EASLEY

 

Compiled by: Andrew L. Moore

336 Sarver Road, Sarver  PA  16055

Email: PAmoores@juno.com

Dated: 1 December 2005

EASLEY

 

 

Easley Genealogy

By

J.D. Easley

 

Earliest history and the evolution of the name, Easley.

 

What is known of the family prior to the flight to America so far as the Easley’s are concerned is tradition coupled with many historical facts. 

 

It is believed that the family was first known in Southern Switzerland where they were silk merchants.  From Switzerland to France the move was made sometime about the middle of the fifteenth century.  After they came to France they were religiously Huguenots (persecuted French Christians) and after the massacre of St. Bartholomew they fled to the British Isles and the Netherlands.  It seems the Easley contingent went to England.

 

The name in Switzerland was spelled ‘Islyn’, and in France was pronounced ‘Else’.   So the spelling was changed to ‘Else’ and was so spelled in some of the early Virginia court records.  For some reason not known, a title with the prefix ‘de’ was awarded the family by some french king for some service done or special act.  It is told that there was a coat-of-arms. 

 

So far as been learned by close searching of Virginia court records, Robert Easley I was the first name and the only one of the name to come to the Jamestown Colony.  The best evidence that he was a Huguenot is that he was granted land out of the allotment made to the French ‘refugees’.  This grant was dated 20 Oct 1704 and was for 315 acres on the east side of Reedy Creek on the James River in Henrico Co VA.

 

Quoted from Dr. Tom Gray’s 1990 genealogy entitled The Easley Family Tree – which he quoted from J.D. Easley’s Easley Genealogy.

 

 

Robert Else/Easley

 

Robert was born 1665 England and married Ann Parker in either England or in the new Colony in Jamestown VA in 1681.  Ann’s grandfather was William Powell, Lt. Governor of Jamestown (VA) in 1681.  Below is a short history in the Jamestown Colony:

 

Jamestown Virginia.  The first permanent English settlement in North America was Jamestown, Virginia, established in 1607.  The colony was the project of the London Company, which was chartered in the previous year by King James I.  Under the leadership of John Smith of the London Company, the colony barely survived famine, Native American attacks, and an outbreak of malaria.  New settlers and supplies arrived in 1610, and commercial development of tobacco crops finally enabled the colony to thrive.  The marriage in 1614 of colonist John Rolfe and Pocahontas, the daughter of an Algonquian chief, brought several years of peace with the Native Americans.   "Jamestown," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

The children of Robert Easley and Ann Parker were:

 

1.       John, married Mary Benskin 1711.

2.       Warham.

3.       Margaret.

4.       Elizabeth.

5.       William, born 1692, married ______ Pyrant.

6.       Robert.

 

 

William Easley

 

William, the third son and fifth child of Robert Easley and Ann Parker, was born circa 1692.  He married _______ Pyrant.  They lived in Halifax Co VA during the Revolutionary War.

 

The children of William Easley and _____ Pyrant were:

 

1.       Daniel [I], born about 1720, married (1) Ann David in circa 1745, and then (2) Elizabeth Echols in circa 1764, then died in Jan 1786 Halifax Co VA.

2.       William.

 

 

Daniel Easley I

 

Daniel [I] was born in Virginia circa 1720.  He first married Ann David in 1754.  Ann was a sister to Mary Ann David, who married Stephen Easley, a first cousin of Daniel.  They were daughters of Peter David, a French Huguenot refugee as shown by land granted to him out of land set aside for Huguenot refugees.  Daniel, a “planter” (farmer/tobacco farmer) lived in Halifax Co VA (a county on the NC/VA border) during the Revolutionary War.  By the time of his death, Daniel had acquired 589 acres of land.

 

Daniel later married Elizabeth Echols in circa 1764.  Because the dates of these marriages are pure speculation, there is no way of knowing which of his children were born to Ann or Elizabeth.

 

 

Will of Daniel Easley I

Written 12 Jan 1786, Probated 19 Jan 1786.

Halifax Co VA Will Book 2, page 174.

 

In the name of God amen!  I, Daniel Easley of the County of Halifax being sensible of the mortality of my body though at present enjoying of my senses and right mind and body I do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following to-wit:

 

I commit my body to the earth from whence it was taken and my soul to God who gave it to me before whom I must stand before in judgement in a coming day to answer for myself in that day.  As for my domestic affairs I leave in a manner and form the following:

 

Item: I leave unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Easley during her life one Negro woman named Siddy and her youngest children and also Negro David, and one feather bed and the furniture and my young mare Snip and her riding saddle. The first choice of cows and calves the whole during her natural life.

