Veterans in my Family Tree

Today I would like to recognize ancestors and family members that were veterans.  I'm sure I'm missing some but I will continue to update this post as I continue to research.  I am including my husband's side of the family as well.

I would like to take the time to honor their service to our country.

Modern:

Cody Schaal *husband(AF & Navy)

Ethan Schaal *son (Navy)

Clay Bowen *cousin (Army)

John Schaal *father of husband(Army)

Vietnam:

Wade Curran *cousin (Army)

Ted Schaal *uncle of husband (Army)

Korea:

Donald Curran (Army) stationed in Germany

WWII:
Lewis Curran, JR *Grand uncle (Navy)

Elmer Jack Laycox (Army & AF)*Grandfather of husband,**have record

Homer Carl Curran *Grand uncle  (Navy)

Herbert Albert Waller *Great Granduncle (Navy) S2c V6. Enlistment date: 27 Nov 1942,
      Received onboard USS Burke (DE 215) 08/20/1943 Service number: 637 77 37 

      Discharge date: 16 Oct 1945

Chester Vonner Laycox *Granduncle of husband  Honorable discharge: 12 Jan 1946 

   TEC 5 US Army

Robert E Laycox *Granduncle of husband  Enlisted 25 Jul 1942, Camp Forrest, TN
  Service number 14133960, Air Corps, Discharged 22 Mar 1946. PFC, 991st MAT Sq

Samuel Groom JR *Great Granduncle of husband, Enlisted 24 Mar 1942, Peoria, IL.  

    Service number 16055064, US Army, 503rd Engr L Pon Co, Pvt,  Honorable discharge

     15 April 1943

WWI:
James Jefferson Bussey *uncle (Army) **have record 

John C. Bussey (Army) stateside, Signal corps **have record

John William Curran *uncle (Army)

Charles Terance Curran *uncle (Army) died 1918--Spanish Flu

Thomas James Curran  *uncle (Navy)
Willis C. Bussey, *Great GrandUncle (Private, Artillery, Georgia Co B) 6months. **on WWI Draft     Card

Samuel L Waller, *2nd Great Granduncle (Army) Sept 7, 1918, Co G 161 Inf  Served overseas 

         Oct 3/1918 to April 5/1919, Honorably Discharged May 12/1919 Army serial # 4,881,876
        Interred National Cemetery Marietta Georgia

Claude L. Thomason, *Granduncle, (Army) Enlistment date: 27 Aug 1941 Private, 

          Service number: 34087445 Discharge 11 Nov 1945

Volunteer Service:

Richard Bird Laycock, Great Granduncle of Husband,(Army), Enlisted 23 Jun 1898,

  Madisonville, KY, Pvt, Company A 3rd Ky Vol Infantry, discharged 16 May 1899, Savannah, GA
  Medical Discharge

Abraham Lawless, 5th Great Grandfather of husband, (Marine), Enlisted 4 Oct 1824, Pvt, 

   Mustered as present on board USS Ship Falmouth Oct 1828

Civil War:

Henry Valentine *4th Great Grandfather (Confed Army) then (US Navy)

Levi “Doc” Marlow *3rd Great Grandfather (Confed Army Virginia)

Joseph Marlow *4th Great Grandfather (Confed Army Virginia)

Thomas Lowers *4th Great Grandfather (Confed Army Virginia) 19th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry

William Deem *4th great granduncle (Union Army) W. Virginia

Washington “Sandy” Deem *4th Great Granduncle (Union Army) Sgt. A 15 WV Infantry

William E. Day *3rd Great Granduncle  (Union Army) Ohio

Jesse Yonally, *4th Great Granduncle (Union Army) Ohio

George Forshey *4th Great Grandfather, Pvt, 62 Ohio Infantry, Company K. 1 yr 4mos 8 days

           (Union Army)

Thomas J. Bussey, 3rd Great Grandfather, (GA). Volunteer GA Militia1864 Macon GA, Co H 7th   

           Reg Ga Military. 10 months.  “In April 1865 at Macon GA was paroled or discharged

           By the Yankee authorities”  Battle of Griswoldville, GA Nov 1864.  Left hip and Leg 

           The explosion of a shell  Jun 1864-April 1865

Dempsey J. Bussey, 3rd Great Granduncle, ( GA) Confederate.  Prvt May 18, 1861. 

