Josiah James Pegues

Josiah James Pegues

Josiah James Pegues, 1825-1906

• Father: Christopher Butler Pegues b. 6 January 1789, d. 30 June 1846
• Mother: Eliza Hodges Evans b. 11 January 1793, d. 24 November 1888

• Josiah James Pegues was born on 19 July 1825 in Chesterfield District, South Carolina.
• He married Cornelia Caroline Alston, daughter of William Williams Alston and Mary Haywood Burgess, on 29 November 1848 in Clarke County, Alabama, license issued on the 25th in Marengo County.
• Josiah James Pegues and Cornelia Caroline Alston appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Selma Beat, Dallas County, Alabama, enumerated next to the household of Josiah's brother Christopher. Other members of the household included Henry H. Pegues.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
• The following appeared on 9 August 1850 in the Tri-Weekly Alabama Journal: (Advertisement) Notice to Cotton Planters. Cotton Gins! Cotton Gins! The undersigned respectfully announce to the people of Dallas and the neighboring counties, that they now are, and have been for more than 12 months, engaged in the manufacture of superior Cotton Gins, and, by reference to the subjoined testimonials, it will be seen that they have given unlimited satisfaction to all who have favored them with their patronage. They make but one kind of Gin, and that of a superior quality, and they are sold at but one price.
       Their Manufactory is seven miles West of Cahawba, on the Linden road. Orders from abroad will be promptly attended to. Address Cahawba. Campbell & Hesler . . .
       This s to certify that I purchased of Campbell & Hesler, of Dallas county, last fall, a Cotton Gin, which proved to be an excellent one. It gins rapidly, does not heat, runs light and makes a good sample of cotton, and gives general satisfaction. I take pleasure in recommending them to the public generally. Felix G. Adams . . .
       This is to certify that I purchased last fall, a Gin from Messrs. Campbell & Hesler, of Dallas County, Alabama, which afforded entire satisfaction, and I take pleasure in recommending them to the public generally. J. J. Pegues . . .
• Josiah James Pegues became a widower at the 17 January 1852 death of his wife Cornelia Caroline Alston.
• He married Caroline Medora Fitts, daughter of James Harris Fitts and Rebecca Emily Alston, on 2 March 1854 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
• Josiah James Pegues and Caroline Medora Fitts appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Joseph Evans Pegues, Samuel Fitts Pegues and Henry H. Pegues.
• He was a planter, according to the 1860 census.
• Josiah James Pegues and Caroline Medora Fitts appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Joseph Evans Pegues, Samuel Fitts Pegues and Ida Pegues.
• He was sheriff, according to the 1870 census.
• Josiah James Pegues and Caroline Medora Fitts appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Springville, St. Clair County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Joseph Evans Pegues, Samuel Fitts Pegues and Ida Pegues.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1880 census.
• Josiah James Pegues became a widower at the 1 October 1898 death of his wife Caroline Medora Fitts.
• Joseph Evans Pegues and Rosa Rowan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, at Jefferson. Other members of the household included Josiah James Pegues, Carolyn Medora Pegues, Annie Rowan Pegues, Harry Harrington Pegues, Ida Eaton Pegues and Rosa Rowan Pegues.
• Josiah James Pegues died on 23 May 1906 at age 80 at the home of his son J. E. Pegues.
• He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
• The following appeared on 24 May 1906 in The Montgomery Advertiser: Col. J. J. Pegues, one of this county's most prominent citizens passed away this morning at 4 o'clock at the home of his son, J. E. Pegues, at the great age of 81 years.
       He was born in South Carolina in July, 1825, and came to Tuscaloosa with his parents when but an infant. When the civil war came, he was one of the first to join with the Warrior Guards as a private and participated in the first battle of Manassas. When President Davis retreated from Richmond the deceased, who at that time ranked Lieutenant Colonel, together with his regiment, acted as an escort for the President.
       At the close of the conflict great lawlessness prevailed in this county and the sheriff could not preserve order. Colonel Pegues' friends insisted that he should accept the office, and by his cool head and untiring efforts, he brought order. In 1886 he was appointed Circuit Clerk of the district by the Governor of alabama. He was, at the time of his death, commander of the Confederate Veterans at this place, a Southern gentleman of the old school, and a model citizen.
       In March, 1852 [sic], Colonel Pegues was wedded to Miss Caroline Fitts, sister to Hon. J. H. Fitts of this city. He is survived by the following children: S. F. Pegues of Chicago, J. E. Pegues of this city, and Mrs. Ida Eaton of Dallas county.

• Last Edited: 18 Mar 2015

• Charts: Descendants of PEGUES Claudius & Marcia Saunders