Scipio Hitchcocks in the Civil War, Part Two: Brothers

In 2001 and largely due to the Internet, Hitchcock descendants who now live all across America began a correspondence. Through their efforts Richard’s vandalized gravestone was replaced with a military marker on Flag Day, 2003 in a moving ceremony, attended by several descendants of Richard and of his brothers from as far away as California and as close as Scipio.
Two of those brothers had also served their adopted country in the American Civil War. Fred Hitchcock, later a furniture maker with a shop in Aurora, NY who is buried in Fort Hill Cemetery, Auburn, enlisted in April of 1861 at the age of 22 in the 19th NY as a substitute for John H. Osborne, and was subsequently “veteranized” into the 3rd NY Artillery, and mustered out in July of 1865. The 19th, as the 75th, was mainly composed of Cayuga County men. Fred’s wartime injuries were minor although he did spend some time in a hospital during the War.
James Hitchcock enlisted in the 44th NY Volunteers, also known as “Ellsworth’s Avengers” in October of 1861 when he was 20 years old. Wounded in battle at Hanover Courthouse, and again more seriously in July of 1862 at Malvern Hill when a minie ball struck him in the chest and another broke his leg, James’ gallantry on the field is described and his picture shown in the book “History of the 44th” by Eugene Nash. James received promotions and eventually served the 44th as their Quartermaster Sergeant, participating in holding Little Round Top at Gettysburg among many other battles. He was mustered out with his regiment in 1864, and returned to live out his remaining years in Scipio as a farmer, also holding the post of Justice of the Peace for 25 years. James died at the age of 89 in 1930 and is buried in Ledyard’s Evergreen Cemetery. James was my great-grandfather.
This band of 3 brothers, living in this country and this county just a bit over 10 years, chose to follow their convictions and make the personal sacrifices that enlistment could require and gave years of their lives for their new country. All three spent time convalescing at some point during the War; none of the 3 were the same man who left Cayuga County when they returned.
Their sacrifices helped to shape our values and our country.

Scipio Civil War Veterans

The various municipal Historians in Cayuga County have expended a great deal of time and effort in compiling service records and names of the Civil War veterans of their respective towns. That includes this Historian! But just when I think I have every name, I find another one. Such was the case when I was looking at www.FultonHistory.com, a website I highly recommend. Filled with searchable newspapers from the central NY area, it is often possible to find new information on a subject.
Some of these names are new to me, some are not. I wanted to share them with you today:

From the Auburn Semi-Weekly Journal of January 4, 1907:
Libbeus Merry, a well-known citizen of Scipio, suffered a paralytic stroke this morning. Mr. Merry is 71 years of age and served during the Civil War with the ninth Regiment.

From the Auburn Citizen of August 1, 1930:
James Benton Hitchcock , 89 years old, prominent farmer of Scipio, died yesterday at his home in that town after being in failing health for some time. Mr. Hitchcock had lived in the Town of Scipio for many years, and was well known throughout that vicinity. He was born in Uxbridge, England on March 24, 1841 and came to this country May 10, 1850, when nine years of age. Mr. Hitchcock had a splendid war record, having served in many battles during the Civil War. He saw service in the siege of Yorktown in the battles of Hanover Courthouse, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war with the rank of quartermaster sergant.
Mr. Hitchcock in 1874 married Miss Carrie Batten who survives him. He was the son of Thomas and Hannah Gunnell Hitchcock. For many years Mr. Hitchcock operated his farm in Scipioville and at one time was employed by the American Express Company in this city. He also had worked at cabinet making in Auburn and the vicinity of Scipioville. He was a member of the Scipio Center G. A. R Post and attended the Presbyterian Church at Scipioville. For 28 years Mr. Hitchcock served as Justice of the Peace.
He is survived by his wife; one son, Byron Hitchcock; four grandchildren and one great-grandson. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the home in Scipio with the Rev. Casper Gregory, pastor of the Presbyterian Church,. Officiating. Burial will be in Evergereen Cemetery, Scipioville. Mr. Hitchcock is also survived by two nephews, C. A. Hitchcock of Chittenango and Frederick W. Hitchcock of Sonyea.

