Dedication of First 29 Pavers in Veterans Park in Franklin, Tennessee

Today was an incredible day. The first 29 pavers were dedicated in Williamson County's Veterans Park honoring some of the 300 African American veterans of the Civil War from this community.  The ceremony focused on their sacrifices and contributions.  My friend, Gary Burke, the great-great grandson of a member of the 17th USCI, and a re-enactor of the 13th US Colored Infantry participated.  Additionally, some of the histories of a few of the men whose pavers were dedicated was shared.  Ms. Thelma Battle, local historian, who recently discovered through DNA analysis that she is related to Private Felix Battle spoke about him. Four members of the local American Legion Post 215 shared the stories of Corporal Abraham McGavock, Pvt. John Dubuisson, Pvt. Freeman Thomas, and Seaman Stephen Bostick.  It was a wonderful day.  I hope others are inspired to sponsor pavers so that we can continue to share their stories and honor their legacies. Please visit our website to find out how to be a part of this effort - www.SlavesToSoldiers.com

The Williamson Herald always provides wonderful coverage of our project and this event was no different. Thankful for their interest in sharing these stories. http://www.williamsonherald.com/news/article_c4848e84-5f37-11e8-b43a-ab64f7e26c9b.html We also had great coverage in the Tennessean about our project and the exhibit to share their stories at the Williamson County Archives.  The exhibit will be on display through the end of the summer.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/2018/05/27/black-civil-war-troops-tennessee-geneaology-research/632999002/

"A Soldier Never Dies Until He is Forgotten" - Memorial Day 2018

As we prepare to dedicate the first 29 sponsored brick pavers at Veterans Park on Monday, May 28th, I wanted to pause to remember the 59 African American soldiers from Williamson County who died in service to our country during the Civil War. Ten of these men died of wounds received in the Battle of Nashville. Many of their remains lie in unmarked or unknown graves. Please consider visiting our website at www.SlavesToSoldiers.com and sponsoring a brick paver in Williamson County's Veterans Park so that next Memorial Day each of them can be individually honored and remembered.

Of the nearly 275 African American Civil War US Army veterans from Williamson County 14 died serving in the 12th US Colored Infantry, 17 died serving in the 13th US Colored Infantry, and the other twenty men served in ten different infantry regiments. Seven of the deceased veterans from Williamson County served in the Army's Artillery's batteries and one was a member of the Colored Cavalry. 

12th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY A

• PVT ADAM GIBSON, enlisted when he was 22 years old, died in Nashville on Dec. 29,1863 while being removed from the ambulance at Hospital No. 16, his headstone is in the Nashville National Cemetery
• PVT MANSON GIBSON, enlisted when he was 28 years old, died at the Elk River on Nov 2, 1863 of "congestion of the brain", his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT LOGAN GOSEY, 20 years old when he enlisted, died of disease in General Hospital No. 16 in Nashville on January 29, 1864, his headstone is in the Nashville National Cemetery
• PVT GILES JARRETT, 23 years old when he enlisted, died May 7, 1865 in Kingston Springs of anasaraca (often a symptom of malnutrition), his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT JAMES STRONG, 23 years old when he enlisted, died in hospital in Kingston Springs Feb. 8, 1865 of small pox, his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave

Pvt. Adam Gibson's Headstone

Pvt. Logan Gosey's Headstone

COMPANY G

• PVT WINSTEAD OWENS, enlisted when he was 22 years old, Died of wounds received at the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 24, 1864, his headstone may be in Section E 2209 in the Nashville National Cemetery
• 3rd Sgt. JOHN SNEED, enlisted when he was 27 years old, on February 10, 1865 he died of disease at a hospital in Huntsville, Alabama, his remains may have been moved to the Chattanooga National Cemetery but have not yet been located

COMPANY H

• CPL. THOMAS JOHNSON, enlisted when he was 27 years old, he died in a regimental hospital on Oct. 1, 1865 in Kingston Springs, Tennessee of chronic dysentery, his gravesite has been tentatively identified as Section J, site 14941 in the Nashville National Cemetery

