Thank you Bob for posting this. I didn't have his birth at all just guessed 1805 I have that he was born in NC but I will check the census just glanced for anyone interested the 1860-1880 so far says he was b. NC Angela Jones Harlan Angelah1012@aol.com In a message dated 1/21/2007 8:07:06 P.M. Central Standard Time, bobwonda@hiwaay.net writes: The (Cullman) Alabama Tribune, 18 Jul 1895 Obituary. Another pioneer gone, another good man crossed over the river, after a short illness. Uncle Billy Rackley passed away quietly at his humble home on the morning of the 5th inst. There were but few persons present at the time of his death, but those present say that he simply appread to go to sleep. Uncle Billy was born December 19th, 1803, if I mistake not in the State of Tennessee and came to Alabama in boyhood. While a young man he married Miss Smith of Morgan county, and settled down for life in this part of the country. [William H. Rackley married Nancy Smith 1 Sep 1825, Morgan County, Book A, page 82] He was one of the men who helped to cut out the first public road through this county, known as the Stansold stage road leading from Huntsville to Tuscaloosa. At that time very few people were living in all this section of country, but wild animals of every kind roamed the forests at will, and Indian tracks were fresh everywhere, a pioneer indeed was he. Uncle Billy was like and respected by all who knew him, for his noble traits of character as a citizen, and for his deep piety; he having spend 73 of the 92 years that he lived in the Methodist church which he was a consistent member at the time of his death. His remains were laid to rest by the side of his wife in Mt. Zion cemetery, witnessed by a number of friends and relatives. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Alvie Basham assisted by myself. May his many friends and relatives be as well prepared for the journey that awaits us all as he was is my earnest prayer. J.C. McGlathery. [At the time of his death, Rackley was said to be the oldest man in Cullman County. No monument was located in Mt. Zion Cemetery for Billy Rackley] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am administrator of the Cullman list on a volunteer basis. I will attend to list problems as soon as possible. you can email me at jholland "at" coralwave.com There is a no tolerence rule for spam. Members who post spam will be banned from the list. ~Jayne Bailey Holland~ List Moderator ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALCULLMA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message