James Calvin Maynard

Born: 1839 In DeKalb County, Tennessee

Died: 1900 probably in Giles County, Tennessee

Company I, 5th Tennessee Cavalry, USA

24 Nov 1862-14 Aug 1865

I have not reached a conclusion as to who Calvin's parents are. Most on the internet claim it to be Samuel Maynard and Matilda Breckenridge but their proof is not convincing. Calvin first married Sabray Jane Richardson, daughter of William Hiser Richardson & Sarah Goslin on 27 Dec 1860.  They had two children in 1864 and 1865.  They may or may not have divorced, but in any event, Calvin married secondly Elizabeth C. Dennison on 25 Aug 1865 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Her parents are uncertain. We can note that he was mustered out of service 11 days earlier in Pulaski, next door to Lincoln County.  Calvin and Elizabeth had three children from 1865 to 1869. The divorce from Sabray is uncertain and made more so by the fact that Calvin was charged with, and convicted, of bigamy in 1874. He was sentenced to two years in prison. But before he was convicted, he married a third time to Eliza J. Hunter on 10 Aug 1873 also in Lincoln County. We do not know her parentage. The question arises as to if he even went home to Sabray in Putnam County or did he just remain in Lincoln County after his discharge. The marriage to Eliza may not have lasted long as Calvin and Eliza did not have any children that we know of. Finally, after serving his prison time, he married a fourth time to Sarah Anna Dunnivant. Sarah's parents were Thomas James Dunnivant and Eliza Lee. According to several records, she was 10 years old. Calvin and Sarah had three children from 1888 to 1895.

Calvin enlisted on 24 Nov 1862 at Nashville. He spent some sick time in the hospital in Jan 1863. but evidently got well enough to be on a forage train on 30 Jan 1863 from which he was charged with desertion. The desertion charge was dropped and he was said to have been captured. He returned from capture on 10 Feb 1864. Then, on 5 Jul 1864 he was placed on "detached service" to Tracy City, Grundy County, Tennessee where he finished his active service. He returned to the main company to be mustered out in Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee on 14 Aug 1865.

I am awaiting his pension applications from the State Archives to learn more. Also awaiting widow's pension applications from two widows who contest who should get the pension. Should be interesting reading.

Calvin is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee. Sabry, his first wife, is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis where she was living with her son when she died. I do not know where his second and third wives are buried. His fourth wife, Sarah, is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Pulaski with Calvin.

As you can see, there are several questions about the life of James Calvin Maynard. I will continue the research and add it to what we know if I find anything.