Confederate History

Robert Edward Lee

"All that the South has ever desired was the Union as established by our forefathers should be preserved and that the government as originally organized should be administered in purity and truth." --- General Robert E. Lee, CSA


"Governor, if I had foreseen the use these people desired to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox, no, sir, not by me. Had I seen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in this right hand." --- General Robert E. Lee, CSA - as told to Texas ex-governor F. W. Stockdale

Casino Sampedrano Board of Directors (1921)

Casino Sampedrano 1921
Board of Directors, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

(Junta Directiva 1921)

Presidente: Francisco Paredes F.
Vice Presidente: James H. Coleman
Vocal Primero: Ricardo Lopez
Vocal Segundo: Juan R. Lopez
VocalTercero: W.F. Coleman
VolcalCuarto: Adolfo Zuniga
1er. VocalSuplente: Luis Bogran
2do. VocalSuplente:J.M. Mitchell
3er. VocalSuplente: Presentacion Centeno
Secretario: Vidal Mejia
Pro-Secretario: Presentacion Centeno
Tesorcro: Julian Barrio
Sindico: Juan M. Galvez
Bibliotecario: Harry F. Panting



Source: Invitation celebrating the 75th Aniversary of the"Casino Sampedrano", on November 9, 1996. Provided by: John Forrest Coleman (deceased), San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Confederate History Month

This young Confederate soldier gave his life in defense of his family and homeland!

April is Confederate History Month of Remembrance


Essay by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

April is an important month in America's history. The Great Locomotive Chase, where Union spies attempted to steal the Confederate Locomotive "The General" and destroy rail lines and bridges, took place on April 12, 1862. The month of April has become to be known as Confederate History and Heritage Month. Please share this story with your family.



The Congress of the United States has officially in past years recognized America's war of, 1861 to 1865, as the War Between the States. This tragic war claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of brothers, uncles and husbands. Though they were enemies on the battlefield, after the war, the men of blue and gray sponsored reunions at such places as Gettysburg. The soldier told war stories while the United States and Confederate flags flew briskly in the warm summer breeze.
Why do some schools ignore the teaching of American history? Boys and girls once learned about American soldiers who for over 200 years marched off to war. The church hymn book once included "Onward Christian Soldiers." The young people read about: George Washington, Robert E. Lee and Booker T. Washington. Northern and Southern children stood up proudly to sing patriotic songs from a standard song book that included "Dixie".
After the end of the War Between the States, Northern and Southern women formed memorial organizations. They made sure all soldiers were given a Christian burial and a marked grave. Memorial Days were begun in many states North and South of the famous Mason-Dixon Line. Confederate graves were also cared for in the North and Union graves in the South. Great monuments were also erected that still cast a giant shadow over many town squares and soldiers' cemeteries across the U.S.A.
April 26, has become to be recognized as Confederate Memorial Day in many states. For over one hundred years the Ladies' Memorial Association, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans have held memorial services on or near this day. Other Southern States recognize this day ,which began as Decoration Day, on May 10th and June 3rd. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was born on June 3rd.
April, Confederate History and Heritage Month, is significant as it is the month the War Between the States began (1861) and ended (1865).
Efforts to mark Confederate graves, erect monuments and hold memorial services were the idea of Mrs. Charles J. Williams. It is written that she was an educated and kind lady. Her husband served as Colonel of the 1st Georgia Regiment during the war. He died of disease in 1862, and was buried in his home town of Columbus, Georgia.
Mrs. Williams and her daughter visited his grave often and cleared the weeds, leaves and twigs from it, then placed flowers on it. Her daughter also pulled the weeds from other Confederate graves near her Father.
It saddened the little girl that their graves were unmarked. With tears of pride she said to her Mother, "These are my soldiers' graves." The daughter soon became ill and passed away in her childhood. Mrs. William's grief was almost unbearable.
On a visit to the graves of her husband and daughter, Mrs. Williams looked at the unkept soldiers' graves and remembered her daughter as she cleaned the graves and what the little girl had said. She knew what had to do.
Mrs. Williams wrote a letter that was published in Southern newspapers asking the women of the South for their help. She asked that memorial organizations be established to take care of the thousands of Confederate graves from the Potomac River to the Rio Grande. She also asked the state legislatures to set aside a day in April to remember the men who wore the gray. With her leadership April 26 was officially adopted in many states. She died in 1874, but not before her native state of Georgia adopted it as a legal holiday. It is still officially recognized in Georgia today.
Mrs. Williams was given a full military funeral by the people of Columbus, Georgia and flowers covered her grave. For many years a yearly memorial was conducted at her grave following the soldiers' memorial.
Robert E. Lee said, Duty is the sublimest word in the English language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."
The South can be proud of their men and women who served this nation from the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq. It is important to also remember those men and women who defended their homes, families and states during the War Between the States.
Among the gallant women was Captain Sally Tomkins, CSA who was the first woman to be commissioned on either side of the War Between the States. Commissioned by Jefferson Davis, she took care of thousands of soldiers in Richmond, Virginia until the end of the war.
Those who served the Confederacy came from many races and religions. There was Irish born General Patrick R. Cleburne, black Southerner Amos Rucker, Jewish born Judah P. Benjamin, Mexican born Colonel Santos Benavides and American Indian General Stand Watie who was born in Rome, Georgia.
Lest We Forget!
Please contact the Sons of Confederate Veterans or other historical organizations about the events during Confederate History and Heritage Month. Be a part of this month long tribute, in April, to the men and women of Dixie.
A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States.