COMPANY I

• PVT HARRY BRIGGS, enlisted at 45 years old, died of typhoid pneumonia at Regimental Hospital Sec. 53 Nashville and North Western Rail Road (near Johnsonville, Tenn.) on April 5, 1864, his remains have not been located and may be in an unmarked grave
• PVT ABRAHAM WINSTEAD, enlisted at 51 years old, died March 1, 1864 of dropsy Hospital 16 in Nashville, his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave

COMPANY K

• PVT REUBEN BOYD, enlisted when he was 38 years old, died in Nashville hospital No 11 from small pox, his remains were buried in the "Pest Hospital Cemetery" but have not been located
• PVT ASBURY DEGRAFFENREID, enlisted at 19 years old, he died Dec. 20, 1864 at General Hospital No. 11 of a gunshot wound to the abdomen received in the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 16, 1864, He was initially buried in grave No. 10510 but his final burial (which is likely in the Nashville National Cemetery) has not been located.
• PVT MICHAEL "MIKE" ENSLEY, enlisted when he was 33 years old, he died April 8, 1864 at the Regimental Hospital - Sec. 53 of N&NW Rail Road (near Johnsonville) of "flux", his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT ALFRED SPRATT, enlisted when he was 23 years old, he died of disease on Oct. 10, 1863 at the Elk River, his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave

13th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY A

• PVT SAMUEL ARMSTRONG, he was 19 years old when he enlisted in Franklin, he died of wounds received in the Battle of Nashville on Dec 20, 1864; he is buried in the Nashville National Cemetery in Section L-15321 
• PVT EDMUND CARPENTER, he was 26 years old when he enlisted in Franklin, Died in Regimental Hospital at Camp L. Thomas March 12, 1864
• PVT JOHN H. FRIARSON, he was 19 years old when he enlisted in Franklin, he drowned near Camp L Thomas on June 1, 1864 while bathing, his remains (if recovered) have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT MILES GERMAN, 30 years old when he enlisted, he died at the General Hospital No. 16 (in Nashville) of wounds received at Battle of Nashville, on January 19, 1865, he is buried in the Nashville National Cemetery



Pvt. Samuel Armstrong's Headstone

Pvt. Miles German's Headstone

COMPANY B

• PVT TUCKER BURNETT, enlisted at 19 years old, he died of disease within a few months of mustering into the army on Jan. 1, 1864 at Camp Mussey; his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT GEORGE HELMS, enlisted when he was 21 years old, died from wounds received at the Battle of Nashville on Feb 11 1865, at the General Hospital, Nashville, His headstone has tentatively identified in the Nashville National Cemetery in Section B, # 6164
• PVT MONROE MOORE, enlisted at 20 years old, died Dec 15, 1863 at Regimental Hospital, Camp Mussey of disease, his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave

COMPANY D

• CPL JOHN PIDER (POINTER?), enlisted at 19 years old, he died June 20th of accidental wounds received on the 2nd of June at Waverly, Tenn, his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave

COMPANY F

• PVT HENRY CRAWFORD, enlisted at 19 years old, he died on May 3, 1864 of typhoid at Hospital No 16 in Nashville, his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT HORACE WINSTON, enlisted at 19 years old, Died in General Hospital No. 16 of Gangrene from severe wounds received in the Battle of Nashville on January 6, 1865, his headstone has tentatively been identified as being in Nashville National Cemetery at Section L #15464 

COMPANY H

• PVT HENRY CHAPPELL, enlisted at 18 years old, died January 5, 1864 of disease (Camp Mussey), his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• PVT JAMES PARHAM, enlisted at 20 years old, died at US General Hospital No. 11 in Nashville, on January 22, 1865 of small pox, his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery Section E 2008 Section P # 12263
• PVT PETER WATERS, enlisted at 18 years old, he died on January 21, 1866 at the Pest Hospital in Nashville of Small Pox, his remains have not bee located

COMPANY I

• PVT ROBERT BITTICK, enlisted at age 45, Died of Jan. 20, 1864 in Nashville of disease (typhoid fever) at hospital No. 16, his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery 
• PVT ANDREW CRAWFORD, enlisted at 18 years old, died in May 1864 in Nashville General hospital No. 16 from small pox; his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery Section K – 130; #10615
• PVT NICK CRUTCHELOW, enlisted at 21 years old, died of disease May 6, 1864 at Camp L Thomas; his remains have not been located and are probably in an unmarked grave
• CPL. WILLIAM REDMAN, enlisted at 21 years old, Killed in Action at the Battle of Nashville Dec 16, 1864, his headstone has not been identified.

