Dooly County GaArchives Biographies.....Bullock, Irwin & Ladufsia Pound
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Linda Meadows lmeadows@surfsouth.com July 12, 2004, 8:25 am
Author: Linda Meadows
Ladufsia Pound Bullock
Ladufsia Pound Bullock was like so many other women who faced the hardships of
life during the uncertain days of the nineteenth century. Her roots were firmly
planted in the rich, red clay of Middle Georgia. Perhaps that was what enabled
Ladufsia to endure the trials and heartaches which came to her family during
the latter months of 1853 and the years following.
Ladufsia Pound was born to Merryman and Clarissa Ladufsia Herndon Pound
on 4 April 1800, probably in Washington or Hancock County, GA. Her father was
a veteran of the Indian Wars and the War of 1812. Her mother was descended
from the landed aristocratic Digges and Herndon families of Virginia. Her
brothers and sisters numbered more than a dozen. Their descendants are
scattered all over the United States.
Ladufsia was reared in Putnam County, where her father was a successful
land owner on the banks of Murder Creek in the Devil's Half Acre District. On
29 August 1816, she married Irwin Bullock, who was the son of Daniel and Mary
Whitehurst Bullock. Irwin was born in NC in 1794.
Surely the children from the union forged between Ladufsia and Irwin
Bullock would have patriotic pride instilled within them. After all, both Great
Grandfather Reuben Pound and Grandfather Daniel Bullock had paid a fair share
during the American Revolution. Grandfather Merryman Pound had fought Indians
on the rugged Georgia frontier, and was a veteran of the War of 1812. And, what
stories Irwin Bullock must have told his children on a dark night as he regaled
them with his experiences as a soldier in the War of 1812.
As Ladufsia and the children sat nearby, he probably recounted tales of
his service under Captain William Varner, from Putnam County, in the Regiment
of Colonel Alexander. He would tell how he had substituted in the place of
Stephen Hall from 20 August 1813, until his discharge 28 January 1814, at Fort
Hawkins. Irwin would share with his children experiences during his second
enlistment under Captain William Harvey, from Baldwin County, in the Regiment
of Colonel Ezekiel Wimberly. Therein he had served as a substitute for their
uncle, Frederick Sims, at Camp Hope from 20 December 1814, until discharged at
Darien, GA on 8 March 1815. He would tell his children of his loyal service to
his country and of the pay of $8 a month.
Irwin would want his children to remember how the Americans stood up to
the British and gained worldwide respect in this Second War for American
Independence. He would express to them his love for their mother Ladufsia,
whom he married only seventeen months after his final discharge.
Together, Ladufsia and Irwin Bullock would move their family to Dooly
County, GA and prosper on land that was red GA clay. By 1850 the fifty-year-old
Ladufsia would have only eight of her thirteen children living at home. Charles
I., George C., Daniel Merryman, James R., Florida L., Victoria F., Joseph A.,
and Uriah B. must have been a great help on the family farm located in the 24th
District of Dooly County.
Close family ties were obviously maintained with the four married
daughters who lived nearby with families of their own. Mary J. had married
Allen Waters. Eleanor C. was married to William Blackstone Johnston. Amoretta
was the wife of Isaac J. Newberry, and Sarah A. was wed to William B.F.
Oliver. Another daughter, Virginia C., lived in a distant part of the county
with her husband, John G. Waller, and their two children. All of these
daughters and their spouses were later mentioned in Irwin Bullock's Last Will
and Testament.
The Bullock family's prosperity was apparent from the property claims
stated in the GA Agricultural Census of September 1850. Irwin's farm valued at
$2000 included 300 acres of improved land, with another 300 unimproved. His
livestock was valued at $815, and consisted primarily of swine. The previous
year, the Bullock farm produced 1000 bushels of Indian corn. The farm yielded
the necessities for a comfortable way of life. The milch cows (giving milk),
slaughtered animals, peas, beans, and sweet potatoes all contributed to the
family's daily diet.
