Murray County, Georgia Remembers Our Veterans

Murray County, Georgia
REMEMBERS OUR VETERANS

This page is dedicated to my great-great-great-grandfather, John David Henderson and all the Veterans that have participated in our freedom.

Old Memorial

New Memorial

John David Henderson served in the 34th GA Inf. in Company A. His brother Jesse B. Henderson served in the 24th GA in Company A. Both were captured at Resaca, GA and died at the Alton Military Prison in Alton, IL. The CSA Memorial, pictured on the left, is the old memorial located at Alton, IL and dedicated to the many men in gray that died in the Alton Military Prison. The New Memorial, pictured on the right, is located on the river near the site of the prison and honors all the wartime prisoners held there.

THE HENDERSON FAMILY OF WHITFIELD & MURRAY COUNTIES.

By: Charles H. Henderson

Joseph Henderson was born about 1795. Joseph's first record found, to date, was in Newton County, GA, where he married Mahala H. McMurray on September 22, 1825. Land deeds found in Henry County, GA, signed by Joseph and Mahala state the couple owned land on Big Walnut Creek. The last deed listed in the name of Joseph or Mahala was signed and recorded in 1827. The general opinion is that Joseph died about 1842 in Georgia, since his last child was born no later than 1842.

The children of Joseph and Mahala McMurray Henderson were as follows: John David born 25 June 1828, in GA; Hannah born 11 October 1834, in GA; Jesse B. born 1838 in GA; and Malany S. born about 1842 in GA.

The Henderson family appears on 1850 census for Murray County GA with Mahala McMurray Henderson married to Wade H. Harris of NC and living in Tilton area. The Henderson children were with Mahala and Wade Harris.

The 1860 census finds John David Henderson [miller by trade] and Mary Elizabeth McCune who were married 24 October 1850, in Murray County, GA living with children, Joseph Francis, 6; Johnson Treadwell, 4; and William H. Marion, 2; in Tunnel Hill, GA.
Jesse B. Henderson, a gatekeeper for the Railroad, is living in Tilton with Pelina A. Nicholson whom he married 25 March 1860. [no children listed]
Hannah Henderson is living in Tilton and was married 28 June 1855, to James H. Walker. They are listed with children, Thomas H., 4; and Mahala, 2.
Malany S. Henderson is living in Mill Creek area and was married 16 August 1859, to Samuel W. Vandivere. [son of Rev. Lamkin Vandivere, founder of Mill Creek Baptist Church and the first pastor.]

The Henderson Families respond to military duty:

In the year of 1861, the Henderson's answered the call for troops during the buildup for the Civil War.

John David Henderson enlisted 10 March 1861, A Company, 34th GA Infantry and was in the battles from Vicksburg, MS. to Resaca, GA. where he was captured 16 May 1864 and on 20 May 1864 he was received at Nashville, TN, roll #267, sheet 5. 23 May 1864 he was received at Louisville, KY, register #3, page 168. 25 May 1864 he was received at Alton Military Prison, Alton, IL, where he became ill and was received into hospital on "Small Pox Island" on 19 January 1865 and died of "Variola" [small pox] on 28 January 1865.

Jesse B. Henderson enlisted in A company 24th GA Infantry and was also captured at Resaca, GA. 16 May 1864, and his travels were the same as brother John. Jesse died on "Small Pox Island" at Alton Military Prison on the 22 February 1865.

James H. Walker's {husband of Hannah Henderson} service record is under research at present time and will be posted later.

Samuel W. Vandivere's {husband of Malana Henderson} service record is under research. [Fact: Samuel did not return from the war.]

When the military made the call to arms for World War I,
the Family responded.

James H. Hammontree [husband of Annie Mae Henderson > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served as a Private in the US Army. He is buried at Center Valley United Methodist Church in Murray County, GA. He and his wife, Annie Mae Henderson Hammontree, resided on Waring Road in Dalton, GA. for many years.

The military again made a call to arms in World War II
and the Family again responded.

George Samuel Henderson [Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served as a private in the U. S. Army. George is buried at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dalton, GA.

Dottry George Brewer [husband of Pauline Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Army as a Tec 5 on the European battlegrounds and was on Normandy Beach on D-Day. He is buried at Whitfield Memorial Gardens in Dalton, GA alongside his wife, Pauline.

Thurman Alfred Freeman [husband of Nora Lou Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Army [POW].

Max Lee Franklin [husband of Paula Brewer > Pauline Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Navy.

The late 1940's, the 1950's and the 1960's saw more of the family joining the military.

Charles H. Henderson [John S. > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Army. [Charles is buried at Dunagan Church Cemetery.]

Roy Wayne Henderson [John S. > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Army in Vietnam.

Thurman Alfred Freeman [Nora Lou Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Army in Vietnam.

James C. "J. C." Johnson [Troy Johnson > Dora Coker > Mahala Walker > Hannah Henderson > Joseph] served in the US Army from 1958 - 1961.

Henry Clay "Bill" Johnson [Troy Johnson > Dora Coker > Mahala Walker > Hannah Henderson > Joseph] served in the US Marine Corp from 1946-1948 and then the US Air Force from 1948-1967.

Clarence R. "Dickie" Johnson [Troy Johnson > Dora Coker > Mahala Walker > Hannah Henderson > Joseph] served in the US Navy from 1950-1968.

Charles Maner Wright [husband of Louise Brewer > Pearl Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Marine Corp.

Carl Dale Patton [husband of Ann Brewer > Pauline Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Army.

Once again the 1980's saw the military receive family.

Roger Lamar Henderson [Charles H. > John S. > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Navy {23+ years}.

Mary Elisabeth Brewer [James Brewer > Pearl Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served and was on standby to ship out during Desert Storm.

Marvin Lee Rhear [Ruby Mullins > Pearl Henderson > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the US Marine Corp.

Allen Lee Henderson Fincher [Charles H. > John S. > Robert Lee > Johnson Treadwell > John David > Joseph] served in the Navy.

I am sure that I may have missed family members that have served their country in Military Service. The above history only touches on our family's commitment to our country.

LAST AND BY NO MEANS LEAST, ONE MUST REMEMBER THE WOMEN WHO WERE LEFT BEHIND AND WHO KEPT THE HOME INTACT DURING THESE TRYING TIMES. SOME BECAME WIDOWS WHILE SOME WELCOMED THEIR VETERANS HOME WITH OPEN ARMS.

THESE ARE THE TRUE HEROS BEHIND OUR VETERANS.

Please submit your photos and tributes to our Murray County Veterans.