Family Explorer

Benton Copeland1,2

#29, b. 1844 or 1845, d. 30 October 1874
FatherNicholas Copeland1,3,2 b. c 1809
MotherSarah Rilley1,3,2 b. c 1804
Birth1844 or 1845Kentucky1,3,4,5 
Marriage4 Sep 1867Unity Elizabeth Brazzell; Marshall County, Kentucky4,6,7,8 
Death30 Oct 1874Marshall County, Kentucky; pneumonia2 
Census1850Marshall County, Kentucky1
Census1860Marshall County, Kentucky3
Census1870Marshall County, Kentucky4
MilitaryThomas B. Copeland (possibly, Benton Copeland) enlisted in Company G of the 1st Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry in Hopkinsville in either October 1861 or January 1862. In February, this unit was attached to Forrest's cavalry. He was captured at Fort Donelson and sent as a POW to Camp Morton in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was exchanged on 24 August 1862 and on 28 September, he was promoted from the ranks to be a 2nd Lieutenant. On that same date, the unit was attached to the 8th Kentucky Infantry Regiment. In March 1863, he resigned due to bad health. He re-entered the service in Company K of the 5th Kentucky Cavalry and was captured at the battle of Sugar Creek, Tennessee in October 1863. He spent the remander of the war imprisoned at the Johnson Island prison camp in Ohio.9
MilitaryIt is said that Benton was a Confederate soldier who fought with N.B. Forrest. I haven't found any records that show a "Benton" Copeland serving in the Confederate Army, but there were several "Thomas", "Thomas B", and "T B" Copelands from Kentucky who could be Benton (assuming his name was Thomas Benton -- see note).

Family

 Unity Elizabeth Brazzell b. c May 1847
Children 1.George W. Copeland+10 b. May 1870, d. 29 Sep 1953
 2.William Tandy Copeland+5 b. c 16 Mar 1872, d. 13 Nov 1960
 3.Thomas Benton Copeland+7 b. 19 Sep 1874, d. 24 Jan 1956
ChartsAncestors of Paul Copeland
Descendants of Absalom Copeland
Notes
Many researchers believe that like his son, his name was Thomas Benton Copeland.

Citations

  1. [S1312] 1850 U.S. Census population schedule, (http://www.ancestry.com, Accessed: various), database and images, Entry for Nicholas Copeland, Marshall County, Kentucky, p 24 (442), Dwelling/Family number 165/165.
  2. [S2016] "Kentucky Death Records, 1852-1953", (http://www.ancestry.com, accessed Feb 2013), index and images, Entry for Benton Copeland, Marshall County, 1874.
  3. [S1313] 1860 U.S. Census population schedule, (http://www.ancestry.com, Accessed: various), database and images, Entry for N. Copeland (Nicholas Copeland), Benton Post Office, Marshall County, Kentucky, p 62, Dwelling/Family number 443/420.
  4. [S1314] 1870 U.S. Census population schedule, (http://www.ancestry.com, Accessed: various), database and images, Entry for Nicholas Copeland, District 5, Benton Post Office, Marshall County, Kentucky, p 3(203), Dwelling/Family number xx/xx.
  5. [S1030] 1880 U.S. Census population schedule, (http://www.ancestry.com, Accessed: various), database and images, Entry for Elizabeth Copeland, Benton, District 6, Marshall County, Kentucky, SD1 ED210, p 23C (228), Dwelling/Family number 183/184.
  6. [S1196] Jordan Dodd (Comp), "Kentucky Marriages 1851-1900", Ancestry.com.
  7. [S4730] "Kentucky Birth Records, 1852-1910", (http://www.ancestry.com, accessed: Feb 2013), database and images, Entry for: Thos. B. Copeland, Marshall County, 1874.
  8. [S6811] Marshall County Genealogical Society, "Marshall County, Kentucky Marriage Records, vol II, 1864-1877", Benton Copeland and U. E. Brazeel, 4 Sep 1867, p 33.
  9. [S7192] NARA, Compiled Civil War Service Record, Confederate, Thomas B Copeland, Co G 1st KY Cavaly and Co K 5th KY Cavaly. Fold3.com.
  10. [S1473] "Kentucky Death Records, 1852-1953", (http://www.ancestry.com, accessed: Feb 2013), database and images, Entry for: George W. Copeland, Marshall County, Certificate 53-23522, 1953.