Little did they know that within three short years their lives would be
forever changed through tragedy. According to the Macon Messenger, Irwin and
Ladufsia faced three heartbreaking deaths in 1853. Their granddaughter, Martha
C. Newberry, died 13 September, at the age of seven. Their son, George C.
Bullock, died 14 November, at the age of 23. Finally, their son, Uriah B.
Bullock, died of congestion of the brain 28 December, at the age of 12 years
and 7 months. Their agony must have been lessened only by their deep faith in
a Power higher than any here on earth.
Perhaps Irwin dealt with the agony of loss by turning to farm work. By
1860, he had cleared another 50 acres of his growing 1215 acre farm. He had
purchased additional horses and mules. His ownership of 27 sheep also reflects
a diversity among his livestock, now valued at $1595. Forty-four pounds of
wool were produced on the Bullock farm the previous year. Indian corn
production had now reached 1500 bushels. Depicting the growing importance of
the value of Southern cotton, Irwin produced 24 bales of ginned cotton weighing
400 pounds per bale. The $560 value of slaughtered animals probably represents
those used to feed both family and slaves.
But winds of war were churning and times were about to change. Certainly
their deep faith again helped the Bullocks to endure when their son Joseph
enlisted with the Dooly Volunteers 4 March 1862. There were times when Ladufsia
and Irwin must have lain awake at night worrying about their son's safety as he
fought with the Army of Northern Virginia, and later when he was admitted to
Richmond, Virginia's Chimborazo Hospital suffering from pneumonia 2 May 1863.
His subsequent transfer to Macon, GA 11 May 1863, meant that he was close
enough for his parents to visit.
Another son, Daniel Merryman Bullock, had also enlisted as a private at
Montezuma, GA in the 62nd GA Cavalry on 16 May 1862. This unit was later
reorganized to be Co. K, 8 GA Cavalry. Daniel's military records indicate that
he was absent to procure a remount on 17 October 1864. This was also the
apparent time of his father's illness and death. Daniel survived the war and
returned to Dooly County, GA as was indicated in the 1870 Federal Census.
Ladufsia faced the death of children, grandchildren, fears of war, and
finally the loss of her husband of 48 years. Between Septemebr and November
1864, Irwin died. He left Ladufsia a home and 100 acres of land on lot #144 in
the 7th District of Dooly County in his Last Will and Testament dated 24
September 1864. He attempted to provide for Ladufsia during her widowhood
with slaves Henry, Biddy, and Ella, all of whom would shortly be freed by the
Thirteenth Amendment at the close of the War Between the States. Other
properties were bequeathed to children and grandchildren. The crops,
livestock, buggy, and personal properties left to Ladufsia all endowed her with
a measure of security. Nevertheless, Irwin's LWT also notes that another child,
Mary J. Waters, had died by 1864.
Most importantly, his Last Will and Testament reveals just what kind of
man Irwin Bullock was. In the first Item, he stated: "I desire and direct that
my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my
circumstances and condition in life. My soul I trust shall return to rest with
God who gave it as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and
atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ whose religion I have
professed and as I humbly trust enjoyed for thirty five years."
According to the index of Oak Grove Cemetery, Americus, GA, compiled
by Alan Anderson, Irwin was originally buried in Dooly County in the fall of
1864, but his remains were moved to Oak Grove on 6 Feb 1876. In the 1870
Federal Census Ladufsia is living in Dooly County in the household of her son
Joseph A. Bullock (Household #126, Family #137). This was the last Dooly
County Census listing for Ladufsia or Joseph A. Their names are next cited in
the Oak Grove Cemetery index along with the dates of their burial and the re-
interment of Irwin's remains in this historic cemetery in Sumter County.
Joseph A. Bullock died as a young man, possibly never having fully
recovered from his war illnesses. His Military Service Compiled Records (Roll
471, GA 45th Infantry) detail the military service of this Dooly County man.
