John married Martha Ann Corley on October 20, 1839, recorded in his Family Bible, along with additional family births and deaths. John's death remains an unsolved mystery. Below is a few lines from something I wrote for his descendants, my cousins, back in 1980.
"Grandpa John, the Bible entry states, died upon the very day
Son Abel did turn seven. Did you hear it told that way?
Many tell how he was shot. A few say he was hung.
Some claim he did the deed; others, to him it was done."
The Bible and his grandchild agree that he died March 29, 1866, when Randolph County remained in total turmoil from the "UnCivil War." Although, I have searched many cemeteries in the area surrounding Blakes Ferry, which was shown a his post office on the 1860 census, nothing have I found. Since Martha quickly moved her family over into Coosa County, near her father, Richard Corley, perhaps no investigation was completed . There were several possibilities suggested by his family, one included a gold mine.
John served with the 3rd Regiment, Alabama Reserves, along with his son Adkin, and he wrote tender loving letters home to his wife.
John married Martha Ann Corley on October 20, 1839, recorded in his Family Bible, along with additional family births and deaths. John's death remains an unsolved mystery. Below is a few lines from something I wrote for his descendants, my cousins, back in 1980.
"Grandpa John, the Bible entry states, died upon the very day
Son Abel did turn seven. Did you hear it told that way?
Many tell how he was shot. A few say he was hung.
Some claim he did the deed; others, to him it was done."
The Bible and his grandchild agree that he died March 29, 1866, when Randolph County remained in total turmoil from the "UnCivil War." Although, I have searched many cemeteries in the area surrounding Blakes Ferry, which was shown a his post office on the 1860 census, nothing have I found. Since Martha quickly moved her family over into Coosa County, near her father, Richard Corley, perhaps no investigation was completed . There were several possibilities suggested by his family, one included a gold mine.
John served with the 3rd Regiment, Alabama Reserves, along with his son Adkin, and he wrote tender loving letters home to his wife.
Family Members
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Eliza Ashcraft
1831–1933
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Susan Elizabeth "Susan" Ashcraft McElrath
1842 – unknown
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Nancy Ann Ashcraft
1845–1917
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William Adkin "Ad" Ashcraft
1847–1873
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Mary Catherine Ashcraft
1853–1906
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Jackson Clemmons Ashcraft
1856–1931
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Lucinda Harriet "Cindy" Ashcraft Franklin
1857–1946
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Anselm Abel Ashcraft
1859–1959
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Sarah Christian "Sarah" Ashcraft
1861–1885
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Martha Emely "Emma" Ashcraft
1863–1920
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