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Showing posts with label Ashburn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashburn. Show all posts

Monday, May 30, 2011

Durgan M Cloud

Durgan M Cloud is my 3rd Great Grandfather and the brother of another 3rd Great Grandfather, James Madison Cloud.

Durgan was born around 1815 in Fairfield County, South Carolina.  Durgan is the son of William Cloud and Sarah (unknown).

Durgan is most likely in the 1830 and 1840 Federal Censuses with his father William Cloud.  Only the head of household is listed but a male of Durgan's age is in both records.

The first record we find for Durgan, under his name, is a marriage record in Madison County, Alabama.  Durgan marries Frances Ann Ashburn.  They marry 1 September 1842.  Frances is the daughter of Byrd Ashburn and Betsy Paten.

Durgan is farming during the next Federal Census of 1850.  They still reside in Madison County - it is noted as District 35, but we know this area to be Cloud's Cove.  They now have 4 children living with them, William J., Adaline, James W., and Sarah C.  Also living with them is a 21 year old farmer - James McCoye - relation, if any, unknown.

The 1860 Federal Census finds the family in the same location.  The value of land is $3300 and value of personal property is $200.  He now has nine children living with him.

In January of 1861 the southern states, including Alabama seceded, from the United States and became part of the Confederate States.  A lot damage was done to the northern part of Alabama during the war, including the town where the Cloud's lived, Vienna, being burned to the ground.  It appears during 1864 the Union army occupied northern Alabama.  Durgan, along with his brother, John, signed an oath to the Union army.  See a short description below:

On the oath form that John signed, he was described as being of ruddy complexion,
having dark hair and grey eyes; he was also five feet and nine inches high.  Incidentally, his
brother Durgan's Oath that was processed at the same time, reflects a similar description;
except he was six feet tall.

Even though the Cloud brothers signed the oath it does not appear they were faithful to the Union.  They were both arrested in 1864 and imprisoned.  See a letter below regarding their arrest.

CIVIL WAR ARREST RECORD FOR JOHN E. AND DURGAN CLOUD

Note: Following is a copy of a photocopy of a hand written document received from the
National Archives. A few  changes have been made in format, punctuation and spelling;
otherwise, it a true copy of the original.

                                                       * * * 

Head Quarters, Co. F, 13th Wis.
Clarksville, Ala.,

                                                                                         July 22nd 1864
Captain Garduen
A. A. G. Decatur, Ala. 

Captain,

          Herewith I forward to Hd. Qu. two prisoners, the Messers Cloud, citizens of
Madison Co. Ala. One of them lives within one mile of my camp. The other nearly 2 miles.

          I heard hard reports concerning them when I first came in on the river. They assured
me that they were willing to take the Oath and live in accordance with the same. I sent them
to Clarksville and the Provost Marshall administered it. 

          I have had my eye on them since and have now abundant evidence against them.
They took the oath I ascertained last winter and afterwards went over the river, or was driven
over by a Union Scout Ben Harris. While over on that side they were with Johnson at times
and soon after he crossed, they followed him. 

           I trust Captain that these men may be dealt with as they deserve. They will use oily
language and appear innocent as may be, but they are dangerous men to be in the vicinity of
our camp. 

           They report every thing they hear to Johnson's band. Last night five of said gang
was at the house of D. Cloud. I have had to destroy rafts and canoes twice since I came here
on John Cloud's place. I have taken the Oaths from them and enclose the same.

            Not knowing who was Judge Advocate, I addressed this to you thinking that it
would receive attention sooner. The witnesses all live near my camp, except W. W. Mann,
who is now in Govt. Employ. at Huntsville, Ala. driving ambulances.

Respectfully Yours  O. C.
                                                                                      (Signed)  S. S. Hart
                                                                                     Capt. Co. F, 13th Wis.

We do know that Durgan made it out alive after being imprisoned during the war.  We find Durgan next in 1870 Federal Census.  There is no valuation of his land and his personal property is valued at $100.  It appears the war definately had an effect on the Cloud's financially.  Durgan, passes away 2 October 1879 in Bloomsfield, Madison County, Alabama.  Francis was still living in the 1880 Census - I'm not sure when she passes away as I cannot find her in any records after 1880.

