The good people in the Allegheny County, PA, area keep dying and well, we keep finding them.
For over two years, our little band of volunteers has been digging in the old Pittsburgh area newspapers for death notices. The volunteers come and go, but there are usually at least five of us working at any given time.
Our last update brought us to over 88,000 death entries. We have over 3500 entries waiting in the hopper. I suspect these names will be available for family history buffs by Easter weekend.
Check us out. In addition to our death index, we have:
over 24,000 marriages
Divorce notices
WWI Military Personnel with over 73000 names
World War I articles
The record of Company E from the Civil War
House of Refuge information
Morganza information
Poor House Census 1850-1910
Poor House articles
1931 Fire of Little Sisters Poor House
1890 Veterans Schedule/Poor homes
Allegheny Co Home Census 1860-1940
There are also wonderful snippets of interest that will lead you to outside links with history information and resources from the area.
Whatcha waiting for? http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/
The index of names: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
Ahhh, genealogy. Such generous, kind friends-- any day of the week, not just Friday!
©2013 AS Eldredge
Ahhh, genealogy. A glimpse of the past shows of what I am made.....
Showing posts with label civil war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil war. Show all posts
Friday, March 22, 2013
Monday, August 13, 2012
Mystery Monday: Another Way Found to Search Your Civil War Kinsmen
The old saying "There's more than one way to skin a cat" takes on new meaning today for researchers who look around Pennsylvania.
The History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 by Samuel P Bates has long been a major source for information for genealogy buffs to research their kinsmen who were in the War of the Northern Aggression. The book is great for looking up the rosters and histories of the units formed in Pennsylvania.
Now, there's another way to search the book.
Recently, a friend asked if I would be interested in taking his compilation of the units formed, where the units were organized by town and county, the length of enrollment time, the date of organization, and the page number of where this information is found in the Bates book.
Having wondered from time to time what units were formed in the general area in which my Pennsylvania kinfolk lived, I thought this information could be of value to others.
The information is live now and can be found on my ongoing Pittsburgh Newspaper Project. Check it out at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/ and then click on the PA Volunteers Regiment Location tab.
Ahh, genealogy. Skinning the cat in genealogy sure can open new lines of thought. A special thank you to Jerome D for providing the information he gathered and to Lynn B for her rapid fire transcription.
©2012 AS Eldredge
The History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 by Samuel P Bates has long been a major source for information for genealogy buffs to research their kinsmen who were in the War of the Northern Aggression. The book is great for looking up the rosters and histories of the units formed in Pennsylvania.
Now, there's another way to search the book.
Recently, a friend asked if I would be interested in taking his compilation of the units formed, where the units were organized by town and county, the length of enrollment time, the date of organization, and the page number of where this information is found in the Bates book.
Having wondered from time to time what units were formed in the general area in which my Pennsylvania kinfolk lived, I thought this information could be of value to others.
The information is live now and can be found on my ongoing Pittsburgh Newspaper Project. Check it out at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/ and then click on the PA Volunteers Regiment Location tab.
Ahh, genealogy. Skinning the cat in genealogy sure can open new lines of thought. A special thank you to Jerome D for providing the information he gathered and to Lynn B for her rapid fire transcription.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Monday, August 06, 2012
Monday Madness: Got The Fever But No Body Found
Looking out the window at the overcast skies, it seems like a perfect day for running around my mind to see if I can pull together some more facts as I continue the search for good ole Uncle Robert. As soon as I exhaust the paltry information I have, it's time to search around the internet to see if any other documentation can be found. Arrgggg, it's Monday Madness alright.
Robert W HENRY(1827-1869) was born in Allegheny Co, PA, and was the brother of my 2g-grandma. Robert was a godly man and eagerly went in to the ministry. As a child, he and his family were members of the Associated Reformed Church of St Clair, which eventually became the Mt Lebanon UP Church. In fact, two of Robert's grandfathers were founding members of the church and so many of his kin are spending eternity resting quietly in the St Clair Cemetery.
Robert received his DD in theology after completing his schoolwork and quickly found a church in Ohio. He is found in the 1850 census as a clergyman living in Springfield, Clark, OH. He returns home to marry a childhood friend, Mary Emma MATTHEWS in November 1851. They are married by his childhood minister, the Rev Joseph CLOKEY. Ahh, CLOKEY, now he's an interesting man that we will have to examine later. I surmise that Mary Emma's family, James MATTHEWS (abt 1795-aft1850) were probably members of the same church. At the least, they did live in the neighborhood.
Robert and Mary move to Philadelphia where he pastored a church during the War of Northern Aggression (as mentioned in his nephew's Civil War diary). Robert is also found in the City Directory in Phile with a house address of 850 N 7th.
In the spring of 1869, Robert applies for a passport. What I haven't found is any evidence of a passport for his wife. Was she included on his or was she not going over to Europe for a tour? I find it difficult to swallow that she would have been left behind on this trip of a lifetime.
Now to a bigger mystery in the affairs of Robert. He dies of Yellow Fever while visiting in Alexandria, Egypt. This is verified by news of his death in the Presbyterian Banner. The Banner made no mention of his wife.
Mary continues to live in Phile after the death of her beloved and teaches at a college. Unfortunately, she has a stroke and falls in the bathtub on December 26, 1881. Her death information has been found in Philadelphia, and her obit has been located in Pittsburgh. Her body is brought back to Pittsburgh for the funeral and the burial.
Where are they? Her obit tells us her father is deceased, and I have yet to determine when he died or where he was buried. I suspect he is either at the St Clair Cemetery or the Mt Pisgah UP Church Cemetery as those were the two closest Presbyterian churches and cemeteries closest to his residence. The HENRY clan is all buried at St Clair, but her tombstone has not been located. To be fair, the early records for St Clair are all gone and many of the early headstones are damaged or gone. I know where the HENRY clan is buried. I know where Robert's parents are buried. I know where his siblings are buried, but where are Robert and Mary? Was Robert buried in Egypt or would his body have been brought home? Would Mary have been buried with her family or with her inlaws?
Mary had at least one sister as determined by the 1850 census. The sister was Harriet V MATTHEWS. As they were living with one Emiline MOORE, I suspect Emiline could have been the eldest child of James and his wife, Margaret. Either they all died before 1860, or they relocated, or they married. I can't find any evidence of the family.
Robert and Mary had no children of their own, but I think of them often. Did he resemble his sister in his looks? If so, I can easily imagine his looks as I have a picture of her in my possession.
I wonder if or when I will find them. In the meantime, I think I'll sit and reflect as these gray clouds swarm outside the window.
Ahh, genealogy. I will guess that these storm clouds gathering would have been minor in comparison if his lovely bride had not been included on the voyage.
Sources:
Ancestry.com- RW Henry passport application
1850 Federal Census
1880 Federal Census
1867 Philadelphia City Directory
1868 Philadelphia City Directory
Pittsburgh Commerical Gazettep Dec. 30, 1881
Family Bible
History of the St Clair United Presbyterian Church of Mt Lebanon, PA 1804-1904, pg 29
©AS Eldredge 2012
Robert W HENRY(1827-1869) was born in Allegheny Co, PA, and was the brother of my 2g-grandma. Robert was a godly man and eagerly went in to the ministry. As a child, he and his family were members of the Associated Reformed Church of St Clair, which eventually became the Mt Lebanon UP Church. In fact, two of Robert's grandfathers were founding members of the church and so many of his kin are spending eternity resting quietly in the St Clair Cemetery.
Robert received his DD in theology after completing his schoolwork and quickly found a church in Ohio. He is found in the 1850 census as a clergyman living in Springfield, Clark, OH. He returns home to marry a childhood friend, Mary Emma MATTHEWS in November 1851. They are married by his childhood minister, the Rev Joseph CLOKEY. Ahh, CLOKEY, now he's an interesting man that we will have to examine later. I surmise that Mary Emma's family, James MATTHEWS (abt 1795-aft1850) were probably members of the same church. At the least, they did live in the neighborhood.
Robert and Mary move to Philadelphia where he pastored a church during the War of Northern Aggression (as mentioned in his nephew's Civil War diary). Robert is also found in the City Directory in Phile with a house address of 850 N 7th.
In the spring of 1869, Robert applies for a passport. What I haven't found is any evidence of a passport for his wife. Was she included on his or was she not going over to Europe for a tour? I find it difficult to swallow that she would have been left behind on this trip of a lifetime.
Now to a bigger mystery in the affairs of Robert. He dies of Yellow Fever while visiting in Alexandria, Egypt. This is verified by news of his death in the Presbyterian Banner. The Banner made no mention of his wife.
Mary continues to live in Phile after the death of her beloved and teaches at a college. Unfortunately, she has a stroke and falls in the bathtub on December 26, 1881. Her death information has been found in Philadelphia, and her obit has been located in Pittsburgh. Her body is brought back to Pittsburgh for the funeral and the burial.
Where are they? Her obit tells us her father is deceased, and I have yet to determine when he died or where he was buried. I suspect he is either at the St Clair Cemetery or the Mt Pisgah UP Church Cemetery as those were the two closest Presbyterian churches and cemeteries closest to his residence. The HENRY clan is all buried at St Clair, but her tombstone has not been located. To be fair, the early records for St Clair are all gone and many of the early headstones are damaged or gone. I know where the HENRY clan is buried. I know where Robert's parents are buried. I know where his siblings are buried, but where are Robert and Mary? Was Robert buried in Egypt or would his body have been brought home? Would Mary have been buried with her family or with her inlaws?
Mary had at least one sister as determined by the 1850 census. The sister was Harriet V MATTHEWS. As they were living with one Emiline MOORE, I suspect Emiline could have been the eldest child of James and his wife, Margaret. Either they all died before 1860, or they relocated, or they married. I can't find any evidence of the family.
Robert and Mary had no children of their own, but I think of them often. Did he resemble his sister in his looks? If so, I can easily imagine his looks as I have a picture of her in my possession.
I wonder if or when I will find them. In the meantime, I think I'll sit and reflect as these gray clouds swarm outside the window.
Ahh, genealogy. I will guess that these storm clouds gathering would have been minor in comparison if his lovely bride had not been included on the voyage.