From the Auburn Citizen of Tuesday October 10,1905:
Funeral of a Veteran
The funeral of Eber F. West was held at his late home in Scipioville yesterday afternoon. The house was filled with sympathizing friends. Rev. W. P. Garrett, the retiring pastor of the M. E. Church officiated. The M. E. choir sang two appropriate selections. The bearers were J. B. Hitchcock, Nathaniel Hoagland, George E. Carr, Daniel Sunshall (sic), George Bowen and Martin Myers, all of them veterans of the Civil War. Mr. West was a veteran, having enlisted in Company K under the late Captain Angel serving from November 5 1861 until June 30, 1865. There was a profusion of flowers. Burial was made at Evergreen cemetery, Scipioville.

152 years ago today, the third bloody day of the battle of Gettysburg was being fought. Please take time today to think about all those who died and those who suffered in battle and at home.  This defining battle raged on for 3 days, often of hand-to-hand combat by our ancestors. The Civil War Trust estimates over 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, missing in action or captured during this horrific battle.

The 111^th NY Volunteers, recruited primarily from Cayuga and Wayne Counties, showed great valor in their post at Gettysburg while taking heavy losses. Two officers and 59 enlisted men were confirmed dead; of the men who were wounded 24 died while 145 enlistees recovered, along with 8 officers. Another 10 enlisted men were listed as missing after the battle.

The 44^th NY Volunteers, or Ellsworth’s Avengers, saw fierce fighting during Gettysburg and the Civil War in general. Colonel Elmer Ellsworth was reputed to be the first casualty of the Civil War, and the 44^th was raised in Albany as a memorial unit composed of men from each town. Each unmarried and temperate man who applied for consideration also had to provide $20 (about $500 in today's dollars) for the privilege of joining the unit. 

The 44th participated in and acquitted themselves well at many battles during the course of the Civil War, although they often saw heavy losses. Their monument at Little Round Top in Gettsyburg is a final testament to their bravery on the field. 

One local soldier of the 44th was James Benton Hitchcock, who became a member of the Selah Cornwell GAR Post out of Scipio NY after the war, and served as a Town Justice in Scipio for over 20 years. His name appears as Quartermaster Sergeant on the monument at Gettysburg, on Little Round Top. 

At the battle of Malvern Hill, 99 of the 225 soldiers of the 44th engaged in battle were killed or wounded. James Hitchcock was seriously wounded at the Malvern Hill battle, taking one minie ball in his left thigh while another broke his leg just below the knee. Despite these injuries, James managed to carry the unit flag to his commanding officer, after 4 other color bearers had already been killed in action. James earned a commendation and promotion for his valiant efforts. The colors were an important rallying point and guide star for the unit, as well as serving the field commanders by allowing them to see at any given time where their troops stood on the field of battle.

I can only imagine the fortitude and bravery of this man, who had immigrated to America as a teenager with his family and just eleven years later became a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. 

Here is a photo of the monument at Little Round Top, Gettysburg, battlefield for the 44th NY as well as a photo of James taken at the time of the Civil War.

Civl War Veterans of Scipio and Cayuga County

I think on Veterans Day it is fitting to remember to say thank you to those who have served their country throughout history. Many sacrifices are made, so we can enjoy our freedom.

Here is an excerpt from a letter written by my great-grandfather James Hitchcock in 1910, detailing the Civil War service of himself and his brothers:

In the spring of 1851 the Hitchcocks moved to Aurora the family consisting of the father, mother, and six sons: Thomas E., Richard, Frederick F., James B., George, and Alfred A., the youngest being two years and the oldest 16 years.

Three of the brothers enlisted and fought on the Union side in the war of the Rebellion. Frederick enlisted in the old 19th NY Vol. Inf. organized in Cayuga County – was with the regiment during its two years of service and “Veteranized” in the 3rd Seward Artillery, also a Cayuga County organization. He was with his regiment at the Battle of Newbern (sp.), NC.

Richard enlisted in the 75th NY Vol. Inf. in 1861. This regiment was organized at Auburn NY and was made up mostly of Cayuga County boys. He was discharged on account of blindness. Soon after the regiment reached the front he reenlisted in the 22nd NY Vol. Cavalry and was with Sheridan at Cedar Creek.

