William Melhuish Back, Confederate soldier American Civil War, plot W24
William was born on the 31st of March 1823 to parents, William (Mill Wright) and Elizabeth, at Crediton, Devon, and baptized Anglican.
William departed from Liverpool to New York aboard the George Washington on the 2nd of September 1839.
In William’s obituary, it states,” Mr. Back was well known throughout this section, having resided at Avoca, Fla., for many years. He had been in this country for about 60 years aged about 82 at the time of his death. He was a farmer and trader and accumulated a good deal of money, and is said to have had a considerable estate in England.”
In the American Civil War, from the 12th of April 1861 until the 9th of May 1865, William was a Confederate soldier with the 5th Regiment, Florida Infantry.
The 5th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Tallahassee, Florida, during the spring of 1862. Companies that made up the unit were from the counties of Santa Rosa, Baker, Polk, Calhoun, Okaloosa, Wakulla, Madison, and Liberty. Ordered to Virginia with over 1,000 men it served in General Pryor's, E.A. Perry's, and Finegan's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia.
Flag of the 5th Florida Infantry
The regiment fought with the army from Second Manassas to Cold Harbor, then was active in the Petersburg trenches south of the James River and the Appomattox Campaign. Only 1 man was wounded at Fredericksburg, but the unit lost 6 killed and 22 wounded at Chancellorsville and thirty-five percent of the 321 at Gettysburg. It surrendered with 6 officers and 47 men. The field officers were Colonels John C. Hately and Thomas B. Lamar, and Major Benjamin F. Davis.
The Second Battle of Bull Run, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1283126
Saturday, June 3, 1882...
LECTURE AT STATENVILLE:
Statenville, Ga., May 28th, 1882. Mr. Editor: It Will be delivered at Statenville on the 9th of June (by WILLIAM BACK) an address to the young minds of our country. Persons desiring to hear are invited.
Subject:
Knowledge is power.
The excellent importance and necessity of character.
Respectfully,
W.W. West, Chairman, J.W. Staten, J.P. Prescott, I.C. Ham, Dr. J.P.Y. Higdon, W.A. Ham, E.J.W. Prescott, Committee.
On the 4th of April 1890, William applies for his own homestead.
On the 7th of June 1890, William obtains a marriage license to marry F.A. Hill.
William Back Obituary-
The Valdosta Times, Tuesday, January 22, 1901 -
Went Back Home To Die. News Received Here of the Death of Mr. Wm. Back in England. Messrs. R. Y. and E. W. Lane received a letter yesterday from Attorneys Towser, Whitbone and Dell, of Teignmouth, Eng., announcing the death of Mr. William Back, who formerly lived at Avoca, Fla., and who leaves a fortune of from forty to fifty thousand dollars in this section. The letter stated that Mr. Back had made Messrs. R. Y. and E. W. Lane executors of his estate in this country.
Mr. Back was well known throughout this section, having resided at Avoca, Fla., for many years. He had been in this country for about 60 years being about 82 at the time of his death. He was a farmer and trader and accumulated a good deal of money, and is said to have had a considerable estate in England.
About eight months ago he left this country for England, stating that he was going home to die. He was then a very old man and disease had fastened upon him. The letter from his attorneys states that he died on January 9th. The announcement of his death will cause regret to all who know him, though it was not unexpected.
The Valdosta Times, Saturday, January 26, 1901
Recorded in Tuesday's Times was the death of Mr. William Back, who went to his old home in England to die. Mr. Back, in his early life, was one of the best carpenters in this country. About forty years ago he built the Stapler home at Lake Alcyone and did other good work in this section. He was an economical man and saved a fortune of thirty or forty thousand dollars, which he had well invested.
Inscription;
In Loving Memory of William Melhuish Back
Formerly of Jasper, Florida USA
Who died at Teignmouth
January 3rd, 1901
Aged 77 years