Father and Son In Iraq

First Sergeant John Allen Coleman (on the left), and son: Staff Sergeant John Allen Coleman, Jr. serving in Iraq in 2008. Both hale from Lake City, Florida. First Sergeant Coleman is a retired soldier who volunteered to return to active duty to serve his country. He had previously served multiple combat tours in the Vietnam War and served with the 508th Parachute Infantry in Grenada.

Family of James P. Coleman

Family Group No.119

Husband: James P. Coleman

Birth: Sep 1833, Cobb co.,GA.

Death: 1911, Georgia

Burial:

Occupation: Businessman, Miller, Farmer

Military Service: Lieutenant, Company I, 7th Georgia State Guards

Father: Henry Allen Coleman

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes

Marriage: Georgia

Wife: Mary A. McClellan (Mclelland)

Birth: May 1838, (GA or SC)

Death: 15 Jun 1925, Clem, Carroll co., GA.

Burial:

Father: George Guthrie (?)

Mother: Georgina McClellan (Mclelland)

Children:

1. Henry M. Coleman, b. 1854; m. E.F. Whittle

2. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, b. Jan 1856, m. John Henry Jones

3. John William Coleman (Willie), b.1858, m. Mary Emma Tuggle

4. James Thomas Coleman (Tom), b.15 Jan 1860, m. Charity Mariah Cox

5. Tallulah L. Coleman (Lullie), b. 1864

6. Joseph J. Coleman, b. 1869; d. 1870

7. Etta Rowena Coleman, b. 18 Jun 1871; m. William Alonzo McBrayer

8. Lottie Virginia Coleman, b.24 Sep 1875; m. George Wilson Lumpkin Davenport

The 82nd Airborne Division

As an old former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, I've often been asked,"What's it like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" Here's a perfectly good answer!

Note: You can stop the music player located at the bottom of this page while this video runs.

Family of Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez

Family Group No.13

HUSBAND: Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez

Born: 1861, Bayamo, Santiago,Cuba

Died: 15 Oct 1931, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Buried:Central City cemetery, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Father: Santiago Perez

Born: Bayamo, Santiago, Cuba

Mother: Maria Antonia Gomez-Baez

Born: Dominican Republic

MILITARY SERVICE: Captain and aide to Generalisimo
Gomez-Baez,Cuban Revolution

OCCUPATION: Railroadman,Planter, Cattleman,
Businessman and mayor of the city of San Pedro Sula

MARRIAGE: San Pedro Sula, Honduras

WIFE: Paulina Follin

Born: 1864, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Died: 5 Mar 1936, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Buried: Central City cemetery, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Father: Charles R. Follin

Born: 1836, Honduras

Mother: Maria Tomasa Bardales

Born: Honduras

CHILDREN:

