Georgia: Oglethorpe County: Biography of James Thomas Crowley ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: June Bork Jbbork@hotmail.com ==================================================================== Biography of James Thomas Crowley A handwritten document prepared by Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald (born 11 Feb 1847), sister of James Thomas Crowley and grandchildren of Abram Crowley and Susanna Brittain. BRIEF SKETCH OF LIFE OF PRIVATE JAMES THOMAS CROWLEY SON OF BENAJAH AND ELIZABETH JEWEL CROWLEY. James Thomas Crowley was born 11 Sep 1848 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He was mustered into the Confederate service in Athens, GA 1864, when he had barely reached the tender age of sixteen. When men of his years were called out, it was truly said of the Confederate government, 'They were using up their seed corn. The life was too hard for boys. He joined Company D 28th Georgia Battalion, Major Cook Commanding. He was rapidly hurried to the scene of action, and was in the battle of Griswoldville, east of Macon. A hot fight and many were killed and wounded. He was in the siege of Savannah where Gen'l Hardee was attacked by Gen. Sherman after his terrible march through Georgia. On the night of the 20th of December 1864, Gen. Hardee withdrew from the city with 10,000 men and crossed the river on pontoon bridges. They were too heavily outnumbered to hope to successfully meet the triumphant army of Sherman. One incident is related by one young soldier in this siege of Savannah. Eight men protected by log houses fought back a whole line of battle, and were personally complimented by Gen. McLaws. He was in the battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina, of the sixty nine men engaged of Company D, engaged in this battle, only thirty one were able to report the next day, so stubbornly had they fought. At Honey Hill 700 men engaged 17 regiments of Yankees, and killed more men than they had in the fight. This heroic lad bore a man's part in all the hardships of war; in camp; on the long and arduous marches; and in the line of battle where bullets fell like hail, and comrades were slain; he bore himself with the fine buoyant, hopeful, cheerful spirit that characterized him through life. The incessant marching as the troops were moved here and there caused the soldiers to throw away everything they could possibly do without, and all sorts of supplies were exhausted, so this youthful soldier went for weeks without a change of clothes. When wading streams they would sometimes strip off their shirts and wash them, and put them on again to dry as the exegesis of the case allowed. When he reached home after the surrender on April 9th 1865, he was worn to exhaustion and covered with sores. The straps on his accoutrements had rubbed the skin off his back and shoulders and were stained and stiffened from the resultant sores. His garments were in rags, and his feet almost bare, were blistered as he had walked almost the entire way from Columbia, SC to his home in Oglethorpe County In the valor with which he had faced dangers, and the fortitude which sustained him under cruel and long continued hardships and privations he was indeed a hero before he was seventeen. He manfully assumed the care of his widowed mother and her ten dependent children. All through his life he maintained a high-toned Christian character. His death was brought about by a fall from his buggy in which he sustained internal injuries. Death had no alarms for him. When the summons came he said "I am ready!" James T. Crowley united with the Baptist Church at Antioch, Oglethorpe Co. August 1865 and was baptized by Dr. P.H.Mill. A tender recollection comes back through the years, of such sweetness it deserves mention in these brief notes. There was less difference in my own and my brother's ages than others in the family, and we grew up in close intimacy. He had entered the army without being converted, and the awful dangers to wich he was exposed burdened my heart. Many, many anxious hours of agonizing prayer were spent, and on nights while I tossed in wordless importunity on a wet pillow, God gave me the gracious assurance that my prayers were heard and my soul was filled with peace. When the meeting began at Antioch he was deeply concerned and in the twilight one evening at grandfather Jewel's we two slipped quietly up stairs together to read and pray that he might be able to understand the plan of salvation. As I uttered the sobbing petition as we knelt face to face, suddenly he clasped my hands tighter and cried out joyfully "Oh I see! I see how God can forgive for Christ's sake!" What an holy hour that was! Outside the window, the big old chestnuts shook their leafy branches; a full moon shed its soft radiance in a flood of glorious beauty. But the brightest light shone in my brother's eyes as he gave utterance to the deep joy that filled his soul. It was a Bethel to me, and heaven was a shining reality to us in that dear old upper room and the hope that made it so sweet was his stay and support in the years that followed, and was his comfort when the end came. On Dec 22nd 1870 he was married to Miss Susie Spratlin of Oglethorpe Co. who was a granddaughter of Mr Henry Brittain, a leading citizen, and for more than thirty years Ordinary of Oglethorpe County. The Spratlins were a prominent family in Wilkes Co. To them was born a remarkable family, eight sons, and five daughters; one son died in infancy, the others grew up to strong noble young manhood and womanhood, and are leading lives of usefulness. Of these, two sons Ben and William (Jack) were victims of influenza and passed away in the prime of life during the year 1918-1919. Who can estimate the worth of a man? Who can measure the power of the influence of a life spent in the faithful performance of duty? James Crowley had scant opportunity for an education, but he loved to read, and spent much time in reading every book that fell into his hands, and he read thoughtfully; subscribed to magazines and papers, and became one of the best informed men of his community. His estimate of human nature was keen and usually correct. He was a just man, but of kindly heart, and his aid to the suffering was generous; his ear open to the call from those about him. The same manly courage and fortitude that made him such a good soldier as a boy, characterized him through life. No misfortune daunted him, no trouble soured him or made him a grouch. He never sought favor, nor felt fear, but stood four square to the world. A good man. Children of James Thomas Crowley and Susie Spratlin: 1. Edgar Crowley, b. 29 Oct 1871, m. 22 Dec 1892 to Cora Fambro 2. Elizabeth Crowley, b. 3 May 1873, m. 3 Feb 1892 to Albert Fambro 3. Robert Crowley, b. 18 Jul 1874, m.13 Nov 1900 to Mrs Minnie Watson 4. Charlie Crowley, b. 2 Oct 1875 5. John Bell Crowley, b. 6 Jun 1877, m. 25 Dec 1899 to Dessa Eidson 6. Andrew Y. Crowley, b. 24 Dec 1878, m. 14 May 1906 to Pearl Fowler 7. Minnie H. Crowley, b. 10 Sep 1880, m. 15 Sep 1910 to Joe S. Harris 8. William (Jack) Crowley, b. 9 Dec 1881, m. 28 Dec 1907 to Ollie Lou Colquitt 9. Benajah Crowley, b. 9 Sep 1883, m. 4 Sep 1910 to Hattie Eidson 10. Mattie J. Crowley, b. 9 Jun 1885, m. 26 Nov 1906 to Walter Loving 11. Emma S. Crowley, b. 30 Jul 1887, m. 23 Jun 1900 to Malvin Edwards 12. Effie Beulah Crowley, b. 22 Sep 1888, m. 21 Feb 1909 to Odell Spinks 13. Joseph Pope Crowley, 9 Jul 1890, m. 7 Mar 1916 to Moselle Hansford (From Shirley Crowley of Greensboro, NC).