The Littrell brothers Draft Cards World War I: John D., James C., E. Presley.

September 12, 1918 in Lawrence County, Tennessee Grandpa John and his brothers registered for the draft.

John Daniel Littrell

James Carroll Littrell

Eli Presley Littrell

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Dated September 12th, 1918, John Daniel Littrell registered for the draft at age 33, giving his birthday as January 26th, 1884 and living in Loretta Tennessee (Lawrence County). From what I can make out he lived on Route 2. ^{(see updated notation below*)}
His description is giving as a white, native-born, self-employed farmer. His nearest relative is shown as Grandma Kizzie (Comer) Littrell. John signed the document.
On the reverse side of the card, John is described as medium height, medium build, blue eyes and dark colored hair. The registration card makes no references to draft status other than to state Grandpa John has not lost any limbs, eyes, or suffers from any physical disqualification. At 33 years of age and having a family it is probable that he was not under threat of conscription (the war ended 60 days after Grandpa John registered). We know from our own research and family knowledge that John never served in the military, even though he had seven sons and son-in-law's that did serve through World War II, Korea, and the Cold War.

During World War I there were three registrations. (Grandpa John was too old for the first two.)

• The first, on June 5, 1917, was for all men between the ages of 21 and 31.
• The second, on June 5, 1918, registered those who attained age 21 after June 5, 1917. (A supplemental registration was held on August 24, 1918, for those becoming 21 years old after June 5, 1918. This was included in the second registration.)
• The third registration was held on September 12, 1918, for men age 18 through 45.

read more on the WWI draft

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Lawrence County Registration Card, Registrar's Report P.M.G.O. Form No. 1 (Red) Lawrenceburg, Lawrence County, Tennessee. Provost Marshal General (Office of)
Rural Free Delivery (RFD) is a service which began in the United States in the late 19th century, to deliver mail directly to rural farm families. Prior to RFD, individuals living in more remote homesteads had to pick up mail themselves at sometimes distant post offices or pay private carriers for delivery. RFD became a political football, with politicians promising it to voters and using it themselves to reach voters. The proposal to offer free rural delivery was not universally embraced. Private carriers and local shopkeepers feared a loss of business. The United States Post Office Department began experiments with Rural Free Delivery as early as 1890. However, it was not until 1893, when Georgia Congressman Thomas E. Watson pushed through legislation, that the practice was mandated. However, universal implementation was slow; RFD was not adopted generally in the United States Post Office until 1902. The rural delivery service uses a network of rural routes traveled by carriers to deliver and pick up mail to and from roadside mailboxes.

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