Henry Newton Cochran's diary, part 4

Henry was a farmer all his life and sometimes, in the early adult years, struggled to provide for his family. He dealt with many people in Campbell County in the mid- to late-1800s, moving from farm to farm, and often seemed to feel he got the "short end of the stick" in many deals.

We pick up with Henry's first marriage at about age 20. Perhaps some of your ancestors are mentioned in this portion of his diary.

"In the fall of 1868 I was employed with Mr. John Fowler on the farm of Dr. Paul Harnsby. [JK's note: This probably should be 'Hornsby.' John Fowler's son, George Wilson Fowler, married Samantha C. Hornsby in 1876.] Here I met the orphaned daughter of a Mr. Martin Owens. I don't remember her mother's name. After a few months of a very pleasant acquaintance I asked her to become my wife and on the 5th day of January 1869 we were married by the Rev. George R. Moore and my Sweethearts name was changed from Miss Matilda Chatfield Owens to Mrs. Matilda Chatfield Owens Cochran.

"Soon after our marriage we moved, I say moved, as we certainly had little to move. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that we went to live on the farm of Mr. William Wilkerson near Palmetto.

"Our belongings were about as follows: One cheap home made bedstead. One small table-bought on credit, a pot, a skillet, andirons, a set of knives and forks, one set of plates, and cups and saucers, two chairs-borrowed, a shoulder of meat-borrowed, a few quilts, a small feather bed, and a very small amount of wearing apparel. We did not even have a table cloth or a straw tick.

"After a few months we went back to my mother's, my father having died on the 2nd of January, 3 days before our marriage. During the balance of the year I did a great deal of ditching and job work ...

"We made a fairly good crop in 1870 on the Nix farm. I would carry the cradle out in the field and place our first born in it while we worked the crop. She was born on the 20th November 1869, precious and was a great pleasure to us [Viola Alvanono she was then our "Val"].

"It will be remembered that our earthly belongings were very limited so we had to live very economically. Mr. Nix furnished us with a limited amount of supplies up to the last working over of our crop. When he with drew his support and we were left upon our own resources, which were very short. I was told that he was in the habit of doing this to cause the tenant to be compelled to leave his crop to work for rations and he would come in and finish it and claim the crop.

"I was barefooted and short of clothes. I went to Palmetto to try to get a small advance until I could finish my crop. I went to Parker Halarman and told him my situation. He said he had no meat or he would let me have it. I told him that I would finish my crop if I had to do it on pine resin.

"I went to Capt. Levi Ballard and asked him if he knew me well enough to sell me a pair of shoes on credit. He said No, without even looking up from his desk. Of course I came home feeling very low spirited, but determined to finish my crop, at all hazards, which I did.

"I did not care to start another crop where I had been so badly treated, so I made arrangements to make a crop for another year (1871) on the farm of Mr. G. L. Thompson near Mt. Vernon Church, where our time was spent much more pleasantly. I can think to this year with pleasure that is hard to describe. So much for a good neighborhood.

"We moved to the farm of N.W.G. Kelly in the winter of 1871, and made a crop there in the year of 1872. Where our second daughter Mary Oleana was born on the 7th of November 1872.

"The people in the community were a kindly disposed set, but were of a lawless disposition, generally well acquainted with the Revenue Department. We were often awakened at night by the tramp of horses and persons on their way to and from the illicit distilleries in the woods ... An illicit still is a curse to any community.

"For the winter of 1873, I contracted to work for Mr. Kelly for the sum of $250.00. Scenes that were enacted through this community during those two years can never be erased from my memory: horses were stolen, money was stolen, and various other unlawful acts that would not be proper to record here.

"When we moved next, we moved to the farm of Mr. L.P.(?) Hudson's and farmed on shares with W.J. Fowler (a brother-in-law). Owing to a misunderstanding in regard to a valentine, we had a fight, and agreed to arbitrate our difference. Mr. George Cook and Mr. John Mason were chosen to decide what was due me for my part of the crop, and I again took my duds and started. We now took up job work again, on the land of Mr. E.M. Nolan.

"In the fall we moved onto the land of Mr. James R. Phillips, Where our first Baby boy was born on March 4, 1875 (Edgar Love). We made a good crop here and had a very nice time for the most part of the year 1875."

We'll stop here and continue next week, when Henry finally gets a farm of his own and has more children. Thanks to Bill Cochran (saltercoc@aol.com) for this wonderful diary.

Send your south metro Atlanta family histories to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!

(Judy regrets that time does not permit her to do personal research for others.)