Sources:
Ancestry.com- RW Henry passport application
1850 Federal Census
1880 Federal Census
1867 Philadelphia City Directory
1868 Philadelphia City Directory
Pittsburgh Commerical Gazettep Dec. 30, 1881
Family Bible
History of the St Clair United Presbyterian Church of Mt Lebanon, PA 1804-1904, pg 29
©AS Eldredge 2012
Monday, May 07, 2012
Living in the Past in Pittsburgh
Another new project is coming up soon and will be available for all you genealogy buffs to view. It will take some time, but I suspect that my handy dandy volunteer-friend and I will be hot on the trail to get the info up as soon as possible.
While waiting for this new index which was transcribed a number of years ago by another volunteer, who would like to see his work online for all, take the time to check out what has been accomplished to date on the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project.
In addition to the marriage, death, and divorce indexes, there are also some World War I articles, a newspaper account of Co. E from the Pittsburgh area during the Civil War aka the Recent Unpleasantness, and any names located from the House of Refuge aka Morganza.
In the snippets corner, links to published Washington County 1895 property owners, early marriages, Morganza history, death dates from the PA Dept of Health, military personnel links, and more can be searched for those elusive kin.
Our area on old World War I articles is also slated to be updated before Memorial Day.
So, grab a cup of your favorite cruising beverage, grab your pen and paper, and drop on in to see if your genealogy past can be brought up for the future.
Oh, and a hint about the project--- it's on the Civil War and searching for PA units.
©2012 AS Eldredge
While waiting for this new index which was transcribed a number of years ago by another volunteer, who would like to see his work online for all, take the time to check out what has been accomplished to date on the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project.
In addition to the marriage, death, and divorce indexes, there are also some World War I articles, a newspaper account of Co. E from the Pittsburgh area during the Civil War aka the Recent Unpleasantness, and any names located from the House of Refuge aka Morganza.
In the snippets corner, links to published Washington County 1895 property owners, early marriages, Morganza history, death dates from the PA Dept of Health, military personnel links, and more can be searched for those elusive kin.
Our area on old World War I articles is also slated to be updated before Memorial Day.
So, grab a cup of your favorite cruising beverage, grab your pen and paper, and drop on in to see if your genealogy past can be brought up for the future.
Oh, and a hint about the project--- it's on the Civil War and searching for PA units.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wordless Wednesday: On Living and Dying in Old Pittsburgh Area
Two years and folks are still dying to get in the index!
My favorite brainchild genealogy project recently celebrated its 2nd anniversary as the volunteers from our Allegheny County Rootsweb mail list are still feverishly working to index the deaths, marriages and divorces from old Pittsburgh area newspapers. I've wondered just how many bottles of Visine we have purchased since then?
The wonderful volunteers deserve a huge pat on the back as over 85,000 death entries and over 24,000 marriages have been indexed and placed online for all to dig through.
During the last two years, our adventures have expanded to include a World War I military personnel index which has over 73,000 entries. Also added was a great 1893 article on the boys of Co. E from the "Recent Unpleasantness" that some of my readers might call the Civil War.
In addition, we've added a number of articles on World War I which provide an everyday look in to the lives of wartime Pittsburgh men and women as they served overseas during the 1918-1919 timeframe.
And just to really make you fall on your knees and pray for those children who were sent to the House of Refuge which later became Morganza, we've been searching for articles on the institution and for as many names as we can locate and placing it online. Some of the tales are just so heart wrenching.
Check out all we've done here: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/index.html
You can also find the indexes here: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
Note while the date of last update reflected on the main index page is November 2011, the individual updates were last completed in mid February 2012.
Ahh, genealogy. What great volunteers there are to make old news "new" for us and to render genealogy buffs "wordless" in appreciation.
©2012 AS Eldredge
My favorite brainchild genealogy project recently celebrated its 2nd anniversary as the volunteers from our Allegheny County Rootsweb mail list are still feverishly working to index the deaths, marriages and divorces from old Pittsburgh area newspapers. I've wondered just how many bottles of Visine we have purchased since then?
The wonderful volunteers deserve a huge pat on the back as over 85,000 death entries and over 24,000 marriages have been indexed and placed online for all to dig through.
During the last two years, our adventures have expanded to include a World War I military personnel index which has over 73,000 entries. Also added was a great 1893 article on the boys of Co. E from the "Recent Unpleasantness" that some of my readers might call the Civil War.
In addition, we've added a number of articles on World War I which provide an everyday look in to the lives of wartime Pittsburgh men and women as they served overseas during the 1918-1919 timeframe.
And just to really make you fall on your knees and pray for those children who were sent to the House of Refuge which later became Morganza, we've been searching for articles on the institution and for as many names as we can locate and placing it online. Some of the tales are just so heart wrenching.
Check out all we've done here: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/index.html
You can also find the indexes here: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
Note while the date of last update reflected on the main index page is November 2011, the individual updates were last completed in mid February 2012.
Ahh, genealogy. What great volunteers there are to make old news "new" for us and to render genealogy buffs "wordless" in appreciation.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: Campfires of The Boys of '61 in 1894
I never thought much about the sheer numbers of American men who wore either the Blue or the Grey back during the Civil War. All I thought of while researching my genealogy roots is why did they have to be injured or die. What about their poor widows? And the children they left behind as they marched off to fight for their beliefs.
It also really didn't occur to me why I couldn't find my Yanks in the GAR post near the little town in which so many lived.
Today, I stumbled across a souvenir edition of the Pittsburgh Press from September 9, 1894. The number of stories, posts, and regimental histories combined with poetry and drawings is enough to have me reading for days. The men had all come to Pittsburgh for a grand reunion from many states. There's ton of history and names in these pages.
How many of my loving names which are only a memory will I find?
How many families suffered from the war? How many hearts were broken?
I submit to you the poem "For Freedom Died" found on pg 33 with the notation it was from the New York Evening Post.
"Forward!" was the word when day
Dawned upon the armed array.
"Fallen!" was the word when night
Closed upon the field of fight.
"Hurt, my boy?" "Oh, no! Not much!"
"Only got a little touch!"
"Forward!" was the word that flashed
Homeward, when the cannon crashed.
"Missing!" was the word sent home
When the shades of night had come.
"Fallen?" "Yes; he fell, they say,
In the fiercest of the fray!"
"Died last night!" the message said,
Thus the morrow's papers read.
One young heart that heard the word,
Fluttered like a wounded bird.
One was broken! Bowed her head
"Mother! Mother! Mother's dead!"
Two green graves we'll deck to day,
Son's and mother's side by side,
None will dare to tell us "Nay!"
Both for right and freedom died.
While we honor him who fell
In the fiercest of the fray,
We will honor her as well
Lying by his side today.
Let the flowers forever fair,
Bloom above our fallen braves,
While the angels guard them there,
Glory lingers o'er their graves.
Long ago one sweet soul
Entered her Gethsemane,
Death to her the greatest goal,
As it must to many be!
But life lingers Oh! so long!
And the years so weary grow!
Tears have choked her heart's sweet song,
Dimmed those eyes that used to glow!
Oh! the bleeding, broken hearts,
Living long their lingering death,
Pierced by countless cruel darts,
Smothered sobs beneath each breath.
Comrades! Call the roll again!
Write their name on glory's page!
Whose who bore the grief and pain,
Fiercer far than battle's rage!
When they lie there side by side,
Dearer to him than his life,
Mother, sister, sweetheart, bride,
Or his dear, devoted wife.
And you deck his grave again,
Write her name- but not beneath!
By her agony and pain
Crown her grave with fairest wreath!
Angels called the roll again,
Wrote her name above the stars
For her patient faith in pain,
Deeper far than battle scars.
Three green graves we deck today,
This the third, where lies his bride-
None will dare to tell us "Nay!"
For these three for freedom died!
Take some time to dig through these pages. It's a tear jerker you don't want to miss.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=18940909&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Oh- and here's a picture of cousin William James GLENN. You can read more about him on an earlier blog: I am Simply a Survivor.
Below the drawing of GLENN is William H H LEA, the brother of my 2g-uncle, Cassius LEA.
Sources:
Pittsburgh Press
Sept 9, 1894
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=18940909&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Tip of the hat to cousin David for sending me to this newspaper date to find the drawing of WJ GLENN.
Ahh, genealogy. Tis grand to find the family history so intertwined with that of our great country. Tis humbling to know my kin have fought for this country since its beginning. My thoughts and prayers go to all veterans and the ones they leave behind. Thank you.
©2011 AS Eldredge
It also really didn't occur to me why I couldn't find my Yanks in the GAR post near the little town in which so many lived.
Today, I stumbled across a souvenir edition of the Pittsburgh Press from September 9, 1894. The number of stories, posts, and regimental histories combined with poetry and drawings is enough to have me reading for days. The men had all come to Pittsburgh for a grand reunion from many states. There's ton of history and names in these pages.
How many of my loving names which are only a memory will I find?
How many families suffered from the war? How many hearts were broken?
I submit to you the poem "For Freedom Died" found on pg 33 with the notation it was from the New York Evening Post.
"Forward!" was the word when day
Dawned upon the armed array.
"Fallen!" was the word when night
Closed upon the field of fight.
"Hurt, my boy?" "Oh, no! Not much!"
"Only got a little touch!"
"Forward!" was the word that flashed
Homeward, when the cannon crashed.
"Missing!" was the word sent home
When the shades of night had come.
"Fallen?" "Yes; he fell, they say,
In the fiercest of the fray!"
"Died last night!" the message said,
Thus the morrow's papers read.
One young heart that heard the word,
Fluttered like a wounded bird.
One was broken! Bowed her head
"Mother! Mother! Mother's dead!"
Two green graves we'll deck to day,
Son's and mother's side by side,
None will dare to tell us "Nay!"
Both for right and freedom died.
While we honor him who fell
In the fiercest of the fray,
We will honor her as well
Lying by his side today.
Let the flowers forever fair,
Bloom above our fallen braves,
While the angels guard them there,
Glory lingers o'er their graves.
