Sunday, February 24, 2008 3:00 PM

AARON AND WILLIAM RILEY HERRIN *CSA* Grave Marker Dedication

Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, Georgia

Welcome ------------------------------------------------ Tom Lavender, Commander,

---------------------------- Capt. James Knox "Seaboard Guards" SCV Camp #2022

Invocation ------------------------------------------------------ Harry Bennett, Chaplain,

---------------------------- Capt. James Knox "Seaboard Guards" SCV Camp #2022

Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag: ---------------------------------------

"I pledge Allegiance to the Georgia Flag and to the principles for which it stands - Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation."

Salute to the Flag of the Confederate States of America: ------------------------------

"I salute the Confederate Flag with affection, reverence, and undying rememberance."

Posting of Colors ------- Capt. James Knox "Seaboard Guards" SCV Camp #2022

Call to Service ----------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Lavender

"A patriot's death is not to be despised. No man has a higher calling than to lay down his life for God and Country. Freedom will never be won or preserved unless there are those in large numbers who are willing to die for it. It is always so from the begining of time. Be not deceived. The world is not so old, nor have we come so far, that we are now safe from the enemies of liberty and justice. So let us rededicate our lives to those sacred principles embodied here in the life of this brave Confederate soldier who sleeps the sleep of heroes in hallowed ground."

Response: (By attendees) "Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called; them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified."

Amazing Grace --------------------------------------------------------------- assembly

"The Colors of War" ----------------------------------- by Carolyn Middleton Adkins

Flower Presentation ---------------------------------------------------------------

The Flag My Grandpa Knew" ------------------------------------- Wilton R. Herrin

Family History ---------------------------------------------------------- Karen Lewis Harrell

Dedication of Confederate Grave Marker -------------------Lawton-Gordon-Evans Brigade Chapter #2637, UDC

Unveiling of Confederate Marker: ----------------------------------------------------------

Folding and Presenting Confederate Flag: -------------------------- SCV Camp #2022

Eulogy: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Lavender

We are gathered here to pay tribute to a Confederate Soldier, William Riley Herrin. We cannot begin to imagine the suffering and hardship which he and his comrades endured in that conflict. Food, clothing, shoes and equipment - he had none of these things in plentitude. He was hardly ever in a battle that he was not outnumbered at least two to one. Yet he bore his privation without complaining. He considered it a priviledge to defend the land of his birth. He did not own slaves and the reason he went to war was not to preserve slavery. When the North began to invade Virginia and our seacoasts, every Southerner had an issue which he could understand. His Anglo-Saxon and Celtic forbears had always accepted a challenge to their freedom. For him that was the most natural thing in the world.

He fought bravely and to the last. He resisted doggedly long after there was no hope of winning. He died game, and he and his fellows gave the world a new definition of valor. Even his opponents came to admire him greatly and when the war was over everyone knew that he had been the purest American in the fight.

In the greater sense he did not lose. Because of him, the principles for which he fought endure to this day. When you look at the American flag flying in the breeze, believe that half of it belongs to him. Southern Americans do not fail to respond to the call of arms. This country can always count on their patriotism.

Decendants and admirers have gathered here at his graveside to pay tribute to him. So we pay tribute to this good man who gave the best that he had to God and country and now sleeps the sleep of heroes in the homeland that he loved best. William Riley Herrin we salute you! The Southland will never forget you and your noble breed. You were the best soldier there ever was.

Military Salute -------------------------------------------- Sons of Confederate Veterans

Passing in Review ------------------------------------- Sons of Confederate Veterans

Tattoo ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trey Keene

Recover colors ----------------------Capt James Knox "Seaboard Guards" SCV Camp #2022

AARON HERRIN *CSA* 1846 – 1905 WAYNE CO

Aaron was the son of Daniel Herrin and his second wife, Jemima (Ammons) Herrin. Aaron was born 03 Apr 1846 in Wayne County, Georgia. He married Esther "Easter" Minchew 14 Dec 1865. She was the daughter of Jacob & Sarah Ann (Walker) Minchew. Easter was born 23 Jul 1848 in Georgia.