Durgan M Cloud and Frances Ann Ashburn had the following children:

1. William Jackson Cloud - born Aug 1843 in Madison County, Alabama.  Dies 12 Jun 1915 in Madison County, Alabama.  Marries (first) Mary B. Bush.  Marries (second) Jennie Bell.  Marries (third) Fran C. Vann.
2. Adaline P Cloud - born May 1845 in Madison County, Alabama.  Dies 1904 in Madison County, Alabama.  Marries Montgomery Mitchell.
3. James Madison Cloud - born Mar 1847 in Madison County, Alabama. Death is unknown.  Marries (first) Frances (Fannie) Lemley.  Marries (second) Louisa Wiley.
4. Sarah Catherine Cloud - born about 1849 in Madison County, Alabama.  Death is unknown.  It is believe she marries (first) to a Mr. Ashburn.  Marries (second) William Robert Dickey.
5. John Arthur Cloud - born 16 Jun 1853 in Madison County, Alabama.  Dies 1904 likely in Limestone County, Alabama.  Marries Nancy M Stewart.
6. Martha Ann Cloud - born about 1853 in Madison County, Alabama.  Death is unknown but is after 1920.  Never marries.
7. Durgan Monroe Cloud - born Feb 1856 in Madison County, Alabama.  Dies 16 May 1940 in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama.  Marries (first) Ellen Dunn.  Marries (second) Sallie Doggett.
8. Julia Ann Cloud - born about 1857 in Madison County, Alabama.  Death is unknown. Marries (first) David Benge.  Marries (second) George C Lemley.
9. Waddy S Cloud - born about 1857 in Madison County, Alabama.  Dies after 1910 but before 1920.  Marries a cousin, Martha Ellen Cloud.
10. Walter D Cloud - born 27 Mar 1862 in Madison County, Alabama.  Dies Feb 1939 in Marshall County, Alabama.  Marries Louise Callie McKinney.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

William Cloud - 1775 - 1846

William Cloud is my 4th Great Grandfather - twice!!  I'm descended from two of William Cloud's sons - both James Madison Cloud and Durgan Cloud.  There are more than twenty William Cloud's in my family tree!!  Holy Cow - apparently William Cloud was a popular name!

There is a lot of information written about William Cloud.  There are a few interesting facts about William.  First was that the town of Clouds Town, Madison County, Alabama was named for William Cloud.  He was one of the first settler's to this area in the 1820's - before the land was open for settlement.  Another interesting fact is that his last Will and Testament was settled in Alabama more than 40 years after his death!!

William Cloud's father is known to be Daniel Cloud.  It is not known who William Cloud's mother was.  We only know his father's name because William was mentioned in the last Will of his grandfather (so that would be my 6th Great Grandfather) William Cloud.  In that Will dated March 14th 1810 it stated "I give my grandson, William Cloud, son of Daniel, all my lands laying on the southside of Thorntree Creek, of which he is to possess at the death of my wife.".  The location of the land mentioned is in South Carolina, Fairfield County.  There is another blog site that covers this William Cloud and another line of descent.  Click here to view it.

It is presumed that William Cloud was born in 1775 in Fairfield County, South Carolina.  It is also assumed he came from a long line of Quaker's that settled in Pennsylvania in the 1600's. 

There are William Cloud's found in the Federal Census records in 1800, 1810 and 1820 in Fairfield County, South Carolina.  It is assumed that these records are for this William Cloud.

William Cloud was the first merchant in Cloud Town, Madison County, Alabama.  This town was later named Vienna and after the Civil War as New Hope.  It is believed that William and his family came to this area around 1827. 

William owned over 500 acres of farming land adjacent to the Tennessee River, between the mouths of the Flint and Paint Rock rivers.  This area is currently known as Clouds Cove.  There is also a mountain nearby called Cloud Mountain and a cemetery in the area named Cloud as well.  We can assume William was the origin of these names as well.

William Cloud married a Sarah around 1812 in South Carolina.  Sarah's surname is not known.

William can be found the 1830 Federal Census in Range 5, Madison County, Alabama.  Living with William is 1 male under the age of 5, 2 males age 10 to 14 (believed to be John E Cloud and Durgan M Cloud), 1 male age 15 to 19 (believed to be James Madison Cloud), 1 male age 50 to 59 (William), 1 female age 5 to 9 (believed to be Elizabeth Ann Cloud) and 12 slaves.  His wife Sarah must have passed away before 1830.  It is unknown whom the young male was but we can assume it was another son of William and Sarah.  Living next door is Tyrus Bell.  Tyrus is the husband of William's oldest daughter, Adeline Cloud.