1. Carlos Perez, b. Honduras

2. Alonso Perez, b. Honduras

3. Lisandro Perez, b.Honduras;d . 1945, New Orleans, LA.

4. Zoila America Perez, b. 26 May 1890, Honduras

5. Marie Antionette Perez, b. 1 Feb 1892,Honduras ;married John Allen Coleman.

6. Leonela Perez, b. Honduras

7. Josefa Dolores Perez, b.25 Apr 1897, Honduras; married Jose Maria Zepeda

8. Maria Angelina Perez, b. 24 Dec 1903, Honduras; married _____? Jeffre.

9.Celia Regina Perez, b. 26 Mar 1907, Honduras; married Robert Wilson Bonner.

Family of Sieward S. Buining

Family Group No.15

Husband: Sieward Steve Buining

Born: 16 Dec 1888, Mobile, Alabama

Died: April 1982, New Orleans, Louisiana

Buried:

Father:Buining (Naturalized Citizen)

Mother:

MILITARY SERVICE: Battery C, 2nd Field Artillery, United States Army; Honorably Discharged after three years active duty on 3 Oct 1913 at Fort McKinley, Philipine Islands.

His character was cited as "Excellant."

Occupation: Chief Marine Engineer, United States Merchant Marine. (Service in WWII).

Married: New Orleans, Louisiana

Wife: Ethel Marie Coleman

Born: 19 Oct 1923, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Died: 8 Oct. 1965, New Orleans, Louisiana

Buried: Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana

Father: John Allen Coleman

Mother: Marie Antionette Perez-Follin

CHILDREN:

Sieward Steve Buining, Jr.

The Follin Pedigree

An account of that branch of the Follin family pedigree belonging to Elwood R. Coleman, son of John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Perez-Follin.

The Follin Pedigree

1. Michel Follin of Picardie France; married Mariam Esambour.

2. Francois Michel Auguste Follin,(son of Michel Follin and Mariam Esambour), born October,1731 in Beauchamps, Picardie, France; Died September 20, 1813 in Charleston, South Carolina; married Marie Francoise Juneau, b. 1755, in New Orleans, Louisiana, died December 1813 in Charleston, South Carolina. Francois Michel Follin moved to the French colony at Mole, St Nicholas, St Dominque,(now Haiti) . During the slave revolt in that country, his family refugeed to Charleston, SC . He had three sons and one daughter:

(1)Auguste Firmin Follin, the eldest son, born abt 1777 in St Dominque; married Melanie Noel of
France. (2)Jean Charles Auguste Follin, b.1779 in St Dominque; married Marie Joseph Hebert.(3)Mathew Firmin Follin,(known as Firmin),b.1789; married Magdeline Victoria Hebert.

(4) Eulalie Follin; married Joseph Phillip Times.

3. Auguste Firmin Follin, eldest son of Francois Michel Auguste Follin and Marie Francoise Juneau, born about 1777 in St Dominque; died about 1833 in Alabama. After his family refugeed to Charleston, SC, he moved to Philadelphia, PA. where another large French population resided. He became associated with other Bonapartists who planned to establish a French colony in the territory of Alabama,(now Marengo county Alabama),called the "Vine and Olive Colony," which ultimately failed. Many of these colonists then moved to the French colonies at Mobile, Alabama, and the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Auguste Firmin Follin married Melanie Noel, b. abt 1785 in France; died 1851 in Mobile, Alabama. Augustus Firmin Follin had five sons and three daughters:

(1) Charles R. Follin, b. Sep 30, 1799; married Susan Danforth. Their daughter was the
well known publisher, Miriam Florence Follin of New Orleans, also known as "Frank Leslie."

(2) Almaide Eugine Follin, b. 1806;married Lemuel G. Sanderson.

(3) Armand Augustus Follin, b. 1804. (4) Virginia Follin ; married Lewis Edward Bayol.

(5) Adolphus J. Follin, b. abt 1814. (6) Theodore M. Follin, b. abt 1817.

(7) Hortense J.G. Follin, b. 1818; married Gorham Davenport.

(8) Aristide F. Follin, b. abt 1821 in Alabama;married Mary Adela Bridges.

