DANIEL HERRIN 1810 - 1870

(Extracted from Huxford's Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, Vol. II)

Daniel Herrin was born in 1810 in Wayne County (now Brantley) a son of Heron (or Herron) Herrin and his wife, Ann, early settlers of Wayne County. He was married twice. His first wife by whom there were three children was Mehala, dau. of William and Elizabeth Kelly of Wayne County They were married August 17, 1833. She died soon after the birth of their third child, and Mr. Herrin married on January 8, 1838, Miss. Jemima Ammons. She was born in 1818 in this state and was a daughter of William Ammons. By her fifteen children were born. In the following list of Mr. Herrin's children, the first three were by the first wife, the remainder by the second marriage, viz:

1. William Riley *CSA* b. July 10, 1834, m. Emma M. S. Delispine, Feb. 1, 1855.

2. Mary E. b. Aug. 9, 1835, m. John C. Highsmith, Nov. 16, 1854.

3. Herrin "Jeff" *CSA* b. June 9, 1836, m. Jane Head, Mar. 2, 1858.

4. Jane b. Sep. 28, 1838, m. William Douglas, Dec. 30, 1860.

5. James H. *CSA* b. Dec. 23, 1839, m. Martha E. Lewis, Dec. 14, 1865.

6. John Daniel  *CSA* b. July 27, 1841, died single in C.S. Army

7. Louisa b. Sept. 26, 1842, m. Ransom C. Gainey

8. Henry Levi *CSA* b. Jan. 20, 1844, m. Nancy Corbitt, dau. of James.

9. Owen *CSA* b. Apr. 18, 1845, m. Mary E. King, Oct. 4, 1866.

10. Aaron *CSA* b. Apr. 3, 1846, m. Easter Minchew, dau. of Jacob.

11. Martha b. Nov. 29, 1847, m. James Crawford, son of Reubin.

12. Olive (twin) b. Oct. 16, 1850, m. Alfred L. Henderson, son of John S.

13. Moses (twin) b. Oct. 16, 1850, m. Belle Pearson.

14. Telitha b. Dec. 30, 1851, m. Colquitt Davis.

15. S. Wayne C. b. May 9, 1854, m. 1st Martha Raybon; 2nd Kate Kelly.

16. Aziah b. Jan. 8, 1856, died in infancy.

17. Malissie b. Jan. 7. 1857, m. David Warren Highsmith

18. Sherrod F. L. b. Sept. 4, 1859, m. Victoria Highsmith, dau. of Isaac H.

Mr. and Mrs. Herrin had seven sons in the Confederate Army, viz., William R., Herrin "Jeff", James D., John D., Henry l., Owen, Aaron. Of these John D., and Herrin "Jeff" were killed in battle.

John Daniel Herrin enlisted as Private in Company "D", 26 Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, July 29, 1861, at Satilla, Georgia; was killed in battle, May 10, 1864. Herrin Herrin (Nickname "Jeff") enlisted in same Company at Brunswick, Oct. 9, 1861; was wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863, and killed in battle August 17, 1864.

CENSUS REFERENCE: 1840, Ware; 1850, 1860 Wayne

DANIEL HERRIN SENDS SEVEN SONS TO FIGHT FOR THE CONFEDERACY

Two Sons Sacrificed Their Lives!

(Information Assembled by Thomas Earl Cleland from Huxford's Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia Vol II, and South Georgia Rebels by Alton J. Murray)

During the Civil War period, the land now identified as Brantley County was a pioneer country. It was a time when most families relied on a farm for a living. Every member of a family has a responsibility on a farm, and the number of sons influences the number of acres that can be worked. Seven work hands were stripped from the farm of Daniel Herrin during the Civil War; only five of them returned. Herrin Herrin and his younger brother, John Daniel, died on the battle field. There is no greater sacrifice for a county than one's life.

In the April and May, 1995, editions of the "ARMADILLO TRACKS", published by The Brantley County Historical and Preservation Society, Inc., we recognized JAMES ROBINSON as a father, unparalleled  in the number of sons lost in the Civil War. James had five sons involved, with three being killed.

Daniel Herrin was born in 1810 in old Wayne County, now Brantley, the son of Heron Herrin. All total, Daniel fathered 18 children, three by his first wife, Mehala Kelly, and 15 with his second wife. With the death of Mehala after the birth of their third child, Daniel married Jemima Ammons, daughter of William Ammons.

Perhaps you would recognize the names of Daniels surviving sons, William Riley who married Emma M. Delispine; James H. married Martha E. Lewis; Henry Levi married Nancy Corbitt; Owen married Mary E. King; Aaron married Easter Minchew; Moses married Belle Pearson; S. Wayne married (1st) Martha Raybon, (2nd) Kate Kelly; and Sherod F. who married Victoria Highsmith.

Daniel's daughters, Mary E. married John C. Highsmith; Jane married William Douglas; Louisa married Ransom C. Gainey; Martha married James Crawford; Olive married Alfred L. Henderson; Telitha married Colquitt Davis; and Malissie married David Warren Highsmith. The following is a synopsis of Herrin "Jeff" and John Daniel Herrin's death in the Civil War:

a. John Daniel Herrin enlisted as private in Company "D", 26th Georgia Regiment on July 29, 1861, and was killed in the battle of Spotsylvania, Va. on May 10, 1864.  After the Battle of the Wilderness, C.S.A. General John B. Gordon describes his march to Spotsylvania Court-House. "On the morning of the 8th May, I was placed in command of the division, consisting of three brigades; Pegram's (Virginia), Johnston's (North Carolina), and Gordon's Georgia Brigade which included the 26th Georgia Regiment...On the afternoon of the 10th, I received orders to move my division rapidly from the left of our lines to the support of Rodes' division which was being heavily assaulted. Gordon's brigade (with John Daniel included) was ordered forward and the enemy was driven back with considerable losses, and our lines were re-established. The loss in these two brigades were light". There were six known casualties in the 26th Georgia Regiment; John Daniel Herrin was one of those six; a life sacrificed for the Confederate cause.

