I'm on a roll with researching varying Civil War ancestors in my family tree. Today I'm looking at David R. Allen, one of my 4th Great Grandfathers. He is my ancestor through my maternal grandfather, Berney Jack Thomason's line.
David Richmond Allen was born about 1817 in Georgia. I've not verified his parents yet. Some researchers have his parents as William A. Allen and Sara Thomason, but I have not been able to make that connection just yet.
David married Nancy Mayo (daughter of Elisha Mayo & Kiziah Thrower) 12 Dec 1838 in Walton County, Georgia.
David and Nancy had the following known children:
1) Lucinda Francis Allen (1841-1925) *my 3rd great grandmother
2) John D. Allen (1842-1844)
3) William Elisha Allen (1844-1914)
4) Sarah Milissa Allen (1847-1915)
5) James Austin Allen (1850-1925)
6) Lewis Allen (1851-1852)
7) David A. Allen (1851- )
8) Ambrose Allen (1853-1905)
9) Kizzie Jane Allen (1855-1927)
David Allen was a farmer in Walton County Georgia. Along came the Civil War and on 16 Sep 1861 he enlisted to serve 3 years or the length of the war. He became a Private of Capt J.P. Wilkinson's Company G of the 35th Rgt. His Certificate of Disability for Discharge states he was born in Morgan County (but other Civil War records indicate Walton County; Monroe County; Walnut Grove (which is in Walton County and the county seat is Monroe). Because of the discrepancies I do not know exactly where he was born and to whom.
David was discharged due to disability on 25 July 1862. It states that he is 45 years of age, 5ft 9in tall, dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. His occupation is farmer.
During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty ____ days. Below it states "His disease originated from exposure while on duty March 6th 1862 and has not been able for duty since."
The surgeon wrote the following, "a serious affection of the legs, the result of a burn of seven years standing which renders him incapable of marching or _?__unreadable___ duty. I therefore recommend his discharge."
The sad part is that David was discharged on July 25, 1862 but never made it home. He died in the Confederate hospital in Augusta on 28 July 1862. He is buried in Augusta, Georgia. Even though according to the information at the cemetery, he was not a Capt, but a Private. The Civil War documents including his wife's application for Widow pension also states he was a Private.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
#3 of 52...Levi "Doc" Marlow
I have another 3rd Great Grandfather that served in the Civil War and was taken prisoner. I have also seen a photograph of him. That Great Grandfather is Levi Marlow born in Virginia 30 Aug 1833 in what would later become Ohio County, West Virginia. He is related to me through my paternal grandfather's maternal side.
Joseph Marlow and Margaret Allen Marlow had the following children that I am aware of.
Levi was nicknamed Doc, but I'm not sure why. I've not heard a story yet that explains why. He married Youarkee Catherine"Kate" Lowers 21 Jun 1860.
Levi and Youarkee (what a cool name, right?) had the following known children.
Joseph Marlow and Margaret Allen Marlow had the following children that I am aware of.
- Levi (1833-1907) * My 3rd great grandfather
- Sarah (1840-1904)
- Mary (1843-1877)
- Joseph M (1847- )
- David B (1849- )
Levi was nicknamed Doc, but I'm not sure why. I've not heard a story yet that explains why. He married Youarkee Catherine"Kate" Lowers 21 Jun 1860.
 |
| Levi "Doc" Marlow, unknown date. This is a cropped version of the original. The original features Levi as well as Kate and a daughter-in-law. Original photo owned by Kathleen Chapman. |
Levi and Youarkee (what a cool name, right?) had the following known children.
- Benjamin Franklin (1860-1927)
- Levi Newton (1867-1940)
- Lewis Napoleon (1869-1953)
- Ella Catherine (1871-1947)
- Shelton (1874-1877)
- Floyd Leroy (1875-1950)
- George Monroe (1877-1954) *My 2nd great grandfather
- Earl Hardwick (1881-1952)
- Clara Viola (1883-1887)
- Thomas J. D. ( -1861)
Now what about this Civil War thing I was talking about? I did some searching around on Ancestry.com and Fold3.com and found out that he enlisted as a Private under Capt Joseph R. Kessler's Company 3 Regt Calvary, Virginia State Line. That was disbanded and he became part of the 19th Reg't Virginia Calvary. He obtained the rank of Sgt. It was noted on one roll dated Oct 15, 186_ that he had one horse.
