Courtland and Its First White Inhabitant.
pg. 194

     One of the Dillahunty family was the first man who settled at Courtland, Ala.  This family emigrated from Nancy (France) to North Carolina.  They were well educated, and had a habit of recording everything important.  Their descent for five generations could have been procured.  Thomas Dillahunty moved from Jones county, North Carolina, in December, 1773, and purchased land four miles from a then small village, called Nashville, in Davidson county, Tennessee.  It must have been very small, for ten years afterward it had a population of only four hundred.  He had four sons, Edmund, Lewis, Harvey and John.  Edmund studied law, lived in Columbia, was a chancellor, and also a common law judge.  Judge Foster, now of our county, once practised in his court, and says that he had a spotless character as a man, and was eminent as a judge.  He never came to Lawrence county, but all his brothers and his father did.
     Lewis Dillahunty was born in North Carolina, 18th of July, 1793, a few months before his father's removal to Tennessee.  These were perilous times.  During that year about fifty whites were killed by the Indians, and amongst them some of the best citizens.  This state of things continued for several years afterward.  In 1813 the Creek war broke out, and young Lewis (then nineteen years old) volunteered, and was elected

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lieutenant in Capt. Andrew Hyne's company.  He made a good soldier, for he came back a captain with the army, which returned in May, 1814.  They were received by the people with great enthusiasm ; a speech of welcome was made by Mr. Grundy and responded to by General Jackson.
     The gallant young men of Tennessee had only a few months for rest, and the enjoy ment of the society of their friends and the smiles of the fair ones.  Gen. Wm. Carroll made a sudden call for 3000 volunteer infantry for the defence of New Orleans, to rendezvous at Nashville on the 13th of November, 1814.  Captain Dillahunty not only was on the ground at the appointed time, but had a full company completely organized, raised in Davidson and Williamson counties.  Daniel Bradford, so well known since at Huntsville as General Bradford, was his first lieutenant.  The captain kept a blank book in which he recorded all General Carroll's general orders, and such special ones as related to his company, also muster-rolls, requisitions for supplies of provisions and ammunition, a list of casualties, etc., from that day until the return of the army to Nashville.  With its paper yellowed and its ink faded with the ravages of time for seventy years, the venerable record lies before me, and will enable me to give (along with the personal facts I have learned from his very intelligent daughter, Mrs. Merritt, of Franklin, Tenn.) a continuous and faithful memoir of a gentleman who was the first white settler of Courtland, and a public man highly respected by our people in his day.  I judge that young as he was his company was composed of the best material, for General Carroll, by a special order written by himself, without the intervention of an aide, directed Captain D. to select a sergeant and five men from his company to take charge of the ammunition boat, and by another, ordered Captain D. to send a certain man from his company to superintend the putting up of the beef for the whole command. General Carroll, probably, attached more importance to this than to any other order made before he sailed; since for want of precaution and experience on the part of the officers he and his men were subjected, in the Creek campaign, to protracted and severe starvation.
     The voyage of this army down to the Mississippi in a very short time, is a matter of history.  When the memorable twenty-third day of December, 1814, dawned they had just landed at the levee in New Orleans.  At half-past one p. m. on that day, two French gentlemen who lived on the river below the city, rode up the street with great speed, and suddenly stopped at the headquarters of General Jackson, who with an able staff, including Governor Claiborne the eloquent Grimes and others, had just risen from dinner.  The French gentlemen, who were well known as patriots to Governor Claiborne, announced that the British army had landed twelve miles below the city.  Question and answer followed each other in quick succession.  General Jackson was more a listener than talker during this colloquy.  At its conclusion he rested his head upon his hand for a short time, then rose to his feet and said: "Gentlemen, we will fight them before midnight!"  Then followed orders to the members of his staff for the concentration of his troops.  A part of them was three miles above the city; the regulars were encamped in it, and Carroll's men were still in their boats.  That his conclusion to attack was thus made is shown in recent authentic articles published in the New Orleans Democrat.
     We now return to our company, whose captain, Dillahunty, is composedly writing out a list of his men for the purpose of recording the issuance of arms.  It now lies before me, in handwriting which shows no excitement and no tremor, and that each of his men had drawn one musket, one bayonet and one flint.  Before night, General Jackson mounted his horse and posted himself at the foot of the street, and remained there until every soldier of his army had defiled before him.  The battle occurred in the darkness of the night; companies and regiments of our men and the enemy were inter mingled in great confusion, and the British marched down the levee, and our men back to Chalmette, which Jackson afterward fortified.  The battle was indecisive, but General Jackson had gained his object, which was time to fortify.  In answer to the question why he did not fortify before, the proper reply is that General Jackson had made himself acquainted, by personal inspection, with all the localities around New Orlean

