Montgomery County AlArchives Photo Tombstone.....Hails, George Willoughby, Sarah, & Thomas ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ronald Bridges bridgesrd@knology.net August 14, 2005, 9:52 am Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Name: George Willoughby, Sarah, & Thomas Hails Date Of Photograph: April 6, 2004 Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/montgomery/photos/tombstones/oldoakwood/hails1966gph.jpg Image file size: 116.0 Kb All on one Slab: Father and Mother Geo. W. Hails 1814 - 1865 His Wife Sarah Bozier 1818 - 1880 Their Son Thomas J. Hails 1851 - 1914 HAILS Additional Comments: Descendants of George Willoughby Hails, Sr. Generation No. 1 1. George Willoughby2 Hails, Sr. (Robert1) was born 6 Mar 1814 in Columbia, SC1, and died 10 Aug 1865 in Montgomery Co., AL2. He married Sarah R. Bozier 8 Jul 1836 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL. She was born 15 Dec 1818 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL3, and died 16 Oct 1880 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL4. Notes for George Willoughby Hails, Sr.: "COLONY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. At an early day a small colony emigrated from South Carolina to Montgomery county. They were all prominent men in their day and generation. Their names were, Jesse P. Taylor, Dr. James H. Taylor, Edward Taylor, William Henry Taylor, Dr. C. Bellinger and George W. Hails. GEORGE W. HAILS. George W. Hails, another of these old settlers from South Carolina, bought a magnificent plantation and became one of the most successful planters in Montgomery county. He introduced the first two-horse plough, and took great pleasure and pride in calling the attention of his neighbors and friends to the good work it performed. Mr. Hails was a good citizen, neighbor,and friend. When he died he left a rich legacy; besides his property he left a splendid family of sons and daughters." (1) (1) RECOLLECTIONS of the Earyl Settlers of Montgomery County and Their Families. By W. G. Robertson published in Montgomery, Alabama by Excelsior Printing Company - 1892. Capt. Charter member of TRUE BLUES All on one Slab: Father and Mother Geo. W. Hails 1814 - 1865 His Wife Sarah Bozier 1818 - 1880 Their Son Thomas J. Hails 1851 - 1914 HAILS More About George Willoughby Hails, Sr.: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Military service: Seminole War Notes for Sarah R. Bozier: One source has her birth place as SC. More About Sarah R. Bozier: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL More About George Hails and Sarah Bozier: Marriage: 8 Jul 1836, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL Children of George Hails and Sarah Bozier are: 2 i. Rebecca Savage3 Hails, born 14 Oct 1842 in Montgomery, AL5; died 26 Jul 1911 in Montgomery, AL6. She married Vincent Martin Elmore 10 Dec 1867 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL; born 18 Jul 1840 in Lowndes Co., AL7; died 12 Jan 1908 in Montgomery, AL8. More About Rebecca Savage Hails: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Notes for Vincent Martin Elmore: Major Vincent Martin Elmore joined the Confederate Army before Secession and went to Pensacola with the Alabama "True Blues". He became an officer in the 3rd Alabama in the Virginia Theater. Then Major in 1st Alabama Cavalry (Allen's Brigade, Wheeler's Cavalry): thence to General Wheeler's Staff in North Carolina at surrender. He was a fellow Confederate Soldier to Colonel George Willoughby Hails Jr. 1ST REGIMENT ALABAMA CAVALRY CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA *List of Officers Field and Staff Elmore, Vincent M. - Major He was also: *H/E 2nd Company E Sandy Williams Guards Elmore, V.M. - 2Lt., Capt. (Major see paroles) He was Member of this Company finally paroled as of Co.H and K. "1878 Montgomery City Directory Elmore, V. M. Reg. in Chancery, h McDonough bet High and Grove" Researched by Ron Bridges on 15 Apr 2005. Written on his Confederate Veteran stone which is resting on top of his marble slab: VINCENT MARTIN ELMORE MAJ 1 ALA CAV CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY JUL 18 1840 JAN 12 1908 Written on his marble slab: VINCENT MARTIN ELMORE July 18, 1840 January 12, 1908 Major 1st Alabama Cavalry C. S. A. REBECCA HAILS ELMORE Wife of VINCENT MARTIN ELMORE October 14, 1842 July 26, 1911 Their Son WILLIAM BALDWIN February 