Long ago one sweet soul
Entered her Gethsemane,
Death to her the greatest goal,
As it must to many be!
But life lingers Oh! so long!
And the years so weary grow!
Tears have choked her heart's sweet song,
Dimmed those eyes that used to glow!
Oh! the bleeding, broken hearts,
Living long their lingering death,
Pierced by countless cruel darts,
Smothered sobs beneath each breath.
Comrades! Call the roll again!
Write their name on glory's page!
Whose who bore the grief and pain,
Fiercer far than battle's rage!
When they lie there side by side,
Dearer to him than his life,
Mother, sister, sweetheart, bride,
Or his dear, devoted wife.
And you deck his grave again,
Write her name- but not beneath!
By her agony and pain
Crown her grave with fairest wreath!
Angels called the roll again,
Wrote her name above the stars
For her patient faith in pain,
Deeper far than battle scars.
Three green graves we deck today,
This the third, where lies his bride-
None will dare to tell us "Nay!"
For these three for freedom died!
Take some time to dig through these pages. It's a tear jerker you don't want to miss.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=18940909&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Oh- and here's a picture of cousin William James GLENN. You can read more about him on an earlier blog: I am Simply a Survivor.
Below the drawing of GLENN is William H H LEA, the brother of my 2g-uncle, Cassius LEA.
Sources:
Pittsburgh Press
Sept 9, 1894
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=18940909&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Tip of the hat to cousin David for sending me to this newspaper date to find the drawing of WJ GLENN.
Ahh, genealogy. Tis grand to find the family history so intertwined with that of our great country. Tis humbling to know my kin have fought for this country since its beginning. My thoughts and prayers go to all veterans and the ones they leave behind. Thank you.
©2011 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tombstone Tuesday: What a Carolina Coward in the Civil War
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the first shots being fired at Fort Sumter and the true fighting of the Civil War. With all eyes on Charleston as the single beam over Fort Sumter split into two this morning, I find myself thinking of Lt Colonel Asbury COWARD, the man my grandfather called "Uncle Asbury".
This man who fought with Robert E Lee; the man who lost everything during the Civil War; the man who was a military man and educator; his story is fascinating. His memoirs of the Civil War bring tears to my eyes when I read it. The pain, the suffering, the glories and the final defeat. It's all there in his words.
I know Asbury was at the battle of Chickamauga. I wonder if he was there when his cousin, my 2g grandpa was gravely wounded.
In the book of his memoirs, he tells how he sat with his brother as he died after being wounded. He tells of the loss of his children. As he rides back into South Carolina after being with Lee at the surrender, he felt his spirits rise. He had come from nothing. He made something. He lost it all. He would have it again.
Yes, indeed, Asbury. You did.
Coward by name, not by nature
October 18, 2006
I was on another manhunt.
This time, I was furiously searching for those elusive Cowards on my maternal side. I had just returned home from a trip to Charleston, where I spent a full day digging and sneezing my way through their main library files. A kind older employee named Henry in the South Carolina Room took pity on my wide-eyed look of confusion as I asked where to find any information I could. He pitied me so much that he took me by the elbow and spent several hours at my side and explained some of the databases to me. By the way, I strongly encourage you to find such a kind soul the first time you really dig deep in a large library. With his assistance, I was able to locate the units of several of my kinsmen from the Civil War as well as several birth and death records from the area. This in itself is rather amazing as South Carolina was rather late in joining everyone else in requiring vital statistics. Henry was amazed when he found out that I was kin to Lt. Col. Asbury Coward.
Lt. Col. Asbury Coward lost so much during the War of Northern Aggression. He lost most of his family, several children, and all of his money. Not so uncommon for the time. What he did after the war deserves remembering. Lt. Col. Asbury Coward was born in 1834 on Quenby Plantation outside of Charleston, SC. His parents were Jesse Coward and Keziah Anne Dubois. Asbury graduated from the Citadel at the age of 19 in 1854 and was a professor by 1860. He was a cofounder along with Brigadier General Micah Jenkins of the King's Mountain Military School in the poverty stricken area of York Co, SC. General Jenkins was subsequently killed in the Civil War.
On Christmas Day in 1856, he married Eliza Corbet Larimore Blum, the youngest daughter of John A Blum. Together they had several children who died either as infants or as children.
When the disagreement between the North and South raged into war, he joined the 5th Regiment, SCV, and served under General Robert E Lee at Bull's Run. Asbury witnessed the shot that mortally wounded his younger brother, Jesse James Coward, as he was helping another fallen soldier. Asbury sat with his brother and prayed earnestly. After Jesse's death at age 25, Asbury arranged for a coffin and sent his slave, Charles, to accompany his brother's body home. Col. Coward was at Appomattox during Lee's surrender to Grant. His last commendation by General Longstreet, which is found in the book The South Carolinians, had a handwritten postscript by General Lee of "I concur in the commendation bestowed on Colonel Coward by General Longstreet. I have always considered him one of the best officers of this Army."
After the war was over, Asbury made his way back home to South Carolina. His memoirs tell us that as he crossed over into South Carolina amid all of the destruction and utter ruin, his spirits soared. He was back home, back to a new beginning, and had the faith he would triumph again. And he did. Asbury returned to his school and ran it for 20 years after the war. His former slave, Charles, elected to remain with Asbury as a cook for the school. Asbury served as SC State Superintendent for Education from 1884-1886, before becoming the Superintendent of the Citadel in 1890. His portrait hangs at the Citadel and the dining hall is named in his memory. Lt. Colonel Asbury Coward died in 1925 and is buried at Rock Hill, SC, next to his brother.Keep digging up those roots. You never know where the next clue will take you.
Lt. Colonel Asbury Coward, the man my mother called "Old Uncle", a true American giant. Asbury Coward, my cousin. The man who exemplifies the family motto- Coward by name, not by nature. Indeed.
Ahh, genealogy. April 12, a day when so many families were torn apart 150 years ago. May we honor all our heroes, past, present and future.
Photo Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11093714
©2011 AS Eldredge
Monday, April 11, 2011
1863 Civil War Letter from a Member of the PA 149th Bucktails
Francis Crawford DORRINGTON (1838-1925) was a native of Allegheny Co, PA, and distantly related to me through his aunt who married into my GLENN family.
When I was first looking for information on the family after visiting the St. Clair Cemetery and finding DORRINGTONs in the GLENN family plot, I ran across this 1863 letter.
Francis, or Frank, was the son of Joseph DORRINGTON and Eliza LONG of Allegheny Co, PA.
Frank was recruited as a member of Company D, 149th PA Volunteers in August 22, 1862. Of interest is a note that his cousin James GLENN was elected as Captain and was active in recruiting of the local men. This has also been mentioned in the 1862 diary of my great great Aunt Hannah which was first published in 2004 by two of my cousins and myself.
Frank mustered in as a 3rd Corporal. The regiment arrived in Washington, DC in late August 1862 and stayed there until February 15, 1863.
This letter, written on February 11, 1863, details daily life in the camp and mentions several relatives who had moved to DC. It was submitted some 40 years ago to a historical society in CA, but I have yet to determine how the submitter was related to Frank.
For me, it was a great find. The salutation has me suspect it was written to his brother, Joseph.
Frank was severely wounded May 8, 1863, at the Battle of Laurel Hill. His story of survival is fascinating to read and can be found in the regimental history by Nesbit.
Frank married Nancy HEWITT and had a family. After the war, he was in the Temperanceville area of Allegheny Co, and ran a feed store. Frank is buried at Chartiers Cemetery in Carnegie, Allegheny, PA.
Source:
General History of Company D
149th Pennsylavania Volunteers
John W Nesbit
1908
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pitttext&cc=pitttext&idno=00hc08553m&q1=dorrington&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=1
Ahh, genealogy. Remembering the sacrifices of those who have gone before.
©2011 AS Eldredge
When I was first looking for information on the family after visiting the St. Clair Cemetery and finding DORRINGTONs in the GLENN family plot, I ran across this 1863 letter.
Francis, or Frank, was the son of Joseph DORRINGTON and Eliza LONG of Allegheny Co, PA.
Frank was recruited as a member of Company D, 149th PA Volunteers in August 22, 1862. Of interest is a note that his cousin James GLENN was elected as Captain and was active in recruiting of the local men. This has also been mentioned in the 1862 diary of my great great Aunt Hannah which was first published in 2004 by two of my cousins and myself.
Frank mustered in as a 3rd Corporal. The regiment arrived in Washington, DC in late August 1862 and stayed there until February 15, 1863.
This letter, written on February 11, 1863, details daily life in the camp and mentions several relatives who had moved to DC. It was submitted some 40 years ago to a historical society in CA, but I have yet to determine how the submitter was related to Frank.
For me, it was a great find. The salutation has me suspect it was written to his brother, Joseph.
Frank was severely wounded May 8, 1863, at the Battle of Laurel Hill. His story of survival is fascinating to read and can be found in the regimental history by Nesbit.
Frank married Nancy HEWITT and had a family. After the war, he was in the Temperanceville area of Allegheny Co, and ran a feed store. Frank is buried at Chartiers Cemetery in Carnegie, Allegheny, PA.
Source:
General History of Company D
149th Pennsylavania Volunteers
John W Nesbit
1908
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pitttext&cc=pitttext&idno=00hc08553m&q1=dorrington&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=1
Ahh, genealogy. Remembering the sacrifices of those who have gone before.
©2011 AS Eldredge
On the Eve of Civil War: "What is to be Done?"
How well I remember the parents of my friends finding Civil War artifacts on their farmland back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Growing up in the South and in the general area through which Sherman's men trekked their way to the sea, it was not uncommon for an old artifact to find its way to the surface.
As a young adult, I lived near a battlefield outside of Atlanta for a number of years, and it still was not uncommon to find artifacts of the War after a hard rain. Why, we even had a foxhole or two on the hill behind the house as there was a three day skirmish in the area.
Recently, I spent a few days in Charleston, the town where the first shots of the Civil War were heard. Spending some time in the city via tourist style, I saw some beautiful old homes and heard some interesting stories about the American Revolution and the early days of Charleston.
