Private Groves was born between 1831 and 1836 in Mississippi, son of Peter and Catherine (Keithley) Groves (1). He married 03 Feb 1856 in Bradley County, Arkansas, to Frances Lawson, and they appear in the 1860 Census for Vaugine TWP, Jefferson County, Arkansas (2), thus substantiating his residence in the area of recruitment. Jacob, known as “Jake,” enlisted 12 May 1862 at Pine Bluff, was absent sick in hospital at Little Rock on 31 Oct 1862, returned to the regiment and was present through the last recorded muster on 29 Feb 1864 (3). Frances and two children appear on a list of indigent families of Confederate Soldiers, Redland TWP, Bradley County, Arkansas (4). Jake and Frances apparently divorced. She is on record as marrying John R. Johnson in Dorsey County on 18 Feb 1878, and Jake is on record as marrying Maggie Kelly in Dorsey County on 21 Apr 1878 (5). Frances appears as Mrs. Johnson in the 1880 Census for Smith TWP, Dorsey County, and Jake’s children are in the household with her (6). Jake and Maggie are in the 1880 Census for Red Land TWP, Dorsey County (7). A few genealogy sources give Jake’s date of demise as 12 Sep 1907, but I have not found any record that verifies this.
The Sarah Alice Varnell you mentioned (11 Nov 1874- 18 Mar 1936) was actually married to Jake’s son, James Monroe Groves (13 Feb 1866 – 22 Jul 1945). Both are interred in Godwin Cemetery, Hot Spring County, Arkansas(8).
Hope this helps, and good luck in your research.
Sources:
(1) “Heard/Crowley Family Tree,” Ancestry.com; Peter Groves Household, 1850 U.S. Census, Saline TWP, Hot Spring County, Arkansas Population Schedule, Page 311, Lines 4-13, Dwelling 579, Family 607, National Archives Micropublication M432, Roll 26, Ancstry.com Image 15.
(2) Tia Carey, “My Family Tree,” Ancestry.com; Jacob Groves Household, 1860 U.S. Census, Vaugine TWP, Jefferson County, Arkansas Population Schedule, Page 811B, Lines 24-27, Dwelling 277, National Archives Micropublication M653, Roll 44, Family 264, Ancestry.com Image 13.
(3) Compiled Service Records of Jacob Groves, Company C, 26th Arkansas Infantry, NARA, Microcopy 317, Roll 190.
(4) http://www.argenweb.net/cleveland/military_list_of_indigent_famili.htm
(5) Cleveland County Marriage Book 1, pages 221 (Jake) and 282 (Frances); http://www.argenweb.net/cleveland/user/image/jkmarriages.txt
(6) John Johnson Household, 1880 U.S. Census, Smith TWP, Dorsey County, Arkansas Population Schedule, Enumeration District 83, Page 358C and D, Lines 45-50 (358C), and line 1 (D), Dwelling 30, Household 35, National Archives Micropublication T9, Roll 43, Ancestry.com Image 3.
(7) J. Groves Household, 1880 U.S. Census, Red Land TWP, Dorsey County, Arkansas Population Schedule, Enumeration District 87, Page 415A, Lines 9-12, National Archives Micropublication T9, Ancestry.com Image 25.
(8) Godwin Cemetery, Hot Spring County, Arkansas: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~armpgs/godwin-cemetery.html