 

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Daniel Easley the land and premises of which I now live containing 385 acres more or less and also Negroes James and Rose with one feather bed and furniture and the old mare called Jenny and her filly colt and I give him also all the cash I have by me and also all the debts justly due me with my crop of tobacco I have now I hand the whole being his after paying all my just debts and after my wife has the first choice in cattle then for him to have four the next choice with my work steers and cart and also my still the whole to him and his heirs forever.

 

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Isaac Easley the land I bought of James Bailey on Bannister River whereon Isaac now lives containing 204 acres more or less and one Negro girl Sal and one horse colt being the foal of old mare Jenny got by Sith Harrisons horse two head of cattle the next choice to Daniel to him and his heirs forever.

 

Item: I give to my daughter Marianne Parker one Negro named Harkless to her and her heirs forever.

 

Item: I give to my daughter Phoebe Adams one Negro named to her and her heirs forever.

 

Item: I give to my grandson Robert Easley being the son of John Easley one Negro named Rachel to him and his heirs forever.

 

Item: I give to my grand-daughter Elizabeth Easley, the daughter of John Easley, one Negro named Tom to her and her heirs forever.  As for my hogs and sheep and the working tools and the remainder of the household furniture (except my saddle and one feather bed and furniture stand) just for the use of my plantation so long as my wife and Daniel live together and if they should disagree and love apart the same to be divided between them at the discretion of mine executors whom I shall name here after and my wife to hold her part so long s she lives and no longer.

 

The balance of Negroes (except old Dick which I leave on the plantation to be used well as long as he lives) and the balance of cattle and my saddle and featherbed (as I mentioned before).  The whole to be made sale of privately among my children both sons and daughters to them and their heirs forever.  My will and desire is that my estate should not be appraised.  I also appoint Isaac Easley, Daniel Easley, Daniel Parker and Hawkins Landrum to be my executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other wills made by me heretofore.  Given under my hand and seal this 12^th day of January, one thousand seven hundred and eighty six.

                                                                              Daniel  X  Easley

 

 

 

The children of Daniel Easley I and Ann David or Elizabeth Echols were:

 

1.       Isaac, born 1761, married Judith Easley 1782, died 1810.

2.       John, died 1782.

3.       Daniel [II], born 15 Jun 1765 Halifax Co VA, married Edith Anderson 24 Nov 1791 Halifax Co VA, died 21 Mar 1820 Freeport, Harrison Co OH.  Edith was born 26 Sep 1772, died 6 Mar 1820 Freeport, Harrison Co OH and was the daughter of John Anderson and Rachel _______.

4.       Marianna/Mary Ann, born 1746, married Daniel Parker 15 Mar 1781.

5.       Ann.

6.       Phoebe, married _____ Adams.

7.       Martha, born 1750.

 

Daniel Easley II

 

Daniel [II] was born 15 Jun 1765 in Halifax Co VA and died 21 Mar 1820 in Freeport, Harrison Co OH.  Halifax County VA is located on the NC/VA border.  In 1786 Daniel [II] inherited his father’s (Daniel I) plantation and its adjoining 385 acres of land.  David married Edith Anderson on 24 Nov 1791 in Halifax Co VA – in the midst of President George Washington’s first term in office.

 

Edith was born 26 Sep 1772, died 6 Mar 1820 Freeport, Harrison Co OH and was the daughter of John Anderson and Rachel _______.  John Anderson, Edith’s father, was born 23 Dec 1742 and Rachel, his mother, was born 10 May 1746.

 

According to the History of Fulton County, Illinois, Daniel Easley freed his slaves in Halifax Co VA and sold his property to Lighthorse Harry Lee, the father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before migrating his family to Harrison Co OH in the early 1800’s.  In Oct 1934, Charles H. Easley, the son of Ellwood Easley (Stephen’s son) wrote a letter to his son Charles Easley in which he stated that his great grandfather, Daniel Easley II, “did not like the slave business, so he sold out and moved to Ohio in the early 1800’s.”

 

In 1810, Daniel received three Harrison Co OH land patents:

 

Daniel Easley's

Harrison Co OH Land Patents

 

SE Section 18, Township 11, Range 7 – issued 23 Jun 1810.

NE Section 17, Township 11, Range 7 – issued 15 Dec 1810.

SE Section 19, Township 12, Range 7 – issued 15 Dec 1810.

 

 

The known children of Daniel Easley II and Edith Anderson were:

 

1.       Sarah, born 13 Feb 1793 Halifax Co VA, married Jonathan Bogue, died 25 Aug 1866.  Jonathan Bogue was born 2 Jan 1787 and died 8 Apr 1820.

