Manning C. Spradley

In the 1860 Alabama census for Butler Co., AL, the family "M. C. Spradley" lives next door to his father "B. Spradley" and his brother "S. (Samuel) Spradley". Here Manning gives his birthplace as South Carolina, his age as 35, wife "L." as age 27

Resided in Montgomery Co. AL. in 1850; Butler CO. AL in 1860; Elmore in 1870; Shelby Co., AL in 1880.

On 1 Mar 1853 Manning C. Spradley signed for the purchase of 39.805 acres in Tallapoosa Co., AL. The legal land descriptions: Nr. 1; Allquot Parts: SWSE; Sec/Blk: 28; Township: 19-N; Range: 23-E; Fract. Sect.: N; Meridian: St Stephens Meridian; Acres: 39.805; and County: Tallapoosa. The land office was in Montgomery.

SPRADLEY, M. C.; Co. "C" 17th Alabama Infantry; Peachtree Creek, Georgia; August 11, 1885; Precinct 14. APPLICATION FOR RELIEF BY MAIMED CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS 1881-1885 SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA .

On the 26th of July 1887, Manning C. Spradley applied for a pension through the State of Alabama for relief by soldiers maimed or disabled. On his application it appears that James T. Leeper, Judge of Probate of Shelby County, AL, filled in blanks. The blanks, which were filled, will be in quotation marks. At the top of the form is printed:

FORM 3. Arm Lost.

APPLICATION
For Relief by Soldiers Maimed or Disabled during the Late War, Under Act approved February 25, 1887. Next is printed:

THE STATE OF ALABAMA,
COUNTY OF "Shelby"

Personally appeared before me, "James T. Leeper" Judge of Probate in and for said County, "Manning C. Spradley who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that when a "Private" in Company "C" of "17th" Regiment of "Alabama Volunteers" and while in the discharge of his duty, on the "20th" day of "July" 186"4", at "Peach Tree Creek" in the State of "Alabama" (it should be Georgia) he lost his "right" arm; that he was a resident of Alabama on the 25 day of February, 1887, and is a resident at the date of this application; that he is engaged in the business of "farming"; and that his taxable property does not exceed one thousand dollars in value.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this "26th" day of "July", 1887.
" M. C. Spradley X his mark"
"James T. Leeper" Judge of Probate of "Shelby" County.

The State of Alabama
County of "Shelby"} I hereby certify that the duplicate of the foregoing application and affidavit is on file in my office, and that I believe the statements made therein are entitled to credit.
Given under my hand this the "26th" day of "July" 1887. "James T. Leeper ", Judge of Probate of "Shelby" County.
Duplicate to be filled in the office of the Judge of the Probate.

"Mannon C. Spradley and Louisa D. Chreitzberg were married by W. A. Shaw, J.P..

Mannon C. Spradley served as a Private in Co. C, 17 Reg. AL Vol. in the Confederate States Army. He was wounded, losing his right arm, at Peach Tree Creek, GA, 20 Jul 1864. He drew a pension. His widow, Louisa, drew a widow's pension after his demise.

Accodring to "Shul" Spradley, a descendant of Mannon's, Mannon's right arm was missing from the elbow down. He had a special harness to plow.

Ella (Gasaway) Davis, a granddaughter, remembered tying Mannon's shoes. Ella's daughter, Lorene, had his auger. He used it to drill holes. Lorene's daughter, your compiler, has the base of the German baker's table which Mannon and Louisa owned. With the proper top on it, it had a secret compartment. Ella used the table for extra buckets of well water.

Mannon Spradley borrowed money to make his crop each year. Each year his mortgage was satisfied. He did not lose his land which was his collateral. He borrowed as little as $15.00 beginning about the mid-1870's up to $75.00 in the late 1870's [1879].

In the Shelby County, Alabama, Federal Census of 1880, Mannon's name was listed as "Manuel". Perhaps Manuel was his name. Mannon could have been a name of endearment. The State of Alabama was also listed as the state of Mannon's birth.

Monday 6 August 1877, M. C. Spradley was elected as Justice of the Peace at Bear Creek. This was published in The Shelby Sentinel, Columbiana, Ala. ~ Thuraday, August 16, 1877. (QUARTERLY. Shelby County Historical Society, Columbiana, AL; April 2001; Page 24) Your compiler saw a number of marriages performed by M. C. Spradley in newspapers.

Ronald D. Bridges listed Mannon Spradley as "Manning Spradley". This was a name which was passed down. "Manning" was the maiden name of Mannon's paternal grandmother. Manning was probably correct. He was always known as "Mannon" to people who knew or knew of him. (1)
(1) Mrs. Frances Partridge Tuck is the complier who wrote the information in quotations. She sent the material to me, Ron Bridges, on 8 Aug 2003 via e-mail.


"Died - On the 6th of June, Mr. M. Spradley. He was about 70 years old, and served in the late war as a Confederate soldier. While in the service he lost one of his arms. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved family; but their loss is his gain. Peace be to him." June 14, 1894. Chroncile. Researched by Ron Bridges on 10 Sep 2002.


Manuel SPRADLY Household Male
Other Information: Birth Year <1830> Birthplace AL Age 50 Occupation Farmer Marital Status M Race W Head of Household Manuel SPRADLY Relation Self Father's Birthplace SC Mother's Birthplace KY. Source Information: 1880 Federal Census Census Place Spearmans, Shelby Co., AL (1) (1) Researched by Ron Bridges on 25 Sep 2003.