My early ancestors were involved in events that are part of the early history of the United States. The earliest settlers had to deal with Indians and the beasts of the forest. Many had to learn a new language, English. And those that decided to go to "the new lands" faced new and different challenges as they traveled the Great Wagon Trail into the wilderness called the Carolinas. As farmers they cleared land for crops, using the timber to build homes and shelters for their animals and implements. As carpenters, they made their own furniture and work implements, as well their needs for clothing and shoes. Some were blacksmiths, and fashioned their farm tools, hoops for barrels and wagon wheels, as well as shoes for their animals.
Most of the early pioneer ancestors had multiple trades. Described as farmers or planters, they also were carpenters, coopers (makers of barrels), harness makers, butchers, cabinet makers, gunsmiths, and blacksmiths. Some operated distilleries (Summers), grist mills, and saw mills. They were creative and industrious to farm their lands, raise their families and battle the elements of nature year round. Their wives were also strong and industrious, bearing housefuls of children, cooking and caring for their families, and the help on the farm. They too taught their children how to do a lot with little.
Each family has stories they tell that add "life" to family footprint in history. I will mention a few that have come down the generations.
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Anthony CHAMNESS was "kidnapped" from the wharfs of London at age 12, in 1725. He was taken across the Atlantic Ocean, never to see his parents again. He arrived in Philadelphia, PA., and became indentured to a Quaker gentleman there. Anthony soon became a Quaker, and married Sarah COLE of Baltimore. They migrated to NC, becoming pioneers in establishing the Quaker faith in Orange County, NC. A stone commemorates their presence and guidance in establishing Cane Creek Monthly Meeting.
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Johann Philip Hertzog (Hartsoe/Hartsaw/Hartso), brother to my 6th great-grandmother Elizabeth Hartsoe SILER, was active in the Regulator movement in North Carolina prior to the American Revolution. On September 24, 1768, a session of the Superior Court of North Carolina in Hillsborough was disrupted. John Phillip Hartzo, William Butler, and Samuel Devinney were convicted of rioting and attempts to rescue distrained property from the sheriff. Samuel Devinney and John Phillip Hartzo were fined. John Phillip HARTSOE survived the Regulator movement.
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Major John NISBET was my Paternal 5th Great-grandfather. Having fought in the American Revolution, he submitted the following petition for Pension.
John Nisbet written Petition for Pensions for War Veterans, House of Representatives, State of South Carolina [on file at the War Memorial, Columbia, S.C.]
To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina. The Petition of John Nisbet, hereby showth that your petitioner is one of those who boar a part in the toils and dangers of the Revolutionary War. But I think it not necessary to enter into a minute detail of the various Cam pains in which I served as a Solider. But deem it sufficient to say that after doing duty under different Officers to the Fall of Charleston. Immediately after that event I joined the Standard of Liberty under General Sumter and fought with him in different Battles. But I shall only mention Hanging Rock and his rout on the Catawba River where I made my escape by swimming the River from Bank to Bank and landed without one rag of clothes. But not discouraged by disaster, I immediately took the field again and continued to serve my Country. Faithfully until Independence and an Honorable peace was obtained. I am now 66 years old and in addition to the infirmities common to that period of Life. I am Lame, that at times it is with pain and difficulty, I follow my daily labor. With this statement, I submit my care to your Honorable Body. Requesting you if you think me worthy to have my name entered on the Roll, with those Worthy Patriots who at this late period are receiving a small compensation for the services we rendered in that Ardious struggle which ended to the Honour and advantage of out beloved Country. With respect, I remain your Humble petitioner.
Dated October 31, 1826(Signed) John Nisbet
Sworn to by James Huey (with whom he fought in the War).
William Nisbet (his older brother)
[NOTE: Reportedly the title Major was given to John NISBET in the War of 1812, and it has been said he fought with General Andrew Jackson at New Orleans.]
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Jacob SILER was my 5th great-uncle, born in North Carolina to Plikard Dederic SILER and Elizabeth HARTSOE. He left North Carolina for Kentucky, and was a typical pioneer famer. In 1798 Jacob SILER hired the son of John CROCKETT, David Stern CROCKETT, known as Davy CROCKETT, in 1798 age 12, to help SILER drive cattle to Rockingham County, VIRGINIA. Jacob SILER tried to detain him beyond the agreed upon time. CROCKETT slipped away at night and walked several miles of snow to return home.
"American Illistrated History, July 1971, p. 24"
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The pay records of the US Treasury tried to pay George RICHARDSON back pay as a postal worker in 1917. He had been wounded in the Battle of King's Schoolhouse near Richmond , VA., and died of those wounds in the Civil War, on 13 Sept 1862, leaving a widow and three small children.