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as far down as the Belize, and had found so many water approaches to the city, that he could not divine where the enemy would land.
     In the battle of the 8th of January, Captain D. gave so much satisfaction to his commander that he was promoted to the rank of major, and Lieutenant Bradford made captain in his place.  The only entry in his diary in respect to the battle itself, is that he had one man in the company wounded, and that "James Kirkpatrick was killed while helping a wounded British prisoner over the works."  In reading this entry I felt deep regret that so fearless and tender-hearted a soldier should have met such a fate. In burying the dead, a letter was found on the body of T. Wilkerson, major in the brigade of General Gibbs, written the day before the battle, to his brother Robert, who was in the British War Department.  Major D. copied it into his diary.  This letter shows that the British commander had assiduously sought some route through the swamp by which he might turn the flank of General Jackson's position, without success, and had determined on the next day, to storm the works.  He says "the Americans are highly favored by their natural situation, but I hope to-morrow will show that they have trusted to a broken reed by resting their defence on a line.  I have no doubt it will be like other lines, when one point is forced the whole will take to their heels."  The result is known to the world.  This accomplished young officer, Generals Gibbs, Packenbam and many others, were killed in a vain attempt to rally their men, when their ranks were broken by the steady and terrific fire of the men who were expected "to take to their heels" as soon as they came to close quarters.
     A season of quiet followed this battle.  At length the time arrived for the return of the army to their homes.  It was cheerful for those who were able to march, but great apprehensions were felt by the sick and wounded, that they would be left in the "low country" to linger and die in the hospitals.  But the Tennessee generals had received from the fathers and mothers of these young men a sacred trust, and most faithfully did they perform it.
     As to Carroll's division, the sick and wounded were placed under the command of young Major Dillahunty.  This was the highest compliment ever paid him during the war.  By an order of the 13th of March, General Carroll ordered the sick and wounded to be placed by Major Dillahunty on board of the steamer Vesuvius, and transported to Natchez, and to be placed in camp furnished with everything necessary for their comfort.  A report was made by the major, of every man who died on the way, and a copy of it preserved in his book.  At length, on the 21st of March, Major Dillahunty was ordered to procure the necessary transportation, provisions, etc., and to move on with such of the sick and wounded as were able, toward Tennessee.
     Poor fellows!  How many a heart beat with apprehension for fear of being left behind.
     An incident I heard when a boy well depicts the state of feeling which prevailed among them.  As Dr. Hogg passed along the aisle of the hospital to decide who could go, a poor emaciated soldier claimed the privilege.  Says the doctor, "You can't march."  Says the man, "Yes I can."  The doctor replied, "Why, you can't even stand alone."  Then the poor soldier in his agony begged them "to stand him up, and if he fell, let him fall toward Tennessee."
     By Major Dillahunty's orders, which are still preserved, it is plain that he was deeply moved by this state of things.  Assisted by the surgeon he made two classes of them ; such as could march and carry their knapsacks, and such as could march without them.
     Transportation was very scarce, and he ordered the private baggage of the officers to be left behind, so that there might be room in the wagons for the exhausted men to ride.  Occasionally, some of them from necessity would have to be left behind.  In such cases a surgeon was left in charge, and provisions (which were very scarce) provided for them; and the officer directed to report to General Jackson (who was marching in the rear) for further orders.
     General Carroll with the able-bodied men in front, arrived at home, and was

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welcomed with public rejoicing long before Major Dillahunty appeared at the head of his pale procession

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Gen. John Gregg.

