Category Archives: New York

Hemenway, Howard Spencer Pvt., 2nd NY Volunteer Cavalry

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Howard Spencer Hemenway was born on the 18th of April 1842 in Bristol, Hartford County Connecticut to Nathan and Rachel Spencer Hemenway, Jr.  After the War Between the States on December first of 1865 he married Louisa Matthews in Geauga, Ohio.  They had one child, a son, Hiram Howard Hemenway born the 22nd of November 1867, from which descends this line to the member of the Laura Bella Stoddard Tent 22, Daughter of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.  He died on the 14th of March 1919 in Ashtabula, Geauga County, Ohio.

On August 9, 1861, this unmarried farmer enlisted for 3 years in Captain Mallory’s Harris Light Cavalry, in Hartford, Connecticut as a private. His company, Company C, was known as the Connecticut Squadron, one of 12 recruited starting in 1861. All twelve companies then became known as the 2nd New York Volunteer Calvary. They fought with the Union Army throughout the entire war (1861-1865).  The 2nd ranked eighth in the list of mounted regiments which lost the most men in action during the war.

Private Howard Hemenway detailed as a waggoner and a teamster starting on July 1, 1862 until the battle of Liberty Mills in which his life would change significantly.  This battle involved General Meade’s Union forces following General Lee’s army in Virginia after they both crossed the Potomac River in Union pursuit of confederates following the battle of Gettysburg. At Liberty Mills, Virginia, on the 23rd of September 1863 the 2nd New York engaged in battle with General Jeb Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry. Hemenway was captured there and confined at Belle Isle on the James River near Richmond, Virginia for five months. For during his capture, he became very ill due to exposure and want of proper food.  He describes himself as a “broken down man sorely afflicted with rheumatism, bronchitis, disease of the kidneys (dropsy), liver enlarged and hardened so as to affect his lungs.” On the 21st of March he was sent to Camp Parole in Annapolis, Maryland spending most of the month of April.  He was then sent to Camp Stoneman in Alexandria May 18th 1864. He rejoined his regiment in July of 1864 but so disabled from his imprisonment that he was no longer able to ride a horse.  Instead, he drove teams to continue his service and fulfill his commitment to the Union.  His received an honorable discharge in New York on September 10, 1864.  He then married Louisa Matthews on the first of December, 1865 in Geauga, Ohio.

Sources: Birth, Death and Marriage Records; Pension Records from the National Archives; Muster Rolls from Company C, Harris Light Cavalry; Wikipedia; Robert J. Trout: After Gettysburg Cavalry Operations July 14 – December 31, 1863; The Union Army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 – records of the regiments in the Union army – cyclopedia of battles—memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume II: New York, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co. 1908.

Respectfully Submitted:  Debbie Nelson Zemer Kendrick

Walton, John Oliver, Pvt. Co G, 193rd New York Infantry

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John Oliver Walton, Pvt, Co G, 193rd New York Infantry, was born December 22, 1842, to Rufus Walton and Jane Rork in Keene, Essex County, New York.  He married Sarah Mussen, (1845 – 3 Oct 1896), on September 8, 1864, in Bloomingdale, Essex County, New York.

John and Sarah had a child, Frank Grant Walton (1868-1923), and this child descends this line to a member of Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.
John Walton died on May 27, 1924, at Lake Placid, Essex County, New York. He is buried along with his wife Sarah and his parents in Brookside Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Essex County, New York.  His obituary stated that he was a member of the local GAR Post, perhaps in Lake Placid.
so/mm

Cronk, Charles Warner, Chief Engineer, NY US Navy

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Charles Warner Cronk was born November 13, 1835 to Hiram CRONK, a cabinetmaker, and Martha SUTTON in Poughkeepsie, NY, the 6th of 10 children.

He married Margaret DeMore, also of Poughkeepsie, on July 26, 1857 in Franklindale, New York. Their first child, Mary, my great grandmother, was born in Poughkeepsie on May 6, 1858. Prior to the Civil war they also had a son, Charles (who died at age 3 in 1863 during the war), and daughter, Isadora. Following the War they had 3 more sons and another daughter.

Charles was drafted June 1863 in Orange, NY at the age of 27, the draft listing his occupation as a machinist. He enlisted in the Navy as an Acting 2nd Assistant Engineer October 10, 1863, where he served on the USS Nereus, a schooner rigged screw steamer, which joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Assigned to the critical New Inlet station in the blockade of Wilmington, NC, she continued helping seal off this important Confederate port until getting underway for the North August 17.