4. Armand Augustus Follin,(known as Augustus Follin), born 1804 in Philadelphia ,PA. He removed from that place with his family to the "Vine and Olive Colony," in Marengo county, Alabama. About 1827 he went to Spanish Honduras where in addition to being a merchant he was appointed as the American Consulate for Omoa and Truxillo. He continued to serve in that post until his death in January 1862. He is known to have had a large family but at present, only two children are known: (1) Charles R. Follin, b. 1836 in Honduras; married Maria Tomasa Bardales.(2) Hortense Follin, b. 1847 in Honduras.

5. Charles R. Follin, born 1836 in Spanish Honduras, son of Armand Augustus Follin of
Philadelphia, PA. He married Maria Tomasa Bardales of Honduras and they had at least two children: (1) Paulina Follin, b. 1864 ; married Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez.

(2) Augustus Follin, b. abt. 1866. Charles R. Follin began his career under the employ
of Ephraim George Squier,(second husband of Charles' cousin, Mariam Florence Follin), known for his field-work in Central America and Peru in the fields of Archealogy and Anthropology.

He traveled thru-out Central America with Squier in 1853 as his assistant and interpreter. Charles was fluent in the English, French, and Spanish languages. He was a Planter,
Merchant, and later, succeeded his father as the American Consulate for Omoa and Truxillo, Honduras . He was present at the arrival of Confederate immigrants to Spanish Honduras in 1867-68 and facilitated their establishment of the Confederate colony of Medina near San Pedro, Honduras as laison between them and the goverment of the Republic of Honduras.
Of the known children of Charles R. Follin of Spanish Honduras:(1)Paulina Follin, b. 1864, married Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez, a Cuban Patriot and nephew of Generalisimo Maximo Gomez-Baez, who remained in Spanish Honduras after traveling there with his
Uncle to gain support for the Cuban revolution. Paulina Follin was the maternal grandmother of
Elwood R. Coleman, son of John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Perez-Follin.

(2)Augustus Follin, b. abt 1866, married Philipa Estrada. For a time, the family lived in New Orleans. After the death of Augustus Follin, his wife and children resided in Los Angeles, California.

Family of William G. McClellan

Family Group No.350

Husband: William G. McClellan (McClelland, McLelland)

Birth: 1836, Georgia

Father:

Mother: Georgina McClellan

Death: 17 Dec 1872, Carrollton, Carroll co., GA.

Burial:
Occupation: City Marshall, Carrollton, GA.

Military Service: Company H, 56th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, CSA

Married: 24 Dec 1857, Carroll county, Georgia

Wife: Sarah Jane Coleman

Birth: 1836, Cobb co., GA.

Father: Henry Allen Coleman

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes

Death:

Burial:

CHILDREN:
1. James B. McClellan, b. 1859

2. Joseph McClellan, b. Abt. 1860 , d. 8 Apr 1879

Family of Philip Marion Whisenhunt, Jr.

Family Group No.342

Husband: Philip Marion Whisenhunt, Jr.

Birth: 1839, Carrollton,Carroll co.,GA.

Death: 1900, Haralson co., GA.

Burial:

Occupation: Farmer

Military Service: Company E., 1st Georgia Cavalry Regiment, CSA

Father: Philip Marion Whisenhunt, Sr.

Mother: Elizabeth Bell

Married: 11 Aug 1857, Carroll county, Georgia

Wife: Nancy C. Coleman

Birth: 1834, Cobb co., Georgia

Death: Lindale, Smith county, Texas

Burial:

Father: Henry Allen Coleman

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes

CHILDREN:

1. John Lewis Whisenhunt, b. 20 Sep 1859 ; Married Sarah Jane Grey Meredith

2. William G. Whisenhunt, b. Oct. 1861

3. Margaret C. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1863

4. Sarah L.A. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1865

5. Henry C. Whisenhunt, b. Abt 1869 ; Married Dochia Searcy

6. Mary L. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1872

7. Cintha C. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1874

8. Emmett W. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1877

Family of John Henry Coleman

Family Group 111

Name: John Henry Coleman

Occupation: Farmer

MILITARY SERVICE: 1st Georgia Cavalry Regiment,CSA

Born: 1 Jul 1840, Cobb co., GA.

