Jesse H. Hulsey

Jesse Harrison Hulsey
Second Son of Vincent N. Hulsey
Fifth Generation, Direct Ancestor
Born: 18 Dec 1824 in Hall Co., GA
Died: 21 Aug 1908 in Hall Co., GA
Married in 1845 in Habersham Co., GA:
Lucindia Brock
Born: 19 Jan 1825 in Habersham Co., GA
Died: 20 May 1911 in Hall Co., GA

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Origin:
He was born of Vincent Hulsey (1798-1870) and Hannah NMN (1795-1870). Vincent was the child of Adonijah Hulsey (1762-1830) and Sarah NMN (1765-1831), possibly of Cherokee ancestry. His mother, Hannah NMN, was of unknown ancestry, possibly Cherokee. His father and mother severed their spouseless relationship before 1832 and Jesse told one of his sons-in-law that he never knew who his father was. Jesse may have been of ¾ Cherokee ancestry, but culturally was considered a White.
Jesse was named for his uncle, Jesse Hulsey (1760-1843) and a Dr. Harrison of the north Hall County area.

Early Life:
Until 1830 he lived close to his grandfather in east Hall Co. His whereabouts is unknown until his marriage in 1846. He may have been in the household of his Uncle Jesse in 1840, but this is unclear. As his wife, Lucinda Bates, lived on Mossy Creek in south Habersham (now White) County; he may have worked in Habersham County in his early years. He married Lucinda, the daughter of Thomas Brock (1782-aft. 1856), about 1846. (No Marriage License has been located.) He possibly lived near the Brocks until he bought his first farm in south Habersham (now White) Co. in 1849. He sold this 83-acre farm in 1852.

Family tradition states that Lucinda taught him and his mother to read and write. There is no question that she provided the impetus for his success.

He purchased the first 150 acres of his farm in Jan. 1849 in north Hall Co. about one mile of the later Clermont town (chartered in 1906) and was living there in 1850. He was recorded in the 1850 Census as Jesse H. Hulsey, age 25, with L. (Lucinda) Hulsey, age 24; N. J. (Nancy J.), age 2; Thomas N. Hulsey, age 1 and Hannah Hulsey, age 52.

Also in 1850, his mother, Hannah, paid off the 150-acre tract and Jesse deeded the tract to her. He was her only known heir.

He bought the adjacent 250-acre Land Lot in 1852 from the Georgia Conference of the Baptist Church, more than doubling his farm from the proceeds of sale of the Habersham farm.
In 1853, Thomas Barnes sold him an estimated 50-acre tract north of his original tract, raising his farm acreage to 450, a rather large farm at that time.
In 1856, his father-in-law gave his four sons-in-law; including Jesse, part of his Habersham farm for the support of the Brock daughters. While no deed was recorded, Jesse’s brother-in-law, Thomas O. Brock, may have purchased this property over time.

The 1860 Census listed Jesse in Dist. 434, Hall Co, GA as J. H. Hulsey, age 37; Lucinda Hulsey, age 35 and Hannah, age 59. The children were Nancy, age 12; Thomas, age 11; Mary, age 9; Sally, age 7; James, age 5; John, age 4; Ginning (Jennings), age 2 and Francis (Francis Marion), age 2 months. Jesse was shown with land valued at $ 1500 and personal property at 1635. In addition there was a vacant house on his property. Jesse Hulsey did not own slaves.
Jesse Hulsey was one of the larger farmers in north Hall Co. Apparently he hired farm labor as there was a second home on his property at this time.

The Civil War:
By the end of July, 1863 the Confederacy tightened their draft requirements and Jesse Hulsey joined Robertson’s Co., GA 4th Calvary, State Guards, in Dahlonega, GA as a Private. State Guard units paroled the roads and guarded bridges and other critical points. By 1864, the Union Army begins recruitments efforts in Union, Fannin, Gilmer and Lumpkin Counties from Tennessee. Also, at this time, the north GA areas begin being troubled by Bushwhackers, composed of Confederate and Union deserters and local outlaws. The GA 4th Calvary operated against the Union recruiters and these gangs.
The State Guard units were a rather informal military organization and Jesse Hulsey was able to spend considerable time at his home while serving with this unit. He may have served two six-months tours with Robertson’s Co.

Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign begins in May of 1864. In response, Lt. Col. Andrew Young of Blairsville, GA recruited four companies of volunteers from north GA. These units, combined with an undermanned 30th Battalion, became the 11th GA Calvary. Jesse H. Hulsey mustered as Sergeant of Co. E (Lumpkin Guards) on 6 Sept., 1864 at Mossy Creek Campground, White Co., GA. His Company was issued uniforms and Austrian Rifles as the Calvary actually functioned as mounded infantry late in the war. Many of the soldiers were unable to find horses and were furloughed, thus the unit was undermanned from the start.

The 11th GA Calvary was attached to Wheeler’s Calvary and saw its first action in a spoiling attack at Jonesboro, GA on Nov. 16, 1864 as Sherman began his March to the Sea. Wheeler harassed the Union Army at its rear and east flank, unable to attack the superior forces.

Union Gen. Hugh J. “KilCav” Kilpatrick and his 5,000 strong Union Calvary feinted toward Augusta from Greensboro, burning mills and commercial establishments on the way. Wheeler, with 2,000 Calvary, attacked Kilpatrick on the morning of Nov. 27, 1864. Wheeler routed the Union Calvary, capturing 800 horses. Kilpatrick was not with his command, spending the night at a nearby home, apparently with female company. He ran half dressed and “escaped bareheaded, leaving his hat in our command.” (No report was made of his female companion.)

Later that day, Kilpatrick reorganized his command and fought a running retreat through Waynesborough. Wheeler estimated he captured 200 Union Solders and 800 horses that morning. The retreat continued until late in the following day when Kilpatrick reach the Union infantry camp at Louisville, GA. Wheeler estimated that the Confederate Calvary lost 200 men and Kilpatrick lost 1,300 men. Wheeler reported that he had stampeded Kilpatrick’s entire force and that “the rout was complete.” This was the only successful action against Sherman’s forces from the Atlanta Campaign until the end of the War.

Later, on Dec. 2, 1864, Kilpatrick, supported by two infantry brigades, attacked Wheeler again at Waynesborough and forced the Confederates out of town. The fight continued the next day until Wheeler’s forces retreated to Briar Creek. The Federals remained in Waynesboro until Dec. 4. Wheeler lost 250 men killed, wounded or captured and Kilpatrick reported his losses at 190. For the 11th GA Calvary, this day showed the greatest loss in battle for the war.

As Sherman progressed toward Savannah, Wheeler continued to harass Sherman’s rear until he reached Savannah. Wheeler fought a successful action on Dec. 6 at Mill Creek, forcing a retreat of the Union Calvary into the Union infantry lines. On several more occasions, Wheeler caused the Federal Forces to compact their forces until Dec. 10 when Wheeler crossed into South Carolina with a severely depleted force. The 11th Calvary lost 90 men captured during the period Dec. 2 to Dec. 10.

The 11th GA Calvary would furlough a trooper to his home when he lost his horse. This and battle casualties had reduced the active troopers to less than 200 men when the 11th fought its last action at Beach Creek, SC on April 15, 1865. During the preceding three months the unit served under Gen. P. M. B. Young in SC, attempting to harass the Union Forces. The Battle of Beach Creek was a delaying action and the field fell to the Federal forces.
The 11t Calvary surrendered near Statesburg, Sumter Co., SC about April 26, 1865. The reduced 11th contained less than 90 officers and men. Family tradition states that Jesse H. Hulsey served until the bitter end.

