I love old pictures of WWI soldiers, don’t you?
Maybe it’s because they wore the big round hats, like my husband did when he served as a Drill Sergeant. I think they looked very sharp in uniform.
This is my great-great grandfather, John Edwards Jr.’s cousin, Cecil Francis Edwards (1894-1969).
The picture was given to me by another Edwards researcher and I’m grateful for it – Thank you!! I really wish I had a similar one of my great-grandfather, Alfred Edwards, in his uniform.
I know that my 3rd great-grandfather, John Edwards, is only one of many boys who lied about their age to serve in the Civil War, but I still find it fascinating.
I had often wondered how exactly he had served. He was born 11 September 1848, near London, Ontario, Canada. That makes him pretty young for a soldier – about 12 at the start of the war.
I knew what unit he served in (Co. G. Michigan Infantry), but I didn’t have any dates and I was unable to get his pension records for a number of years. I finally received them a couple of weeks ago and many of my questions are now answered.
First of all, he didn’t enlist until near the end of the war – 15 March 1865 at Pontiac, Michigan. He would have been 16 years old at the time. So, he wasn’t a 12 yr old drummer boy, he was close to being a man.
Second, he LIED about his age. All of the documents pertaining to his pension state that he was born on 11 Sept 1846.
The only document in his pension file that has his correct birth date is what was listed on his death certificate. A copy of the certificate was included in his file as his wife was trying to get back payments from a check that was returned.
The 1848 date is also what is listed in his obituary and it matches up with his age in census records.
These two years he added to his age, would have made him 18 at the time of his enlistment, instead of the 16 he really was.
He was the 10th of 11 children and I wonder if any of his older 3 brothers also served. It’s something I haven’t looked into yet, but perhaps he was feeling left out – or maybe he was just very patriotic and wanted to serve his country.
Either way, I find it interesting that he would voluntarily join the Army and risk his life at such a young age. Can you imagine many 16 year olds today doing the same?
Do you have any ancestors who lied about their age to join the Army?
I have this humongous tub of documents and notes and pictures that I haven’t yet digitized, or entered into Legacy, or blogged about. I can’t ever seem to get caught up with all of the cool things I’ve found, but I know that I really need to get it done – otherwise I’m going to spend a lot of precious time backtracking, searching for things that I already know.
On Christmas Eve, while my kids were busily playing with their new toys (they each opened one present early), I spent a few hours scanning in documents. Honestly, I barely even made a dent in the pile – but it felt good to at least start sifting through all of it.
Among the documents in this pile was a will for my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather, James H. Leonard (1796-1892). It’s been sitting there for at least five years. 🙁
Well, now it will see the light of day and be posted for the world to see!!! I’m only transcribing the actual will, below the images.
Do you have any important documents that haven’t seen the light of day for years? Share them!!!
The last Will and Testament of James H. Leonard of the Town of Newfane in the County of Niagara + State of New York.
I, James H. Leonard considering the uncertainty of this mortal life + being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner + form following that is to say:
First, I give and bequeath unto my two sons Dewitt C. Leonard + Henry B. Leonard + unto my daughter Eliza Jane Sawyer the sum of two hundred dollars each, to be paid to them from the proceeds of the real or personal estate I should be possessed of at the time of my decease + to be paid to them within a reasonable time after my decease for their use forever.
Second, All the rest and residue of my real + personal estate not herein before given + bequeathed after payment of debts, funeral expenses + e I give unto my five children Dewitt C. Leonard, Henry B. Leonard, Eliza J. Sawyer, Roxanna Spencer, + Maria Peck to be equally divided between them, that they share + share alike for their use forever and I do here by constitute and appoint Augustus B. Kendall of the Town of Newfane, sole executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other heretofore made wills by me. Witness my hand + seal the twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and eighty.
James H. Leonard (Seal)
The above instrument consisting of one half sheet of paper was now here subscribed by James H. Leonard the testator in the presence of each of us + was at the same time declared by him to be his last Will and Testament + we at his request signed our names there to as attesting witnesses.
Anthony McKee residing in Newfane Niagara County NY
Martha A. McKee residing in Newfane Niagara County NY
This is definitely not a very informative obituary, but it’s an obituary nonetheless. Peter Sanchez was a brother to my great-great grandfather, Frederick Sanchez-Tereso.
This was a clipping pasted together with other obituaries – I believe it was probably in the Sigourney, IA newspaper.
11 Oct 1888
Peter Sanchez died at his home near Ollie, Sunday, Oct. 7th, with consumption. Mr. Sanchez has been sick for some time, but his sudden departure was unlooked for so soon. He was buried Monday.
It’s that time again – time to shop through the ages!! This time, we’re shopping through the 1904 Sears, Roebuck, & Co. catalog.
Let’s begin with some men’s clothing. I tried to get some “working man’s” clothes in there along with the business attire. Most of my ancestors were farmers or manual laborers, so I’m sure they weren’t in suits and ties on a daily basis.
And the boys. The little sailor suit on the right makes me smile. 🙂
And on to women’s clothing.
And the girls. Don’t the waists look kind of low on these dresses?
What were the babies wearing? They were absolutely drowning in their outfits, weren’t they?
And on to random things that I found amusing in the rest of the catalog…
Dancing floor wax – “sprinkle it on the floors and the dancers will do the rest”!
The reversible rag doll – “two dolls in one”. It says that it’s “one of the biggest selling rag dolls ever placed on the market.”The Rosetta Stone of the early 1900’s! Foreign languages taught by graphophone. You could learn French or Spanish.I thought this pack of celebrity playing cards was interesting. The cards show “portraits of world renowned celebrities of the stage.” and had gold edges.A cure for the opium and morphine habit. I wonder how many people were actually addicted to opium and morphine in this time period. How horrible. 🙁I thought this was kind of neat – you could put a photograph on a watch case or dial. Have any of you had one of these treasures passed down to you? I believe that I might have a few of these postcards – of a family farm and some elementary school pictures. They seem to have been really popular in this time period.Looking for something to do? You could make a burlap rug!A set of solid silver salt cups, in a leather case. Those who ordered this must have had some extra money to spend.Have any of you ever seen one of these railroad attachments before? I had never heard of this, but it makes sense. In a time when there were very few good roads for bikes, you could have a nice smooth ride on the rails. I would be a bit concerned about a train coming though!Look at this Viaticum Cabinet or Sick Call Outfit. I am assuming this is to give Communion to those who are unable to attend church. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Have you ever come across one of these in an antique shop?Here are some Communion sets.Many of us have ancestors who were members of societies. I thought that these rosettes were neat – they actually attach to buggy bridles. Kind of like the bumper sticker of the day. 🙂I can’t imagine living 100 years ago – without toasty vehicles and homes. I would probably want to wear a “throat and chest shield” too!Oh. My. Goodness. How could anyone type with one of these contraptions??I love the bangs! I wonder how real they looked.I had never heard of wax cylinder records before, have you?
Isn’t this a gorgeous selection of earrings?
Well, that’s it for this edition of Shopping Through the Ages!! See you next time, when we shop through 1905.
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