Today’s post honors an ancestor who fought in the Civil War—a war that began 150 years ago today. Leroy Thomas Holland was born in Belton, Anderson County, South Carolina in September 1835. He married Amanda Elizabeth Scott in 1854 and had four children by the time he joined the war. On April 21, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Jenkins Brigade, Company L, Second South Carolina Rifles. On several occasions during the war, Leroy can be found sick in a Richmond hospital. He was one of many prisoners of war surrendered by General Robert E. Lee and paroled on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.
After the war, Leroy headed home and had seven more children, many of which died young, before his wife died in 1877. Two years later, he married Cindarilla Darliska Amanda Hall and had three more children. Leroy farmed the land he inherited from his father, but due to poor land conditions, was unable to make a living for his family. It became necessary for him to borrow money to provide for his family. Unfortunately, he was unable to pay the debt when it came due but was able to reach an agreement on the money. He lost the land for non payment. Having a friend living in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, Leroy moved his family there in 1891. He died in 1892 after developing pneumonia and is buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton. His wife and three sons moved to Texas after his death.
As a genealogist, I often reflect on what life was like for our ancestors. Most of mine were poor farmers and lived a hard life. Leroy struggled to support his family and found himself caught up in a war on American soil. I have no desire to argue right or wrong for the southern cause here. I just feel the need to remember those who came before us. Like it or not, their actions helped shape who we are today and we should all be thankful for that.
Gone but not forgotten.
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