James B. enlisted in the 44th “Peoples Ellsworth” Regiment N.Y. Vol. Infantry, organized at Albany NY in August 1861 and made up of volunteers from all parts of the state. He was with the Army of the Potomac during the whole of his three years and two months service, was with McClellan during the seven days fight in the Revioisan (spelling unclear – possibly Revisionist) Campaign; was wounded by a buckshot in the breast at the Battle of Hanover Courthouse. At the battle of Malvern Hall, VA a minie ball passed through his left thigh and another broke his leg just below the knee upon the field and during the battle. He was promoted for “Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in the face of the enemy.” Was with his regiment at the Battle of Fredericksburg or Maryes Heights on that fateful 13th 14th and 15th day of December 1862. Was at the Battle of Gettysburg. Was all through the Wilderness Campaign and at the siege of Petersburgh VA, receiving his discharge as Quartermaster a short time before the final surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox.

Four of the brothers are now living. Thomas E Hitchcock, the oldest, is a practicing dentist in the city of Syracuse. Frederick F. is a dealer in furniture etc. and still (1910) living at Aurora. Alfred Albert is a farmer living in the immediate vicinity of Aurora and James Benton is a farmer and justice of the peace living in the adjoining town of Scipio.

N.B. from sg: Further information may be found on these men and and many of our other Cayuga County veterans and their Civil War service in the book “Cayuga In The Field” by the Hall brothers of Cayuga County. Also in Nash, Eugene A.'s History of the Forty-Fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, 1861-1865. Chicago: R.R. Donnelly & Sons, 1911.

Do you have a Veteran in your family with a story to share? Post a comment to the BLOG.

Scipio Hitchcocks in the Civil War, Part 3: Battlefield Letter

James Hitchcock wrote a letter home from the battlefield a few short months before the 44th NY mustered out. It is a letter from a literate man to his aunt and uncle. The fatigue and battle weariness is evident. I have always chosen to believe that the “English Lady” is the woman James married a few years later in 1869, my great-grandmother Caroline Batten. Here is that letter:

1st. Div. 5th Corps A of P (For Army of the Potomac – sg)
Hancock Station VA Sept. 17th/1864

My Dear Aunt,
Your welcome letter was gladly received on the 15th inst. I was glad to receive an answer promptly and I was agreeably surprised to find your letter contained a “Picture of an English Lady” of my acquaintance. I recognize her and am really glad to see her looking so well. Why Aunt it seems to me that she is growing younger every year. It is an excellent likeness. I shall be happy to have an introduction. It will be very agreeable to me at least, and I hope it may be the same to her; please speak a good word for me.
I am very sorry to learn that Mary Ann has been sick and as she promised to write me and did not I presume that is the reason she did not. Give my love to her, and tell her I hope to see her soon and then she will have to give an account of her delay in writing me.
We have been moving around considerable lately. Grant is continually maneuvering and although we have not a very large tract of land to travel upon still the Army does a great deal of walking.
Dear Aunt as the time to return home draws nigh the members of this Reg’t. begin to indulge in very bright anticipation; not least among these is your Nephew James. I promise myself a grand good time and after being from home 3 years all the time engaged in active Campaigning, do you not think that I am entitled to a little enjoyment?
Dear Uncle you too have my warmest thanks for the kind and cheering words you have expressed in my behalf. I hope I may meet you all soon and find you enjoying all the blessings of this world and resting in the calm assurance of joys to come. The condition of our Country seems brightening. Mobile and Atlanta are just now glorious words; not only do they announce the greatest Military and Naval successes of the time but they are the Handwriting on the Wall announcing in most emphatic tones the doom the very death throes of the Chicago nominees.
McLellan and Pendelton stock is not worth one cent on the dollar; in the Army it is in very truth a “dead letter.” The ides of November next will usher in their funeral on the same day that Fremont and Cochrane are buried. Abraham Lincoln and Andy Johnson will guide the ship of state and with the volunteers now coming to him Grant and Sherman will establish to our distracted country peace founded on a sound basis.
With much love I remain in haste your Nephew James.

NYS Archives CIvil War Records

Because I was in the middle of listing the names of Scipio men who served in the Civil War, I sent away to the NYS Archives to see what they could add to my knowledge.
I have checked many websites, and have some information from the National Archives, http://www.footnote.com/, rootsweb, Sons of Union Veterans - the list is extensive so I really didn't expect to learn much but it was only $3.00 so I sent in the form.
I asked for records on my 2 great-grandfathers, James Benton Hitchcock and Frederick Augustus Peckham. I knew that James had 2 brothers who also served and I asked for information on them, as well as one of the Scipio names, Alfred Burlew.
I wanted to compare what I got to the Town Clerk and other records that I have.

