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MURRAY COUNTRY FAMILIES
Jacob Headrick, Sr.
Jacob Headrick was born about 1790 in Tennessee.
His family first appeared in the 1850 Census of Murray County, Georgia. The listing: Jacob Hedrick, age 60, blacksmith; Mary Hedrick, age 50; Elisabeth Hedrick, age 20; Jane Hedrick; age 18; James Hedrick, age 16; John Hedrick, age 14; Jacob Hedrick, age 12; Mary Hedrick, age 10.
The 1860 Census revealed that some of the children had left home. Two females were listed in 1860 that had not been listed in 1850: Polly Hedrick, age 18, and Rhoda Hedrick, age 20. Sons Jacob and John were still living with their parents. The family used the post office at Cohutta Springs.
When the State of Georgia called a convention to vote on the question of secession from the Union, Murray sent delegates instructed to vote against secession. When the convention majority voted to secede, Murray, like many other counties, had to go along with the majority.
This created a great dilemma for many families. Most decided to "go along to get along" and sent their men to join the Confederate Army. A few families chose the more dangerous option–they traveled to the nearest place where they could enlist in the Union Army.
The Jacob Headrick family had three sons who went to Tennessee and enlisted in Union Army units formed there. John and James joined Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry. During his tour of duty John served as a blacksmith. James enlisted as a Private but was promoted to Corporal while serving. Military records for both men listed their family name as Headrick. The younger brother, Jacob, served in a different unit: Company A, 8th Tennessee Mounted Infantry Regiment. Union Army records listed his family name as Hedricks.
After the war, all three returned to Murray County to live.
Individual family reports for each of the three are included in this collection.
Murray County Families
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