2.       Mary Ann, born 17 Oct 1794 Halifax Co VA, married Jesse/Job Bogue 24 Apr 1813, died 1 Nov 1870.  Jesse/Job Bogue was born 5 Jan 1785 and died 3 Mar 1876.  According to the 1879 edition of the History of Fulton County Illinois, “Jesse Bogue, merchant, was the first white child born in Pleasant Township.  His father, John Bogue, was born in NC in 1875(??….s/b 1785??); at the age of 16 he (Jesse) settled in Ohio, where he afterward married Mary Ann Easley, daughter of Daniel Easley, of Virginia, by whom he had 11 children, 10 are living at the present time.  The family arrived on the Ipava Prairie in the spring of 1831 and pre-empted ¼ section of land.  Here he built a cabin, obtaining help from Lewistown; three years afterward he moved into Vermont Township where he built the first saw mill.  He died in 1876.  Mrs. B died in 1871 (incorrect - should be 1 Nov 1870).  Jesse, the 9^th child, went to school in a log school-house on the ground which is now the Public Square in Vermont (IL), his first teacher being Lewis Kelly.”

3.       Ruth, born 20 Jun 1796 Halifax Co VA, married Henry F. David 18 Dec 1814, died 3 Apr 1875.  Henry F. David was born 25 Sep 1791 and died 3 Mar 1852.

4.       John Richard, born 9 Sep 1798 Halifax Co VA, married Nancy Kinsey 30 Nov 1820 in Freeport, Harrison Co OH, and died on 25 Jan 1873 in Fulton Co OH.  Nancy Kinsey was born 6 Nov 1802 and died Feb 22 1878 and was the daughter of Richard and Rhoda Kinsey.  John and Nancy’s daughter, Rhoda K. Easley, married Reese Cadwalader on 29 Dec 1841.  Reese was the son of John and Ruth (Bogue) Cadwalader.  John is considered the founder of current day Ipava, Fulton Co Illinois.  He moved to Ipava in May of 1832.  Many of his brothers and sisters and their families followed him to Ipava IL.  They had 11 children.  Both he and his wife Nancy are buried near the center of the "Old Ipava Cemetery" in the SW corner of their 160 acre farm.

5.       Daniel [III], born 2 Jun 1800 Halifax Co VA, 5 Jan 1825.

6.       Rachel, born 2 Jun 1802 Halifax Co VA, died 17 Apr 1820.

7.       Richard, born 22 Sep 1804 Halifax Co VA, married Elizabeth Valentine 11 Jun 1827.

8.       Isaac, born 2 Aug 1806 Halifax Co VA, married Mary Norris 1830, died 1861.  Mary was born circa 1815  and died 1859.

9.       Stephen, born 8 Aug 1808 Halifax Co VA or Harrison Co OH (conflicting sources), married Sabine Cadwalader/Cadwallader, died 22 Apr 1847 Ipava, Fulton Co IL, buried Easley Cemetery, Ipava, Fulton Co IL.  Sabina was born 10 Apr 1811 in Harrison Co OH—or—Fayette Co PA (censuses contain conflicting information), died 4 Apr 1851 Ipava, Fulton Co IL and is buried next to her husband.  Sabina was the daughter of John Cadwalader [Jr] and Ruth Bogue.

10.   Phebe, born 29 Jan 1811 Harrison Co OH, married Daniel Knock 19 Apr 1831, died 1899.  Daniel Knock was born 15 Jun 1819 and died circa 1884.

11.   Thomas, born 7 Apr 1814 Harrison Co OH, married Lydia Ann Buck 2 Mar 1837, died 4 Dec 1849.  Lydia Ann Buck was born 23 Jun 1818 and died 29 Dec 1893.

 

 

Stephen Easley

 

Stephen was born 8 Aug 1808 in Halifax Co VA or Harrison Co OH (conflicting sources).  He married Sabina Cadwalader/Cadwallader and died on 22 Apr 1847 in Ipava, Fulton Co IL and is buried in the Easley Cemetery, Ipava, Fulton Co IL.

 

Stephen either came with or followed his brother John from Harrison Co OH to Ipava, Fulton Co IL.  It is known that John migrated from Harrison Co OH to Fulton Co IL in May of 1832.  Stephen's brother John is also known as the founder of Ipava IL.  Ipava was known as a “flax processing” center.  Flax is a type of plant that is grown for its fiber and seed – common byproducts include linen threads, fabrics, linseed oil and meal.