b. Herrin Herrin (nickname "Jeff") enlisted in the same company at Brunswick on Oct. 9, 1861. He was wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., on May 3, 1863, and was killed in battle on August 17, 1864.  A "named battle" can not be identified with the death of Herrin Herrin. The 26th Georgia Regiment had gone back into the Shenandoah Valley, crossing the Shenandoah River on July 18th, 1864, with the Yankees in pursuit. After taking their positions, General Gordon reversed his strategy and advanced toward the Federals, driving them back in great confusion, killing and wounding many of them. From this time until the end of July, through the entire month of August, and more than half of September 1864, the 26th Georgia Regiment, under the command of General Early, pursued every point of the Shenandoah Valley with scarcely a day of rest; skirmishing, fighting, rushing here and there to meet and drive back cavalry raids. It was during these battles that Herrin Herrin "Jeff" gave his life.

SEVEN HERRIN BROTHERS SERVED IN ARMY OF THE CONFEDERACY (Information Provided by Louise Hendrix (Mrs. Neal)

It isn't often a father can give five sons into the service of his country, but Daniel Herrin, of Wayne County, Ga., sent seven sons to fight for the Confederacy.

Daniel Herrin, when a young lad, came to Wayne County with his widowed father, three brothers and one sister. They came with the early settlers from North Carolina. The original spelling of this line was Herring, as legal documents at the Wayne County court house prove, but in the course of time it was gradually changed to Herrin.

Daniel Herrin married first, Mahala Kelly, on August 17, 1833, and three children were born to this union. His second wife was Jemimah Ammons, and they were married January 8, 1838. To this union were born fifteen children, of which only one died in infancy.

When war was declared between the North and South, three brothers enlisted in 1861, two in 1862, one in 1863, and one in 1864. The following information was obtained from the War Department at Washington, D.C. The data was signed by E.T. Cobley, Brigadier General, acting the Adjutant General.

The records show that W.R. Herring, name also shown as W.R. Herrin, private Company A, 4th Clinch's Regiment, Georgia Calvary, Confederate States Army, enlisted April 27, 1862, at Waynesville, Ga.

o He subsequently became a member of Company K of the same Regiment, and muster roll of that Company for May and June, last on file, shows him present.

o Union records show that he was surrendered May 25, 1865, Thomasville, Ga., and paroled there same day in compliance with terms of a military convention made on April 26, 1865.

The records show that one James H. Herrin, Private, Company D, 26th Regiment Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army enlisted October 9, 1861, at Brunswick Ga.

o Company muster roll for May 1, to August 31, 1864, dated November 4, 1864, last on file, shows him absent "wounded".

o He was admitted to Jackson Hospital, Richmond, Va., May 19, 1864, on account of gun shot wound in right foot, and furloughed May 23, 1864, for six days.

o Union records show that he was surrendered May 25, 1865 at Thomasville, Ga., and paroled there same day in compliance with the terms of a military convention made on April 26, 1865.

The records show that John D. Herrin Private Company D, 26th Regiment Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted July 29, 1861 at Satilla, Ga., He was killed in battle May 10, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Va. 

The records show that Henry L. Herring, served as a Private of Company I, 21st Regiment Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army.

o His name is not born on the muster rolls on file in this office of that company which cover the period in part from August 3, 1861, to August 31, 1864, and no record has been found to show the date and place of his entry into service, but he is shown to have been in service as early as June 17, 1864, on which date he was admitted to C. S. A. General Hospital, Charlottsville, Va., and returned to duty August 2, 1864 (Note: Henry L. Herrin was 18 years old when he enlisted according to family records).

o He was paroled at Manchester, Va., April 21, 1865. His residence is shown as Wayne County, Georgia.

The records show that Owen Herrin, Private, Capt. Clinch's Battery Georgia Light Artillery, Confederate States Army, enlisted December 1, 1863, at Camp Mercer, Company muster roll for September and October 1864 last on file; shows him present. Union records show that he was captured December 13, 1864, at Fort McAllister, imprisoned at Point Lookout, Maryland and was released there June 28, 1865, on taking the oath of allegiance to the United States.

o His place of residence is shown as Wayne County, Georgia; complexion, fair; hair, light; eyes, hazel; and height, five feet, eight and one-half inches. (Under 18 years of age in 1863)

The records show that A. Herrin, Private, Capt. Clinch's Battery Georgia Light Artillery, Confederate States Army, enlisted at Camp Mercer; Company muster roll for September and October 1864, February 9, 1864, last on file shows him absent, sick. No Later record of him has been found.

*Note: Aaron Herrin is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Raybon, Georgia.*

The records show that one (Herron or Herrin, also known to family as "Jeff") Herrin, Private Company D, 26th Regiment Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted October 9, 1861, at Brunswick, Ga. He was killed in battle August 17, 1864. He is also shown to have received a gun shot wound of the arm in battle near Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863.

The Bible Record of Daniel Herrin is as follows: Daniel Herrin Mahala Kelly, married August 17, 1833, by Willoby Cooper, J.P. They had three children,

William Riley Herrin, married Emma M.S. Desispine on February 1, 1855, by James Highsmith, J.P.

Mary Herrin, married John C. Highsmith.

Herrin (Jeff) Herrin, married Jane Head on March 4, 1858.

Daniel Herrin - Jemimah Ammons married January 8, 1838. They had fifteen children.

HERRIN FAMILY SKETCHES

RETURN TO  FAMILY SKETCHES HOME