           Died at Christian’s Factory at Lynchburg, Va. Dec 2, 1862. Buried in Conf. Cemetery 

           There.. No 9, 1st line, lot 78. *CompanyA, 8th Reg, GA Volunteer Infantry Army

            Of Northern Virginia C.S.A. Floyd County, Georgia (“Rome Light Guards”)

Henry Aaron Waller, *4th Great grandfather, Confed, (GA) GA regiment, 27th company, E
            Buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond VA.  Died of measles

William Lewis Thomason, *3rd Great Grandfather, Confed (GA) Enlisted as a private in Co. B, 25th Battn. Ga. Provost Guards Inf. Sept. 25, 1862. Transferred to Co. H, 5th Regt. Ga. Inf. Apr. 6, 1863; to Co. A, 2d Battn. Ga. Sharpshooters in 1862. Captured at Missionary Ridge, Tenn. Nov. 25, 1863. Released at Rock Island, Ill. June 25, 1865. Storied to have walked home from Illinois barefoot.

Isaac Sanford Thomason, 3rd great granduncle, Confed (GA) GA Company K, 64th Infantry

       Imprisoned 16 Aug 1864 Deep Bottom, VA; died Jackson Hospital, Richmond, VA. 

       Died of disease.  Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA

Gideon A. Thomason, 3rd Great granduncle, Confed, (GA) Private Enlist 21 Sep 1861, GA 

       Company G, 35th infantry, Out 28 Feb 1865, AOL 

Benjamin F. Thomason, *3rd Great granduncle, Confed, (GA), killed 30 Aug 1862*2nd Manassas

        Enlisted 21 Sep 1861, private, Georgia Company G, 35th Infantry, KIA

David Richmond Allen, *4th great grandfather, GA, Confed.  Enlisted 16 Sep 1861, Private,

        Georgia, Company G, 35th Infantry, Muster Out 25 July 1862 due to disability.  Died on the

        Way home of dysentery in Augusta GA. Died 28 Jul 1862, buried in Augusta.

John Fields Chapman, *3rd Great Grandfather, Confed GA, Enlisted 15 Sep 1861, Private,

         GA Company I, 8th Infantry, Greene county, GA **taken prisoner at Richmond, Va in Mar ‘65,

         Held in prison in Washington DC

 John W. Welch, * 3rd Great Grandfather, Confed GA, Enlisted Private, 9 Sep 1861 muster out 11  Dec  1861 discharge disability     Company H, 27th Infantry

John Lloyd Ivey, 4th Great grandfather, confed, GA, Private, 16th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company G

Amos J. Stapler, 3rd Great Grandfather, Confed, GA, Private, Company E, 34th Regiment, Georgia Infantry. 

Isham Akin, 4th Great Grandfather, Confed, GA Pvt, Co G, 53rd GA Infantry.

Phillip Schaal, 3rd Great Grandfather of husband, Union, Missouri/Illinois, 2nd Regiment, Missouri Infantry, Company I, Private, medical discharge  **immigrant ancestor

Michael Roth, 4th Great Grandfather of husband, Union, Illinois **immigrant ancestor

David R. Laycock, 3rd Great grandfather of husband, Union, Tennessee, Enlisted 8 Mar 1864,

  Pvt, Muster date 21 Mar 1864, Company F, 2st Mtd Infantry

Thomas Jefferson Whittaker, 4th Great grandfather of husband, Confederate, Tennessee, 

  Pvt, Huggins’ Company, Tennessee Light Artillery

Drury Hyder Bagwell, 4th Great Grandfather of husband, Confed, TN Enlisted 15 Sep 1861, 

   1st Sergt, Muster date 15 Sep 1861, Company A, 28th TN Infantry. (2 Mountain Reg’t, Tenn.

    Vols.)  Died 6 April 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh

War of 1812:

James Marlow *6th Great Grandfather (Virginia)

Aquila Marlow *5th Great-Granduncle (MD) *British Invasion of Maryland

Peter Tennant *5th Great Granduncle  (Virginia) Sgt 6 Regiment Virginia Militia

William Tennant *5th Great Granduncle (Virginia) Pvt Cpt Samuel Kennedy’s Co, 2nd Regiment 

       Artillery, Virginia Militia. 

Alexander Tennant *5th Great Granduncle (US Rangers) Pvt, Capt McCormick         

Joseph Tennant *5th Great Granduncle (Virginia) Pvt 6 Regiment Virgina Militia

      Capt James Hurry’s Company.  