History is alive in Charleston, and a lot of talk was about the upcoming anniversary of the War of Northern Aggression. It seems so strange to think our country was so divided that states seceeded from the Union and brothers and cousins fought each other.
I have also spent some in the last week looking at the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153 in Allegheny Co, PA. I had several family members who were members of that little Civil War Veteran Group and I have found it fascinating to look online at the documentation and artifacts they have in their possession today.
Today, I heard talk of a protest in Atlanta over the lighting of a match. Lighting of a match? It would appear some groups don't think that having a plaque at or near the spot where Sherman ordered the burning of Atlanta is important. According to the group protesting the plaque, we shouldn't remember the event since it is also in the same area as another more recent movement. Their view is the plaque should be somewhere else. The burning of Atlanta did happen and Sherman's March to the Sea did have devastating effects on the South. And the order did come to burn Atlanta where the city of Atlanta was, and is. Where else should it be?
Leading up to the Civil War, there was much tension among the different groups. Sometimes, I wonder why different groups of today believe that we shouldn't remember the past. Honor your past, honor the past of others. The many trails we took as individuals have all come together to make us what we are now.
I came across some interesting articles in a northern newspaper, The Washington Reporter, from January 11, 1860.
The first is titled "Sand in Cotton Bales."
There is no doubt a very great difference between the economical relation of the North and the South, separately considered. The yankees are an ingenious people, a fact that is undisputed by either their friends of foes....It is the great relief of the disadvantages of slavery when the slave is brought intra mania--within the walls-- and made a portion of the family; and, as Horace Greely thinks, when the slaves and the whites, by co labor as mechanics or otherwise, become more intimate than can possibly be the case in field labor, there naturally arises a more sympathetic and philanthropic feeling between the parties. It would, we believe, be a happy thing for the slaves of the South should succeed in establishing their own manufactures.....
(The article is talking mostly about the sprinkling of sand in cotton bales, which increases the weight of the cotton, thus increasing the money received. According the article, the Yanks had been practicing that for years in different ways, for example, adding sand to brown sugar.)
....It cannot be supposed for a moment that the planters-- the very pinks of chivalry-- would sand the cotton themselves; no doubt that is done through the industry and ingenuity of their yankee overseers, and so far as that is concerned we hope our chivalric friends will not turn to and tar and feather the yankees on that account,....
Another article follows entitled "Emigration of Negroes from Arkansas"
In this article, the legislature of Arkansas has passed a law giving the Negroes the alternative of leaving to stay free or stay and become slaves. Of course, many left. Who wouldn't?
......What shall be done with the thousands of unfortunates who will be driven northward?-- This is a grave question, and our readers will see....that it is engaging earnestly the consideration of the leading minds of the country......
Senator Doolittle of Wiconsin said that the more important question was what to do with the free Negro as opposed to the slavery issue.
...He said the free States will not retain them; some of the Northern States enact stringent laws to prevent them from coming among them,.....
As we reflect on the Civil War and its effects on the nation and on our families, remember first that we are all Americans. As for me, I lost family members on both sides of the war. I still think of them, no matter what color uniform they wore. They all shared my blood, and my blood runs red for America.
Ahh, genealogy. Remember the past. After all, how can history teach us if we aren't willing to listen?
Source: The Washington Reporter, January 11, 1860
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=f1xuXVtw34IC&dat=18600111&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
©2011 AS Eldredge
As a young adult, I lived near a battlefield outside of Atlanta for a number of years, and it still was not uncommon to find artifacts of the War after a hard rain. Why, we even had a foxhole or two on the hill behind the house as there was a three day skirmish in the area.
Recently, I spent a few days in Charleston, the town where the first shots of the Civil War were heard. Spending some time in the city via tourist style, I saw some beautiful old homes and heard some interesting stories about the American Revolution and the early days of Charleston.
History is alive in Charleston, and a lot of talk was about the upcoming anniversary of the War of Northern Aggression. It seems so strange to think our country was so divided that states seceeded from the Union and brothers and cousins fought each other.
I have also spent some in the last week looking at the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153 in Allegheny Co, PA. I had several family members who were members of that little Civil War Veteran Group and I have found it fascinating to look online at the documentation and artifacts they have in their possession today.
Today, I heard talk of a protest in Atlanta over the lighting of a match. Lighting of a match? It would appear some groups don't think that having a plaque at or near the spot where Sherman ordered the burning of Atlanta is important. According to the group protesting the plaque, we shouldn't remember the event since it is also in the same area as another more recent movement. Their view is the plaque should be somewhere else. The burning of Atlanta did happen and Sherman's March to the Sea did have devastating effects on the South. And the order did come to burn Atlanta where the city of Atlanta was, and is. Where else should it be?
Leading up to the Civil War, there was much tension among the different groups. Sometimes, I wonder why different groups of today believe that we shouldn't remember the past. Honor your past, honor the past of others. The many trails we took as individuals have all come together to make us what we are now.
I came across some interesting articles in a northern newspaper, The Washington Reporter, from January 11, 1860.
The first is titled "Sand in Cotton Bales."
There is no doubt a very great difference between the economical relation of the North and the South, separately considered. The yankees are an ingenious people, a fact that is undisputed by either their friends of foes....It is the great relief of the disadvantages of slavery when the slave is brought intra mania--within the walls-- and made a portion of the family; and, as Horace Greely thinks, when the slaves and the whites, by co labor as mechanics or otherwise, become more intimate than can possibly be the case in field labor, there naturally arises a more sympathetic and philanthropic feeling between the parties. It would, we believe, be a happy thing for the slaves of the South should succeed in establishing their own manufactures.....
(The article is talking mostly about the sprinkling of sand in cotton bales, which increases the weight of the cotton, thus increasing the money received. According the article, the Yanks had been practicing that for years in different ways, for example, adding sand to brown sugar.)
....It cannot be supposed for a moment that the planters-- the very pinks of chivalry-- would sand the cotton themselves; no doubt that is done through the industry and ingenuity of their yankee overseers, and so far as that is concerned we hope our chivalric friends will not turn to and tar and feather the yankees on that account,....
Another article follows entitled "Emigration of Negroes from Arkansas"
In this article, the legislature of Arkansas has passed a law giving the Negroes the alternative of leaving to stay free or stay and become slaves. Of course, many left. Who wouldn't?
......What shall be done with the thousands of unfortunates who will be driven northward?-- This is a grave question, and our readers will see....that it is engaging earnestly the consideration of the leading minds of the country......
Senator Doolittle of Wiconsin said that the more important question was what to do with the free Negro as opposed to the slavery issue.
...He said the free States will not retain them; some of the Northern States enact stringent laws to prevent them from coming among them,.....
As we reflect on the Civil War and its effects on the nation and on our families, remember first that we are all Americans. As for me, I lost family members on both sides of the war. I still think of them, no matter what color uniform they wore. They all shared my blood, and my blood runs red for America.
Ahh, genealogy. Remember the past. After all, how can history teach us if we aren't willing to listen?
Source: The Washington Reporter, January 11, 1860
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=f1xuXVtw34IC&dat=18600111&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
©2011 AS Eldredge
Friday, April 08, 2011
New Life for Family Members of the GAR Captain Thomas Espy Post 153
The GAR Captain Thomas Espy Post 153 has been a place of interest for me over the last several years. I guess it is because I have several uncles, cousins and such who were members of this group in Allegheny County, PA. In addition, two of my lovely female cousins, Wanda and Virginia, have been invaluable in assisting with the donation of materials and acting as docents for the post.
Just recently, a cousin of mine who is of the blood of Colonel William James GLENN sent an article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on the Civil War Veterans in the post. The article gives information on the post and my cousins and asks for help in identifying the pictures of the men from their 1904 reunion photo.
I've forwarded the article to my group in Allegheny County to see if we can assist in identifying some more of the veterans in the picture. So far, one lady has responded with the possible identification of her 2g grandpa. Hopefully, more genealogy buffs are grabbing those old photos of grandpa and a magnifying lens to search the 1904 photo. The photo can easily be blown up for viewing purposes. There is also a list of the men who were members of the post.
Here is a link to the article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11093/1136324-51.stm
Link to the Post information which includes manuscripts, membership forms, transfer card, deceased members, etc. http://www.carnegiecarnegie.org/espycollectionmanuscripts.html
Just this afternoon, another genealogy buddy told me the post even has a Facebook page - Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153.
Recent Geni-Tales Blogs on the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153
Whirlwind of Treasure in Carnegie
Simply, I am a Survivor
Captain James GLENN who was the cousin of Colonel William James GLENN mentioned above died in 1901 was also a member of the post. He died in 1901 so he is not in the picture. His picture can be found in an earlier blog of mine:
cousin Captain James GLENN of Co D, 149th PA Volunteers
Just Didn't Know When He was Licked
Ahh, genealogy. Is it just my age or do the magnifying lenses just not get those veterans in clear focus? Must be the lenses---------
©2011 AS Eldredge
Just recently, a cousin of mine who is of the blood of Colonel William James GLENN sent an article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on the Civil War Veterans in the post. The article gives information on the post and my cousins and asks for help in identifying the pictures of the men from their 1904 reunion photo.
I've forwarded the article to my group in Allegheny County to see if we can assist in identifying some more of the veterans in the picture. So far, one lady has responded with the possible identification of her 2g grandpa. Hopefully, more genealogy buffs are grabbing those old photos of grandpa and a magnifying lens to search the 1904 photo. The photo can easily be blown up for viewing purposes. There is also a list of the men who were members of the post.
Here is a link to the article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11093/1136324-51.stm
Link to the Post information which includes manuscripts, membership forms, transfer card, deceased members, etc. http://www.carnegiecarnegie.org/espycollectionmanuscripts.html
Just this afternoon, another genealogy buddy told me the post even has a Facebook page - Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153.
