596327

[3104.ftw]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 22, Ed. 1, Tree #3104, Date of Import: Dec 9, 1998]

Major John F. Floyd of Camden Co; was killed on the streets of Darien by Allen B. Powell (publ. 6 Feb 1830)
rememberence of his sister:"a remarkably well-formed, handsome man with light curling hair, and the features of our blessed mother, was educated partly at Mount Zion, near Sparta, Hancock Co.,GA under the supervision of the Rev. Carlisle Beman. He was a member of the State Legislature, a fine musician, possession very polished manners and a social disposition. He m. Miss Ann Hunt Alston, daughter of Col. Robert Alston, of Sparta, GA. 3 Dec. 1829. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Lovick Pierce of the Methodist Church. Just as it was over, and congratulations were being offered, a great crash startled everyone; it was the hall lamp falling from the place where it hung for 8 years, entirely broken, spilling the oil, and creating great confusion for a little while. To have fallen at that particular crisis caused many superstitious remarks. All things else went off well at the wedding, and there was an elegant dinner the following day. On the one ensuing, I returned home to Milledgeville, and when I had made estensive preparations for their reception they were prevented from accepting by a melancholy occurrence, the accidental killing of Gideon, the youngest son of Mr. Robert Alston, about 16 years old. This delayed my brother's return home, and about the middle of January he and his young wife spent a few days in Milledgeville and proceeded on to Darien, where they were met by my father and sister Caroline.
How little do we know what a few days may bring forth! Anne and Caroline went out shopping, and my brother walking down the street encountered Allen B. Powell, with whom father had had some political misunderstanding, and notwithstanding his earnest wish that John would take no notice of the affair, met and struck Powell with a small riding whip, who simultaneously fired a pistol which he drew from his pocket and inflicted a fatal wound. My brother was carried into a drug store near by, where he only lived long enought to see his wife, father and sister. My father asked him "My son, are you hurt?" "Yes", said he. "Shot through the vitals." A boart was furnished, and his remains borne to the residence of my brother Charles, where he was conveyed to the burial ground and interred by torchlight without the knowledge of our dear mother. My father remained with his young daughter-in-law in Darien until her friends could go to her. She preferred returning to her home, of late so happy, rather than go among strangers. It was a terrible blow to our precious mother, so devoted to this darling son, and nothing could allay her grief until she had her beloved one disinterred, placed her hand on the woound that cost his life, and cut a lock of beautiful hair from the head it adorned. This sad event took place on the 25th of Jan 1830, when he was 28 yrs old. This is one of the saddest events in our family history.
After some years his widow married again, Mr. Decimuys Gaillard of Charleston, who was shot and killed not long after, while on a camp hunt, bu whom it was never known. She made a third marriage with Gen. King of AL who left her again a widow. She was childless