C. Gerard Gregory (ca. 1800-13 May 1882), the fifth son of Gerard and Freelove, was called Jarrett Jr., Jerard and Gerard.

By 1820, Jarret Jr. (C. Gerard) had married his first wife, Margaret -?- (who probably died in childbirth in 1830), and was living near his mother. He married at a young age and had a son (name unknown) almost two years old and a daughter, Susannah, born in 1820. Other children of this union: Elizabeth, 1822; David C., 1824; Rachel, 1825; and Robert Jordan, 12 July 1830.

C. Gerard married Mary (Polly) Comer (?-2 October 1893) in 1831. To this union were born: Daniel, 2 February 1832; Gasmond H., 1833; Angeline Emily, 1836; Richard V., 1837; Clifton John, 8 October 1838; Jason Gerard, 1841; Martha, 1842; Simpson Lefarit, 10 May 1844; Amanda, 1846; Roberta Marenda, 1849; Elizabeth Frances, 1851; and Thomas H., 1854.

The first official record regarding Gerard, a deed legalizing the sale of 258 acres of land to him by Benjamin J. Gregory, starts out "I John B. Gregory ..." and had Benjamin J. Gregory superimposed over the former name. (Union County Deed Book T, pps. 146-).

Freelove Gregory, by Deed of Gift, transferred 28¼ acres on Brown's Creek to him, 3 June 1828 (execution). The deed was recorded 21 February 1829. Gerard and his first wife sold 227 acres to Joseph Tate, 30 October 1829 (execution date). Margaret signed the dower relinquishment, 24 November 1829, and the deed was recorded (Union County Deed Book B, p. 83) on 2 May 1831. Two McJunkins, J.T. and George W., witnessed this deed. They may have been relatives of Margaret.

The government had opened up new land in Alabama. C. Gerard's cousin, Levi, had already moved; and C. Gerard and his wife, Polly sold their land in order to follow. Polly was still holding baby, Richard V. (the last child born in South Carolina), in her lap when she had Clifton John in Georgia on the way to Alabama. The well-worn route took them close to St. Clair County, Alabama, where they are found in 1840. They soon arrived at cousin Levi's, who always had the latchkey out for relatives and friends. The C. Gerard Gregory family settled in Pickens County, Alabama, where the rest of the children were born.

C. Gerard (Gerord) Gregory's name appears in the History of Alabama and her People, giving C. Gerard's wife's name as Molly Holmes. This was with Clifton John Gregory, his wife, Lucinda, and son, Verdo Virtis.

David C. Gregory (1824-17 June 1865), first known son of C. Gerard and his first wife, Margaret, was born in Union County. David was in his teens when his family traveled to Alabama where he grew up, helping his father farm, first in St. Clair County and then in Pickens County.

David C. (or "D.C." as he signed his name) met and married Elizabeth Massie in 1849 and lived in Franklin County, Alabama. Their children: Margaret B. (Babe), 1850; William Robert (Bud), 6 January 1851; Mary G.C. (Sis), 1855; and Elija Gerard (Lige), 1856.

Tragedy came to David C. in 1856. He lost his beloved wife, Elizabeth. She was standing near the fireplace ironing when her skirt caught fire and she was so severely burned, she died. Lige was just a baby. His life was saved when his six-year-old sister carried him out of the burning house.

David returned to Pickens County to be near his parents so they could help him rear his young family. He met Martha Ann Smith, who lived with her parents on the Sipsey River nearby. They were married in 1861 and Martha Ann became an instant mother to Elizabeth's children. David and Martha settled in Tuscaloosa County. Their sons were: David Allen W., 21 June 1862; and Richard Daniel Simpson, 11 June 1864.

The two boys were born at the home of Martha's parents, Archie and Milly Smith, in Green County because David was away at war. He had enlisted, 1 April 1862, as a Private in Company F, 41st Regiment, Alabama Infantry Volunteers.

There were many months and years of war. David returned home on furlough a few times and wrote often to his wife, Martha, and family. He was a kind and compassionate man who constantly sent his love to others: "Kennedy and Susan" (his oldest sister and her husband), and his father and mother. Once he wrote, "I wish I could hear Polly laugh.". He counseled and advised Martha Ann, and encouraged and praised his family. David also kept track of his brothers, Robert J., Daniel, Gasmond (Hamp), Dick, Clifton John (Jehu), Jason and Simpson Lefarit, always sending word of them to their father and mother.

David was in his early forties when the war ended. He wrote to Martha Ann from Petersburg, Virginia on 4 January 1865: "think if thar ant a change soon the boys will change it purty D_ Q_-. I think the leaders of this little institution is in a close place ... Bob is coming home on furlough, send me a little sashedge (sausage)." Martha Ann received one more letter from Petersburg, dated March 1865. He wrote, "I thank you a thousand times for the sashedge, meat and cakes. I hope this war may close soon so we can git home in Peas (sic) for this is a horrible life to live. The Yanks has mity ny got us huting (hurting)."

David had been captured in the last great battle and taken prisoner. He died in a United States prison hospital at Petersburg on 17 June 1865 and was buried on P. West's farm in Newport News, Virginia. In 1900, he, along with other Confederate soldiers, was re-interred in the Greenlawn Cemetery. David was chosen to be placed under the Lee Camp Confederate Monument.