Born in Lawrence county, Ala., on Sept. 28, 1828, and graduated with such distinction in 1847, that he was selected by Prof. Henry Tutwiler, then principal of a high school in Green county, Ala., as teacher of the languages and mathematics.  Mr. Tutwiler had known to be a remarkable scholar; and if any professor in college was ill, he could supply his place, no matter what the study in the curriculum  The of young Gregg.  He remained with Mr. Tutwiler four years, and returned to North Alabama, and studied law with Judge Townes, of Tuscumbia.  In 1852 he went to Texas, and settled in Fairfield, Freestone county, just then laid out.  His reputation as a lawyer grew so rapidly that in four years he was elected judge of the district over an old Texan, who had held the-office for several years.
     He had mounted the first step on the ladder of distinction, when he returned to North Alabama and married Miss Mollie Garth, daughter of Gen. Jesse Garth, and sister of Hon. W. W. Garth.  Miss Garth was in every respectworthy to be the companion of one whose life commenced so auspiciously, and promised so brilliant a career.
     Secession found him still a judge.  He was its warm advocate.  When Governor Houston refused to call a convention to know the wishes of the people on this subject, one was called over his head; Judge Gregg was a member of it; and represented Free stone and Navarro counties.  The acts of the convention were ratified, - in some counties almost unanimously.  He was one of the representatives sent to Montgomery.  After the seat of government was removed to Richmond he served one term.  The battles of Bull Run and Manassas proved that a bloody war was before us.  He resigned his place amongst the law-makers, for more desperate work.  He asked and obtained, from the War Department, authority to raise a regiment; returned to Texas; and brought to Corinth the Seventh Texas Infantry in an incredibly short time.  They were ordered to Hopkinsville, Ky., to Gen. A. S. Johnston.  The Judge was elected Colonel, and the command was surrendered by General Buckner, at Fort Donalson, the 16th of February, 1862.  They were incarcerated in Northern prisons until the seven days' fight around Richmond.  A general exchange was then effected.  Colonel Gregg was promoted to Brigadier General, and assigned duty at Vicksburg, Miss., in command of a brigade composed of Tennesseeans and old Texas regiments.  The defence against

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The Swoopes

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Edgar M. Swoope.

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Jim Lewis,

The servant of Mr. Swoope alluded to above, had a very kind master, who taught him the ordinary branches of an English education, and in their constant intercourse imbued his mind with far more learning than usually falls to the lot of men of his race.  He lent him books and at his death gave him a good library, which he read to great profit.  He is a man naturally of fine mind and excellent judgment, and in his manners a real gentleman, if he be " somewhat off color."  He had become a Methodist preacher, and uses a chaste style of speaking, and though he is earnest and zealous, he has neither rant nor cant; so you can see at once that he has great influence in repressing the fanaticism of his people.  This assumed, in former years, various forms.  I will give you an illustration:  A long time ago, one Saturday, when Father Kilpatrick, missionary to the blacks, had come in, ready for service next day, there was a great rumpus on "the street," or quarters, and it seemed like a fight.  I sent for the fighters, and presently Aunt Violet and Edy, a young girl, were brought before me; Edy looking very guilty, with a knot on her forehead as large as a hen-egg, "What does all this mean!"  Aunt Violet: "Mars Jeemes, you know you put Edy in my house for me to make her behave?  Well, sir, Edy cusses, and sometime ago, she cussed, and I tol' her, up and down, dat if she don' so any mo', I would knock her down.  Well, dis mornin' while we was wuckin' Edy cussed, and I just took a board and knock her down.  You see dat knot on Edy's head?  Does you think it was de strenk of my poor arm dat made dat knot?  No, sir, it was de strenk of my Jesus!" This was too much for my dignity, and I called the missionary to lecture the parties, and retired for a good laugh.  What he said to them I never knew; but I am satisfied that Aunt Violet was never convinced that she had done wrong; and as Edy reformed after that, she always thought she had mauled religion into her with that board.
     But I do not wish to be misunderstood.  It is the habit of many persons to sneer at the religion of the colored people.  For myself, I have a profound respect for it.  They hold to the doctrine of the witness of the spirit as laid down in the Bible.  They have ultraisms, I admit, but as their teachers become better educated, these are gradually disappearing.  But you often hear it said that the negro is apt to back-slide very often.  Well, that is so, but they are good repenters, and when they apply for pardon they are orthodox, too, for they kneel not before altars made with hands, but before "the great white throne."  I can see a steady improvement in the religious exercises of the race, and their fanaticism is being toned down, but it is to be hoped that this will not be carried so far as to make the religion of the emotional negro as cold as that of the philosophical white man.  I have begun to preach, and remember that I have no license.