Children of Aaron & Easter:

1. Minnie Lee b. 19 Sep1875 m. John Carswell Kelly

d. 20 Feb 1919 b. 27 Nov 1866 d. 10 Apr 1934 He was the son

of Sherrod Sheffield "Sheard" & Charity Martha

Ann "Annie" (Lewis) Kelly. Both buried in Pilgrims

Rest Cemetery, Waynesville, Georgia.

2. Charlie C. b. 10 Feb. 1878 never married.

d. 26 Jun. 1906 He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, GA.

3. Sarah Jane b. 28 Jul 1879 m. Benjamin J. Dryden

d. 09 May 1911 b. 07 Nov 1878 d. 14 Sep 1974 Son of Benjamin &

Frances Mae "Fannie" (Harris) Dryden. Sarah is

buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, GA and

Benjamin in buried in Mars Hill Cemetery, Hoboken, GA.

4. Callie b. 1802 never married.

5. Mable b. 24 Dec 1883 m. Elder Ivan Taylor Hickox

d. 02 Mar. 1911 b. 29 Aug. 1877 d. 04 Oct. 1950 Son of Jonathan

David & Lucinda "Loucy" (Jones) Hickox. Both are

buried in High Bluff Cemetery, Brantley County, GA.

6. Abraham Preston b. 1885 m. Minnie Idell Dowling

"Presh" d. 1922 b. 1889 Georgia d. 31 Jul 1940 Daughter of Perry

Franklin & Susan Missouri "Sue" (Dryden)

Dowling. Both buried in High Bluff Cemetery,

Brantley County, Georgia.

7. Lilla b. 30 Sep 1887 m. Leonard Leon Hickox

d. 07 Mar 1952 b. 22 Dec 1872 d. 07 Feb 1964 Son of Jonathan

David & Lucinda "Loucy" (Jones) Hickox. Both are

buried in High Bluff Cemetery.

8. Bessie M. b. 21 Mar 1891 m. Jesse Strickland

d. 29 Mar 1938 Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, GA.

Aaron Herring enlisted 09 Feb. 1864 at Camp Mercer in Capt. Clinch’s Battery, Georgia Light Artillery.

Aaron died 28 Feb 1905 and Easter died 07 Jul 1914. They are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, GA.

Dedication of Confederate Grave Marker --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lawton-Gordon-Evans Brigade Chapter #2637, UDC

Unveiling of Confederate Marker: ----------------------------------------------------------

Folding and Presenting Confederate Flag: ------------------- SCV Camp #2022

Eulogy: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Lavender

We are gathered here to pay tribute to a Confederate Soldier, Aaron Herrin. We cannot begin to imagine the suffering and hardship which he and his comrades endured in that conflict. Food, clothing, shoes and equipment - he had none of these things in plentitude. He was hardly ever in a battle that he was not outnumbered at least two to one. Yet he bore his privation without complaining. He considered it a priviledge to defend the land of his birth. He did not own slaves and the reason he went to war was not to preserve slavery. When the North began to invade Virginia and our seacoasts, every Southerner had an issue which he could understand. His Anglo-Saxon and Celtic forbears had always accepted a challenge to their freedom. For him that was the most natural thing in the world.

He fought bravely and to the last. He resisted doggedly long after there was no hope of winning. He died game, and he and his fellows gave the world a new definition of valor. Even his opponents came to admire him greatly and when the war was over everyone knew that he had been the purest American in the fight.

In the greater sense he did not lose. Because of him, the principles for which he fought endure to this day. When you look at the American flag flying in the breeze, believe that half of it belongs to him. Southern Americans do not fail to respond to the call of arms. This country can always count on their patriotism.

Decendants and admirers have gathered here at his graveside to pay tribute to him. So we pay tribute to this good man who gave the best that he had to God and country and now sleeps the sleep of heroes in the homeland that he loved best. Aaron Herrin we salute you! The Southland will never forget you and your noble breed. You were the best soldier there ever was.

Military Salute -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Passing in Review ------------------------------------ Sons of Confederate Veterans

WILLIAM RILEY HERRIN *CSA* 1834 - 1915 WAYNE CO

William Riley was the oldest son of Daniel Herrin & his first wife, Mehala Kelly Herrin. Riley was born 10 May 1834 in Wayne County, Georgia. Riley married Emma Malissie Sophia Delispine on 01 February 1855. Emma was born 16 Aug 1839 in Wayne County, Georgia. She was abandoned as a newborn and raised by John Sr. & Jemima Ammons.

