. Z. BECKETT borrowed against his crop for the year 1871--"I promise to pay A. J. COLEY $250 for 2 mules named GIN and JULE and our two horse wagon to enable me to make a crop for year 1871, without which I could not make a crop. To be pd. by Dec. 25, 1871." Signed by J. Z. BECKETT. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book R, page 273)
1871: Sometime during this year, J. Z. BECKETT's second child, ESTELLE/STELLA BECKETT, was born, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, per MARION MARVIN BECKETT (son of J. Z. BECKETT, per records in LEE ROY BECKETT files). She ultimately settled in California, where she died. See BECKETT file, for further information. (Note: It is possible that STELLA BECKETT was actually born in Tallapoosa County, as probate records and census records place the family at Tallapoosa Co., in 1870.)
1871 Mar 27: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT borrowed $250 from G. W. PEARSON of Hackneyville, Alabama. "By the 25th day of December next I promise to pay J. M./G. W. PEARSON $250 for money advanced to assist in making a crop during the year 1871, and the better to secure the payment of the same, I give the said J. M./G. W. PEARSON a lien on my entire crop of corn and cotton." Signed by W. M. BECKETT. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book R, page 518)
1871 Oct 20: Final report by administrators of W. O.
BECKETT estate to the court, for settlement.
It was presented 20 Sep 1871, recorded 31 Oct 1871. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Probate Court
Records, Estate of W. O. Beckett, Final Settlement) At this time, three of W. O. BECKETT's children were still living in Tallapoosa County,
AL, per this record--MARION BECKETT, J. Z. BECKETT, and LIZZIE BECKETT. The remaining daughter, QUILLA/QUILLIE
BECKETT MORRIS, was residing in Dallas County, Texas. WALTER BECKETT and FRANCIS A. BECKETT were
both listed as children of the deceased S. W. BECKETT, residing with JOHN
FLORNOY of Fayette County, Alabama. (On
file in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. See
BECKETT file for photocopy of record, also transcription.
1871 Oct 31: Final settlement and distribution of W. O. BECKETT estate. It again named the four living children of WILLIAM O. BECKETT and the two children of his deceased son S. W. BECKETT--WALTER BECKETT and FRANCES A. BECKETT. It also named JOHN BOSTOCK, ESQUIRE as the court-appointed guardian ad litem. The total assets of the estate came to $4418.27. After debts amounting to $3,134.20 were paid, the remainder was $1284.07, which was divided among the four children and two grandchildren. Each of WILLIAM O.'s children received from the estate $256.81, and the two grandchildren shared the portion that would have been their father's, a total of $128.40, per child. (On file at Tallapoosa County, Alabama. See BECKETT file for photocopy of this record.
1871 (probably Nov or Dec): The families of both WILLIAM MARION BECKETT and his sister ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY moved from Tallapoosa Co., AL, to White Co., AR, by covered wagon, sometime during this year, according to descendants of both families, living in Arkansas. ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY's descendants believe that other BECKETT relatives came at the same time that she and her family came; so the families of Elizabeth and Marion probably made the move together. According to the obituary of JACKSON ROSS BECKETT, his family came to Rosebud, AR in November 1871, from Tallapoosa Co., AL. (See family group record for JACKSON ROSS BECKETT, for the full text of the obituary, printed in the Log Cabin Democrat of Conway (Faulkner), AR on 28 Sep 1943.) The W. O. BECKETT estate was settled the end of October (see notes, above). According to MILES DELL BECKETT, (grandson of WILLIAM MARION BECKETT, whom Lee Roy and Fred Beckett visited, in 1960), his branch of the family settled on BECKETTS’ MOUNTAIN, just over the Faulkner County line, near Rosebud (White), Arkansas. He said that his grandfather lived at Rosebud for a year or so, before moving up on the mountain, in 1872. (The date might be slightly off, as Marion’s son Robert Beckett married in Tallapoosa Co., AL, in 1873. However, the son might have come later.) They raised a family of 6 boys and 3 girls. The Arkansaw Historical Quarterly, vol. 10, 1951 (Arkansas Dept. of History) established WILLIAM MARION BECKETT as "among the earliest settlers of White County, Arkansas." He owned 240 acres of land in Faulkner Co., AR, per research of Fred Beckett. Part of the land was the NE 1/4, Sec 26, Range 11W, Twp. 8N--160 acres. WILLIAM MARION BECKETT was a Methodist, his family attending the Bethesda Methodist Church. In 1960, Lee Roy and Fred Beckett (grandson and great grandson of Marion Beckett's brother visited with MILES DELL BECKETT (Marion's grandson), in Arkansas. They drove on a road from Mt. Vernon toward Rosebud, turning left onto a gravel road, before reaching Rosebud; and this led them to the MARION BECKETT home place. Beyond that, was the school that had been built on his land, a white building, about 30’ x 40’. (The school/church building was torn down in 1960. The well put there by WMB was still there, this year.) Fred gave the following description of Beckett Mountain, as he saw it, then: "To the west, across fresh green creek bottom, we could see Beckett Mountain. The precipitously steep side was emerald green. There was a granite outcrop near the top. Uncle Roy and I had just come down off the mountain and were looking from Bethesda Methodist Cemetery."