Abel SUMMERS was left "one still" in his father's will (Capt. Peter SUMMERS of Revolutionary War fame), provided he would "nevertheless, if and upon condition, the said Abel SUMMERS would entirely forsake and abandon all the habits of intemperance and dissipation".
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Captain Andrew PICKENS of the NC Militia in Anson County, NC, was brother to my paternal x8 great-grandfather. Captain PICKENS, William PICKENS' son was General Andrew PICKENS, of the SC Militia, was a Revolutionary War hero at Battle of Cowpens, SC on 17 Jan 1781. General PICKENS' son, Andrew PICKENS, was elected Governor of South Carolina in 1816. Governor PICKENS' son, Francis Wilkinson PICKENS, was elected Governor of SC in 1860, and was serving when SC seceded from the Union. Governor Francis Wilkinson PICKENS offered to purchase Ft. Sumter from the US Government, but sanctioned the firing on the relief ship 'Star of the West', and also approved of the subsequent firing on Ft. Sumter at 0430 AM on 12 April 1861.
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Calvin "Milo" SILER my maternal grt-grt-grt-uncle, was a cooper by trade. During the Civil War he was employed at the (NC) State Salt Works, located on Masonboro Sound, New Hanover County, NC. He made barrels for the most precious commodity of the South and for the State of NC, salt.
("List of Hands Employed at State Salt works..." Randolph County, NC Genealogical Journal, Spring 1980, Vol. IV, Nr. 3, p.19).
"By 1863 salt was an 8 million dollar business in the lower Cape Fear coastal area. Consider the value of the dollar in those days and how that would translate into today's market!".
"Salt remained a vital economic factor until Federal warships blasted the State Salt Works apart. Private salt works, believed to have averaged a daily production of 1600 bushels, also perished. Salt became a commodity worth more than gold by the end of the Confederacy".
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One of my relations, John Rushing WELSH, in December 1860, strongly supported the Ordinance of Secession on behalf of Lancaster District, SC, as mentioned in the Lancaster Ledger.
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Tom CAGLE went to Mexico, seeking a gold treasure, only to be killed in 1910 searching for golden treasure on Indian lands. He was a twenty-mule team driver by trade. Some family members believe Tom CAGLE's story was the basis for the 1948 movie "The Treasure of Sierra Madre" starring Humphrey Bogart and Walter Huston.
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Augustus Eugene STALEY, a descendant of Elisha SILER, left Randolph County, NC to seek his fortune elsewhere. He soon founded the AE STALEY Company, headquartered in Decatur, IL, making him a pioneer of the soybean industry. The A.E. STALEY Company continues to this day, as a major corn refiner in addition to soybeans, with sales in excess of $1 billion dollars annually. Another contribution "Cousin" STALEY left as a legacy, still lives on in Chicago. "Cousin" STALEY established a football team for his employees in Decatur, IL, and hired George Halas to coach the "Decatur Staleys". Soon he transferred the team to Chicago, and after one year later changed the name to Chicago Bears.
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Mary Linda Patricia (Pat) Vann RADCLIFFE, a descendant of Plikard Dederic SILER, known as "Deadly Magnolia", is the main character in "Everything She Ever Wanted", by Ann Rule (1992). This true story covers how "Pat lied, stole, contrived, manipulated, seduced, and betrayed. Married twice and even attempted murder to get what she wanted. A true story inside a branch of the SILER family who lived near Atlanta.
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Patricia Louise NEAL, a descendant of Plikard Dederic SILER, was an actress on the silver screen, Broadway and television in the 1950's and into the 1970's. She starred with Gary Cooper in "The Fountainhead", John Wayne in "In Harm's Way", and Paul Newman in "HUD", for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She married Britsh writer Roald DAHL with whom she had five children.
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Audrey Vernon HASTY (b 10 Sep 1923 - d. 7 Dec 1941) was the first South Carolinan reported killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Hickman Air Field. Private Audrey HASTY was in the US Army Air Corps, stationed at Hickman Field. He was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, Section C, Site 207. Audrey HASTY's mother was my paternal garndmother's sister, my great aunt Clara Lee ROGERS GREENE HASTY. Aunt Clara for many years was the oldest Gold Star Mother for WWII in South Carolina. When she was 99 (died in her 103rd year), the son of Private Audrey HASTY's best friend found an un-mailed letter his father had written describing Audrey's final hours. It was delivered to his mother in person by the that son through the VFW of Arkansas. She cherished that letter until her last days.
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Thomas Jerry PHILLIPS (1929-2003), my father, enlisted in the US NAVY, and was a participate in the Admiral Byrd Antarctic Expedition, "Operation Highjump" which was launched in Aug 1946 and lasted into 1947. He served on the aircraft carrier, USS Philippine Sea (CV-47).