14th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY C

• PVT ROBERT SPRATT, died Dec.2,1865 in Post Hospital in Chattanooga on Dec 2, 1865; Buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, Plot: J, 3546 

COMPANY I

• PVT JOHN WM WOODWARD, enlisted at 18 years old, he died August 23, 1864 in Chattanooga of chronic diarrhea; his remains are buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Plot: J, 3288 

Pvt. Robert Spratt's Headstone

Pvt John Wm Woodward's Headstone

15th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY A

• PVT ANDERSON BOXLEY, enlisted at 22 years old, died in a Hospital in Nashville on July 18, 1865 from dysentery, his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery in Section J 15197
• PVT WILLIAM JORDAN, enlisted at 20 years old, died in a hospital in Nashville on May 26, 1865 of typhoid fever, his remains have not been located

COMPANY B

• PVT PETER HUGHES, enlisted at 23 years old, died at Wilson General Hospital, Nashville January 23, 1864 of pneumonia, his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery Section E 2108

 COMPANY D

• PVT PRESTON MOSS, enlisted as a 31 year old, he died in General Hospital Nashville, Tenn No. 16 Dec 1, 1864 of chronic disease of the heart; is remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery - Plot: , L.15361, his wife and minor child applied for a pension in his name

COMPANY E

• PVT JOSEPHUS SWANSON, enlisted at 21 years old, died in Cumberland Hospital in Nashville March 30, 1866 from complications of small pox, a headstone has been tentatively identified for him in the Nashville National Cemetery Section R # 7720

16th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY C

• PVT JAMES BARKER, enlisted at 44 years old, died at pest hospital from pneumonia, in Clarkesville, December 25, 1864; a headstone for his remains has not been identified

17th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY E

• PVT NOAH ELMORE, enlisted at 26 years old, died of typhoid pneumonia in Murfreesboro, his remains have not been located

COMPANY G

• PVT CHARLES CLAYBURN, enlisted at 18 years old, killed in action in the Battle of Nashville – Dec. 15, 1864; his remains have not been located

COMPANY H

• PVT DANIEL DOTSON, enlisted at 27 years old, Died at Nashville May 29, 1865 of scurvy also “rheumatism of the heart; he “left no effects of any value”; his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery L - 15651
• CPL HENRY MCPEARSON, enlisted at 28 years old, wounded at Battle of Nashville Dec. 15, 1864 by gun shot (arm broken); died at Wilson US Hospital Feb 21, 1865; his remains are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery Section L 1515411 

COMPANY K

• PVT JOHN JACKSON 1ST, enlisted at 21 years old, died Jan.10, 1864 from wounds received in the Battle of Nashville, his burial location has not been identified

Pvt. Henry McPearson's Headstone

42nd US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY H

• PVT AMOS POTTER, died in Huntsville Post Hospital of acute dysentery/typhoid fever on Oct. 9, 1865, his remains have not been located but may be buried in Chattanooga

44th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY B

• CPL HARRISON ROBERTS, enlisted at 17 years old,died in USA Post Hospital in Huntsville of consumption Feb. 24, 1866, his remains are buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery Section J # 3909

46th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY H

• PVT ISHAM ANDERSON, enlisted at 22 years old, died of dysentery in hospital in Brownsville, Texas Sept 16, 1865, his remains are buried in the Alexandria, Louisiana National Cemetery Section B Site 1202

47th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY K

• PVT ABRAM DOUGHTERTY, enlisted at 32 years old, on May 5, 1864 he died in Regimental Hospital in Vicksburg of pneumonia; no final gravesite has been located
• PVT MILES WILSON, enlisted at 44 years old, on March 8, 1865 he died of small pox at the Corps d’Afrique General Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana; no final gravesite has been located

