Joseph Yates Cole and Leonora Rebecca Eubank Cole of Mecklenburg County, Virginia

Joseph Yates Cole, son of Edward Thomas Cole and Ann Eliza Beal was born on 03 Jan 1846 in Virginia, USA. He died on 12 Dec 1901. He married Leonora Rebecca Eubank between Jan-Jun 1870. She was born on 09 Aug 1850 in Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA (North View). She died on 26 Jul 1931 in Buckhorn, Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA. 

Joseph, a farmer by trade, stood approximately five feet, seven inches with dark eyes, hair and complexion. He served during the Civil War in Company C, 21st Virginia Infantry and was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor. He was shot in his right hand and thereafter had the thumb of that hand amputated. He continued to have difficulty using his right hand, especially during the winter months, for the remainder of his life. 

As a young man, Joseph was a member of El Bethel Methodist Church in 1866. He later became a trustee for the new Shiloh United Methodist Church in 1888. Joseph and his family continued to live with his mother, until her death. 

Joseph and Leonora had at least ten children; Ada Blinco (married Harry W. Norma), Anna Lula, Linwood Lee, Mary "Mamie" Eliza, Samuel Earnest, Linda Walton (married Morgan Russell), Lila Nell (married Richard Ole), Roy Reed, Aubrey Yates, Grace Leonora (married Garland Flenor) and Rossa Elwood Cole (married Eleanor Rowe). They may have had one or two children who died at a young age. 

Leonora was the daughter of William Lee and Mary Annie Rolfe Eubank. She was a charter member of Shiloh United Methodist Church and lived with her children on North View Road after the death of her husband. 

Rebel Yell - What did it sound like?

I had an email forwarded to me this morning from two cousins that was absolutely amazing. I am not easily amazed but this did it!

The Museum of the Confederacy was involved with recreating an authentic Rebel Yell. They obtained original recordings of Civil War veterans and amplified the sound to recreate a Confederate charge! I consider myself to be a Southerner but the yell is nothing like I ever expected...nothing like you would hear on the "Dukes of Hazard"! It sounds like imminent death. I would hate to be on the other end of the Confederate charge!

The link below is to the local NPR station, look for the link for the Rebel Yell. I do not know how long the link will work so check it out as soon as possible...

http://www.ideastations.org/radio/archive.html

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• Southern sensibilities (thestar.com)

Descendants of Elizabeth Harwood Semple

1. ELIZABETH HARWOOD 6 SEMPLE (JAMES5, JOHN4, JAMES3, ROBERT2, ROBERT1)1,2 was born 1795 in Virginia2,3, and died September 27, 1870 in Orange County, Virginia4. She married (1) WILLIAM B. POWER5. He was born Bet. 1775 - 17946, and died Bet. 1820 - 1827 6,7. She married (2) REV. MADISON PETTIS 8 1827 9, son of JOHN PETTIS and MARTHA. He was born Abt. 1793 in Virginia 10,11.

Notes for ELIZABETH HARWOOD SEMPLE:
According to Elizabeth Hawes Ryland's manuscript, "History of the Semple Family of Scotland and America," "Eliza was reared by Judge James Semple of New Kent County, who left her a fortune."

York County, Virginia Guardian Accounts, 1780-1823, p. 237:
Eliza became the ward of James Semple on March 3, 1806. He drew funding from the estate of her father to ensure her care and education. He charged approximately $100 to $150 per year for her bed, board and washing. She was educated by Mrs. Royall at a cost of $8 in 1806. She was taught by Mrs. Pagand in 1807 for $10 which included tuition and books. In 1808 Eliza was a student of Geo: Blackburne at the cost of $40 per year. Her wardrobe included bonnets, gowns from Donaghreys and from Richmond, many sundries at Blocks, bolts of blue and white silk, flannel, gingham, linen, holland and muslin, ribbons, buttons, needles with which to sew, high heels and other shoes, $3.00 was paid for the setting of her father's hair (I would assume in a piece of jewelry which was customary at the time) and cotton stockings. Eliza also travelled while living with Mr. Semple, at least to King and Queen and King William Counties, some of this travel by stage. Also, while she was living with him Eliza's inheritance from her father's estate grew through the hiring of his slaves and the rent and sale of his properties. James wrote to the Court on on occasion, "the woman Milly is raising a fine family of children + they will begin shortly to hire." He seems to have taken an active role in protecting her inheritance and making it prosper until settling the account in 1811, I would assume when she married William Power.

Eliza inherited slaves by the name of Massey, Tom and Susan from the estate of her deceased grandfather, John Semple. Her father was also deceased with Eliza as his own child. She therefore inherited the property as his rightful heir. The problem is that her husband treated the slaves as his own and involved them in a deed of trust [see William B. Power's notes]. When he died, the slaves were considered part of his estate and not Eliza's. She should have been entitled to the money since it came from her family. However, when she got remarried her children with Mr. Power wanted the money since it was their father's legally."

On July 28, 1845 Eliza Pettis made a desperate plea to the chancery court deciding her fate in the case Pettis vs. Power [see notes for William B. Power]. Eliza claimed that she owned about $1,000 worth of property in her own right, including a slave named Nancy, that she had with William Power when she married Madison Pettis. However, Pettis "has squandered and ungenerously appropriated them to his individual purposes and has for some years forsaken and abandoned her now with five helpless children the offspring of their marriage and all of which are destitute of any aid...from the said Pettis in the means he possessed himself of in the right of his said wife..." Basically she pleaded with the court to give her some money from the slave sales of William Power's estate to support her and her helpless children because Madison ran off with all that she had. However, the court was unsympathetic because her children with Mr. Pettis were not entitled to anything. She was given one-sixteenth of the sale but that was equivalent to $52.19.

Letter dated "Williamsburg June 27 1851" and held at the Library of Virginia, part of accession no. 24193:

"My dear cousin Susan - Sallie's school is now over and she will go to Richmond on the first of July but cousin William must suit his own conveniences in sending for her as it will be no matter about her staying a week or two with her brothers - she never was so far from home before and of course will need the guidance of a friend therefore my cousin let me beg of you to act by her as you would by your own, for I know she is very thoughtless yet a word will be sufficient as she has always been ruled by affection - I almost enjoy her the pleasure she will have you know not how glad I would be if I could but go and spend one week with your beloved family - if I can I shall try and go to Richmond in September to bring Sallie home but it is always so difficult for me to leave home that I should not be surprised if I did not - I hope you have in timely recovered your health and that you are now enjoying all the happinesses that a devoted mother and wife feels in the assurance of having done her duty and that your last days may be crowned with the blessings that David speaks of in having many children - I want to see you and cousin William with them all around you, once more - and to feel as I have felt that I was with friends in deed - Eliza's health is greatly improved she writes word, when she left me thought it was likely I never should see her again but it has pleased God to raise her up and I feel truly thankful she says she is vary happy and that every thing that affection can dictate is done for her in the house of his parents who are indeed such to her - tell Mary she owe's me a letter I thought she promised to write oftener, but think she must have forgotten us remember me to Catherine tell her I should be delighted to go to see her, but she must love Sallie for my sake as she says she hopes to stay some with her during her long visit - my dear Aunts health is very feeble, she has moved so far up the county that I scarcely ever see her so that I feel like one left almost without relatives Willie sends his love to you all he wants very much to go with Sallie - but I tell him he must be a clever fellow and when he is a man he can go - he will spend his vacation in Norfolk with Judson, so that I shall be quite alone Sister Jones was to see me last week she is well and desired to be remembered to you, I like her very much indeed she appears to be an excellent lady - Henry's wife has a sweet baby they call it Lucy Frances you never saw a greater pet than it is with us all - Sallie joins me in love to all and bids me say that she is anxiously looking forward to the time when she will be with you - I cannot tell you cousin Susan how much I feel about her, now that I have gone so far in educating her for a teacher I do not know how I shall ever give her up to go from me, for her love is the greatest earthly blessing I have and I can but hope that God will open a way for her to do without - She will have to go another year to school although it will be a hard scuffle for me to keep them both at school yet I shall try although Willie is very anxious to go to some business do write to me after Sallie is with you and let me know how she behaves - but I feel she will be in good hands not only with you but I can entrust her to one who has promised to be a father to the fatherless remember me to any who may ask after me not forgetting dear sister Fox good bye my dear cousin I remain your truly E Pettis"

