Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors web site, http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html, which is a service of the National Park Service and several other public and private partners has a John A. Daniel in the infantry of the 42nd Regiment, AL Infantry, Hilliard's Legion, AL Volunteers, and 59th Regiment, AL infantry. He was a 4th Lieutenant in Co. H., 59th Al. Infantry. His brother Zachariah Daniel was the Captain. He was postmaster of Camp Creek Post Office. After the war, when the post office reopened and he became postmaster again, he renamed it Honoraville in honor of his niece, Leonora ("Nora"), whose father, Zach Daniel had been killed at Hatcher's Run 10 days before the surrender at Appomattox. This is a nice story, however, the town was listed as Honoraville in the list of postmasters 27 Apr 1858. John Adams Daniel, who had been postmaster of the town previously when it was known as Camp Creek at his appointment 6 Feb 1857. They moved to Gonzalez, Fl. where they lived for ten years. Following this, they moved to Dublin, Texas after a brief stay in Mexia, Texas where his son married his first cousin once removed, Elizabeth C. Shanks. (The 1931 Florida Account deals mainly with this branch of the family.) All of John & Amanda's children were born in Honoraville, AL. In 1853 he paid Personal Property Tax in Butler County, AL in the amount of 50 cents as a white male. He paid taxes on 220 acres of land.

John Adams Daniel served as a singing teacher and had classes in different communities. (Information from James Daniel)

On 6 Feb. 1857 he is found as a storekeeper and Postmaster of Camp Creek, Al. Its name was later changed. He was also found as a storekeeper and postmaster on 27 Apr 1858 (Information from James Daniel). John Adams Daniel was the first postmaster at Honoraville, Al and named the place after his niece, Leonora "Nora" C. Daniel, daughter of Zachariah (who was killed at Hatcher's Run) and Mary Daniel. This was done after her father's death.

There was a judgement dated 6 Mar 1858 for $22.00 with Court Costs of $5.95 that was ruled in favor of John Adams Daniel (Sheriffs Docket, Fall Term 1858- John A. Daniel vs. John Marlow). (This information is from James Daniel)

He joined the Primitive Baptist Church and was baptized by William Hays on the second Sabbath in July 1859. The church was located in the area between Honoraville and Sal Soda, Al.

E. J. Daniel was living with John's family in Butler Co. AL (Precinct #6. Roll T653-3, Page 243, Fam. 21) and was a merchant in the 1860 census. In the Record of Estate of Probate, Book B Butler Co AL, 1 Jan 1860, John Daniel is shown to have owed 88 cents to Samuel Payne, deceased.

In 1861 Butler County Alabama he paid taxes on 155 acres of land, valued at $300. The taxes were $.60. The following year, in 1862, he paid taxes in the same place on 200 acres of land. The taxes he paid were $1.60.

He enlisted with about 100 men in the AL Vol. Company, when recruited in Butler Co in Jan 1861. It has been suggested that this Company was called Glasgow's Co, however, the buttons from his coat bear the letters of A.V.C.. His obituary says he enlisted in Hillards Legion afterward serving in the 59th and the 61st Ala Infantry, surrendering with General Lee at Appomattox Court House. He served in Co A Hillard's Legion as an Artilleryman. A legion contained 6 to 10 companies of infantry, 2 to 4 companies of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. In practical uses a Legion would be broken up and assigned to infantry, etc. They were assigned to duty in the Department of East Tennessee. It served in that command until the spring of 1864. The regiment next saw service in the Dep. of North Carolina and Virginia before they joined the Army of Northern Virginia in the fall of 1864. After he had been in the Army for some time, he caught Typhoid fever and returned home on furlough. After recovering his leave was extended. He was detailed to remain at home and run a blacksmith shop to keep up wagons, farming implements, etc. On 10 Nov. 1864 (check this date, there may be a problem with it and the date of Hatcher's run) he was called up again, and he returned to his old Company in Virginia which was now known as Co. H. 59th Alabama Infantry CSA. It was formed by consolidating the 2nd Battn. and part of the 4th Battn. of Hilliard's Alabama Legion. (Information provided by James Daniel) Zachariah Daniel was the Captain and John was a 4th lieutenant. Among the volunteers was his brother, Jackson who returned home in 1864 with typhoid and died.

