Person:Wesley Delony (2)

Watchers
Wesley G Delony
b.18 May 1819 Georgia, USA
Facts and Events
Name[1][2][3][4] Wesley G Delony
Gender Male
Birth[5][25] 18 May 1819 Georgia, USA
Alt Birth[9][10] Abt 1820 Georgia, USA
Alt Birth[11] Abt 1820 Virginia, USA
Education[12] 1832 Colbert, Alabama, USALa Grange College
Marriage 9 Nov 1843 Russell, Alabama, USAto Nancy E Cox
Occupation[13] 1850 Russell, Alabama, USAFarmer
Residence[14] 1850 Russell, Alabama, USABeat 3, Russell, Alabama
Other[15] 1850 Russell, Alabama, USA3 Slaves Slave Ownership
Marriage 6 Nov 1859 Coosa, Alabama, USAto Eliza Swindall
Occupation[16] 1860 Buyck, Elmore, Alabama, USAMerchant
Residence[17] 1860 Coosa, Alabama, USASouthern Division, Coosa, Alabama
Other[18] 1860 Coosa, Alabama, USA8 Slaves Slave Ownership
Military[19][27] 28 Aug 1862 Resigned commission in CSA
Other[20] 12 Jan 1866 Buyck, Elmore, Alabama, USABetween W G Delony and Moses Clipper Shooting
Occupation[21][22] 23 Jul 1868 Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama, USALawyer and Solicitor for Elmore County
Residence[23][24][28] 1870 Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama, USABeat Number 8, Township 18, Elmore, Alabama
Death[6][7][8][26] 31 Jan 1872 Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama, USA

Wesley G Delony was born on 18 May 1819 in Virginia to Edward Delony and Elizabeth W Lucas. The family moved to North Alabama between 1820 and 1832. In 1832 he attended LaGrange College near Muscle Shoals while his mother and 4 siblings lived in “Cottage Hill”, (probably near Athens, Limestone County), Alabama. Founded and chartered by the state legislature in 1830 by the Methodist Church, LaGrange was the first all-male college in the state of Alabama. A letter from his sister, Francis Ann, indicated that he was a fast learner and was studying grammar, arithmetic and geography.

He married Nancy E Cox, daughter of Charles Cox, Sr and Mary O’Neal 9 November 1843 in Russell County, Alabama. By 1850, they had 3 children, Mary Elizabeth, Pauline and Rufus. His occupation was farmer and he owned real estate valued at $600 and 3 slaves. By 1856 Wesley and his in-laws had relocated to Coosa County, Alabama in the vicinity of the Buyck community. Two more children were born: Irena Sarah and Annie before Nancy died in June 1859. In November, he married Eliza Swindall. In 1860, occupation is listed as “merchant” but he also owned large farm lands (valued at $1000) as well as 8 slaves.

In April 1862, Wesley enlisted in the CSA with Hilliard’s Legion, 2nd Battalion, as the first lieutenant of Company B. However by August, he had injured himself and resigned from the service. When he returned home, he served as acting Justice of the Piece for Coosa County and sold corn and hay to the Confederacy.

The History of Coosa County by George Brewer has a reference to a diary entry of Joel Spigener about a mysterious incident involving a shooting between Wesley and a Moses Clipper that occurred in January 1866 in Buyck. Both survived the shooting. There is a court record of a conviction for assault and battery for Moses Clipper in 1868 which may be unrelated. In this case, he was only fined one cent plus court costs. By 1870 he had removed to Florida.

We may never know what the dispute was about, but it is clear that Wesley took an unpopular path in politics. Brewer noted that “from some cause his life was revolutionized much for the worse… He became a leader of the Republicans of the section after the war, drank and was quarrelsome…” (Or what the Democrats of the Reconstruction Era called a “Scalawag.”)

By 1868, he was a lawyer and the Solicitor for Elmore County (created in 1866 from parts of Coosa County). He and his family moved to a house on a hilltop overlooking the town of Wetumpka, the county seat. William and Elizabeth deeded property to the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church for $1 so long as the property is used as "a colored school house or missionary Baptist Church." (The church is still there.) His life ended tragically on 31 January 1872 when, after visiting a judge’s office in Coosa Hall, he stumbled over a low railing and fell to his death in a cellar that was used as a residence and barbershop.

References
  1. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;)
    Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

    Record for W G Deloney _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1860 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

  2. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.Original data - 1870. United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls. Minnesota. Minnes;)
    Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

    Record for W G Delomey _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003), Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

  3. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census (2). (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;)
    Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

    Record for Wesley Delony _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1850 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005), Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

  4. The Alabama Historical Quarterly
    Vol 4 No. 1 and No. 2, Spring and Summer 1942, Brewer, History of Coosa County, p 105.

    For a number of years Wesley G. Deloney, a son-in-law of Charles Cox, Sr., was highly esteemed by all. But in later years from some cause his life was revolutionized much for the worse, much to the regret of all, for both he and the Coxes were highly esteemed and prominent. He became a leader of the Republicans of the section after the war, drank and was quarrelsome. He fell into a cellar in Wetumpka that led to his death.”