Religious Herald, October 27, 1870:
"Departed this life, on the 27th September, 1870, at the residence of W. F. Brooking, Esq., in Orange county, Va., MRS. ELIZA PETTIS, of Williamsburg, Va., in the 75th year of her age. She was spending a part of the summer with her daughter, Mrs. Brooking, as was her custom yearly, and had been unwell from some days before her death, but was considered much better, and expected in a short time to return to her home. The night on which she died she retired as usual, and was found dead the next morning, with her little grandson (who accompanied her on her visit) sleeping by her side. So quietly did this saint of God pass away to her rest, that others sleeping in the same room with her were not aware of it until morning. She lived a holy life - her end was peace. Sister Pettis leaves seven children to mourn the loss of a mother, such as few have been blest with. They are all settled in life, heads of families, all pious, and one of her sons a minister of the gospel. She was baptized in York river by her uncle, Rev. Robert Semple, in the summer of 1822, which makes her 48 years a member of the Baptist church. She loved the church to which she belonged, and was devoted to its interests. She was beloved by, and enjoyed the confidence of, all her brethren as well as the community generally. We feel that she is a loss to us, but her holy life assures us that our loss is her gain. May her children, her brethren and friends be prepared to meet her in heaven, is the prayer of her PASTOR."

More About ELIZABETH HARWOOD SEMPLE:
Baptism: 1822, York County, Virginia 12
Cause of Death: died in her sleep 12

Notes for WILLIAM B. POWER:
William and his family lived in York County at the time of the 1820 census. He was the owner of five female slaves.

In 1822, William Power entered into a deed of trust with John F. Bryan and Frederick B. Power involving several slaves that his wife inherited from the estate of her grandfather, John Semple. Upon Williams death, the slaves were to be sold for the support of his children. However, William died but the slaves were never sold as ordered. His oldest sons, James and John borrowed against their inheritance from their uncle, Frederick B. Power. In 1841 the slaves were finally sold and the money divided. William's wife Eliza, who had since remarried to Madison Pettis, argued that she was entitled to part of the money seeing as though they were he grandfather's slaves. She and Madison wanted her to receive the one-third due her by right of dower. I feel that Madison pressured Eliza to make the suit and that she was less interested in doing so. However, Madison left Eliza during the proceedings so the one-sixteenth that she was eventually awarded went into a trust in her name via John F. Bryan.

Notes for REV. MADISON PETTIS:
In 1830 Madison and his family were living in James City County, Virginia, at which time he owned eight slaves. He seems to have been a Baptist minister in York County during the years 1833 and 1834, conducting at least two weddings in that county.

Madison apparently abandoned his family sometime in the early 1840s. In a letter to her cousin Susan in June of 1851, Eliza Pettis wrote about her daughter Sallie spending the summer in Richmond with family. She acknowledged her thankfulness that in cousin William she could "...entrust her to one who has promised to be a father to the fatherless." Madison may have gone to Orange County, Virginia and began living with a woman named Sarah Highlander. Madison was listed as the head of her household in 1850. She had four children named Samuel age 8, Thomas age 7, Josephine age 3 and Pamelia L. Highlander who was one month old. In 1860 they were all listed as Pettuses including Madison age 56, Sarah age 45, Samuel age 18, Thomas age 16, Pamelia L. age 10 and Rebicah Pettus age 1.

There was a land purchase between a Madison Pettis and a John Dodd there in 1843. This land purchase corresponds with the time our Madison Pettis left his wife and children so I believe it is the same person. However, by 1844 this Madison had run up debts and had to use the land in a deed of trust to pay them off.

More About MADISON PETTIS and ELIZABETH SEMPLE:
Marriage: 1827 13
Separation: Bet. 1841 - 1845 13

Children of ELIZABETH SEMPLE and WILLIAM POWER are:
i. JAMES F. 7 POWER 13, b. Bet. 1810 - 1820 14; d. Aft. 1845 15.
ii. JOHN W. POWER 15, b. Bet. 1810 - 1820 16; d. Aft. 1845 17.

Notes for JOHN W. POWER:
According to a property agreement written by John on October 29, 1838, he would be attending school in Richmond. He had borrowed against the estate of his deceased father from his uncle Frederick B. Powers. This document signed over his inheritance to pay off two previous loans and "any monies he may send me this winter to aid in my education in Richmond."

iii. HENRY S. B. POWER 17, b. Abt. 1823, York County, Virginia 18; d. Aft. June 1850 18; m. SUSAN A. C. TAYLOR 19, Abt. November 30, 1848, York County, Virginia 19; b. Abt. 1826, York County, Virginia 20; d. Aft. June 1850 20.

Notes for HENRY S. B. POWER:
Samuel Sheild was Henry's legal guardian after his father's death. In 1850, Henry was working as a farmer and owned $1,200 worth of real estate. It seems that perhaps his mother-in-law and possibly his wife's brother was living with he and Susan at that time.

More About HENRY POWER and SUSAN TAYLOR:
Bondsman: John H. Morrison 21
Marriage: Abt. November 30, 1848, York County, Virginia 21
Marriage bond: November 30, 1848, York County, Virginia 21

iv. ROBERT B. S. POWER 22, b. Bef. 1827 22; d. Bef. 1841 22.

Notes for ROBERT B. S. POWER:
His name was likely Robert Baylor Semple Power - this is only a guess but it would make sense. Robert Baylor Semple was the child's great uncle, a prominent Baptist minister. This child died in infancy.

Children of ELIZABETH SEMPLE and MADISON PETTIS are:
v. ROBERT BAYLOR 7 PETTIS 23, b. July 1829, York County, Virginia 24,25,26; d. July 06, 1908, Richmond, Virginia 27; m. (1) MARY JANE HANKINS 28, Abt. December 05, 1850, Richmond, Virginia 28; b. Bet. 1830 - 1831, King William County, Virginia 29,30; d. August 02, 1864, Richmond, Virginia 31; m. (2) MARIA LOUISA BRANCH 32,33, October 16, 1867, Richmond, Virginia 34; b. November 1836, Chesterfield County, Virginia 35,36; d. September 17, 1915, Richmond, Virginia 37.

Notes for ROBERT BAYLOR PETTIS:
Robert was well-educated and entered the carpentry trade as a young man. He moved from Williamsburg to Richmond, Virginia around 1850 and started his family. Robert served as an officer for the local defense troops during the Civil War, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, he served Richmond in various capacities, having been for nine years deputy inspector of customs, serving under Presidents Cleveland, McKinley and Roosevelt. He owned a lovely home at 623 Holly Street, now demolished, and has a large tombstone and family plot in Riverview Cemetery.

More About ROBERT BAYLOR PETTIS:
Burial: July 07, 1908, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia 38
Cause of Death: complication of diseases 39

Notes for MARY JANE HANKINS:
Mary may have been the daughter or sister of Oliver P. Hankins. She is buried in an unmarked grave in Shockoe Cemetery.

More About MARY JANE HANKINS:
Burial: August 03, 1864, Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia 40,41
Cause of Death: typhoid fever 41

More About ROBERT PETTIS and MARY HANKINS:
Marriage: Abt. December 05, 1850, Richmond, Virginia 42

Notes for MARIA LOUISA BRANCH:
Maria was a Drake widow.

Maria was able to read and write. She was married to a Drake before Robert Pettis. According to the 1900 census, Maria was the mother of four children, two of which were deceased at that time. I believe that Maria suffered with nephritis for some time before her death.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 19, 1915:
"MRS. LOUISA B. PETTIS - Mrs. Louisa Branch Pettis, widow of Captain Robert B. Pettis, died at her home, 623 Holby [sic.] Street, Friday morning at 8 o'clock, aged seventy-eight years. She is survived by the following children: J. P. and G. W. Pettis, of Richmond; W. B. Pettis, of Cairo, Ill.; Mrs. N. W. Glasgow, and Mrs. M. A. Clark, of Richmond; and Mrs. L. T. Royall, of Washington, D. C."

"PETTIS - The funeral of MRS. LOUISA BRANCH PETTIS, widow of Captain Robert B. Pettis, will take place SUNDAY AFTERNOON at 4 o'clock from her residence, 623 Holly Street. Interment in Riverview."