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As mentioned earlier, the ROGERS and RODGERS often mixed, or was it nixed, the spelling of their last names. My grandmother, whose maiden name was ROGERS, said her family members often referred to their Union County relatives as "those "D" RODGERS". Today, some of the ROGERS family have added a "D", whereas relatives of the RODGERS who moved to Texas, dropped the "D", reportedly "to save ink".
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RELIGION has been a strong factor in the lives of my ancestors. Knowing history, and how religion shaped life for folks in the middle ages to the early settlers of the Carolinas has lead me to the belief that my ancestors had knowledge and conviction for their time. This carried forth into their political lives as well.
Recent findings for the NISBET family leads credence for this family in SCOTLAND. On the Internet I found a very informative data concernign the early Scot-Irish <www.greencastlemuseum.org> that listed Covenanter Martyrs. The following is a list of the NISBETS listed:
Samuel NISBET - Drowned near Oakney Island in ship-wrecked slave ship - 1679;
John NISBET, Younger - Hanged Kilmarnock - 14 Apr 1683;
James NISBET, Darvey - Hanged 5 June 1684, Edinburgh;
John NISBET, Hardhill - Hanged 4 Dec 1865;
Mrs. John NISBET and children - Died of illness brought by winter conditions while forced to live in cave.
RODGERS, NISBET, BASKINS, STEWART) were Presbyterians in their new home. Many of my maternal forebearers were Quakers In Pennsylvannia, and were among the earliest Quakers (CHAMNESS, LAMB) in NC. German pioneers (SUMMERS, FOUST, WHITESELL) were Lutheran, centering around Frieden's Lutheran Church in eastern Guilford County, NC. Over time, many changed faiths to the mainstream religions of Baptist and Methodist, as did many of their neighbors.
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Taking care of their neighbors spiritual needs is an important of social importance. The following is a list of known members of the family who were ordained ministers, pastors or preachers:
Samuel "Terry"
In early America, Welsh settlers were Baptist. Presbyterians as in their old country, the Scot-Irish (Ferman E. BENNETT Minister Cumberland Presbyterian Church
James Ansil BOWERS, Baptist Minister, Lancaster County, SC
William Figuars BRASINGTON (1806-1883) Pastor, Flat Creek Baptist, Lancaster, SC
Anthony (1713-1777) and Sarah COLE CHAMNESS (1718-1773)
Overseers of the first Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, Chatham County,NC (stone memorial on site)
Oscar COX (1883-1967) Minister Society of Friends, NC
M. Howard DRYE (1892-1954) Minister, Baptist
John FAILE(1822-1899) Minister, First Baptist Church, Kershaw, SC
Nathan Grandison FAILE, Sr. (1815-1896) Pastor Baptist
Ray Von FAILE, Sr. Minister
John FINCHER(1782-1844) Preacher
Joseph GLASSMEYER Minister Society of Friends, NC
William Franklin GRAHAM (1918 - ) Christian Evangelist
Wylie HORTON (1800-1875) Minister Southern Methodist (M.E.) Shelby County, ALABAMA
Moses J. HUNT (1824-1901) Methodist Circuit Minister, NC
Jesse LEWELLEN (ca 1763 - 1816) Preacher Founded Mt. Olive Baptist, Anson County, NC
Hugh McCAIN, Sr., (ca 1729-1821) Lay preacher Presbyterian Church in the Waxhaw Settlement, NC,
and first moderator of the Charlotte Presbytery.
Edward Lewis McILWAIN (1944- ) Minister Presbyterian
J. Donald McMANUS Minister
Robert Judson MACKEY (1934-1993) Pastor Baptist
James Madison MILLER (1816-1865) Methodist Minister, Lancaster County, SC
Jonathan J.OGBURN ( 1810-1904) Pastor, Flat Creek Baptist Church, SC
Oria Erice PHILLIPS (1910-1989) Pastor
Richard Jackson PHILLIPS (1933- ) Preacher SBC churches
Valerie Kay PHILLIPS Missionary to Africa
Samuel "Terry" RODGERS (1917-1968) Preacher SBC churches
Tasso Wirt SILER (1879-1960) Minister Methodist
Coley Livingstone SMITH (1913-1973) Preacher SBC churches
Jerry Livingstone SMITH (1936-2001) Preacher SBC churches
David STALEY Methodist Minister
Dan VINCENT Minister
is the name given to the community in Lancaster County, SC, through which flows Flat Creek, a branch of Big Lynches creek. Flat Creek Baptist church, first named Upper Lynches Creek church, is the oldest Baptist church in the county and is the second oldest church in the county. It was organized on July 4, 1778. Among those buried in its cemetery are some known to have had Welsh ancestry. In this cemetery are buried many relations, most who were MORGAN and GARDNERS. Politics has always played a part in the life of the pioneers. Early NC settlers in the 1760-1770's played a role in the Battle of Alamance, considered by some historians as the beginning of the American Revolution. As America grew, so did the politics of the day. Many of my relatives were probably supporters of General Andy Jackson. Southern by geography, States Right's was more of an issue than was slavery for most who fought in the Civil War.
