David E. Humphreys, farmer and stock raiser, Ramsey (Ramhurst), was born in Murray county in 1840, and received a common school education. His father was Rev. Joab Humphreys, born in McDowell county, N. C, in 1810, the son of David and Ann Humphreys. David was also born in North Carolina in 1780, his father being a native of Virginia. Joab married Lyda Harrison of the Virginia family of that name. They reared two children, David E. and Laura, who married James Johnson of Murray county. They now reside in Texas.

The parents of Mr. Humphreys settled in Murray county in 1836, on the land now owned by Mr. David Humphreys and were among the first white inhabitants of the county. Toab died there in 1864. For many years he had officiated as minister of the Methodist church, and was a highly esteemed and respected citizen. His wife died in that county in 1878.

David E. Humphreys entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Company C, Eleventh Georgia infantry. His captain was William Luffman. The regiment was commanded by Col. G. T. Anderson. On July 3, 1861, he was mustered into service, and missed participating in the first battle of Manassas by reason of a railroad accident, which prevented his command from appearing on the field of action. He fought at Malvern Hill, and at the siege of Yorktown. In 1862 he participated in the seven days' fight in the defense of Richmond, fought in the second battle of Manassas, and was the second man to pass through Thoroughfare Gap.

In July, 1863, he was engaged with his command in the celebrated battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded and made prisoner. He was confined for three months at David's Island prison in New York. He was paroled, and in March, 1864, was exchanged, and returned to his command under Longstreet.

After the siege of Knoxville, at Bull's Gap, Tenn., he followed Longstreet to Virginia, and was engaged in the siege of Petersburg. He was again wounded at Reams Station, N. C, and fought in all the engagements in which Longstreet's corps participated during the trying days of 1864, until the surrender at Appomattox in April, 1865, when he returned to his home in Murray county, after undergoing- four years of hardship and peril in support of the authority of the Confederacy.

From 1880 to 1882 he served as justice of the peace, and for seven years was a member of the board of education. In 1880 he was appointed by the census bureau, census enumerator for his district. In the various positions to which he has been called by public authority he has acquitted himself well, and has at all times retained the entire confidence of the people of his county.

In 1864 he married Rebecca T. Peeples, daughter of Drury and Mary Peeples of Murray county. They have nine children: Lyda P., wife of L. D. Covington, now residing in Texas; Mary E., who married W. T. Brown of Gordon county; Joab O. of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Laura P., wife of S. H. Fincher of Murray county; Mattie, Nora, Myra, Annie and Julia.

Note this was written in 1895 from Memoirs of Georgia, 1895.

Murray County Families