Died: 21 Jan 1932, Hoke's Bluff, Etowah co., AL.

Buried: 1st Baptist Church cemetery, Hoke's Bluff.Etowah co., AL.

Father: Henry Allen Coleman, b. 28 Jan 1814

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes, b. 27 Aug 1807
Married: 15 Nov 1870, Carrollton, Carroll co., GA.

Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Pentecost

Born: 21 Oct 1853, Campbell co., GA.

Died: 10 Jul 1938, Hoke's Bluff, Etowah co., AL.

Buried: 1st Bapt. Church Cem., Hoke's Bluff, Etowahco., AL.

Father: John Samuel Pentecost

Mother: Temperance Patience Arrington

CHILDREN:

1. John Henry Coleman, Jr., b. 31 Aug 1871; Married: Lynford O'Della Abernathy

2. Mary E. Coleman, b. 1874; Married: W.F. Fridell

3. William Allen Coleman, b. 3 Mar 1875 ; Married: Mary Theresa McCullom

4. Cynthia Eugenia Coleman, b. 1878; Married: R.W. (Bud) Palmer

5. Lemuel Kendrick Coleman, b. Abt. 1880 ; Married: Mimmie _______.

6. Dora F. Coleman, b. Abt. 1886 ; Married: Albert Holloway Fore

Death of Francois Michel Auguste Follin

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT; Michel Follin Charleston, SC, Jun 27, 1812
On the 27th, of June 1812 at Seven O'Clock in the morning before me Barthelemy Vallenet, Chancellor of the Consulate of the French Empire in Charleston, S.C. resident there the undersigned in the presence of witnesses herein after named also undersigned at the request of Mr. Michel Follin a merchant living in said Town I am carried to his residenceon King Street, No. 102, and on arriving there found Mr. Follin in a lower room of the said mansion giving towards the Court seated in an Armchair, sick of body, and sound of mind, memory and understanding and ____________ thus he appeared to me and to the undersigned witnesses by his speech, gesture, manner _____________
his last Will which he himself declared without influence or suggestion from any one and which I have written in my own hand word for word as he said it.
"I am named Michel Follin. I am a native of Beauchamps of Picardie and age eighty-one and it may please God to dispose of me in the sickness with which I am afflicted.
I will and declare that my establishment situated at the corner of Berry and Penthieves Streets in the Town of Mole, St. Nicholas, the Island of Saint Domingo, to be and belong to my little daughter Eulalie Times and that my home in the Soucerome to be and belong to the children of my eldest son now living in Phildelphia, Pa.
As for my jewelry, silverware and other little objects which may be found in my apartment in the house where I am actually residing I give them entirely to my wife Francois Juneau in recognition of good service which she has rendered to me.
I declare anew that the mulatto Charles is the legitimate property of my wife and that nobody has any right to free him for less than a sum of One Thousand gourges I being responsible for this sum since my wife (is indebted?) to my eldest son now in Philadelphia.
I declare that what may be found in the house in which I live belongs to my two sons Auguste and Firmin and that it all came from their gains and savings which they have left me to help take care of my subsistence since the first of May _______________________________
I give to my said two sons, Auguste and Firmin my _______________
and as for the Box which contains my papers it shall be sent to my eldest son.
And to execute the present Will of mine I name as my Executors Auguste and Firmin Follin my children who shall render me this last service."
This was done, said, spoken, dictated and named by said Testator before me the Chancellor and by me read and repeated to him which was well understood by him to contain his last Will in the presence of Mr. Francois Gaspard, Etienne LaComb, Jean L. Pezant and Louis Pezant all French Refugees from Saint Domingo actually residing in the City of Charleston, witnesses required who after having read have signed together with the Testator before me the said Chancellor also signed on the minute.
(Signed) Follin
F. Gaspard, E. LaComb, J. Pezant, L. Pezant and Vallenet,
Chancellor.






DEATH REGISTRATION (Extract): Translation of original document.


CONSULATE OF FRANCE AT CHARLESTON, Extract from Register of Acts, of births, marriages and deaths, in the Chancellory of France at Charleston, South Carolina.

