William Henry Nesbit A Grand Legacy

This book is my personal journey while researching my great grandfather William Henry Nesbit. During the many months of putting this book together, it was challenging and exciting. I had many days I would read over material about William Henry and become emotional. I do not know how to explain it but to say with each word typed and every letter or document read, it became real. William Henry was a respected man, a strong man. He was a farmer, carpenter, and a man of great faith. He was a Confederate soldier who fought for what he believed in despite all obstacles, but he never gave up. He was a humble, yet a simple man, and he was my Grandpa Will. The following pages of research is based on information I found pertaining to Grandpa Will’s life. I obtained documents that included letters, pictures, and stories from family descendants throughout Alabama and Georgia. I have incorporated everything together to the best of my ability in order to show you William Henry during the Civil War, and life afterwards with his family. I traveled many miles, walked hundreds of cemeteries and researched in more counties than I can remember. My work is not perfect, but hopefully as accurate as can be. I am a Family Historian who takes great pride in my South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama roots from whence I came. During all these years of research, I found that our ancestors believed in God and devoted their lives to God’s word. They were strong people with great faith. They had many hardships with very little complaints. They truly paved the way for us and it is our honor to respect their memory. I started out on this journey just to find where I came from. I had no idea what would be instore for me. God had a bigger purpose and a plan for me beyond anything I could ever imagine. While researching my Nesbitt family, there were many mysteries and precious ancestors that I could not find. Therefore, I had no choice but to venture out searching all the children and their families in order to find living descendants, hoping to find answers. I grew deeper into genealogy after the passing of my father, Howard Floyd Nesbitt, Sr. His death had a profound effect on my Nesbitt family. I fell into a deep dark place filled with unhappiness. I soon realized it is impossible for me to do this on my own. God gave me that wonderful peace that only He can give. Death is not the end, it is only temporary until we are all together again in heaven. God sent me on this journey that led me to each and every one of you. Through you, God filled a void and emptiness. I took grief and turned it into love and placed it within every page of this book. My desire is that this book will be read by those who seek knowledge about our family history and share this with other family members. Truly when you die, your history dies with you when you do not share this treasure with your family. Whether a loved one had good character, or bad, they still deserve to be remembered. When we do not share their memory, it is as if they never lived. God created us for a reason and each person’s life does matters. I am told that I go overboard with genealogy and family history. Many times my own family did not understand. I still respect those who do not care about their family history - and I reach out to those that do. Today I not only celebrate the life of Grandpa Will, but the lives of all our loved ones - may they never be forgotten. This is my journey. Vickie R. Nesbitt