Fife in War

The fife is a symbol of one of the musical instruments played in the Revolutionary War. 

It was also played in the War of 1812.  In the War of 1812 my g-g-g- grandfather Greenville Pullen (1788-1860)  was a military musician who tooted a fife.  Here is what I have on him and his fife:

He was in the War of 1812.   Enlisted in Milledgeville, Ga., in 1814 for a term of eighteen months.  He was discharged at Fort Jack, near Savannah, Ga.  He enlisted as a private and later was appointed musician, a fifer for the company.  Records show he was discharged after both arms were broken in an accident while at work on barracks.

-Paul Pullen

Maybe Greenville didn't play very well and some of his barrack friends thought if both arms were broken he would not be able to hold the fife.

Graves in Murray County

These graves are mostly distant relatives on my mother's side, but some just looked interesting.  We visited the two cemeteries July 16, 2014  There are a lot more relatives' graves I could have taken, but I already had them.

Sumac Presbyterian Church, Crandall, Murray County, Georgia 

This picture may look odd or flipped to you.  Well, you are right if you thought that.  The morning sun would have cast my shadow over the marker if I stood in front to take it.  So, I got behind it and took the picture upside down.

My great grandparents: Thomas Jefferson and Mary Etta Pullen Ridley 

Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery,  Crandall, Georgia

Great grandparents Daniel Webster and Jane Garrett Petty.

Jane's grand children (my mother's generation) knew to keep their distance from her.  If they got too close she would grab them shake them fiercely.  

Grandparents William Elijah Joseph and Frances Viola Ridley

These are three siblings, my grandfather William Elijah Joseph Petty's brother and two sisters.  They lived in the big original Petty House.  One sister had died and the other sister was in a rest home when the house burned to the ground, with the brother in it.

Chatsworth , Georgia

I think at least eight law enforcer officers came and gone while we were there.  

Dalton, Georgia

Bob Pullen (1873 - 1961)

In genealogy it is always nice to come across a person that had his toil and troubles, I don't mean it is nice to hear he had troubles, just it is nice to read about the salt of the earth and their real life experiences.

Robert Virgil "Bob" Pullen [5504], son of Greenville Pullen Jr [282] and Elizabeth Frances "Eliza" Bookout [283], was born on 29 Nov 1873 in , Murray Co., GA, died on 3 Jan 1961 in Cleveland, Bradley Co., TN at age 87, and was buried in Dill Cem., Old Fort, Pope Co., Tenn.

General Notes: Bob's father died when he was only six years old.  He worked the farm. In 1901, he bought 80 acres of land (Lot #131) north of the Temple Grove Road in 1901.

1923- Bob sold the Murray Co. farm, half to B.L. Wittermore and half ot nephew John Pullen, a bachelor.  John lived on this property until he die in 1966.

Bob purchased 160 plus acres in Old Fort, Polk Co., Tn. and the family moved there.

In Old Fort the families were members of the Blue Ridge Baptist Church. The children had to dust the pews and sweep the church floors.  Lou provided the flowers or plants for each service and all items necessary on Communion Sunday.

In Old Fort, J.E. Bain lived with the family for about ten years.  His parents had separated and he needed a home.  He was treated as a family member all his life.

At the end of World War II all farm activities ended.  Bob retired at age 72.  The family moved to Cleveland, Bradley County, Tn.  They had a indoor bathroom, electricity, bus service and running water for the first time.  Big Springs Baptist Church became their church home.

1959 - Bob borke his hip and was bed-ridden until his death, about 2 years later, at age 89.  He had suffered from ulcers most of his life.

-Paul Pullen.

Robert married Lucreeda "Lou" Hayes [5505] [MRIN: 2013], daughter of Sylvester 'Bletcher' Hayes [5506] and Martha Ann Mantooth [5507], on 3 May 1903 in Crandall, Murray Co, GA. Lucreeda was born on 30 Mar 1888 in , Murray Co., GA, died on 9 Aug 1968 in Cleveland, Bradley Co., TN at age 80, and was buried in Dill Cem., Old Fort, Pope Co., Tenn. They had ten children: Homer Eldridge, Ruth Mae, Herbert Mitchell, Ishmel D.O. "Red," Charles Arnold, Addie Louise, Dorothy Lee "Tommie," Willie, Frances Betty Sue, and Paul Eugene.

Bob Pullen 1871-1961

I am pulling out and showing unique people I have came across in my research.  I think everybody has an interesting story, it is just that some we he have..



Robert Virgil "Bob" Pullen (1873 - 1961).

