Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

(The 1850 Butler Co., AL census also showed Eliza Majors 30 f Ga., & James Rogers 30 m AL living in this household.) "Had a large family, Milton, the oldest son, was killed in the Civil War." There are estate papers, showing names and ages of the children, but the year doesn't appear. Ed. Bell, Martha Ann's father administered the estate (surety). Edward Bell Bible record, filed DAR library in file cabinet, for births & marriage with only the dates shown here. Papers in file. Grave listing only "Co. H, 59 Ala CSA".

In 1853 he paid taxes consisting of 50 cents as a white male and 25 cents as the owner of a clock as well as taxes on 320 acres of land.

He was enlisted May 16, 1862 at Montgomery, AL by Capt Glasgow. On report Hospital, Greenville, AL, Feb 10, 1864. Wounded & admitted to Madison Hosp., Montgomery, May 28, 1864, Wounded & adm. to Hosp in Richmond, VA on June 30, 1864, wounded again & adm. to General Hosp, Howard's Grove, VA on July 1, 1864, and on July 10 to hosp. at Lynchburg, VA. Readmitted to Hospital at Richmond, VA. Dec. 11, 1864. Info given by Frances (Aunt Frankie) Olivia (Daniel) Banks: "Theophilus Jackson Daniel was born at Honoraville, Alabama about 16 miles east of Greenville, AL. He joined the Confederate Army in 1861, Volunteer Co, Hillard's Legion A.V.C. Had measles and pneumonia. When well returned to Montgomery where he became a nurse at the hospital. After surrender, he returned home and died shortly afterwards from hardships in the army. He is buried at Honoraville, AL in a solid brick tomb about 3 feet high. A Rosemary bush by the grave.

Jackson had a big cedar press. People from all over the country brought apples to be pressed. Aunt Frankie has (date not known) Grandpa Jackson's first knife when a little boy. He gave the knife to grandmother Penelope to cut her tobacco for her pipe. She sent it to aunt Frankie. (Great) Grandma was Penelope Veasey (error). Her place was burned. She did not have sisters. Her children: Elias, Able, William, John, Theo, Zack, Joe, Jim, Leonard. She lived to be nearly 100 years old - reared 15 children. Theopholus Jackson made a chair. After his death it was used by Grandma. Emma Baxter, grandma's niece, used the chair. She died of T. B. (Penny or Emma?)
Grandma Daniel, Martha Ann Bell made a quilt. Grandpa raised the cotton and the quilt was made of spun cotton and weaved (sic) by negra slaves (1850).

Two story house was built by Theo. Jackson for himself. Had a large rock chimney about 8 ft wide."

Butler Co., AL Probate Record, Book 7, Page 522 contains the following record:
This day comes Mrs. Martha A. Daniel and makes application to be appointed administrator on estate of T. J. Daniel, alleging that she is the wife of said decedent, he departed life more than 15 days since, leaving property about the value of $15,000.00, the heirs of said deceased residing with said Martha A. Daniel, having given bond in the sum of $30,000.00, with Edward bill and James L. Dunklin as her securities, approved as good an sufficient by the court, Martha is appointed administrator. Feb. 11, 1865, Book 7, Page 609. (Provided by James Daniel, mail 10 Aug 2000.)

There seems to be some question as to the date of death. The dates listed for hospitalization, and the will do not agree with the death date given. The will was probated beginning in 1864 (Alabama, Wills and Probate Records, 1753-1999 on Ancestry.com). It is supposed to be recorded in Book 8, page 174. Image 94 appears to show that bond was given at $30,000 on 25 Oct 1865. That would indicate an earlier date for his death than the Jul 1865 date previously accepted. Image 95 clearly shows that Martha A. Daniel, Edward Bell, Jonathan E. Bell, and James L. Dunklin were bonded for that amount on 25 Oct 1864. (There appears to be a document regarding the estate of his father Theophilus Dainiel that was also placed in this file. -images 119+) Image 125 in which Martha asks for her dower rights, she says he did on or around 9 Aug 1864. So that pins the date down pretty well.

Census:
1860, Friendship, Butler, precinct 6, Alabama, Series: M653 Roll: 3 Page: 241
1725/1725, T. J. Daniel, 41, m, farmer, 3440, 1220, AL
M. A. Daniel, 34, f, AL
M. B. Daniel, 12, m, AL, attended school
Mary Daniel, 10, f, AL, attended school
Susan Daniel, 8, f, AL, attended school
S. Daniel, 6, m, AL
E. Daniel, 3, m, AL