John D. Crow (1829 - 1899)

Born 27 Mar 1829 in Hall, Georgia, United States

Husband of Minerva (Hallmark) Crow — married before 1850 in Fayette, Alabama, United States

Husband of Elizabeth Jane (Whitehead) Crow — married before 1860 in Fayette, Alabama, United States

Died 6 May 1899 at age 70 in Fayette, Alabama, United States

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Biography

John D. Crow was born September 27, 1829, in Hall County, Georgia to Lewis Crow and Catherine Wright Crow. His first wife was Minerva Hallmark.^[1] In the 1850 Census, the couple was living in Fayette County, Alabama. John was working as a farmer. Minerva's son from her first marriage to Ezekiel Wooley, William Wooley, was living with them.^[2]

John married Elizabeth "Betty" Jane Whitehead, daughter of Archibald Whitehead, Sr. and Nancy Smith Whitehead, before 1860, probably in Fayette County, Alabama. Betty was born in Fayette County, Alabama on 10 February 1828 to Archibald Whitehead, Sr. and Nancy (Smith) Whitehead. John and Betty were married by the 1860 Census. Minerva's son, William, took John's last name and was living with them. They also had another teenage boy, Westley Strand, living there.^[3]

When talk of the Civil War began, John, as well as most of his other male family members and neighbors, did not want any part of the war, they wanted to remain neutral, but he certainly didn't want to fight against his country. He hid out in the caves and coves of the Northwest Alabama mountains with many other Unionists until the Confederate "Dog Cavalry" caught him and made him join the Confederacy. he joined just until he could escape and then he rode his horse over 100 miles to Camp Davies, Mississippi to enlist in the 1st Alabama Cavalry, Union Army. He enlisted as a Private in Company K on December 25, 1863, for a period of 3 years. He was enrolled by Lieutenant Joseph Hornback. The Company Descriptive Roll recorded John D. Crow as being 39 years of age, 5'-10" tall, having a light complexion, gray eyes, light hair, born in Morgan County, Alabama, and a farmer by occupation. The January and February Muster Roll recorded him as being absent, on detached service as teamster in General Sherman's expedition in Vicksburg, Mississippi since January 24, 1864, by order of General Greirson. The March and April 1864 Muster Roll recorded him as being on daily duty as a regimental hospital nurse. The November and December 1864 Muster Roll recorded him as being on recruiting service in Decatur, Alabama since November 10, 1864. A Company Muster Roll from December 31, 1864, through April 30, 1865, recorded him as being absent, on recruiting service in Tennessee since November 10, 1864. John D. Crow was mustered out July 19, 1865, in Nashville, Tennessee. His Muster-Out Roll showed him to be due a bounty of 0.^[4]

John & Betty were considered to be quite "well off" and took care of several children in the community, but never had any of their own. Betty's nieces, Eppie (15) and Mary (20) were two of the children that they raised. Their parents were Tabitha (Whitehead) Guess and Elijah M. Guess. They were listed with the couple in the 1870 Census with the last name Crow.^[5]

The 1880 Census shows Betty's mother living with the couple, along with their neice, Mary F. Guess (30) and Andrew J. Hallmark (15).^[6]

John passed away on 6 May 1899 in Fayette County, Alabama. He and Betty are both buried in the Morris Family Cemetery in Glen Allen, Fayette County.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
2. ↑ 1850 United States Federal Census, Census Place: Division 15, Fayette, Alabama; Roll: 5; Page: 87b; Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census, Census Place: Eastern District, Marion, Alabama; Page: 616; Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data:1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
4. ↑ National Park Service. U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
5. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census, Census Place: Township 14, Fayette, Alabama; Roll: M593_16; Page: 397B. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. [1]
6. ↑ 1880 Federal Census, Census Place: Fayette, Alabama; Roll: 13; Page: 416B; Enumeration District: 074. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21222400/john-d-crow : accessed 16 October 2021), memorial page for John D. Crow (24 Mar 1829–6 May 1899), Find a Grave Memorial ID 21222400, citing Morris Cemetery, Fayette County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (contributor 48353502) .