This day, the twentieth of September, One Thousand, Eight Hundredand Thirteen, Five O'Clock in the evening. I, Louis de Fourcroy, Chevalier of the Empire, Member of the Legion of Honor, Consul of His Majesty the Emporor of France, King of Italy,at Charleston, South Carolina. Upon the information given to me by Sieur Auguste Follin, merchant living in this city that Sieur Michel Follin aged Eighty-Two Years, native of Beauchamp in Picardy, husband of Francoise Juneau, had died this day at a quarter before Mid-day, at Boundry Street where he made his residense, I was hastily carried to said home where I found in a lower room of the said house the dead body of Sr. Michel Follin, all of which I have expressed by word of mouth to the Chancellor of the Consulate, and the said Sr. appearing signed with me above Consul and said Chancellor also signed on Register. Follin, Fourcroy and Vallenet (two words erased).Collated and Stamped B. Fourcroy.
Seal of the Empire here Consul de France Charles Town around the Imperial Eagle.

BURIAL,(EXTRACT): Register of St Mary's Church cemetery, Charleston, SC" Book 11, Page 25: September 21, 1813 - Today there was buried in the cemetery of this Church the body of (?) Francois Michel Augustin Follin, native of Beauchamps in Picardy son of Michel Follin and Lady (dame) Mariam Esambour, age 82 years, 11 months, and 2 days. Merchant and resident of this City, where he had refuggeed from Mole, St Nicholas, Saint Domingo. In presence of _____Benoist, J.L. Pezant, J.J. Lapeune, F.G. Pague (?), J. Cheuman (?), Cloriviere (cure)"

****

Note:

1. Francois Michel Auguste Follin was born October 1731 in Beauchamps, Picardie, France. His wife, Marie Francoise Juneau, was born 1755 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Died December 1813 in Charleston, SC).

2. The name of the Follin family Chateau was "Chateau de Gama," located at St Dominque or Paris Two Lions.

3. The eldest son living in Philadelphia was Auguste-Firmin Follin, His brother Mathew Firmin Follin, was known as "Firmin."

4. Francois Michel Auguste Follin, b. Oct. 1731, was the 4th Great Grandfather of Elwood R. Coleman, Sr., (1921-1998), of New Orleans, Louisiana, son of John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Perez-Follin.

Sources:
1. Historical and Genealogical Research of the FOLLIN family by Mrs. C. Ritchie Simmons, Charleston, SC (1939): Provided by Mrs. Mary A. Potter, Philadelphia, PA.
2. Last Will & Testament of Michel Follin, June 27th, 1812, Charleston, SC.
3. Certificate of Death, French Consulate at Charleston, SC (French to English translation), Sep. 20, 1813
4. St Mary's Church, Charleston, SC., Church Register, Register of Marriages, Births, Death and Burials.
5. Obituary of Jean Charles Auguste Follin, Ref. "The Charleston Courier," March 15, 1835, Charleston, SC
6. Book of Internments, 1818-1837, St Mary's Catholic Church cemetery, Charleston, SC.
7. Deed, 1839, Marengo county, Alabama, Grantors: Follin family & Davenport family, Grantee: Stewart.

Last Will & Testament of Benjamin Register

Death of the elder Benjamin Register Date: April 5th, 1811
Notes: The Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Register of Sampson co., NC


"In the name of God Amen, I Benjamin Register of the county of Sampson and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and perfect memory blessed be God, do this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form that is to say.In the first place, I give and bequeath unto my son John Register my negro Penny, to him and his heirs forever my said negro woman Penny being old and somewhat infirm and having been hither a faithful slave to me in consideration thereof and for the taking of said negro woman in case she should become helpless, as it is likely she may and within a few years. I also give and bequeath unto my son John Register ten dollars, to be paid in money, also what property my negro woman Penny has of her own, to wit, a bed _____ and furniture, a chest, a table and two chairsd, etc. I give and bequeath unto my son John Register in care for my said Negro woman Penny, it being my wish she should enjoy them together with a cotton wheel and two pair of cotton cards.Secondly I give and bequeath unto the heirs or children of my son Silas Register deceased the sum of forty shillings to be paid them in money by my executors, and to be equally divided among them.Thirdly and lastly, I give and bequeath the balance of my estate unto my sons Thomas Register, Benjamin Register, John Register, Joseph Register, and my daughter Mary Cook to them and theirs forever to be equally divided among them, and I hereby make and ordain my son John Register and my trusty friend John Bryan, Executors to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and date above written.

