Cargil Cornelius 1828 - 1885

2nd Great Grandfather - Paternal Side

Cargil, Cargill, Cargile are just a few of the ways that I have seen his name spelled but for the sake of this blog post I will continue with Cargil. He was the 11th child or Aaron and Ellender Fortner Cornelius. Cargill was his grandmother's maiden name so there is little doubt why this name was chosen.

Cargil was born in Blount County, Alabama on March 10, 1828. His early life would have centered around the land and church. It is doubtful that he attended school as he could not read. Cargil married Nancy Blackwood on June 4, 1845 who was a few years younger than he. They lived in Blount County until around 1860 when he moved the family to Walker County where the new farm consisted of more acreage. Together they had the following children:

1. "Zion" B. Cornelius (1845 -1916); married Lucinda J. Keen
2. "Isaac" R. Cornelius (1848-1886); married Margrett Barbara Speegle
3. Ellender "Ellen" Cornelius (1851-1900); married Eldridge Berry
4. "William" Cargill Cornelius (1852-1908); married Mary Elizabeth Patrick
5. Seaborn Cornelius (1855-1915); married Rebecca Adeline McGuire
6. Rufus J. Cornelius "R.J." (1857-1926); married Nancy Melcina McGuire
7. Mary Malinda "Lyddia" Cornelius (1860-1928); married George "Washington" Brown
8. Manerva "Nerva"Eliza Cornelius (1862-1939); married George "Corup" Dailey
9. James "Elbert" Cornelius (1863-1920); married Nancy R. Latta
10. "John" Sherman Cornelius (1864-1928); married Susan Virginia "Jennie" Copeland
11. "Emily" Caroline Cornelius (1867-1948); married David "Lee" Brown
12. Margett "Louiza" Cornelius (1869-1961); married Joseph C. Bentley

According to the 1850 U.S. Non-Population Schedule, Blount County (Source 1), Cargil owned 15 Improved Acres with a cash value of $50.00, $5.00 worth of Farm Implements, 1 horse, 1 milch cow, 2 other cattle, and 20 swine. The total value of his livestock was $80.00. He produced 100 Bushels of Indian Corn.

In 1852 Cargil received $236.11 from his father's estate. He also bought a boning knife with hone for $.05 and 5 barrels of corn for the sum of $25 (Source 2). This could account for him purchasing the 79.76 acre farm in Walker County on June 1, 1858 (Source 3). In the 1860 U.S. Census he is living in Jasper, Alabama next door to Abner, his oldest brother, with Cargil's property worth $500 and personal property worth $400. He seemed to be doing well since he owned 25 Improved Acres, 115 Unimproved Acres, $100 in Farm Implements, 2 horses, 4 milch cows, 2 working oxen, 3 other cattle, 4 sheep, and 12 swine. The total value of his livestock was $262. He also produced 300 Bushels of Indian Corn, 8 pounds of Tobacco, and 6 pounds of wool (Source 4).

October 19, 1863 found Cargil enlisting in Company H, Alabama 1st Calvary the Union Side of the Civil War. This was only Union Company that had formed in Alabama. Most of his brothers, nephews and many cousins enlisted in the Confederate so this no doubt took a toll on family relations. It certainly took a toll on his health. He enlisted at age 34 in at Camp Davies Glendale, Mississippi as a Private along with his 18 year old son, Zion. Both mustered out on October 24, 1864 at Rome, Georgia with Cargil attaining the rank of Corporal (See Source below & 5).

Service Pay Record

Before Cargil enlisted he was known to be a strapping young man. After the war he was weak and sickly never regaining his full strength due to contracting malaria. On November 9, 1881 he was marked as an Invalid and allowed a pension for his service.

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension (Source 6)

Certificate of Disability (Source 6)

In the 1866 Alabama State Census for the White Population there are 5 males and 8 females living on the farm in Winston County (Source 7)

By the 1870 U.S. Census, Cargil was living in Houston, Winston County, Alabama with all of his children (Zion B. is married but living next door) on property worth $500 (Source 8).

February 20, 1884 Cargil was granted a title to Section 32 of Township 10 South, Range 4 West (Source 9).

Cargil dies on December 29, 1885 and is buried in Dailey's Chapel Cemetery in Rosa, Alabama. His wife is buried beside him. His probate records it states that due to the many heirs, the property should be sold in order to be equitable (Source 10).

Probate Records

Sources:

1. Census Year: 1850; Census Place: Subdivision 18, Blount, Alabama
2. Probate Records of Aaron Cornelius, Blount County, Alabama
3 Year: 1850; Census Place: Subdivision 18, Blount, Alabama; Roll: M432_2; Page: 102B; Image: .
4. Year: 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Walker, Alabama; Roll: ; Page: 870; Image: 108.
5." First Alabama Calvary U.S.A, Homeage to Patriotism" by Glenda McWhirter Todd, 2006, Heritage Books
6. U.S. Pension Agency, War Department, Box 38718, Certificate 330792, Bundle 22, 14 pages
7. Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 12, Winston, Alabama; Roll: M593_; Page: ; Image: .
8. Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Township 11, Blount, Alabama
9.Alabama Land Records, United States, Bureau of Land Management
10. Probate Records of Blount County, Alabama - There is no page and volume as these were loose pages sent to me by a cousin.