Several nephews also volunteered, Joe Daniel, Milton Daniel & Theophilus Simmerly. Besides, there were a number of cousins, 11 Daniels in all. This company became a part of Hilliard's legion, formed at Montgomery, AL and later seems to have been merged into the 59th Alabama Infantry and sent to Virginia.

In Oct, 1864 John was in the battle of Hatcher's Run in VA. The 59th Ala was so depleted that it had been combined with the 61st Ala, possibly under a different number. In that battle, Zachariah Daniel and 3 cousins were killed. His company went into battle 390 strong, and 11 answered to the roll call after the fight. John A. Daniel left the scene of action on the morning after the surrender, cutting a stick from a small tree to aid him in his long trail homeward. This stick is in the possession of a great-grandson now, John Daniel Shepard, Cocoa, Florida . It took him 30 days to reach home in Butler Co, AL.

After reaching home and finding everything devastated and his family lacking in necessities, one of which was salt, he, with a Mr. Nichols and 2 other men, all in separate wagons, went to Florida to the Bay where they boiled water in large pots which they had brought with them to obtain salt to carry back to their families. Liking the place and feeling that it would be better to begin life anew than try to reconstruct conditions at the old home, John & Mr. Nichols moved to Escambia County with his family of 9 children in the fall of 1865 and settled first on the river at a place called Governor's Bayou, building a log house on public land. The next year, 1866, he moved out near the L & N Railroad to what was then called Powelton, named for a Mr. Powell who had a sawmill in the upper part of the community. Later it was called Roberts for Mr. Jim Roberts who built a brickyard in the lower part of the neighborhood. Now it is called Gonzalez (1931.) He and his family are on the 1870 census for Escambia Co. Florida.

He continued moving in search of a better life. In 1875 he moved to Mexia, Limestone County, TX. In 1876 he moved to Harper's Mill in Erath Co, TX. In the 1900 Census, he and his wife were living with their son William T. Daniel and their four children in Dublin.

In 1910 he was living with William L. Daniel in Erath County, Texas and was working as a peddler and rug scrubber.

"The Dublin Progress, 17 October 1913; Death of J. A. Daniel J. A. Daniel, an early settler of the Dublin country died at the home of his son Bruce B. Daniel in Waco Wednesday, the body arrived in Dublin yesterday and was laid to rest in the Old Dublin Cemetery here. Mr. Daniel came to Erath County in 1876 and remained here until 1908 when he removed to Waco and made his home with his son to the time of his death.

Deceased was 88 years of age and leaves the following children: W. T. Daniel, Attorney at Stanton; Bruce B. Daniel, and Dr. J. G. Daniel at Waco; Mrs D. J. Corley of Oak Cliff; Mrs Katie Logan (Catherine McMurry Daniel Loden) of Saratoga. Mrs Daniel (Amanda Carolina Kirkpatrick Daniel) died in Dublin in 1904 and was buried in the Old Dublin Cemetery. A son, J. B., who was well known in Dublin, died and was buried in Waco some years ago.

Mr. Daniel was a Confederate Veteran. He enlisted at Greenville, Alabama at the beginning of the war in what is known as Hillards Legion, afterwards serving in the 59th and the 61st Alabama Infantry, Surrendering with General Lee at Appatomax Court House." (The Dublin Progress, 17 Oct 1913, Obituary on microfilm at Dublin Library, checked by James E. Daniel on 26 Oct 1995.)

The following obituary for John A. Daniel was found in the Waco Times Herald, Oct. 16, 1913, page 8 column 3 (Reel 60, Oct.-Dec., 1913, Waco Central Library): END COMES FOR JOHN A. DANIEL A pioneer resident of Texas departed this life yesterday afternoon at 5:45, when John A. Daniel, aged a little more than 88 years, passed away at the home of his son, B. B. Daniel, Twenty-first and McFerrin Streets, North Waco. The remains were sent to Dublin, the funeral taking place there this afternoon.

