Among the Cantrells who came to Gilmer Co, GA from Spartanburg Co, SC was young Peter Cantrell. Peter is not listed in 1850 census for Gilmer Co, GA; the identity of his parents has not been proven.

No record of the marriage was found; however, history of both families says that Peter Cantrell married Martha Ann Chastain, born on June 8, 1838, to Jonathan Davis Chastain & wife Rachel Stover Chastain.

Peter & Martha Ann Chastain Cantrell had two daughters:
Rachel Melvina Cantrell, born Aug 24, 1856;
Martha Ann Cantrell, born Jan 1858
Martha Ann Chastain Cantrell died in Jan 1858 when her second daughter was born. Although her grave has not been located, Martha Ann is believed to be buried at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Peter Cantrell & Margaret Mealer married May 15, 1859, Gilmer Co, GA; Bk 2, Pg 171. Margaret's name was incorrectly recorded on the marriage record as Martha. Margaret was daughter of Robert & Mary Mealer, who also had a younger daughter named Martha.

The 1860 census for Gilmer Co, GA shows Peter Cantrell, age 27, born SC; wife Margaret J., age 23, born TN; children - Rachel M., age 5; Martha A., age 3; and Mary A., age 2 mos.

Company B, Infantry Battalion, Smith's Legion, Georgia Volunteers was organized in May 1862. Peter Cantrell enlisted as a Private on Sept 1, 1862. In March 1863, this Company became Company A, 65th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennesse, C.S.A., Gilmer & Pickens County, Georgia "Gilmer Light Guards" ... records indicate that Peter Cantrell deserted in Clinton, TN on May 11, 1863.

From Cantrell family history ... "Peter served in the Civil War. He had returned home and was killed by a bush-whacker, for being AWOL, on July 22, 1864." Although the term "bush-whacker" was used to describe this death, histories of both Gilmer Co & Pickens Co contain reports of numerous atrocities conducted by renegade gangs of LOCAL men who roamed the hills of north Georgia during the Civil War; their atrocities included the killing of many unarmed Confederate soldiers.

1870 Census, Gilmer Co, GA: Margaret Cantrell, 32; Rachel M. Cantrell, 15; Mary A. Cantrell, 10; Jef Davis Cantrell, 8. Note that Martha Ann Cantrell, age 3 in 1860 census, is not listed. It is presumed that this child died between 1860-1870; no burial site has been found.
∼Modern grave stone states, "was killed by the Jordan Gang"