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Battle of Perryville

On this day 152 years ago our ancestors took part on both sides of the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky in the American Civil War. Over twenty percent of those engaged in the battle were either killed, wounded, or went missing, making it one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

On the Union side was James H. Claybourn, William P. Claybourn, Joe Boggs, and Jasper B. Scott, each with Company H of the 80th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Fighting with Confederates against them was Pleasant T. Claiborne. Although Pleasant and his father John opposed secession, Pleasant had been conscripted into Confederate service against his will. In fact, Union soldier Jasper Scott was Pleasant’s brother-in-law, married to his sister Millie Claiborne. Not long after the battle Pleasant was captured and taken prisoner. Given the deplorable conditions for prisoners on both sides, those captured often died of disease, malnutrition, and abuse. Such was the case for Pleasant who died on January 9, 1863. He is buried at the Soldiers’ Rest C.S.A. Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

One great irony is that had any of Pleasant’s Confederate compatriots succeeded in killing James, the family’s genealogical information might never have been compiled. Thus, Pleasant would have survived the battle, but most historical evidence of his very existence would have died.

The Union victory at Perryville marked a turning point in the War. Confederate forces retreated into Tennessee, and Kentucky remained in Union possession for the remainder of the War. Just as important, the victory stalled Europeans from recognizing the Confederacy and rejuvenated Northerners enough to continue supporting the War in the 1862 elections.

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501(c)(3) Status

The Claybourn Genealogical Society has received confirmation that it is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Click here (pdf) for the IRS notice. As a result, all donations to CGS are tax deductible. Click here for more information about donating and membership.

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The Arkansas Claibornes

John B. Claiborne (1812-1874) is a patriarch for one of the main branches of the family, with others originating from his two brothers William Divine Claybourn (1819-1896) and James T. Clayborn (1822-1900). These three brothers all settled in different regions of the country and also spelled the surname differently, and as a result they represent a sort of fork in the road for the family’s history.

William and his children lived in southern Illinois and fought and shed blood supporting the Union during the American Civil War. James and his family lived in Tennessee but remained loyal to the Union throughout the conflict.

John moved from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1859 just before the war broke out, and because some of his sons fought for the Confederacy we have long believed that his branch supported the southern cause. However, recent findings from the Southern Claims Commission now conclusively support that John had in fact remain an ardent Union supporter and suffered much because of it. Additionally, while three of his sons and a son-in-law did fight for the Confederacy, two of them were conscripted (or drafted) against their will. You can now read about these many fascinating updates through the pages of John and separate pages of some of his children:

John B. Claiborne (1812 – 1847)

  1. Matilda Francis Claiborne (1838 – 1888)
  2. John H. Claiborne (1842 – 1932)
  3. Arthur Smith Claiborne (1847 – 1936)

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New Updates

Thanks to the ongoing work by Patricia Brown (a descendant of Sally Claybourn), we have new updates for several branches:

  • William and Mary Claybourn: William (“Bill”) was a Civil War veteran and fought alongside his brother James for about three years in the 80th Illinois Infantry Regiment. He and his wife Mary moved via covered wagons to Kansas, and then to Montana. Numerous of their descendants are listed in detail.
  • John and Ellen Claybourn: John was a Civil War veteran. He and his wife Ellen moved to Minnesota and each lived there to be 90 years old. Many details of their descendants are provided, including separate pages for three of their children listed below.
    • Mourten and Nellie Claybourne: This couple had a falling out with other members of the family and as a result purposefully changed the spelling of their surname. Many details of their well-educated descendants are provided as well, including some who are members of CGS.
    • Leslie William Claybourn: He was married at least three times. Over the years he patented over 200 printing processes and throughout his life was considered a printing process pioneer.
    • John Geronald Claybourn: John was a giant among engineers of his era. He rose in the service of the Panama Canal to become superintendent of the Dredging Division. He was also involved as a consultant in river and harbor improvement projects in several countries, primarily in Latin America.
  • Ephraim and Mary “Jennie” Claybourn: As with other members of the family, Ephraim was instrumental in construction of the Panama Canal and was eventually made superintendent of all floating equipment. Details of his many descendants are provided as well.

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Renew Your Membership

The Claybourn Genealogical Society (CGS) invites you to click here and renew your membership for 2014.

CGS works hard to preserve the family’s history through detailed biographical sketches, archived letters and photographs, and publishing historically relevant items for dissemination among the family and public.

Promoting and protecting our family’s history is a big job and can only be accomplished with the support of people like yourself who care about the past, who know that our history defines our future, and who believe that CGS has a rich and colorful history that should never be lost, forgotten or even temporarily misplaced.

In 2014, we will continue to improve our website and embark on an ambitious plan to publish all of the material in one comprehensive book. These efforts can be costly, along with the normal expenses associated with web hosting and research fees.

By becoming a member today, you will join others helping to keep our family’s historical knowledge alive for today and tomorrow. Individual memberships begins at only $20 and permanent membership is available at only $100. Click here for more.

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Robert Alan Brown (1930 – 2013)

Robert Alan Brown (“Bob”) passed away on 22 October 2013 at the age of 83 in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. You can read more about Bob and his ancestry on the page devoted to his mother and father, Opal and Herbert Brown.

Bob was a 1948 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School (Illinois). He served in the US Navy from 1948-1949 and was also in the Air Force ROTC. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BBA and married his wife, Norma Jean Falz (born 17 July 1931), on 16 June 1953. He completed Harvard University’s Program for Management Development in 1971.

Bob worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for 25 years in various management positions worldwide, including Executive Vice President of Firestone Canada. He moved to Carlisle as President of Carlisle Tire and Rubber in 1978 and worked there until 1982 when he opened Carlisle Syntec and served as its President until his retirement in 1994.

Bob was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church, where he was Chair of Trustees. He was an active member of the communities in which he lived, including serving on the Board of Directors at the Carlisle Hospital and the Carlisle Country Club. After retiring, Bob and Norma moved to Beaufort, South Carolina where he was active in his church choir.

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Beverly Kay Claybourn

Beverly Kay Claybourn, the wife of Jon Norfleet Claybourn, Jr., passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Thursday, November 1, 2012 at her home in Bay City, Texas. Beverly’s husband Jon was the grandson of Guy Raymond Claybourn (1897 – 1963).

Beverly was an accomplished athlete who set records and won numerous awards while competitively swimming in the Gulf Coast Aquatic Association. She was a certified Red Cross lifeguard and water safety instructor, as well as an adult handicapped swimming teacher. She was elected as a cheerleader at Bay City Junior High School while still attending Holy Cross Catholic School in the eight grade. She was UIL state diving champion when she was 14. The softball team she played second base for, the “Sparks”, won the national championship in the 60’s. Her photograph made the cover of Cover Girl magazine when she was 16. She was Sophomore Sweetheart in high school. She went to school in Mexico and became fluent in Spanish.

Beverly was a constant fixture in the concession stand at the Bay City High School baseball field for both high school and Babe Ruth baseball. She and her husband sponsored an adult Co-Ed softball team, The Odd Couples, in the Bay City Parks and Recreation League. Bev and Jody also took numerous long vacations driving and saw many sights around the country. She greatly enjoyed country dancing with her husband and friends. She volunteered with the Women’s Crisis Center. She supported paralyzed veterans and American Indian Charities. She loved to work in the yard tending her plants, trees, and roses. She most of all loved to get together with family at anytime although the holidays were special, and was well-known for always remembering everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries. She was loved by everyone who knew her.

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