Horatio N. FISH, Jr.

Horatio N. FISH, Jr., a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

"Christ First, Then My Country"

Placed next to his father, this headstone is not one that is military issued even though he died in the service to his country. Horatio Nelson Fish, Jr. was the only boy in his family.  This tells me his family could afford a special headstone. There were three surviving sisters. A close-up of the verse is here.

Fold3 holds his Civil War Record of service which shows that the information on his gravestone is correct. 

Mustered in 5 Sept, 1862, Horatio was a member of the 21st Connecticut Regiment, Company C Infantry Volunteers. He died 8 July 1864 in Hampton Hospital in Fort Monroe, Virginia at the age of 21 years. Listed on the document below is his gunshot fracture and exhaustion as cause of death. 

I located a Web site called Civil War Manuscripts with information about Connecticut men who served. 

From Civil War manuscripts is this information:

"an unmarried farmer, enlisted on 25 July 1862 and was mustered-in on 5 September 1862. He was wounded at Drewry’s Bluff, VA, on 16 May 1864 and again at Petersburg, VA, on 18 July 1864. He died on 8 August 1864 from the wound received at Petersburg." 

This valuable piece of information tells us where he was wounded prior to Petersburg and and that he died of the second wound which was the one at Petersburg. I couldn't reconcile the dates until I found the information specific for Connecticut.

His mother collected his pension as he was single when he died. His pension card is at Fold3.

His cause of death was recorded in a database that I had not used before since my serving Civil War vets did not die in service:

Ancestry.com Clip of  Register of Deaths

Rest in Peace, Horatio N. Fish, Jr.

Ancestry.com. U.S., Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

Original data:

Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, compiled 1861–1865. ARC: 656639. Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's–1917. Record Group 94. The National Archives at Washington, D.C.

From Linda Woody, here's what he looked like!

N. Scituate Civil War Side 2

Close up Side 2, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

North Scituate Civil War Monument

This is a close-up of Side 2. I cropped it for easier reading of possible ancestor names of my readers. The last side of this monument was completely blank.

Tombstone Tuesday: Civil War Monument N. Scituate RI

Civil War Dead in North Scituate, RI

When photographing large monuments, it is best to consider the time of day. This side, illuminated by the afternoon Spring sunshine, is easily read which makes the other three sides harder. If you live where the monument is located, I suggest that you study it at various times of the day to be able to read each name clearly. 

Alfred S. KNIGHT is my friend, Robert Grandchamp's (photo below) ancestor. I think he is a uncle and not a direct line ancestor. He told a story about how he found Alfred's photograph in another library quite a distance away but still in RI. He said that everyone should keep looking for information about their Civil War ancestors and they may find information in unexpected places. Smaller libraries in New England towns often are the repositories of information that people donate if they don't want to keep family mementos.

Upon looking at this photo when I returned home, I see two surnames that I know two friends are working on. I try to take any monuments I can when I visit an area.

Civil War Monument Side 3

Side 3, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

This is one side of the Civil War monument in North Scituate, RI. This is the side toward the church and away from the library which you can see in this photo. Do you see my reflection?

Side 4 is blank. I did not take a photo of it.

Civil War Statue

Statue 2, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

North Scituate, Rhode Island

Yesterday, I ventured out to my home state to the April Meeting of the Rhode Island Genealogy Society.

They meet all over the state and go to places that I have never been in the 23 years I lived there. Hubs did spend time in Scituate, RI in the summers before we met so at least we were somewhat familiar with the area.

My friend, Robert Grandchamp, author of several books on the Civil War, was going to be one of the speakers so I could not miss this event.

After the meeting we went over to look at the monument there and I didn't have a real camera with me so I took photos with my iPhone. They came out fairly well.

Behind this church is a cemetery and I resisted the urge to go look. It was a miracle.

I will post all three sides of this monument this week in case any of my readers has an ancestor mentioned on them.

Remembering V.O. HYDE

V.O. Hyde, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

Served in the Civil War 

My husband's great grandfather was Vergene Ovando HYDE (1844-1909). He preferred to be known by his initials V. O.

Recently, a family member gave us his obituary which we had not seen before. He lied about his age to join up. He was only 16, 17 not 21 as it says in this clip (below) from the Mass Soldiers and Sailors book (thanks to Molly Leavitt from Southborough Historical Society for helping me..)