Pvt. Isham Anderson's Headstone

51st US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY I

• PVT ALEXANDER GORDON, enlisted at 37 years old, died from drowning in Red River Dec. 23, 1865, his remains have not been located

55th US COLORED INFANTRY

COMPANY F

• PVT JOHN COLLYER (COLLIER?), enlisted at 31 years old, on May 22, 1864 he died of disease at Memphis, his remains have not been located

ARTILLERY REGIMENTS

1st US COLORED HEAVY ARTILLERY BATTERY C

• PVT JAMES ROBERTS, enlisted at 20 years old, he died April 2, 1864 of pneumonia caused by typhoid fever in Knoxville Regimental hospital; his remains have not been located

3rd US COLORED HEAVY ARTILLERY BATTERY K

• PVT JOHN JORDAN, enlisted at 38 years old, died of disease on Nov. 7, 1864 in Regimental Hospital at Ft. Pickering in Memphis, no burial location has been identified

4th US COLORED HEAVY ARTILLERY BATTERY C

• PVT WILLIAM A. IRWING, enlisted at 28 years old, he died of dysentery in a hospital in Columbus, Kentucky on August 25, 1863; no burial location has been identified

8th US COLORED HEAVY ARTILLERY BATTERY A

• PVT JAMES GORDON, enlisted at 39 years old, on Jan. 27, 1865 he died at USA Hospital for Colored Troops at Paducah, Ky. of pneumonia, no burial location has been identified

2nd US COLORED LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY C

• PVT HARVEY WILLINGTON, enlisted at 25 years old, died in USA Hospital No. 16 Nashville, Tenn. March 23, 1864 of typhoid feverl; his remains have not been located
• PVT PETER BATTLE, enlisted at 19 years old, died in Wilson Hospital Nashville Feb 15, 1865 of pneumonia, his final resting place has not been identified

2nd US COLORED LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY E

• PVT ALFRED CARTER, 22 year old farmer, died in a hospital in Helena, Arkansas of pneumonia April 26, 1865, his remains have not been located

CAVALRY

3rd US COLORED CAVALRY COMPANY M

• PVT THOMAS PATTON, enlisted at 23 years old, died April 28, 1865 of chronic diarrhea in a regimental hospital in Memphis; his final burial site has not been located

"A Soldier Never Dies Until He is Forgotten"

Runaways and Resistance Against Slavery in Williamson County

In the course of my research, I have come across numerous instances of the enslaved fighting back against the conditions that kept them in bondage. There were a few reports of organized slave insurrections in Williamson County and many accounts of individuals attempting to run away from bondage. 

Rebellions occurred in other locations throughout the state as well. This video describes two of the primary rebellions - one in Shelbyville and one at the Cumberland Iron Works. Enslaved people in Williamson County, as well as their enslavers, were surely aware of these insurrections and likely influenced by them.

Slave Insurrections. In December 1838 and again in December 1856 the newspapers reported on possible "slave insurrections" in Williamson County. It is not clear to me whether these revolts were actual or just feared - but they demonstrate that the white population understood how tenuous their position was in maintaining their status of power.

The Mississippi Free Trader Saturday December 15, 1838

The Baltimore Sunday Thursday Dec 20, 1838

Vermont Phoenix, Friday January 4, 1839

Hartford Courant Wednesday Dec. 10, 1856

Runaway Ads. Further proof that the enslaved continuously resisted the condition of their enslavement and attempted to run away is found in the many newspaper ads published in the newspapers in middle Tennessee during the more than 150 years that slavery existed in this area.  Here are just a sampling of them from Williamson County.

Nashville Whig Wednesday, May 12 1813
A boy named Abraham was a runaway
from John H. Easton in Franklin.

Nashville Whig, Tuesday, Mar 8, 1814
A boy named Moses had runaway from David Craig,
six miles east of Franklin

The Mississippi Free Trader, Wednesday, January 3, 1816
A man named Winser, a cooper, had run away in Mississippi,
and was expected to head back toward Nashville
and was sought by his owner Stephen Nolen in Williamson County

Nashville Whig, Wednesday April 2, 1817
Three people, probably a family, a man Calloway,
a woman and child ran away from Stephens
who bought them from William Bissel
of Williamson County. They were being
held in a jail in Hickman County.