Dr. Jack Shackelford

was born in Richmond, Va., Mar. 20, 1790.  His father, Richard Shackelford, was married three times.  His last wife, Johanna Lawson, was the mother of Jack Shackelford, and died when he was an infant.  Catharine Allgood (a sister of one of the first wives) took the little orphan Jack (for that was his baptismal name) and reared him with all the love of a devoted mother.  When grown, he left Virginia to seek a new home, and went to Winnsboro, S. C, where he married Maria Yongue, daughter of a Presbyterian minister; a lady of small person and much beauty, with most estimable qualities.  He served in the British war of 1812, and, in a skirmish near Charleston,

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he was numbered amongst them, and a wooden cenotaaph erected intended to preserve the names of the massacred until a durable monument was raised.  This has mouldered into dust, but I will here insert a roll of these heroic young men who perished in defence of Texan liberty:

Captain Shackelford's Company of Alabama Volunteers.

     OFFICERS -
Jack Shackelford, captain;
Wm. Horton Francis, lieutenant;
Fortunatus G. Shackelford, orderly;
J. D. Hamilton, A. J. Foley and
C. M. Short, sergeants;
H. H. Bentley,
J. H. Barclay,
D. Moore and
A. Winters corporals.
     PRIVATES -

     Of these all were massacred but eight -
Dr. Shackelford, because he was a physician;
L. M. Brooks,
G. W. Brooks,
W. Simpson,
D. Cooper and
Isaac D. Hamilton, who escaped after the first volley by swimming the river (Isaac Hamilton had a deep flesh wound in the thigh and yet saved his life), and
W. H. Francis and
Joseph Fenner, who were detailed on Colonel Horton's advance guard and cut off from the main body by Urrea's army.

     There were persons in our community who, after the tragic conclusion of this expedition to Texas, severely criticised it as unjustifiable and fruitless.  Suffer me to make a few sober comments on each branch of this proposition in vindication of the memory of one of the dearest and best friends I ever had.  When our people began to colonize Texas, Mexico was independent of Spanish domination, and enjoyed freedom under the Constitution of 1824, modeled- after that of the United States.  Texas was united to Coahuila, because not strong enough to form a State, but the promise in the law was that she should be made a separate State as soon as she had the elements for it.  Even in our country, our State or local government has always been regarded as the best security for personal rights; and here we have a homogeneous people; how much more, then, was it required in Mexico, where the masses differed from our colonists in race, language and religion.  The stronger Texas became in the attributes required, the more persistently did Mexico deny her the privilege of separate local government.  Wrong after wrong was perpetrated upon them.  At first, land grants were made to Austin Edwards and many others with the purpose of having these settled with Americans.  In a few years they prohibited, by law, the settlement of emigrants from the United States.  Then large grants to Americans were demanded, by executive decree, without a resort to the courts of the country - then there was a law for virtually disarming the population; then a commander-general was sent into the State invested with civil and military power, and to complete the list of outrages, on the 3d of October, 1835, the destruction of the Federal Constitution of Mexico was consummated by the abolition of the State Legislature; and that which was a republic when settled by the Americans, became a consolidated despotism.  We think ice had wrongs when our independence was declared in 1776; but those of Texas exceeded them, as much as the Mexican exceeded the British people in tyranny and barbarity.  No wonder that a people who had breathed the air of freedom from infancy should have declared their independence.  The flag of the Lone Star was a tacit appeal to their friends in our republic for aid in this emergency.  The appeal met with a prompt response in the hearts of many of our noblest men.  The United States was at peace with Mexico, and according to the laws of nations could not properly interfere in the contest then looming up.  But individuals were free to give their aid to the Texas cause, as Lafayette, DeKalb and