Abraham Tennant *5th Great Granduncle (Virginia) Pvt 6 Regiment, Capt Hurry’s company

Jacob Tennant *5th Great Granduncle (Virginia) Pvt Capt Jesse Ice’s Co, 1st Reg Connell’s

Abraham Deem *4th Great Granduncle (Virginia) 6 Regiment Virginia Militia

John Day, *5th Great Grandfather (Virginia) Sgt Army

James Boothe *6th Great Grandfather 

Solomon Forshey *5th great grandfather (PA)

Gibson Maynard (Manor) * Great Grandfather (SC) Austin’s Reg’t, South Carolina Militia, Private

Jonathan Odle *6th Great grandfather of Husband, In Service at Lewiston, NY.  Under Capt. 

  Samuel Jennings in the Company of Col. Philetus Swift.

Indian War

Jacob Deem SR, *5th Great Grandfather, Scout on the Frontier

Revolutionary War:

John Nighswanger *6th Great Grandfather (Virginia, Continental Troops) Sgt

Richard D.Tennant II, *6th Great Grandfather, (Virginia) Drummer, Capt Parsons, McIntosh’s Company

Peter Haught JR (II), 6th Great Granduncle, (Lord Dunmore’s Army)

Jacob Deem SR, *5th Great Grandfather **Rejected pension due to Indian wars on the frontiers.

Michael Cox, *5th Great Grandfather, Private, Pennsylvania

Thomas Forshey, *6th Great Grandfather (PA) 1775-recruiting officer.  1776 Ensign in 8th Pa. 

              Rel. commanded by Col. Enos McCoy, and in the company commanded by Capt. John

             Wilson.  

Richard Wells, *6th Great Grandfather (PA) **application for pension/bounty land warrant?

Henry Wells, *6th Great Granduncle (VA) Sgt in Col. Burgess Ball’s Co, 1st Virginia Regulars 

             Commanded by Richard Parker

Alexander Wells, *7th Great Grandfather (MD) appointed Captain of MD Militia June 6, 1776

Samuel Whatley, *5th Great Grandfather, wounded at Long Cane, S.C. Dec 10, 1781

              Served under Capt. Macajah Williamson in the company of mounted militia under
              Elijah Clarke.  Taken prisoner by the British. Siege of Augusta. Shot in the left arm.``Twice

               Frozen, once perished & drowned, once hung and twice shot for his unflinching zeal in

               The defense of Liberty and American Independence.”

Martin Dial, 6th Great Grandfather (SC).  Per SOAR application:  Private soldier in Col Hays 

              Regiment of SC, also Capt. Kilgore’s SC Regiment.  He served several months in

              Capt. John Ridgeway’s SC Co.  He was w Capt Ridgeway when “Bloody Bill 

              Cunningham’s tory Gang” attacked them at a place on the Saluda River, now known as   “Cane- Brake Massacre by the Cunningham tory Gangy”  Martin Dial was one of the few soldiers who escaped.  Martin Dial was taken prisoner on two occasions by the British Army.  His brother, Hastings Dial, an officer of some rank in the British Army affected his release. Granted   326 acres of land in the 96th Dist of Laurens county SC.  Pension-R*13777

John Ephriam Mayo, *6th Great grandfather NC. Received a pension and land.

Benjamin Thrower, *6th Great grandfather, NC, Private, received a pension.

John Patrick McMullin *5th Great grandfather, is rumored to have made the first suit that George 

           Washington wore it after becoming General or something like that.  No evidence.

Johannes “John” Dingler, 7th Great Grandfather, Dragoons US Army Revolutionary War, Continental Troops

Samuel Paschall, 8th Great Grandfather, Mar 1779, Continental Troops, Artillery in the Battalion, Bombardier

Jonathan Terwilleger, 7th Great Grandfather of husband, is found on the following Pay Roll.
  “A Payroll of Capt Jacobus Roos’s Company in Col Jonathan Hasbrouck,s Regiment who marched on the night of the 25 Apr last on an alarm of an insurrection of a Body of Tories” April 1777

#8 of 52...David R. Laycock

Today I will be introducing another one of my husband's ancestors.  Today we will take a look at David R. Laycock.  David is my husband's 3rd great grandfather.  He enlisted in the military during the Civil War, however there were two David Laycocks living in Tennessee and keeping their military records separate has been a challenge.  I believe our David served for the Confederacy while the other one served for the Union.  As with any genealogical research, you have to use the records you find and then make educated guesses with the rest.  This is my educated guess.  I'm always open to other options and being shown and proven otherwise.

David Laycock was born about 1826 in Orange County, North Carolina to Timothy Laycock and Polly Warren.  I am unsure of the other children of Timothy and Polly.  There are other children, but I've not made the confirmation as of yet.  When I do, I will update that information here.

It appears that David and his parents and sibling migrated from Orange County, North Carolina to by the time David is 10 years old.  His father, Timothy is found on the Tax List for Jackson, Tennessee in 1836.