It is this family's descendants that I have been working with, recording the shared ancestors, for more than 2 years.

This obituary tells us, that like many of those who served in the Civil War, he was very ill with a fever. His must have been so severe that he was discharged. He served in Co. I, 20th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry

I knew he was a shoemaker but I didn't know the name of the place he worked. For a long time, all we knew was that he was a milk dealer after his service.

I very much like the closing paragraph where it refers to his honesty and law abiding life. His family will long remember him. We are hoping to get a veteran flag marker for his grave site in Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, MA

Rest in peace, V.O. and thank you for your service to our country.

Happy Memorial Day to all my readers.

Field Diary April 1862

James Albert Barber
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Transcript of the Diary of James Albert Barber. 

1862

Month:  April
[material in brackets entered by transcriber] 
Past Posts [March]

Tuesday April 1^st 1862

The day comes in cloudy while sailing on towards Fortress Monroe while nearly in sight of the fort we began to have a little bit of sea and it made the Delaware roll a little and we lost a wagon and a box of clothing. We arrived in the Harbor at sun rise. We lay anchor all day long.

Wednesday 2ond

The day is very pleasent  [pleasant] we are lying at anchor of fort Monroe with a large fleet of vesells [vessels]. There we had a fair view of the Monitor after her having the fight with the great naval monster so called the Merrimack. She done the Monster but little damage while the Merrimack was obliged to skidad up to Norfolk where she came from.

Thursday April 2d 1862

The day comes in pleasant [pleasant] the Delaware too the two Ohio in from the fort up in too a little crick leading in to Hampton there we unloaded our battery marched through the place out on to an open field an encamped with 2 large number of troop Hampton was all burnt by the revels some time ago nothing but the brick chimnies [chimneys] and walls of the buildings.

Friday 4^th

The day comes in cloudy we started from Hampton early march all day. The road was crowded. We marched as

as far as Great Bethel encamped.

Saturday 5th

The day is pleas [pleasant]. We left our camp march on across a creek where the rebels had had some Batteries an proceded [and proceeded] on and went on 9 miles more.

Sunday April 6^th 1862
The day is pleasent [pleasant] we are all in good spirits and hope to meet the rebels this morning the balloon was viewing the rebels in our fort near York Town and the line which it was fasened [fastened] by broke and it landed in our camp we did knot advance to day.

Monday 7^th

The is cold and rainy 2 ridgements [regiments] left camp to cut a road so the army could advance when ever they see an opportunity.

Tuesday 8the

The day comes in cold and it has been raining all knight [night]. The Souldiers [soldiers] are very fatigued with the cold and hunger. They cut up nearby fence to build their fires too warm them selves and dry cloths.

Wednesday April 9^th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] at noon began to rain as before and every ting is very wet and mudy [muddy] so we can yet scarcely any rations to eat and dry place to eat.

Thursday 10^th

The day comes in cloudy but one oclock the sun come out warm and dried up a little bit so it was comfortable for the Souldiers [soldiers].

Friday 11th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] early we espied a balloon come dis [distance] on our front viewing the rebels at York Town aftere [after] a short time she broke her line and landed in the camp where Genl Taners Corps was stationed in a field nearly surrounded by woods.

Saturday April 12th, 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we constantly hear a gun in the direction of York Town the Souldiers [soldiers] are in good spirits and hope to meet the enemy soon.

Sunday 13^th

The day comes in very pleasent [pleasant] at ten Am we had an inspection our Capt orders too have our knapsacks packed and be redy [ready] for any move ment [movement] at any time.

Monday 14^th

The day is coll [cool] and windy we had an inspection by Colonel Tomkins. Lieu Tenant Ellen [Allen] and Genl orders forbidding all Bugle calls after the present time as we are in face of the enemy.

Tuesday April 15^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] early a large company was sent out so too cut around through the woods for the advance of our army we have had a drill on the field with the horses and pieces and cannoneer.

Wednesday 16th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] early in the evening we had heavy fir in between our men and the rebels. In the direction of York Town an [and] lasted all day. We left camp Colt moved on about 2 miles over a corduroy road out into an open field entirely surround woods then there we encamped close by the rebels Fortifications built for the defense of York Town.