The info is good, showing enlistment and muster in and out dates; rank and company, place of birth and age, occupation and identifying facts such as height, color of eyes and hair. But the best part is the remarks section.
For example, my great-grandfather's paperwork was thorough, covering his enlistment and enrollment, and eventual promotion following a stay in a convalescent camp in Virgina for recovery from taking a minie ball in his knee at Malvern Hill. It was inaccurate about his place of birth (England) instead they had listed Seneca Falls, which is where he lived at his enlistment. I did learn he was a stove maker at that time, so I was pleased since I don't know much about his Seneca Falls years.
Next I reviewed the paperwork from James' brother, Frederick Hitchcock. Fred ran a furniture and upholstery shop in Aurora for many years, so I was not surprised to see his occupation listed as upholsterer. I also knew he was a private in the 19th Infantry, later changed to the 3rd Artillery; a story for another day.
What I was surprised to learn was that Fred was sick in a hospital in Rochester, NY for 2 months before being mustered out. I also did not know that he had gray hair at the age of 26, and served as a substitute for John H. Osborne.
A person could pay someone else to serve in their name during the Civil War; also a subject for more discussion another day.

Memorial Day in Scipio in 1908

I spent some time at one of my favorite websites fultonhistory.com today. I thought it would be appropriate to post how Scipio celebrated Decoration Day while some of our Civil War veterans were still able to participate. Here is the article I found:

Auburn NY Weekly Bulletin 1908-1909 from fultonhistory.com
Memorial Day at Scipio
S.C. Tallman and Rev. A.S. Yantis of Auburn among Speakers

The Decoration Day observance at Scipio Center Saturday last was a very interesting occasion. The brass band from Sherwood’s was in attendance and enlivened the occasion by music before Snyder’s hall began to fill up, as it did, for the afternoon exercises. The band opened the exercises by playing America and received hearty applause. James Hitchcock presided in his usual systematic and satisfactory way, and introduced the various numbers on the programme, the first of which was the invocation by Rev. Arnold Stevens Yantis of Auburn. The scholars of the Scipio school under the direction of Miss Hadley, their teacher, marched in from the rear of the hall each one carrying the American flag, and lined up in company front on the stage and sang with great force and dash the old time soldier’s refrain of Tramp, Tramp, Tramp the Boys are Marching. The choir, Mrs. Pardon T. Shorkley, Mrs. Allen Post, John and William Van Liew then sang Tenting Tonight on the Old Campground. As John Van Liew of Auburn, formerly of Scipio, was a veteran this number was extremely fitting. Mr. Hitchcock then read Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg. The choir sang another selection, and was followed by Selah Cornwell Tallman of Auburn with brief remarks. Among the subjects discussed he referred to the fact that the Scipio post was named after his uncle, Selah Cornwell, and gave a sketch of his life as he organized and went to the front with the Company E as its captain of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth regiment. Mr. Tallman spoke of his remembrance as a boy of between 6 and 7 years of age when his uncle left for the front and how well he remembered the occasion and of the sadness occasioned by the death of Selah Cornwell which occurred November 1, 1862, about two months after he left for the front, and expressed his gratitude to the officers of the post for the privilege of commemorating the memory of a good man 46 years after his death. He also referred to the great love which General W. H. Seward, his commander, had for him and how he thought a bright future was closed by his death, and that he so wished to live not alone for the sake of living but for the privilege of keeping his company to the front and in the service of his country.
Mr. Tallman gave several humorous sketches and referred to the statistics showing that the country was saved not by men but by boys ranging in age from 10 to 21.
The children then sang another patriotic number and the orator of the day, Rev. Arnold Steven Yantis, gave his address in his customary dignified and masterly manner. He referred to the growth and the grander of the republic, how the ties of the North and the South once so badly separated were now banded together that at Battle Creek Mich., the Decoration day address was to be made by a former Confederate soldier, and the debt of gratitude that this and coming generations had for the soldiers. The meeting came to a close by the singing of America by the choir, and while the audience dispersed the band played another selection.
Several of the veterans were unable to be present owing to feeble health, and there were seven men only to represent the now rapidly decreasing heroes.
Mr. Tallman motored to Scipio in his Reo touring car and was accompanied by Rev. A. S. Yantis, Veteran Thomas Tallman and his son, Carl C. Tallman.