More About MARIA LOUISA BRANCH:
Burial: September 19, 1916, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia 43
Cause of Death: chronic interstitial nephritis 43
Medical Information: acute dilation of the throat 43

More About ROBERT PETTIS and MARIA BRANCH:
Marriage: October 16, 1867, Richmond, Virginia 44

vi. JUDSON R. PETTIS45, b. Bet. 1828 - 1832, Williamsburg, Virginia 45,46; d. Aft. June 1870 47; m. (1) JANE 48, Bef. June 1850 48; b. Abt. 1830, Virginia; d. Bef. June 1860 49; m. (2) ANNA DECORDY 50, April 26, 1861, Norfolk, Virginia 50; b. Bet. 1839 - 1842, New York, New York 50,51; d. Aft. June 1870 51.

Notes for JUDSON R. PETTIS:
Judson worked as a house carpenter, more specifically a sash and blind maker. He was also a soldier in 1861.

More About JUDSON PETTIS and JANE:
Marriage: Bef. June 1850 52

More About JUDSON PETTIS and ANNA DECORDY:
Exact location: a residence 53
Marriage: April 26, 1861, Norfolk, Virginia 53
Marriage license: April 26, 1861, Norfolk, Virginia 53
Married By: A. J. Coffman 53

vii. ELIZA S. PETTIS 54,55, b. Abt. 1830, York County, Virginia 56; d. Aft. September 1870 57; m. WILLIAM FLEMING BROOKING 58, January 22, 1851, Liberty Mills, Orange County, Virginia 59; b. November 03, 1823 60; d. Abt. November 1892 60.

Notes for ELIZA S. PETTIS:
Eliza apparently became very ill shortly after her marriage. Her mother wrote to cousin Susan of Richmond in June of 1851 to say that "Eliza's health is greatly improved she writes word, when she left me thought it was likely I never should see her again but it has pleased God to raise her up and I feel truly thankful she says she is vary happy and that every thing that affection can dictate is done for her in the house of his parents who are indeed such to her."

Marriage Notes for ELIZA PETTIS and WILLIAM BROOKING:
Richmond Whig and Public Advertiser, January 31, 1851:
"Married - At Liberty Mills, Orange County on Jan. 22, by Rev. Joseph Earnest, William F. Brooking, to Miss Eliza S. Pettis, formerly of Williamsburg."

More About WILLIAM BROOKING and ELIZA PETTIS:
Marriage: January 22, 1851, Liberty Mills, Orange County, Virginia 61
Married By: Rev. Joseph Earnest 61

viii. SARAH PETTIS 62, b. Abt. 1834, York County, Virginia 62; d. Aft. June 1851 63.

Notes for SARAH PETTIS:
Sallie spent the summer of 1851 in Richmond, staying with various family members. Her mother was putting her through school to be a teacher but worried that Sallie might not make it through her final year. In a letter to her cousin Susan, Eliza Pettis wrote "...now that I have gone so far in educating her for a teacher I do not know how I shall ever give her up to go from me, for her love is the greatest earthly blessing I have and I can but hope that God will open a way for her to do without." I would take this to mean that Eliza did not want Sallie to get married before finishing her schooling. From the same letter we also see that Sallie was a young woman with a wild streak in her. Her mother told cousin Susan that Sallie "...will need the guidance of a friend therefore my cousin let me beg of you to act by her as you would by your own, for I know she is very thoughtless yet a word will be sufficient as she has always been ruled by affection." Eliza closed the letter by requesting that cousin Susan "...let me know how she behaves."

ix. WILLIE PETTIS 63, b. Abt. 1837, York County, Virginia 64; d. Aft. June 1851 65.

Notes for WILLIE PETTIS:
Willie attended school as a child but was restless. His mother wrote to a cousin Susan of Richmond in 1851 stating that "...it will be a hard scuffle for me to keep them both at school yet I shall try although Willie is very anxious to go to some business..." He spent that summer with his brother Judson in Norfolk.

Endnotes

1. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
2. Frederick A. Virkus, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealog, Volume III, (Baltimore, 1968), 161.
3. Robert B. Pettis household, 1900 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 65, p. 19, ln. 51.
4. Mrs. Eliza Pettis obituary, Religious Herald, October 27, 1870.
5. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
6. Wm. Power household, 1830 census, York County, Virginia, p. 156.
7. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
8. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
9. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
10. Frederick A. Virkus, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealog, Volume III, (Baltimore, 1968).
11. Robt. B. Pettis household, 1880 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 79, p. 31A, ln. 5.
12. Mrs. Eliza Pettis obituary, Religious Herald, October 27, 1870.
13. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
14. Wm. Power household, 1830 census, York County, Virginia, p. 156.
15. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
16. Wm. Power household, 1830 census, York County, Virginia, p. 156.
17. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
18. Henry Power household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 359.
19. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
20. Henry Power household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 359.
21. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
22. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
23. Robert Baylor Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908.
24. Robert B. Pettis household, 1900 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 65, p. 19, ln. 51.
25. Robert Baylor and Louisa Branch Pettis tombstone, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, c. 1998.
26. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
27. Robert Baylor Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908.
28. Pettis-Hankins marriage consent, Richmond, Virginia, 1850.
29. Ro. Pettis household, 1860 census, Henrico County, Virginia, p. 618, ln. 34.
30. George Warren Pettis death certificate no. 1520-17470, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1936.
31. Mrs. Mary J. Pettis obituary, Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, August 3, 1864.
32. Mrs. Maria L. Pettis death certificate no. 205-21161, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1915.
33. Mrs. Louisa Branch Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, September 19, 1915.
34. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
35. Robert B. Pettis household, 1900 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 65, p. 19, ln. 51.
36. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
37. Mrs. Maria L. Pettis death certificate no. 205-21161, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1915.
38. Robert Baylor Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908.
39. Robert B. Pettis obituary, The News Leader, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908, p. 6.
40. Mrs. Mary J. Pettis obituary, Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, August 3, 1864.
41. Miss Mary J. Pettis interment card, Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, 1864.
42. Pettis-Hankins marriage consent, Richmond, Virginia, 1850.
43. Mrs. Maria L. Pettis death certificate no. 205-21161, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1915.
44. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
45. Pettis-DeCordy marriage license, Norfolk, Virginia, 1861.
46. Judson R. Pettis household, 1850 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 89.
47. Judson Pettis household, 1870 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 156.
48. Judson R. Pettis household, 1850 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 89.
49. S. Higginbotham household, 1860 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 474.
50. Pettis-DeCordy marriage license, Norfolk, Virginia, 1861.
51. Judson Pettis household, 1870 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 156.
52. Judson R. Pettis household, 1850 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 89.
53. Pettis-DeCordy marriage license, Norfolk, Virginia, 1861.
54. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
55. Brooking family Bible record, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
56. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
57. Mrs. Eliza Pettis obituary, Religious Herald, October 27, 1870.
58. Brooking family Bible record, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
59. Brooking-Pettis marriage announcement, Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, January 31, 1851.
60. Brooking family Bible record, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
61. Brooking-Pettis marriage announcement, Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, January 31, 1851.
62. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
63. Letter from E. Pettus to cousin Susan, June 27, 1851, Library of Virginia accession no. 24193.
64. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
65. Letter from E. Pettus to cousin Susan, June 27, 1851, Library of Virginia accession no. 24193.

Drowned in James River, John W. Clarke of Williamsburg & Richmond, c. 1840-1893

John's middle name may have been Westley or William. He went to school as a child, learning to read and write. His parent apparently divorced when he was young and John lived with his father and stepmother after that time.

In April of 1861, John enlisted as a private in Capt. Jno. A. Henley's Co. C., 32nd Regiment Virginia Infantry, better known as the "Williamsburg Junior Guards." John served the Confederate army off and on until May of 1864 when listed in Richmond, Virginia's Chimborazo Hospital because of a gunshot wound to the flesh of his hip and thigh. He stayed in the hospital for about six months and returned to duty. John missed a few scattered months due to illness and went AWOL twice, once in February of 1862, the other at Christmas in 1864. Despite his absences, John served for the whole of the Civil War.

After the war, John returned to Williamsburg, Virginia where he owned $500 worth of real estate. However, his wife died and he left for Richmond in the early 1870s. John settled in the Tuckahoe district of Henrico County but ultimately made his home at 1505 W. Beverly Street in Richmond, now Idlewood Avenue near downtown.

