The 1850 Census listed the Murray County family of John Calhoun as follows: John, age 48 (born in NC); Elisbeth, age 40; Jeremiah, age 21; Bluford, age 16; Guilford, age 12; Sanford, age 10; Cleveland, age 8; Rosida, age 9; and John, age 4. Census recorded the family name as Cahoun rather than Calhoun.

The 1860 Census listed the family as Calhoun: John, age 53; Elisabeth, age 53; Bluford, age 26; Sanford, age 22; Rozeda, age 19; Cleaveland, age 17; and John, age 14. The family used the post office at Holly Creek.

Jeremiah, then age 30, had a wife, Mary A., age 25, and two sons, James W., age 8, and John D., age 1. They also used the Holly Creek post office.

Guilford (recorded as Gilbert by the Census taker), then age 23, wife Martha, age 21, Sarah A. E., age 2, and Mary J., age 3 months, lived next door to his parents.

When the Civil War started, the father and his 6 sons all enlisted in the Confederate Army. Because of his advanced age, John, Sr. Enlisted in the 1st Georgia Home Guards. The sons all enlisted in Company D, 22nd Georgia Brigade, Wrights.

Although their unit engaged in military fighting in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, the four brothers all died from disease.

Bluford Calhoun died of dysentery in 1864 at Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried there.

Guilford Calhoun died of phthisis (fever) at General Hospital, Lynchburg, Virginia, December 14, 1862. He was buried there in the Confederate Cemetery.

Jeremiah Calhoun died of dysentery at Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, October 16, 1864. He was buried there in Hollywood Cemetery.

John Calhoun, Jr., died of fever at Richmond, Virginia., October 24, 1864. He was also buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

The father, John Calhoun, Sr., and two of his sons, Sanford and Cleveland, returned home to Murray County when the war ended.

 

Murray County Families