General Notes

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CENSUS YR:  1850  STATE or TERRITORY:  GA  COUNTY:  Campbell  DIVISION:
10th District  REEL NO:  M432-62  PAGE NO:  452B
REFERENCE:  Enumerated by James Rainwater, Aug 6 - Nov 29, 1860
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LN  HN   FN  LAST NAME      FIRST NAME     AGE  SEX  RACE  OCCUP. VAL.  
BIRTHPLACE       MRD.  SCH.  R/W  DDB   REMARKS
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31  692  692 McEwen         A. D.          37    M    .    Far 600      
Ala.              .     .     .    .    .
32  692  692 McEwen         Rhoda          36    F    .    . .        
Va.               .     .     .    .    .
33  692  692 McEwen         Lueisa A.      16    F    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
34  692  692 McEwen         James P.       14    M    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
35  692  692 McEwen         Martha E.      13    F    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
36  692  692 McEwen         Sarah J.       11    F    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
37  692  692 McEwen         Mary M.        6     F    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
38  692  692 McEwen         Nancy          5     F    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
39  692  692 McEwen         John T.        4     M    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
40  692  692 McEwen         Alexander H. S. 1    M    .    . .        
Ga.               .     .     .    .    .
From "War-Time Experiences of Alexander D. McEwen" as related to Claude
Webster McEwen and recorded by Jesse Elton McEwen, Jr.
Alexander D. McEwen was born 1812 in Oglethorpe Co, GA.  At the time
of this tale, he lived in Salt Springs, Campbell Co., GA, and now Lithia
Springs, Douglas Co., GA.
Each year in the spring and fall, Alexander D. McEwen made a trip to
Atlanta to buy supplies that could not be found or were too expensive
locally.  Some of the neighbors, not wanting to make the trip themselves,
gave him lists of supplies they needed, and Alex would make their
purchases also.  Soon he was hauling so much for his neighbors that he
had no room for his own supplies.  Therefore, he started charging a fee.
This worked so well that Alex began to stock hard-to-get items and sells
them to the neighbors at a slight profit.
However, all good things must come to an end.  When the Yankees came
near Atlanta, Alex saw no reason to curtail his profitable business
trips.  Since he owned no slaves and did not believe in breaking up the
Union, he thought the Yankee soldiers would not bother him.  But Sherman
was in short supply of mules and wagons, and the soldiers seized Alex's
mules and wagons and made it appear legal by arresting him as a spy.  He
was taken across the Ohio River, but did not know which state he was in.
Alex was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot.  There were
others to be executed at the same time.  When the prisoners were lined up
before the firing squad, Alex gave the Masonic stress words and signs,
and the officer in charge stopped the execution.  Later the same officer,
whom Alex called "Captain", gave Alex five dollars and his freedom.  Alex
had no shoes or coat, and because of the lack of transportation, had to
walk most of the way back to Campbell, Co., GA.
At that time there was a scarcity of food.  Most people were
suspicious of strangers, but some residents along the route let him sleep
in sheds and barns.  Alex said that the weather was wet and cold most of
the time, an indication that it may have been winter.
Alexander D. McEwen finally reached home, but he never really
recovered his health and strength.
1850 Census of 10th Dist. Campbell Co., GA, pg. 452, Household # 692:
A. D. McEwen, 37, Ala
Rhoda, 3