Thursday April 17^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] at two am a sharp skirmish broke out between our men and the rebels. It did not last long we have kept 4 guns firing at the rebels too keep them from strenghing [strengthening] works there.

Friday 18^th

The comes in pleasent [pleasant] our battery has been firing at the rebels fort we have fired at the by sheels all day and the rebels fired a shot at they passed over heads and done us no injury.

Saturday 19^th

The day is very pleasent [pleasant] we are have spent all in repairing our guns that we broke yesterday firing at the rebels Battery A of the ri [Rhode Island] has been firing on them nearly all day but did not receive shot from rebels.

Sunday April 20^th

The day is cool and windy at 3 oclk Am firing broke out between out pickets and the rebels. we had two men wounded on our side.

Monday 21st

The weather is very coll [cool] and windy our Battery been on picket in face of the enemys [enemy’s] guns an Capt had orders knot to fire at the rebels did unless they fired at him first.

Tuesday 22ond

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] at all Am it turned heavy rain which over flowed our tents and wet our clothes.

Wednesday 23d

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] every thing has been quiet there has been no firing on either side ecepting [excepting] the gun boats on the river.

Thursday April 24^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] the rebels has been firing on our men that was on picket in front of their lines and our Battery has been has been firing at them all day at intervals.

Friday 25^th

The day comes in cold and cloudy some fireing [firing] has been going on between our men and the rebels we did knot learn the result as we have been in camp all day.

Saturday 26^th

The day is cold and rainy the first and second section of our Battery has been up in front firing at the rebels works built for the defence [defense] of York Town I have been in camp taking care of horses.

Sunday April 27^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] at seven our Battery was ordered into the woods to fire at the rebels. At 1 one oclock Governer [Governor] Sprague arrived with the pay master to pay our mony [money].

Monday 28th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] our Battery took its places in Bty [Battery] and opened fire at the rebels works we fired some four or five sheels [shells]  at the rebels and they returned the compliment with 32 pdr sheels which passed direckly [directly] over our gun and went throu a lorg thre. They fired 6 sheels [shells] at

Tuesday 29^th

The day is pleas [pleasant] the Paymaster Payed [paid] of [off] Battery B and our Battery 26 Dollars everything has been quiet along the lines to day.

Wedneday April 30^th 1862

The day comes in cool and cloudy Colonel Tomkins arrived and he inspected us and called the roll muster.

PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY , Special Collections Department, Harris MSS, C. Fiske Harris Collection on the Civil War and Slavery, Civil War Manuscripts, Transcript of the Diary of James Albert Barber, transcribed by Richard J. Ring, 2010.
Photograph of James Albert Barber, collection of the author.

Field Diary of the Civil War

James A. Barber Diary
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

It is probably rare that you find your ancestor's field diary from the Civil War. It is probably even rarer that you find that there are other field diaries written by him housed in a completely different library.

Well, that's what happened to me while assisting my friend Robert Grandchamp with writing a book about the men [Amazon] who served with my second great grandfather, James Albert Barber from Rhode Island. [This is a photo of us taken at different times at Corp. Barber's gravesite.]

One set of diaries is housed at the Hay Library at Brown University. They were placed there, probably by my family, and I am pleased that they are available to history scholars like Robert so that accurate accounts of the war can be written about. As an educator, I am glad that they are NOT in my possession but available for others to see.

Robert took this photo of the outside of the one diary that is held in the Special Collections of the Providence Public Library in Providence, RI. With permission, Robert photocopied each page and made copies of those pages for me, which I have scanned into a single PDF so that they will be easily read by future generation of my family.[James A. Barber obit]

The week that I moved to my new home, I received an email from Mr. Grandchamp, with an attachment of the TRANSCRIPTION of the diary that is pictured here. Mr. Robert J. Ring, who was then the Special Collections librarian at the Providence Public Library in Providence, RI read and transcribed the diary in its entirety. I immediately emailed him to thank him. He has a new job at Trinity College in Hartford, CT as the head librarian for Special Collections.

After sitting down and reading the entries, I have decided that I can create one blog post per month with the transcriptions of the diaries. The diary runs from Jan 1, 1862 to Dec 14, 1862.

