Brothers: John David & Charles Fagan Littrell
Charles Fagan Littrell: I was unable to secure a registration from the back of this card. Fagon’s Navy Discharge date is noted as 1-7-1946.
John David Littrell: I was unable to secure a registration from the back of this card. John’s Navy Discharge date is noted as 4-18-1946.
There are two oddities about the draft cards of these two brothers.
September 12, 1918 must have been ‘Draft Registration Day’ in Lawrence County, Tennessee as Grandpa John, his brothers, the cousins listed below (except one), and many others registered on that day.
Son’s of George Littrell uncle of Grandpa John D. Littrell.
John Thomas Littrell:
Thomas Avery Littrell
Turner William Littrell: *
All the family draft cards discovered and identified for World War I are dated Sept., 12 1918 except Turner’s. Turner, age 26, registered 15 months earlier in June of 1917. The June 1917 draft was for ages 21-31 which meant Turner. The September 1918 draft was the third round of the WW I draft when the draft was expanded to as young as 18 and as old as 45 which included everyone else on this page.
Edward Jasper Littrell
NOTES:
WWI Draft Registration Cards, Selective Service Registration Cards, World War I: PMGO Form No. 1 RED
*During World War I there were three registrations.
- 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.
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
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.
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.57
September 12, 1918 must have been ‘Draft Registration Day’ in Lawrence County, Tennessee as Grandpa John, his brothers, the cousins listed below, and many others registered on that day.
All below are son of James W. Littrell uncle of Grandpa John Littrell
William Henry Littrell
Carl Clifton Littrell
Killen Littrell
Andrew Jackson Littrell
IDENTIFIED: Based on name assumption and Draft card: Full name appears to be Delaware Deerfield Litral(AKA Delly D. Litral), self employed farmer living and working in Lawrenceburg, Lawrence County, TN in 1918. Delly is the son of Columbus Lafayette Litral, a second cousin once removed of John Daniel Littrell. There last common ancestor was Rodhom Literal.
Garland Gaston Litral: On draft card last name is clearly LITRAL: An auto-mechanic working at Bates Manufacturing Company, living and working in Lawrenceburg, Lawrence County, TN.
Andrew Thomas Littrill: Farming and living in Leoma, Lawrence County, TN.
James Henry Littrell: Draft Card: Self employed farmer, single, born in Lexington, AL., living in Loretto, TN. Card dated Jube 6, 1917... the first round of three drafts during WW I. He made his mark.
Joe Littrell: Farming and living in Loretto, TN., self employed farmer.
Julias Edgar Littrell: Single farmer, living in Appleton, TN., Route #1
Linnie Sebastian Littrell: Draft Card: Born, living, and farming (self) in Appleton, Lawrence County, TN. Married w/one child.
WWI Draft Registration Cards, Selective Service Registration Cards, World War I: PMGO Form No. 1 RED
Thomas Avery & William Turner Littrell have both been identified as sons of George Littrell and moved to his family page.