Our family has always answered their country's call. Each generation has answered in their own way. The medal shown at the top of each of these pages was presented to Davis Collins PHILLIPS for his service in the Mexican War. He and his brother, William Burrell PHILLIPS, along with many of their cousins and neighbors of the same age, joined the Palmetto Regiment and went to serve their state and their country. In honor of each member of the Palmetto Regiment's service, each man was presented in 1850 an engraved silver medal for his service. The medal is deplicted at the top one this website pages. This is the only medal known to be in the possession of PHILLIPS descendants. Davis Collins PHILLIPS, whose name is engraved on the medal, descendants now live in TEXAS. I am thankful to Lindale Phillips for allowing me to post this as part of the website. For more details about the origin of the medal produced and presented see this website: http://www.angelfire.com/sc2/tokenofthemonth/token007/
I have been told that another medal for service in the Mexican War has been identified for Amos McMANUS, and is in the possession of his family today...(RWP.. Mar 2009)>>>>>>>>
Flat Creek >>>>>>>>
SERVICE IN MEXICO
The Mexican War was was a training ground for the conflict to come thirteen years later. Many soldiers had "their baptism under fire", later to be involved in battles Manassas, Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, and points in between all the way to Appomattox and Greensboro. Many of my family ancestors volunteered for service in the Palmetto Regiment, the pride of South Carolina manhood. Some families sent more sons to Mexico than others, although the sacrafice was same in many cases, sons and fathers who never came home to their families.
The loss of HILTON family in the Mexican War was felt severely. The family of William Richard and Gracie Session Terrell HILTON, four brothers George HILTON (d, 4 July 1847 Vera Cruz), Minor HILTON (d. 12 Aug 1847 Puebla), Samuel HILTON (d. 10 July 1847 Vera Cruz), and William R. HILTON (d. 20 Aug 1847 Churubasco) and their 2nd cousin Milam "Miel" HILTON, were all volunteers in Co. I, Palmetto Regiment, all from Lnacaster County, South Carolina.
NOTE: At the Mexico City National Cemetery there are 750 American soldiers buried that were killed during the Mexican War. Their remains were gathered in 1851, four years after the war, and buried in a common grave at this cemetery. They were not identified so they are classified as unknown soldiers.A small monument marks the common grave of 750 unidentified American dead of the War of 1847. Inscribed on the monument are the words:
TO THE HONORED MEMORY
OF 750 AMERICANS
KNOWN BUT TO GOD
WHOSE BONES COLLECTED
BY THEIR COUNTRY'S ORDER
ARE HERE BURIED
In this 1-acre (4,000 m2) area are also placed 813 remains of Americans and others in wall crypts on either side of the cemetery. The cemetery was closed to further burials in 1923.
To give some magitude to the casualities suffered in the Mexican War by the Americans, most who volunteers from the States, ponder this: 115,000 men were involved; killed in battle 1725 (1.5%); died from disease 11,500 (10%); and 13,800 (12%) wounded or discharged due to disease for a total of 27,025 (23.5%) loss of the US force sent to Mexico. The US population in 1850 was 23,191,876 (1850 US CENSUS).
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As the Mexican War was strongly supported by folks in the South, members of my early family elsewhere were involved too. Union County, NORTH CAROLINA was home to some of my paternal grandmother's relations. Many were leading Union County to support the war with Mexico. The following is an example:
For the Journal,
MONROE, Union County, N.C., June 20.
In obedience to notice given to the Officers and Privates of the 69th Regiment N.C. Militia, the citizens of Union county met in the Court House in Monroe, on the 20th of June. When on motion, Hugh Stewart, Esq., was called to the Chair, and Col. James M. Stuart was appointed Secretary.
On motion, the Chair explained the object of the meeting, and Col. J. M. Stuart called on Samuel H. Walkup, Esq., for a speech, who addressed the meeting very ably. On motion the Chair appointed a Committee of five to adopt Resolutions for this meeting. The Chair appointed Col. J. M. Stuart, Col. Wm. W. Walkup, Robert Lemmonds, James G. Blair, and Andrew Secrest, Esq. The Committee retired for a short time, and T. M. McCauley, Esq., made a short address to the meeting, when the Committee offered the following Preamble and Resolutions:
Whereas the Congress of the U. States have declared that war exists between this Government and the Republic of Mexico, and whereas hostilities were commenced by the Mexican army, upon and claimed by us, against the American forces; and whereas, a requisition has been made upon North Carolina for volunteers to aid in defending the interest and honor of our country; Therefore,
Resolved, That whilst we deplore war as one of the greatest evils, and one that should be the very last resort in the civilized age, yet when the honor of the country is at stake, her rights trampled upon, or her soil invaded, it is the duty of every patriot to stand forth ready to aid and defend her at all hazards.