Joseph was enlisted at Vienna, GA on 4 Mar 1862 by Captain James W. Carter. His
term of enlistment was three years and he received $50 bounty pay upon
enlistment. His pay vouchers indicate that Joseph was paid $11 per month until
his disability discharge based on a Surgeon's Certificate. Joseph was admitted
to Chimborazo Hospital, Richmond, VA with pneumonia on 2 May 1863, through
transfer from Wayside Hospital (General Hospital #9, Richmond). From there, he
was sent to Macon, GA on 11 May 1863. He was close to home once again.
Joseph A. Bullock's regiment had seen fighting in fierce battles during
his time as a soldier: Hanover Courthouse (VA), Seven Days Battle (VA), Cedar
Mt., Second Bull Run, Harper's Ferry (W.VA), Antietam (MD), Fredericksburg
(VA), and Chancellorsville (VA). Joseph was probably not involved in some of
the latter fighting because of his disability. Company C, 45th GA Regiment
eventually surrendered at Appomattox, VA on 9 April 1865.
(http://gacsa.cobbslegion.com/units/45th_gvi.htm)
Joseph's certificate of Disability Discharge signed by his brother-in-law,
Captain John H. Baskin, on 29 Aug 1863, notes that Joseph was born in Bibb
County, GA and that he was 23 years old at the time of his discharge. He was
5'10" tall and had a red complexion. His eyes were grey and his hair was light.
He was a farmer prior to enlistment. Captain Baskin also wrote that Joseph had
been unfit for duty 60 days of the last two months. He had been incapable of
performing duties of a soldier because of phthisis (tuberculosis), and well-
developed pulmonitis, or pneumonia. According to James Mercer, General Surgeon
for the Board of Medical Examiners, Joseph had also been confined to his bed
for a period of three months (Discharge signed by surgeon on 4 Sept 1863).
Even with these infirmities, Joseph faired better than his enlisting
officer, Captain James W. Carter, who was killed at Weldon Railroad, VA on 22
June 1864. Carter had achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. Likewise, Joseph A.
Bullock's brother-in-law and his commanding officer, Captain John H. Baskin,
Jr., was killed at Jericho Ford, VA on 23 May 1864. These brave men did not
live to see the war's end, as Joseph did.
The Confederate government settled its debts to Joseph shortly after his
discharge. Joseph's last pay covered the period from 28 Feb 1863 until Sept
1863, and was collected by his attorney, William A. Walton, on 30 Nov 1863.
After repaying the CSA $5.25 for clothing he had received at Camp Gregg, Joseph
A. Bullock received a total of $195.05, including money to offset his costs of
returning home.
Dooly County was home and that is where Irwin and Ladufsia Bullock cared for
their son, who eventually returned to his life as a farmer. After Irwin's death
in the fall of 1864, caring for her son Joseph must have been even more
important to Ladufsia. The 1870 Federal census found both of these middle
Georgians as farmers, with Joseph owning $1000 worth of real and $1000 worth of
personal property in Dooly County and his mother owning $500 worth of real and
$150 worth of personal property. Biddy Bullock, aged 40, was listed as a black
female living in the house next to Joseph and Ladufsia. This was the same Biddy
who had been willed to Ladufsia by Irwin in his Last Will and Testament of Sept
1864. Now, 40-year-old Biddy had assumed the surname of Bullock and was living
near her former mistress in 1870.
Alas, death came only four years later to 34-year-old Joseph A. Bullock.
According to Dooly County Probate Court records for 1874, found in Book C,
pages 123-124, his brother-in-law, Manuel Waller Jones, applied for and
received letters of administration for Joseph A. Bullock's estate. Joseph died
intestate on 25 July 1874, almost ten years after the death of his father.
There has been no record found of Joseph's ever having married. Manuel Jones
told the court that Joseph left behind "land, horses, cows, hogs, and crops in
the field." Jones sought to protect these properties from "waste and
destruction." He entered his petition only nine days after Joseph died.
