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From: Crilley <>
Subject: [NCBERTIE] Ancestors of George W. Ashburn, Murdered GA 1868
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 14:09:54 -0600

>Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 10:15:29 -0800 (PST)
>From: "FWI" <>

I am researching the story of George W. Ashburn, born about 1814 in NC. He
was a Radical Republican after the Civil War and was in Columbus, Muscogee
Co, GA, in 1868, when he was murdered while working for the Republicans and
the Freed Blacks they supported.

There are various news accounts from the time and even an 199 page "book"
about the event housed in the NC State Library entitled: "Radical Rule:
Military Outrage in Georgia, 1868."

George W. was murdered in Columbus GA March 30, 1868. It was an important
event, and a military trial of the men followed along with other unrest and
sensationalism. A $2,000 reward had been offered for the capture of the
suspects in the murder.

George W. Ashburn was likely from Bertie Co NC. He was possibly a grandson
of Elisha Ashburn who died about 1801 in Bertie Co NC leaving a Will with no
date. However, the Will was proved in 1801. In the Will, Elisha Ashburn
named widow Mary and his "two youngest sons," Miles and Allen. There were
definitely older surviving children, but they were not named in the Will.

Both Miles and Allen came to GA. Maybe other of their siblings or cousins
also came to GA but the records in Bertie Co NC do not name other Ashburns
that I can track in GA.

Miles Ashburn came to Upson Co GA during the first quarter of the 1800's.
It seems fixed in lore that Miles was George W. Ashburn's Uncle, but I have
not yet proven the connection.

The only brother of Miles Ashburn for which I have a name is Allen Ashburn.
Allen came to Jones Co GA and later to South Georgia, but Allen didn't raise
George W. Ashburn, hence I don't think he was the father. Allen was
definitely in Jones Co GA before 1827.

I am looking for other candidates that I might prove as the father of George
W. Ashburn.

George W. Ashburn was born about 1814 in NC so he never knew his presumed
grandfather, Elisha Ashburn, who had died by 1801.

There was a younger Elisha Ashburn who came to GA and only appears once, in
1827, in Houston Co GA, so he may be the father, but I cannot yet prove a
link to the Bertie Co NC Ashburns. This Elisha could be a brother or cousin
of Miles and Allen Ashburn, but I know nothing more about this Elisha
Ashburn.

Of some interest is the fact that George W. Ashburn's son, George P.
Ashburn, was tried March 16, 1869, in Decatur Co GA for robbing the mail. He
pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four-year imprisonment.

Thanks for any help. Franklin, Raleigh, NC
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Virginia

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• [NCBERTIE] Ancestors of George W. Ashburn, Murdered GA 1868 by Crilley <>