Resolved, That we believe the Rio Del Norto is the true and legitimate boundary between this Government and Mexico, as claimed by Texas and acknowledged by Mexico, as a good national boundary, and even supposing the title to the country between the Nouces (sic) and Del Norto to be doubtful, the violation of the agreement by Mexico to receive Mr. Slidell to negotiate concerning the boundary and her threats to invade Texas if annexed to the United States, fully justified the President in occupying that country and concentrating our forces there; and since they have commenced hostilities against the U. States by invading her soil and shedding the blood of her citizens, our Government would be justified in declaring war and in turn invading Mexico until ample reparation is made.
Resolved, That the conduct of President Polk and Congress in this crisis, in declaring war, voting men and money, and calling for volunteers, was patriotic and energetic and meets our approbation.
Resolved, That we will heartily respond to the Proclamation issued by Gov. Graham for volunteers, that Union county shall not be behind her sister Counties in showing her patriotism, but that she will act as becomes the County giving birth to Gen. Jackson, and part of a County giving birth to President Polk, and the first declaration of Independence.
Resolved, That we have the fullest confidence in Gen. Taylor to conduct the campaign, that the glorious victories and brilliant achievements of him and his army merit the applause of the nation and reflects great honor upon the American arms. We highly approve of the honors conferred upon them by Congress, and would delight to follow such a leader, who commands his men to do nothing where he is not willing to lead.
The above Resolutions were read and unanimously adopted.
On motion, the Waxhaw Band played a few Airs and beat up for volunteers, when 91 of the Officers and Privates of the 69th Regiment enrolled in defense of our country.
On motion, the meeting adjourned a short time, and the Colonels and Major proceeded to organize a company, and elected the following officers. Col. Wm. W. Walkup, Captain; Capt. Thomas D. Massey, 1st Lieutenant; Samuel H. Walkup, Esq., 2d Lieutenant. The Captain then appointed Sergeants and Corporals, and will report to the Adjutant General by the first mail.
Moved, that the Band play “Yankee Doodle” and sing the ‘Old North State’ and ‘Star Spangled Banner.’
Moved, that the thanks of this meeting be given to the Chairman and Secretary, and also to the Band for the able manner in which they discharged their duty.
Ordered that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Journal and Jeffersonian.
The meeting then adjourned and Capt. Walkup paraded the volunteers.
HUGH STEWART, Ch’m.
JAMES M. STUART, Sec’ry.
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Per Wikipedia, "Deo Vindice" is Latin for "With God our vindicator". It was the official motto of the Confederate States of America.
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The US Civil War, The War of Northern Agression, The War Between the States, whatever it was called in the different regions, had a horrible impact of war on families, farms, wealth, and communities. This is one such story.
Private James Madison MILLER
James Madison MILLER (1st cousin 5x removed-paternal side) was born on 7 April 1816, a son of Michael and Frances Welsh MILLER. James married Frances SHEHORN-BLAKENEY in 1835 and became the father of four sons and five daughters. He was executed in Lancaster County, SC, 2 March 1965. A "Yankee" soldier had been on foraging detail and entered the Kershaw County home of Gilliam Sowell. The "Yankee" took the possessions of their recently deceased daughter, greatly distressing Mrs. Sowell. At gunpoint the "Yankee" abducted the family servant, Ephriam, along with all their meat and three horses. After the Union soldiers and Ephriam had traveled some distance, the Federal soldier stopped to sleep. Once the soldier was asleep, Ephriam could not resist the temptation to even the score for the sorrow caused to his mistress. With a lightwood knot, Ephriam struck the "Yankee" three times upon the head, rendering him dead. He left the body over a log by the roadside midway between Jefferson and McBee, near where Buford church stands today. Other soldiers came along and found the body and buried it. He (Ephriam) carried his master's horses and mules, as well as the soldier's horse back into the swamp, and they were all rescued. In retaliation, one hundred Confederate prisoners were lined up and forced to draw a slip of paper from a hat as they marched by, Those to be spared would draw a slip with a "G" on it. The unfortunate soul to be executed would draw a blank slip. James Miller drew the fatal lot. He was a man between forty-five and fifty years of age and had been captured a day or two before some distance west of Cheraw, while on his way home on furlough from Florence, S.C., where he had been engaged in guarding prisoners. He begged to be allowed to communicate with his wife and children, but this priviledge was denied him. He then asked to confer with such of his neighbors and friends as were captives with himself. To those he gave directions for his