Chambers-Lee County AlArchives Biographies.....Garrett, Matthew June 1828 - November 24, 1903
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
John Simmons http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007486 October 1, 2017, 11:01 am

Source: Personal family research
Author: John Simmons

Matthew T. Garrett was born in Upson County,Georgia in June of 1828. His parents 
were James and Francis Loflin Garrett. His father's family came from North 
Carolina to Oglethorpe County, Georgia and then to Upson County.  Matthew worked 
as a farm laborer on his father's farm until he married. He was married to Nancy 
Ann Mahala McHargue on the 1st day of March in 1855 in Upson County,Georgia. 
After they married they moved to Chambers County, Alabama in the southern 
division Cussetta Post Office per the 1860 census. The census record indicates 
that by that time Matthew and Nancy had three children. By the next year many 
southern states had left the Union and war broke out. Many sons of Alabama 
answered the call to arms to defend their home state and the Confederacy.  
Matthew answered that call and enlisted in Company G of the 37th Alabama 
Infantry on April 8th 1862 at Loachapoka, Alabama. 

He served with the 37th in Mississippi and was wounded in the jaw near the city 
of Corinth in June of 1863. His regiment formed part of the garrison at 
Vicksburg. He with his brothers in arms suffered greatly from losses and 
privations. He was captured with that place and became a POW on July 4th 1863.

After the fall of Vicksburg the 37th was exchanged and paroled. At Demopolis 
Alabama Parole Camp the regiment was reformed and transferred to the Army of 
Tennessee. There the 37th Regiment,a part of Moore's Brigade, took part in the 
battles of Lookout Mountain November 24th and Missionary Ridge November 25th.

Matthew's regiment was ever in the van of the Army of Tennessee in the battles 
of the Georgia campaign, at Rocky Face Mountain, Resaca, and New Hope Church 
where the 37th lost heavily in officers and men. Casualties were great in the 
battles around Atlanta. Matthew was wounded again. This time in the foot in July 
1864. His regiment fought again at Bentonville and later surrendered in North 
Carolina near Durham Station. 

After the war Matthew returned home to his family in Chambers County. In 1866 
part of Chambers became the new county Lee. Matthew continued caring for his 
family and farming. By the 1870 census his family are living at or near Berlin 
in Beat 13 and the Chambers Courthouse Post Office. 

His family has now grown to seven children. By the 1880 census his family has 
grown to ten children and they are living in Bluffton and Beat number 7.

By 1900 the family members have mostly gone their own separate ways. Matthew and 
his wife live in Lee County at Gold Hill and one of their sons, Will Garrett, is 
living nearby with his family. 

Matthew and Nancy had the following children:

Julia Ann born about 1855

William A. born May 16th 1858

Arch born about 1859

Susan Fannie born about 1860

Amy born about 1862

Matthew Lee born about 1867

Clanton born about 1869

Thomas Eady born 1872

In his later years Matthew received a pension for his service as a Confederate 
Soldier. His widow continued to receive his pension after his death until her 
death after 1910.

Matthew died on November 24th 1903 and was buried at Farmville Church Cemetery 
in Lee County, Alabama.

Additional Comments:
A Confederate marker was placed in the Farmville Cemetery by his Great Great 
Grandson, John Eady Simmons Jr. 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/chambers/bios/garrett1098gbs.txt

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