Noted on Company Muster Roll dated 31 Aug 1864 under Remarks: "Captured by the enemy March 1st, 1864. Has since taken the oath to the Yankee Government, date unknown".
From that statement it seems he was taken prisoner the end of Aug 1864. The next document contains the following information.
Levi Marlow
Sgt, Co C. 19 Rgt Va Cav CSA
appears on a list of prisoners confined in Military Prison at Wheeling, VA (also known as Atheneum Prison).
April 4/64
Age 30 years; height, 5ft 8 in. Complexion fair; eyes blue; hair dark Occupation Farmer
Residence, Wood, WVa
Arrested: By whom: Capt Kennady
Where: Jackson Co WVa
Date: March 29, 1864
Remarks: Sent to Camp Chase May 10/64
 |
| fold3.com |
Oct 4, 1864 Levi is released after signing an Oath of Allegiance to the US at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Levi was at Camp Chase for about 5 months before being released.
I've never heard any stories about this grandfather; he didn't have too far to go to get back home as Ohio is close to Western Virginia; but I imagine having spent time as a prisoner is never a picnic.
Levi went on to live his life as a farmer in Wood County, West Virginia. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Walker.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
#2 of 52...William Lewis Thomason
William Lewis Thomason
(1835-1912)
William Lewis Thomason is one of my 3rd Great-grandfathers on my mother's side. I grew up seeing a portrait of him on the wall at my grandfather, Jack Thomason's house. I have a photo of that portrait somewhere, but I can't seem to find it now. I'll have to do a search for it and place it here once I locate it.
I had heard the story of how William L. Thomason was in the Civil War and that he was captured and help prisoner up North by the Yankees and when the war was finally over he walked all the way back to Georgia from Illinois barefoot. What a fascinating story to hear, right?
As I began doing more research on this man, I come to find out that there was a lot of truth to that story. But I'll get to that in a minute.
William Lewis Thomason was born 26 March 1835 in Walton County, Georgia to parents Martin Thomason and Dicy Dial. He was one of six known children of the couple.
William married Lucinda Francis Allen in Walton County, Georgia on 22 April 1857. (I've also seen her name as Francis Lucinda; I do not know for certain which order her name goes). Together they had the following known children. There was one more child born, but must have died young. Lucinda Francis indicates in two different census records that she is the mother of 7 children.
1) John William Franklin Thomason (1859-1886)
2) James David Thomason (1867-1937) *my Great Great Grandfather
3) Lewis Evrit Thomason (1869- )
4) Benjamin Martin Thomason (1871-1953)
5) Thomas A Thomason (1873-1911)
6) Nancy E. Thomason (1879- )
From all the census records it appears that William was a farmer or laborer his whole life. Now, what about that story about him being captured by the Yankees and walking back home to Georgia. I located a scan of his Georgia, Confederate Pension Application on Ancestry.com. He applied for indigent pension 11 July 1897. Below is a transcription of that record.
Questions for Applicant
State of Georgia,
Newton County
W.L. Thomason of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act approved December 15th, 1894, hereby submits his proofs, and after being duly sworn true answers to make the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:
1. What is your name and where do you reside?
W.L. Thomason. I live near Covington, Newton County, Georgia.
2. Where did you reside on January 1st 1894, and how long have you been a resident of this State?
I lived in Newton County-have lived in Georgia all my life.
3. When and where were you born?
March 25th, 1830 in Walton County, Georgia
4. When and in what company and regiment did you enlist or serve?
In July 1861, in Milton County in Company A, 5th Georgia Regiment
5. How long did you remain in such company and regiment?
Until the close of the war and remained in prison some time after the close of war
6. For how long a period did you discharge regular military duty?
Over 4 years.
7. When, where and under what circumstances where you discharged from service?
Was taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge, and was carried to Rock Island Illinois where remained in prison til after close of war.
