Charles Ballard Chumley

CHARLES BALLARD CHUMLEY was born about 1814 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. He died on 11 Feb 1847 in Green Hill, Wilson County, Tennessee, on his way home from the Tex-Mexican War, at William Mastin’s home about 15 miles from Nashville, Tennessee. He married Delina Carroll (daughter of William Carroll) on 06 Feb 1836 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. She was born in 1815 in North Carolina. She died on 25 Apr 1894 in Cumberland Gap, Claiborne County, Tennessee.

Corporal Ballard Chumbley’s life was short lived, as he was only 33 years old at the time of his death. He left behind a young wife and 7 children. His widow Delina had family to help support her. She had to petition for Charles pension with affidavits to attest that she was not a confederate sympathizer. The court records are dated 1865, she had applied in 1853. A truly amazing find was the following letter Delina received from her husband just months before he died.

Copy of a letter written by the soldier: Ballard Chumbly, 1846, Oct 17
My Dear Wife: I write to inform that I am well at present, though I have been sick for some time and had to stay behind the regiment and did not get to it until yesterday and as some of the men from Capt. Evans Company have been discharged and started home before I got with the Regiment. They will likely give some unfavorable account of me and I hasten to inform you otherwise. I have not drawn any money but my clothing wages though I have plenty of money and plenty of clothes. General Taylor had a battle at Montery — it commenced on 23rd., Sept and ended the 25th. We had about 500 killed and wounded. Some reports say from 1000 to 1500 and about as many men because we had 6000 men and the Mexican 120000 – The two Generals entered into a muster for eight weeks, which will terminate about two next month. I am still going on in as good spirits as though peace was made and I will return as soon as my term is out. None have died in the Claiborne Blues. Capt Evans and eight others took shipping at Port Lavaca for Camrgo, They being unable to travel we have started this morning to the same place 40 miles between water. Each man has a canteen or Mexican gourd in which they can carry water sufficient to supply themselves, consequently we will not suffer. Tell Wm Carroll to gather the crop and take good care of it and not sell it, and that he shall be well paid for attending to it. You must keep the children going to school, till I come home. Green B. Cadle is well, He come to this place by water from Little Rock. Give my respects to all inquiring friends, Write to me and put the following directions on the letter and I will get in 30 or 40 days. Ballard Chumbley A volunteer in Capt., Evans Company – Claiborne Blues, Tennessee Regiment, cavalry, Pint Isabella, By express mail. I remain your affectionate husband, to Delina Chumbly, signed Ballard Chumbley. Let me know whether you get the money I sent by N. T. Anderson. _{[1] This info was provided by Cyndi Galati as listed on Chumley website as BALLARD CHUMBLEY IN THE MEXICAN WAR; also Barbara Harp shared a copy with our research group}

Charles and Delina’s youngest child, James Franklin Chumley, lived to be 106 years old.  James and his wife, Mary Phillips, were married in Claiborne County, Tennessee on October 10, 1869, by Elder John Freeman M.G.  The couple had 10 children together and lived in the Sandlick area of Claiborne County, Tennessee, just South of New Tazewell, Tennessee. 

The following newspaper article was written in honor of his 103rd birthday:

This is a picture of Chumley Mill in Sandlick area of Claiborne County, Tennessee. The mill was built on Barren Creek in 1916 by John Wesley Chumley and his son Charles Lawrence Chumley. _{[2] Travis Chumley Facebook Post 10/9/2019}