According to his pension record, while onboard the USS Nereus and being on watch during heavy blockading, a 100 pound Parrott rifle discharged prematurely next to him, causing deafness from which he suffered and for which he received a pension.

On October 29, 1864 he was detached and ordered to the USS coast defense Monitor Naubuc, having been promoted to Acting1st assistant engineer, until July 29, 1865.
From July 30, 1865 to June 30, 1866 he was assigned to the USS Vanderbilt. The Civil War now over, Vanderbilt sailed from Portsmouth on 14 August and put into the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 27 August to be fitted put for a cruise around Cape Horn. She left Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 25 October and arrived in Hampton Roads three days later. There, she was designated flagship of a special squadron consisting of herself, Tuscarora, Powhatan, and Monadnock. The squadron was commanded by Commodore John Rodgers and intended to increase the Pacific Squadron to a 14-ship force.
The vessels left Hampton Roads on 2 November and arrived at San Francisco, California, on 21 June 1866 after stopping at most major South American ports while circumnavigating the South American continent.
He then transferred to the USS Lancaster, which had received extensive repairs after the war at Mare Island Navy yard. It sailed in June 1866 from SF for the east coast via Panama Bay, Calleo, Valparaiso, Barbados and Nassau. In June of 1867 as Acting Chief Engineer he was ordered to the USS Shamokin, part of the South Atlantic Squadron, protecting American citizens and interests along the coast of South America, which was stationed at Montevideo, Uruguay.

He was honorably discharged on December 20, 1868, with the standing of chief engineer, ranking as captain.
His obituary: Charles W. Cronk, a veteran of the War of the Rebellion, passed away suddenly at his home at the age of 63 years, 2 months, on February 16, 1899.
Mr. Cronk was born in New York State, although he had been a resident of New Jersey for nearly twenty-five years previous to his sudden demise. He was actively engaged in the Civil War, serving in the navy in the North Atlantic, South Atlantic and Pacific as senior assistant engineer on the U.S.S. Vanderbilt, senior assistant engineer on U.S.S. Nereus, and chief engineer upon the U.S.S. Lancaster, U.S.S. Sweet Briar, U.S.S. Naubuc (coast defense monitor), and U.S.S. Shamokin, being honorably discharged at Washington on December 28, 1868 with the standing of chief engineer, ranking as captain.

Mr. Cronk was a mason of high standing, a comrade of the Augustus Van Horn Ellis Post, G.A.R. of Newburgh, and a member of the Admiral Boggs Association of Naval Veterans of Newark.

Livingston, Harry Brown – Pvt. – Co A, 1st Engineers NY

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Harry Brown Livingston was born 12 Dec 1834, in Oneonta, New York to William Livingston and Polly Swart with one brother. Harry married Saphronia Rose on 19 Sep 1859 in Croton, Delaware County, New York. He was married by Elder Adams. They had four children: Charles (the great-grandfather of DUV member Linda Gunther, Tent 22), Ida, Minnie, and Archie. Harry was a farmer in Bainbridge, New York. At the age of 29, he joined the 144th Infantry Regiment New York (he was later transferred to the 1 st Engineers Regiment New York) in Franklin, New York, on 2 Sep 1864 as a private. Harry B. Livingston was honorably discharged on 3 Jul 1865, in Hilton Head, South Carolina.


On 9 Mar 1911, Harry Livingston died of Bright’s Disease in Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York. Saphronia received a pension based on his time serving in the Civil War. He was buried in the Glenwood Cemetery Afton, Chenango County, New York. At the time of her death, Saphronia was buried next to him.
(Source: Civil War Drop Order and Report; Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions)


Harrie B. Livingston 1834-1911 and Saphronia Rose his wife 1839-1916

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
Private Harry B. Livingston enlisted in the 144th Infantry Regiment New York on 2 Sep 1864 and sworn in by Major Gordon. When he enlisted at the age of 29, his height was five feet, seven inches, he had a dark complexion, gray eyes, and dark hair. Then, on 6 Oct 1864, after only a little under a month, Harry was transferred to the 1st Engineers Regiment of New York. On 20 Nov 1864, he received his first payment of $33.33 per month.
(Source: Civil War Muster Roll – New York)