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not only justifies it, but in such cases invests the act with a higher degree of chivalry than when one defends his own country, because it is disinterested, and a sacrifice offered upon the altar of Liberty for its own sake.
     But was the expedition to Texas fruitless!  As unfortunate as it was, it bore fruits which contributed more to the Texas cause than any other during the war.  These massacres when first announced, caused a feeling of sorrow in all civilized people.  But the reaction was tremendous; and such was the indignation, that volunteers rushed to the aid of Texas so fast, that the number had to be limited by requiring passports from the territorial agent at New Orleans.  General Jackson, then President, whose bosom was as full of wrath as the crater of a volcano about to blaze up is of melted lava, issued an equivocal order to General Gaines, then commanding on our western border, who instanter, marched fourteen companies of regulars to the Sabine, and sent a messenger to the Indians (who were about to march to Texas), who prevailed on them to remain at home.  They accomplished the recognition of Texan Independence by the United States, long before they actually achieved it, and the tidal wave of indignation, crossing the Atlantic, caused the example to be followed by England and France.
     Doctor Shackelford, after his return from Texas, resumed the practice of his profession. His estimable wife died in Courtland in 1842.  After some years he married Mrs. Martha Chardavoyne, the widow of Wm. V. Chardavoyne, and the mother of Major Wm. V. Chardavoyne.  Cheered by the society of this accomplished and excellent lady, the doctor lived until Jan. 27, 1857.  His wife survived him many years.
     Dr. Shackelford, was natural and unaffected in his manners.  He was a charm ing companion.  He had a strong mind, well stored with information, and a large fund of anecdotes (and, having histrionic powers which would have made his fortune in one profession) he told them better than any man who ever was in the State, except Baldwin, author of "Flush Times in Alabama."  He was a member of the Methodist church, and a sincere and humble Christian.  It is true, he never carried a long, sanctimonious face.  These are the mere shells of piety.  But, judged by his fruits, he was one of the best men I ever knew.  With a most sympathetic heart he relieved suffering wherever he found it, without distinction of color, to the best of his personal ability, and the extent of his fortune.  He had unbounded hospitality.  To the young disciple who had pursued his weary way until he was oppressed with home sickness, he not only "gave a cup of cold water" but every comfort of his house, and made him feel completely at home; so that he took fresh courage and went on his way reinvigorated.  I never knew a man in my long pilgrimage, more beloved, than Dr. Jack Shackelford.
     By his first marriage, Dr. Shackelford had four children, to-wit: Fortunatus S., who was massacred at Goliad.  2. Samuel W., who married first Margaret McMahon, who lived but a short time.  He then married Addie, daughter of Colonel Benjamin Sherrod.  They have two children - Jack, a young man of much energy, and May, a young lady of many accomplishments.  3. Harriett C., married John J. McMahon.  They have four children: Fortunatus S. S., a physician of eminence in Courtland.  He followed the fortunes of the Confederate cause, during the civil war, from the disaster at Fishing Creek to the surrender; as will be seen in our previous numbers; Dr. W. Jack, surgeon C. S. A. married Miss Cutter, of New Orleans, and has several children, His army career has already been noticed.  Robert, who was a brave soldier also; and Lillie, a young lady of beauty and merit living with her mother, who is a widow (her husband having died in 1857).  The fourth child of Dr. Shackelford was Edward P., a skilful man of business in Courtland who died some years ago.  He married Caroline Watkins, and their children are Frank W., Harriet C., and Elizabeth, all young.

McMahon Family.

