A Personal History of Isaac Naylor
of Sumter County, Georgia

On 12 February 1857, at age 22, Isaac married Nancy Ann Weaver in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia.^6,7  He and Nancy Ann are thought to have been the parents of five children:  Virginia, born ca 1857; son J. E., born ca 1859; Nelson, born ca 1860; Alice, born ca 1866, and Ada (Eva?), born ca 1868.

Isaac was 25 years old at the death of his mother, Apsibeth (?) _____ Naylor (age 57) on 30 Mar 1860.⁸

Isaac Naylor was enumerated as the head of household in the census of 1 June 1860 in Americus, Sumter County.  He was listed as a 26-year-old white male whose occupation was "carpenter."  Also in the household were Nancy Ann, age 23; Virginia 3; J.E. (male) 6 months; Elizabeth Weaver, 33 (perhaps his wife's sister?); and "Apsabeth Nailor," 18 (Isaac's sister).^9,10

Isaac's brother Nelson passed away on October 29, 1860 (his 34th birthday), just a few months after their mother died.¹¹

During the War Between the States, Isaac enlisted in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia, in March 1862 in Co. C., 10th Battalion, Georgia Volunteers.  He was made First Corporal for this unit, called the "Zolicoffer Riflemen."  Information furnished by his daughter, Ada Naylor McLane, and his granddaughter, Cora Odelle Naylor Arrington, in their applications for membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, states that his last rank in the service was that of captain.  The 10th Battalion's first service was at Camp Stephens until it was sent to Macon, Georgia, in May 1862 to guard thousands of federal prisoners at Camp Oglethorpe along with the Confederate supples that were being stored there.^12,13,14,15

Some time later, Isaac evidently participated in the Battle of South Mountain at Crampton's Gap, Maryland, on 14 September 1862.  In December 1862 his unit was attached to General Robert E. Lee's army at Fredericksburg, Virginia, where it was assigned to General G. T. Anderson's Brigade, General John Bell Hood's Division, of General James Longstreet's Corps.  In February 1863 the battalion moved to Richmond and later to Petersburg, Virginia.  In May the battalion "participated in a desparate charge of federal positions at Spotsylvania Courthouse.  Until their participation at this battle, the battalion's primary function had been garrison duty."
[Information about the 10th Battalion was taken from "Historical Notes of the 10th Infantry Battalion" by John Griffin, at http://www.researchonline.net/gacw/unit38a.htm].¹⁶

The battalion suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Cold Harbor and at Petersburg in June 1864. Isaac was captured on 16 August 1864 and subsequently sent to the Union prison camp at Point Lookout, Maryland. He remained incarcerated there until the surrender and was released in April 1865. His battalion surrendered at Appomatox.¹⁷

Isaac's brother, Redding Naylor, who was in Co. G, 5th Regiment, Georgia Volunteers, died of measles in camp in Charleston, South Carolina, on 25 Jan 1865.^18,19  He was 35 years old.

Isaac Naylor was enumerated as the head of household in the census of 1 June 1870 in Andersonville, Sumter County, Georgia,. Isaac was a 36-year-old white male, born in Georgia. His occupation was listed as "farmer," and his real estate was valued at $1000, personal property at $200. Also in the home were his wife Nancy and four children, Virginia (12), Nelson (10), Alice (4), and Eva (2) [Ada ?], all born in Georgia.²⁰

A letter dated on 12 March 1871 from Isaac Naylor to Joseph Naylor states:

A second extant letter from Isaac Naylor to Joseph Naylor, dated 15 September 1871, states:

Butler Taylor Co., Ga. Sept 15, 1871             Dear Father I recieved a letter from you some few weks ago that I have neglected to answer up to this time  I would have answered it sooner but I have bin sick the most of my time since the first of July  I have had 3 attacks of Fever since the first of July  I have had to give up my buisness on the road  I hope however to be able to take hold of my work agane some time this faul  my work is Generaly around Creeks and marshes where there is tresel work to do and it is a very unhealthy place to work over the mud and water  I havent made expenses since the first of July  consequently I am out of money  I don't think I will try to follow the buisness another year as it is a very disagreeable buisness  my family are all well as common and all the relation ar fare as I know  Brother Reddings Widow will moove up the country this winter about Rome some wher  I recon we will sell our little place at Anderson that is if it is not Sold  I havent seen them for some time  if I am well enough I will go down there soon  I am staying at home now to see if I can recrute my health but I seem to get along slow some how  I havent any good news to write that be of any interest and as I am feeling very porley I will close  I remain as ever your Son Isaac Naylor [Address on opposite side] Mr. Joseph Naylor Mitchel Co Cammilla. 22

On 27 September 1905 in his first submission of an Indigent Soldier's Pension Application, Isaac stated that he was born 26 August 1834 in Henry County, Georgia.  He said he "presently resides in Sumter County, Americus Post Office."  He lived at the time of application in the home of his children (it is not known which children he was living with at this time) with his invalid wife who was helpless and paralyzed.  He stated that his only possessions were "some furniture.  My wife being Paralyzed aboout 8 years ago, we divided our Furniture with our Children, with whom we have since lived."  He listed his occupation since 1865 as carpenter and bridge builder. He told about his capture by Union troops on August 16, 1864, and about his incarceration at Point Lookout until after the surrender in 1865.  He stated that his battalion surrendered at Appomatox.  He claimed "age and poverty" for the past seven years for the necessity of his receiving a pension.  His present occupation consists of doing carpentry work and gardening for his children.

His submission was signed by W. P. Windham, Judge of Probate of Dale County, Alabama, because Isaac was "on a visit" at that time in Alabama (possibly to one of his children?).²³  Included in Isaac's Pension Application is an "Affidavit of Physicians" from State of Alabama -- Dale County. W. B. Ard, M.D. and B. F. Coleman, M.D. state: "The applicant, on account of age, and other infirmities, is physically unable to earn a living by manual labor."²⁴

In the Questions for Witness, the witness, J. S. Bolton, states he has known Isaac Naylor since 1862.  They served in the same company in the Civil War.  Bolton was at the surrender at Appomatox.  He affirms that Isaac is presently in "bad" physical condition and "has been supported for a number of years."  He says Isaac has sons and daughters but he isn't sure how many.

In 1907 Isaac filed for the last time to receive an Indigent Soldier's Pension.  He gave his address as RFD # 3, Thomaston, Georgia.²⁵

Isaac's wife Nancy Ann died in Birmingham, Alabama, on 28 Oct 1912.²⁶  Nancy's obituary in "The Birmingham News" of 29 October 1912 stated:  

Mrs. Mary Ann Naylor, aged 78 years, died Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock at the residence 103(?) Crews street.  She had been ill several months.  She is survived by her husband, Isaac Naylor, and two children.  The remains will be shipped to Americus, Ga., Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock by Lige Loy [undertakers].²⁷