Robert Virgil "Bob" Pullen [5504], son of Greenville Pullen Jr [282] and Elizabeth Frances "Eliza" Bookout [283], was born on 29 Nov 1873 in , Murray Co., GA, died on 3 Jan 1961 in Cleveland, Bradley Co., TN at age 87, and was buried in Dill Cem., Old Fort, Pope Co., Tenn.

General Notes: Bob's father died when he was only six years old.  He worked the farm. In 1901, he bought 80 acres of land (Lot #131) north of the Temple Grove Road in 1901.

1923- Bob sold the Murray Co. farm, half to B.L. Wittermore and half ot nephew John Pullen, a bachelor.  John lived on this property until he died in 1966.

Bob purchased 160 plus acres in Old Fort, Polk Co., Tn. and the family moved there.

In Old Fort the families were members of the Blue Ridge Baptist Church. The children had to dust the pews and sweep the church floors.  Lou provided the flowers or plants for each service and all items necessary on Communion Sunday.

In Old Fort, J.E. Bain lived with the family for about ten years.  His parents had separated and he needed a home.  He was treated as a family member all his life.

At the end of World War II all farm activities ended.  Bob retired at age 72.  The family moved to Cleveland, Bradley County, Tn.  They had a indoor bathroom, electricity, bus service and running water for the first time.  Big Springs Baptist Church became their church home.

1959 - Bob borke his hip and was bed-ridden until his death, about 2 years later, at age 89.  He had suffered from ulcers most of his life.

-Paul Pullen.

Thomas Elbridge "Tim" Pullen

Doing your family genealogy is always interesting.    Some of the people you come across are more odd than others and  leaves you wondering, "what?"





Thomas Elbridge "Tim" Pullen (1866 - 1944).  

Thomas Elbridge "Tim" Pullen [5500],¹ son of Greenville Pullen Jr [282] and Elizabeth Frances "Eliza" Bookout [283], was born on 28 Mar 1868 in , Murray Co., GA, died on 28 Mar 1944 in Wilmer, , TX at age 76, and was buried in Trinity Cemetery.

General Notes: Thomas worked on the John and Mary Lou Roberts farm and when their daughter Lena grew up they were married.  Thomas reduced 4 years from his age.  His headstone shows he was born in 1872.  A family story is that Robert Pullen on one occassion sent Thomas a birthday greeting card mentioning his age.   Thomas responded that Robert should never again mention his age again.  Thomas and Lena had a cotton farm and were charter members of the First Baptist Church in Wimer.  Thomas also served as a deacon.

- Paul Pullen.

Thomas married Lena Roberts [5501] [MRIN: 2011], daughter of John Roberts [5502] and Mary Lou [5503]. Lena was born on 28 Dec 1868, died on 28 Jan 1973 at age 104, and was buried in Trinity Cemetery. They had two children: Edwin Elbridge and Roland R..

Greenville Pullen, Sr (1788-1860)

Here is one of my ancestors who apparently had an interesting life.  Here are all the Legacy and factual tales I have came across on him:

Greenville Pullen Sr [284]¹ was born about 1788 in , , SC, died on 20 Mar 1860 in , Whitfield Co, GA about age 72, and was buried in Miller/Pullen Cemetery, Whitfield Co., GA.

General Notes: He was in the War of 1812.   Enlisted in Milledgeville, Ga., in 1814 for a term of eighteen months.  He was discharged at Fort Jack, near Savannah, Ga.  He enlisted as a private and later was appointed musician, a fifer for the company.  Records show he was discharged after both arms were broken in an accident while at work on barracks.

-Paul Pullen

Census:

1820     Gwinnette Co., Ga.

1830     DeKalb Co., Ga.

1840 & 1850     Cass Co, (now Bartow), Ga

     In 1832 Greenville obtained land in the newly opened Indian area of Cass County (now Bartow) in a lottery, and the family moved there.

     In 1834 Georgia state census lists the Greenville household in the 822nd district.  His homestead was on the Etowah River about five miles west of Cartersville, Georgia.  The Cherokee Indian Removal took place between 1832 and 1838.  A family story is that Greenville participated in the physical removal of the Cherokees.  The 1850 slave schedule shows he owned seven male and seven female slaves.

There is a family story that the Pullen traveled with two other families to Cass County in a covered wagon and while fording a river the Pullens' oxen became frightened and entangled.  It was Mary Ann, not one of the men, who swam in the water to loosen their yoke in order to cross safely.

-Paul Pullen (in his Pullen book).

     Greenville provided land for the Pettits Creek Baptist Church in 1839, and an additional three acres in May 1844.  Later, the church congregation grew and a new church building was built in Cartersville. Today it is First Baptist Church.

