Julius Copeland is my second great grandfather. He was born in Hanover, VA and brought to NW Alabama settling in Lawrence County, Alabama enslaved by Dr. John Copeland. He stated that he was a waiter for Dr. Copeland. Believe he waited on his enslaver and while in today's world we would think he was a waiter, most of us would think of him as a waiter in a restaurant. I don't believe that is the case. He joined the USCT in Chattanooga, TN at the age of 17. Did he escape to join the USCT on September 11, 1864 or did his enslaver leave his plantation for the Confederate Army and they parted ways? This is a question that might never have an answer. We know Julius joined as a private and in the couple of years that he participated as part of Corp. Co. E. 42 Regiment became a Corporal. His name appears on the USCT Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was discharged on 31 Jan 1866 in Huntsville, AL.
Julius settles on Frank Joe's Plantation in Courtland after his discharge, moved on to Mack Graham Plantation in 1867. During 1868-1870, he worked on Dr. F. W. Sykes plantation. On September 8, 1871 he married Pearline Burt at the W.C. Sherrod Plantation in Lawrence County. Previously, Pearline Burt was found in the 1870 US Census in Lawrence County with a young son name George that was two years old. Was this Julius' son prior to their marriage in 1871? Years later, Julius and Pearline would have a daughter, Sallie that married John Carroll/Cal (my great grandparents). Their youngest son was named George Alvin Carroll/Cal. Each of their four children were named after family members.
Although many documents have been found to support Julius' life so many questions are left unanswered. His military records secured from the NARA in St. Louis has over fifty pages. What stands out are the many times he applied for his pension. Details of his physical illness including the details of how he suffered from piles. His parents not name told him he was born on December 26, 1846 according to the record. So he must have known who they were. He did return to Town Creek after his Civil War Service, married and began a family with Pearline Burt. They had two surviving children before her death in 1919. His son, Richard became a coalminers while living in Birmingham and migrated to Pennsylvania. Julius and his grandsons; Richard, Howard and George Alvin would follow by 1924. Richard's wife died in Creighton, PA due to female problems in 1924. Richard died of a heart attack in 1929. The time in Pennsylvania would lead to the joining of Lois Watkins and Henry Howard Carroll/Cal's marriage. Before 1934, the Copeland/Carroll-Cal family returned to Alabama. Julius died February 1934 of old age.
While many questions are answered many questions still exist. Was he sold to someone that lived in northwest, Alabama? Did Dr. John Copeland inherit him through a Will? No others with the Copeland surname has been connected with Julius. He was about 5'3" to 5'6" inches tall, yellow in complexion and medium built. There were a few people named Copeland in the Hanover, VA. Will these details reveal the story as the journey continues?