8. What is your present occupation?
Farming
9. How much can you earn (gross) per annum by your own exertions of labor?
about half a living
10. What has been your occupation since 1865?
Farming
11. Upon which of the following ground do you base your application for pension. viz: first "age and poverty, "second "infirmity and poverty" or third "blindness and poverty"?
infirmity, blindness & poverty
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? If upon the third state whether you are totally blind and when and where you lost your sight?
I have not been able to make a support for myself in about two years. I have a heart and lung disease and my eyesight is very bad.
13. What property, effects or income do you posses and its gross value?
none, a pony- worth about 15 dollars
14. What property, effects or income did you posses in 1894, 1895 and 1896 and disposition, if any, did you make of same?
Had nothing else in those years except a cow which I traded for pony and a few ghoats about two years ago.
15. In what County did you reside during those years and what property did you then return for taxation?
In Newton County I think I returned a cow and maybe a few hogs, not at the time.
16. How were you supported during the years 1895 and 1896?
I did some work and my boys helped me, but they are all of age now.
17. How much did your support cost for each of those years, and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income?
Sixty or seventy dollar and I suppose contributed 20 or 25 dollar on my own labor I reckon.
18. What was your employment during 1895 and 1896? What pay did you receive in each year?
Farming. Received not pay but what I made.
19. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they a homestead?
I have a family consisting of my wife and one daughter. I have 4 boys all married but one. None of them own a homestead.
20. Are you receiving any pension, if so what amount and for what disability?
I am not receiving any pension.
dated 29th day of December 1896. It is marked with an x for his mark. (he could not read or write)
So there you have it. He says he was held prisoner at Rock Island, Illinois. I looked further and found his records at Fold3.com He was captured at Missionary Ridge 25 Nov 1863. he was sent to Louisville, Ky prison 7 Dec 1863 with remarks "for exchange". Then he was discharged to Rock Island, Illinois the same day. He entered Rock Island on 9 Dec 1863.
I contacted Rock Island and received the following print out from them regarding his time there.
From the highlighted portion you can see it says N L Thomason, but the N is a mistype and should be W. This is the transcription of the books they had there. As you read across you can see the date he was captured, the date he arrived at Rock Island and the date he was released.
Digging around further on fold3.com I found his Oath of Allegiance to the USA after being held captive and right after he was released. It is dated 22 June 1865. If you look at the writing across the document it says "Transportation to Covington Ga".
(1835-1912)
William Lewis Thomason is one of my 3rd Great-grandfathers on my mother's side. I grew up seeing a portrait of him on the wall at my grandfather, Jack Thomason's house. I have a photo of that portrait somewhere, but I can't seem to find it now. I'll have to do a search for it and place it here once I locate it.
I had heard the story of how William L. Thomason was in the Civil War and that he was captured and help prisoner up North by the Yankees and when the war was finally over he walked all the way back to Georgia from Illinois barefoot. What a fascinating story to hear, right?
As I began doing more research on this man, I come to find out that there was a lot of truth to that story. But I'll get to that in a minute.
William Lewis Thomason was born 26 March 1835 in Walton County, Georgia to parents Martin Thomason and Dicy Dial. He was one of six known children of the couple.
William married Lucinda Francis Allen in Walton County, Georgia on 22 April 1857. (I've also seen her name as Francis Lucinda; I do not know for certain which order her name goes). Together they had the following known children. There was one more child born, but must have died young. Lucinda Francis indicates in two different census records that she is the mother of 7 children.
1) John William Franklin Thomason (1859-1886)
2) James David Thomason (1867-1937) *my Great Great Grandfather
3) Lewis Evrit Thomason (1869- )
4) Benjamin Martin Thomason (1871-1953)
5) Thomas A Thomason (1873-1911)
6) Nancy E. Thomason (1879- )
From all the census records it appears that William was a farmer or laborer his whole life. Now, what about that story about him being captured by the Yankees and walking back home to Georgia. I located a scan of his Georgia, Confederate Pension Application on Ancestry.com. He applied for indigent pension 11 July 1897. Below is a transcription of that record.
Questions for Applicant
State of Georgia,
Newton County
W.L. Thomason of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act approved December 15th, 1894, hereby submits his proofs, and after being duly sworn true answers to make the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:
1. What is your name and where do you reside?
W.L. Thomason. I live near Covington, Newton County, Georgia.