March 1862

Saturday March 1^st 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we are stationed in an old log huts situated on the Mary Land shore opposite Ball Bluff with 2 twenty pdr parrots Comande by Lieu Tenant [Lieutenant] Rhoads. We fired several shells at the rebels forts at Lees Burgh.

Sunday 2^nd

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] but we had inspection at 9 ocl by Lieu Tenant [Lieutenant] Rhodes at ten the snow began to fall. Some of the boys stold [stole] a hog and we eat him for dinner.

Monday 3^rd

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] is warm the rebels began to fire at us from the bluff but done us no damage we gave the 2 fen wheels and they left in a hury [hurry] I been on gard [guard] at the sta

Tuesday Feb 4^th 1862 [actually March]

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] the rebels fire some shels [shells] at our hut from the Virginia shore but did no damage as they had a pnd gun we gave them one or two shells and they left when doing gard [guard] duty.

Thursday 6^th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we at night fired at the rebels on balls bluff, and at one in the afternoon they at once they fire from Conrads Ferry at a canal boat but we routed them from the place.

Friday March 7^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] the rebels began to set fire to their buc for the fire lasted all day burnt the mill at conrads ferry [Conrad’s Ferry] and all the wheat stacks then they went into ther [their] forts.

Saturday 8^th

The day comes in pleasant Col Gary an [and] two thou [thousand] men marched in and took command of Lees Burgh. Our Capt and some other Oficers [Officers] crossed at goose Creek river into the old house we uste [used] to shelter.

Sunday 9the

The day is cold we left our picket station opposite Ball Bluff and and marched [toward] camp made retreat at 8 in am the first section was at the ferry awaitin [awaiting] for orders.

Monday March 10^th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we carried our Battery to Edwards Ferry put on the canal boats and left for point of rocks in company with Genl Daved Bragad and encamped at the point of rocks along side of the canal.

Tuesday 11^th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we left the point of rocks at one ock in company with the seven Michigan 19 and 24^th Masschusit  [Massachusetts] regiments.

Wednesday 12th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we left the plase [place] called Sandy Hook and marched on crossed pontoon bridge over in to harpers Ferry proceded [proceeded[ on to reinforce Genl Banks at nine ock on to Charles Town encamped with the First Mary Land redeemer.

Thursday March 13th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we left our Camping ground at Charles Town marched for Winchester till within one mile of Berry Ville there we encamped in the woods on the road side rested all knight.

Friday 14^th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] early we had orders to go back too we marched along in company with eleven thousand Infantry. Among the numbers was Battery A and B of rhode [Rhode] Island marched to Charles Town encamped.

Saturday 15^th

The day is wet and rainy we left Charles Town at nine ocl marched on too Boliver and took up our abode in a Brick house belonged to a NY regiment wh [who]had left the place

Sunday March 16^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we are all in a boil about our rations we have had knothing [nothing] to eat but hard crackers since yesterday but the Mishigan [Michigan]boys gave us some.

Monday 17^th

The day comes in cloudy there has been some unhuman proceedings to our Lieu Tenant took our buglers bugle from him for being absent without leaf an ordered a knapsack of stones put on his back then tied his hands behind him to a tree.

Tuesday 18teenth

The day is rainey [rainy]a train of cars crossed over the bridge at the ferry that was destroyed by the rebls [rebels] a short time ago an went to Winchester to carry forage Genl banks.

Wednesday March 19^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we are at Boliver all the troops under Summner had inspection and we drilled with our horses.

Thursday 20^th

The day comes in wet and rainy we are the house we been getten [getting] some clothes I got a pair of boots.

Friday 21^st

The weather is wet and the strets [getting] are over shoe in mud we expecting to move eve day when ever we have orders from the General.

Saturday 22ond

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we Boliver crossed the ferry loaded with battery at Sandy Hook an took the Baltimore and Ohio road for left Sandy Hook at 6 pm.

Sunday March 23d 1862

The day comes in very pleas [pleasant] we pass Annapolis Junction at at sun rise. Then proceded [proceeded] on to Washington we arrive there at nine oclock Am. We unloaded our battery from the cars left it in the streets and encamped by the RI cavalry a short distance from the Capitol.

Monday 24^th

The day comes in very warm we are all well and Sargen [Sergeant Allen?] Hoar and myself and nine more men was detailed too go down in the City to release the gards [guards] on the guns.