The 144th Infantry Regiment New York was organized on 27 Sep 1862. This regiment was recruited in Delaware County, and was mustered into the Union service on 25 Jun 1865. The 1st Engineers Regiment New York was organized on 27 Sep 1861 and the Muster date was 30 Jun 1865. Most of this regiment’s battles took place in South Carolina and Virginia. The heaviest casualties for the 1st Engineers were at Morris Island where 25 soldiers were killed or wounded, and at the siege of Fort Wagner where 21 soldiers were killed or wounded.
(Source: Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S. American Civil War Regiments, 1861-1866, Provo UT., USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 1999)

Overocker, George W., Pvt. – Co. I, 61st NY Infantry

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George W. Overocker was born on July 4, 1844 in New York, the youngest of four sons of Martin and Melanthe (Sears) Overocker. George was enrolled as a Private in Company I, 61st New York Infantry in June 1864 in Albany, NY. He was honorably discharged at Philadelphia, PA on June 13, 1865, on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability.

The 61st was involved in the Siege of Petersburg from June of 1864 through March of ’65 with a variety of skirmishes and demonstrations during that time. And while George may not have been with his unit after March, the Regiment was also present at Appomattox Court House for the surrender of Lee and his army.

On July 4, 1874 in Muskegon, MI, George was married to Alice Feehan (b. IRE ca 1859). Together they had had eight children. Four were born near Muskegon, MI between 1875-1884. The family then relocated to McHenry, IL where four more children were born.

George and Alice’s eldest daughter Mary Ann, was born in 1877 and from this line descends a member of Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.

From Aug 1909 to Nov 1909, 63 yr-old George was a patient at the Danville, IL Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. His records indicate he was 5’2″ tall, had blue eyes, gray hair and a dark complexion. George had been a hostler and was receiving a pension of $12 a month.

George died on January 27, 1912 at the age of 68 and is buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Cook County, IL. His wife Alice lived another 10 years. She died on November 16, 1921 and was buried beside George.

Lord, Samuel, Pvt. – Co. B, 72nd NY Infantry

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Samuel Lord, an Englishman born in Yorkshire in 1837, immigrated to the United States in 1847 with his parents Edmund and Amelia Lord. They settled in Busti, Chautauqua County, New York. As of June 1850, Edmund was a farmer and Samuel at 14 was in school.

By 1861 tension between the North and the South had exploded into firing on Fort Sumter and civil war was declared. Samuel responded to Lincoln’s second call for arms in 1861, which was for 42,000 men to volunteer for a 3 year term of duty. He enlisted May 28, 1861 and was mustered in as a Private into Co. B on June 20, 1861. The company was organized as 3rd Regiment, Sickles’ Brigade and then it was attached to General Hooker’s Division of the Army of the Potomac.

Samuel’s first duty was in the “ Defences of Washington, D. C.” until March of 1862; and then the brigade was ordered to the Virginia Peninsula after the siege of Yorktown. On May 5, 1862 he served in the Battle of Williamsburg which had the objective of capturing several redoubts defended by the Confederates as they were retreating. The crisis of the battle appears to be in the defense of Fort Magruder, where skirmishers, artillery and cavalry   turned a murderous volley of musketry into the line of the enemy. Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, the commanding officer at that point, cried “Now, gentlemen, the bayonet!” and the whole brigade charged with such ferocity the enemy was driven from the field.

In this battle, on May 28, 1862, Samuel Lord was wounded and removed from the scene. The wounding was a blessing in disguise because it kept him alive. The losses of the Union in the Battle of Williamsburg were 456 killed, 1,410 wounded and 373 captured or missing. Samuel was discharged for wounds October 30, 1862 near Alexandria, Virginia.

By 1870, according to the U.S. Census, Samuel had moved to Sugar Grove Township, Warren County in Pennsylvania. He was married to Fidelia A. Phillips, born in Busti in 1845. They married in 1865 and had 2 children by 1870. Samuel is listed as a schoolteacher with real estate valued at $1200 and a personal value of an additional $1200. Another daughter and one son have been added to the family by the 1880 census and Samuel is now working as a County Commissioner’s Clerk. By 1900 he owns farm #9 (on farm schedule) and the farm is free of mortgage.

A post of the G.A.R. in Sugar Grove Township was named for James P. Younie, a young soldier in the war. An 1887 history’s list of officers shows Samuel Lord as Commander.

Samuel Lord died in 1903 and is buried at Cherry Hill Cemetery in Sugar Grove, Warren County, Pennsylvania

[Sources: All accessed in March/April 2015:

Family Information.