Riley & Emma had the following children:

1. Julian Ann Jemima b. 1855 m. 1st Rev.Elias S. Strickland 16 Aug 1875

"Julia" d. b. 03 Jan 1852

m. 2nd Joseph Texas "Tex" Davis

b. 05 Dec 1854 d. 06 Nov 1936 Son of Neal &

Emeline (Townsend) Davis.

2.Mary Jane b. 15 Mar 1856 never married

d. 19 Feb 1901 died of typhoid fever

Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, GA.

3.Wade Hampton b. abt 1860

4. William Henry Sr. b. abt 1862 m. Eulalia "LaLa" Collins Highsmith 20 Jan 1886.

d. b. 28 Jan 1868 Daughter of Moses Solomon &

Dorinda (Knox) Herrin.

5. Malvina E. b. abt 1865

6. Emma Melissa b. 26 Jan 1866 m. Rev Benjamin Franklin "B.F." Jones 01 Feb 1886

d. 05 Jan 1931 b. 15 Mar 1859 d. 22 Jul 1944 Son of Harley &

Dorinda (Knox) Jones. Both are buried in

Smyrna Cemetery, Brantley County, Georgia.

7. Ardelia b. 02 Apr 1867 m. Edward Griffin

d. 11 Nov 1944 b. 24 Sep 1868 d. 26 Oct 1955 Son of James &

Georgia Isabella (Jones) Griffin. Both buried in

High Bluff Cemetery, Brantley County, Georgia.

8. Arcanah Oceanna b. abt 1869 m. Jared Johnson

"Ocie"

9. Frances V. b. 04 Dec 1870 m. Jasper Dilworth "Dilly" Highsmith 1892

"Fannie" d. 31 Oct 1960 b. 15 Jul 1870 d. 11 Jun 1944 Son of John

Franklin & Nancy Charlotte (Jones) Highsmith.

Both are buried in New Hope Cemetery, Hickox,

Georgia.

10. Joseph b. abt 1874

11. James Lawson b. 24 Feb 1874 m. Martha Jane Lewis 15 Mar. 1903

"Yellow Jim" d. 25 Jan 1951 b. 22 Dec 1878 d. 12 May 1943 Daughter of

Millard Fillmore & Sarah Elizabeth (Dixon)

Lewis. Both buried in Oak Grove Cemetery,

Raybon, Georgia.

12. Daniel b. abt. 1875

13. Nora Bell b. 21 Apr 1879 m. Tolbert "Tollie" C. Courson

d. 30 Oct 1915 b. 25 Nov. 1872 d. 06 Feb. 1911 Son of

James A. & Elizabeth (Highsmith) Courson.

Nora & Tollie are both buried in New Hope

Cemetery, Hickox, Georgia.

William Riley Herrin enlisted 27 April 1862 at Waynesville, Georgia and served as a Private in Co. A & K, 4th Georgia (Clinch’s) Cavalry. He was present through May & June 1864. He was surrendered to Brig. Gen. E.M. McCook by Maj. Gen. Sam Jones, C.S.A., at Tallahassee, Florida 10 May 1865, and paroled atThomasville, Ga., 25 May 1865.

Riley died 22 May 1915 and Emmie died 23 Jul 1921. They are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Raybon, GA.

Amazing Grace

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

The Colors of War

Shades of blue and gray

lie silently, side-by-side

in patches of bloody brown.

Gray shadows of dismal grief

echo the despair of war;

as blue vividly paints a mother’s heart.

North against South; foe fighting foe;

friends versus friends, and

brothers at war on opposite sides.

From the gray ashes, rises a new day.

Blue skies shine and white clouds of hope

mingle with the bloody soil of the battlefield.

Lest we forget those brave souls

willing to fight and die in combat;

we must always remember the colors of war.

-Carolyn Middleton Adkins

Rileys flag presented to Effie


This webpage designed and maintained by
Jerry Van Herrin
and
Judy Griffin.~2008~



Back to SCV Camp

More Herrin Dedication Photos

Back to Wiregrass Home