Tuesday 25^th

The day comes in pleas we are on gard [guard] at the guns in the City. At ten we carried our twenty pdrs to the navy yard exchange them for 2 ten pdr ordinance guns.

Wednesday March 26^th 1862

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we left camp near the Capitol went to the coral and got 25 new horses and returned to Camp Cleand [cleaned] our guns.

Thursday 27^th

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we have been out on inspection twenty five recruits just arrived from Rhode Island for Battery we started down Washington to the river and stayed there till morn.

Friday 28

The day comes in pleas [pleasant] we loaded our guns on board the Chars Gorge Edward and Ella the cannonneers went with the guns and the drivers with their horses.

Saturday March 29^th 1862

The day was cold and rainy we finished loading our horses on board the Chs and went too Elecrandra [Alexandria] too receive further orders.

Sunday 30^th

Cleared off pleasant we Weighed our anchor off Elecsandra [Alexandria] steamed down the river towing the two Chrs we had a fair view of Mount Vernon the great Washington was born and died there to his Com

Monday 31^st

The day comes in pleasent [pleasant] we Weighed anchor a little below the Rappahannock river proceded [proceeded] on towards fortress Monroe as fast as possible we left the Potomac at the siting [setting] of the sun entered out into Chespeake [Chesapeake] Bay we soon lost view of Land.

Book Review: Life in Civil War America

Zinc Gravestone
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

 Recently I was asked to read over a new book, Life in Civil War America, to be published in late February at the Family Tree magazine, "Shop Family Tree" store.  [Here's the link to preorder this exciting new book.] It was written by Michael J. Varhola with a photo commentary by Maureen A. Taylor. It will be published by F&W Media, the parent company of Family Tree Magazine and it is also available at Amazon.com

As you know, 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and Mr. Varhola's update to his popular book, Everyday Life During Civil War America, published in 1999, will be a hit with genealogists and family historians and here's why....

With the push for all of us to have better understanding of the lives of our ancestors, it is essential to read material about not only where your ancestors lived geographically  but to be knowledgeable about their work, their food, their houses, their religion, their entertainment and the ways in which they communicated. We all wish we could be time traveler's to visit and talk and get to know them.

For those who are writing a family history of their family during this period of America or who are writing a work of fiction, this book is a must have and a must read.

More than just another reference book, this visually appealing book is an entertaining look at life before, during and after the war. It is not just another book about the battles and their outcomes. I enjoyed it, learned a lot and it inspired me to learn more about my four 2nd great grandfathers who lived in this time, their wives, their children and even their parents and siblings who might have still been living.

I took 15 pages of notes with ideas of ways to learn more about this time period. I has three who served and one who did not. For the first time, I am wondering why one did not serve.

It is chilling to learn that between the years 1861 and 1865, 625, 000 Americans died, which is more that all US personnel killed during World Wars I & II, Korea and Vietnam. How horrible.

Chapters that I enjoyed were the photo appendix by Maureen Taylor, the chapter with the Step by Step ways to get records, the chapter on education (since I am an educator and a genealogist) and the amusing chapter titled Fun & Games.

Thumbs up for this book!

Gravestone pictured here from Old Packer Burrows Cemetery in Groton, CT:
Addison Alonzo GODFREY, Co. C. 21st Reg't Conn. Vol's
Died Feb'y 3, 1880, private was a machinist and in 1870 was living in Groton, CT he rec'd a disability discharge on 2 Jun 1865. He is not an ancestor of mine. I like the patriotic flag emblem at the top of the stone.

Genealogists and Historians Working Together

Robert Grandchamp [RIGS 30 Jan 2010
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of teaming up with author and Civil War expert, Robert Grandchamp. My ancestor, James A. Barber was the inspiration of his new book. [The Boys of Adam's Battery G.] We co-spoke at the January meeting of the Rhode Island Genealogical Society [current newsletter]

Robert and I have has quite the adventure working together to dig deeper into my 2nd great grandfather's life and while I worked on that, he zoomed ahead to write about the lives of the other men in Battery G, including my aunt's great grandfather, Nathan CHAMPLIN. I would know nothing about my ancestor's Civil War Service if it wasn't for Robert's attention to his deep, well researched and cited chapters.

Robert and I both have degrees from RIC, he lives just a few miles from where I grew up and we both hate tuna fish and love gravestone hunting.

