| James Abner Eiland
was born in Montgomery County Alabama on December 3, 1843, the first
child to parents Levi D. Eiland Jr. and Polly Pippet. After
Polly's death in the late 1840's, Levi D. Eiland Jr. remarried to Lydia
Ann Whatley and had at least five children with her. By 1850 Levi
Jr. and Lydia had acquired 40 acres of property in the Brantley area of
Covington County Alabama. In addition by 1856 Levi Jr. and Lydia
had acquired a 40 acre tract of property in the Union Community.
These small communities were located near to the boarder of
Covington and Coffee County Alabama until 1866 when a portion of
Covington County became that of Crenshaw County Alabama. It was
here that Levi Jr. raised his family and nine children, one of them
being James Abner. There are many researcher out there who have
confused James Abner with
his two cousins whose names were James Aaron and James Absalom as
all
three were known as James A. and were raised in the same area of
Alabama. At the outbreak of the Civil War James Abner didn't enlist right away, for reasons unclear at this time, since he was old enough being the age of 18. It wasn't until 1864 when James Abner enlisted for services with the Confederate States Army. Going to the Rose Hill Post Office in Covington County Alabama James enlisted for services and was mustered with Company F of the 33rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry. Company F being comprised of resident of both Covington and Coffee County Alabama became known as the "Covington and Coffee Grays." The 33rd Alabama Infantry had actually been organized two years prior, on April 23, 1862, at Pennsecola, Florida. On May 25, 1864 the 33rd Alabama was engaged in the Battle of New Hope Church, near to Atlanta, Georgia. Sometime during this engagement James Abner was struck in his left chest with a minnie ball, fired from the Union lines. Records indicate that the shot badly tore at the insides with James' lungs also being torn badly, causing extensive bleeding. As a result James was taken to the Meridian, Mississippi Hospital where after 3 or 4 weeks he was given a 30 day sick furlough, due to his weak lungs and his likelihood of contracting a cough from the others around him. After given his sick furlough, James returned to his home where he was able to recover from his wounds. While recovering at home and likely after given an extension of his furlough, the war ended and James Abner was discharged from his services. After the war and after his recovery James worked around his father's farm helping with the everyday task that needed to be done. James also met a young neighborhood girl by the name of Susan B. Taylor. On December 24, 1873 James Abner Eiland and Susan B. Taylor were married in Covington County Alabama. Known children to this union in marriage were:
Sometime ca. 1873 James Abner's father, Levi D. Jr., moved from Alabama to Pasco County Florida where he settled in the small but growing community of Fort Dade. With him Levi brought the knowledge of how to build a grist mill and he soon added to the community with the construction of two mills. According to County Clerk, J.A. Hendley, "We had two water mills that ground our meal and grits. One of these mills was located a little south of Chipco -- now called Blanton. The other was farther south near the J. W. Hudson farm. Levi Eiland built these two mills in 1874 and 1875." While Levi had moved to Florida James Abner had decided to remain in Alabama, with his family, for a few years. However, James eventually decided to also relocate his family farther south and moved to Pasco County sometime in 1883, settling near his father and brothers in the small Fort Dade Community. Within a few years of relocating to Fort Dade James also acquired property through private acquisition. On his property James would plant and engage in orange growing and in 1886 was listed among the orange growers of the Fort Dade entry in the Florida Gazetteer. In addition to his orange grove and farm, James also owned a simple home where he and his family lived. By 1903 life began to somewhat change for James for reasons unknown at this time. Sometime around 1903 Susan divorced from James taking their children and going back to Alabama and where they had moved from in 1883. James remained in Florida and in 1907 is recorded as owning 41 acres of property located near Dade City, where he continued to engage in farming. In addition James wrote that he owned an old wagon and old buggy, which he likely used for the farming of his property and travels about the county. James was the owner 3 head of cattle and 28 head of hogs. By 1909 James had increased his property holdings in Dade City and is recorded as owning 81 acres of property, still located near Dade City. James still continued to engage and rely on farming his property as a means of support. In addition James had acquired a horse and still owned his 3 head of cattle, these likely being milk and meat cattle. James continued to raise hogs on his property, however he had reduced the size of his stock by 1909, only owning 19 head. Its likely that James was selling these hogs to supplement his earning from his farm crops and orange groves. James Abner had been living since about 1903 as a single divorced man, however in 1918 he would once again re-marry. After reconciling their difference Susan B. Taylor and James Abner Eiland were married for a second time on May 25, 1918. Susan returning from Alabama, the two were married in a small wedding ceremony held in Dade City and performed by A.J. Burnside. After their re-marriage both James Abner and Susan B. were shown living in Dade City with their son, James A. Jr. who actually became James A. Sr. at the birth of his son, also James A.; here some of the name confusion is exhibited. Almost two years to the date after their remarriage, James would succumb to death and passed away on May 3, 1920. James Abner was laid to rest in the small Eiland Family plot located in the Mt. Zion Cemetery where his father was also interred, here his wife and children raised a headstone in his memory. (Research by Jeff Cannon- Copyright © 2008) |