Sarah Ann Bullock Oliver now cared for her mother and Sumter County, GA would
become Ladufsia's home in her later years. It was Sarah Ann's daughter, Vasti
(Vaslity) Oliver Holton (Mrs. Thomas B. Holton) who had her uncle Joseph's body
transferred to Oak Grove Cemetery on 27 July 1874. Family took care of family,
and so they should. Family also had Irwin's body reinterred at Oak Grove
Cemetery on 6 Feb 1876. And, it was also here in this tranquil spot that
Ladufsia would be laid to rest on 22 Nov 1879.
In looking at a portrait of Ladufsia made late in her life, one notices the
lines on her face. Although they don't reveal all of the trials and
tribulations she had endured in the nineteenth century, they do reflect a
degree of sadness. But, when one knows Ladufsia Pound Bullock's story, one
can read integrity and strength in the sad countenance of this Middle GA
pioneer settler. Hers is a chronicle of endurance and faith nurtured by her
love of God, her family, and the red GA clay that gave her a bedrock foundation
from which to withstand the storms of life. Because Irwin and Ladufsia Pound
Bullock lived, future generations would prosper. It is out of gratitude that we
gathered on 5 July 2004 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus, GA to express our
appreciation for the rich heritage that has been bequeathed to us. Let us
hasten to remember and preserve that heritage for generations to come.
Known children of Irwin (Plot 64 NE, Grave #1) and Ladufsia Pound Bullock (Plot
64 NE, Grave 2 Oak Grove Cemetery):
F Sarah Ann Catherine bn Jun 1817 GA md. 25 Apr 1833 William B.F. Oliver
F Eleanor C. bn 1821 GA md. 15 Nov 1838William Blackstone Johnston
she died 1890 Dooly Co., GA
F Amoretta S. bn 15 Aug 1823 Bibb Co, GA md. 28 Jan 1841 Bibb Co, GA
Isaac J. Newberry; she died 1 Sept 1895 Dooly Co, GA
F Virginia E. bn 1828 Bibb Co, GA md. 16 Dec 1845 John G. Waller
F Mary Jane bn 1828 Bibb Co, GA md. 2 Nov 1848 Allen Waters
she died prior to Sept 1864
M Charles J. bn 1829 Bibb Co, GA
M George C. bn 1832 Bibb County, GA died 14 Nov 1853 Dooly County, GA
M Daniel Merryman bn 1833 Bibb Co, GA md. 1 May 1856 Missouri H. Pitts
M James R. bn 1835 Bibb Co, GA md. 14 Jan 1866 Nancy Sentell
F Florida L bn 1836 Bibb Co, GA md. 23 Nov 1862Charles R. Blalock
F Victoria Frances bn 1838 Bibb Co, GA md. 2 May 1861 John H. Baskin
M Joseph A. bn 1839 Bibb Co, GA died Dooly Co, GA 25 July 1874
buried Oak Grove Cemetery on 27 July 1874 (Plot 64 NE, grave #3)
M Uriah B. bn 1840 Bibb Co, GA died 28 Dec 1853 congestion of the brain,
aged 12 years 7 months
Additional Comments:
Bibliography: GA Archives military records for War of 1812 and WBTS; Herndon
and Pound Family records; Historical and Genealogical Collections of Dooly
County, GA, Volumes I, II, and III, by Watts and Nora Powell; National Archives
Revolutionary War Records; Putnam County, GA marriage records; Oak Grove
Cemetery Index compiled by Alan Anderson; photos of Oak Grove Cemetery book and
plots by James T. Bass, Americus, GA; individual research conducted by Nalda
Bullock Gibson, Janice Beever, and Linda Ward Meadows; and sources cited herein.
*Linda Ward Meadows is a 3rd Great Granddaughter of Irwin and Ladufsia Pound
Bullock and 2nd great Granddaughter of William B. and Eleanor C. Bullock
Johnston. lmeadows@surfsouth.com
Revised 1 June 2004
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