David marries Martha (last name unknown) sometime before 1850.  In the 1850 Federal Census for Jackson, Tennessee he is listed with his wife Martha, their son Thomas 1 year old and his father Timothy.  (these are assumptions as we all know that the relationship is not stated in the 1850 census.

David and Martha have following known children:

1). Thomas M. Laycock (abt 1849-abt 1896) **this is my husband's 2nd great grandfather
2). Elizabeth L. Laycock
3). Sarah E. Laycock

In 1860 David and his wife Martha along with the three children were living in Putnam County, Tennessee.

In 1861 it appears that David R. Laycock enlisted as a Private, Company B, 28th Reg't Tennessee Infantry. His enlistment date was 7 Sept 1861 at Camp Zollicoffer, TN by J. W. McHenry for a period of 12 months. David was 38 years of age.

I checked further on fold3.com for David's service records.  On 3 Oct 1861, David is listed as present for duty.  The next muster roll dated 31 Oct 1861 he is listed as absent.  Under remarks it reads: "Left-without leave. I am told has run away."  Uh oh!

The next muster roll is dated 28 Apr 1862 remarks: "Deserted Oct 1861"

The next muster roll is dated 28 Feb-31 Aug 1862.  Absent. Remarks: "Absent without leave".

So it would seem that our David R. Laycock was not cut out to be a soldier.

There is another David R. Laycock that joined the Union army in 1864; but I think I have tracked him back to Kentucky with a different wife and children and he appears to be a different age.  At first I thought that he was in the Confederate army, deserted and the later joined the Union.  I don't believe that to be the case now; however it is odd that they think that this second David R. Laycock went to Putnam County before he was mustered out.  It's likely that these two David's are related as both were born in Orange County, North Carolina.  I'm of course not certain that there isn't a different story to this information.  I'll have to dig deeper into David R. Laycock's history to see what I can find out.





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#6 of 52...Thomas J. Bussey

Continuing on with the Civil War Ancestors let me introduce you to my 3rd Great Grandfather Thomas J. Bussey.  Thomas was born 15 Aug 1818 to Malachi Bussey and Martha A Frazier.  Thomas married Lucy Anne Livingston, daughter of Taliferro Livingston and Catherine Anglin Whatley 22 Feb 1846 in Pike County Georgia.

Thomas and Lucy had the following known children:

1). Willis M. Bussey (1845-  )  * it would appear that Willis was born in Dec 1845 and his parents were not married until Feb 1846.
2). James Whatley Bussey (1849-   )
3). Lucretia Celestia Bussey (1851-    )
4). Catherine Savannah Bussey (1855-   )
5). Samuel Thomas Bussey (1856-1914)  **my great great grandfather
6). Marietta J. Bussey (1859-   )
7). Alfred H. Bussey (1860-  )  
8). Lucy A. Bussey (1863-1923)
9). Martha J Bussey (1868-   )

Thomas and Lucy were listed in the 1860 Federal census for Zebulon Post Office, Pike County, GA.  The value of the real estate owned for Thomas was $1000 and personal estate being valued at $6765.  In the 1860 Slave Schedule for Pike County it is shown that Thomas owned 8 slaves and had two slave houses.  Mr. Bussey was not a poor farmer as many of my other family members were, Mr. Bussey had some money to his name.

I do not have a military record for Thomas Bussey, but I did find his application for Indigent Pension in 1885 and the following years until his death.  Indigent meaning he was poor.  He states in the records that he served about 10 months in Co H, 7th Regiment of the Georgia Militia.  He was discharged and paroled in April 1865 in Macon Georgia by the Yankee authorities.  He says he was a farmer until 1885 and then his health began to fail.  He states that in 1891 all his land was sold to cover his debt and he is now completely dependent upon his children for care.  He states that his wife is also infirm. He did receive his pension for his service to the cause and to help support him in his old age.  He was an interesting looking man as this is a photo of him below.  I'm not sure if that is a pinky ring or if it's a scratch on the photo.  Either way, he's a fine-looking fellow.  Look at his long hair and seems to have a bit of a curl to it.  He has on a fine striped suit. Mr. Thomas J. Bussey died 11 Dec 1908 at the age of 90.  

#5 of 52...John Wesley Welch

Let me introduce you to another Civil War Veteran from my family tree.  It seems that many of my ancestors were discharged due to medical issues and my 3rd Great Grandfather John W. Welch is no exception.  John Wesley Welch is my ancestor through my maternal grandfather's maternal line. That would be Jack Thomason's mother Emma Lois Allen's line.  