I introduced myself as the "short before the movie", telling the story of posting my 2nd great grandfather's photo to the Web and waiting for people to find me.

Then, I passed the microphone to Robert and sat down to let him talk about his book. I was very pleased that many people enjoyed my display board and stayed to talk to us both after all the presentations and the luncheon. Very friendly, interested people belong to this society!

Related posts:
At James A. Barber's gravesite
Photos of RIGS Meetings

Lost in the 1910 Census?

Westerly lighthouse
Originally uploaded by daawn

My 2nd great grandfather, James Albert BARBER, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the Civil War, appears in every census in his lifetime except for two years. Both are a mystery! The first is easily solved the second is not. Here's the story...

On all of the papers where he had to write his own date of birth, James lists the year consistently as 1840. However, his gravestones [plot view] all read 1841. [monument], [marble vet], [granite vet] As we turn to the 1840 census for his father, Matthew Stillman Barber's household, we find no entry for a male under 5, so at least he was not born by 1 June 1840 (census date for that year). His sister, Sarah, who was born in 1838 is recorded as female under 5. Who the two other boys are is still a mystery!

The RI Vital Records, New Series, 8:50, list his birth as 17 July 1840, which is also incorrect as the date is listed on his death record as 11 July 1840 but the numeral 1 is often misinterpreted as a 7. [The Generations Network and Vital Record of RI]

He is listed as a child in 1850 as 10 years old. In 1860, he is still living with his father, his step-mother and their children. James's mother, Phebe Eliza HALL, died in 1842 and I doubt that James even remembered her at all. His step-mother, Rhoda Ann BABCOCK raised him, and paid for the Barber plot at River Bend Cemetery in Westerly, Rhode Island. It is her children with his father, that James was friendly with and lived with after his wife died. He was not living with any of his sons.

James's life prior to his Civil War service was one of a farmer's son who loved boats and the sea. He built a boat after the Civil War and went out in it well after the age of 65 even when the fishing was no longer an option. His obituary even reads that people called him "Capt. Jim". This clipping probably from the Westerly Sun, lists him as serving as captain of the Watch Hill life saving station [Watch Hill Lighthouse History] and he lived on the sloop, called the "Triumph", which was anchored in Thompson's Cove. Turns out that Thompson Cove is right next to River Bend Cemetery and the Westerly Yacht Club and within walking distance to East Ave. where James lived "off and on". [Google Map] I remember driving by here and admiring the boats.

These years on his boat must be when he is listed as being a border with James N. Thompson in the Westerly City Directories. It could be that he was taking a turn working at the Lighthouse when he should have been listed in the 1910 census. Of course, this is unproven. In 1910, James N. Thompson lives on Watch Hill Road in the Watch Hill section of Westerly nearby to the lighthouse. [My digital story of Watch Hill] The 1910 census lists many families living in Watch Hill on Watch Hill Road. One is listed as keeper of the lighthouse and his name is Thomas J. MURPHY. I am disappointed not to have found James in this page by page list even as a misspelled name.

The 1900 census (13 June 1900) lists him as living in Avondale, a village in Westerly, alone, in a house he owns. He is 59, widowed, and lists his occupation as boatman. The next family lists the head of household (Charles Rood) as working in the life saving station, and the family previously as surname Thompson. That man was married into the Barber family and was scandalously divorced.

The Westerly directories for 1900 and 1901 list James as a boarder with his step-mother, Mrs. [Rhoda] Matthew Barber. In 1906 and 1909, the Westerly City Directory lists him as a boarder with James N. Thompson. But, he is nowhere to be found in 1911, is listed as a member of the GAR in 1913 and in 1917 has reappeared as living on East Av. perhaps with step-brother Isaac G. Barber (he was a confectioner). It is possible that I must look at every page of Westerly in the 1910 census. That's a job!

The mystery continues with finding James A. Barber in 1910...

Photo of Watch Hill Light (creative commons license)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawn3355/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Display Board

Display Board
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Since I am doing just a very short introduction to Robert Grandchamp's talk on Saturday, I thought I'd make a display board for the people to look at instead of a presentation on the computer. As I am an educator, making things like this comes naturally, but I had forgotten how time consuming it is to do!