The children of William and Sarah are:

1. Adeline Amelia Cloud - born about 1812 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, dies about 1880 in Noxubee County, Mississippi.  Marries Tyrus Bell.
2. John E Cloud - born about 1814 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, dies 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee.  Marries Sarah, last name unknown.
3. Durgan Cloud - born about 1815 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, dies 2 Oct 1879 in Bloomfied, Madison County, Alabama.  Marries Frances Ann Ashburn.
4. James Madison Cloud - born about 1818 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, dies 19 Dec 1862 in Madison County, Alabama.  Marries 1st Louisa Marie Mann.  Marries 2nd Mary C Hammons.
5. Elizabeth Ann Cloud - born about 1825 in South Carolina, dies 1853 in Clouds Cove, Madison County, Alabama.  Marries Simon Turner.

William Cloud dies 4 Sep 1846 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.  His Will went into probate in both Tennessee and Alabama.  The Alabama Will remained in probate until 1888 when the property was finally sold and proceeds were given to his grandchildren.  The Will is below.

Last Will and Testament:

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, William Cloud of Tennessee,
Davidson County, and late of Alabama, Madison County, knowing that all
men have to die,
and being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will
and testament,
revoking all other wills heretofore made by me.

In the first place I recommend my soul to God that gave it to me; and in the second place I wish to be decently buried and my funeral expenses paid, and in the third place I do appoint John B. Bosley, now of Mississippi, who resides above Natchez formerly of Davidson County and State of Tennessee my lawful Executor, and of whom I require no security.
ITEM THE FIRST. I do will and bequeath to John B. Bosley in trust for the benefit of Siller and her fore children; say, Narsey, Rufus, Aconey and William Francis and three others; say Nelson, Albert and David, The following slaves, namely Becky and her son, Ephraim, which slaves I am now possessed of, and I do trust and request my Executor in case their free papers is not sufficient to procure their freedom by removing them to a free state or otherwise.
ITEM THE SECOND. It is my wish that James M. Cloud have Mary Chains daughter for
living with, and taking care of me and managing my business for me till my death.
ITEM THE THIRD. I will and bequeath to Tyrus Bell, and my daughter Adeline his wife,
ITEM THE FOURTH. It is my will that all the property I possess, at my death that is not disposed of in this will, nor be disposed of by me before my death, that is in the State of
Tennessee remain therein for one year after my death, to be all together, in the care and
possession of my Executor, for the above named year, for which I have a particular reason,
best known to myself, and which will be made known at the expiration of the year above named. ITEM THE FIFTH. It is my will that all my property real and personal that I now own, or may be possessed of in the State of Alabama, Madison County, remain unsold for three years, unless my Executor can sell it for Ten Thousand Dollars, at one, two or three installment with good notes and securities, and a lien on the same till paid, and it is my wish that, if it is not sold till the expiration of the above named three years, that my heirs, say John E. Cloud, James M. Cloud, Durgan M. Cloud and Elizabeth Turner, live on my land until sold, or have the benefit of the same, and when sold it is my wish that John E. Cloud have Five dollars paid him, James M. Cloud have Five Dollars paid him, and Durgan M. Cloud have Five Dollars paid him, and Elizabeth Ann Turner have Five dollars paid her, and the balance of all my property whatever kind, I may have in the State of Alabama at my death I leave it to the children of John E. Cloud, James M. Cloud, Durgan M. Cloud and Elizabeth Ann Turner, that is not disposed of by me in this will, nor otherwise before my death, and when the land is sold and the money collected, I wish it put out at interest, having the same safely secured by a lean on Real Estate, that is clear of any encumbrance, for the use and benefit of the above named children, and to pay all expenses in carrying out my will, that may occur in any way whatever; and it is my will that the head of each family have Fifty Dollars, paid them yearly, for the support of their family, out of the money I leave their children, say John E. Cloud, Fifty Dollars, James M. Cloud, Fifty Dollars, Durgin M. Cloud, Fifty Dollars and Elizabeth Ann Turner, Fifty Dollars, till the half of the whole is spent, and the balance is to be safely secured for their children till they become of age, to
choose Guardians for themselves.
ITEM THE SIXTH. It is my will that old Becky live with any of my heirs that she may wish and not to be ruled by any of them, nor to be taken into the Division of my property, and should any of my heirs attempt to break my will, it is my will that they who may attempt it,
be cut off with Five dollars, alone, but I hope for the better.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day April 1846.

(Signed) WILLIAM CLOUD
(SEAL)
Test:
Josiah W. Stout
I. H. M. Hall
W. H. Bedford