Richmond Times, October 17, 1893:
"MR. JOHN W. CLARKE DROWNED. - HE AND HIS BOAT SWEPT OVER THE FALLS BY A STRONG CURRENT. - A very sad accident occurred Sunday morning between 11 and 12 o'clock, when Mr. John W. Clarke, of No. 1505 Beverly street, was drowned in James river. Last Thursday morning Mr. Clarke went up the river on a fishing trip near Williams' Island, about five miles above the city, and left his boat. Early Sunday morning he returned, accompanied by his son Thomas and Mr. Frank Wasmer, to remove the boat (which was in danger of being carried down the stream by the high water) into the canal. He did not have any oars, but getting into the boat, attempted to pull it around into the canal by catching hold of the branches of the bushes along the river bank. His companions offered their assistance, but Mr. Clarke said he thought he could manage the boat alone. He had not gone far, however, when the willow branch he had hold of broke, and the boat drifted out into the current, which is especially swift at that place. He was unable to control the boat without oars, and the craft rapidly went down the stream, and dashed with its occupant over the falls. The unfortunate man was seen standing in the boat some distance below the falls, the boat being nearly full of water. He sunk, and the boat floated ashore near the old pump-house. Searching parties dragged the river, and made ever effort to recover the body, but up to a late hour yesterday afternoon failed, as the water in the river was quite high. Mr. Clarke was about fifty-three years of age, and was a carpenter. He was a son-in-law of Deputy Collector of Customs Robert B. Pettis, and was twice married. He leaves a widow and nine children, five sons and four daughters. Mr. P. L. Clarke [sic.], a son of the deceased, who resided in Charleston, S. C., has been telegraphed for, and was expected to reach the city yesterday evening. The bereaved family have the sympathy of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends."

Richmond Dispatch, October 17, 1893:
"MR. CLARKE DROWNED ON SUNDAY - HIS BOAT DRIFTED OUT INTO THE CURRENT AND HE WAS LOST - Mr. John W. Clarke, of this city, was drowned in James river just below Williams's Island Sunday morning about 8 o'clock. Williams's Island is some five miles above Richmond, and near that place Mr. Clarke had a boat tied up to the river bank. Sunday morning early, in company with his son Thomas and Mr. Frank Wassmer, a neighbor, he left his home, No. 1501 Beverley street, for the purpose of transferring the boat form the river to the canal, as he feared that the high water would carry it away. Mr. Clarke, it seems, got into the boat alone and was pulling it by catching hold of the branches of the bushes along the bank to a place where it could be carried over to the canal without making it necessary to climb a steep hill. Suddenly, however, a branch that he was using in the maneuver described snapped, and the boat becoming unmanageable drifted out into the current and over a natural dam. The son and Mr. Wassmer ran down the canal bank for a considerable distance, and some five hundred yards below where the boat got adrift saw Mr. Clarke standing up in it. A cluster of trees then sent him out from their sight, and when they next caught a view of him he was in the water with his hands to his head and was sinking. Mr. Clarke was an excellent swimmer, but had on very thick clothing and a very heavy pair of boots. The deceased was a coach painter by trade; was 53 years old, and had been twice married. He leaves a wife and nine children. His son, O. L. Clarke, who resides in Charleston, S. C., has been telegraphed for. The news of the accident spread very rapidly in the section of the city in which Mr. Clarke resided, and a large number of persons went to the scene Sunday and remained there until nightfall, hoping the body would be washed up. At a late hour last night it had not been recovered."

Richmond Times, October 18, 1893:
"HIS BODY NOT RECOVERED. - All efforts to recover the body of Mr. John W. Clarke, an account of whose death by drowning was published in yesterday's Times, have proved futile. Up to a late hour yesterday the body had not been located."

Richmond Times, October 19, 1893:
"TWO MEN DROWNED. - ONE OF THEM WAS CAPT. PETE VAN HAME, AN OYSTER PLANTER. - WILLIAMSBURG, VA., - Oct. 18. - Special - During the great storm of Friday last, Captain Pete Van Hame, and a man by the name of Purcell, who were trying to secure a boat anchored out in the river, were capsized and both drowned. Captain Pete was an old oyster planter on York river, and was favorably known to a large number of people. Mr. John W. Clarke, notice of whose drowning appeared to-day in the Times, was a native of this place. He left here some where in the seventies to make Richmond his home. The new reservoir at the asylum has just been has just been completed and is now being filled with water, forced into it from the lower pump house. When filled the asylum will be in a better condition to extinguish fire than ever before. Mr. George Dabney Wootten, who died here recently, was buried yesterday in the cemetery of the asylum. Up to a few weeks ago the deceased was a familiar figure on our streets and will be much missed."

Richmond Times, October 20, 1893:
"WAS THIS MAN DROWNED? - THE BODY OF AN UNKNOWN MAN FOUND ON EPPES' ISLAND. - The remains of a white man, five feet ten inches in height, were found on Eppes' Island, on James river, opposite City Point. The body is supposed to have been washed ashore in Friday's storm. The man wore a pair of lace shoes, nearly new, brown socks, jeans drawers, blue striped cotton pants, blue checked shirt, short black coat. There was a silver dollar in the pants pocket. The right shoe was laced with a cotton string. The body was mutilated almost beyond recognition."

Richmond Times, October 21, 1893:
"THE BODY FOUND. - The body of John W. Clarke, who was drowned on Sunday last, was found yesterday at 2 o'clock by John Johnson opposite Six Gates, near Richmond. The body had drifted owing to the high water a distance of nearly four miles, and when found was in a very bruised condition. It was taken to Laube's, corner of First and Broad, to be properly prepared for burial. The funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock to-morrow at Lakeview [sic.] cemetery."

Richmond Dispatch, October 21, 1893:
"MR. CLARKE'S BODY FOUND - The body of Mr. John W. Clarke, who was drowned in the river just below Williams's Island last Sunday, was found yesterday afternoon wedged between two rocks in front of River View. Mr. Frank Wassmer, who went with Mr. Clarke up the river on the morning of the accident for the purpose of helping him remove his boat to the canal, discovered the body. The burial will be in River-View cemetery at 11 o'clock this morning."

Richmond Times, October 22, 1893:
"OBITUARY - JOHN CLARKE. - The funeral services of the late John Clarke were held at River View yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. The following gentleman acted as pall-bearers: C. A. Little, J. K. Groner, C. Grant, Mike Wosser, John Kemp and C. Heimline."

John is buried in plat F, half section 10, division 5, grave 1 of Riverview Cemetery.

Eugene Bias Gatewood

I wanted to pass along two e-mails that I got over the past few days. Maybe it will help connect up this family...

"I am trying to locate the family of Civil War soldier and VMI Cadet, ACL Gatewood. I am selling a CDV of his brother, Eugene B. Gatewood on EBay and think the family might be interested. Please contact me if you have any information regarding them.Thanks."

I responded and asked for the EBay link, so I could pass it on to my readers...then I got:

"I am having second thoughts about selling... I have discovered that the Gatewoods may have been related to a member of my extended family. If you have Gatewoods interested in this CDV, I would be happy to send them a high definition scan for their enjoyment. Also, any history regarding Eugene Bias Gatewood would be appreciated. I could not find him in the 1860
Bath county census. Rodger"

If you would like to respond to Rodger's request for information, leave a comment for this post.

African American Lives on PBS

I just watched a show on PBS tonight that was a really good, genealogy-related program called "African American Lives". I think it was part two in a series of two but I missed the first fifteen minutes so I am not sure. The host is a man named Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - a historian but I am not terribly familiar with him or his work. It was nice, well-produced show that traced the ancestry of various black celebrities. I saw segments on Morgan Freeman, Don Cheadle, Chris Rock and a few others. The Morgan Freeman part was quite moving.

I do not want to give too much away but the part with Don Cheadle was pretty...I do not want to say funny but it was surely ironic. He was told that his ancestors were slaves even after the Civil War...they were owned by Chickasaw Indians, not white Southerners. Emancipation did not apply to them and they remained slaves for several extra years since the Chickasaw were not American citizens and therefore not bound by the same laws. He was shocked that the only other group with the messed-up treatment of African-Americans in this country were the Native Americans and even they were screwing his people over! Talk about irony! I never knew that Indians owned slaves out west so that was a great learning experience for me too.