The family of JOHN and ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY settled at Beebe (White), Arkansas, not far from Rosebud. The Becketts apparently stayed in touch with one another, as Clarice Winfrey (great granddaughter of Elizabeth Beckett Bailey) remembers Becketts and Baileys visiting, and some Becketts living nearby. It is also believed that JONATHAN ZEPHANIAH BECKETT moved to Arkansas, during the 1870's. He probably moved at a later time than his brother and sister, as there are land transactions on record, in Tallapoosa Co., AL, as late as 1873. He and his wife had a child, in Arkansas, in 1877; so they probably made their move by 1873/1877. (Need to prove.) They ultimately settled in Texas. QUILLIE BECKETT MORRIS and LEROY MORRIS moved to Texas, instead of Arkansas. They settled in Midland, TX, and had ten children, the first two dying young. After QUILLIE died, LEROY MORRIS reportedly moved, with his children, to New Mexico. (I received this information, 1997, from Clarice Winfrey--descendant of Elizabeth Beckett Bailey--who had been told these facts by the wife of William Still Morris, whose father was Lovic Albert Morris, the son of LEROY and QUILLIE BECKETT MORRIS. See BECKETT file, for letter from Clarice Winfrey.) (See BECKETT file, for copies of records and notes taken from the files of Lee Roy Beckett and Fred Beckett, for correspondence with Clarice Winfrey, and for further details regarding the BECKETT family and descendants, in Arkansas.)
1871 Dec 30: JONATHAN Z. BECKETT received from JOHN BOSTOCK, Commissioner, the tract of land described as "the South west quarter and west half of the South East quarter and the South west quarter of the North west quarter; and about 10 acres in/of the west side of the East of the South East quarter, and about 5 acres on the west side of the South East of the North East quarter, all in Section two (2) Township twenty three in Range twenty one being in the County of Tallapoosa and State of Alabama." The record conveyed "all such title and interest as WILLIAM O. BECKETT deceased had in and to the under described real estate at the time of his death to JOHNATHAN Z. BECKETT who was at the time of the sale of said lands one of the administrators of the Estate of said WILLIAM O. BECKETT deceased, the said order being made and entered in the premises by said Judge of Probate." No mention was made of money exchanged, and it appears to have been a grant. (Signed by JOHN BOSTOCK, Commissioner. Certified same date. Filed same date. Recorded 3 Jan 1872. Tallapoosa County Deed Records, Book 5, page 74; see BECKETT file for photocopy of record.) WILLIAM MARION BECKETT (the other executor of the estate) apparently moved to Arkansas, sometime in 1871, so I assume this is why the land was transferred to J. Z. BECKETT.
1872 Jan 3: The land transaction wherein JONATHAN ZEPHANIAH BECKETT received W. O. BECKETT's land was recorded in Tallapoosa Co., Alabama. This places him still living in Alabama, as of this date. It appears that he stayed behind, when his brother WILLIAM MARION BECKETT moved his family to Arkansas, in 1871. (See note above.)
1872 Aug 21: FRANCES ANN BECKETT married ALEXANDER HOPSON
in Sanford Co., AL. (Sanford Co., AL
later became Lamar Co., in 1877. (See
family group record for SAMUEL WILSON BECKETT, for further details.)
