His application for a federal government pension 25 years after the Civil War ended, contained many details of John Headrick's early life. He said that he had been born in Blount County, Tennessee, January 10, 1836. He had married Rebecca Ann Saltz in Sevier County, Tenness on December 28, 1861. He had served in the Union Army from August 5, 1862 till July 6, 1865. His military unit was Company, B, 2nd Tennesse Cavalry, Union Army Volunteers.

In the space normally used to record military rank, his record had the word: Blacksmith.

The 1870 Census showed the family living in Militia District 874, Murray County, Georgia. The Census taker spelled the family name Heddrick. The family then included: John B., head-of-household, age 36; Rebecca A., age 31; Jane, age 8; Nancy, age 6; James, age 4; and Alexander, age 2.

In 1880 the Census listed the family living in Bradley County, Tennessee, with the family name spelled correctly. Note the names and ages don't match exactly what was recorded ten years earlier. Such discrepancies are to be expected. John, age 44; Rebecca Ann, age 39; Manerva Jane, age 16; Catharine, age 14; James, age 12; Alexander, age 10; Callie, age 8; Rosencrance, age 6; Rebecca I., age 4; John Harvey, age 2; and unnamed, 3 months.

Family records contain (perhaps) more accurate names and birth dates: Minerva Jane, born October 29, 1862; James, born December 25, 1866; Alexander, born December 10, 1868; Peonety Caroline, born December 29, 1870; Rose Anna, born April 8, 1873; Rebecca Louise, born January 30, 1875; John Harvey, born July 28, 1875; George Washington, born February 4, 1880; Marion Clinton, born March 8, 1882; William Henry, born February 16, 1884; and Samuel Clifford Headrick, born August 29, 1890.

Government pay records indicate that John Headrick's application for a federal pension eventually was approved. He filed the application August 7, 1890, and started receiving monthly checks of $6 effective April 1898. In January 1903 the amount was increased to $8 per month. Starting in April 1904 the payments increased to $10. In 1905 his payment rose to $12 and in June 1907 to $15. Effective June 4, 1912, his payment doubled (!) with payments of $30 per month.

John Headrick died at Spring Place, Georgia, September 26, 1914. He was buried at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Tennga, Georgia.

Murray County Families