The following obituary was published in The Dublin Progress, 17 Oct 1913: DEATH OF J. A. Daniel J. A. Daniel, an early settler of the Dublin country, died at the home of his son, Bruce B. Daniel, in Waco, Wednesday. The body arrived in Dublin yesterday and was laid to rest in the Old Dublin Cemetery here. Mr. Daniel came to Erath County in 1876 and remained here in here until 1908, when he removed to Waco and made his home with his son to the time of his death. Deceased was 88 years of age and leaves the following children: W. T. Daniel, attorney at Stanton, Bruce B. Daniel and Dr. J. G. Daniel at Waco, Mrs. D. J. Corley of Oak Cliff, Mrs. Kate Loga of Saratoga. Mrs. Daniel died in Dublin in 1904 and was buried in the Old Dublin Cemetery. A son, J. B., who was well known in Dublin, died and was buried in Waco some years ago.Mr. Daniel was a Confederate veteran. He enlisted at Greenville, Ala., at the beginning of the war in what was known as Hilliard's Legion, afterwards serving in the 59th and 61st Alabama Infantry, surrendering with Gen. Lee at Appatomax [sic] court house.

NOTE: Unlike his wife's obituary, only his son, James Kirkpatrick Daniel, was left out of this obituary.

Mr. Daniel had lived in Texas forty years. The first year was spent in Limestone county and the remainder, with the exception of the three years he made his home with his son here, in Erath county near Dublin. Death resulted from the infirmities of old age. Thoroughly familiar with many of the most interesting events in connection with the development of this state, he was of the sturdy stock so noticeable in those who settled in Texas in the early days. An entertaining conversationalist, Mr. Daniel was unusually well informed, as to current events, and he kept in close touch with topics of the day. Besides the son above mentioned, another son, Dr. J. G. Daniel, lives here. A third son, W. T. Daniel, is a resident of Stanton, Texas, and there are also two daughters, Mrs. D. J. Corley of Dallas and Mrs. Kate Loden of Beaumont.

In the Quarterly of the Central Texas Genealogical Society, Vol. 31, no. 1, spring 1988 I found the following: p. 27 Early Waco Obituaries Thu., Oct. 16, 1913 (8-3): John A. Daniel, age 88, died yesterday at the home of a son, B. B. Daniel, 21st & McFerrin. The remains were sent to Dublin for a funeral. Another son, Dr. J. G. Daniel is in Waco; a third son, W. T. Daniel is in Stanton, Texas. Two daughters, Mrs. D. J. Conley (sic.) of Dallas, and Mrs. Kate Lodon of Beaumont. Medical information: Cancer Various engagements of the 59 AL Inf. Nov. 26-Dec. 4, 1863 Seige, Knoxville, TN Nov. 29, 1863 Assault, Forts Saundes & Loudon Dec. 14, 1863 Bean's Station, TN Dec. 15, 1863 Action, Rutledge, TN Dec. 24-28, 1863 Operations about Dandridge & Mossy Creek, TN. Dec. 29, !863 Engagement, Mossy Creek & Talbot Station, TN. Jan. 16-17, 1864 Operations about Dandrige, TN Jan. 17, 1864 Action, Dandridge, TN. Jan. 26-28, 1864 Operations about Dandridge, TN Jan. 27, 1864 Engagement near Fair Garden, TN. May 4-28, 1864 Operations on the south side of the James River against Petersburg & Richmond, VA. May 9, 1864 Engagement, Swift Creek (Arrowfield Church) VA. May 12-16, 1864 Engagement & Battle, Proctor's Creek & Drewry's Bluff (Fort Darling) VA May 17-30, 1864 Operations on the Bermuda Hundred Front, VA. Jun. 9, 1864 Engagement, Petersburg, VA Jun. 16, 1864-Apr. 2, 1865 Seige Operations against Petersburg & Richmond, VA. Jun. 16, 1864 Assault, Petersburg, Va. Jun. 18, 1864 Assault, Petersburg, Va. Jul. 30, 1864 Explosion, Petersburg Mine & Assault on the Crater, VA. Aug. 13-20, 1864 Demonstration on the North Side of the James River & Engagements at Deep Bottom (Strawberry Plains), Fussell's Mills, Bailey's Creek, Deep Run, Charles City Cross Roads, New Market Heights and Laurel Hill, VA. Sep. 28-30, 1864 Engagements, Chaffin's Farm, Fort Harrison, Fort Gilmer, New Market Heights & Laurel Hill, VA. Oct. 7, 1864 Engagement, Darbytown & New Market Road, Johnson's Farm (Johnson's Creek) & Four Mile Creek, VA. Oct. 13, 1864 Engagement, Darbytown Road, VA. Oct. 27-28, 1864 Engagement, Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road near Richmond, VA. Mar. 28-Apr. 9, 1865 Appomattox Campaign Mar. 31, 1865 Engagement, White Oak Road, VA. Apr. 2, 1865 Engagement, Sutherland Station, South Side R. R., VA. Apr. 9, 1865 Engagement, Clover Hill, Appomattox Court House, VA. Apr. 9, 1865 Surrender, Appomattox Court House, VA.

