Private James Weatherly, Co. F, 51st Tennessee Infantry, CSA

The following timeline is 1 member of the Weatherly family, who had at least 6 family members fighting on the field at Franklin: James, Houston, Rufus, William, Wright and Elial. Brothers and cousins.

1843

  • James Weatherly was born to Wright and Ann Bryant Weatherly in Madison County, TN.

1850

  • September 6: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Denmark, Madison County, TN showed 21-year-old James living with his parents, Wright and Ann, and his siblings: Caroline, Mary, Robert, William, Houston, Rufus, Wright, Nancy, John, Richard and Alexander. His father was a farmer and owned $1000 in real estate.

1860

  • November 7: James Weatherly married Mary Jane Valentine in Madison County, TN.

1861

  • May 15: James’ brothers Houston and Robert Weatherly enlisted in the C.S. Army in Jackson, TN. They mustered into the 6th TN Infantry.

1862

  • March 10: James Weatherly enlisted in the C.S. Army along with his cousins Lucius and Elial Weatherly in Denmark, TN. Lucius and Elial lived on the farm next to James’ family. James mustered into the 51st TN Infantry and Lucius and Elial mustered into the 6th TN Infantry.
  • June 30: Company Muster Roll. Absent. Remarks “Sent to Hospital Jackson, Tenn.”

     ***It’s possible James did not return to his regiment.***

1863

  • July 8: James, along with brothers William, Wright and Rufus enlisted in the C.S. Army in Denmark, TN. They all mustered into Co F, 14th Cavalry. Enlisting might not have been voluntary, during the summer of 63’ Gen. N. B. Forrest was conscripting soldiers throughout West Tennessee. At some point between July 63’ and November 64’ James returned to his original regiment the 51st TN Infantry.
  • November 25: James’ brother John T. Weatherly was killed in action at the Battle of Missionary Ridge.

1864

  • November 30: James Weatherly fought in the Battle of Franklin with his original regiment the 51st TN Infantry. On the battlefield at least 4 of his brothers Wright, William, Rufus and Houston and 1 cousin, Elial Weatherly were also fighting. James was killed in action.
  • James was buried at the McGavock Confederate Cemetery in Franklin, TN. Section 54-Tenn, Grave #40.

***James would never have had the opportunity to meet his youngest child, Emma Lee Weatherly, who was born in November, shortly before James was killed. His widow, Mary Jane, remarried to Henry Sexton in 1865, but he died in 1869. Mary Jane chose to move to Greene County, Arkansas with her children.***