26, 1882 August 13, 1921 More About Vincent Martin Elmore: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Military service: On his Veteran headstone: MAJ 1st ALA CAV. Became a major before he was 21, serving on General Wheeler's staff Military Service More About Vincent Elmore and Rebecca Hails: Marriage: 10 Dec 1867, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL 3 ii. Robert Hails, born 4 Jun 1844 in AL9; died 1 Feb 1916 in AL10. He married Susan Felder Abt. 1867 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL; born 3 Feb 1857 in AL11; died 19 Oct 1923 in AL11. More About Robert Hails: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Census Federal: 1880, Mcgehees, Montgomery Co., AL. He is listed as 35 years old & born in AL. His wife is listed as Susy. Military service: 8th Alaba Inf., Co. C - Confederate States Army More About Susan Felder: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Nickname: Susie/Susy More About Robert Hails and Susan Felder: Marriage: Abt. 1867, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL 4 iii. Carnot Hails, born Abt. 1845 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL; died Abt. 1848 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL. 5 iv. George Willoughby Hails, Jr., born 10 Jan 1847 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL11; died 26 Jan 1925 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL12. He married Susan Tyler Nesbitt 12 Oct 1874 in AL; born 19 Feb 1852 in ?13; died 12 Mar 1916 in AL14. Notes for George Willoughby Hails, Jr.: GWH Entered Cadet Co 7th Alabama Cav `63; Transferred to Miss under Forest, Chalmer’s Div, Rucker’s Brigade; -- Battles: Paris Landing; Johnsonville; Henryville; Coumbia; Spring Hill; Franklin; Nashville; Surrendered with Forest at Gainesville, Alabama. During a Civil War battle in Tennessee Colonel Hails personal horse was killed requiring him to return home to Alabama to secure a replacement horse....during this time his mother (Susan Tyler Nesbitt Hails) had a picture taken of him in his confederate uniform. (Picture in Foster/Hails family photo album) [George Willoughby Hails funeral was well attended by the citizenry of Montgomery. He was buried in his Confederate uniform at Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama.) 1920 U.S. CENSUS: Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama: George Willoughby Hails Sr. - widower - age 72 - Assistant County Tax Collector, Sallie Hails - daughter - age 42 - bookkeeper at Cocola Works (Coca-Cola), Francis (Aunt Fannie) Hails - daughter - age 38 - single - Librarian - Carnegie, Anne P. Hails - daughter - age 31 - single "George Willoughby Hails Jr. was a student at the University of Alabama when the War Between the States broke out and joined the Cadet Company under the Seventh Alabama Cavalry. His father George Willoughby Hails Sr. had forbid him to join but finally agreed. He transferred to the North Mississippi Command under General Nathan Bedford Forest, Chalmer's Division, Rucker's Brigade. He saw active fighting at Paris Landing, Johnsonville, Henryville, Columbia, Franklin, Spring Hill and Nashville, Tennessee. Colonel Hails was one of two survivors of the famous University of Alabama Cadet Company. He surrendered with General Forest at Gainesville, Alabama after General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox. His family had given him up for dead, not having heard as a result of the disordered means of communication. Colonel George W. Hails Jr. returned to Montgomery, Alabama on his 18th birthday wearing the ragged gray uniform of a confederate soldier who had seen hard usage and much bloody fighting entirely out of proportion to his years. After the Civil War he early enlisted in the effort of the people of Alabama to throw off the humiliation of the carpet bag rule. It was in the beginning apparently a hopeless fight, with the invaders and the black dupes backed by all the power of the Federal government. It was ultimately victorious because the objectors to it had much of the courage and spirit that characterized Colonel Hails. When the contest was brought to a close successfully in Montgomery county Captain Hails was a man marked by popular gratitude for future political preferment. He was elected tax collector in 1900 and for twenty-four years he was either tax collector or chief deputy in that office. He manifested