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1860 Cherokee Co GA, Woodstock Dist p 856 July 26th
1414-1516 Wm M Day 32 f. b. SC
Nancy 30 b. GA
James M. 7
Mary F. 5
Alpha (?) 3 F.
Leona A. 1 F.
Enlisted May 3, 1862 in Milton County, Georgia in the 56th Georgia regiment.
In the spring of 1862 the regiment (56th Georgia) was sent to east Tennessee, where it served in Stevenson's division in the recapture of Cumberland Gap and the advance into Kentucky. In the fall of that year it was sent to Mississippi, sharing with other regiments of the division in the battles and privations of the campaign which ended with the surrender of Vicksburg.
Surrendered at Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4, 1863.
Paroled at Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 15, 1863. He was not paroled immediately after the surrender because he was ill.
Appeared on a list of parolees in hospital in Mobile, Alabama sometime after his parole.
William's wife and her father apparently drove a wagon to Mobile to take him home.
Signed his will at home in Cherokee County, Georgia on August 3, 1863.
Died at home sometime between August 3, 1863 and May 9, 1864 when the will was probated.
Private, Company G, 56th Georgia Infantry.
For information about the travels and experiences of the 56th Regiment see "Sketches of the First Regiment GA. Vols. Together with the History of the 56th Regiment Georgia Vols. to January 1, 1864" by Lt. Oscar A. Cantrell; Atlanta, Georgia: Intelligencer Steam Power Press, 1864.
From the Preface: In that portion of this work termed "The Fifty-Sixth Regiment Georgia Volunteers," we do not; find a full and complete record of important and interesting events, such as might appear were the Author an historian, accompanying the army for the purpose of writing histories, but we find events recorded of minor importance, which, in many places, is done to show the manner in which the soldier passes his life, also to show what demoralizing influences attends his pathway.
Will Book B, page 450 Cherokee County, Georgia
Proven May Term 1864
William M. Day
State of Georgia
Cherokee County
Last Will & Testament I William M. Day feeling that I cannot
long live under the painful disease that now
is praying upon me and feeling it my duty as well as my
privelege to dispose of my property being of sound mind and
disposing memory do hereby constitute this my last will
and testament in words and figures as follows all my land
that I now own to remain unsold until my youngest
child becomes of age as when stated to raise and support
my children and as soon as my youngest child becomes
of age then my wife Nancy M. Day to take one third
of the land and the balance to be sold and equally
divided between my six children namely James M.
Day Mary F. Day Alpha A. Day Leanna A. Day
Gatsey L. Day William M. Day In case my wife
death before the youngest child becomes of age it is
my wish that all my land should remain unsold
until the youngest child has become of age and held
by my Executors hereinafter named all my personal
property consisting of mules houses cows sheep hogs
farming tools household and kitchen furniture.
I will to my wife Nancy M. Day for the maintenance education and support of my six children
until the youngest child becomes of age and when
my youngest child becomes of age my will is that
all the personal property be sold and equally divided
between my legal heirs and if my wife should die
before the youngest child should become of age, then
my will is that all the personal property be sold
and equally divided between my six children as above named. All the money coming to
the hands of my Executors after paying my
funeral expenses and lawfull debts and also the
proceeds of the sale of what cotton that I now have
on hand which cotton may be sold by Executors
and sold at such time as they may think best
for the intrest of my estate - Money on hand at my death be held at interest for the benefit of
my legal heirs and also the money arising
from the sale of the cotton when sold
be held at interest for the same purpose
and be equally divided between my legal
heirs when the youngest child becomes of age
or at the death of my wife Nancy M. Day.
I hereby constitute and appoint Martin
Chamlee and Reuben Day my legal
Executors hereby revoking all former wills.
Signed in presence of August 3rd, 1863
Isaac McConnell William M. Day
Lewis Day
J. T. Hauston
Georgia Personally came before me Clement T.
Cherokee County Hauston and Lewis M Hoak witnesses
to the within will of William M. Day
who being duly sworn and that this matter
writing contains the last will and testament of William
M. Day deceased that the said William M. Day signed
the same of his own free will and accord while he
was of sound disposing mind & memory that they
subscribe the same as witnesses thereto at the special
instance and request of the said William M. Day
and in the presence of the other witnesses thereto
sworn to and subscribed before me the 9 May 1864.
Clement T Hauston
Lewis M. Hoak
James Jordan Ivey
Occupation: farmer and soldier
Religion: Probably Methodist
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