Person:John Speer (2)

This individual was found on GenCircles at: http://www.gencircles.com/users/edspeer/1/data/3427

1850 Census Coweta Co., GA. p. 63 household # 1200 taken 13 December
John W. Spear age 22
Emily age 22 Mary A. W. age 3 mos.

1860 Census Fayette Co., GA .( compiled by James T. Harper p.13,household # 228)
John W. Spear age 32 GA
Emily age 28 GA
Mary A. W. age 11 GA
J. G. age 8 son GA
John W. T. age 7 GA
Joseph H. age 5 GA
Sarah F. age 3 GA

John Wesley Speer enlisted as a private along with his brother William into Capt. Chapman's Company, 1st Regiment Georgia Cavalry, 6 May 1862 at Camp Stephens, Clayton County, Georgia for a period of three years. His horse was valued at $225 and his horse equipment at $25. This unit subsequently became Co. F. 2nd Regiment Georgia Cavalry under the overall command of Brig. General Nathan Bedford Forrest until January 1863, when he was transferred to Wharton's Scouts (Col. John A. Wharton commanded a unit of Texas Rangers in the Confederate Army of Tennessee). Col. Wharton was under the command of Forrest. During the winter of 1863 from November until early spring, the scouts and a number of Southern Troops of the 8th Texas cavalry along with t he 2nd Georgia Cavalry were in East Tennessee and 50 to 60 died or were killed. This area was around Knoxville where the people were strongly Union sympathize rs and many Federal troops surrounded the area. The last report on the military record taken Feb 18, 1864 covering time of November and December of 1863, listed J.W. Speer died Dec. 20, 1863 near Morristown.

There were at least two skirmishes in Morristown - the 10th and 14th of December. John could have been wounded in one of these battles. An oral history passed down to his great-grandchildren indicated that his horse was returned home to Fayette County, Georgia after the end of the war.

16 Nov 1862, Last Will and Testament of John Wesley Speer leaving all property with exception of the sale of one Negro boy Daniel age 22,114 acres of land lot #64 and 14 acres of land of Lot #33 from which all debts are to be paid. Property belongs to wife as long as she is a widow and she can give to children as they marry or become of age as his or her property share . Names of children not listed in will. Should she remarry,she will only get a child's share. Share given to my daughter will be given to her for her own sale and use. Appoint brother James J. Speer executor. Witness: Joseph Speer, --Fall, M.S. Fall, J. S. Fall.

No Signature on Doc. of John W. Speer Probated 14 November 1871 for will of John W. Speer.

Thomas C. Speer made guardian of J. W. Speer and J.L. Speer by James J.Speer exec. of J.W. Speer dec'd . 20 June 18 71. $63 paid to Thos C. Speer and J.C. Speer as their share. To be settled in the July 1871 session. Civil War casualty.

Inventory of Personal Property recorded by C.G. Duncan Clerk. Sale of items Nov 1, 1870. Some family members made purchases, J.J.Speer, George Speer, J. L. Speer, Abe Speer, S. Loyd (probably an in-law) and many other persons listed. Copy of will and probate in file. Recorded 7 Feb 1871 Book J, page 84. His property was a small lot of property which was claimed as a homestead by his wife Emily. She and four small children were left destitute in the Reconstruction era, with no breadwinner.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Wade Edward Speer, John1.FTW (July 2000).
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 alice valerie spruiell-al.ged.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} HesterAnnSpeer.FTW.

   Date of Import: Feb 27, 2002

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Holloway file.FTW.

   Date of Import: Mar 20, 2002

5. ↑ Military Records from the National Archives (From Patsy Holloway, Kinston, TN)
   Military Records from the National Archives.