Recent Geni-Tales Blogs on the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153
Whirlwind of Treasure in Carnegie
Simply, I am a Survivor
Captain James GLENN who was the cousin of Colonel William James GLENN mentioned above died in 1901 was also a member of the post. He died in 1901 so he is not in the picture. His picture can be found in an earlier blog of mine:
cousin Captain James GLENN of Co D, 149th PA Volunteers
Just Didn't Know When He was Licked
Ahh, genealogy. Is it just my age or do the magnifying lenses just not get those veterans in clear focus? Must be the lenses---------
©2011 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Are Your Roots in Georgia? Great Used Book Sale Online
While my genealogy roots are not in Georgia, I still am interested in the state. I imagine it's because I have spent some time there in the Peach State.
There are some 20 used books for sale on Georgia that would be of immense value to those researching the state. Included are some indices for early Georgia grants byb the English crown and some probates, as well as some Civil War letters and histories of some counties.
There are a couple of titles that really caught my eye. One is on those beautiful old Savannah gardens and old Georgia courthouses.
If Fayette County is of interest to you, then you will most likely be interested in:
Fayette County, Georgia Probate Records 1824-1871 by Jeannette Holland Austin. Abstracts of court house records, 383 pp., hardbound, like new. Price: $15.00.
So go on and take a gander. You may just find the perfect peach for your collection......
http://genealogy-books.blogspot.com/2010/12/used-georgia-books-for-sale.html
Ahh, genealogy. Kinda like making the perfect peach pie. You have to find just the right ones for your taste buds to explode in delight.
©2010 AS Eldredge
There are some 20 used books for sale on Georgia that would be of immense value to those researching the state. Included are some indices for early Georgia grants byb the English crown and some probates, as well as some Civil War letters and histories of some counties.
There are a couple of titles that really caught my eye. One is on those beautiful old Savannah gardens and old Georgia courthouses.
If Fayette County is of interest to you, then you will most likely be interested in:
Fayette County, Georgia Probate Records 1824-1871 by Jeannette Holland Austin. Abstracts of court house records, 383 pp., hardbound, like new. Price: $15.00.
So go on and take a gander. You may just find the perfect peach for your collection......
http://genealogy-books.blogspot.com/2010/12/used-georgia-books-for-sale.html
Ahh, genealogy. Kinda like making the perfect peach pie. You have to find just the right ones for your taste buds to explode in delight.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Artifacts of Civil War Prison Camp Lawton Revealed
What can I say? Job well done!!!!
All eyes in the world of history and that of the Civil War were at Magnolia Springs today in Jenkins County, GA. Georgia Southern University will place the artifacts on exhibition starting October 10 at 2pm at the Georgia Southern University Museum.
http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/camplawton/index.php/home
Oh, and Georgia Southern is my alma mater.
Ahh, genealogy. Dig, brother, dig. Find those roots!
All eyes in the world of history and that of the Civil War were at Magnolia Springs today in Jenkins County, GA. Georgia Southern University will place the artifacts on exhibition starting October 10 at 2pm at the Georgia Southern University Museum.
http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/camplawton/index.php/home
Oh, and Georgia Southern is my alma mater.
Ahh, genealogy. Dig, brother, dig. Find those roots!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Dear Mary, The War is Over
Can you imagine the scene when General Lee made the decision to surrender on April 9, 1865, to General Grant? Can you imagine the heartache, the despair? General Lee was surrounded after the fall of Richmond and Petersburg. All he had was a tired, starving army and lots of Union soldiers between him and the supplies so badly needed.
It took great courage to surrender. The terms he requested of General Grant included immediate pardons for his army. Grant honored that request and also supplied some food to the starving Confederates. It took most of the day as the two generals sat and talked in Appomattox. By all accounts, they had not seen each other in over 20 years. Reports tell us they talked some of the past before they settled down to the business at hand.
The war was over. Can you imagine how much relief was felt by the men wearing their uniforms of blue and gray that day! The struggle was over. No longer would brother take arms up against his brother. They could go home. They could back to life.
With time, the Union would truly reunite. A note of interest is that after the Civil War, the United States of America becomes a single entity when referring to it.
What was it like on that fateful day? The following letter provides only a quick mention of Lee's surrender. More fighting would be in the future for other soldiers that day and many more to come.
The letter below was written by George LEMMON, of Co. F, 139th PA Infantry, at the end of the Civil War, to his cousin, Mary Shoop. The family of Mary Shoop has preserved the letters sent to her by her brother, George SHOOP, and plans to have the collection published.
A special thanks to her 2g-grandson, John Snowden, for giving me permission to publish this one letter of the collection on my genealogy blog.
Camp Near Burks Station, Va. April 30 {1865}
Cousin Mary,
Your welcome letter came to hand this morning. I was very glad to hear
from you. I am in good health at the present time. I hope these few lines
may find you all the same. We have been moving Camp today and building
summer quarters. We have gay quarters built but I donât think we will stay
here very long. I think we are going back to Richmond or Petersburg closer
to our base of supplies. The 5^th and 2^nd Corps moved in that direction
this morning. The report is that we will remain here a few days yet.
Well Mary, I did not get time to finish this letter last evening. I was
called on to draw rations. I will do as well as I can this morning. We had
some rain here in the night and looks as if it will rain more today. I
hope we will not have such a flood as you had the day I started to the
Regât.
I suppose you have heard all the news about the last battle. I got through
safe and was there when Lee surrendered to Grant. I was talking to your
brother George when the news came that he had surrendered. I tell you
there was a happy set of boys. The cheering went from one end of the line
to the other, and our caps was flying in the air and all the brass bands
was playing The Star Spangled Banner.
Well Mary, we got good news this morning that the rebel General Johnston
has surrendered to Sherman. If this story is true, we will soon get home.
I think the last battle has been fought. I donât want to hear another
cannon fired.
We got some very unwelcome news the other day about the assassination of
the President. It created great excitement in our camps for several days.
Well Mary I think I will close. Your brother George is well. I send my
best wishes to all the family. I will wait very patiently for an answer.
I remain, your cousin,
George Lemmon
Ahh, genealogy. Reading letters of the past can open our eyes. Perhaps you have some letters buried deep in your family?
©2010 AS Eldredge
It took great courage to surrender. The terms he requested of General Grant included immediate pardons for his army. Grant honored that request and also supplied some food to the starving Confederates. It took most of the day as the two generals sat and talked in Appomattox. By all accounts, they had not seen each other in over 20 years. Reports tell us they talked some of the past before they settled down to the business at hand.
The war was over. Can you imagine how much relief was felt by the men wearing their uniforms of blue and gray that day! The struggle was over. No longer would brother take arms up against his brother. They could go home. They could back to life.
With time, the Union would truly reunite. A note of interest is that after the Civil War, the United States of America becomes a single entity when referring to it.
What was it like on that fateful day? The following letter provides only a quick mention of Lee's surrender. More fighting would be in the future for other soldiers that day and many more to come.
The letter below was written by George LEMMON, of Co. F, 139th PA Infantry, at the end of the Civil War, to his cousin, Mary Shoop. The family of Mary Shoop has preserved the letters sent to her by her brother, George SHOOP, and plans to have the collection published.
A special thanks to her 2g-grandson, John Snowden, for giving me permission to publish this one letter of the collection on my genealogy blog.
Camp Near Burks Station, Va. April 30 {1865}
Cousin Mary,
Your welcome letter came to hand this morning. I was very glad to hear
from you. I am in good health at the present time. I hope these few lines
may find you all the same. We have been moving Camp today and building
summer quarters. We have gay quarters built but I donât think we will stay
here very long. I think we are going back to Richmond or Petersburg closer
to our base of supplies. The 5^th and 2^nd Corps moved in that direction
this morning. The report is that we will remain here a few days yet.
Well Mary, I did not get time to finish this letter last evening. I was
called on to draw rations. I will do as well as I can this morning. We had
some rain here in the night and looks as if it will rain more today. I
hope we will not have such a flood as you had the day I started to the
Regât.
I suppose you have heard all the news about the last battle. I got through
safe and was there when Lee surrendered to Grant. I was talking to your
brother George when the news came that he had surrendered. I tell you
there was a happy set of boys. The cheering went from one end of the line
to the other, and our caps was flying in the air and all the brass bands
was playing The Star Spangled Banner.
Well Mary, we got good news this morning that the rebel General Johnston
has surrendered to Sherman. If this story is true, we will soon get home.
I think the last battle has been fought. I donât want to hear another
cannon fired.
We got some very unwelcome news the other day about the assassination of
the President. It created great excitement in our camps for several days.
Well Mary I think I will close. Your brother George is well. I send my
best wishes to all the family. I will wait very patiently for an answer.
I remain, your cousin,
George Lemmon
Ahh, genealogy. Reading letters of the past can open our eyes. Perhaps you have some letters buried deep in your family?
©2010 AS Eldredge
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sighted! Johnny Reb in Union Camp!
Oh dear! How can Johnny Reb be listed in an union database?
This was similar to the question I recently asked myself when I saw an article on a National Graves Registration Project run by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Wouldn't the database be just for those boys in blue?
While the project dates from 1996, the database is relatively new with a start date in 2005. The great news for all of us genealogy and history buffs is that it doesn't matter which side your beloved fought with during the War of the Northern Aggression!
Yes, the database accepts both Confederate and Union Civil War final resting spots. With this new found knowledge, I thought I'd give it a try.
The database is free to the public to search. However, if you want to contribute or correct entries, then you must sign up as a submitter and be approved. I don't know what the process is, but it took about one week for me to be approved.
Trying the database on for size!
According to estimates, over 4 million American men were part of the Recent Unpleasantness. Does it matter which side your blood flows from? No. These young men all fought for their vision of America and states' rights.
Just this morning, I submitted four names to the database. Two wore the blue uniforms and two wore the gray. I'll be interested in seeing how long it takes for them to be verified by the group. I still don't know the approval process, but I will find it interesting to see if they are approved at approximately the same time or if a delay is seen. Be aware you need to have quite a bit of information on your beloved in order to enter them. It takes more than the standard name, rank and serial number. The form asks for the unit, the date of enlistment, date of discharge, state fought for, company, dates of birth and death, and information on final resting spot. There is even a spot to indicate if there is a stone or if it needs replacing. Short comments can also be added.
And before you wonder, I am related to the four American heroes I submitted this morning. Yes, my blood has the Rebel Call as well as the Union Blue Glory coursing through my body.
