James Madison McCaleb

Born: 29 Jun 1831 in Jackson County (Now Putnam County) Tennessee

Died: 16 Jan 1893 in Putnam County, Tennessee

Company K, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry, USA

5 Nov 1864-22 Jul 1865

The McCaleb family of Cane Creek was a strong Union supporting family. Samuel Moore McCaleb along with all four of his sons served in the Union Army.

James Madison McCaleb was the son of Samuel Moore McCaleb and Elenor "Nellie" Ray. Born on 29 Jun 1831 on Cane Creek in what is now Putnam County, Tennessee, James would marry Susan Eveline Nabors sometime before 1860. They are together in the 1860 census with no children. In fact, I have been unable to prove any children during their marriage. Susan was the daughter of Richard Nabors and Mary Richardson.

James has been a difficult person to research as there are two James M.'s both with a wife named Susan and both about the same age. People on the internet have certainly gotten these two James confused and mixed together. I have choosen to not make our James the same one that is later found in Arkansas. It is possible that he is, but I don't think so.

We do know for sure that James enlisted and was mustered-in on 5 Nov 1864 in Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee. He was enlisted by his father, Samuel. He was shown as present at every roll-call until his muster out on 22 Jul 1865. Nothing significant is noted on any of his roll calls. He was mustered-in as a Private and discharged as a Sergeant. You can review his service record attached here.

Jamess received an invalid pension which he filed for and was approved in Aug 1890. His wife (Rebecca) would receive a widow's pension after his death. This is the only place I find James married to a Rebecca. Evidently his first wife, Susan, had passed away and he had remarried to a Rebecca.

James is buried in the Gentry Cemetery in Putnam County, Tennessee. I do not know where Susan is buried. It is likely she is in the Gentry Cemetery but I can find no documentation to prove it.