John Read, alias John Porter, was born January 1825 in Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia. He took on the name of his master, who was a Read, and John had worked for him until he enlisted in the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV. At some time during his life he changed his name from Read to Porter and used both names at different times. On 12 July 1866, he married Susan Ann Davis. The only known child of John and Susan was Sarah, who was born 4 Feb 1876, and married a McCauley. He had two or three other children by someone he lived with before he married Susan, and it was probably Louisa Read (John spelled it Luiza). He stated he and "Luiza" lived together but she died while he was in the army.
John enlisted in Company C, 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV as an Undercook, on 01 Dec 1864 in Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia at age 40 and mustered in 17 October 1865 at Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama. His Muster In roll stated he was "Colored". He mustered out at the end of the war in Huntsville, Alabama on 20 October 1865 with the rest of the regiment.
It was impossible to read the names of all the children listed on the Application for Pension, but it looked like Kit, who was born 15 Mar 1849, Henry, who was born 10 June 1846, Humphrey, Frank and Sarah. John stated in a General Affidavit for his pension that he had no record of his birth because his master kept it and then died before the war. He also stated his (John’s) house burned at one time and burned all of his belongings and papers, including his Civil War Discharge. On 25 March 1907, John completed a Declaration for Pension and stated he was 83 years old and living in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama where he had lived since the war. He stated his Pension Certificate Number was 1.094.256.
Dr. B. E. Scrugs and Dr. W. W. Derrick were the attending physicians for John before his death in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama on 21 October 1911. The doctors stated he died from old age and Dropsy. He also had chronic Rheumatism. McCown & Company was the Undertaker for his funeral and stated he was buried in the Huntsville, Alabama Cemetery. However, another record was signed by Walter Ross Sexton of Glennwood Cemetery, which may or may not be the same as the Huntsville Cemetery. Leo J. Marshuetz, Dry Goods, Notions, Clothing, Shoes, and Hats was in charge of digging his grave for which they charged $3.00.
(Researched and written by Glenda McWhirter Todd, information from pension records)
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.