     In 1828, John J. McMahon was sent to Courtland by Andrew Bierne to supply the place in his mercantile concern there of a son who became a lunatic, and had been sent

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to a hospital in Philadelphia.  The new firm was called "Bierne & McMahon," and continued prosperously for many years.  During this time he married Harriet C. Shackelford (as we have mentioned above).  Some ten years after he came to Courtland, Wm. McMahon, his father, moved his family from Harrisonburg, Va., to a plantation north of Courtland.  He and his wife were then quite old, but they lived long enough to be known as most estimable people; indeed, the family of McMahons were distinguished for courtesy, amiability and integrity.  They had numerous progency, to-wit:  John J., above mentioned; became a commission merchant in New Orleans, and enjoyed the confidence of his customers to a remarkable degree.  Charles, who never married, died in Gainesville, Ala.  William P., who married Laura Chaffee, and practised law in Courtland for many years.  Their children (after their death), moved to South Carolina and Mississippi.  Mary, who married Oscar Cravens, a physician of culture, in Court land for many years.  Robert G., who moved to Gainesville and married the widow of L. Branch Fawcett (who once lived in Courtland as book-keeper for Bierne & McMahon).  They are both dead.  She was born Elizabeth R. C. Scott, daughter of Gen. John Baytop Scott, who died in Virginia in 1813.  (See Scott family.)  Mrs. McMahon's first husband was Dr. T. D. Bell, by whom were several children, and also three daughters by McMahon's marriage (none living by the Fawcett marriage). C. Waterman, who married Jane, daughter of Prof. James Jackson, of Franklin College, Georgia; Margaret, first wife of Samuel W. Shackelford, above mentioned; Ethelbert S. (Bert), a bachelor, still living, and Paxton, who died in Gainesville in his youth.
     Among the physicians of Courtland were Dr. Booth, Dr. Young A. Grey, Dr. George L. Rrousseau, 1825; Dr. Thomas A. Watkins, who formed partnership with Dr. Jack Shakelford in 1832.  Drs. Booth and Rousseau moved away.  After that, Dr. James E. Wyche, 1825; Dr. Robert Martin, Dr. Hayne (1827), of Virginia, friend of Andrew Bierne; Dr. Milligen, 1832; Dr. Baxter, about 1836; Dr. Harper, and Dr. King, about 1840 - (Dr. Watkins.).

Dr. Thomas A. Watkins,

born a descendant of Thomas Watkins, of Chickahominy, came to Courtland in 1825.  He had graduated at the University of Georgia, and had his diploma as a physician from a school at Philadelphia.  He had a good person, hael eyes and a dark complexion.  His manners were dignified and rather cold, and not calculated to ingratiate him with the people;  therefore,, it was some time before he achieved a good practice.  In the meantime, he had a drugstore in which he had invested his slender patrimony which sustained him during the first years of practice.  But as he became better known his practice increased until he occupied a placed in the front rank of our physicians.  He agreed with Dr. Shackelford in his medical theories, and they practised together as partners fo many years.
     At length Dr. Watkins finding himself in a condition which justified it, married into the family of Wm. Fitzgerald.  He had come from Botetourt county, Va., with a small colony of friends; his brother, Freeman Fitzgerald, who lived at Rocky Hill, (which has been the home of the writer for the last fifty years); Littleberry Jones, who married a sister of the Fitzgeralds, and built the brick house now occupied by Harvey Gilchrist, and Wm. Booth, Sr., the first occupant of the place where Geo. Garth now lives.  After the lapse of some ten or twelve years, they were struck by a Florida boom and moved away, except Wm. Fitzgerald.  He had married in Virginia long since his cousin, Letty Williams, and when he came to Alabama he was past middle age, but still very fond of young people.  In the deer hunts, so common at that day, he was an efficient hand, but as he was fat he was always indulged with a stand, and he was a dead shot.  Moreover he would keep his stand until he was called off, as faithfully as a soldier would keep his watch.  He would find a log to sit upon, and the deer might be driven by the hounds into the Tennessee river, and hours might transpire, yet when relieved he would be found in the same position.  Like a centaur he had grown to his log.  He and his wife had no ambition, except to entertain their friends and to make them happy.  It was an old Virginia home transplanted from the foot hills of the Blue

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Col. Richard Jones

was born in Cumberland county, Va., on the 29th of June, 1773.  His father was Harrison Jones, who after being engaged to be married to Anne Ligon of the same State, joined the army as a soldier of the Revolution, and lost a leg at the battle of Guilford C. H.  On his return home she did not refuse to perform her part of the contract, although there had been a "partial failure of consideration."  He was true to his country, and she was true to her lover, and I consider it good sound stock to start with.  Colonel Jones was the youngest of seven children, all sons, and they have all passed from earth.  The Hon. Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, a member of the Con-

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federate Cabinet of Mr. Davis, married a daughter of Peyton, the elder brother of Colonel Jones.
    

