Albert James Pickett

Albert James Pickett

• Father: William Raiford Pickett b. circa 1777, d. 20 September 1850
• Mother: Frances Amelia Dickson b. 1780, d. 4 August 1850

• Albert James Pickett was born on 13 August 1810 in Anson County, North Carolina.
• He married Sarah Smith Harris, daughter of William Harris and Mary Drew Alston, on 20 March 1832 in Montgomery County, Alabama, license having been obtained on 13 March.
• Albert James Pickett and Sarah Smith Harris appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Montgomery, Alabama, enumerated next to Sarah's sister Mary Gindrat.. Other members of the household included William Raiford Pickett, Martha Raiford Pickett, Corinne Albert Pickett, Mary Gindrat Pickett, Eliza Ward Pickett, Sarah Julia Pickett and Eliza Baker.
• He was a planter, according to the 1850 census.
• The following appeared on 5 September 1851 in the Tri-Weekly Alabama Journal: Laudable State Pride -- We learn that Mr. Absalom Jackson, an intelligent planter of Autauga, has recently purchased twelve copies of Pickett's History of Alabama for his twelve children. This is a most praiseworthy act. It shows Mr. Jackson to be a gentleman who duly appreciates the author of that work, with whom he was a schoolmate. It is also an evidence that he is anxious to sustain one who is endeavoring to elevate the Historical character and importance of our State, and place her by the side of the most renowned of her sisters. --Advertiser.
• On Thursday, 1 January 1856, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Colonel A. J. Pickett and Mr. Absalom Barton came today from Alabama."
• A. J. Pickett's son William Raiford was married to Laura Hall Holt, daughter of Polly Hall's sister Laura.
• The following appeared on 29 June 1858 in the Daily Confederation: Col. A. J. Pickett. -- We take the following notice of our distinguished townsman from the Mobile Register of the 24th inst. Apart from his valuable literary contributions, in which the public feel a deep interest, we, who know him well, and love him for his many noble, generous, magnanimous and manly qualities, are anxious to see him among us again in the full fruition of the best of health and spirits. Few men in this world stand as high in our estimation, for all the good and generous qualities that make men honorable, as Albert Pickett:
       Col. A. J. Pickett, the distinguished scholar and historian of Alabama, arrived in our city yesterday. He is just from Bladen Springs, where he has been agreeably sojourning for some time, and is en route for Point Clear, where he will pass some time enjoying the refreshing breezes and baths of that delightful resort.
• Albert James Pickett died on 28 October 1858 at age 48 in Montgomery County, Alabama.
• His wife Sarah Smith Harris became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama.
• The following appeared on 29 October 1858 in The Daily Confederation: With feelings of profound regret, we are compelled, this morning, to announce the death of Col. Albert J. Pickett, which occurred on yesterday in the neighborhood of this city. A hereditary disease, which only a few months since developed itself, has hurried to the grave a gentleman, distinguished alike for the virtues which ennobled, and the qualities which adorned his life -- a life exemplary to so great a degree, as to have been almost blameless. Devoted as Col. Pickett has been for the last few years to literary pursuits, which had for their aim the discovery and publucation of historical events connected with the early settlement and gradual development of the great Southwest, his death will be rightly regarded as a public loss; while his readiness to aid in all right undertakings where aid was needed, his charitableness, his perfect sense of right, and the goodness of his heart, which allowed of no malice or ill will towards his fellow man, will make it a local calamity. A few short weeks of sickness -- the dying groan -- the shroud -- the funeral and the tomb -- and all, with him, was over. What shadows!
• The following appeared on 16 December 1858 in The Daily Confederation: Married, at the residence of the bride's father, in this city, on the 14th inst., by Rt. Rev. Bishop Cobbs, Edward B. Randolph, Esq., and Miss Corinne A. Pickett, daughter of the late Col. Albert J. Pickett.
• A short biographical sketch of Albert James Pickett appears in Alabama, Her History, Resources, War Record, and Public Men, from 1540 to 1872.

• Last Edited: 18 Jul 2014