You should try to catch the show if it comes back on. I am going to provide some links to the shows' web site and a You Tube video preview that you can watch. If you get to see the whole show one day, let me know what you thought.

• African American Lives
• African American Lives 2
  

Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel of Gordonsville

It has been ten days since I last posted anything. You probably thought that I was dead since I have been really good about posting daily as of late. I am still alive but I have been in New York on business and the Holiday Inn that I stayed in did not have Wi-Fi! I think it was supposed to have it but the darn thing was not working during the entire time. It was a pain in some ways but a nice vacation in others.

Tonight we went to the Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel in Gordonsville of Orange County. The hotel was built in 1860 and served both the Virginia Central Railroad and the Alexandria Railroad. The main purpose of the hotel was short-lived as it became the Gordonsville Receiving Hospital during the Civil War, caring for nearly 70,000 soldiers by the end of the war. Amazingly only about one percent of these soldiers died at the hospital, around 700 in all. They were originally buried on the grounds but later moved - Confederate soldiers were moved to Maplewood Cemetery and Union soldiers to the national cemetery in Culpeper.

After the war, the Exchange became a Freedman's Bureau Hospital and later returned to use as a hotel. It has now been restored as a museum and historical society of sorts. I did not get to spend much time looking at their collections but the museum seems to have a large reading room with old maps, newspapers and hospital records pertaining to the hospital, hotel, town and county. I imagine if you visited during normal hours, you would be able to view their holdings. They also had a large collection of Civil War-related books and a gift shop.

The reason we went to the Exchange tonight was for a ghost tour, in honor of Halloween. This was their eighth annual tour, taking place on October 24th and 25th. It cost $12 for myself, my wife and our two young children. They gave us free cider and coco plus cookies for the kids. The tour took us through the top two floors of the building, with reenactors in each room. They tried to reenact the death scenes of people who died in the hotel and supposedly now haunt the grounds.

Overall it was okay. I mean, they only do this two nights per year so you cannot set the bar too high. It is probably a major fundraiser for the museum so I can definitely support that. If you are looking for a haunted house or a true ghost tour, this would not have been for you. I mean, if the place was haunted you would never know it with all of the reenactors stomping around. Again, not that anything was wrong, it just was not a ghost tour as much as a history lesson about hospital life and death during the Civil War.

In looking at the museum's website, I did notice that they have a list of the dead. I do not know how complete it is but you can view it by clicking here.

And, just in case you were wondering, I did not see any ghosts. I even got to spend a little quite time in one of the rooms...alone. I was in there for about ten minutes and even tried to provoke any spirits that might have been there. I watch Ghost Hunters on SciFi...I know the deal. I asked them to please make their presence known, to give me some small sign. Once that did not work, I tried to be a little more aggressive and tick off anything that might be there (but again to no avail). If there are any ghosts at the Exchange Hotel, they must have taken the night off.

Virginia Cemetery Transcription Project Update

This update has been a long time coming. I have finally added some records to what I was calling my "Oakwood Cemetery" database. There are now about 500 total entries, including a small amount of Civil War burials. All of the records included at this time are burials in Richmond's Oakwood Cemetery. However, that is about to change.

I have decided to expand the database to include all burials of Virginia, not just Oakwood. This will allow me to add other burial records that I find without creating new databases. I will simply add a "cemetery name" field to the current database that will call out the specific cemetery for that record.

You can find a search box for this database at the very bottom of any page on this site. It is a pretty simple database but should become more and more useful as I add names. I hope to add a few hundred more tomorrow but we will see how it goes. I have got the data entry system set up nicely but I just have to find the time to go view the records.

Most of the names I added today were posted on the blog before I just added them to the database with the rest. The new additions are as follows, all being Civil War burials.

Aaron Milton J. Co. D, 15th Georgia
Avaunt J. H. Co. D, 17th Georgia
Alman George Co. I, 15th Georgia
Adams J. H. Co. E., 14th Alabama
Adams A. D. Co. H, 15th Georgia
Abraham James Co. G, 14th Alabama
Altman J. Co. E, 20th Georgia
Adams C. T. Co. A, 11th Alabama
Atman J.
Amans Andrew Co. B, 9th Louisiana
Adams J. S. Co. A, 38th Virginia
Adams Giles Allen's Battalion
Abrams Samuel Co. G, 14th Alabama
Adams E. B. Co. E, 5th Louisiana
Adams J. H. Co. E, 53rd Georgia
Adams W. G. Co. G, 49th Georgia
All T. D. Baltimore
Adams M.
Adams G. W. Co. C, 16th Virginia
Adams S. N. Co. K, 12th Alabama
Adams Jos. C. Co. H, 6th South Carolina
Altra J. (Bot) Co. H, 11th Georgia
Adams E. W. Co. A., 28th North Carolina
Adams M. N. 10th Georgia
Adams J. H. Co. K, 12th Virginia
Absas T. A. 10th Georgia
Adams W. B. Co. I, 57th North Carolina
Adams J. R. 24th Virginia
Adams J. H. Co. A, 44th Alabama
Adams V. R. Co. H, 2nd Florida
Adams M. Co. H, 16th Mississippi
Allen R. H. Co. E, 10th Battalion Virginia
Adams J. M. Co. F, 11th Mississippi
Alband W. H. Co. B, 2nd Maryland

I was told by a reader that these names were taken from old wooden grave markers. These markers are long gone but that explains why a lot of graves are unknown. When the names were recorded, if the wooden marker was missing, damaged or non-existent, there was no way to record the burial.

Brunswick County Civil War & Cemeteries

I received a helpful e-mail the other day about Brunswick County but I have been out of town and have not had time to respond. I thought about summarizing the e-mail here but, it was written so eloquently, I decided to post it directly.

"Hi Kevin -

I've been looking over your blog and have subscribed to feedburner RSS feed. There are a few resources you have pointed out that I did not know about for online research. Thanks for taking the time to do that.

I noticed that William Lett lived in the Brunswick County, VA, and just wanted to mention that there are a few companion websites for the book Civil War Soldiers of Brunswick County, Virginia that you may be interested in. The first is http://www.virginians.com which is run by the son and editor of the original author of the book, Dr. William M. Pritchett. I've found the book an excellent jumping off point for immediate information about the majority of residents during the early, mid, and late 19th century in Brunswick County, VA.

The second...associated site is http://www.brunswickcemeteries.org . This site has done a wonderful job of detailing the public, church, and family owned cemeteries, many with photos and the majority with dates of birth and death.

Keep up the good work.

Keith Kirkland"

Thanks Keith! I always appreciate when readers send in new resources. I knew about the Virginians site but not specifically about the Civil War book and I have never seen that cemetery site. I am going to add the cemetery link to my main Links section, for future reference.

For more information, click here to see the related book at Amazon:

Civil War soldiers from Brunswick County, Virginia

College Cemetery, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This cemetery is located in old campus between Blow, Monroe and Tyler Halls off Richmond Road. It is ivy-covered and surrounded with a finely crafted, knee-high brick wall in the colonial style. It bears the following inscription:

This wall has been erected in memory of Col. Benjamin Stoddert Ewell President of the College of William and Mary 1854-1888.

There are three graves in the cemetery but there is room for several more.

The tombstone of Lucian Minor is a very tall marble obelisk inscribed on four surfaces. They are as follows:

Lucian Minor
Born in Louisa County, VA
April 24th 1802
Died July 8th 1858

In Williamsburg where, he discharged his duties, as professor of Law in William and Mary with Diligence and Success.

The Sons of Temperance of Virginia in honor of his exalted worth as a man, a Scholar and a Christian, his early, Consistent and able support of Temperance, have erected this monument to their departed brother and P. G. W. A. Lucian Minor, useful in life “his works do follow him.”

“Engrave his virtues on the tablets of enduring memory, that you may learn to imitate them.”

Love for his race; Purity of purpose: and Fidelity to every obligation, distinguished him in all the relations of life. We would cherish his memory, honor his name, and imitate his example.

The stone of Benjamin Ewell is granite and about four feet tall by three feet wide.

Benjamin Stoddert Ewell
1810 - 1894

President of William and Mary 1854 - 1888. Colonel Thirty-Second Regiment Virginia Volunteers CSA. The Reopening of the College in 1865 was due to his courage and Fidelity by Ringing the bell during the silent years from 1881 to 1888 when the college was closed he preserved its charter.