always the spirit of helpfulness to his old comrades of the Confederate Army. Many of these had not been able to take care of themselves as well as Colonel Hails. They soon found that whether they needed advice or money or were searching for information, he was the proper person to see. And he did much for the preservation in Montgomery of the history of the Confederacy." (1) (1)OBITUARY - GEORGE WILLOUGHBY HAILS JR. - 1925 in the Montgomery, Alabama Advertiser Montgomery Advertiser: following his death on January 25, 1925. A few days after the funeral Circuit Court Judge Walter Jones of Montgomery, Alabama had this to say about Colonel George Willoughby Hails before he convened Court. The year was 1925 and Civil War sentiment for those departing war veterans was very much an occasion to express sentiment of the day. Reconstruction was hard on former Confederate cities like Montgomery. " Before we begin our usual duties this morning, I desire to pause long enough to drop the bier of Captain George W. Hails, in the name of the people of a county which he served with ability and fidelity through many lost years. In war and in peace he served his people with a loyalty and devotion, that never wavered. Whether in the incarnadine fields of battle, or in the quiet walks of every-day life, he was the same: brave, faithful and true. In the dark days when hate and ignorance sought to extinguish forever the light of Anglo-Saxon civilization among a proud and noble people, no southern heart was more unafraid and no southerner walked more fearlessly among his people than George Willoughby Hails. He was a tower of strength in those black days. This court sits today with Anglo-Saxon juries, presided over by an Anglo-Saxon judge of your choice, and Anglo-Saxon justice, that justice which is administered without respect to persons, which does equal right to the poor and to the rich, is administered here because of the sacrifices and struggles of George W. Hails and his comrades who fought with General Robert E. Lee and General Stonewall Jackson under that stainless banner which was forever furled at Appomattox." Confederate marker resting on top of grave slab for George and Susan: GEORGE W HAILS CO F 7 ALA CAV JUN 10 1847 JAN 6 1925 Written on slab: SUSAN TYLER NESBITT Wife of GEO. W. HAILS FEB. 19, 1852 MAR. 12, 1916 GEORGE WILLOUGHBY HAILS JAN. 10, 1847 - JAN. 26, 1925 CO. F 7th ALA CAV RUCKERS BRIGADE C. S. A. Recorded by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. Note: The birth dates of month & day for George on his slab are different from his Confederate headstone. His death days are different also. I chose to use the slab dates. Ron Bridges More About George Willoughby Hails, Jr.: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL More About Susan Tyler Nesbitt: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL More About George Hails and Susan Nesbitt: Marriage: 12 Oct 1874, AL 6 v. Thomas Jefferson Hails, born 1851 in AL15; died 1914 in AL16. More About Thomas Jefferson Hails: Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, AL Endnotes 1. Birth date year taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 2. Death date year taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 3. Birth date year taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 4. Death date year taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 5. Birth date taken from gravestone by Ron Bridges on 18 Nov 2001. 6. Death date taken from gravestone by Ron Bridges on 18 Nov 2001. 7. Birth date taken from gravestone by Ron Bridges on 18 Nov 2001. 8. Death date taken from gravestone by Ron Bridges on 18 Nov 2001. 9. Birth date taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 10. Death date taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 11. Birth date taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 12. Death date taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 13. Birth date taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 14. Death date taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 15. Birth date year taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. 16. Death date year taken from grave slab marker by Ron Bridges on 11 May 2004. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/montgomery/photos/tombstones/oldoakwood/hails1966gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 13.7 Kb