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     Their children are Lucy Louise, Annie Early, Julia Knox, Joseph, Carrie Peyton, and Tom Fenwicke.

Hon. David G. Ligon

came to Courtland from Virginia in 1823.  He and Rev. John L. Townes were near of kin, being sons of two sisters of the Leigh family; and this gave him a passport at once into the best society.  He had a fine person, was about six feet high, had dark hair and deep blue eyes.  In manners he was remarkably social and popular, and soon had many friends.  He had been thoroughly educated, and was master of the English language;  indeed, in pronunciation and style, he was fastidious.  He made a fair start in his profession, considering the fact that Arthur F. Hopkins and John J. Ormand, the two great leaders at the bar, had monopolized the best business.  But young Ligon was so distinguished by the splendor of his imagination that he forced himself into public notice.  He was more brilliant than Henry S. Foote (who then lived in Courtland, but after two years residence, despaired of success, and removed to Mississippi, where he came to the front as a popular speaker and a politician).
    

--------------------------
     NOTE:  Mrs. Wheeler died in 1895, and the young son, Thomas Fenwicke, was drowned in 1898, while his father was the hero of the Cuban war.

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REV. HUGH BARR.

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     Mr. Barr, Mr. Lynn, and Lawyer Smith became conscientious on the propriety of holding slaves, and moved to Illinois, manumitting their slaves.  Here Mr. Smith made a good fortune, and died during the war.  Of the others I have no reliable information after they left Courtland.
     Thomas Smith was the father of David Smith, above mentioned, and accumulated a snug living.  When the railroad was approaching Courtland he invested his ready money (some five thousand dollars), in stock.  As soon as it reached Courtland his hotel made money rapidly, and was crowded with guests.  When, however, it passed on to Decatur, his was no longer an eating house, but the breakfast place was Tuscumbia and the dining place was Decatur.  One day, shortly after the change, a friend walked into his hotel and found him in tears - for he always cried when vexed.  "What's the matter, Mr. Smith?"  He answered:  "Here I was such a fool as to lay out all my money on this road, and now the passengers, who breakfast at Tuscumbia, pass by my hotel picking their teeth, and I am left in a worse condition than I was before."  He was a heavy, fat man of short stature, and his son David was smaller, but of the same form.

The Courtland Herald.

was published by Willie Connor, and continued for many years.  Connor was a practical printer, and got the advice of young Ormond is giving shape to his paper, who promised to write a leader occasionally.  Ormand selected as a motto for his paper:

"Here comes the Herald of a noisy world.
  News from all nations lumbering at his back."

     Ormand wrote some excellent articles for the paper in the outset, but Connor couldn't coprehend them, and they soon drifted apart.  Connor undertook to run the whole machine, mental and mechanical, and did so for many years "after a sort."  He was a short, fat man, and Jones called him the "Yam Potato;" and the name stuck to him, for it was appropriate.  On week days, Connor used to sit in his sanctum with the hairs on the side of his head drawn up, and tied over the crown of his bald pate with a cotton string - this, on Sundays, was substituted by a blue ribbon.
     Rumors began to ..........................

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Courtland Mechanics.

     In early times North Alabama was an El Dorado, and our mechanics, as well as our planters, were men of a high order.  The absence of railroads afforded them a prosperity which is not known in modern times, when nearly ever article we use is made by machinery in large and distant factories.  This gave our home workmen an opportunity to educate their children, many of whom are now successful members of the learned professions.

Mr. Kouck,

house builders, came from Philadelphia with Dr. Clopper.  He and the doctor had married sisters, who were notable women, ever ready to aid their neighbors in time of sickness and death.  Dr. Clopper, who was a very nice man, and respectable physician, soon died.  Mr. Knock died, and his widow married that modest, gentlemanly carpenter, Maurice Morris, who had lived and worked with Mr. Kouck for many years, and who made her a good husband; he died first and his widow before the war.  Mrs. Clopper died only a short time ago.  Her husband, George, a man of excellent character, went before her.  A sister of Mrs. Clopper married Schuylar Parshall, of Tuscumbia.