Scipio in the Civil War; the 75th NY Volunteers and Hitchcock Family

It has been almost 150 years since the American Civil War began. Its origins, its battles and its outcome continue to be a source of strong feeling, endless discussion and fascination for Americans today. Books are still being written and films being made that speak to this War, relating to each author’s perception of a different facet of this fiercely contested action on American soil.
To me it seems the American Civil War is a story of families; families in conflict or in agreement; families pulled closer or torn apart but in every case, families changed forever.
Men showed their convictions by quite literally stepping out of their ordinary lives and into battle. Gone for months, years, or all too often forever, they sacrificed much in order to do what they perceived as their duty.
Men were not the only ones to sacrifice. The rest of the family had to live with the consequences of their decision to go off to war. Left behind to cope were the children, the women and the elderly; the weak and the infirm. There was no public safety net to help them in 1861. People either took care of themselves and their neighbors or they did not survive. Lacking in many cases the knowledge, skill and abilities necessary for daily life, the continuing existence of those left behind depended on them learning how to survive on their own. They struggled; they managed and made do with less, some with the war right on their doorstep and some forever when their soldier did not return.
The soldier I want to tell you about today is part of such a family. He is one of three brothers who stepped for a time out of Scipio and into the harsh reality of what it meant to be a soldier in the American Civil War. You have heard of the brave men of the 75th and the battles they participated in; I want to tell you the story of just one of those soldiers and his family.
Richard Hitchcock was the second oldest of six brothers, all born in England. In 1850 when Richard was 13 years old, the family boarded the Philena Bath in Liverpool, England, and set out for America. Members of the serving class, his parents came here to give themselves and their children the opportunity for a better life.
In 1855 when Richard was 18, he married Elizabeth Van Ommen of Auburn, who was born in Holland. Four of their seven children – Alice, Frances, George and Katherine – were born before September 25, 1861, when Richard enlisted in Company A of the 75th NY Volunteers as a Private. Twenty-four years old, Richard was with the 75th until June of 1862 when he was discharged for disability in Pensacola, Florida. A letter written by his brother James in 1901 states that Richard was discharged due to blindness. That appears to have been a temporary, for a year and a half later in December of 1863, Richard reenlisted in Company M of the 22nd NY Cavalry, shortly after transferring over into Company I. Either that or the Union Army felt the horse could see well enough for both of them!
Richard Hitchcock was mustered out as a Corporal on August 1, 1865 with his Company at Winchester, Virginia. He returned to Cayuga County and his family, which now included a fifth child, Elizabeth, born shortly after he had reenlisted in the 22nd Cavalry. The family eventually settled in Auburn, where Richard was principally an Express or Delivery Man. He and his wife Elizabeth had two more children, Mary, born in 1869 and Frederick, born in 1878.
In the winter of 1881, Richard, by now 44 years old, was driving his Express Sleigh down Clark Street in Auburn when he was struck from his left side by a pair of runaway horses, linked together only by a neck yoke. He was thrown over the dashboard of his sleigh with such force that he broke through it, falling in the shafts of his own sleigh nearly under his horses’ heels.
His injuries were extensive according to the newspaper coverage. His recovery was slow and probably never complete. Just a few years later in 1885, Richard’s wife Elizabeth contracted Cholera and she did not survive the disease. Their youngest child, Frederick, was six and still remained at home as did their adult daughter Katherine who had some serious medical problems. Elizabeth’s obituary tells us that Richard was afflicted with Consumption, or as we know it today, Tuberculosis.
Less than 2 years later and a month shy of his 50th birthday, this Civil War Veteran passed away. Katherine was sent to an institution; Richard’s brother James became legal guardian to Frederick. The Salvation Army, less than 10 years in operation in the United States, took responsibility for the funeral and Richard was buried in Auburn’s North Street Cemetery. All that the family has left from that day is a brief obituary and a remembrance card.

Selah Cornwell GAR Post 632

Between a recent donation from the owner of Scipio business St. John’s Memorials and another trip to the NYS Archives in Albany, I have gathered some more information about Scipio and Cayuga County in the early years.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) records stored at the Archives are not complete, but there were several for Scipio, Union Springs, King Ferry and Auburn. I plan to share some of them in the weeks ahead, and of course will make them available at the Scipio Town Hall for anyone who is interested. Here are a few details about Scipio Civil War veterans who belonged to #632.