wife, asking that she be told he was not coming home, and advising her about his farm and about the children, just as if he was going off on a journey to be absent for a time. He then made some requests of those who were about to shoot him. He asked, in the first place, that he be not bound either hand or foot, saying he was not going to run, that he was prepared, and not afraid to die. He then asked that he be not blindfolded, saying he wished to look into the eyes of those who were to shoot him. And lastly, he begged that he not shot in the face, declaring that God had given him his face, and that in all his life he had never done anything of which he was ashamed. Colonel William C. Rhodes of the 30th Illinois (the dead soldier's unit) was ordered to command the firing squad. Advanced in years, a Methodist minister, and father of nine children, the old prisoner claimed he had never seen a shot fired in combat, but was informed that he had "half an hour to prepare for death". A federal private from Illinois recounted that "I spoke to the poor old man and he was quite resigned to his fate, but when speaking of his wife and seven children, the tears streamed down his furrow cheeks". The Federal Colonel gave the gallant man of God a handkerchief to drop once he had finished his final prayers and was ready "to proceed". He was marched off a short distance and few minutes later the firing squad made up of 12 men of the 30th Illinois had done their unenviable deed. SIx bullets struck Miller, the other six being blanks. This was protocol involved in firing squads to try and ensure that no man on the squad knew his bullet had been one of the fatal ones. James MILLER was buried at Five Forks Cemetery. The funeral was conducted by Louis Scarborough. There is a monument at Five Forks in his honor.
**Text taken from website for Chesterfield Camp #1963
OBITUARY for Mr. George W. PHILLIPS
The summons came suddenly to the brave old Veteran and Good Citizen last Sunday morning.
Mr. George W. Phillips, one of Lancaster's oldest and most highly esteemed citizens, died suddenly at his home here last SUnday morning, about 6:30 o'clock. He had been sitting out on the porch reading a newspaper, when he arose and started to go into his house. On getting as far as the hall door he called to one of his daughters to get him some assafetida and she turned to comply with his request he suddenly fell to the floor. He was removed to his bed, but death ensude in a few moments, due to heart trouble, with which he had been afflicted for sometime. He was on the streets of Lancaster the day before his death, apparently in his usual health. Mr. Phillips was in his 73rd year, having been born October 31, 1833. He was a native of Lancaster County and was the son of the late Robin Phillips. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Jowers, to whom he was married before the Civil War. He leaves the following children by this marriage. Mrs. Peter Phillips, of Flat Creek Township: Mrs. J.W. Stewart and Mrs. Frank Hunter, of this place: Mrs. J.F. Phillips of Rock Hill and Mr. George Phillips, Jr. of Louisanna. After the war mr. Phillips was married to Miss Susan Gardner, daughter of the late Captain ames Gardner, who, with the following children, survive him: Mr. S.H. Phillips and Mrs. J.S. Collins, of Rock Hill: Mrs. C.H. Hurley, of Ninety-Six: Mr. B.F. Phillips, and Miss Emma and Lois Phillips of Lancaster. He also leaves two sisters, Ms. Mary Sutton of Bishopville, and Mrs. James Gardner, of Kershaw.
Mr. Phillips was a Confederate veteran, having served through the war. He was a member of Co. A, 4th South Carolina Regiment of Cavalry. He made an enviable record as a soldier ever discharging his duty with fearlessness and fidelity. Though engaged in many battles during his four years of service, he was never wounded or captured by the enemy.
The greater part of Mr. Phillips' life was spent in his native township, Flat Creek, where he was engaged in Farming. In 1898 he moved to Lancaster, where he continued to reside until his death, with the exception of a year or so spent in Rock Hill. He held office of Magistrate up to a year or two ago, when he resigned.
Mr. Phillips was a man of sterling character and enjoyed to a marked degree the confidence of all who knew him. He was always in a pleasant humor and treated with the most utmost courtesy by all with whom he came in contact. As a citizen he was public spirited and took active interest in matters concerning his country's welfare. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and also a member of the Masonic Fraternity.
The remains of Mr. Phillips were buried with Masonic Honors Monday afternoon in the new cemetery, the Rev. T.A. Dabney conducting the funeral service.
As an evidence of high esteem in which Mr. Phillips was held by his fellow citizens, the funeral procession was one of the largest ever seen in Lancaster.
Lancaster Ledger, 22 August 1906
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Elkanah H. LAMB., Private: Resided in Randolph County where he enlisted a age 22, June 5, 1861. Reported absent without leave inSeptember 1862. Court-martialed for desertion on or about December 26, 1863, and sentenced to death. Executed on January 9, 1864.