Texas State Death Records: He was John Adam Daniel, born 8 Oct 1825 to Theopholis Daniel, born in NC, and don't know, born don't know. He died 15 Oct 1913 at 251(?) McFarrin, 6 Ward, Waco, McLennan, Texas at 5:45 PM. The cause of death was sarcoma and senility. He had resided at the place of death 2 years, and in Texas for 40. He was buried 16 Oct 1913 at Dublin, Texas. He was a widower.

Census: 1860, 6-PCT, BUTLER, ALABAMA, Series: M653 Roll: 3 Page: 243 1734/1734, J. A. Daniel, 34, m, farmer, 1200, 2317(?), AL A. C., Daniel, 35, f, AL S. V. Daniel, 13, f, AL, att. school R. S. Daniel, 10, f, AL, att. school M. L., C., Daniel, 8, f, AL, att. school J. K. Daniel, 7, m, AL, att. school B. B. Daniel, 5, m, AL W. T. T. Daniel, 8/12, m, AL E. J. Daniel, 20, m, merchant, 1700, 1500, AL NOTE: Who is the E. J. Daniel living with the family?

1870, PENSACOLA P O, ESCAMBIA, FLORIDA, Series: M593 Roll: 129 Page: 681 442.396, Daniel, John A, 45, m, w, (hard to read, seems to start with saw), 50, 200, AL, male citizen ----, Amanda, 45, f, w, keeping house, AL ----, Victoria, 22, AL ----, Catline, 19, f, w, AL ----, James, 17, m, w, AL ----, Bruce, 14, m, w, AL ----, Taylor, 10, m, w, AL ----, Kate, 8, f, w, AL ----, Bostwick, 7, m, w, AL ----, Gordon, 5, m, w, AL

1880 Census Erath Co. TX, Page 5, E. D. Enum. Date 2 Jun 1880 151, Family 45/45 Daniel, J. A., W, M, 55, Farmer, AL, SC, SC , Amanda, W, F, 54, Wife, Keeps house, AL, NC, NC , W. T., W, M, 20, Farm Work, AL, AL, AL ,T. B., W, M, 16, Farm Work, AL, AL, AL , J. Gordon, W, M, 14, Farm Work, AL, AL, AL (Information from James Daniel, obtained from Ancestry.com, Images on Line)

1900 John Adams Daniel Census Erath Co. TX, Precinct #2, Roll T623-1631, sheet 2, Fam 36-36, 1-WD Dublin city, enum. date 2 Jun 1900, enum dist. #69. He is living with his son W. T. Daniel and family. He and his wife are listed as born in South Carolina in 1824. Amanda had given birth to nine children, and four were living.

Fall & Pucket Funeral Records from McLennan Co. Library, Waco TX 55.25; 40-9675. Death Records of McLennan Co. TX, Vol. 1, State records; Vol. 4 Certificate 357.