Allen W. Carter

Lowndes, Echols (Co., GA)

      Allen was born August 19, 1847 in what was then Lowndes county, now Echols County, Georgia. He was the youngest son of John Carter Sr. (Vol 3) and Lavina. Allen married Sarah E. Corbett daughter of Franklin Corbett and Winnie Stuart sometime before 1870. Allen and Sarah had nine children, viz:
1. Hansford Carter (b. September 1870, d. 1939, m. Zoia ?)
2. George Carter (b. 1872
3. Laura Carter (b. December 18, 1873, d. November 18, 1955 m. James Miller)
4. Elizabeth Carter (b. October 16, 1875, d. September 10, 1951 m. Barney Stephen Carter bef 1904.
5. Wylie C. Carter (b. January 16, 1878, d. January 16, 1937 m. Beulah Carter December 15, 1907)
6. Alfred W. Carter (b. July 15, 1879, d. February 18, 1936, m. Lola I. Hughes)
7. Sarah E. "Sallie" Carter (b. November 23, 1880, d. May 12, 1909, m. Samuel Crews December 22, 1901)
8. Seletha Carter (b. April 1883)
9. Kizzie Carter (b. February 14, 1886, d. October 06, 1965 m. Elzie J. Corbett, bef. 1907)

      The 1860 Echols census indicates Allen is living with his parents. The following information is from that schedule.
CARTER, John Sr. - M 66 SC Farmer 500/464
Lavinia - F 62 SC Wife
Frances M. - F 22 GA Seamstress
John C. - M 14 GA Ploughman
Allen W. - M 13 GA
Mary - F 32 GA

      Allen is listed in the book "1864 Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia" Abstracted and Compiled by Nancy J. Cornell in Echols county in the 6th Senatorial District - 1211th Militia District as "CARTER, Allen W., 16 yrs. 5 months, farmer, b. GA". Soon after in 1865, the seventeen-year-old Allen joined his older brother Martin T. Carter, Sr. and enlisted in the CSA at Charleston S.C. In the "Widows Pension" filed by wife Sarah, Allen, as well as Martin, served with Co. K, 32nd Ga. Infantry. He enlisted at Columbia SC in 1865. The 32nd was fighting in the Campaign of the Carolinas, January 14, 1865 through April 26, 1865. The following are campaigns that involved the 32nd during Allen's tenure:
Pocatalico, South Carolina - January 15, 1865
River's bridge, Salkahatchie Ricer, South Carolina - February 3, 1865
Orangeburg, South Carolina - February 11 - 12, 1865
Evacuation of Charleston, South Carolina - February 18, 1865
Battle of Averysborough, North Carolina - March 16, 1865
Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina - March 19 - 21, 1865
Surrender at Bennett's House, Durham, North Carolina - April 26, 1865

      Allen was discharged at Pocatalico SC. He returned home a few days after the war ended.
      The "List of Widows of Ex-Confederate Soldiers Living in this, Echols County, January 1, 1918" as stated in the Chinkypin Vol., #3 lists Allen as serving with Co. H, 35th Ga. Vols. of Lake Park, Ga. This appears to be incorrect.
      Mr. Carter picked up the pieces of his life after the surrender and can be found back in Echols. The 1870 Census for Echols County, GA lists Allen as:
CARTER, Allen 23-M-W/GA Farmer 300/280.
Sarah 19-F-W/GA Keeping House

      The 1880 census shows the Carter family growing with children. Allen Carter is now age 32. The family was enumerated in District #1211 (Kinseys) Echols County, GA. The census showed wife Sarah E. age 27 born in GA, son Hansford, age 10, born in GA, son George, age 8, born in GA, daughter Laura, age 6 born in GA, daughter Elizabeth, age 4 born in GA, son Wiley, age 2 born in GA, and son Alfred, age 1 born in GA.

      The Chinkpin Vol 3 lists Allen's death as 11/15/92. Headstone reads Nov. 5, 1892. He is buried in the Carter Family Cemetery in western Echols county along with wife Sarah (d. March 12, 1929) in a rather unusual layout as he is buried head-to-head with wife Sarah.

      On Saturday, November 20, 1999, Allen was one of four Confederate soldiers honored in a ceremony at the Carter Family Cemetery. At that time, a special marker was placed at his gravesite recognizing his service.

Census: Echols 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910;
Chinkypin 1983 Vol. 3, Number 3 pgs., 316-317.
POWG Vol. III, pg. 36;
Marriage License of Samuel Crews and Sallie Carter, Echols County, GA;
Headstones in the Carter Family Cemetery.
Widows Pension as filed by Sarah Carter.
"1864 Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia" Abstracted and Compiled by Nancy J. Cornell