NC TROOPS 1861-1865: A Roster, Vol. VII, p. 88
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GETTYSBURG!!
Have you ever given thought about Gettysburg, other than what you may have read about regarding the Civil War? Memorial Day 2009, my wife and I stopped at Gettysburg. I had been there before, but only because of my interest in the Civil War. It was a great battle. But as my interest in family genealogy has matured so has my interest in events and places where my ancestors were a part. Sort of the experience similar to those whose fathers, brothers landed at D-Day, 6 June 1944.
Gettysburg was the largest Civil War battle fought. Gettysburg is the largest battle ever waged in the Western hemisphere. Fought over 22,000 acres (26 square miles), over 172,000 men and 634 cannon were involved. Casualities were great. Over 51,000 killed, wounded or captured in three days of fighting between 1-3 July 1863. Imagine the slaughter, when 1600 men fell or were captured every hour that the fighting lasted. Imagine the stench of death of over 5,000 horses. Imagine a line of cannon stretched for two miles on the Confederate artillery line that unleashed a cannonade against Union troops. Pickett's Charge of 12,000 Confederate troops against Cemetery Ridge was a magnificent effort ending in disaster. In 50 minutes, 10,000 men in the assault had become casualties.
I have documented many of my ancestors who were in the American Civil War (sometimes referred to as America's Second Civil War, as many historians consider the American Revolution to be America's First Civil War, especially in the Southern Campaign). I have compiled a list of the regiments and men who served from my lineage (see Military Roster tab). I have taken a second cut of these names to see who fought at Gettysburg. They are listed by state, regiment, and their name and rank. Space doesn't permit listing their company, but that can be found on the Military Roster tab. Take time and IMAGINE this great battle and where your ancestor may have been if he was on that battlefield that day.
Names in red are my direct ancestors. (110 men / 6 June 2010)
KIA-Killed in Action, (dow) died of wounds, (w)wounded, (c) captured
NORTH CAROLINA
1st Regiment NC Cavalry: Thomas Summerfield SILER;
1st Regiment NC Infantry (40% casualities): John Henry GERRINGER; Nathan Madison SUMMERS
2nd Battalion NC Infantry (64% casualities): George CAGLE (c), James Martin CAGLE, Lewis E. CAGLE;
3rd Regiment NC Artillery: Herman Alexander SUMMERS
4th Regiment NC Infantry: William Samuel ROGERS;
5th Regiment NC Troops: Spencer D. SILER (c);
6th Regiment NC Cavalry: William ROSS, Julius Thomas SILER;
11th Regiment NC Infantry: Benjamin Morrow COFFEY(w/x2), John G. NISBET;
12th Regiment NC State Troops: Robert A. WILLIAMS;
13th Regiment NC Infantry: Valentine (Felty) GERRINGER (KIA), Hezkiah SUMMERS;
14th Regiment NC Infantry: David D. CAGLE;
16th Regiment NC Infantry: James Holmes BRYSON, William P. SILER;
21st Regiment NC Infantry: 2nd Lt. Andrew SUMMERS (w), Jaazariah SUMMERS, Harper SUMMERS, James Martin WYRICK;
22nd Regiment NC Infantry (>50% casualities): James ALLRED, Columbus Franklin SILER, Wesley C. SILER (KIA), 1st Sgt. Martin Wright WYRICK;
26th Regiment NC Infantry (26th NC went into battle with 803 men, with 95 uninjured after the battle; a casaulty rate of almost 90%): Henry Clay BROWN, Leroy Lee R. HILTON, Col. John Randolph LANE, John Stewart McCAIN, Alson Record SILER, Edwin H. SILER, Horace Wilbur SILER (w); James Lewis SILER, John Qunicy Adams SILER (w), William J. SILER (KIA), William Murchinson SILER (dow), Henry Clay WALKUP (w), Israel Pickens WALKUP (w), Samuel Harvey WALKUP;
30th Regiment NC Infantry: David A. STARNES;
34th Regiment NC Infantry: (34th NC suffered 21% casualities) Michael Monroe GILLON, 1st Lt.
