There is some confusion as to the order of his name, Ahijah John or John Ahijah, as both are used. He was the son of Lewis Calvin Hudspeth and Sarah Ann Gage.

Ahijah was the name of his great-grandfather, Ahijah Woods (father of his grandmother Sarah Woods Hudspeth), and also of his uncle, Ahijah William Hudspeth (son of George W. Hudspeth and Sarah Woods). It is unclear about the name order. Some things like his marriage license list J.A. (John Ahijah) while military records list Ahijah John.) This might be because her served with his brother John Franklin and having 2 John Hudspeths who were brothers in the same military unit could be confusing.

Reference: Certificate of Military Service dated 3 April 1868 from Arkansas historical society showing "John Hiji Hudspeth served in the Confederate Army as a private in Co. C, Harrell Battalion, Ark Calv from 1863 until the end of the conflict." Enlisted in Madison Co. (sealed record in file)

Additional information on

HARRELL'S BATTALION, ARKANSAS CAVALRY CSA, COMPANY B

Also known as 17th Bn Ark, Cav Microfilm Roll #35 Ark (The officers and men of this unit enlisted in Aug 1862 in the infantry under Col. C.W. Adams, which was disbanded, and the men transferred to the command of Gen. Cabell, of which this is a part.) Commanding Officer: HARRELL, JOHN M. - LTC - Apt 20 Apr 1864 Age 27, born TN.

FOLLOWING HUDSPETH MEN LISTED

NAME...... RANK...... ENLISTMENT DATE...... PLACE......

HUDSPETH, JOHN, PVT - 2 Mar 1863 - Madison Co, AR (John Franklin)

HUDSPETH, JONATHAN Hiji, PVT - 2 Mar 1863 - Madison Co, AR (brother to John Franklin)

HUDSPETH, WARREN, PVT - 2 Mar 1863 - Carroll Co, AR (Amos Warren)

HUDSPETH, WILLIAM, PVT - 2 Mar 1863 - Carroll Co, AR (William Amos)

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A letter from Joe Tom Hudspeth to Larry Gage (6 April 1982)

"My grandparents, J. Ahijah and Mary Henry Hudspeth were supposed to have gone to Texas and were with some other Gage family there. My father, John Alex and his sister Sarah Mary were supposed to have been born in Texas. My grandmother, Mary Henry Hudspeth, was supposed to have died there, but probably not because she is buried in the Brushy Cemetery at Metalton, Arkansas. Her children were raised by Lewis C. and Sarah Gage Hudspeth (their grandparents). They are listed in that household in the 1880 census."

It appears that Ahijah first married Mary Henry in 1861. He did not enlist in the Confederate Army until 1863, along with his 3 brothers on the same date. Ahijah and Mary had 3 children, John Abraham, John Alexander, and Sarah. Sarah is confirmed as born in Texas.

There was a group of Gage family that moved to Texas after the war. It was led by William Britton Gage who was married to Nancy Hudspeth. She was the daughter of George W. and Sarah Woods Hudspeth. Nancy Hudspeth Gage was the sister of Lewis Calvin Hudspeth who had married the sister of William Britton Gage ,who was Sarah Ann Gage. This made the Gages double aunt and uncle to Ahijah. Ahijah's move to Texas after the war appears to have been temporary and he returned to Arkansas. Mary died near the time that Sarah was born. After Mary Henry died in 1870, John Ahijah married Mary Jane Howard. They had one daughter, but the record of her birth and name are unclear.

Ahijah was wounded in the Civil War and he never fully recovered. He died at age 31.

Mary Jane Howard kept her baby, but the other children from Mary Henry went to live with their grandparents, Lewis and Sarah Hudspeth. They are listed in the 1880 census in their household.