2. Where did you reside on January 1st 1894, and how long have you been a resident of this State?
I lived in Newton County-have lived in Georgia all my life.
3. When and where were you born?
March 25th, 1830 in Walton County, Georgia
4. When and in what company and regiment did you enlist or serve?
In July 1861, in Milton County in Company A, 5th Georgia Regiment
5. How long did you remain in such company and regiment?
Until the close of the war and remained in prison some time after the close of war
6. For how long a period did you discharge regular military duty?
Over 4 years.
7. When, where and under what circumstances where you discharged from service?
Was taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge, and was carried to Rock Island Illinois where remained in prison til after close of war.
8. What is your present occupation?
Farming
9. How much can you earn (gross) per annum by your own exertions of labor?
about half a living
10. What has been your occupation since 1865?
Farming
11. Upon which of the following ground do you base your application for pension. viz: first "age and poverty, "second "infirmity and poverty" or third "blindness and poverty"?
infirmity, blindness & poverty
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? If upon the third state whether you are totally blind and when and where you lost your sight?
I have not been able to make a support for myself in about two years. I have a heart and lung disease and my eyesight is very bad.
13. What property, effects or income do you posses and its gross value?
none, a pony- worth about 15 dollars
14. What property, effects or income did you posses in 1894, 1895 and 1896 and disposition, if any, did you make of same?
Had nothing else in those years except a cow which I traded for pony and a few ghoats about two years ago.
15. In what County did you reside during those years and what property did you then return for taxation?
In Newton County I think I returned a cow and maybe a few hogs, not at the time.
16. How were you supported during the years 1895 and 1896?
I did some work and my boys helped me, but they are all of age now.
17. How much did your support cost for each of those years, and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income?
Sixty or seventy dollar and I suppose contributed 20 or 25 dollar on my own labor I reckon.
18. What was your employment during 1895 and 1896? What pay did you receive in each year?
Farming. Received not pay but what I made.
19. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they a homestead?
I have a family consisting of my wife and one daughter. I have 4 boys all married but one. None of them own a homestead.
20. Are you receiving any pension, if so what amount and for what disability?
I am not receiving any pension.
dated 29th day of December 1896. It is marked with an x for his mark. (he could not read or write)
So there you have it. He says he was held prisoner at Rock Island, Illinois. I looked further and found his records at Fold3.com He was captured at Missionary Ridge 25 Nov 1863. he was sent to Louisville, Ky prison 7 Dec 1863 with remarks "for exchange". Then he was discharged to Rock Island, Illinois the same day. He entered Rock Island on 9 Dec 1863.
I contacted Rock Island and received the following print out from them regarding his time there.
 |
| Excerpt of GA Regiments PDF--sent by James L. Jones, Archives Tech, Rock Island Arsenal Museum |
Digging around further on fold3.com I found his Oath of Allegiance to the USA after being held captive and right after he was released. It is dated 22 June 1865. If you look at the writing across the document it says "Transportation to Covington Ga".
 |
| http://www.fold3.com/document/55038618/ |
So he really was captured and held prisoner in Illinois. Did he walk home barefoot? Well, he likely did walk the long road home since the railroads were destroyed. Was he barefoot? I'm sure his shoes were worn out, if he had any.
That is part of the story of the life of my 3rd great grandfather, William Lewis Thomason.
William passed away 21 Dec 1912 at the age of 77 years old.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
#1 of 52: Terence Curran
Ancestor #1 Terence Curran
Terence Curran is the reason I started doing genealogy in the first place (well of course after the fact that my teacher asked us to make a small family tree). Terence is one of my immigrant ancestors as well as one of my brick walls. I was fascinated by this man that passed down the Curran name that was my maiden last name. I felt a connection to Ireland because of the knowledge that he was born there. Below is what I know about my 3rd Great Grandfather.
Terence Curran was born about 1828 in Ireland. He married Margaret McManus daughter of John and Mary McManus. Margaret was born in either Maryland or Pennsylvania July 1827. Her parents, John and Mary were from Ireland.