1873: J. Z. BECKETT's
third child, his first son, GEORGE ARTHUR BECKETT, was born in Alabama, per MARION
MARVIN BECKETT (son of J. Z. B.). He
apparently settled, ultimately, in California, as that is where he was living
when he died. (See BECKETT file, for
more information.)
1873 May 25: ROBERT BECKETT married REBECCA M. HAPLEY in Tallapoosa Co., AL (license dated 5/24/1873), per Tallapoosa County Alabama Marriage Records, Book 8, page 20. (See BECKETT file for photocopy.)
1873 Dec 28: J. Z. BECKETT and his wife M. A. BECKETT sold
to J. C. McLENDON, for $2000, the following tract of
land, in Tallapoosa Co., AL: SW 1/4 of
NW 1/4 and the West half of the West half of the SE 1/4, 5 acres in the West of
the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, and the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 and the SW 1/4 of the NE
1/4, all in Section 2, Township 23, Range 23.
Witnessed by J. D. BALLENTINE and M. A. PATTERSON. Filed and recorded 5 Jan 1874. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records,
Book S, pages 310-311; see BECKETT file for photocopy of record.)
1874: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT filed a deed of trust
at the Faulkner County, Arkansas, courthouse.
He apparently mortgaged a horse, among other things, per research done
by Fred Beckett (of Bruce, MS), at the Faulkner County Arkansas courthouse, in
1960. Since Faulkner County was not
formed until 1873/74, there are no earlier records there; it was formed from
Conway and Pulaski Counties; earlier land records, including the title for this
land, probably are in one of those counties. (Note: According to Fayette County Alabama
Probate Court Minutes, Volume 2, page 285, dated 13 May 1874, LUCINDA BECKETT’s family was living in Arkansas. ELIZABETH VINES was also mentioned as living
in Arkansas—a widow, per the record.)
1874 Apr 2: JOHN W. SCOTT petitioned the Court of
Probate, Tallapoosa Co., AL, to appoint him Guardian of the estate of WALTER
BECKETT (worth about $140), a minor under 14 years, who was living in Sanford
Co., AL. He stated that he was the uncle
of WALTER BECKETT. (Per Tallapoosa
County Alabama Probate Court Records.)
(NOTE: A new guardian had to be
appointed to represent the interests of WILLIAM WALTER and FRANCIS BECKETT in
their grandfather's estate, because MARION BECKETT had already moved away, and
JONATHAN ZEPHANIAH BECKETT was apparently preparing to also move to Arkansas,
soon. See note above, under 1873 Dec
28. JOHN SCOTT was the husband of POLLY
STOWE, who was sister of AMY ELIZABETH (STOWE) (BECKETT) FLOURNOY--W. W. BECKETT's uncle.
1877: J. Z. BECKETT's fifth child was born, the first to be born in Arkansas.
1877 Sep 24: The mother of MARY ANN (MELVIRA) (VINES) BECKETT died, per a letter written to her by her brother JOHN W. MILES, dated 27 Sep 1877. In the letter, he told his sister that their mother had been buried beside their father, R. P. MILES. He also mentioned two siblings still living at Fayette Co., AL—MAGS (MARGARET, also known as MAGGIE, who had married H. M. BELL) and BOB (ROBERT MILES).
1877 Dec 28: Sale of land by JONATHAN Z. BECKETT and wife to SARAH B. YOUNG, located in Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, Alabama, "for $165, the lot of land, Lot N, 15 x 11 x 72, by Whatley's survey known as the BECKETT lot in Alexander City, formerly known as Youngsville." This transaction was completed in White County, Arkansas, which is further proof that J. Z. BECKETT had already moved his family to Arkansas, by this time. (Tallapoosa County Alabama Deed Records, Book T, page 380)
1879: J. Z. BECKETT's sixth child, MINNIE EARLINE BECKETT, was born, in Arkansas, per information gathered by LEROY BECKETT and FRED BECKETT, from MARVIN BECKETT.