The grave of Thomas Snead is marked with both a headstone and footstone. The main stone is about three and a half feet tall by three feet wide and is of sandstone. Its inscription is becoming hard to read and required a rubbing to get some of the information. The footstone bears the initials T. T. L. S. It is a smaller version of the headstone.

In memory of
Capt. Thomas T. L. Snead
son of
Henrietta & George Snead
Born in Accomac County
March 20th 1832
Died in Williamsburg
July 3, 1872

From 1852 till his death he was connected with the College of William and Mary as Student and Professor. A brave defender of VA’s Rights, an approved instructor, an accomplished mathematician, he enjoyed the esteem and love of the community in which he so long lived and labored.

Benjamin Thomas and Louisa Spain Lawson of Mecklenburg County

Benjamin Thomas Lawson was the son of William Lawson and Martha A. Graves[1, 2]. He was born on 23 Dec 1824 in Charlotte County, Virginia[3, 4]. He died on 06 Jul 1903 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia[3, 5]. Burial in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia (Lawson family cemetery)[3].

Benjamin was probably born in Charlotte County but little is known about his childhood. He was married to Louisa Spain by Elder John B. Smith of Sandy Creek Baptist Church. Their marriage bond was issued in Mecklenburg County but Sandy Creek was in Charlotte.

Benjamin and Louisa made their home in Mecklenburg. He purchased a 130-acre farm on the Barnesville and Boydton road, known as the "Cicero Coleman" tract. As an interesting twist, Cicero was my ancestor from another line and died during the Civil War. Benjamin later bought a three-acre lot on the north side of the same road.

This Lawson union produced ten children, all but two of whom died before their mother. There were seven boys and three girls including: William R., Richard (who died young), John Robert, James Edward "Jimmy", Charles R., Cephas O., Walter T., Mary Elizabeth who married John Haley Stegall of North Carolina, Anna "Annie" L. married Fleming Gardner/Garner and Emma "Emmie" Virginia who married Robert Bailey Fitz.

Benjamin, Louisa and many of their children are buried in the Lawson family cemetery, near their old home place. The cemetery is well maintained and there are an abundance of tombstones. It is located on Lawson Road, not too far from the town of Chase City. The cemetery is easy to find as there is a "Lawson Cemetery" sign pointing in its direction.

After Benjamin's death, his son Cephas took on the task of administering the estate. Cephas gathered up all of the cash on hand and placed it in a bank for safe keeping. Cephas died and Louisa began to draw interest off of the money...until the bank failed. There was a small squabble amongst the Lawson descendants because Cephas should not have deposited the money to begin with. In the end, Cephas and Louisa were forgiven by the family of any wrong doing and the remaining cash was distributed. It was acknowledged that he was acting in the best interest of the estate and under the advice of council.

Louisa J. Spain was the daughter of Royall Spain and Tabitha Harris[6, 7]. She was born on 24 Sep 1831 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia[3, 8]. She died on 14 May 1920 in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia[9]. Burial on 15 May 1920 in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia (Lawson family cemetery)[9, 3]. Cause of Death was embolism - sudden death; arteriosclerosis of arteries and veins[9].

Louisa, whose middle name was probably Jane, spent her entire life in Mecklenburg County. Her mother died while she was very young and was thereafter raised by her stepmother. Louisa's education is in question. It appears that she may have been able to read but possibly not write.

After the death of her husband, Louisa lived in a log cabin before moving in with her daughter, Emmie Fitz of Chase City. The cabin was located to the right of the Lawson cemetery but has since been moved and subsequently burned.

Louisa had the sad distinction of outliving eight of her ten children.

Benjamin Thomas Lawson and Louisa J. Spain. They were married Abt. 02 Sep 1846 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia[6].

Sources

1. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005), Database online. Blue Stone, Mecklenburg, Virginia, ED 142, roll T9_1377, page 76.4000, image .Record for Thomas B. Lawson.
2. Mecklenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 42, 1878-1879, Pettus to Lawson, 511-512.
3. Lawson family cemetery, Lawson Road, near Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, B. T. and L. J. Lawson tombstone.
4. Commonwealth of Virginia certificate of death (Bureau of Vital Statistics), Walter Thomas Lawson, 1938, 1698-28523.
5. Local Government Records Collection, Mecklenburg County, Virginia Chancery Causes, 1783-1941 (Richmond, Virginia: The Library of Virginia), Admr. of B. T. Lawson v. Admr. of C. O. Lawson, etc., 1911-075 CC.
6. Katherine B. Elliott, Marriage Records 1811-1853, Mecklenburg County, Virginia (South Hill: Prestwould Chapter DAR, 1962), 104.
7. Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online. Gregorys Store, Mecklenburg, Virginia, ED 42, roll T623 1717, page 6A.Record for Thomas B Lawson.
8. Commonwealth of Virginia certificate of death (Bureau of Vital Statistics), James Edward Lawson, 1918, 364-6094.
9. Commonwealth of Virginia certificate of death (Bureau of Vital Statistics), Mrs. Loisa Lawson, 1920, 526-13486.

Thanks to June Chambliss, James and Vicky Lawson for the photo of Louisa!

Images of the American Civil War: Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera, Free Until July 31, 2008

One of my cousins wrote me this morning to let me know about a collection of Civil War images online that is giving away free access until July 31, 2008.

According to their website:

"Images of the American Civil War: Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera presents the dramatic imagery of nineteenth-century Americana as experienced from the social, military, and political perspectives. At completion, the collection will present 75,000 images drawn from archives around the country, documenting the camp and battle experiences of Union and Confederate soldiers of all ranks, time spent in hospitals and in prisons, civilian life in cities and towns close to and far from the front lines of war, and the demeanor of the politicians whose decisions could bring the nation together or tear it apart. Many of the images in the collection were captured by famous and lesser-known innovators working with the burgeoning medium of nineteenth-century photography. Additionally, graphical content such as envelopes, song sheets, recruiting posters, imprints, and cartoons give users the ability to research how wartime America illustrated their times visually. With Images of the American Civil War: Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera, researchers and students can now see the moments—both monumental and mundane--that occurred as the nation stood divided.

Regular updates of Images of the American Civil War: Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera ensure an ever-expanding trove of fully-searchable images. Most of the materials have been gathered from extensive archives of nineteenth-century Americana. Partnerships with these archives allow the collection to bring forth previously unpublished photographs and posters to further scholarship of the Civil War. All images are organized around key broad subject areas in the field, allowing users to proceed directly to visual narratives of social, political, and military aspects of the war. Additionally, each image contains a short contextual note and is indexed for available data such as photographer, year, and setting. The result is a widely searchable database that gives researches unprecedented access to the highly visual record of the Civil War experience.

Note: The current release of Images of the American Civil War is a beta version."

You can view the collection here: Images of the American Civil War: Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera

Hanover County Confederate Civil War memorial, including surnames of soldiers

I drove to Ashland in Hanover County and decided to swing by the courthouse and take photos of their Civil War memorial. I have several relatives that are named on the monument, including my great-great-grandfather, Joseph A. Vass. After taking the photos, I decided to transcribe all of the last names onto the blog. I will also include photos of all sides of the monument.

I am only including last names, not the initials for given and middle names. I am also not including anything about rank or information about injury or death. All of these items are mentioned on the actual monument. If you see a surname of interest, you can look at the photos for more information. The monument has names on all four sides so you should check all of the photos.

The monument reads:

Hanover to her Confederate soldiers and to her noble women who loved them, 1861-65

Units included on the monument are as follows:

• Hanover Troop, Company G, 4th Virginia Cavalry
• Morris' Artillery, Coleman's, Page's, Montgomery's Battery Artillery
• Hanover Artillery, Nelson's
• Ashland Artillery, Woolfolk's
• 15th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company C, Patrick Henry Rifles
• 15th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company E, Ashland Grays
• 15th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company I, Hanover Grays
• 56th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company K, Harrison's Guards
• Other

As a note, a star on the photos means killed. An arrow means wounded and a cross means that the person died in service.