I have FOUR Barber surname books. Yes, it just keeps getting more and more out of hand. Then, there's the folder with James A. BARBER's Mayflower line to George Soule and the folder with his pension record papers. I have tired to clean them out all week and get them organized in a manner that is workable.

I am going to use the sheet feeder on my new scanner to copy the pension record into archival images. I am on a roll.

I have already added something else to this board but you get the idea....

Tombstone Tuesday Barber Section

Barber Plot
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

For this Tombstone Tuesday, I'd like you, dear, readers, to see part of the Barber section at River Bend Cemetery. This is a photo of the placement of the gravestones for my 2nd great grandfather, James Albert BARBER who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the Civil War. [I have blogged about this before!]

He has a regular monument, a marble Vet's monument, a headstone and a newer granite flat-to-the-ground Vet's monument. This means he has his name or initials on FOUR gravestones! Sadly, his wife Hannah Josephine TOURGEE has NO gravestone. She bore him seven sons, too. Doesn't seem fair. Two sons did not live to adulthood. One is buried here with his father and I can't find where the other is buried.

Her father paid for her to be buried nearby to her husband but in the TOURGEE section.

This Saturday, I will be teaming up with Robert Grandchamp to talk to the RI Genealogical Society about how history and genealogy work together. I hope they enjoy it. I am not using the computer so I made a display board with photos and documents. Wish us luck!

George W. BURROWS

George W. BURROWS
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Veteran's Day Memorial 11 Nov 2009
Second Row, Left Side [Grave #18 Photo # 3027]

George W. BURROWS7 (Benjamin6, Nathan5, John4, John3, John2, Robert1) was born 17 Feb 1829 in Groton, CT, son of Benjamin Burrows and his first wife Rebecca Thompson. George died 3 Jan 1895 in Providence, Providence, RI.

George enlisted in the Civil War in Company E, Connecticut 21st Infantry Regiment on 05 Sep 1862. He was discharge for disability 27 Mar 1863 [Burrows Genealogy p. 169] Official records say he mustered out on 27 Mar 1863. George was a mechanic.

George was married first, on 7 Nov 1847 in Warwick, RI to Sarah Maria BURDICK, who was born in 1831 in Griswold, New London, CT to Barton D. BURDIICK and his wife Alice who lived in Voluntown, CT. George and Sarah had a daughter, Lillian R. BURROWS who was born in 1849. When his wife Sarah died 2 Feb 1884 in Groton, he married second, Ann MAJOR on 23 Jan 1886 of Providence, RI

His wives are not buried with him.

Source: Burrows Genealogy p. 169

Authors Meet

Rob and Midge
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

It was my great pleasure to meet and enjoy the company of Robert Grandchamp yesterday at the Rhode Island Genealogical Society all day fall meeting held at the Newman Congregational Church in Rumford, RI.

Don't we look pleased to be photographed together?

Robert at 22 is a published author of three books and numerous articles about Rhode Island History. We have been corresponding for several years about my 2nd great grandfather and his Civil War unit. It has been great fun for me as a genealogist to work with a young historian contributing, what I think is a small amount of information to his book, The Boys of Battery G. [Amazon] [McFarland Publisher]

Robert and I share a few coincidences of our own. When he first contacted me about the photo I have posted on my Web site, he was an undergraduate student at Rhode Island College in Providence, RI. This is the same college that I attended forty years ago from 1965 to 1969 where I majored in Biology.

He is now a Master's candidate in History there too. Robert lives nearby to where I grew up but it is not where he grew up. Robert also has a close relationship with his grandmother and he also hates tuna fish just as I do!

This friendship has taught me the importance of historical events in the lives of my ancestors and has taught Robert the importance of genealogical events. I continue to be interested in the things that interest Robert because it is rare to find such a mature, brilliant mind in such a young man. He's looking for a job and it seems crazy to me that someone would not immediately snap up such a prize as Robert. [His blog]

Ask yourself this question, what had you accomplished at 22?

His grandmother, who attended with him yesterday, was a delight and she is very devoted to her grandson. She was surprised at my [advanced] age and pleased to discover that I have a grandson too.

I will be blogging this week about this event that I attended. Rhode Island may be the smallest state in our country but the people who lived here past, present and future are not to be underestimated.