Yearly reports submitted by Post 632 of Scipio tell us who was an officer, how many members the Post had and what the dues were.

In 1895, there were 22 members reported with their Headquarters in Merrifield, Town of Scipio. Officers were Wm. C. Tripp, J. B. Hitchcock, Libeus Merry, Francis Flynn, W. M. Clark, P.T. Shorkley, M. M. Palmer, C. Sincerbox, T. C. Tallman and S. Williams.

June of 1897 shows the Post Headquarters listed as Association Hall, and there were 23 members; two members were lost by suspension leaving 21. Dues were $1.68 per capita.
Officers listed were: Wm. C. Tripp, W. M. Clark, J. B. Hitchcock, P.T. Shorkley, M. M. Parker, C. Sincerbox, S. Williams, T. C. Tallman, Libeus Merry and Francis Flynn.
They met the 1st and 3rd Saturdays in Morgan Hall.

For December of 1897, a report was filed showing 21 current members, and another two mustered in: John Muldoon, aged 72 and a resident of the neighboring town of Fleming and J. P. Northway, aged 52, born in Cortland and residing in Venice (which was formed off from Scipio in 1823).
John Muldoon was mustered in on December 30, 1862. He served as a Private in Company E of the 9th NY Heavy Artillery until his discharge on October 18, 1865 due to a surgeon’s certificate.
J. P. enlisted on January 7, 1864. He mustered in as a Private in Company H of the 16th NY Heavy Artillery. At discharge on November 29, 1865, he was a member of Company A of the 4th NY Cavalry. His discharge was due to General orders #144. Dues had been lowered to eight cents a member. Meetings were held the 1st Saturday of the month at Association Hall.
Officers listed were Morton M. Palmer, John P. Northway, William C. Tripp, Thomas C. Tallman, Pardon T. Shorkley, Chester Sincerbox, Leonard Williams, Wilbur C. Clark, Alonso A. Austin, James B. Hitchcock and Francis Flynn.

On June 28, 1902, 37 years after the end of the Civil War, Post 632 had just 13 members and they each paid eight cents for dues, so a total of $1.04 was collected. The roster of members was as follows:
Francis Flynn, J. P. Northway, W. M. Clark, P.T. Shorkley, M.M. Parker, Chester Sincerbox, Wm. C. Tripp, J. W. Jaquette, A. A. Austin and J. B. Hitchcock.

Scipio Assessments in 1898 Part Two

It is interesting to find so many women listed as property owners in 1898 Scipio. Aside from the ability to finally own property independently, for genealogists the women of the family are usually difficult to track as many of the references to women use their husband’s first and last name, as in “Mrs. Byron Hitchcock” rather than “Mrs. Mariam Hitchcock”.
I will need to look up under what circumstances women were "allowed" to own property in 1898. For now, let’s continue with the almost-alphabetical list of landowners for 1898; if you find a relative, let me know!

Amos Mosher
Charles Merritt
Mary Libeus
Henry Marsh
William Manchester
John Murphy
Thomas Murphy
J. L. Mack
Charles Morgan
Patrick McIntyre
Robert Manchester
Gershom Nichols
John Neville
Thomas Nolan
James Oconnel
William Orchard
Mariah Payne
John Payne
Martha Pease
John Perkins
George Perry
David Parks
Mrs. David Parks
Sarah Pope
Edward Powers
Ellen Quinn
Rumsey & Shorkley
Phillip Ringwood
Caroline Reynolds
Frank Sellen
Theo F. Smith
Alma Smith
Levi Sanders
Lydia Strang
Henry Spangler
Hettie Caroline Shaw
Mrs. Davis Shaw
Enos F. Shaw
W. D. Smith
Patrick Tehan
John Turner
Harriett Toan
Hannah Miller
Sarah Talladay
Dan Thurston
Lewis Thurston
Amanda Underhill
John Van Liew
Mrs. Guy Van Liew
William Young
George Waldron
Cornelia Whitten
Sally Wallis
William Ward
Lotti Wallis
Frank D. Wright
Marsh Webster
A. L. Watkins
George Watkins
William Wilshere
Charles Wilshire
Eber West
James Whalen
Thomas Welch
Arlington Watkins
Henry Wheat