Martha Ann struggled through the war years to raise their children. The years after the war were still difficult. Her step-children were now on their own so she left the farm (taking her sons, David Allen, 18, and Simpy, 16) to go to Mississippi. They lived in Denmark, a small farming community.

Between 1895 and 1898, David Allen and his wife moved to Comanche County, Texas, taking his mother with them. The family first settled in the community of Robertson Springs near the town of DeLeon. Most of their near relatives followed them.

The following letters were written by David C. Gregory to his wife, Martha Ann, during the War Between the States. They are transcribed exactly as written; no attempt has been made to correct spelling or punctuation. The letters poignantly express the war from the eyes of a Private. The cost of the war was high to David. He was away from his wife, his children, his parents. He could not provide for his family. He saw his brother die and could do nothing to stop it. And, finally, he lost his own life. All he really wanted was to go home.

STATE ALA
JACKSON CO

AUGUST 24 62

Dear wife and children and pa
this is Sunday morning. I am well as comon. I hope that the murseys of God these lines will comb safe to your distant sweat (sweet) hands and find you well and doing well.
I received your kind leter the 21 inst. that was Dated the 12. It Don my hart good to read it. It releaved me of a hevy wate to now that you was all doing as well as you ar. I hope you will all keep in good hart and do the best you can. I want to sea you all mity bad. But I try to pass of the time the best I can. I dremp of seing Davy last night. O Lord how long can I bee Before I can git to comb home to my sweat wife and Babys. it shorly cant Bee long but I dont no.
The Yankees is close by they are on one side of the river and us the other. But we ar vary frenly. We can talk to each other as much as we please. They are as will to quit as we ar. They ar coming over and given up eve day.
Our Regment is tore all to peases. Wee left three companeys in Charles to gard that Bridge. We left thar the 21 and landed at this plase to 22. They sent us hear to keep the Yanks from Crosen the River. This morning we have orders for three companeys to go to some Bridg to gard it. I dont no what company will hav to go. I dont thing we will have to do anything but Dog about and gard Bridges and clean up camp grounds. that is all we have Don yet.
Well hun my Mess is all sick by mee... Daniel and they is not much sick. They Can eat vary harty. Jehu was left in Charleston sick with the ganders. Dick was take vary sick last night with Bowel Complant. I hope he will be beter by night. We hated to leave Jehu mity bad but it was the best for him I think. He will be up with us in a few days. If we are one of the companys that has to leave hear I hope I wont have to leav Dick. Tel father and mother that Dick and Jehu I dont think is any ways dangerous and Jehu is whar he will bee tended tow and if I keep wll Dick wont lack for attention if I am permited to stay with him.
We are about 75 miles from Charleston. Tell Bob and Hamp that the Capt has rote to his on and giv him the authority to bring the boys thru.
Well lovin wife this is a hard life to liv But it has to Bee. I hope it wont last long. I think they ar fixen up to quit. it is the opinion of the people generly. Well my wife and Babys and I want you all to Do the Best you can and pray for my Saf Return and quick. This is the 9 leter I have rote to you. When you git this leter I want to to wright to me how many leters you hav got from me sens I left hom giv my Best Respects to Every Body that inquires after mee.
I am Seten on an old log and Rightin on a barel hed. Billy Kelly is with mee. I am going to right a leter for him when I finish mine. So I shal have to close for the lack of room and Somthing to right. Direct you leter to Chattanoog Tennessee. So I remain your and loven husban til Death Shal part us.

D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory his wife

TULAHOMA TENNESSEE

JAN 31st 1863

DOLTON GEORGIA

May the 26/63

My Dear Wife
I seat My Self this morning to Right to you a few lines to let you now how I am. I am improven Som. I think I will get well. I hope these lines will find you all well.
I have jest red you kind leter that was dated the 14. Bob Brung it to me this Morning I wanted to go with them Mity Bad But Coldent. Tell Martha Bob is well and harty the Boys is all well. My Dear I hope that I will git to Comb home Before long I shal try to git to Comb.
Dan Bounds is hear he is not doen very well he loocks very Bad little Griff is Doing toleaBle (tolerably) well.
I am so pround that your wheat is So goo I do hope to God you wont Sufer yet. So turn over (he is asking her to turn to Page 2). Tel Sgt. Hufmon he is a white Man and is a gentleman. giv him My Best lov and respects tel him I Shal Ever Respect him.
I hope I will Sea you all Befor long. I wish I was thar to help you Eat letes (lettuce) and Shelots for I am starved out for greens I am so proud that Davy groes so fast God Bless his little Soul I want to sea him so Bad tel all the children to Bea good smart Children. tel Bud and Liga to tend to thar Colt and Stock til I git home. Hun do the Best you Can
I hop you will Do well give My love to all the Connection tel them to wright give my lov to Mother and father hun Right as often as you can. Direct to St. Mary hospittle Dolton Georgia. So I mus clos for this time.

D.C. Gregory to his good wife, M.A. Gregory.

ATLANTA GEORGIA

May The 20, 1864