Civil War Monument

Civil War Monument
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Graveyard Rabbits Carnival June 2009 "Veterans' Memorials"

Here in New England, graveyards are filled with patriots from every war. Many are single graves with some indication of who they were and how they served. This past weekend, I found some memorial plaques placed there by the DAR to memorialize patriots that must be buried in unmarked graves. I plan to look them up and write about them in a later post.

This Civil War Memorial towers above the other monuments in the Mount Prospect Cemetery in Bridgewater, MA. I trudged up the hill to take a closer look and marveled at the stark beauty and simplicity of this monument. So many people suffered in this awful war.

"The Unknown Dead of the Civil War 1861-1865" is the only inscription.

I have located two [James Albert Barber] and [Joseph Schofield] of the three graves of my 2nd great grandfathers who served. The third [Charles Turner Evans] must be buried in North Adams or Adams, MA and I am still looking for someone who lives nearby to locate his grave for me.

I dedicate this blog post to my friend Robert Grandchamp who is working hard to preserve the memories, people and events of the Civil War in my home state of Rhode Island. Robert is a very special person.

Boys of Hope: Battery G

Midge & Rob Collage
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

It is with great delight that I report that my friend Robert Grandchamp, of Warwick, RI has has his book about Battery G accepted by a publisher for an October '09 release.

My 2nd great grandfather, James Albert Barber, fought in this unit (Battery G) and was awarded the Medal of Honor along with twenty other men.

I made a Web page for him in 2003, hoping to attract some attention to learn more about my family history and it worked! I have found family living both near and far to help me with my genealogical research.

Robert, then an undergraduate student at the same college in Rhode Island where I worked for my bachelor's degree, contacted me and as they say, the rest is history. I have learned so much from this young man who is a talented writer and now a Master's candidate in History. His other works show his enthusiasm for history seldom seen in such a young person. He's a rising star.

While we wait for the publication process, he will need to work up a speaking engagement based on the book. He had his photo taken at James' grave as did I and I made this collage of us. Isn't it great? I will finally get to meet Robert someday.

Let's give a big round of applause for Robert Grandchamp!

Obituary of James A. Barber

James A. Barber's Obit
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

This is a scanned copy of the obituary of my 2nd great grandfather, James Albert Barber. It was in his field diary that was found in the special collections at the Providence Public Library by Robert Grandchamp, my friend, who has been researching his unit for an upcoming book and for his Master's thesis. I was more than happy to help Robert with the family side of his historical project and he, in turn, taught me about the battles of the Civil War.

I did not know the name of his boat or that they called him "Capt. Jim". That's not his rank, that's an indication of his status as a mariner. Every piece of the puzzle brings new insight into the life of my important military hero ancestor.

James Albert Barber

James Albert Barber

James Albert Barber
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

This is a precious photographs sent to me by a "cousin" in Utah. Her grandfather was James Albert Barber (my 2nd great grandfather). Someone she knows told her I had a photo of him on the Web and she decided to write to me. I was delighted. I encouraged her to have the original photo restored and when she did she sent me a copy.

I immediately scanned it and uploaded it to my Flickr account. The interesting fact is that James's photo taken here was taken in the same photography studio (Schofield Bros) in Westerly as my other 2nd great grandfather, Joseph Schofield.

These two men along with Charles Turner Evans all fought in the Civil War. I don't know too much about Charles Turner Evans who served in Company H, 27th Massachusetts infantry.

Brian hosts a blog on Medal of Honor recipients and had this to say about James and my connection to Robert Grandchamp of Rhode Island who is writing a book on James's unit.

Ellery E. BARBER

Ellery E. BARBER
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Ellery E. BARBER, Civil War Veteran, was born 9 Sept 1843 in Westerly, Washington, RI and died 21 Mar 1923 in Westerly, Washington, RI. He was the oldest son of Matthew Stillman BARBER and his second wife Rhoda Ann BABCOCK. He married Fannie E. HALL on 13 Dec 1888. He is buried in Section 28 of River Bend Cemetery, Westerly, RI alonside his wife and one daughter.

He was in the Ist Rhode Island Light Infantry, Company G and fought alongside his half-brother James Albert BARBER. After the war, he was the overseer of the poor for the town of Westerly in addition to other jobs. He was the father of three daughters.

RIGR 4:4 page 327, RIGR 5:3, p. 228
1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 Federal Census