  5. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census (2). (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;)
    Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

    Record for Wesley Delony _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1850 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005), Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

  6. Elmore County Alabama Deeds. (Location: Courthouse, Wetumpka, AL;)
    R-6 Page 87.

    From Irena S Boddie and husband Henry B Boddie to W P Gadden for $80: 200 acres off S side of Section 3 Township 19 Range 18 it being the tract of land purchased by W G Deloney from Robert Cross and this conveyance covers the interest which the undersigned Irena S Boddie owns in the above lands by virtue of being one of the children and heirs of said W G Deloney and being a part of the statutory separate Estate of the said Irena S Boddie. 10 Jul 1890.

  7. Linda Blankenship. Abstracted Newspapers of Elmore County Alabama. (Location: 125 Blankenship Lane, Wetumpka, AL 36092;)
    (1870-1880) Item 41, The Elmore Republican, 2 Feb 1872.

    We regret having to chronicle the sad casualty which terminated the life of our friend and fellow citizen, W. G. Delony, Esq., County Solicitor and Register in Chancery, which occured about 7 o'clock on the eventing of the 31st inst..

  8. George E Brewer. History of Coosa County. (Name: The Alabama Historical Quarterly; Date: Spring/Summer 1942;)
    Page 99.

    For a number of years Wesley G. Deloney, a son-inaw of Charles Cox, Sr., was highly esteemed by all. But in later years from some cause his life was revolutionized much for the worse, much to the regret of all, for both he and the Coxes were highly esteemed and prominent. He became a leader of the Republicans of the section after the war, drank and was quarrelsome He fell into a cellar in Wetumpka that led to his death.

  9. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.Original data - 1870. United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls. Minnesota. Minnes;)
    Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

    Record for W G Delomey _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003), Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

  10. Linda Blankenship. Abstracted Newspapers of Elmore County Alabama. (Location: 125 Blankenship Lane, Wetumpka, AL 36092;)
    (1870-1880) Item 41, The Elmore Republican, 2 Feb 1872.

    We regret having to chronicle the sad casualty which terminated the life of our friend and fellow citizen, W. G. Delony, Esq., County Solicitor and Register in Chancery, which occured about 7 o'clock on the eventing of the 31st inst..

  11. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;)
    Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

    Record for W G Deloney _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1860 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

  12. Frances Ann Delony. Frances Ann Delony Letter. (Location: Cottage Hill, Alabama; Date: 27 May 1832;)
    Paragraph regarding Wesley:.

    And my little Brother, Wesley Gran is gone to La Grange College to school. There is I believe a 150 male students and one of the first seminaries in the state. Wesley is 12 years old and learns faster than any child I ever saw. He is studying Grammar. Arithmetic. Geography. with the use of globes and Atlas. The examination will take place the first of June. He will come home and return again at the expiration of four months.

  13. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census (2). (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;)
    Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

    Record for Wesley Delony _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1850 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005), Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

  14. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census (2). (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;)
    Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

    Record for Wesley Delony _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1850 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005), Database online. Beat 3, Russell, Alabama, roll M432_14, page 31, image 320.

  15. Ancestry.com. 1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;)
    Database online.

    Record for Wesley Deloney

  16. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;)
    Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

    Record for W G Deloney _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1860 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

  17. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;)
    Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

    Record for W G Deloney _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1860 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online. Southern Division, Coosa, Alabama, post office Buyckville, roll M653_7, page 83, image 84.

  18. Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;)
    Database online.

    Record for W G Deloney _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online.

  19. Internet
    http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/2bn.html.

    DELONY, W. G., 1st Lt. (enlisted, aged 43; residence: Coosa Co.; resigned, 28 Aug 62)

  20. George E Brewer. History of Coosa County. (Name: The Alabama Historical Quarterly; Date: Spring/Summer 1942;)
    Page 101.

    He notes the shooting that took place at Buyckville, January 12th, 1866, between W. G. Deloney and Moses Clipper.

  21. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.Original data - 1870. United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls. Minnesota. Minnes;)
    Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

    Record for W G Delomey _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003), Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

  22. Elmore County Misc Files
    Oaths of Office: W G Delony, Solicitor for Elmore County, Register in Chancery and Notary Public.

    Solicitor: 23 Jul 1868 Register in Chancery: 30 Sep 1868 Notary Public: 12 Oct 1868

  23. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.Original data - 1870. United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls. Minnesota. Minnes;)
    Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

    Record for W G Delomey _FOOT: Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003), Database online. Township 18, Elmore, Alabama, post office Wetumpka, roll 15, page 64, image 317.

  24. Linda Blankenship. Abstracted Newspapers of Elmore County Alabama. (Location: 125 Blankenship Lane, Wetumpka, AL 36092;)
    (1881-1885) Item 231.

    Sale fo Town Property -- On Saturday the 3d day of Sept 1881 I will sell before the courthouse door, at public outcry for cash, the house and lot designated as Sub Lot 5 of Original lot 281 in Wetumpka, known as the Deloney place, and now occupied by Sam P. Cain. Titles all right. Signed: W P Gaddis, attorney for Mrs. E. A. Cunningham.

  25. Date and parents are unconfirmed from One World Tree
  26. Irena and Henry Boddie sell shares in this inheritance Jul 1890 so W G Delony must have died before this date.

    In 1880, daughter Annie is living in Henry and Irena's household.

    By 1878, Eliza has son by William Cunningham.
  27. Was 1st Leut in Hilliard's Legion, 2nd Batt'n, Company B
  28. Is the next entry after the state prison. Lists occupation as Lawyer. Value of real estate = $11,000 and personal estate = $2000.