Here is the site in case you want to check it out: http://www.suvcwdb.org/home/about.php
Ahh, genealogy. We are all red, white and blue patriots, even if some of our family fought for "the others." We are descendants of Americans who lived, fought, and sometimes, died for our freedoms.
Update: 12 hours later-- one each (Reb and Yank) has been approved and now available for viewing.
Update 2: 24 hours later-- All submitted beloveds have been added to the database. Guess I'll have to send more! This time, I'll send a Gettysburg Yank Hero and a Chickamauga Rebel Casualty. Yes, I am an equal opportunity battlefield history buff.
©2010 AS Eldredge
This was similar to the question I recently asked myself when I saw an article on a National Graves Registration Project run by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Wouldn't the database be just for those boys in blue?
While the project dates from 1996, the database is relatively new with a start date in 2005. The great news for all of us genealogy and history buffs is that it doesn't matter which side your beloved fought with during the War of the Northern Aggression!
Yes, the database accepts both Confederate and Union Civil War final resting spots. With this new found knowledge, I thought I'd give it a try.
The database is free to the public to search. However, if you want to contribute or correct entries, then you must sign up as a submitter and be approved. I don't know what the process is, but it took about one week for me to be approved.
Trying the database on for size!
According to estimates, over 4 million American men were part of the Recent Unpleasantness. Does it matter which side your blood flows from? No. These young men all fought for their vision of America and states' rights.
Just this morning, I submitted four names to the database. Two wore the blue uniforms and two wore the gray. I'll be interested in seeing how long it takes for them to be verified by the group. I still don't know the approval process, but I will find it interesting to see if they are approved at approximately the same time or if a delay is seen. Be aware you need to have quite a bit of information on your beloved in order to enter them. It takes more than the standard name, rank and serial number. The form asks for the unit, the date of enlistment, date of discharge, state fought for, company, dates of birth and death, and information on final resting spot. There is even a spot to indicate if there is a stone or if it needs replacing. Short comments can also be added.
And before you wonder, I am related to the four American heroes I submitted this morning. Yes, my blood has the Rebel Call as well as the Union Blue Glory coursing through my body.
Here is the site in case you want to check it out: http://www.suvcwdb.org/home/about.php
Ahh, genealogy. We are all red, white and blue patriots, even if some of our family fought for "the others." We are descendants of Americans who lived, fought, and sometimes, died for our freedoms.
Update: 12 hours later-- one each (Reb and Yank) has been approved and now available for viewing.
Update 2: 24 hours later-- All submitted beloveds have been added to the database. Guess I'll have to send more! This time, I'll send a Gettysburg Yank Hero and a Chickamauga Rebel Casualty. Yes, I am an equal opportunity battlefield history buff.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Treasure Chest Thursday: Whirlwind of Treasure in Carnegie
In the last week or so, there has been a flurry of activity on the DOOLITTLE family of Carnegie, Allegheny, PA. It all started when I wrote a post on August 3 about cousin William James GLENN. Little did I know finding the Civil War personal war sketch at the CarnegieCarnegie site of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Allegheny, PA, could make me so happy.
Emails have been flying around since then from a descendant of Jacob DOOLITTLE (1809-1891) asking if I could assist with more documentation about his wife, Sarah CUBBAGE, and her family.
Sarah CUBBAGE was the daughter of Irishman George CUBBAGE and his wife, Nancy CALDWELL. I have not yet been able to find evidence that Nancy is one of my CALDWELL clan, but her 1791 birth in the same general neighborhood as my documented 1830ish births make it likely. To read more on CUBBAGE family, go to St Clair Cemetery.
The cool find for me in the email was the noting of the final resting place of Nancy CALDWELL CUBBAGE. She is listed at Venice Presbyterian Church Cemetery in McDonald, Washington, PA. Of more interest was noting Nancy's final resting spot uses the surname of her first husband, George CUBBAGE. My notes and research indicate she married Alexander EWING after the 1826 death of George.
A quick check with the descendant of George and Nancy confirmed what I thought I knew on the marriage to EWING.
To my knowledge, Jacob DOOLITTLE and Sarah CUBBAGE had five daughters. Two of them are of special interest to me.
Susan Belinda DOOLITTLE married into the LEA family-- that is, J W LEA of Carnegie. The LEA family was the neighbors, friends, and sometimes, spouses of my blood line. See a recent posting on Cassius M LEA, the husband of my 2g aunt.
The other daughter of Jacob and Sarah who married into my family was Martha E DOOLITTLE (1842-1907.) Martha was the wife of William James GLENN (1839-9018.)
Maggie (ah, how I love THAT name) of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie also contacted me to see if I could identify any of the gents in the picture they have of the Thomas Espy GAR Post as I have several cousins in that group. I took a quick look at the photo and realized that the odds of me recognizing the older men in full beards was basically little to none.
So, I started on a new journey of looking through old files and records to see if I could locate any pictures of some of these men when they were younger. I guess the folks at the library have most likely identified cousin George B FORSYTHE as my dearest cousin, his granddaughter, (yes, I know her) recently donated some more Civil War relics to the post.
I've also seen pictures of some of the GLENN men when they were younger. Could I see enough family resemblences in the pictures as they aged? I think not.
BUT-
I dug around and found some living descendants of William James GLENN! After making a phone call and leaving a message, it was now time to wait.
Today, I got the phone call. After speaking with the gentleman who confirmed his identity and his love of genealogy, my heart experienced a whirlwind of activity. Another connection to the past established! He has pictures! He has stories! And he has a cousin that he works with to research the past! Oh, glorious day!
Click to read the post that is causing such a whirlwind of activity: http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2010/08/tombstone-tuesday-simply-i-am-survivor.html
Special note to Maggie at the library-- I hope to have some photo ids for you soon.
Ahh, genealogy. What treasures a whirlwind of new finds can be! Sometimes, it takes just a nudge from someone new to bring new energy to the hunt.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Emails have been flying around since then from a descendant of Jacob DOOLITTLE (1809-1891) asking if I could assist with more documentation about his wife, Sarah CUBBAGE, and her family.
Sarah CUBBAGE was the daughter of Irishman George CUBBAGE and his wife, Nancy CALDWELL. I have not yet been able to find evidence that Nancy is one of my CALDWELL clan, but her 1791 birth in the same general neighborhood as my documented 1830ish births make it likely. To read more on CUBBAGE family, go to St Clair Cemetery.
The cool find for me in the email was the noting of the final resting place of Nancy CALDWELL CUBBAGE. She is listed at Venice Presbyterian Church Cemetery in McDonald, Washington, PA. Of more interest was noting Nancy's final resting spot uses the surname of her first husband, George CUBBAGE. My notes and research indicate she married Alexander EWING after the 1826 death of George.
A quick check with the descendant of George and Nancy confirmed what I thought I knew on the marriage to EWING.
To my knowledge, Jacob DOOLITTLE and Sarah CUBBAGE had five daughters. Two of them are of special interest to me.
Susan Belinda DOOLITTLE married into the LEA family-- that is, J W LEA of Carnegie. The LEA family was the neighbors, friends, and sometimes, spouses of my blood line. See a recent posting on Cassius M LEA, the husband of my 2g aunt.
The other daughter of Jacob and Sarah who married into my family was Martha E DOOLITTLE (1842-1907.) Martha was the wife of William James GLENN (1839-9018.)
Maggie (ah, how I love THAT name) of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie also contacted me to see if I could identify any of the gents in the picture they have of the Thomas Espy GAR Post as I have several cousins in that group. I took a quick look at the photo and realized that the odds of me recognizing the older men in full beards was basically little to none.
So, I started on a new journey of looking through old files and records to see if I could locate any pictures of some of these men when they were younger. I guess the folks at the library have most likely identified cousin George B FORSYTHE as my dearest cousin, his granddaughter, (yes, I know her) recently donated some more Civil War relics to the post.
I've also seen pictures of some of the GLENN men when they were younger. Could I see enough family resemblences in the pictures as they aged? I think not.
BUT-
I dug around and found some living descendants of William James GLENN! After making a phone call and leaving a message, it was now time to wait.
Today, I got the phone call. After speaking with the gentleman who confirmed his identity and his love of genealogy, my heart experienced a whirlwind of activity. Another connection to the past established! He has pictures! He has stories! And he has a cousin that he works with to research the past! Oh, glorious day!
Click to read the post that is causing such a whirlwind of activity: http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2010/08/tombstone-tuesday-simply-i-am-survivor.html
Special note to Maggie at the library-- I hope to have some photo ids for you soon.
Ahh, genealogy. What treasures a whirlwind of new finds can be! Sometimes, it takes just a nudge from someone new to bring new energy to the hunt.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Weaving the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
I recently received an email from a DORRINGTON descendent who is trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together for Thomas DORRINGTON and James GLENN.
.....I am researching my Dorrington ancestors and I read your blog and info on James Glenn. I am new at this and I can’t find the link between James Glenn and Thomas and Jane Young Dorrington. I see a Jane Dorrington who married Walter Glenn b. 1777, but didn’t find James in that tree......
Yes, it was a mystery at first to me as well. But time and research has paid off in making the connections in the right places. It's a tough mystery as the good Irish grandpas made sure to name everyone "James."
Of course, it didn't hurt that I happen to have a copy of family papers from another cousin that he had put together in the early 1900s.
I first found Irish immigrant Thomas DORRINGTON and his wife, Jane YOUNG, on a trip to my family cemetery that everyone else calls St Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny Co, PA in 2004.
Thomas and wife, Jane, are buried smack dab right next to two of their grandsons, Thomas DORRINGTON, Jr and James GLENN (1824-1901). Thomas and Jane's headstones conveniently list them as "grandfather" and "grandmother" in the younger James GLENN's plot.
How? His parents were Walter GLENN (1777-1843) and Jane DORRINGTON (d.1843). This young James never married, yet he was the James GLENN of the Civil War Fame. Click here to read more of his bravery at Gettysburg.
This James GLENN (1824-1901) is the grandson of my 4g grandparents, James GLENN (1750-1813) and Janet BUCHANAN (1752-1807).