Regimental History from “The Union Army” by Federal Publishing Co, 1908–Volume 2

1850 Census: NY: Chatauqua Co; Busti (ancestry image 11 of 51)

Census 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1900 (ancestry images).]

<http://www.pagenweb.org/~warren/history/sugar-grove-history-schenck.html>

<http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28344359>

<http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28344355>

<http://www.chautgen.org/sadmin/pdfs/010800.pdf>

<http://bearalley.blogspot.com/2011/10/nictzin-dyalhis.html>

<http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=17D44AB4-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A>

<http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UNY0072RI>

<http://www.Civilwarindex.com/armyny/rosters/72nd_ny_infantry_roster.pdf>

<http://www.Civilwarindex.com/armyny/72nd_ny_infantry.html>

<http://www.Civilwarindex.com/armyny/72nd_ny_infantry.html> ]

PLB: April 14, 2015.

Stewart, John Francis, Cpt., Co. G, 138th NY Infantry aka: 9th NY H. Artillery

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John Francis Stewart was born in Cayuga County, New York on 8 Sep 1836, the 2nd son of at least 5 children born to Agnes (b. ca 1813 Albany Co, NY) and Vanrensler STEWART (b. ca 1812 Oneida Co, NY). In the 1850 census, John 14, his parents and siblings lived in Granby, Oswego County, with his possible grandparents, John F and Hannah Stewart.

On 20 Dec 1860, in Fair Haven, Cayuga Co, NY, John married Julia F BROWN (b. 21 Dec 1839 Fair Haven – d. Hannibal, MO on 11 Nov 1909). The couple had at least seven children, from the first known child, Jeannette (aka: Jennie in censuses) descends the family line to the member of Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865.

At Wolcott, Wayne County, New York, on 25 August 1862, at age 26, John F. Stewart enlisted in the Union Army. He was actually mustered in as a Corporal, for a 3 year tour of duty in Company G of the NY 138th Infantry. The 138th then became the NY 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment on 15 Dec 1862; and, as of that date, John was promoted to Sergeant. On 16 October 1864, he was transferred to Co. D, NY 9th H.A. as a 2nd Lieutenant, and by 14 Nov 1864, promoted to 1st Lt. On 4 Feb 1865 John was once more promoted, to Captain. He was mustered out at that rank on 6 July 1865 at Washington, D. C.

During his service, the regiment assignments and battle records included: Garrison duty in the Defense of Washington, D. C., till May, 1864, during which time the regiment built and garrisoned Forts Mansfield, Bayard, Gaines and Foote. Relieved from garrison duty, the regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac in the field May 18, 1864. The NY 9th Heavy Artillery then participated in: Rapidan Campaign May-June. North Anna River May 26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 18-19. Siege of Petersburg June 18-July 6 Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, June 22-23. Moved to Baltimore, Md., July 6-8. Battle of Monocacy, Md., July 9. Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-November 28 . Near Charlestown August 21-22. Charlestown August 29. Battle of Winchester September 19. Fisher’s Hill September 22. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty at Kernstown till December. Moved to Washington, D. C., December 3; thence to Petersburg, Va. Siege of Petersburg, Va., December, 1864, to April, 1865. Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Amelia Springs April 5. Sailor’s Creek April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Expedition to Danville April 17-27. Duty there and at Richmond till June. Moved to Washington, D. C. Corps Review June 8. Consolidated to four Companies June 27, 1865, and transferred to 2nd New York Heavy Artillery.

This researcher has no knowledge in which specific engagements Cpl/Sgt/Lt/Captain Stewart participated; but likely it was most of them.

Following the war, John, Julie and Jeannette migrated to Prairieville, Barry County, Michigan where John farmed for at least four years and the births of four children. By June 1880, the family resided in Parson Creek Twp, Linn Co, Missouri and their last known child, Artemos, b. MO, was two years old.

By Jun 1900 John, Julia, and their youngest son were living on Chestnut St in Hannibal, Missouri. John died in Hannibal on 11 Dec 1909. Julia survived him for almost 12 yrs. According to her death certificate, Julia is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hannibal, MO.

Sources: All sources accessed in Mar 2015.

Application for membership in DUV

Ancestry.com, esp. Censuses: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900.

familysearch.org, esp NY databases, 1865 NY State census, Michigan births.

Missouri’s Sec of State Pre- and Post-1910 death certificates online.

