Credits:  Bert Christensen Photo
Bert Christensen's Artwork

 

 Old Suwanee Baptist Church former Pastor and Civil War Veteran was honored at said church.

James Harrison Braziel, aka Tip - was born June 18, 1840 - Cobb County, GA.  Parents:  George Rapille and Temperance SKINNER Braziel, who were born in Jackson County, Georgia.

Tip was 21 in 1861 and enlisted at Lawrenceville, GA on July 16, 1861 in Company B 42nd GA Infantry, the Army of Tennessee.  He saw action at Cumberland Gap Apr 24, 1862, and then xfered to Army of Northern VA, Company I, 16th GA Infantry.  He was wounded at Sharpsburg, MD and was received at the Gen. Hospital at Camp Winder Richmond, VA - Sep 20. 1862, later receiving a furlough.  Dec. 11-13, 1862 he was at Battle of Fredericksburg, was wounded at Chancellorsville, and was absent from unit til Aug 1863 due to wound.  Upon return, he was with the then known Company C., 3rd Battalion Sharpshooters.  The next record is when he was captured on 4/6/1865 @ Saylor's Creek, VA.  Held prisoner @ Point Lookout MD where brother Robert Hayden Braziel had died 11/9/1863 after being captured at Gettysburg, PA.  Tip was released 6/24/1865 and walked home from Lookout Point, MD to Gwinnett County, GA.

Dec. 28, 1865 he married Seleta Rebecca Caroline Doss who was born 4/2/1844, raising 4 children - Edward Rapille Lee, Robert Greene, Dovie Melissa, Tandy Jefferson, Floyd S., and Seleta Temperance [Essie]. 

James was later called to become a preacher. He pastored 7 Baptist churches in Gwinnett County.
Island Ford 1870-1874; Zion Hills 1873-1884; Old Suwanee (14 years); Walnut Grove (1yr); Chestnut Grove (1 yr) Hog Mtn; Auburn Baptist 1900-1902. 
He departed this life at the age of 61, with his wife living to be 88 and dying on 12/1/1932, both of whom are buried at Old Suwanee Baptist Church Cemetery, Gwinnett County, GA.

After the tribute re-enactment from Sons of Conf. Veterans fired a 12 volley salute.  (Pvt. Bill Oakes, Sgt. James Haralson, Sgt. David Barrett, Pvt. Jimmy Dodd, and Pvt. Robert Hoover).

Mrs. Bob Rivers and Mrs. Emmett Williams of #18 UDC placed a bronze marker and flag at the grave of James Braziel with a program of dedication.  About 20 guests and family attended:
David Braziel (GGGrandson)
wife - Susan & son Johnathan

Harold R. Braziel - Great Grandson
 wife: Willie Mae Braziel

Ernest Braziel - Great Grandson) - wife Martha

Marie Braziel Barker (Great Granddaughter)
husband: B. A. Barker

Great grandson David has a circa 1901 photo of the family of James H. Braziel with 21 members of their family.  [Temple Hills - MD]