I first visited the cemetery as a child with my dad and my great aunt. She told me my roots in Pittsburgh were deep and that there were something like seven generations of my blood buried there. (I've only documented six of them at this point.) Since that early trip, I have made several trips to the cemetery and have thrown new headstone dedication parties there. You can read more about the cemetery online and read many of my early research contributions to the St Clair Cemetery at http://www.stclaircemetery.com/view.php/page/History_cemetery
Ahh, genealogy. What fun it is to fill in the missing pieces! Just be sure to document your sources so the errors some have made won't be repeated again. And if you plan to use others' research, please remember to give them the credit.
Sources:
Allegheny Co, PA, Will Bk 5 No. 424
Marriage Notices 1786-1910 Film P356 Roll #1: Carnegie Library
Wall, Elizabeth J. "Extracts from Cramers's Pittsburgh Almanack" WPGSQ 3 no. 4 (May 1977): 137.
1822, 4/4 Walter Glenn to Jane Darrington, all of St. Clair Twp., Alleg. Co.
Record of death: RD Docket, Vol 14, pg 470
Will: WB Dkt, Vol 67, pg 228
obit from Carnegie Signal 28 Aug 1901:
Colonel James Glenn
Colonel James Glenn, one of the best known residents of this vicinity, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Chesterfield Robb at Glenndale, last Friday, August 23, 1901, in his 78th year. He had been ill for many weeks and his death was expected.
©2010 AS Eldredge
.....I am researching my Dorrington ancestors and I read your blog and info on James Glenn. I am new at this and I can’t find the link between James Glenn and Thomas and Jane Young Dorrington. I see a Jane Dorrington who married Walter Glenn b. 1777, but didn’t find James in that tree......
Yes, it was a mystery at first to me as well. But time and research has paid off in making the connections in the right places. It's a tough mystery as the good Irish grandpas made sure to name everyone "James."
Of course, it didn't hurt that I happen to have a copy of family papers from another cousin that he had put together in the early 1900s.
I first found Irish immigrant Thomas DORRINGTON and his wife, Jane YOUNG, on a trip to my family cemetery that everyone else calls St Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny Co, PA in 2004.
Thomas and wife, Jane, are buried smack dab right next to two of their grandsons, Thomas DORRINGTON, Jr and James GLENN (1824-1901). Thomas and Jane's headstones conveniently list them as "grandfather" and "grandmother" in the younger James GLENN's plot.
How? His parents were Walter GLENN (1777-1843) and Jane DORRINGTON (d.1843). This young James never married, yet he was the James GLENN of the Civil War Fame. Click here to read more of his bravery at Gettysburg.
This James GLENN (1824-1901) is the grandson of my 4g grandparents, James GLENN (1750-1813) and Janet BUCHANAN (1752-1807).
I first visited the cemetery as a child with my dad and my great aunt. She told me my roots in Pittsburgh were deep and that there were something like seven generations of my blood buried there. (I've only documented six of them at this point.) Since that early trip, I have made several trips to the cemetery and have thrown new headstone dedication parties there. You can read more about the cemetery online and read many of my early research contributions to the St Clair Cemetery at http://www.stclaircemetery.com/view.php/page/History_cemetery
Ahh, genealogy. What fun it is to fill in the missing pieces! Just be sure to document your sources so the errors some have made won't be repeated again. And if you plan to use others' research, please remember to give them the credit.
Sources:
Allegheny Co, PA, Will Bk 5 No. 424
Marriage Notices 1786-1910 Film P356 Roll #1: Carnegie Library
Wall, Elizabeth J. "Extracts from Cramers's Pittsburgh Almanack" WPGSQ 3 no. 4 (May 1977): 137.
1822, 4/4 Walter Glenn to Jane Darrington, all of St. Clair Twp., Alleg. Co.
Record of death: RD Docket, Vol 14, pg 470
Will: WB Dkt, Vol 67, pg 228
obit from Carnegie Signal 28 Aug 1901:
Colonel James Glenn
Colonel James Glenn, one of the best known residents of this vicinity, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Chesterfield Robb at Glenndale, last Friday, August 23, 1901, in his 78th year. He had been ill for many weeks and his death was expected.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: "Simply, I am a Survivor"
It's another blistering hot summer day as I sit and think about my beloved heroes of the past. To me, it doesn't really matter which side of the "War of Northern Aggression" they believed in and fought. To me, it's the blood that matters.
Recently, I found some interesting tidbits about Civil War cousin, Captain James GLENN of the PA 149th Co. D. Click here to read more about his bravery and willingness to never give up the fight.
I also recently found the Civil War records of my great grandpa, George CALDWELL, who served the Yanks in the PA 102nd Infantry Co E. Click here to read more of George's story.
Today, I found the information of the GAR Captain Thomas Espy Post 153 on the CarnegieCarnegie site of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Allegheny, PA. I've known of the membership of several of my cousins for quite some time and have found this band quite interesting. I guess it is because I am related either through blood or marriage to many of them. At the least, they were the comrades, the friends and the neighbors of my family.
The site is still under construction, but I took a gander and looked at cousin William James GLENN-- and found----- his Personal War Sketch Questionnaire. Pretty interesting stuff here.
William was a member of the PA 61st Regiment Co E. I found where he and grandpa were both at the battle of Fair Oaks on that fateful day, May 31, 1862, when grandpa George was injured.
William was the first cousin, once removed, from Captain James GLENN and lived in the same general neighborhood and spent his youth in the same church. After William's marriage in 1865 to Martha Doolittle, they attended the Presbyterian Church closer to home in Carnegie.
William and his wife broke tradition with the GLENN family in the final resting place they chose. They are both buried in the Chartiers Cemetery in Carnegie. Was it because Martha's dad, Jacob DOOLITTLE, is buried there with 2nd wife? Martha's mom is buried at my family cemetery that most folks call the St Clair Cemetery.
Or is it because William's folks decided to be buried at the Chartiers Cemetery? I guess it was closer to the family homestead than trekking over to Mt Lebanon (five minutes by car, a lot longer by horse). Never mind. They are remembered and loved.
The most interesting part of the questionnaire was the last statement.
"So many I can't remember them - I simply, reverently thank God, I am a Survivor."
William James GLENN 1839-1908
Ah, genealogy. Perhaps ours words will one day echo those of cousin William J GLENN. Perhaps your words already do.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Recently, I found some interesting tidbits about Civil War cousin, Captain James GLENN of the PA 149th Co. D. Click here to read more about his bravery and willingness to never give up the fight.
I also recently found the Civil War records of my great grandpa, George CALDWELL, who served the Yanks in the PA 102nd Infantry Co E. Click here to read more of George's story.
Today, I found the information of the GAR Captain Thomas Espy Post 153 on the CarnegieCarnegie site of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Allegheny, PA. I've known of the membership of several of my cousins for quite some time and have found this band quite interesting. I guess it is because I am related either through blood or marriage to many of them. At the least, they were the comrades, the friends and the neighbors of my family.
The site is still under construction, but I took a gander and looked at cousin William James GLENN-- and found----- his Personal War Sketch Questionnaire. Pretty interesting stuff here.
William was a member of the PA 61st Regiment Co E. I found where he and grandpa were both at the battle of Fair Oaks on that fateful day, May 31, 1862, when grandpa George was injured.
William was the first cousin, once removed, from Captain James GLENN and lived in the same general neighborhood and spent his youth in the same church. After William's marriage in 1865 to Martha Doolittle, they attended the Presbyterian Church closer to home in Carnegie.
William and his wife broke tradition with the GLENN family in the final resting place they chose. They are both buried in the Chartiers Cemetery in Carnegie. Was it because Martha's dad, Jacob DOOLITTLE, is buried there with 2nd wife? Martha's mom is buried at my family cemetery that most folks call the St Clair Cemetery.
Or is it because William's folks decided to be buried at the Chartiers Cemetery? I guess it was closer to the family homestead than trekking over to Mt Lebanon (five minutes by car, a lot longer by horse). Never mind. They are remembered and loved.
The most interesting part of the questionnaire was the last statement.
"So many I can't remember them - I simply, reverently thank God, I am a Survivor."
William James GLENN 1839-1908
Ah, genealogy. Perhaps ours words will one day echo those of cousin William J GLENN. Perhaps your words already do.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: "Just Didn't Know When He Was Licked"
The boys of Company D 149th PA Volunteers were oft heard to say that Captain James Glenn "didn't know when he was licked."
Captain James Glenn (1824-1901) was almost "reckless in his bravery" as he served his country during the Civil War. Hailing from the area of Pittsburgh known as Carnegie, Glenn had no difficulty in organizing men to form the company in 1862. Mention of some of these meetings was even noted in the diary that we (myself and two cousins) transcribed and published some six years ago in the Quarterly Journal of the Western PA Genealogical Society.
One note about his service was his promotion to take command of his Regiment after the fight at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. His location during the battle was on Seminary Hill, which saw some of the most intense fighting. General Abner Doubleday mentioned James in his official report of the day stating "When the troops at this point (Lutheran Seminary) were overpowered, Capt. Glenn of the 149th Pa. Vols, in command of my headquarter's guard, defended the building for fully 20 minutes against a whole brigade of the enemy (Perrin's), enabling the few remaining troops, ambulances,, etc. to retreat in comparative safety."
I thought it fitting today to remember all the troops, no matter whether they fought for the Grand Army or for the Confederacy. Some estimates of up to 50,000 American men lost their lives during this bloody battle. The anniversary of Gettysburg was just celebrated with a re-enactment of the three day battle in July 1863.
I thought you might be interested in learning a bit more about the battle and of the re-enactment.
