Roots, Branches, and a Few Nuts: Sergeant Caleb Rogers Warnick CSA of Alabama 1829-1917

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Sergeant Caleb Rogers Warnick CSA of Alabama 1829-1917

Caleb Rogers Warnick was born January 15, 1829 in Blount County, Alabama. He was the oldest child of Robert W. and Malinda Cheney Warnick.

The 1830 Blount County, Alabama census shows Robert W Warnick as head of household. 1 male under 5, 1 male 20-30, 1 female under 5, 1 female 20-30.

The 1840 Blount County census shows
Robert Warnock head of household
1 M under 5 (Henry 1840)
3 M 5 – 9 (John 1831, Caleb 1829, Unknown)
1 M 30 – 39 (Robert)
1 F under 5 (Mary 1838)
1 F 10 – 15 (Delila 1829)
1 F 30 – 39 (Melinda)

1850 17th Subdivision Blount County, Alabama
Wornack R.W. 45 M Farmer Ga. Can't read and write
Wornack Delila 21 F Ala. Can't read and write
Wornack Caleb 16 M Farmer Ala.
Wornack Mary 12 F Ala.
Wornack Henry 10 M Ala.
Wornack Andrew 8 M Ala.
Wornack Rebecca 6 F Ala.

Caleb married Sophronia Holley July 27, 1854 in Blount County, Alabama.

They were the parents of at least ten children:
George Washington born 1855, married Flora Jane Cargo
Margaret "Maggie" born 1858, married Charles Scott Mann
James P born 1859, married Manerva Jane Marsh
H A (male) born 1862
Nancy born 1866
Mary C born 1869, married John William Brown
John Wesley "West" born 1874, married Constance Belma "Connie" Freeman
Gibbie Catherine born 1878, married Preston Lewis Ethridge
Gus born 1881, married Nellie Gray
Richard, birth unknown, died before 1892, married Molly Honeycut

1860 Western Division Blount, Alabama
WORNICK CALEB 27 M W AL Farm Laborer, Personal Property 1300, can not read and write
Sophona, 22, AL, can not read and write
George W, 5, AL
Margaret, 3, AL
James P, 1

Caleb enlisted in Blountsville, Blount, Alabama as a Sergeant May 14, 1862 in Morgan's Kentucky Cavalry, Company G, of the 2nd Kentucky Regiment (Colonel Duke's Regiment), under Capt. McFarland, commanded by John H. Morgan, C.S.A. Even though this was a Kentucky regiment, 64 of its members were recruited in Blountsville, Alabama. You can find info on Morgan's Raiders and the Lexington Rifles with a google search. I have included a few links at the end of this blog for further reading if you are interested. They were active in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. One fact I found interesting, they became the Confederate force that penetrated the farthest north into Union territory during the Civil War.

Caleb was wounded in the battle of Bacon Creek, Kentucky. He was captured at Buffington Island, Ohio July 19, 1863, and sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana July 23, 1863. He was sent to Camp Douglas, Illinois August 18, 1863. He was transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland for exchange February 21, 1865. He was discharged March 18, 1865.

CSA prisoners at Camp Douglas in August 1863 shows Caleb Warnick Pvt. G Co. 2nd Kentucky Cavalry captured 19 Jul 1863 at Buffington Island. Third entry #304. Image provided by Kevin Dwyer

1870 Blountsville, Blount County, Alabama

Womack, C R, 36, Farmer, Real Estate 100, Personal 200 (Caleb R)
Womack, J S, 33, F, Keeping house (Sophronia J)
Womack, G W, 14, M, Attended School (George W)
Womack, W A, 13, F, Attended School (Margaret)
Womack, J P, 11, M, Attended School (James P)
Womack, West, 8, M, Attended School (John Wesley)
Womack, Nancy, 4, F
Womack, M C, 1, F (Mary C)

December 24, 1872, Caleb purchased land in Blount county.

1880 I have not been able to locate Caleb, and of course the 1890 census was destroyed. This is a big gap that I've not been able to fill.

On February 18, 1892 Caleb agreed that custody of his grandson, Edward Warnick, would be given to John W Brown. John was the husband of Caleb's daughter Mary C. Warnick. Edward's mother was Molly Honeycut.

State of Alabama
Jefferson County

This agreement made and entered into this 18th day of Feby. 1892, by and between C. R. Warnick and Molly Warnick witnesseth: that they both agree & consent that the Habeas Corpus proceeding against C. R. Warnick inslithled {instigated?} by Molly Warnick for the recovery of her child Edward, shall be dismissed, and that Jno. W. Brown, the Uncle of the child Edward shall take possession of the child & act as it's guardian & custodian for the purpose of protection & raising it and shall act as it's lawful guardian.
Witness our hands & seals this 18th day of Feby. 1892
Attest:
J. W. Russell
Jno. McQueen
Molie Warnick
C. R. Warnick

per J R Warnick

Caleb's wife Sophronia died January 5, 1898 and was buried in Dolomite, Jefferson, Alabama at Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery.

1900 finds Caleb in Jefferson County, Alabama, Precinct 7. This would be around present day Hueytown. He is living with his son John and his family.
Warnick, John W, Mar 1875, 25, married 1 year, self and parents born AL, coal miner
Connie B, wife, Aug 1881, 18, married 1 year, 0 children, 0 living, born AL, father SC, mother GA
Caleb, ?relationship, Jan 1831, 69, widowed, born AL, father TN, mother VA, farmer
Ida A, grandaughter (of Caleb), born Apr 1878, 22, single, self and parents AL, no occupation

Caleb filed for his Confederate pension in 1910 at the age of 80. He was granted pension number 3561.

In 1910, Caleb is still living in Precinct 7, but now with his daughter Gibby and her family. There is a big ink blot or hole in part of the family. Ida is still with Caleb. I believe she must have helped care for Caleb.
Ethridge, Preston L 37 M W AL Occupation Foreman, mines coal, self and parents born AL
????, wife, 31, married 13 years, 1 child, 1 living, self and parents born AL (Gibbie)
???dine, daughter, 11, born AL (Claudine)
Warnick, Calob R, Father-in-law, 80, born AL, Father born TN, Mother born VA
Warnick, Ida R, sister-in-law, 32, single, self and parents AL
Gamble, Jodie, boarder, F, B, 47, Widowed, 7 children, 6 living, self and parents born GA, servant, private home
Gamble, Rosett, boarder, F, B, 10, self and parents born GA

Caleb died September 14, 1917 in Rutledge Springs (present day Fairfield Highlands).
Here is the obit.
The Birmingham Age-Herald
Friday, September 14, 1917
News of Ensley

C.R. Warnick, a pioneer citizen of Jefferson county, died Friday morning at 1 o'clock at the home of his son, J. W. Warnick, at Rutledge Springs. Mr. Warnick had been ill with pneumonia for only a week. He was 88 years of age. Surviving him are four sons; G. W. Warnick of Boaz, J. P. Warnick of Marvel, J. W. Warnick of Rutledge Springs, and Gus Warnick of Piper; two daughters Mrs. C. W. Mann of Amory, Miss., and Mrs. P. L. Etheridge of Central Park. The funeral will take place at Bethlehem church this morning at 11 o'clock with Echols and Angwine in charge, interment following at the same place.