Family Group Record - Capt. Nathan W. Slay

Nathan W. Slay, son of Alexander Slay, is my first cousin 3 times removed, and was a brother to Norvell Slay. He married his cousin Mary Ann Slay in Hinds County, Mississippi on 12 Feb. 1851. Mary Ann was the daughter of Alphia Slay and Nancy Collins. Nathan resided in Crystal Springs, Copiah County prior to the Civil War as a Land and Slave Owner.

During the Civil War he served first in Crystal Springs Southern Rights Rifles. He served as a Pvt and Sgt in the 6th Mississippi Infantry, Co. F. The 6th Mississippi was known as the "Bloody 6th." Nathan was later promoted to the rank of Captain.

He also served in Power's Regiment, Mississippi Calvary. Nathan's 6th Mississippi saw action during the battle of Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing) under Gen. Cleburne, a County Cork, Ireland native. It was later at the Battle of Franklin and moments before his death, Gen. Cleburne stated, "if we are going to die let us die like men." Captain Nathan received extensive wounds during the Battle of Shiloh, and within a year he was discharged from services. He returned to Crystal Springs in Mississippi to his wife and children

His wife Mary Ann died in 1873 in Crystal Springs. He remarried October 14, 1874 in Copiah County to Ella C. Young. Nathan remained in Crystal Springs until his death in 1899. His widow Ella applied and was approved for a Widows Confederate Pension in Copiah County. His tombstone inscription states, "Capt. Nathan Slay, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Slay."

Husband:

Nathan W. (Capt.) Slay
Born: 31 Jan 1830 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Died: 25 Jul 1899 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Buried: - Hazelhurst Cemetery, Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Mississippi
Father: Alexander (Sr.) Slay (1806-1878)
Mother: Elizabeth McLean (1806-1872)
Marriage: 12 Feb 1851 Place: Hinds County, Mississippi
Other Spouse: Ella C. Young (1856-1941)
Date: 14 Oct 1874 - Copiah County, Mississippi

1st Wife:
Mary Ann Slay
Born: 19 Apr 1828 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 2 Nov 1873 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Father: Alphia (Alfred) Slay (1799-1877)
Mother: Nancy Collins (1804-1865)

Children
1
M Luther Monroe Slay
Born: 3 Sep 1852 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 26 Aug 1934
Spouse: Emmas Jean Quinn Banks (1860-1949)
Marr. Date: 15 Oct 1882 - Copiah County, Mississippi

2
M William R. Slay
Born: 21 Feb 1855 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 21 Feb 1921 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Damascus Baptist Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Alice J. Ainsworth (1854-1918)
Marr. Date: 7 Jan 1886 - Copiah County, Mississippi

3
F Madora Alice Slay
Born: Jul 1857 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 1940

4
F Frances Slay
Born: Dec 1859 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi

5
F Belle Slay
Born: Mar 1861 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 1935 - Georgetown, Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Georgetown Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: J. William (Will) Coor (1855-1937)
Marr. Date: 4 Jan 1885 - Copiah County, Mississippi

6
F Cora Slay
Born: 1864 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi

7
F Nannie Elizabeth Slay
Born: Sep 1866 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Spouse: James Mc Craw
Marr. Date: 2 Apr 1884 - Scott County, Mississippi

8
F Marie Slay
Born: 1868 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi

2nd Wife
Ella C. Young
Born: 14 Jan 1856 - Mississippi
Died: 11 Nov 1941 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Hazelhurst Cemetery, Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Mississippi

Children
1
F Johnnie Eula Slay
Born: 20 May 1876 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 27 Jan 1947
Spouse: William Lafayette Allen

2
M Maurice L. Slay
Born: 27 May 1878 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 25 Dec 1923 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - New Hazlehurst Cemetery, Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Mary Kate (Cora) Sexton (1881-1944)
Marr. Date: 23 Nov 1903 - Poss. Copiah County, Mississippi

3
F Ophelia Slay
Born: Aug 1880 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Spouse: Charles F. Hamilton
Marr. Date: 20 Sep 1904

4
M Oscar J. Slay
Born: 30 Apr 1886 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 5 Dec 1933 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - New Hazlehurst Cemetery, Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Mary Love (1886-1933)
Marr. Date: 28 Jan 1916 - Copiah County, Mississipp

(Photo: Marker position of the 6th Mississippi at Shiloh National Military Park)