Jim Martin
Volney F. Willoughby - Jackson Co., AL
Wed Sep 6 17:53:44 2000


For years I've been searching for the unit, in which, my ggg-grandfather, Volney Fleming Willoughby, served.

Volney Willoughby was born in 1815 in Abingdon, Washington Co., VA. At an early age his family moved to East Tennessee, probably Knox Co., TN.

In 1840 and 1850 he appears in the Hamilton Co., TN census as a farmer.

In 1854 he acquired 80 acres in North Jackson Co., AL near Stevenson, AL.

In 1860 he appears on the census of Jackson Co., AL as a farmer.

In December, 1860 Volney's oldest daughter received a letter from a T. D. Edington in Knoxville, TN addressed to Bridgeport, AL post office. In this letter the writer refers to Volney as a "Breckenridge Man" (Southern Democrat)

In a book called "The History of Logan Co., Arkansas" the youngest son of Volney Willoughby recalls that he remembered at the age of seven (7) riding on the back of his father's horse as he went to enlist in the "Southern Army". His job was to return the horse back home. As this son was born in Jan. of 1855, the year 1862 would have been the most likely date when Volney Willoughby enlisted. Also, because of the age of the son, it is likely that Volney enlisted in or near Stevenson or Bridgeport, AL.

The oldest son, Monroe F. Willoughby, was a member of the 17th Tennessee Infantry (CSA) and died during the war. Company "I" of this regiment included men from Jackson Co., AL.

Family tradition states that Volney Willoughby was killed at the battle of Chickamauga.

I have searched the National Archives and the Alabama Archives, but have found no Confederate soldier with the name Volney Willoughby or any phonetic spelling similar.

If you have information regarding units which recruited in Jackson Co. or other sources where I might find unpublished muster rolls, casualty reports, etc., I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,

Jim Martin






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