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Background
The increased interest in Civil War history in the United States has resulted in the unearthing of volumes of fascinating material. One item which has appeared is the imprisonment record of William Cullinan, a Confederate soldier. This item states
that he was a Private with Company 'A' of the 22nd Regiment of the Tennessee Cavalry. The Roll of Prisoners of War states that he was captured at Pulaski, Tennessee on July 18, 1863. He was brought to Camp Chase, Ohio and took an oath stating that
he was a conscript and deserter.
Research Notes
William Cullinan appears in another item, this also in Tennessee. A Marriage Bond states that William Cullinan was married on January 6, 1866 to Bridget Cullinan. It is possible that the marriage bond was necessary as Bridget Cullinan was a minor.
Another possibility is that Bridget Cullinan (note that this is the maiden name which was given) was a relative, thus requiring a special bond from the courts. Could William have married a deceased brother's wife (this was quite common in this
period, especially where there are children). Could he have married while still imprisoned in Tennessee? A more realistic possibility is that Bridget was not from the county, or had been married before, and that the court required a bond to ensure
that her marriage would be valid. It is hard to say which is the case. The marriage bond reads as follows:
Know all Men, That We
William Cullinan
of the County of Davidson, and State of Tennessee, are held and firmly bound unto the State
of Tennessee, in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to which payment, well and
truly to be made, we bind our heirs, executors and administrators and each and every one of us and
them, hath jointly and severally firmly by these Presents.
Witness our hands and Seals, the 6th day of January 18 66.
The condition of the above obligation is such, That Whereas William Cullinan
hath prayed and obtained a License to marry Bridget Cullinan
Now if the said B. Cullinan be an actual resident of the County aforesaid, and
there shall be hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said William Cullinan
and Bridget Cullinan should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, as
Husband and Wife, then this obligation to be void and of no effect; otherwise to remain in full
force and virtue.
Wm Cullinan (Seal)
[illegible] (Seal)
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Also in Davidson County, Tennessee, a Katherine (Kate) Cullinan can be found. She was married in April of 1876 to John Burns. Nothing more is known about her. It is possible that Kate and William were somehow
related.
Can you Help?
If you are able to suggest any explanation for this marriage bond, or if you are able to provide any details on these Cullinans, I would be pleased to hear from you. Where did they come from? Did they have children? Where did they live?
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