Front Row: William Edge (b. 1869), maybe son John Hartley (b. 1889), Mattie Hartley Edge (daughter b. 1876) holding son Henry W. (b. 1899) or Daniel Hartley (b. 1897) , Benjamin Franklin Hartley (son, b. 1894, d. 1971, m. Carrie Simano Hamilton), Henry Clinton Hartley (1837-1910), Mary Ann Gordon Hartley (1859-1905) holding son James Henry Hartley (b.1897) or grandson Daniel Hartley (b. 1897)
Back Row: Mary Ida Hartley (daughter, b. 1884, m. William Hastings Garland), Carrie Ann Hartley (daughter, b. 1886, m. Willie Taylor), Ellen Hartley (daughter, b. 1887, m. Garland-Hammers), William Thomas Hartley (son, 1883-1925, m. Ellen Hamilton), maybe Jody S. Hartley (son, b. 1893).
(Acknowlegement: Many thanks to Raymond G. Campbell, great-grandson of Henry Clinton and Mary Ann Hartley for providing information on Henry and Mary Ann's family. Sadly Raymond passed away in Columbus, OH in 2018.
Henry Clinton Hartley, (1837-1910), was born in Kentucky and raised in Copiah County, Mississippi. His parents were William and Fancy Hartley. His siblings include Joseph (Joel) T., John Taylor, William Calvin, George H., Nancy, Frances, Malinda Ann and Julia. There may have been others. A family story and the 1850 Census evidence suggests that Henry was a half-brother to these children. The 1850 census listed him, contrary to conventional order, after his father but before mother Francy. He is labeled son of the head of household and the only child born in Kentucky, age 11. He was part of a farming family.
Henry, William Calvin and George H. all fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. In 1861 in Copiah County, MS Henry enlisted in the Seven Stars Artillery, first under Captain Hezekiah George David Brown (husband of Mary Peachy Taliaferro, m. 1847). Brown is shown in uniform at right and on the card below. Brown owned 46 slaves in Copiah County. Henry next served under Captain Calvit Roberts (Calvit married Sallie Taliaferro), whose picture is included on the card below, with the message, “Capt H.D.G. Brown from his friend Calvit Roberts.” Some background on the Seven Stars Artillery is appropriate. Brown’s Company later became Captain Roberts’ Company, Mississippi Artillery, or the Seven Stars Artillery. The Seven Stars Light Artillery was formed in the summer of 1862 at Jackson, Mississippi and was assigned to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.
Soon after its formation, the Seven Stars Artillery, about 77 men, were sent to eastern Louisiana to help maintain the Confederate stronghold at Port Hudson on the Mississippi River. They were assigned to the Maxey’s Brigade, January 1863, in the breastworks at Port Hudson. Port Hudson was along the Mississippi River below Vicksburg and was an important city for maintaining control of supplies coming up river to the Confederacy. During the fighting at Port Hudson Henry took a shell in his foot and had to have his leg amputated. The picture above suggest below the knee. Roberts' Battery temporarily assigned to Colonel Miles' line on the breastworks, May 15. Two guns of Roberts' Battery were with Col. John L. Logan in the fight at Plains' Store on May 21, at the beginning of the siege of Port Hudson, and continued with his command, headquarters at Clinton, Louisiana. The other section was in the lines during the siege. Colonel Brand, commanding right wing of the line, reported one man of the battery wounded June 26(could this be Henry?). After repelling numerous Union assaults and suffering through a 48-day siege, the Confederates, upon hearing of the fall of Vicksburg on July 9, 1863, surrendered the Port, thus allowing the northern forces full navigation of the Mississippi River from the delta in New Orleans.
This battle involved an important first utilization black units by the Union and demonstrated their effectiveness and bravery. The First-which was one of the few units commanded by African American officers- and Third Louisiana fought, bravely prompting Union General Nathaniel P. Banks to report, “ "The severe test to which they were subjected, and the determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my mind no doubt of their ultimate success."
After taking part in a prisoner exchange, the unit disbanded in February, 1864 and most of the men went on to serve in other units. Henry served until the summer of 1863, (in his application for a Confederate Pension in 1905 he says he served 3 years and 20 days). Henry was honorably discharged and sent home rather than serving time in a prison.