Nashville Whig Saturday May 1, 1819
A man named Peter ran away from Riley Slocumb near Franklin.
He was a shoemaker.

Nashville Whig Wednesday June 28, 1820
 A man named Patrick, a shoemaker, ran away rom J. H. Hall near Franklin. 

Nashville Whig Wednesday August 1, 1821
A man named Perry ran away from John Hightower from Williamson County. 

Nashville Whig, Wednesday May 28, 1823
A man named Charlie, a blacksmith, ran away from Thomas Cash 9 miles south of Franklin.
He was originally purchased from the Rev. Gideon Blackburn of Williamson County. 

Nashville Whig, Monday, January 10, 1825
A man named Ben ran away and was expected
to go to Nolensville in Williamson County.
He used to be enslaved by Amos Johnson there.
He was being sought by George Sterling Smith in Huntsville, Alabama

Nashville Whig, Monday, October 3, 1825
A girl named Eliza Kemp ran away.
She belonged to the heirs of J. Camp and was being sought by Peter Perkins
(probably administrator of the estate)  who lived three miles northwest of Franklin.

Nashville Republican & Gazette, Tuesday April 1, 1834
A man named Joshua, a Baptist preacher,
had runaway from Serene J. Hulme near Franklin, TN

Nashville Republican & State Gazette, Tuesday, September 2, 1834
A man named Elijah ran away from an area near the Harpeth River in Williamson County.
He used to be enslaved by J.A. Gregory and had come from Green Country, Kentucky. 

The Tennessean, Tuesday, February 24, 1835
A man named Nicholas ran away from John Edmonson Jr. ,
11 miles south of Nashville in Williamson County.

Mississippi Free Trader, Tuesday, August 18, 1835
A "yellow" runaway named Granville was listed
as belonging to Thomas Manning of Franklin, Tennessee;
He was in the Yalobusha County, Mississippi Jail since June 29th, 1835. 

The Tennessean Thursday, June 9, 1836
L. R. Starkes was searching for a man named Jefferson who
runaway from Laurel Hill in Williamson County,
6 miles south of Franklin. Jefferson had been a body servant
(house servant) and had pierced ears.

The Tennessean, Tuesday July 2, 1839
Two men Ruffin and Jesse had run away from
Charles Locke at Hardeman's Crossroads
in Williamson County, Tennessee.

The Tennessean, Monday August 1, 1842
A man named Eli ran away from John Haley near  Eagleville
He was born in Virginia, sold to Mississippi and then brought to Tennessee.

Nashville Republican & Gazette, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1844
A man named Albert, a carpenter, ran away
 from Thomas K. Handy in Franklin, Tenn.

The Tennessean Friday, September 20, 1844
A 12 year old boy named Ned ran away from John Haley of Eagleville.  

Republican Banner, Wednesday, July 2, 1845
 A man named Jordan ranaway.
Previously enslaved by Thomas A. Pankey of Franklin, Tenn. 

Nashville Republican Banner Wednesday, July 2 1845
A man named Harrison Black (its unusual that is identified with a last name)
has runaway from Thomas Brown , 6 miles from Franklin, Tenn.

Nashville Union and American, Saturday July 30, 1859
Runaway man named Harry belonged to a man named Owen of Franklin, Tenn.

Nashville Union and American, Tuesday February 12, 1861
Four people were being sought - Aggy, her daughter Liza, son Burton, and Joshua.
All of them sold by Newton Jordan to W. Pettus.  Newton Jordan was accused of stealing them away from the Triune area of Williamson County.

Nashville Union and American, Saturday June 22, 1861
A man named Davy ran away from Edward Eggleston.
He was "raised near Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee"
and bought from Dr. Gale near Nashville in the fall of 1849.
He "has the marks of the whip on his back, one scar from the whip extends fro his side. 

The Nashville Daily Union, Sunday, April 20, 1862
A man named Sam was being held in jail in Davison County.
He belonged to Robert Owen of Williamson County.

The Nashville Daily Union, Sunday May 11 1862
A man named Jerry said he belonged to Thomas Handy of Williamson County,
he was being held in Davidson County jail.