Signatures:Benjamin Register signed with his mark which looks like a capital "B"

Signed, sealed published and declared by the said Benjamin Register the testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof.
John Bryan
Burrell Register
John Register
Elias Sutton

Death of William Register

The following obituary of William Register, 1814-1893, was published in the "Valdosta Times," newspaper, on October, 7, 1893 and was reprinted in the "Register Family Magazine."Obituary of William Register, "Valdosta Times," October 7, 1893."


OBITUARY : William Register, 1814-1893

"Mr. William Register passed away Sept. 4, at the age of 79 years, having been born in Bulloch County, Ga., Sept. 29, 1814. When a boy, he removed with his parents to Cat Creek, Lowndes County, where he resided for a number of years, and then moved near where Stockton is now; his father once owned the entire landed interest where that town is now situated. While his father resided there, the subject of this sketch united in marriage with Miss Luraney Harnage of Lowndes County, who still survives, Rev. William A. Knight, officiating. After his marriage, William and his young wife located one mile west of where DuPont is now located. While living there he enlisted in the Seminole War as a private under the command of Zachery Taylor, where he remained on and off duty until the close. During the time, he displayed wonderful courage equal to the bravest; not only in the engagements, but as a scout, was most remarkably alert. Many were the successes attained by Taylor's command. Mr. Register with others, opened and cut the first public road penetrating the wilds of South Florida where not only the savage man but the more savage beasts were ever hiding to surprise the unsuspecting pioneer. He too was one of the brave little band of twenty-five who so bravely put to flight the hostile tribe of Indians from what is now known as Indian Hammock on the Suwannoochee Creek. Many noble acts of heroism, privation, and peril characterized this little band of braves.""After the close of the war with the Seminoles, Mr. Register moved twelve miles south of where DuPont now is, where he lived until his death on the 4th of Sept. 1893, covering a period of 48 years. In 1849, he received a sunstroke which rendered him a comparative invalid the remainder of his life. He raised an interesting family of nine sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him; also his descendants are numerous, leaving 71 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, most of them now living in this section. Five of his sons enlisted ( also as did their father for a short while) in the late war and remained until its close, and remarkable as it seems, only two were wounded and none killed or died.""Mr. Register was a farmer and stockraiser by profession. In both he was eminently successful, and before his death had accumulated quite a fortune. For twenty years or more he was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church and his remains now rest beside his father and a sister, from their toils, under the shades in Wayfare Church cemetery in Echols County. Honesty, integrity, and truth nobly followed him everywhere and in all his dealings; and he bequeaths not only to his children his earthly inheritance but a life pure as pure can be and as spotless as the glittering gems of paradise. His sons are industrious, useful, and noble examples of integrity, one of them, Samuel W. Register, now being the efficient clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County.""In closing this sketch, it seems proper to say that in the death of Mr. Register this county (Clinch) and southeast Georgia loses one of its best citizens __ that class or school of citizens or men who make any country. He has nobly done his part in the advancement of the material prosperity and development of this part of Georgia. His career antedates that of railroads in this section; they were hardly dreamed of. Commerce and trade was carried on by wagons and carts with Darien, old Center Village and a few other minor places. Justice was bi-annually dispensed at old Magnolia, now an old field of pine saplings. Men were honest and their words were gilt-edge security, shin-plasters plentiful __ then indeed, it is sad to see the virtuous of these good old times pass away to the "silent land of sleepers" when we see so few of them left to relate the history of such times.""A a son, Mr. Register was dutiful; as a father, he was affectionate; as a husband, loving; as a citizen, brother and neighbor, obliging and true. Let us ever cherish his memory and endeavor to emulate his noble examples."Homerville, Ga., Sept. 24, 1893 _A FRIEND.