There were 379 different surnames on the monument and are as follows:


Acree, Adams, Alexander, Allen, Allison, Anderson, Andrew, Anthony, Armstrong, Arnold, Atkins, Atkinson, Bailey, Baker, Banker, Barker, Barley, Barnett, Barrett, Bartlett, Basket, Batkins, Baughan, Beadles, Beale, Benson, Berkeley, Binford, Blackburn, Blackwell, Blake, Blanton, Blaylock, Blunt, Bourne, Bowe, Bowles, Boyd, Bridges, Brock, Brooks, Brown, Browning, Broyles, Bryce, Buchanan, Buckley, Bullock, Bumpass, Burch, Burnett, Burton, Butler, Cardwell, Carlton, Carpenter, Carter, Carver, Cason, Catlin, Cauthorn, Chadwick, Chandler, Chapman, Chewning, Childress, Chisholm, Christian, Christmas, Clarke, Clopton, Cocke, Coleman, Collins, Connor, Cook, Cooke, Corbin, Corker, Corr, Cosby, Cottrell, Cox, Crenshaw, Crew, Cross, Crump, Crutchfield, Curtis, Dabney, Daniels, Darracott, Davidson, Davis, Day, Deitrick, Dick, Dickinson, Donahoe, Doswell, Duke, Dunn, Dunn, Durvin, Dyson, Earnest, Eddleton, Edwards, Ellerson, Ellett, Ellis, Elmer, England, Estes, Eubank, Farloin, Farmer, Fields, Finn, Fleming, Flippo, Fontaine, Ford, Foster, Francis, Frazier, Furry, Gaines, Gardner, Garnett, Garthright, Gary, Gary, Gayle, Gentry, Gibson, Gillespie, Gilman, Gilson, Glass, Glazebrook, Glenn, Glinn, Goodall, Goodman, Gouldin, Govers, Graves, Green, Green, Griffin, Grimes, Grogan, Grubbs, Grymes, Gwathmey, Haines, Hall, Hancock, Hanna, Hardgrove, Hardin, Hargrove, Harlow, Harper, Harris, Harrison, Hart, Harwood, Haw, Hazelgrove, Heath, Hendrick, Higgins, Higginson, Hill, Hogan, Holdman, Holloway, Hooper, Hope, Horne, Hoskins, Hott, Howle, Hudgins, Huffman, Hughes, Hundley, Ingram, Irby, Isbell, Jackson, James, Jarvis, Jeffries, Jenkins, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Keen, Kelley, Kent, Kersey, Kimborough, Kimbrough, King, Korb, Lain, Lambert, Lane, Lawrence, Layne, Leadbetter, Leitch, Lipscomb, Lively, Livesay, Long, Longan, Loving, Lowry, Luck, Lumpkin, Maddox, Madison, Mallory, Mantlo, Marks, Marshall, Martin, Mason, Massie, McAllister, McDaniel, McDowell, McGee, McGhee, McGregor, McMurdo, Melton, Meredith, Mettert, Middlebrooks, Miller, Mills, Minor, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moody, Moore, Moran, Morris, Mosby, Motley, Murphy, Nash, Nelson, Newton, Noel, Noland, Normant, Norment, Nuckols, Nunnaly, O'Brien, Oliver, Otey, Owens, Page, Parrish, Parsley, Pate, Patman, Patterson, Payne, Peace, Penn, Perkins, Perrin, Perry, Phillips, Pleasants, Poindexter, Pollard, Price, Priddy, Prior, Puller, Pulliam, Puryear, Ragland, Redd, Reynolds, Rice, Richardson, Ronquist, Rowzey, Ruffin, Sacra, Sadler, Saunders, Shelburne, Shelton, Short, Sims, Sitman, Sizer, Slaughter, Smith, Snead, Southard, Southward, Southworth, Spencer, Spicer, Spinlde, Stanley, Starke, Stewart, Stone, Stringfellow, Strong,, Sullens, Sullivan, Sutton, Swift, Sydnor, Taliaferro, Talley, Tate, Taylor, Temple, Terrell, Terry, Terry, Thacker, Thomas, Thompson, Thornton, Tiller, Timberlake, Tinsley, Toler, Tomkies, Tomlin, Travers, Trevillian, Truel, Trueman, Tucker, Turner, Tyler, Vass, Vaughan, Via, Wade, Waid, Waldrop, Warren, Wash, West, Wheat, White, Wicker, Wickham, Wilkinson, Williamson, Wiltshire, Wingfield, Winn, Winston, Wood, Woodson, Woody, Woolfolk, Wright, Wyatt, Yarborough

Henry & Lucy Jackson Hailey Vass of Spotsylvania, Caroline & Hanover

Henry was probably born in Spotsylvania County at the turn of the nineteenth century. He was not well educated and never learned to read or write. He and Lucy were married by pastor John Billingsley of Massaponax Baptist Church, located to the south of Fredericksburg and east of the county courthouse. The church was founded in 1788 and is still active, although in a newer building and location.

During their marriage, Henry and Lucy had at least nine children. They had three daughters; Elizabeth J. Vass, Rachel A. Vass and Mary Frances Vass Taylor. They also had six sons; Benjamin W., John W., Henry Jackson Clay, Thomas Josiah, James Philip and Joseph A. Vass. Several of the boys served during the Civil War and their names appear on the Confederate monument at Hanover Courthouse.

Henry and Lucy purchased a one hundred and fifty acre farm from Thomas and Elizabeth Duerson in November of 1837 for $450. It was located in Spotsylvania, beside the farm of Lucy's father, John Hailey. The Vasses sold the property to Boswell S. Fleming for five hundred dollars in December of 1849, shortly after their move to Caroline County.

Henry and Lucy lived in Caroline, a county adjoining Spotsylvania to its south, for nearly twenty years. Henry and a few slaves farmed their land while he also managed farms for other families in the area. They eventually moved to Ashland of Hanover County where Henry continued to work in farming.

The Vass home in Ashland was located on present-day Maple Street between Route 1 and Ashcake Road, near the modern Ashland Christian Center. The home no longer exists and locals do not know of any family cemetery in the area.

Considering the time of their deaths, it is likely that Henry and Lucy were buried in Woodland Cemetery near Ashland. Early burials of the cemetery were not well documented and there are many unmarked graves. A large number of their descendants are buried in this graveyard, including at least three of their children.

_______________________________

Henry Vass was born between 1798–1799 in Virginia and died after June 1860.

Lucy Jackson Hailey Vass was born between 1804–1805 in Virginia died on June 15, 1878 in Hanover County. She was a member of the Baptist church for more than fifty years.

Civil War Maps of Jeremy Francis Gilmer

A little-known resource from the Civil War era are the Gilmer Maps. Jeremy Francis Gilmer was was the Confederate Chief of Engineers. He made extremely detailed maps of various Confederate counties and cities, especially those in Virginia. I have always known about the collection of maps at the Virginia Historical Society. The VHS is pretty protective of them but offer to sell you copies. They also restrict your ability to reproduce and use the images.

The major importance of using Gilmer maps for genealogy is that they show the layout of farms, homes, trees, streams, railroads and even give the name of a homeowner. You can cross-reference the 1860 and 1870 censuses and figure out where your ancestors lived. (You can also use land tax records). I have found a lot of my people on these maps. In the above example, you will see a Dr. Lett and a J. Lett (where Lett looks like Bell). Dr. Lett is a cousin and J. Lett was my great-great-great-grandfather.

Examples of Gilmer maps can be seen here:

Charlotte County
Lunenburg County
Mecklenburg County

I recently discovered another batch of Gilmer maps, available online for free. They are housed at the UNC University (Wilson) Library, obviously in North Carolina. Below you will find links to the available online maps and to the greater Gilmer papers collection. I have not had time to browse all of the papers, or even all of the maps, so if you find anything interesting, please let us know.

Gilmer Civil War Maps Collection (online)
Inventory of the Jeremy Francis Gilmer Papers, 1839-1894

John Philip Brock of Germany & Hanover County, Virginia

Many records of Hanover County, Virginia were destroyed by fire during the Civil War. Therefore wills are difficult to locate for the time period before 1865. I did find a copy of John P. Brock's will amongst the papers of his grandson, Robert Alonzo Brock. Robert was Secretary of the Virginia Historical Society and amassed the largest personal collection of Virginia-related documents know to exist. After Robert's death, the papers were auctioned off and purchased by the Huntington Library in California. I found a photocopy of John P. Brock's will on file at the Library of Virginia. However, further reproductions were restricted since Huntington owns the rights.