The Battle at Gettysburg
Harper's Weekly, July 25, 1863
http://www.civilwarliterature.com/2Battles/The14thAtGettysburg/The14thAtGettysburgHistory.htm
The Gettysburg Civil War battle lives again
by Daniel Terdiman
-If you're a Civil War buff, or even an amateur historian, you no doubt know the history of the battle for Gettysburg. One of the most famous battles of the Civil War, it was also one of the bloodiest. Over three days of intense fighting, Federal troops led by Major General George Gordon Meade fought off Robert E. Lee's Confederate troops, and the battles in and around Gettysburg are often thought to be a turning point in the war.......http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20009651-52.html?tag=rtcol;txt
Ahhh, genealogy. How our hearts ache as we remember the pain of American brother against brother in the Civil War. Oh- and yes, James Glenn was my cousin and is buried at the "family" cemetery known as the St. Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Captain James Glenn (1824-1901) was almost "reckless in his bravery" as he served his country during the Civil War. Hailing from the area of Pittsburgh known as Carnegie, Glenn had no difficulty in organizing men to form the company in 1862. Mention of some of these meetings was even noted in the diary that we (myself and two cousins) transcribed and published some six years ago in the Quarterly Journal of the Western PA Genealogical Society.One note about his service was his promotion to take command of his Regiment after the fight at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. His location during the battle was on Seminary Hill, which saw some of the most intense fighting. General Abner Doubleday mentioned James in his official report of the day stating "When the troops at this point (Lutheran Seminary) were overpowered, Capt. Glenn of the 149th Pa. Vols, in command of my headquarter's guard, defended the building for fully 20 minutes against a whole brigade of the enemy (Perrin's), enabling the few remaining troops, ambulances,, etc. to retreat in comparative safety."
I thought it fitting today to remember all the troops, no matter whether they fought for the Grand Army or for the Confederacy. Some estimates of up to 50,000 American men lost their lives during this bloody battle. The anniversary of Gettysburg was just celebrated with a re-enactment of the three day battle in July 1863.
I thought you might be interested in learning a bit more about the battle and of the re-enactment.
The Battle at Gettysburg
Harper's Weekly, July 25, 1863
http://www.civilwarliterature.com/2Battles/The14thAtGettysburg/The14thAtGettysburgHistory.htm
The Gettysburg Civil War battle lives again
by Daniel Terdiman
-If you're a Civil War buff, or even an amateur historian, you no doubt know the history of the battle for Gettysburg. One of the most famous battles of the Civil War, it was also one of the bloodiest. Over three days of intense fighting, Federal troops led by Major General George Gordon Meade fought off Robert E. Lee's Confederate troops, and the battles in and around Gettysburg are often thought to be a turning point in the war.......http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20009651-52.html?tag=rtcol;txt
Ahhh, genealogy. How our hearts ache as we remember the pain of American brother against brother in the Civil War. Oh- and yes, James Glenn was my cousin and is buried at the "family" cemetery known as the St. Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
NARA Provides Life to the Dead
Last month, I finally got around to ordering the pension file for one of my Civil War gramps. It seems like I would have done this years ago since I am so deep into learning of the past and my family's role in the history of our land. Well, don't judge me quite so fast on this one.
It wasn't until this year that I stumbled on the little fact that 2g granddpa George was even in the Civil War. He was born in 1834 in Pennsylvania, and was married with a growing family by 1860. For whatever reason, it just didn't occur to me that he would have been in the Civil War. I guess I thought he was too old and settled to go off and fight for the Union.
Guess I was wrong! I really hadn't been looking for him lately as I thought I had found most of what I could locate. On a whim, I decided to go back and check one of the paid sites just to see if there was anything new on several members of the family. While checking on Uncle Addison and a veteran census, I saw the name George W CALDWELL blaring off the page. What?
So, I let my fingers do some walking and found where he had been in a Home for Veterans in Dayton, Ohio. Ohio?
I just had to contact NARA and see what they had. That's a big jump for me as they had nothing on my grandfather from World War I.
Just this week, the small envelope arrived with a CD. In to the computer it went. For the next several days I poured over each and every word. Then, I had to go and research more.
Grandpa George was a volunteer in the PA 102nd Infantry Co. E. Of added interest was the fact his brother-in-law, Ben F HUNNEWELL, was also in the same unit. Anyway, he was down at Fair Oaks when he was discharged with a surgeon's certificate.
First question--- what was Fair Oaks? The Battle of Fair Oaks took place May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico Co, VA. It seems like both sides claimed victory for that battle although they both sustained fairly equal casualties. General Johnston was wounded in this battle. General McClellan is reported to have written to his wife that he was getting tired of all death and suffering of the troops on the battlefield.
Second question-- Was Grandpa George wounded in the battle? Alas, the answer to this one is no. He was moving some heavy rations, and fell on a box which caused some type of internal damage to his kidney. He was in the hospital for three weeks, and then he was discharged.
Grandpa George returned home where he spent the next 40 years or so disabled. He apparently suffered a great deal from that fall and lost the majority of his hearing during the war.
The best part of the pension papers came with the date of his marriage to his lovely bride, Mary Jane HUNNEWELL. Yes! She has always been somewhat of a mystery to me. I knew her name. Her birthdate came from a Bible in the HUNNEWELL family. Her death date is unknown. She disappears after the 1870 census. I suspect she died after the birth of a child. The big confusion with her is I have a letter from my great grandmother in which she writes to the daughter of George and Mary Jane and mentions she had just seen "your" mama. The letter is from the 1890s. Hmmm......
But wait---- there's more to be found in the pension. Grandpa George states that they had 5 children. What? I only knew of 4. More life to be found! And Grandpa George tells where a son of his has moved! And--- all of his children married.
Previously, I only knew of two of the children marrying. So, life continues in the family!
The other "aha" moment in the pension file is the naming of the preacher who married him. By coincidence, it is the same name as the man who his half sister married. Gee, I didn't know he was a preacher. I only knew he was older and died before they had any kids. The lovely widow goes on to marry again- this time a widower who lived across the street from other family members.
Ahh, genealogy. Sometimes the dead can come to life when we explore deeply enough into their lives.
©2010 AS Eldredge
It wasn't until this year that I stumbled on the little fact that 2g granddpa George was even in the Civil War. He was born in 1834 in Pennsylvania, and was married with a growing family by 1860. For whatever reason, it just didn't occur to me that he would have been in the Civil War. I guess I thought he was too old and settled to go off and fight for the Union.
Guess I was wrong! I really hadn't been looking for him lately as I thought I had found most of what I could locate. On a whim, I decided to go back and check one of the paid sites just to see if there was anything new on several members of the family. While checking on Uncle Addison and a veteran census, I saw the name George W CALDWELL blaring off the page. What?
So, I let my fingers do some walking and found where he had been in a Home for Veterans in Dayton, Ohio. Ohio?
I just had to contact NARA and see what they had. That's a big jump for me as they had nothing on my grandfather from World War I.
Just this week, the small envelope arrived with a CD. In to the computer it went. For the next several days I poured over each and every word. Then, I had to go and research more.
Grandpa George was a volunteer in the PA 102nd Infantry Co. E. Of added interest was the fact his brother-in-law, Ben F HUNNEWELL, was also in the same unit. Anyway, he was down at Fair Oaks when he was discharged with a surgeon's certificate.
First question--- what was Fair Oaks? The Battle of Fair Oaks took place May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico Co, VA. It seems like both sides claimed victory for that battle although they both sustained fairly equal casualties. General Johnston was wounded in this battle. General McClellan is reported to have written to his wife that he was getting tired of all death and suffering of the troops on the battlefield.
Second question-- Was Grandpa George wounded in the battle? Alas, the answer to this one is no. He was moving some heavy rations, and fell on a box which caused some type of internal damage to his kidney. He was in the hospital for three weeks, and then he was discharged.
Grandpa George returned home where he spent the next 40 years or so disabled. He apparently suffered a great deal from that fall and lost the majority of his hearing during the war.
The best part of the pension papers came with the date of his marriage to his lovely bride, Mary Jane HUNNEWELL. Yes! She has always been somewhat of a mystery to me. I knew her name. Her birthdate came from a Bible in the HUNNEWELL family. Her death date is unknown. She disappears after the 1870 census. I suspect she died after the birth of a child. The big confusion with her is I have a letter from my great grandmother in which she writes to the daughter of George and Mary Jane and mentions she had just seen "your" mama. The letter is from the 1890s. Hmmm......
But wait---- there's more to be found in the pension. Grandpa George states that they had 5 children. What? I only knew of 4. More life to be found! And Grandpa George tells where a son of his has moved! And--- all of his children married.
Previously, I only knew of two of the children marrying. So, life continues in the family!
The other "aha" moment in the pension file is the naming of the preacher who married him. By coincidence, it is the same name as the man who his half sister married. Gee, I didn't know he was a preacher. I only knew he was older and died before they had any kids. The lovely widow goes on to marry again- this time a widower who lived across the street from other family members.
Ahh, genealogy. Sometimes the dead can come to life when we explore deeply enough into their lives.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Treasure Chest Thursday: Wonderful Glimpse of History Through Letters
Just this morning, a cousin of mine suggested I look at the Letter Repository. The Letter Repository has "lots" of old letters which have been transcribed. There are letters from Americans, English, Irish and Scotsmen.
While it is not searchable by name and thus of limited use to genealogists, it still is interesting to take a glimpse into the past and see what folks were writing about. The letters cover a range from the 1700s up to, and including, the American Civil War, World War I and and World War II.
The site has been live for about one year and is focusing efforts on letters written in English. According to the site, they are hosted by an Irish company and are Irish owned.
So, grab a cup of Joe and relive some of the past through the words of those who were living it. Jump on in: http://letter.ie/
Guess I'll be digging out my old family letters today and reliving the past of my family.
Ahh- genealogy. Gotta love it!
HT to Susan for the suggestion!
©2010 AS Eldredge
While it is not searchable by name and thus of limited use to genealogists, it still is interesting to take a glimpse into the past and see what folks were writing about. The letters cover a range from the 1700s up to, and including, the American Civil War, World War I and and World War II.
The site has been live for about one year and is focusing efforts on letters written in English. According to the site, they are hosted by an Irish company and are Irish owned.
So, grab a cup of Joe and relive some of the past through the words of those who were living it. Jump on in: http://letter.ie/
Guess I'll be digging out my old family letters today and reliving the past of my family.
Ahh- genealogy. Gotta love it!
HT to Susan for the suggestion!
©2010 AS Eldredge
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