John Abel Dover is my great grandfather. He is the son of David Dover and Sarah Sparks. John Abel Dover, b. 15 May 1844 in Talladega Co, AL, served in Co A 7th AL Cav, CSA. He entered 25 May 1863 in Randolph Co, AL for duration of the war. He was captured on the Pensacola Road, four miles from the Big Bayou, by Capt Schmidt, Co M, 14th NY Cav; he was transported to Ft Pickens, FL, then transported to New Orleans abt 10 Apr 1864, transferred to Ship Island, MS on 5 Oct 1864, then transferred to Elmira, NY on 19 Nov 1864 where he was imprisoned. He was released from captivity on 14 Jun 1865 and returned home. Married Martha Emily Shaddix on 26 Aug 1865 in Talladega Co, AL (later to become Clay Co). In 1870 he is shown on the Winston Co, AL census along with his father David Dover and brother David Dover. On the 1880 census, he is shown back in Clay Co, AL. Martha Emily died 5 Jul 1885 in Clay Co, and John Abel died about 1919 (He has a CSA tombstone, no dates), and both are buried at Union Baptist Church, Clay Co, AL. Children: 1. Marion Sherman Cicero, b. abt 1866, in Winston or Clay Co., m. Florence Josephine Strickland 7 Dec 1884 in Clay Co, AL, d. 1943, and buried in Munford Cemetery, Munford, AL. Josephine is buried beside him. They are in unmarked graves beside their daughter who married a Nowland. He was always known as "Sherman". There are some of his descendants who give his b.d. as 1864, but I believe it's wrong. The census doesn't support that date, nor the marriage date of John & Martha. The 1870 census has a "Mark T" listed as 3 yrs old, and I believe that is Sherman. Perhaps they called him Mark earlier in his childhood. 2. John J., b. abt 1868 in Winston or Clay Co, AL. No other info. May be the one who went to Texas and died there per my Aunt. 3. David Henry T (Thornton?), b. Jan 1870 in Winston or Clay Co, m. Viola Turner 24 nov 1887 in Clay Co. They moved to Cairo, GA after 1910 (acc to my Aunt). He was always known as "Henry". 4. Sarah Ann "Sally", b. 5 Jan 1872, probably Winston Co, AL, m. 25 Feb 1886 to Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Turner, d. 29 Sep 1950 in Clay Co, buried in Union Baptist Church Cem. Tom Turner b. 2 Feb 1862, d. 14 Aug 1944 and is buried at Union Baptist also, beside S. B. Turner (b. 10 mar 1830 d. 13 Jul 1894) and E. R. Turner (b. 20 Jun 1838 d. 22 Oct 1912). They are probably his parents since they are in the same plot. 5. William Robert Earl, b. abt 1874 in Winston or Clay Co. Never married. He moved after 1920 to Jackson Co, AL and is buried at New Caanan Baptist Church ( I don't have a date). 6. Tolbert Sparks, b. 29 Jun 1876 - see particulars in previous message. (My grandfather) 7. Mary "Molly", b. Jun 1878, Winston or Clay Co. Married and Armstrong. 8. Arch R., b. Oct 1880 probably Clay Co, m. Mary Maude Bean in Texas, returned to Clay Co, AL, eventually to the area called Sand Mountain, and is buried in Jackson Co, at New Caanan Baptist Church (No dates). 9. George W, b. 11 Nov 1883, Clay Co, m. Missouri J. Catherine Parker abt 1916 in Clay Co, d. 20 Sep 1961 in Talladega Co, AL, buried at Union Baptist Church, Clay Co. Wife Catherine, b. 26 Nov 1894, d. 20 Dec 1981, buried at Union also. John Abel m. 2nd time to Mary E Clifton on 14 Feb 1886 in Clay Co. One child, Thomas F Dover, b. Sep 1887, Clay Co, m. Gracy Estella Sassnet abt 1906/07. Mary died 18 Feb 1915, and is buried at Union Baptist Church. Sherry Worthy Horn