45th Regiment NC Infantry: Calvin G. WYRICK, Milton Weatherly WYRICK;
47th Regiment NC Infantry: James Monroe BRANNOCK, Thomas Jefferson BRANNOCK (KIA), John Henry Pikard SUMMERS (KIA), Julius B. SUMMERS;
52nd Regiment NC Infantry: Hartwell BIRD, Eli BROWN;
53rd Regiment NC Infantry: George Washington GERRINGER (w x4); Peter Riley SUMERS (KIA), Thomas Donnell WHITTINGHAM;
SOUTH CAROLINA
1st Infantry Regiment Rifles (Orr's Rifles): Benjamin Franklin MILLER;
2nd (Palmetto) Regiment SCVI: Samuel Jones BENTON, 3rd Sgt.; William Lee BIRD (dow), George Cauthen BRASINGTON, 2nd Lt. (dow), Blair Burrell CASTON, Capt. Benjamin Rutledge CLYBURN (w), William James DUNN (w), Samuel GARDNER, 3rd Lt. Marion Richard HINSON (KIA), Maredion Lily HINSON, George Washington KENNINGTON, Sgt ;Richard R. KENNINGTON, Albert PHILLIPS, William Travis PHILLIPS (w), Joseph RODGERS, Capt. John Alexander SOWELL (w, c), Jesse E. TRUESDEL, 2nd Lt. John Rushing WELSH, David Aurelius WILLIAMS (w);
SC 3rd Infantry Regiment of Volunteers: Nathan FAILE, James Franklin GARDNER, John F. GARDNER, Martin Van Buren HINSON;
SC 7th Infantry Regiment: Robert John PHILLIPS; John P. MILLER; Thomas J. MILLER
SC 8th Infantry Regiment: Major John Simpson MILLER; John Wesley THREATT, Sr.
SC 13th Infantry Regiment: Ransom GARDNER I,
SC 14th Infantry Regiment: Abel Nelson Washington BELK;
SC 12th Infantry Regiment: James E. BIRD, Thomas Franklin CLYBURN, Alfred GARDNER; Francis Marion GARDNER (dow), Isaac "Coot" GARDNER III, Robert I. GARDNER, Stephen Lee GARDNER, 2nd Lt. William Ransom GARDNER, David R. HILTON, Richard Burrell HILTON, Jr. , Richard William HILTON, Joseph P. JOHNSON, William H. JOHNSON, John Lucas MILLER, Colonel; John Alexander NISBET (KIA), John Jefferson ROBERTS, John Reed ROBERTS, Christopher Columbus WELSH (Surgeon), Uriah Asa WILLIAMS, William Jehlye WILLIAMS, Wylie Aaron WILLIAMS;
ALABAMA
Alabama 44th Infantry Regiment: James William DEASON, John Columbus DEASON, Henry OWENS, Charles C. SMITH, William Riley SMITH.
Did you know that no Confederate dead of Gettysburg are honored with a marked grave, unlike the Union soldiers. Lincoln's 256 words spoken in two minutes were not said over Confederate troops as they were not buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
The Confederate Gettysburg dead were buried mostly where they fell, in fields, gullies, the woods, etc. Between 1871 and 1873, more than 3,000 Confederate remains were disinterred and shipped to cemeteries in cities like Charleston, SC, (Magnolia Cemtery); Savannah, GA (Laurel Grove Cemetery); Raleigh, NC (Oakwood Cemetery); and Richmond, VA (Hollywood Cemetery
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WHERE ARE THEIR GRAVES?
A recent reply (5 Mar 2009) from the Richmond Battleground National Park Historian Robert E. L. Krick, helped me understand more about fallen soldiers of the Civil War. The following was his reply:"I checked the area cemeteries for your two Hiltons and found neither of them in marked graves.
In the case of J. Leander Hilton, 12th So. Carolina Infantry, that is not at all surprising. Men killed outright on the battlefields rarely ever ended up in marked or known graves. Although we have no specific evidence in this particular case, it is highly likely that Hilton was buried within a few yards of where he was killed, somewere in the woods on the Gaines's Mill battlefield, and possibly in a grave shared with other dead from his company or regiment. To the best of anyone's knowledge, the Confederate dead from that battlefield never were removed, at least not systematically, and most are believed to remain in their original graves. The primary exception to that general rule is that on occasion family members already in the army sometimes took special care with the burials of brothers/sons/fathers; or, once in a while, disinterred them in the weeks following the battles and shipped home the remains. Any evidence of that would be in South Carolina, and it does not seem likely. Richard T. Hilton of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry also does not occupy a known grave. He was mortally wounded in the 2nd's big battle at Savage's Station on June 29, 1862, and apparently died the next day. Because that battle occurred directly on the railroad, it is possible that Hilton was shipped into town before he died, but it's not likely, especially as he must have been badly wounded. He probably died in a field hospital somewhere near the battlefield. Once again, there is no evidence that Confederate dead from that battlefield ever were removed, and I cannot even make a good guess as to where he might have died. Have you seen the published history of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry, by Mac Wyckoff? It notes, in Hilton's roster entry, that there is a published obituary of him in the August 13, 1862, Lancaster (S.C.) Ledger, page 2. If you are not familiar with that, perhaps it gives some details on Hilton's death and burial. I regret not finding either grave, but should also point out that these bad results are not uncommon. Most of the identified graves in the area cemeteries are for men who died in the city hospitals. Battlefield casualties are very hard to find."
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