On the home front, Jesse and Lucinda lost an infant daughter in June, 1864. Mary, their daughter, died in March, 1865 while Jesse was serving with the 11th Calvary.
During the summer of 1864 until the end of the war, the Confederate Commissary seized all possible food and livestock to supply the troops. Hannah, Jesse’s mother, hid the family’s cattle in a swamp on the west side of the farm. As a result, Jesse Hulsey returned home to find a working farm with considerable livestock unlike many of his neighbors.

Later Life:
Jesse Hulsey returned to find his farm intact and a herd of cattle that provided some support until the garden and crops were harvested. In late 1865 or 1866 a neighbor needed a cow to feed his children. The neighbor owned a 100-acre tract of little use to him abutting Jesse Hulsey’s northwest boundary. Jesse Hulsey traded a freshened milk cow for that 100 acre tract, bringing his farm to 550 acres.

The 1870 Census of Thomasons Dist. recorded: Jesse H. Hulsey, age 48; Lucinda, age 45; Nancy J, age 22; Thomas N, age 21, Sallie L, age 17; James A, age 15; John D, age 14; Jennings, age 12; Francis M, age 10; Melinda E, age 8 and Hannah, age 69. Nancy was recorded as carding; weaving and the remainder of the children were recorded as working on the farm. His property value of $ 1,200 and personal property of $ 800 showed a considerable drop from 1860, reflecting the drop in values in the South of the Reconstruction Period.

The 1880 Census for Quillans GMD found: Jessey Hulsey, age 56, Lucy, age 54; Nancy, age 32; Thomas, age 31; John, age 23; Jenings, age 21; Francis, age 20; Malinda, age 18 and Francis, age 3. Francis was the daughter of the widowed John Hulsey. They lived in his father’s home for 2 years.

While he was never considered wealthy in money, his farm and other income placed him in the top of the upper middle class of his community. Over the next several years, Jesse served as the Deputy Sheriff for north Hall County and later served as Justice of the Peace for the Quillian’s District. In 1890-1891, Hall County elected him to the GA Legislature for one term.

In 1884, Jesse Hulsey sold a 54 acre tract south of his farm to a James Highfield. The purchase of this land by Jesse Hulsey was not recoded. The deed was not recorded until 1903, indicating that Mr. Highfield had some difficulty is paying for the land.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Jesse Hulsey aided three of his sons in purchasing farms in White County. In 1887, he sold 145 acres, part of the first purchase from Jacob Rogers, to his daughter, Melinda E, Gailey and wife of Perry L. Gailey. They had probably lived on the property for some time before the purchase. This deed was not recorded until 1904.

The children were active in Concord Baptist Church in Clermont in the early 1900’s and many of the family were buried there. Other members of the family associated with Trinity UMC. The family attended Mossy Creek Methodist Camp Meeting every summer from the 1840’s forward. Several of the Hulsey family continues to maintain “tents” there today.

Nancy Jane Hulsey lived in Jesse’s home and was Jesse’s and Lucinda’s caretaker until Jesse’s death in 1908. In 1904 he deeded her 140 acres for $ 800 lying west of the Gailey purchase. The purchase price was well less than the actual value, indicating the sale price was an estate value for his remaining heirs. After Jesse’s death in 1908, Nancy married Starling Cantrell in April, 1909. She died in Dec. 1909 and the property was eventually divided among the Hulsey heirs.

Jesse H. Hulsey died on Aug. 21, 1908 leaving a considerable estate including 255 acres of farmland. His obituary follows:
From the Gainesville Eagle, Aug. 28. 1908
“Uncle Dick Hulsey Dead”
“Mr. J H Hulsey, better known as “Uncle Dick” Hulsey, is dead. He passed away at his home in Quillian’s district last Thursday at the ripe old age of 85. He had been a very useful citizen of the county and had raised a large family of children. He had been in declining health for some time and his death was not unexpected.”
“Mr. Hulsey is survived by the following children: Messr. T, John, F M, Jim and Roe Hulsey; Miss Nancy Jane Hulsey, Mrs. Web Wofford, and P. Gailey.”
“Mr. Hulsey was for many years Justice of the Peace of his district and Deputy Sheriff of this county and a Representative in the Legislature from Hall. He served in these positions to the best of his ability, and was faithful to every trust”.
“The funeral and interment occurred at his late residence in Quillan’s district Saturday. The body was laid to rest in the family graveyard.”

