John Milton Blalock
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Records along with stories passed down from family give the following sketch of John Milton Blalock (also spelled Blaluck). He was born in Manchester, Lancashire, England, and came to the United States about 1860 where he settled in Mobile, Alabama. Family history relates that two or three brothers came with him or about the same time, but records have not been located to verify this.
John Milton served in the Civil War. He enlisted 14 February 1863 at Verona, Mississippi and served in Company C, 12 Battalion , Mississippi Calvary, with Captain G. W. Cox. (See a copy of this and other significant records at the end of this chapter.) In 1867, he came to Mississippi and made his home in Wilkinson County. It was here he was married on 16 May 1867 to Amanda Jane Hasting(s). The marriage certificate spells his surname Blalock, but John Milton signs the marriage bond BLALUCK. John Milton is also the oldest member of the family to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A Record of the Saints in the Mississippi Conference (Film #011310170) shows John Milton Blaluck and his wife Amanda Blaluck. John's parents are listed as James Blaluck and Victoria Hocynell. Date of birth is listed as 29 February 1830 in England. Amanda's parents are Drury H. Hasting(s) and Mary E. McGraw. She lists 16 May 1852 as her date of birth in Centreville, Wilkinson, Mississippi. also listed. The baptismal record on the same film lists John and Amanda's baptismal date as 31 March 1901. They were baptized by Joseph R. Jepson. Confirmation took place the same day by Ira E. Nobles for John and by Joseph R. Jepson for Amanda. When he was baptized, his post office address was Woodville, Wilkinson, Mississippi. It is curious that her post office is listed as Centreville, Wilkinson, Mississippi. It is believed that John Milton's parents could have been born in Turkey. However, information is conflicting on this issue and on John's exact birthdate. Copies of the 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1900 have been studied and reveal the following: 1860 Census (Film #803017) The Southern Division of Mobile County of Alabama 7 July 1860 John Milton was living with Simeon and Mary Woodhall and their eight children. He is listed as 24 years of age, and his occupation is machinist. His birthplace is England. 1870 Census (Film #552252) Wilkinson County, Mississippi John Milton and Amanda J. are listed. John gives his age as 44 and Amanda lists 26. John's birthplace is England; and the interesting part, he lists his mother and father's birthplaces as Turkey. Amanda's father's birthplace is Ireland and her mother's birthplace is Mississippi. 1900 Census (Film #1240834 p. 141) Wilkinson Co., Macedonia Dist., Beat 3 (Mississippi) 20 June 1900 John B. and Amanda are listed with four children, Drusey, Rheubin, Maggie, and Moses. (Note the error in John's middle initial and Ruebin's misspelled name. However, there is no question that this is our grandfather.) Two married sons and a married daughter are also listed on the same page of this census. It is important to note that all three Blalock surnames (John's included) are spelled BLALUCK. The census lists John's birthdate as April 1825 and his age as 75. It also lists that at the time of the census he had been married 35 years. He and both parents are listed as being born in England (a contradiction to the 1880 census). It also lists that he came to the states in 1860 and that he had been in the states 40 years. His occupation is a farmer, and the record shows he had been naturalized. The only other information available on John Milton comes from a granddaughter, Amanda Blalock Robertson, who is now deceased. Below is a transcribed copy of a letter written by her to Dorothy Blalock Hadley, a great-granddaughter about 1960. Dear Mrs. Hadley: I descend from John Milton Blalock (sometimes spelled Blaluck) and Amanda Jane Hastings. These two are my paternal grandparents. John Milton Blalock said to have come from Manchester, England about 1858 and lived in Mobile, Alabama. It is true he was there in 1860 (U.S. Census) living with a family of Woodhalls (from N.C.). He was in Civil War. In 1870 he was living in Wilkinson Co. Mississippi where my father (youngest of 13 children) was born. In the 1880 census John was said to have been born in England (1860-1870 said England) but his parents being born in Turkey. When the census taker came to the children, each was said to be born in Mississippi and their father (John) born in Turkey. Not consistent. My father was Moses M. Blalock. Somehow he went by the name of Marlvein, but it really is Moses. He married Mattie Delila Morgan. I, Amanda Ophelia Blalock, am their eldest child. Now I sort of discount this English story though I did have Manchester, England searched. All they found is some Blacklock names. Another traditional story is that one or both of John Milton Blalock's parents was Jewish. Our coloring is fair, though this may be on the Hastings (Irish) and McGraw side. . . . I'll have to find someone with the traditional story we have. It is said that John's father put him on a ship secretly (1 or 2 brothers) came with him. It is also said he lived with a sister in Alabama. . . It is quite a tradition which ones who knew John definitely state he was born in England. He was an engineer. I have placed all I could find out of John and his descendants in a book I compiled "The Gaydens and their Descendants and Allied Families" 1958 by Amanda Blalock Robertson. I placed two copies in the Library of Congress, Washington D.C. I only had three copies made, so have none to sell. If you care to see my copy, I would be glad to see you and to discuss your Blalocks. (Amanda Blalock Robertson) John Milton Blalock and Amanda Jane were the parents of thirteen children (William, Elonzo, Mary Jane, Emma, Jim, John James, Annie Bell, Corrine, Carrie Elizabeth, Amanda Drusella, Reuben Leon, Maggie, Moses Marlvern). Stories from the family relate that five of John Milton's daughters are named after his five sisters. This may prove helpful in locating the next generation back. Some have also said he was referred to as Mr. Luck. John Milton died 24 January 1906 in Centreville, Wilkinson, Mississippi. Amanda died the 20 January 1929 in Liberty, Amite, Mississippi. (Taken from “Blalock Beginnings” compiled by Dorothy Blalock Hadley)
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