Sylvester Walden the Senior
Sylvester Walden the Senior was born nearly 199 years ago in Twiggs County, Georgia on December 22nd, 1822 to his Father, Greene Berry Walden and Mother, Sarah Barden.
Interesting events that occurred around the World during Mr. Waldens birth year of 1822 included.
• On January 7th, 1822 the first group of freed slaves from the United States arrive to the West coast of Africa, founding the Country of Liberia
• On February 9th, 1822 invading Haitian forces, led by Jean-Pierre Boyer, arrive in Santo Domingo, to overthrow the newly founded Dominican Republic.
• In March of 1822 abolitionist, political activist, founder of the Underground Railroad, and escaped slave, Harriet Tubman is born Araminta Ross @ Dorchester County, Maryland.
• On March 19th, 1822 Boston, Massachusetts is incorporated as a city following a vote.
• On August 22nd, 1822 English ship "Orion" lands at Yerba Buena, current day, San Francisco under the command of William A. Richardson.
• On November 9th, 1822 the USS Alligator engages three pirate schooners off Cuba, as part of the West Indies anti-piracy operations of the United States.
• On November 19th, 1822 an earthquake near Valparaíso, Chile kills around 200 and causes a tsunami.
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Sylvester was the third of eight children born to his Mother and Father. He had an elder Sister, Anna and Brother, Richmond Hugh Walden. His younger siblings included Lavina Eliza, Branson, Green Berry, Amanda Alice, and Charles Reuben.
Walden Patriarch, Greene Berry supports his family in a lifelong field of farming and agriculture.
Sylvester was a cowhand on a cattle drive in South Georgia when he met 16 year old Edna
Angeline Bryant. He would ask for her hand in marriage on just his second visit and the precocious pair join in matrimony three short weeks later on December 21st, 1843 @ Pulaski County, Georgia. Together the couple have 14 verifiable children during the course of their marriage. Chronologically they welcomed Sarah, Larry Green, Edna Louisa, Julia Ann, Marietta "Mollie", Sylvester Jr., Eliza Ann, Matilda, Bryant Basden, Alexander, Reuben Yancy, Irvin, Catherine, and Sallie Walden.
Early on in their joint union, Sylvesters Wife, Edna taught him how to read and write. Each night by the light of the fire, she helped him to read the bible and as a result of her noble efforts he would later become the first in a succession of Walden Missionary Baptist Preachers to serve the Turkey Creek area in the Sunshine State of Florida.
Sylvester supports his family as a lifelong farmer in both the Peach State of Georgia and later, the Sunshine State of Florida.
•• On March 20th, 1859 this evenings honoree loses his Father, Green Berry when for reasons unknown, he passes away in Wilcox County, Georgia. He was seventy. Less than two months later, Sylvester would be stricken with grief yet again when his Mother, Sarah Barden Walden takes her last breath in June of 1859. She was sixty eight years old.
On September 1st, 1861 with the American Civil War now in full effect, Mr. Walden at the age of 38 enlists with the Confederate States Armies Co. E 29th Georgia Infantry. His Regiment, which was under the command of General Claudius C. Wilson participated in the Battle of Port Royal which took place between Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina, the Battles of Secessionville and Fort Wagner in Charleston, and the Battle of Fort Jackson which was fought in defense of New Orleans. Sylvesters time in the military concluded on Tuesday August 19th, 1862 when he officially mustered out of service in Savannah.
In 1866 with the Civil War now behind them, the Walden family traveled Southward by covered wagon to homestead near rural Turkey Creek, in West central Florida.
•• On July 1st, 1875 Sylvester received a Federal land grant signed by then President Ulysses S. Grant. Nearly a decade later, Mr. Walden was bequeathed a second land grant on February 10th, 1885 which was signed by President Chester A. Arthur.
The Waldens led humble inconspicuous lives during their twilight years which were spent farming, preaching, and spending time with their beloved children and grandchildren.
Like his Father before him, Sylvester departed his Earthly existence in his 70th year on Friday, October 6th, 1893.
ELD "Elder" Sylvester Walden... Beloved Husband, Father, Missionary Baptist Preacher, Veteran of the American Civil War.