In 1872, he decided to move to Panola County, Texas. William Calvin, his brother had already moved to Tom Green County, Texas. He had a brother, Joel, in Monroe, LA. There is a family story that his father also went to Texas. We know that his mother, Fancy, is living in Bell County, TX with daughter Malinda and her husband, Thomas Ashley. Fancy is 86 at this time.
On 16 November 1873, Henry marries Mary Ann Davis Gordon (1859–1910). Mary Ann, born in Texas, was previously married to Unknown Gordon. Henry was 36 at the time of the marriage to Mary Ann, maybe in Woods Post Office, Panola County, TX. Family stories suggest he left a wife back in Copiah County. Henry and Mary Ann had the many children pictured above. A September 11, 1884 record shows Henry working as an engineer for the Texas and Pacific Railroad.
In 1898, he applied for a Confederate pension, these were awarded to destitute veterans. Henry lists his assets as one mare pony and a colt worth $20. His household items are valued at $20. His pension is approved at the B- level. A number of witnesses support his record and application. He is unable to read or write, signing the document with an X. Henry died in 1910 in Panola County and is buried with Mary Ann in the Old Center Cemetery outside of Carthage, TX. Their stones are shown in pictures above. You can read his pension request here: Confederate Pension Application, Henry Clinton Hartley
Here is an application for an artificial leg that Henry submitted to Dr.William A. Carrington, Director of the Gerneral Hospital for Confederacy in Virginia. He states the leg was amputated by Dr. F. M. Hereford. Information about Carrington and Hereford follows this document.
*Dr. William A. Carrington was Medical Director of General Hospitals in Virginia for Confederacy.William Allen Carrington (1830-1866) was appointed as an assistant surgeon in the 7th Virginia Infantry and served with the 23rd VA Inf and at Hospital #10, Richmond. He was promoted to Surgeon and held several positions during the Civil War, including inspector of hospitals and medical director. Many of his medical reports are now part of the Carrington Collection from the "Hospitals in and around Richmond" in The Museum of the Confederacy. Speculation would say that since he was a young man when he died, a disease contracted during war service could have been the cause of death, but no details on his death have yet been found. Signed Brian Green.
Stamp and Envelope: CSA #12-ADc, 10¢ blue, used with rarity 4 manuscript cancel of Mossingford, Va Oct 15th 1863 on cover to Dr. William A. Carrington, Richmond, Virginia. Example of Henry Hartley’s mailed request in 1863.
Surgeon Major Francis Marion Hereford was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862. He was born Jan. 25, 1814 in Apple Grove (Mason County) West Virginia, making him 48 at time of Henry’s surgery. In 1860, he is a physician living in Baton Rouge, LA with wife, Harriet and 5 children. His real estate is worth $15,000, while personal estate is worth $101, 500, the value of the 63 slaves he sadly owns. In 1880, he is a widower living with his family in Montgomery, AL. He died in 1881 in Louisana? and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery County, Montgomery, AL.
January 23, 1881: Death Announcement for F. M. Hereford
The friends and acquaintances of Dr. Francis M. HEREFORD are requested to attend the funeral from his residence, on Catoma Street, this afternoon at 3
We deeply regret to announce the death of Dr. Francis Marion HEREFORD, who died at his residence in this city, yesterday morning, in the 66th year of his age. Dr. HEREFORD formerly lived in Louisiana, where he was elected a representative in the State Senate… During the war he served in the army in the capacity of surgeon, and rendered valuable service. After the surrender, he became a citizen of Montgomery…
Henry Clinton Hartley and Mary Ann Gordon Gallery |
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![]() Panola Texas School Picture containing Lillian Taylor, Henry Clinton Hartley's granddaughter. Far Right: (1) Edwin Grady Garland, (2) Lillian Taylor, (3) Mary Sue Garland. (Grady and Mary Sue were children of Mary Ida Hartley and William Hasting Garland). This building is now used as a Baptist Church at the Woods Community just off of US 59. The school house is off to the left of this building. Many thands to Raymond G. Campbell for identifying his mother Lillian Taylor and Edwin and Mary Sue in the photo. |
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![]() Benjamin Franklin Hartley, son of Henry Clinton Hartley. |
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![]() Residence of Henry Hartley at time of Application for artificial leg. |