James "Sidney" Bullis, born about 1828, was probably the son of Benjamin Bullis and his wife Martha Elizabeth Adams Bullis. He seems to fit into the 1830 and 1840 census as the right age to be one of their sons. Also, in the 1860 census shows that Sidney, his wife Violet & children live close to Benjamin & Martha Bullis, Sr. In the 1870 census, Sidney's widow Violet lives right next door to the widowed Martha Bullis & her daughters (Sarah & Rebecca Ann). Violet is also listed living near the Basil Bullis family. These are my clues to the fact that James Sidney Bullis must have been a child of Benjamin & Martha and that he inherited some of their land.

1830 Fed. Census, Wilkes County, NC: Benjamin Bullusson: 1 male 1 female 40-49 Benjamin, Martha; 1 male 20-29 Ben Jr; 2 fem 15-19 Velisha, Zibba; 1 male 10-14 Samuel Wesley; 1 male 1 female 5-9 Basil, Sarah; 1 male 1 female under 5 yrs J. Sidney, Rebecca; 10 persons in household, no slaves; Grandmother Susannah Mitchell Adams lives next door.

Jun 1, 1840, Fed. Census, Capt. Shumate's District Wilkes County, NC: Benjamin Bullis, farmer: 1 male, 1 female 10-14 yrs (James Sidney & Rebecca); 1 female 15-19 (Sarah); 1 male 20-29 (Samuel Wesley); 1 male 1 fem 50-59 (Benjamin & Martha) 6 persons in house, 3 in agriculture, 2 adults can't read/write; no slaves

Oct 1, 1850, Fed. Census: Sidney, 21, single, able to read and write, works at Elizabethton, TN, which is 60 miles west of Wilkesboro- as a laborer for James L. Bradley family. Mr. Bradley, age 50 is the county court clerk.

Jul 21, 1851, Sidney Bullis married Violet Nichols, a neighbor from Millers Creek.

Aug 27, 1860, Fed. Census, Upper Division, Wilkes, NC: Sidny Bullis, 32, farmer, real estate value $100, personal property $50; Violett 27, Sarah 8, Martha 7, John B. 5, Elvina 3, Alvina 1

Mar 14, 1862: James Bullis, 35, enlisted (volunteer) as a private in the Confederate Army; assigned to 52nd NC Inf Regt, Co. F on Apr 28, 1862, leaving behind his wife and 5 small children in Wilkes County.

Apr 28, 1862, Camp Mangum, Wake County, NC: Sidney took the Oath of Allegiance to N.C. & was mustered into service by Capt M. A. Parks as a Private in 52nd NC Infantry, Co. F for 3 yrs or the duration of war; Occupation: Farmer HT: 5' 8", listed as age 35.

May 22, 1862, Camp Mangum, Wake County, NC: The following paragraph is taken from a letter written by Presley B. Jennings to his family in Wilkes County: "...I will just say that there has been two deaths in our company The first was Ethelbert Gilreath who died on the 20th and one yesterday (May 21, 1862) by the name of old Wesly Parlier but there is no cases of sickness in camp that is dangerous but Sidney Bullis and William Howls but they are thought to be improving, So I will bring my note to a close..."

Jun 14, 1862, Pettigrew Hospital #13, Camp Mangum, Raleigh, NC: "He sickened and died in hospital in Raleigh of typhoid fever"; "Discharges on Surgeon's Certificates & Deaths" (NC archives, MARS i.d. 5.21.8.6, box 6.121)

Apr 14, 1864, Post Mortem Declaration of Death: "James S. Bullis' name appears on a register of claims of deceased officers and soldiers from North Carolina which filed for settlement in the Office of the Confederate States Auditor of the War Dept." filed by J. S. Call, atty

Oct 29, 1887, John Allen Church of Wilkes County swore before the court that he had been with James Sidney Bullis shortly before his death from typhoid fever. He said that Dr. Lilly had sent word to Camp Johnson that Sidney Bullis was dead. Mr. Church also testified that Sidney Bullis' body was brought back home to Wilkes County for burial on Oct 29 1887. (see letter in photo)

Since his body was sent home for burial, his wife Violet would most likely bury Pvt James Sidney Bullis in the Bullis family grave yard near his parents.