On last Tuesday evening the community of Jones Creek was startled by the announcement that Mr. Richmond H. Peacock, an old man who lives on the road from Darien to Reidsville, had been murdered. A coroner's inquest was held a mile from the residence of the deceased, and the following facts brought to light: The deceased was returning from mill in his buggy when he was fired upon by some unknown party. The whole load, including the wadding, lodged in the body, entering the right side just under the arm. The old man must have fallen out of the buggy and died almost instantly. He was known to have had $100 on his person, but his vest was torn open and the money gone. The piece of cloth which formed the wadding was identified by a young lady as part of an old dress which she had given to Jasper Price for gun wadding. Price, who is a young man and a nephew of the deceased, was accordingly examined, and upon the authority of the inquest he was arrested and lodged in jail. We forbear all comment as tho the matter will undergo judicial investigation. Mr. Peacock was a quiet, peaceable citizen, seventy-eight years old and respected by all. – Hinesville Gazette

Genealogical Notes

Richmond H. Peacock was born 24 August August 1807 and died 8 February 1881 in Liberty County. He was the son of Samuel and Mary Peacock. He married first, Anna S. Howard (born 6 January 1804, the daughter of George Howard and Christine Platts), the widow of Daniel Francis Sullivan. After her death he married second Martha Lang (born 13 July 1859), the daughter of William and Rebecca Parker Lang. Children of Richmond H. and Martha Lang Peacock were Mary S. (born 1875) and William R. (born 1879).

1880 Liberty County US Federal Census
District 16, Page 71-A
Richmond Peacock: Male, White, 73, Georgia, Farmer
Martha S. Peacock: White, 20, Georgia, Wife
Mary S. Peacock: White, 4, Georgia
William R. Peacock: White, 1, Georgia
Chelsey Ann Moody: White, 16, Georgia
Mary E. McFail: White, 43, Georgia

Source: The Dublin Post, Dublin, Laurens County Georgia, February 23, 1881, page 2

Submitted by Bob Franks