Fold3.com, Civil War Databases for NY 9th H.A.

<http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UNY0009RAH>

<http://www.civilwarindex.com/armyny/9th_ny_artillery_heavy.html>

<http://www.civilwarindex.com/armyny/rosters/9th_ny_artillery_heavy_roster.pdf>

 

ct: Mar 2015

Wenzel, Jacob, Sgt., Co. G & M, 2nd NY Harris Light Cavalry

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Jacob Wenzel, a native of Germany, was born about 1826 and immigrated

Jacob Wenzel Headstone

Jacob Wenzel Headstone

to New York around 1846.  He married Helen MORE, who was born in Columbia County, New York about 1829. They were married in Red Hook, Dutchess Co., New York at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on 4 June 18481.

Jacob and Helen had three sons:

Peter Nicholas b. 16 Apr 1849, Frederick and John William, and one daughter, Adelaide.  From this son, Peter Nicholas, descends this line to a member of the Laura Belle Stoddard Tent #22, Daughters of  the Civil War Union Veterans.

Jacob was a farmer and heard the call for enlistment in the Army of the Potomac. He traveled to New York City to enlist in the Harris Light Cavalry on 1 October 1861 as a private in Co. G, 2nd NY Vol. Cavalry (Harris Light Cavalry) and was honorably discharged 23 June 1865 from Co. M, in Alexandria, VA as a Commissary Sergeant.

Before enlisting, he and his wife, Helen, took their sons Peter Nicholas, Frederick and John William to the ­­­­­­­­St. Paul’s Lutheran church in ­­­­­­­­­­­­Red Hook to be baptized on March 31, 1861.

After enlisting on 1 October 1862, he caught up with the 2nd New York Cavalry in Virginia where the regiment spent most of the war.

After mustering out on 5 June 1865 in Alexandria, VA, Jacob returned to Red Hook to farm, and then by 1880 the family had moved to Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York where he was a laborer.

On 30 September 1890 Jacob applied for a military pension, claim #951556, claiming asthma,rheumatism, disease of lungs, heart and stomach, and bronchitis all contracted during his service in the Civil War.  He died 23 December 1893 of asthma and is buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
New York Military Museum, Unit History Project:

http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/cavalry/2ndCav/2ndCavMain.htm

Newspaper Articles:

http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/cavalry/2ndCav/2ndCavCWN.htm

1  Affidavit of Luther D. Stillman, Secretary of Council of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,

dated 5 January 1894, filed in widow’s pension certificate #395696.

Dauchy, George Kellogg, Lt., 12th Independent Battery, NY Light Artillery

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The son of a prominent grocer, George Kellogg Dauchy was born in 1829 in Fulton county New York. Upon graduation from Union college, he was smitten by gold fever and joined the rest of the 49ers in California searching for gold with minimal success. 

He returned to the east coast at the outbreak of the Civil War and joined the 12thNew York Light Artillery as a 1st lieutenant. He served with distinction for three years enduring illness, privation and the Battle of Reams Station. 

In 1864, at the end of his enlistment, George married Lavinia Otis, moved to Chicago and eventually started a successful iron works business. He had four children one of whom was my grandfather Otis Dauchy. 

He remained very involved with his fellow war veterans, joining the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion and remaining active overseeing his business and wintering in Sanibel Island, Florida until his death in 1912. 

 

Curtis, Hubbard, Pvt. 153 NY Infantry

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Hubbard Curtis gave 44 years as his age when he enlisted in the Union Army at Milton, New HubbardYork in October, 1862. He was actually 53. His enlistment description notes he was 5 foot 10 inches tall with a dark complexion. His eyes were hazel, and his hair was brown. Hubbard and his wife, Jane, had eleven children. Five were under the age of 17 when Hubbard enlisted.
Born in Winchester, New Hampshire in 1809, Hubbard relocated to Albany, New York where he married Jane Crossman in 1827. They later moved to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York.
Hubbard’s unit, the 153rd New York Volunteers, were first stationed at Alexandria, Virginia, as provost guard, and during most of the year 1863, did garrison and guard duty around the capital. It was then transferred to the Department of the Gulf where it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st (Emory’s) division, 19th corps, with which it took part in the Red River campaign, meeting with severe losses. It was during this campaign that Hubbard became ill and died of disease on 29 May 1864, at University General Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
He is buried at Chalmette National Cemetery in New Orleans.