Terence and Margaret's first known child Ellen (Nellie) was born 1852 in Ritchie County, Virginia. I have not located Terence's immigration information. The earliest I have reliably found him in the United States is 1851-1852 based on his daughter's birth. I have not been able to determine when or where he and Margaret were married or how they managed to meet one another. He is in the 1860 Census with Margaret and the children. I have found a Terence Curran living in Cairo, IL in 1850 that is approximately the right age and working on the railroad, but I cannot verify that he is indeed my Terence.
Terence and Margaret had the following eight children:
Ellen (Nellie) (1852-1932)
Mary A Curran (1854- )
John M. Curran (1856-1921) *my direct ancestor
Catherine Curran (1858-1942)
Thomas J Curran (1860- )
Hugh Francis Curran (1862-1864)
William S Curran (1864-1940)
Edward Curran (1866-1939)
Terence first worked on the railroad (1860 Census) and then settled into farming (1870 Census) in Walker Township, Wood County, West Virginia. They were Catholic and attended mass at a mission church in Walker called The Church of the Holy Angels. Both Terence and Margaret are buried in the cemetery where this mission church was located. It's hidden away, up a trail and not maintained. Terence died Aug 1890. I have not been able to locate his death record.
I have seen the following derivatives of his name:
Terrance
Terence
Terrence
Terry
Curran
Curren
Currans
Currance
Kerns
Kern
Terence Curran is the reason I started doing genealogy in the first place (well of course after the fact that my teacher asked us to make a small family tree). Terence is one of my immigrant ancestors as well as one of my brick walls. I was fascinated by this man that passed down the Curran name that was my maiden last name. I felt a connection to Ireland because of the knowledge that he was born there. Below is what I know about my 3rd Great Grandfather.
Terence Curran was born about 1828 in Ireland. He married Margaret McManus daughter of John and Mary McManus. Margaret was born in either Maryland or Pennsylvania July 1827. Her parents, John and Mary were from Ireland.
Terence and Margaret's first known child Ellen (Nellie) was born 1852 in Ritchie County, Virginia. I have not located Terence's immigration information. The earliest I have reliably found him in the United States is 1851-1852 based on his daughter's birth. I have not been able to determine when or where he and Margaret were married or how they managed to meet one another. He is in the 1860 Census with Margaret and the children. I have found a Terence Curran living in Cairo, IL in 1850 that is approximately the right age and working on the railroad, but I cannot verify that he is indeed my Terence.
Terence and Margaret had the following eight children:
Ellen (Nellie) (1852-1932)
Mary A Curran (1854- )
John M. Curran (1856-1921) *my direct ancestor
Catherine Curran (1858-1942)
Thomas J Curran (1860- )
Hugh Francis Curran (1862-1864)
William S Curran (1864-1940)
Edward Curran (1866-1939)
Terence first worked on the railroad (1860 Census) and then settled into farming (1870 Census) in Walker Township, Wood County, West Virginia. They were Catholic and attended mass at a mission church in Walker called The Church of the Holy Angels. Both Terence and Margaret are buried in the cemetery where this mission church was located. It's hidden away, up a trail and not maintained. Terence died Aug 1890. I have not been able to locate his death record.
I have seen the following derivatives of his name:
Terrance
Terence
Terrence
Terry
Curran
Curren
Currans
Currance
Kerns
Kern
Thursday, January 1, 2015
52 Ancestors in 52 weeks...a challenge...an adventure in Genealogy
I discovered the blog "No Story Too Small" about two months ago and I have been enjoying reading the author's journey to write about 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. I decided that I would join in on the challenge for 2015. My hope is to write about 52 different Ancestors over the course of 2015. I cannot promise to be consistent and believe me, life will happen and get in the way of my research; but I am resolved to do my best to flesh out and bring some of my and my hubby's ancestors stories out to the world.
I plan on continuing Wordless Wednesdays with photos and 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on Tuesdays. If time permits I'll also add some musings on genealogy and research in general. I really want to knock down my brick walls!
Feel free to follow me as I chronicle 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks!
Hello 2015!
I plan on continuing Wordless Wednesdays with photos and 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on Tuesdays. If time permits I'll also add some musings on genealogy and research in general. I really want to knock down my brick walls!
Feel free to follow me as I chronicle 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks!
Hello 2015!
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