James Mudd

was an excellent saddler.He was a small man with clear cut features, indicating grea intelligence. Mudd was a Clay Whig, at a time when there were but few in Courtland, and the Jackson men, being in great majority, were naturally imperious. But woe be to the Jackson man who attacked the Whig saddler, for Mudd wasso witty that he was very apt to come out second best, and somewhat scarified. Mr. Mudd moved to Elyton in 1831, and among his children was William S. Mudd, who became a man of distinction in our State. He was licensed to practice law in 1839. In 1843 he was elected a mem ber of the House, and was re-elected in 1844 and again in 1845. In 1847 hewaselected solicitor, and filled the office efficiently for eight years. When you considerthe factthat he was a decided Whig, and a majority of his constituents Democrats, he must have been of unblemished reputation and of first rate talents. But he was never extreme in his politics, and in 1851 he was the candidate for Congress of the compromise party, and came very near defeating Sampson W. Harris, one of the most graceful orators Alabama ever had. In 1855 he was selected judge of the Third Circuit, and I believe continued on the bench up to within a year of his death, which occurred in 1883. Mr. Brewer, in his History of Alabama, says of him: " His temperament is dispassionate and his views are practical. As a jurist, he is much disposed to disregard the technicali ties of the law, in order to reach equity. As a citizen his exemplary deportment and amiable disposition are the basis of an esteem, which time has only served to build up." He married the daughter of Dr. S. S. Earle.
     One of Judge Mudd's daughters married Dr. Jordan, who was at the head of his Srofession in Birmingham, but his health failing, he accepted a professorship in the ledical College of Mobile. Another married Dr. Cochrane, of Birmingham, a young and very promising physician ; and Miss Susie Mudd is an accomplished young lady.

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Robert Williamson

was a skilful gun-smith, who had plenty of profitable work in early times, and he was careful in educating his children.  One of them, Richard is a lawyer in good practice in the city of Montgomery.  He moved to Gainesville about 1838, where he died.

The James Family

descended from Westwood W. James, who was born in Virginia on the third day of September, 1795, and married to Catherine Conway Owens on the 17th of May, 1821.  This family with its connections now constitute, a large proportion of the population of Courtland.  They are intelligent and respectable, and are pillars in the Presbyterian Church.  W. W. James came to Courtland a year or two after his marriage.  He and his wife were well favored in person and reared a family of daughters who were ....................

Daniel Wade

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LEONARD H. SIMS.

The Puryears.

Thomas Dunnevant

was a skilful smith, and a very good local Methodist preacher, and had the confidence of the planters who engaged him as missionary to their colored people, to whom he was very acceptable.  By his first marriage he had two sons, James B. and John, who moved to Texas.   The second time he married a Miss Leiper, and their children were William, who lives in Indiana, Thomas, Albert and Pauline.

-------------------------

     *NOTE:  Zachariah Sims had married a Miss Saunders, and they were the grand-parents of the Hon. William H. Sims, of Mississippi, Assistant Secretary of the interior, in Cleveland's second administration.

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The Gilchrist Family

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The Philips Family

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The Points Family.

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Sherrod.

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The Watkins Family.

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The children of Major Chardavoyne are Martha, who married Major Thoms, Civil Engineer on the Muscle Shoals Canal, and Edward, who is a young man (has since married Miss Annie Pippin, of Courtland, Ala.)

Sarah Watkins.

Samuel Watkins,

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     Eleanor, daughter of Mr. Samuel Watkins, married Jesse Thompson, and died in a short time after her marriage, without issue.
     Edgar, a son of Mr. Samuel Watkins, died recently, never having married.

James Watkins

PORTRAIT of
ROBERT H. WATKINS
As a Youth.
Born 1782, Died 1855.

PORTRAIT of
MRS. PRUDENCE OLIVER WATKINS.
Born 1788, died 1867.

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