1878 Jan 29: W. M. BECKETT and LUCINDA BECKETT gave Power of Attorney to WILLIAM MILES, of Fayette Co., AL, to recover money that they inherited from the estate of Lucinda’s father, R. P. MILES. (Fayette County Alabama Deed Records, Vol. 3, page 271. Signed 1/29/1878, filed in Fayette Co., AL on 3/25/1878, and recorded 4/11/1878.)
1878 Apr 11: The document in which W. M. and LUCINDA BECKETT gave Power of Attorney to WILLIAM MILES of Fayette Co., AL, to
recover monies due her from her father’s estate was recorded.
1880 FEDERAL CENSUS—COLUMBIA COUNTY, ARKANSAS (Supervisor’s District 1, Enumeration District 42 (Moss’s), taken June 1880 (day not given) by J. W. Whaley, page 199B:
Listed on page 199B, living in Dwelling 29 (Family
29) was the household of SAMUEL BECKET (surname spelled this way on the
record). He was age 70, a farmer,
born in NC, with his father born in Ireland and his mother born in NC. His wife TURSAY BECKET was age 66, her
occupation “keeps house,” born in NC (as were both her parents). They listed one son, CAPERO BECKET (name
difficult to read). He was age 30,
single, a farmer, born in AL. Note: This census information supports the family
information that JAMES BECKETT was born in Ireland. See BECKETT file, for copy of the census
microfilm images.
Listed on page 198A was CEAUZER BECKET, who was a Black man, age 46, born in NC, father born in NC and mother born in TN. Living in his household was his wife MARY J. BECKET (age 38, born in AL, father born in NC, mother born in NC) and their children—(1) BELL BECKET (dau, age 14, born in LA), (2) ___ [blank] (daughter, age 12, born in AR) (3) EDMON BECKET (age 10, born in AR), (4) JOSEPH BECKET (age 5, born in AR), (5) WILLIAM BECKET (age 3, born in AR), (6) MARY CARSON (stepdau., age not given, born in AR) and (7) ___ [name blank], granddaughter, born in AR).
Also listed on page 198A was FRANK PINAGER, who was age 36, race being Mulatto, born in AL (both parents born in TN). His wife MARY PINAGER was Black.
1880 FEDERAL CENSUS--SEBASTIAN COUNTY, ARKANSAS (Supervisor’s District 2, Enumeration District 184, taken 14 Jun 1880 by W. J. Semmans), page 679D:
Listed on page 679D, lines 14-18, living in Dwelling
203 (Family 210) was the household of JAMES BECKETT. He was age 43, farming, born in NC (along
with both of his parents. His wife
EMMA/EMMER L. BECKETT was age 33, occupation “keeping house,” born in NC (as
well as both parents). They listed 3
others in their household, all born in AR and attending school--(1) JAMES B.
BECKETT (age 18, “working on farm”), (2) HATTIE E. BECKETT (age 14, “at home”),
and (3) AUTHOR L. BECKETT (spelled this way, in the record; age 11, “at
home”). (This JAMES BECKETT was the
son of SAMUEL BECKETT, who was the brother of WILLIAM O. BECKETT, who
had lived in GA and AL at the same times as W. O. Beckett. Samuel Beckett was living in Columbia Co.,
AR, this census; see note above.) See
BECKETT file for copy of the census microfilm image.
Listed on pages 679D (lines 48-50) and 680A (line 1), living in Dwelling 209 (Family 216) was the household of JAMES PENINGER, who was age 52, farming, born in NC (as were both parents) His wife ELIZABETH PENINGER was keeping house, also born in NC (along with both of her parents). This listing was at the bottom of the census page, and the age is obscured. They listed two children, both born in GA—(1) T___ PENINGER (given name obscured, except for the first letter, occupation “working on farm”) and (2) AMILLA J. PENINGER (daughter, age 11, “keeping house”).
Listed on page 680A (lines 2-3), living also in Dwelling 209 (Family 217) was
the household of JAMES J. PENINGER (age 19, farming, born in AL (both parents
born in NC) and his wife MANERVA? PENINGER (not sure if this name is correct,
age 20, “keeping house,” born in GA, father born in GA, mother’s birthplace
left blank). (Since they were
living in the same dwelling as the JAMES PENINGER above, this is probably the
son of James.)