Jesse H. Hulsey established a Family Cemetery adjacent to his home as early as 1864. He, his wife, two daughters and his mother are among the persons buried there. Several graves are unidentified. More than one other family in the community used the cemetery. Starling Cantrell, the husband of Nancy Jane Hulsey, is possibly buried there.

His wife, Lucinda, died on March 20, 1911 in the home of her son-in-law Starling Cantrell.

Children:
1. Nancy Jane Hulsey (23 July, 1847-8 Dec, 1909). She was the caretaker of Jesse and Lucendia until Jesse’s death in 1908. Following his death she married Starling Cantrell (1835-aft 1911) and they continued to care for Lucinda. After Nancy’s death, Starling Cantrell continued to care for Lucinda until her death.
2. Thomas Newton Hulsey (23 Apr 1849-18 Aug 1834). He was a farmer. He married Mary Elizabeth Gailey (1857-1942), the daughter of Santathel H. Gailey (1829-1907) and Amanda Melvina Rogers (1837-1908). (She was the sister of Perry L. Gailey who married Melenda E. Hulsey and the aunt of Margret M. Rogers who married John Dillard Hulsey. She was also a Maternal First Cousin to Mary M. Rogers who married John D. Hulsey.) Eight children.
3. Mary H. Hulsey (29 Apr 1851-22 March 1865). Died at age 14.
4. Sally L. Hulsey (2 May 1853-3 May 1939). Married W. Web Wofford (1853-1909), son of Abraham Wofford (1815-1888) and Sarah Staton (1816-1880). No children.
5. James A. (Jim) Hulsey (2 Sep 1854-3 Jun 1925). A farmer, he married Mary Jane (Molly) Parks (1856-1935), daughter of Westley Fletcher Parks (1831-1864) and Elizabeth Jane Meaders (1834-1893). Twelve children.
6. John Dillard Hulsey (14 Feb 1856-17 Feb 1828). Farmer and General Store Owner in Leo, GA. Married:
1. Mary Arvarilla Waters (1861-1879), daughter of Moses Waters (1929-1880) and Nancy Ward (1832-1866). One daughter.
2. Margret Mary Rogers (1858-1930), daughter of William Rogers (1819-1873) and Phobe Faulkner (She was a niece to Mary Elizabeth Gailey who married Thomas Newton Hulsey and Perry L Gailey who married Melinda E. Hulsey. She was also a Maternal First Cousin to Perry L. Gailey who married Melenda E. Hulsey.) Six children.
7. Jennings M. (Roe) Hulsey (May, 1858-aft. 1910). Miller and Farmer. Married Carry (Cassie) E. Lattner (1862-aft. 1905), daughter of Thomas J. Lattner (1833-?). Seven children.
8. Francis Marion (Bud) Hulsey (15 May 1860-30 May 1841). Farmer and Contract Thresher. Married Sarepta Izora (Zora) Staton (1864-1948), daughter of Andrew Kinsey Staton (1830-1870) and Rhonda Minevra Smith (1836-?). Eleven children.
9. Infant Hulsey (June 1864-June 1864).
10. Melinda Emeline Hulsey (6 Mar 19863-17 Sep 1941). Married Perry Leonadis Gailey (1859-1936), son of Santahel H. Gailey and Amanda Melvenia Rogers (1837-1908). (He was a brother of Mary Elizabeth Gailey who married Thomas Newton Hulsey and an uncle of Mary Margret Rogers who married John Dillard Hulsey. He was also a Maternal First Cousin to the same Mary M. Rogers who married John D. Hulsey. ) Ten children.

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