     Of interest is that the Union Army was camped on Pullen land prior to the Atlanta battles.

     Around 1852 most of the Pullen family left Cass (Bartow) County. Greenville applied for and received from the government 160 acres of land in Whitfield County, based on his War of 1812 service.  Greenville downsized his land and slave holdings.  The Taylor family, then living in Chambers County, Alabama, most likely bought some slaves.

     Records indicate his homeplace was in a community called Cedar Ridge.  He owned lots 140 and 141.  They owned three household slaves.

     When he died his estate was valued at $5,600, including the three slaves which he directed to be sold.  He named his adopted son Elias executor of the estate.  In the will probate process family members accused Elias of mishandling the affairs.  Elias had to post bond and demonstrate to the court that he could fulfill his responsibiltes.

     The inventory and appraisment bill of the property of Greenvill Pullen Estate appraised by us on the 6th Day of April 1860.

House and Kitchen furniture, bedding and cooking vessel $100.00

1 Loom 4.00

600 lbs Bacon @ 10 cents 60.00

2 sets of Plows and Plow Gear 3.00

1 Axe 1.00

1 Axe .25

1 Grindstone 2.00

2 Shovels 1.50

2 Scyth Blades 1.00

1 Yoke of Oxen 30.00

5 Cows and Calves 50.00

21 Head of Hogs 1 year old and 7 pigs 50.00

1 Blind Mare 40.00

1 Wagon 35.00

1 Saddle 4.00

90 Bushels Corn 60.00

The Land (Home Place) 1200.00

1 Buggy 60.00

1 Bay Horse 40.00

1 Negro Man 60 or 70 years old 100.00

1 Negro Woman 47 years old 500.00

1 Negro Girl, Elen 4 years old 400.00

80 Acres of Land Lot No 152 9th district 3rd Section. 500.00

- Paul Pullen (in his Pullen book).

Sumac Presb Church, Crandall, Murray County, Ga

I haven’t posted a cemetery in a long time (they are more work).

Sumac Presbyterian Church Cemetery is in Crandall, Murray County, Georgia, is northwest of Dalton, and almost directly north of Chatsworth, Georgia, on Hwy 225. The church and the cemetery is just several miles south of the Tennessee state line.

I have been to this cemetery a number of times. The place has a lot of relatives on my mother’s side of the family.

It is on a high hill or ridge and has a magnificent view of farms and the country side.




Addie Ridley Davis was my grandmother’s sister.



Ruby Ridley Dickson was my grandmother’s sister.




Walter Ridley was a challenged person. After their parents died my grandmother and her siblings took care of Walt. I remember him well. He always wore overalls. He is in Ruby and Babe Dickson’s plot.



James “Jim” Petty was my grandfather’s brother. He married Lillie Henry. Four of his children and their wives are also in the family plot.




Georgia Petty King was my grandfather’s cousin. My grandfather also had a daughter named Georgia.


Sarah Arrowood is the wife of Andrew Jackson Bookout.




Andrew Jackson Bookout is the son of my ancestor Jesse Bookout.




I am not related to the Arthur family, I just thought their marker was unique.




Clarence Bookout is Andrew Jackson Bookout’s son.





As mentioned above Jesse Bookout is my ancestor. He had an older stone or marker and the above replaced it. It is said he came to this area before 1832, which was before the white man was allowed and worked for Chief Vann, which was also forbidden – for a white man to be employed by and Indian.




Nova Bookout was married twice. One of her marriages was to V.C. Davis. V.C. Davis was also married to Addie Ridley, mentioned above.



Lizzy Lackey was married to a distant cousins, Elijah W. Petty.



Maggie was first the wife to T.J. Lackey and secondly to my ancestor’s brother William D. Petty. It appears to be something of a soap opera before TV going was going on.




Elijah Petty, son of William D. Petty, mentioned above.




Here is another Georgia Petty marker. Wait! I am confused.



J.N. Petty. A mystery.




W.D. Petty was my great grandfather’s brother. He was born in North Carolina, grew up in Fannin County, and moved to Murray County.



Andrew Pullen was a ancestor’s brother.



John Pullen is Andrew Pullen’s brother. Interesting, there is a marker by the parking lot at the beginning of the Cemetery down the road at Calvary Baptist Church – the marker thanks John for his donation for care of the cemetery.




Clarence Ridley is a distant cousin. I thought both markers are vital.




Luke and Sally Dunn were the parents of Clarence (above).



Thomas Jefferson Ridley and Maryetta Pullen are my ancestors. They are the parents of my grandmother; my mother’s mother’s parents.



William M. Ridley is another mystery.

I left out about a dozen pictures of stones hard to read, spouses, etc.