1880 FEDERAL CENSUS—KENTUCKY TOWNSHIP (WHITE), ARKANSAS (Supervisor’s District 1, Enumeration District 292, lines 32-38, taken 17 Jun 1880 by J. J. Goodloe, FHL Film 1254059; National Archives Film T9-0059), page 194A:
JOHN BAILY was listed as age 40, a farmer, born in
AL, with both of his parents born in GA.
His wife ELIZABETH BAILY was age 40, born in NC, and both her parents
were born in NC; her occupation was
given as “keeping house.” Living with
them were 4 children—(1) WALTER BAILY (age 12, born in AL), (2) HATTIE BAILY
(age 10, born in AL), (3) WILBER BAILY (son, age 8, born in AR), and (4)
FLORENCE BAILY (age 6, born in AR). Also
living with them was his mother-in-law (ELIZABETH’S mother), ANNIE BECKET, who
was age 71, born in NC. The birthplaces
of Annie Beckett’s parents were left blank.
(The surname BAILY was spelled this way by the census taker. See BAILEY file, for copies of census
microfilm images and worksheet.)
1880 FEDERAL CENSUS—EASTLAND COUNTY, TEXAS (Supervisor’s District 3, Enumeration District 174, 3rd Justice Precinct, taken 16 Jun 1880 by F. N. Rock), NA Film No. T9-1301, page 319D (lines 49-50) to page 320A (lines 1-6):
Living in Dwelling 259 (Family 259) was the household of LEROY G. MORRIS, who was age 37, a “RR Contractor, born in AL (his father born in SC and his mother born in NC). His wife QUILLIE A. MORRIS was age 34, occupation left blank, born in GA (both parents born in NC). They listed 6 children—(1) LEMUEL E. MORRIS (son, age 11, born in AL), (2) ALONZO B. MORRIS (age 9, born in TX), (3) LULA I. MORRIS (female, age 7, born in TX), (4) LISSIE A. MORRIS (daughter, age 5, born in TX), (5) LOVICK V. MORRIS (son, age 3, born in TX), and (6) LUDIE O. MORRIS (son, age 1, born in TX).
1881-1882: JONATHAN Z. BECKETT's
son IRA LEE BECKETT was born, in Arkansas; and by the end of this year, the
family apparently moved to Texas, because the next son, MARVIN BECKETT, was
born in Texas, in 1882. According to
MARVIN BECKETT (talking with Lee Roy Beckett and Fred Beckett, in 1960, in
Little Rock, AR), his family moved from Arkansas to Plano, Texas, where
they owned a cafe. He said it was
"a rough town and time." He
told of seeing a gunfight there, where a man was killed. (See BECKETT file, for correspondence with
MARION BECKETT, from Lee Roy Beckett and Fred Beckett files.)
1882 Jul 21: ANN BROWN ROSS (known as “ANNIE”) died this date
in Beebe (White), AR. The place is per
Clarice Winfrey, great granddaughter of Elizabeth Beckett Bailey. The date was provided to Tracey Barrett
Baldwin by Ray Carter, another descendant of John and Elizabeth (Beckett)
Bailey. I do not know where Annie
Beckett is buried, but there are what appear to be unmarked gravesites near the
grave of her daughter ELIZABETH BAILEY, in the Beebe Cemetery; she might have
been buried here. Need to prove.
1885: J. Z. BECKETT's daughter HATTIE BECKETT was born, in Texas.
1886 Apr 18: QUILLIE ANN BECKETT died in Midland (Midland), TX, per Clarice H. Winfrey, descendant of ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY (CW living in Tulsa, OK; this information given to CCM, in 1995).
1887 (not sure of exact date): According to DELL BECKETT, grandson of MARION BECKETT, MARION donated land for a school house to be built on BECKETTS' MOUNTAIN, Faulkner County, AR. After schools were consolidated in 1937 (children from this area then attending school at Mt. Vernon, AR), the building was used for the Methodist Church.
1888: JONATHAN Z. BECKETT's last child, JOHN WILLIAM BECKETT, was born in Texas.
1898: Up until this time, J. Z. BECKETT's occupation had been farming. According to his son MARVIN BECKETT, he and his two oldest sons, at this point, went into the restaurant business, with MARVIN also working with them, for 2 years, at McKinney, Texas. Then MARVIN BECKETT returned to Arkansas, where he lived in Little Rock, the rest of his life.
