Matthews / Conner / Covey / Salts [Solt] Family History - Person Sheet
Matthews / Conner / Covey / Salts [Solt] Family History - Person Sheet
NameJohn Alexander DUKES1037, M
Birth Dateabt 1831
Birth PlaceRheatown, Greene County, Tennessee
Death Date24 Dec 1864 Age: 33
FatherJames B. DUKES , M (~1802-)
MotherJane BRITTON , F (~1804-)
Spouses
Birth Date10 Apr 1837
Birth PlaceWashington County, Tennessee
Death Date9 Jul 1888 Age: 51
Death PlaceGreene County, Tennessee
Burial PlaceRheatown Cemetery, Rheatown, Greene County, Tennessee
FatherRichard D. SMITH , M (~1790-)
MotherHannah McGINNIS , F (~1795-1870)
ChildrenDavid Allison , M (1854-)
Charles C. , M (1857-)
Ida Florence , F (1860-1900)
Edward Alexander , M (1863-1951)
Notes for John Alexander DUKES
On Saraphina’s Civil War Widow’s Application, Alexander is referred to as a “citizen blacksmith” in the 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps.
There is an on-going mystery surrounding Alexander Dukes, and several theories relating to his involvement in the Civil War; however, non of the theories have ever been confirmed. All are recorded below:
Theory One...
From the notes of Margaret Bates (2001, given to her by Carol Hicks who attended a Dukes family gathering in Oklahoma and shared with this author), “ Alexander, as the story goes, was abducted from his home by the Yankees during the Civil War and was never seen or heard of again. It is suspected that he was a spy due to the word usage....he was actually in Libby Prison in Richmond, where he died. Richmond was the capitol of the South, so depending on the time period that he was imprisoned there, he was either a Union spy or a Confederate soldier. When the Union took Richmond in 1865, some Confederate soldiers were imprisoned there, but prior to that, it housed Union prisoners.”
Carol Hicks also stated, that she remembered a family relative, telling the story of her gr grandfather, Edward Dukes. It was told that Edward and his mother visited his father in prison, in Richmond. But the date for this visit would have been when Edward was only two years old.
She also stated that Alexander may have been a Confederate soldier, but it sounds like he wasn’t a soldier at all. He really could have been a double agent. Why else would the Union ‘abduct’ him from his home...and why wasn’t he a soldier.”
About Alexander DUKES: This is my own conclusion (copied from email to me from Carol Hicks). I have no proof, but.......I know from the Civil War records that Alexander DUKES died in a military hospital in Annapolis, MD. The family says that Sarah never knew what happened to him. At the St. Johns University website, I found the College Green Barracks. Also, the family could never find out where he was buried. Now, during the Civil War, when a soldier died, they buried him in the closest cemetery. I have concluded that Alexander was buried in the cemetery 2 miles from the center of Annapolis, which is now Annapolis National Cemetery. It had a different name during the Civil War. I looked up Annapolis National Cemetery and guess what....there is a grave with the name A. DUKES on it. A friend of mine, who vacationed in that area brought me a picture of the grave. Do you think it is too far out to assume that the grave might very possibly be that of Alexander DUKES?
Theory Two...
It has been said that the Libby Prison Web Site shows indication, that Confederates who were imprisoned in various places in Richmond were criminal types or deserters.
Current Conclusion of findings - from the notes of Margaret Bates - “Given the unusual service of some Confederates - going home for harvest, putting in a replacement for a leave, and so forth, it is impossible to say without further information what Alexander’s status was during the Civil War.”
There is an on-going mystery surrounding Alexander Dukes, and several theories relating to his involvement in the Civil War; however, non of the theories have ever been confirmed. All are recorded below:
Theory One...
From the notes of Margaret Bates (2001, given to her by Carol Hicks who attended a Dukes family gathering in Oklahoma and shared with this author), “ Alexander, as the story goes, was abducted from his home by the Yankees during the Civil War and was never seen or heard of again. It is suspected that he was a spy due to the word usage....he was actually in Libby Prison in Richmond, where he died. Richmond was the capitol of the South, so depending on the time period that he was imprisoned there, he was either a Union spy or a Confederate soldier. When the Union took Richmond in 1865, some Confederate soldiers were imprisoned there, but prior to that, it housed Union prisoners.”
Carol Hicks also stated, that she remembered a family relative, telling the story of her gr grandfather, Edward Dukes. It was told that Edward and his mother visited his father in prison, in Richmond. But the date for this visit would have been when Edward was only two years old.
She also stated that Alexander may have been a Confederate soldier, but it sounds like he wasn’t a soldier at all. He really could have been a double agent. Why else would the Union ‘abduct’ him from his home...and why wasn’t he a soldier.”
About Alexander DUKES: This is my own conclusion (copied from email to me from Carol Hicks). I have no proof, but.......I know from the Civil War records that Alexander DUKES died in a military hospital in Annapolis, MD. The family says that Sarah never knew what happened to him. At the St. Johns University website, I found the College Green Barracks. Also, the family could never find out where he was buried. Now, during the Civil War, when a soldier died, they buried him in the closest cemetery. I have concluded that Alexander was buried in the cemetery 2 miles from the center of Annapolis, which is now Annapolis National Cemetery. It had a different name during the Civil War. I looked up Annapolis National Cemetery and guess what....there is a grave with the name A. DUKES on it. A friend of mine, who vacationed in that area brought me a picture of the grave. Do you think it is too far out to assume that the grave might very possibly be that of Alexander DUKES?
Theory Two...
It has been said that the Libby Prison Web Site shows indication, that Confederates who were imprisoned in various places in Richmond were criminal types or deserters.
Current Conclusion of findings - from the notes of Margaret Bates - “Given the unusual service of some Confederates - going home for harvest, putting in a replacement for a leave, and so forth, it is impossible to say without further information what Alexander’s status was during the Civil War.”
Notes for Saraphina Elizabeth "Sara" (Spouse 1)
After the death of her husband, Saraphina filled for a widow’s pension. She hired a lawyer, named William M. Grisham of Jonesboro, Tennessee to assist her, but there were too many complications in her claim and it was rejected.
Firstly, Alexander’s name was never found on a muster roll and she could not prove that her husband's activity with as a Union soldier.
Secondly, she was able to prove her marriage to Alexander Dukes, or the ages of her four children -especially concerning the first two.
Firstly, Alexander’s name was never found on a muster roll and she could not prove that her husband's activity with as a Union soldier.
Secondly, she was able to prove her marriage to Alexander Dukes, or the ages of her four children -especially concerning the first two.