William Riley HAIRSTON

HAIRSTON.org ID#1802, b. 22 December 1825, d. 17 September 1862
Father*William M. HAIRSTON1 b. 6 Jun 1801, d. 26 Dec 1879
Mother*Lavinia Forbush TOWERS1 b. 6 Oct 1801, d. a 1841
Birth*William Riley HAIRSTON was born on 22 December 1825 in Dekalb, Georgia.1 
He was the son of William M. HAIRSTON and Lavinia Forbush TOWERS.1 
Marriage*William Riley HAIRSTON married Adelline Frances COLLIER about 1846.2 
Census 1850*William Riley HAIRSTON appeared on the census of 21 November 1850 in Beat 6, Randolph, Alabama, Wiley R. Hairston 24 born Georgia, Frances 24 born Georgia, Sarah 3 and Nancy C 1, both born Alabama.2 
Marriage*He married Martha J. (surname unknown) about 1855. (an unknown value.)3
Census 1860*There are two 1860 census listings in Rockdale, Randolph, Alabama, one for Riley Hurston and one for W R Harston. Both have a wives named Martha and children with the same ages. The same census taker recorded them on different days at different locations. Both are shown below.
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W R Harston 35 born in Georgia, Martha J 25 born in Georgia, S. A. 14, Nancy 12, Parthena A 10, Brizilla 4, and S M 2;


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Riley Hurston 35 born in Georgia, Martha 20 born in Georgia, Sarah 14, Nancy 13, Ferry 10, Clementine 4, Nancy 2.3

 
Military*William was a farmer when he enlisted on 26 July 1861.4

 
MilitaryHe fought in the Battle of Malvern Hill in Virginia on 1 July 1862.4 
MilitaryFought in the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland on 14 September 1862.4 
Death*William Riley HAIRSTON died on 17 September 1862 in Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam), Maryland, at age 36. He was with Company K, 13th Alabama Regiment. In his daughter Sarah's pension application, she states he died at Malvern Hill.1,4 
MilitaryOn 28 February 1863, Martha J. Hairston, widow, registered a claim regarding the death of Sgt. W. R. Hairston, Company K 15th Regiment, Confedrate. 

Family 1

Adelline Frances COLLIER b. a 1826
Children

Family 2

Martha J. (surname unknown) b. Feb 1837
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S41] Letter from Jane Yasui to Robert Hairston, 3 June 2009.
  2. [S1850] 1850 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  3. [S1860] 1860 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  4. [S3337] Civil War Soldiers. Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama., Ancestry.com.
  5. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited22 Jun 2025