John N. Oliver was born in South Carolina about 1832, the year that Murray County was created. His family came to Georgia about 1840.

Notice the great disparity in ages between the two censuses–1850 and 1860.

The Census of 1850 shows the family as: Fila, age 46, head of household; Sarah, age 36; John N., age 18, Milly M., age 10; Phebe L., age 7; and Arminda, age 2.

In 1860 the Census taker recorded the family as: Phills, age 63, head of household; Sarah, age 55, Milley J., age 17; Phebe L., age 15; Sarah A., age 11.

Of course, there's no way to know which ages are closer to correct.

The family used the Conasauga Post Office in 1860.

When the 1860 Census was taken, John N. Oliver had married with a family of his own:

John N. Oliver, age 28, Rebeca E., age 31, Catherine E., age 4; Columbus, age 2, and Sophrona M. Oliver, less than one year old.

Military service records reveal that John Oliver enlisted as a Private in Company C, 11th Georgia Infantry Regiment July 3, 1861. He died of disease in Virginia July 10, 1862. No details given.

Murray County Families