Assessments in 1898 Scipio Part One

By 1898, the larger land holdings were gone. Few in Scipio owned much more than 100 acres. The assessment book for 1898 showed 151 unique landowners, with some of those owning more than one piece of taxable property. Those landowners declared a total of 52 dogs, also apparently taxable. The majority of them were men, but women were well represented as owners too. Most residents owned 25 or fewer acres. Here are some names that are still extant in Scipio:
Phillip Buckhout owned 58 acres in Lot 27. A W. F. Buckhout, also in Lot 27, owned ¼ acre. I will have to ask the current-day Phil Buckhout how those two were related!
Day Chamberlain owned 84 acres in Lot 7. Mary Conklin, 50 acres in Lot 20.John Fisher owned 19 acres in Lot 14. Susie Howland as executrix was listed as owner for 110 acres in Lot 14. The Hoxie women were represented in Lot 13, by name Mary E., Dorinda L. and Mrs. Phebe.
My great-grandfather James B. Hitchcock was listed as the owner of 98 acres in Lot 13. E. D. Mosher owned 145 acres and E. S. Manchester, 101. Mary E. Smith may have owned the largest piece of land; she was shown as possessing 195 acres in Lot 6. Close behind with 180 was Hellen Tate.

Other owners more or less by alphabet are:

Sarah Anthony
Leonard Brewster
William Batten
Larry Bruten
Maggie Burns
Lewis Baker
James Boddy
Martha Baldwin
Michael Bresnan
John Bowness
H. Brewster
C. Butler
William Conley
Chauncey Culver
Loren Curtis
John Canaly
Orsevilla Cowles
Edwin Cooper
Mrs. John Casler
Henry M. Cain
F. B. Chapman
William Coss
Alenzo Culver
Josephine Darrow
John Donnelly
Daniel Dean
C. D. Dowd
Frank Doane
Robt. B. Eaker
Mrs. John Eaker
Heny C. Elliot
Charles Fritz
Isaac Fiester
Mary Fieser
John Folay
Andrew Foren
John Farley
Nancy Fish
Geo. Groom
William Gulliver
James Grady
B. F. Gould
Henry Golden
William Grant
Arthur Golden
Thomas Gray
Anna Hilard (Hiland?)
Martha Hoxie
Edward Hoskins
Hiram Hill
George Hoxie
Abigail Hunter
L. B. Hunter
Thomas Hanlon
Benjamin Houghlin
Allen Hartman
Charles Jones
John King
Patrick Kinsella
John King Jun.
Mary J. King
Lillian King
John Knox
Thomas Lynch
Clarence Lawson
George Loyster
Nettie Leeson
Sarah Lawson
Hinman Loveland

Civil War Soldiers from Scipio

Say that title 3 times fast!

Today, I'll continue with listing G through K.

Green, Sam'l Walter
Gould, Benj. F.
Glenn, John (no, not the astronaut!)
Gallup, Wm. W.
Gisty (?), Richard
Gerber, Henry

Hoxie, Allen E.
Hill, Lyman
Humphrey, Jno. J.
Herring, Danl.
Hart, Fredk. R.
Haight, John
Hitchcock, Jas. B. (my maternal great-grandfather)
Heidson, Jno. A.
Hardman, Michael B.
Hartnet, James
Hillard, David D.
Hartley, Chas. W.
Hankin, Thomas
Hale, Geo. (?)

No "I"

Jones, Justan
Jagnelt (?), Alphius
Johnson, John
Jones, Edward

King, Wm. W.
Kerr, James R.
King, Wm.
King, Henry
Kelley, Andrew
Kirby, Patrick

Census Pages Added

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon, so I decided to update this blog. I added the 4 pages of the special 1890 Census of Survivors of the War of the Rebellion that cover the Town of Scipio. My great-grandfather James B. Hitchcock, for example, is listed.
The Census gives the Veteran's name, rank and serial number. :)
It also gives their Regiment, dates of enlistment and discharge, and lists any injuries or conditions. Pretty informative and definitely interesting!
This census would supply just the information you need if you wanted to join an organization such as Daughters (or Sons) of Union Veterans. I'll provide a link to those websites in the near future but if you don't want to wait you can always "Google it!"

All for now...Sandie