1900 FEDERAL CENSUS—ENGLE (SIERRA), NEW MEXICO (Supervisor’s District 170, Enumeration District 132, taken 27 Jun 1900 by Benjamin C. Martin), Sheet 7B:
Living in Dwelling 174 (Family 137, lines 64-70) was the household of LEROY MORRIS JR. He was age 59, born Nov 1841, widowed, born in AL (both parents born in SC. His occupation was given as “mines,” and he could read and write. He listed 5 children and one grandchild living with him, all able to read and write except the youngest, the grandson—(1) LESSI A. MORRIS (daughter, born May 1876, age 24, single, born in TX, both parents born in AL; a cook by occupation), (2) LOUIS O. MORRIS (son, born Apr 1879, age 21, single, born in TX with both parents born in AL; occupation “mines”), (3) LEROY R. MORRIS (son, born Apr 1881, age 19, single, born in TX, both parents born in AL, occupation “mines”), (4) QUILLIE MORRIS (daughter, born May 1884, age 16, single, born in TX, both parents born in AL), (5) LENIEL E. MORRIS (son, born Jul 1869, age 31, widowed, born in AL, both parents born in AL, occupation “mines”), and (6) LEROY E. MORRIS (grandson, born Nov 1897, age 2, born in TX, both parents born in AL). Note: His wife Quillie Beckett had died, and he had moved with his children to NM. See MORRIS file, for copies of census microfilm image and worksheet.
Living in Dwelling 175 (Family 138, lines 71-76) was the household of ALONZO MORRIS. He was born apr 1879, was 29 years old, born in TX (both parents born in AL), occupation given as “mines.” He could read and write. His wife GINA G. MORRIS (name difficult to read) was born Dec 1877, was age 22, born in TX, her father born in MO and her mother born in IL. They had been married for three years. Living with them was their one-year-old daughter MATTIE M. MORRIS, born Jan 1899 in AZ, with both parents born in TX. Also living with them were three boarders—(1) BEAU. TISORE B. (name difficult to read, male, born Mar 1878, age 22, single, born in TX, both parents born in TX, occupation “mines” and could read and write), (2) WALTER W. SUTTON (born Jan 1877, age 23, single, born in TX, both parents born in TX, occupation “mines,” could read and write), and (3) ARISTEO TELLAS, (name difficult to read, born Mar 1880, age 20, single, born in NM, both parents born in NM, occupation “mines,” could read and write). See MORRIS file, for copies of census microfilm image and worksheet.
1902 Aug 12: WILLIAM MARION BECKETT was granted a military pension, from White County, Arkansas. His Veteran's Application No. is 4440. According to the record received from the Arkansas State Department of Archives and History (obtained by L. R. BECKETT and now in possession of FRED BECKETT), he had served in Company I, 34th Alabama Infantry, 1863 to 1865. This information is also referenced in the Arkansas Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications. See "Certification of Pension," copied from pension records, at the Old State House, Arkansas Historical Commission, Little Rock Arkansas, 1965. The only information given in the application was the application number, the name W. M. BECKETT, the military unit (Co. I, 34th Regiment, Alabama Infantry), the time of service (1863-1865), the application approval date (8/12/1902), and the fact that he enrolled from White Co., AR.
1902 Dec 24: JONATHAN Z. BECKETT died at Clarksville (Red River), Texas, and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Plano (Collin), Texas, per his son MARVIN BECKETT.
1908 May 1:
WILLIAM MARION BECKETT died, in Rosebud (White), AR. He was buried in the Bethesda Cemetery,
located in Section 29, Township 8N, Range 10W, Rosebud, AR.
1908 May 6: Obituary for W.
MARION BECKETT was printed in the Arkansas Gazette, page 7, column
1. J. H. PRITCHARD and his wife, who was
the niece of WMB, had gone to the funeral.
“Mr. Beckett was born in
1912 Feb 29:
ELIZABETH BECKETT BAILEY died, in Beebe (White),
NOTE: According to DELL BECKETT, all the
BECKETTS were gone from
Sources:
Information on this page was last updated on 1/28/2010 8:56:08 AM