John's will states that he was a resident of Hanover County and was "at present in my usual health and [of] perfect mind and memory." He asked that his body be decently buried and that all of his just debts be paid. John then made a provision for his three under-age sons named Philip Stafford, William and Ro. King Brock, at his own death or at the time they turned twenty-one, should each be paid $20 to be equal with his other children. If John died before any of his children were twenty-one, he order that all livestock, household and kitchen furniture be sold for their upkeep and all of the slaves [should be rented out]. After all of the children reached twenty-one, all of the land and slaves were to be sold and the money split amongst his children, namely his sons Jno. C., Henry, Philip Stafford, William and Ro. King Brock and his daughters Nancy Gilman and Catharine Willis. Jno. C. and Henry Brock were left in charge of their sister's inheritances. They were instructed that if a daughter died without heir, the money reverted to the other children. Their husbands, M. Gilman and Jessee Willis, were to have no control or access to the Brock girl's inheritances. As a special bequest, Catharine Willis was to receive a slave girl named Eliza as part of her inheritance. John named his sons Jno. C. and Henry Brock as his executors. The will was signed and dated January 23, 1817 and bore the signature of "John P. Brock." Susannah, Susannah S. and Peter W. Littlepage were John's witnesses. The will was probated on November 26, 1823 in Hanover County. Jno C. and Henry Brock were named executors with Susannah Littlepage and Susannah S. Durham (nee Littlepage) giving their oaths.

John's estate in Hanover County was known as "Brock Spring" and still exists to date on Old Telegraph Road. There is a family cemetery, with rights retained by the family. I have not been to the site but it supposedly has graves for Rose Arlington Brock Tomlinson, Asbury Watson Brock, Martha Ann Carter Brock, Edward Watson Brock, William Synton Brock, John Christian Brock, Lucy G. Wingfield Brock, Wesley M. Brock, Jane Eliza Tinsley Brock, John P. Brock, John Philip Brock and Elizabeth King Brock. Most of the graves are unmarked.

Drewry's Bluff, Richmond National Battlefield

I have been a little slow with posting lately. I have been playing with my wife's video camera and have not had much luck yet. There is something wrong with the battery so I cannot get it to record the video entries that I want to make. I have not given up on it yet so keep an eye out for videos coming soon.

We went to the Chesterfield Berry Farm today and picked strawberries. We ride out there twice each year, once for strawberries and once for pumpkins. It is a long drive but we always have a good time. They have good barbecue and beans so that alone makes it worth the trip!


I was going through some old pictures tonight and came across some that we took in July of 2003 at Drewry's Bluff, part of the Richmond National Battlefield. It was a major defensive position for the Confederates, being along a critical bend in the James River. There was an earthworks, a barracks and three large artillery guns to shoot at Union vessels.

I do not pretend to be an expert on the site. My main interest is that my wife's ancestor, Ansalem Clemens / Clemmens / Clements / Clemments / Clemons / Clemmons / Clemans / Clemmans ... you get the idea, well he supposedly died at that site. Family legend (and his wife's pension application) says that he was killed in battle on May 15, 1862 at Drewry's Bluff. My wife and I, she being seen in this photo aiming a large gun, went to the site to check it out. It is quite secluded, well back into the woods, and is not well travelled. We never saw another person for the two hours or so we were there.


The Richmond Dispatch from May 19, 1862 stated that "Bowyer’s battery, from Botetourt county, lost one man killed – George Clements – and three wounded." The name is not right but Ansalem was from Botetourt County and he was serving in their artillery unit.

To give you a little background, only days before this battle, the city of Norfolk had fallen to Union forces and the Confederates made a stand against the Union Navy, right here at the Bluff. They were able to hold off the Yankees, only a few miles from the Confederate capital!

We know that Ansalem died in this time period from estate records from Boteourt County, Virginia. Ansalem left $475 in the bank at Buchanan, Virginia. His wife was given one third, $107.89, and each of his ten children received $21.57. No mention was made of any funeral expenses. That leads me to believe that he was either buried on site or near by. I recently discovered that some of the Confederates that died at Drury's Bluff were buried at a church at Fort Darling.

I found this photo on the Internet of Confederate graves at the church. Its source was cited as "View of Confederate Church at Fort Darling—Graves in the foreground—Entrance to the Fort on the right. Gardner Stereo #1069. William Frank Browne - photographer. Negative at Library of Congress (LC-B815-1135)." The site I "borrowed" my copy from is a great source for Richmond Civil War history, you should check it out by clicking here: Civil War Richmond


In short, I am pretty sure that Ansalem was killed at Drury's Bluff when he was about sixty-years old. That sounds a little strange but not impossible. He was a stone mason by trade so perhaps his skills were used to help construct some of the structures at the site or maybe he was good at math and could help aim the artillery better. Who knows but his wife claims that he was there and the newspaper supports that a Clements died there during battle.




I want to go check out the site of this Confederate church but I have not made it over there yet. If anyone knows anything about the church or if it exists today, please share what you know with all of us.

Records of Woodland Cemetery of Ashland, Virginia

I just found out that Susan Tucker is the database administrator for Woodland Cemetery in Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia. Susan is a very nice lady and is documenting all graves in the cemetery. She is using burial records, ownership papers, any old notes she can find, local resident knowledge, tombstone inscriptions and is even probing for vaults with a metal rod.

There is also a document at the Library of Virginia called "Burial book, [Woodland Cemetery], Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia, 1862." It was recorded by Robert T. James and Bros., Robert being a carpenter and most likely the undertaker for there burials of Civil War soldier. There are 254 entries on 74 pages pertaining to men from Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas plus one "Yankee." The call number at the library would be 21743.

The grave pictured here is of my great-great-grandfather, Joseph A. Vass. He is in the oldest part of the cemetery in the bottom, right-hand corner. His dates are January 6, 1845 - January 8, 1888. It took years to find his grave and I just happened upon it in this cemetery - I had not idea he would be there. I honestly never expected to find his grave. I knew he was "buried out in the country" but that could have been anywhere. This was truly a great find!

General Lee Belongs to Richmond's History

Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 8, 1999:

"Editor, Times-Dispatch:
I opened my paper the other day to find the mural of General Robert E. Lee taken down at the site of the new canal project. The reason: Black residents felt offended. I for one am furious. I feel my heritage is being sacrificed to appease a few ill-educated individuals.

Robert E. Lee, along with many Confederate soldiers, was not a racist. They fought to protect their homes, their families, and their states' representation in Congress. With the Mississippi River set as a natural boundary to slavery, new states being admitted to the Union in the 1860s were predominantly free. This - not racism or a love of slavery - led to an imbalance of power that led to the secession of the Confederate states.

My ancestors were slaveholders in Mecklenburg County. My great-great-grandfather, along with several of his brothers and cousins, went to war to protect their beliefs. I do not agree with the institution of slavery. However, I can respect my ancestors for standing up for what they believed in, just as I can respect El-Amin for his views. However, why should the mural come down to please his desires but not stay up to please mine?

I do not make a practice of suppressing the African-Americas' heritage; why suppress mine? Perhaps put up a mural to represent black Civil War history, as well as Lee?

My heritage is equally important. If Lee does not go back up on that wall I will never spend one dime at the canal, and that is a promise.

Kevin Lett"

Virginia and West Virginia Record Availability

Many people want to know what types of records are available for Virginia genealogical research. Most Virginia counties and cities kept birth, marriage and death records from 1853 until 1896 and from 1912 until the present. Many records before 1853 exist but no law actually required that they be kept. Wills, deeds, directories, newspapers, marriage bonds, order books and many additional records may be available, dating well into the 1600s. You need to contact the Library of Virginia or local government for more information. Also note that due to privacy laws, public access is limited to state birth records between 1853 and 1896, marriage records from 1853 until 1956 and death records from 1853 until 1956.

Another frequent question involves West Virginia and its records. During the Civil War, West Virginia broke off from the Commonwealth of Virginia and became an official state in 1863. Local county governments maintained possession of their records. Therefore, West Virginia records are maintained in modern-day West Virginia. The Virginia state archives has copies of many pre-1863 West Virginia records in both microfilm and book format. However, most records after 1863 have to be obtained from the actual state of West Virginia.