John Wesley Welch was born 26 July 1838 in Henry County, Georgia and died 25 Jan 1884 in Henry County, Georgia.

John is the son of Wesley Cook Welch and his first wife Lydia Welch (I think).  Mr. Wesley Cook Welch was apparently married four times and had children with three of the four wives.  I've not quite got them all untangled.  I'll get them sorted out eventually.  For now it is believed that John Wesley's mother was Lydia. Due to the number of marriages and the fact that my 4th Great Grandfather had around 11 children and I'm not sure who each one's mother is I will not list John's siblings.  

From his Disability Discharge Paper, "Private John W. Welch, of Captain W.W. Delamar Company 22 of the Twenty Seventh Regiment of Confederate States was enlisted by Major Calhoon of the 27th Regiment of Geo. Vol, at Camp Stephens on the ninth day of September 1861 to serve during the war; he was born in Henry county in the State of Georgia, is twenty three years of age, five feet, nine 1/2 inches high, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.  During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty sixty days.  The disability was caused by cold sitting in his head which has lasted during the last three years he said.  J.W. Welch has been under medical treatment the most of that time.  The medicine has proved ineffective.

Station: Manassas (can't read the second part)
Date: December ninth 1861.

Signed W.W.Delamar"

The surgeon wrote the following "general disability caused by long continual disease of the frontal and maxillary sinuses.  I further declare my belief that he will never be able to discharge the duties of a soldier.

Signed  Tho M Duvall Surgeon."

Discharged 11th day of December, 1861 at Camp Pickens.

So there you have it.  He had serious sinus infections and they discharged him.  I wonder what kind of medicine would he be given for sinus infection in 1861?  They didn't have antibiotics.

John Wesley Welch went on to marry Emily Catherine Allen 5 Jan 1866 in Spalding County, Georgia.
Emily Catherine was born 15 Sep 1839 and died 5 Aug 1931.  She is from yet another Allen line in my family.  I have not yet traced her family back to see if they intersect with any of the other Allen lines.

John W. Welch and Emily C. Allen had the following known children:

1). Walter Welch (1866-1892)
2). Claudia Vandora Welch (1869-1971) **my 2nd great grandmother
3). Ressie F. Welch (1872-1939)
4). Sallie Dovie Welch (1878-1929)
5). John Wesley Welch JR (1882-1942)

John Wesley Welch SR passed away 25 Jan 1884.

#4 of 52...David Richmond Allen

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.

#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 (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.  

#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.
 

Excerpt of GA Regiments PDF--sent by James L. Jones, Archives Tech, Rock Island Arsenal Museum

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".

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.  

Veteran's Day...Remembering the Veterans in our Family Tree.

I'm proud of the long history of military service that my family contains.  I'm listing below the direct line members of my combined tree that I have discovered that served in the military.  There are likely many more that I am not aware of as well as uncles and cousins.  As I learn more I will add their names here.

I'm starting first with recent service since I have photos of these.  Then starting with the Revolutionary War and working forward.  Thank you for all your hard work and sacrifice!

Presently in the Military

LT Cody Schaal, US Navy,  my husband
formerly US Air Force

Elmer Jack Laycox, US Army and then US Air Force; Cody's grandfather

John C Schaal, US Army (my father-in-law)

Donald V. Curran, US Army (my grandfather)

Revolutionary War

James Todd Livingston (1754-1812) 5th Great Grandfather

Samuel Whatley (1762-1826) 5th Great Grandfather

John Niswanger  (1729-1788) 6th Great Grandfather

Richard Tennant (1744-1823) 6th Great Grandfather

Peter Haught SR (circa 1720-post 1810) 7th Great Grandfather

Thomas Forshey (circa 1751-1836) 6th Great Grandfather

Martin Dial (1744-1844) 6th Great Grandfather

John Ephriam Mayo (1759-1842) 6th Great Grandfather

Civil War

David R. Laycock (1826-) Husband's 3rd Great Grandfather {TN}

Philip Schaal (1825-1866) Husband's 3rd Great Grandfather {Missouri, USA} 

Levi (Doc) Marlow (1830-1907) 3rd Great Grandfather (VA)

Thomas J Bussey (1818-1908) 3rd Great Grandfather (GA)

William Lewis Thomason (1835-1912) 3rd Great Grandfather (GA)

John Fields Chapman (abt 1841-1905) 3rd Great Grandfather (GA)

John Edgar Allen (abt 1833-?) 3rd Great Grandfather (GA)

World War 1

John Colvin Bussey (1892-1976) Great Grandfather