 

Sabina was born 10 Apr 1811 in Harrison Co OH—or—Fayette Co PA (censuses contain conflicting information) and died 4 Apr 1851 Ipava, Fulton Co IL.  She is buried next to her husband. Sabina is the daughter of John Cadwalader [Jr] and Ruth Bogue.  The Cadwalader’s came from Fayette Co PA.  For more information on the Cadwalader surname, please see the chapter by that name.

 

The children of Stephen Easley and Sabina Cadwalader/Cadwallader were:

 

1.       Elwood, born 3 Jun 1839 Ipava, Fulton Co IL, married Deborah Mary Wood 17 Mar 1859, Ipava, Fulton Co IL, died 22 Dec 1915 Glendora CA, buried Oakdale Memorial Cemetery, Glendora CA.  Deborah, the daughter of Josiah and Lydia Wood, was born 30 Aug 1838 in Ipava IL and died 14 Mar 1903.  She is buried next to her husband.  They migrated from Bloomington IL to Fall River, Colorado Territory in 1872.  According to Dr. Gray, Elwood and his older sons made the trip via covered wagon.  Deborah and the smaller children came via train to Denver and then overland stagecoach to Fall River.  They remained in Fall River for two years.  In 1874, they moved into a one room cabin north of Golden, Jefferson Co CO on a piece of ground that later became their fruit farm.  Elwood plowed virgin soil for the first alfalfa field, but a grasshopper plague destroyed the entire crop.  In 1878, over the advice and protest of his neighbors, Elwood planted a large apple orchard.  He also successfully produced and sold other fruits (grapes, pears, raspberries, strawberries, peaches and plums) on the farm to support his family.  In August 1886 Elwood purchased Sections 22 and 23 north of Golden – and built a beautiful house.  It was demolished in 1981.  Elwood named the place “Orchard Home”.  In 1898, Elwood and Deborah later moved to California and reportedly developed another place similar to “Orchard Home”.  The Golden, Colorado-based beer manufacturer Coors now owns most of once was Elwood’s property.   There is a very interesting article on Orchard Home, entitled “Easleys provide memories of early days at ‘Orchard Home’ “, that can be found on page 2B of the 12 Apr 1988 edition of the Golden (CO) Transcript.

2.       John Cadwalader, born 4 Mar 1841 Ipava, Fulton Co IL, married Lucy A. Austin 28 Nov 1876, died 25 Jan 1909 Golden, Jefferson Co CO, buried Golden Cemetery, Jefferson Co CO.  John served in Co. G of the 11^th Illinois Cavalry in 1862 as a Sergeant.  After the Civil War he moved to Colorado – where he was the Sheriff of Clear Creek County, Colorado in 1875.  Prior to his death, he spent time mining in Mexico.  Lucy died 18 Aug 1889.

3.       Daniel M., born 1 Jul 1843 Ipava, Fulton Co IL, married (1) Rhoda Jane Kinsey, 6 Feb 1867 Bloomington, McLean Co IL, and (2) Sarah Angeline Harris, 27 May 1873 Columbus, Cherokee Co KS, died 26 Jun 1880 Golden, Jefferson Co CO, buried 29 Jun 1880 Golden City Cemetery, Jefferson Co CO.

4.       Reese, born 6 Apr 1846, married Sarah Jones 12 Oct 1875 Vernon Co MO, died 17 May 1901, buried Golden Cemetery, Jefferson Co CO.  Sarah was born circa 1858 and died 1949.  Reese came to Colorado with his brother Elwood.  His farm was located south of Clear Creek.  Elwood’s much larger farm was north of Clear Creek.

 

 

Daniel M. Easley

 

Daniel M. was born 1 Jul 1843 in Ipava, Fulton Co IL and I believe his principal occupation was that of a Farmer and possibly a Coal Miner.  Daniel married (1) Rhoda Jane Kinsey on 6 Feb 1867 in Bloomington IL and (2) Sarah Angeline Harris on 27 May 1873 in Columbus, Cherokee Co KS.  Daniel died intestate on 26 Jun 1880 in Golden, Jefferson Co CO and was buried 29 Jun 1880 in the Golden City Cemetery, Jefferson Co CO.

 

Daniel’s first wife Rhoda Jane Kinsey died on 27 Nov 1867 in Cherokee Co KS, 9 months after their marriage and very possibly giving birth to their first and only child Sabina who was born in Nov 1867.

 

After Rhoda died Daniel remarried a Sarah Angeline Harris on 27 May 1873 in Columbus, Cherokee Co KS.  Sarah was born 17 Aug 1852 in Eaton, Preble Co OH and died on 25 Oct 1930 in Los Angeles CA.  She was buried on 28 Oct 1930 in the Grand View Cemetery in Glendale CA.  Sarah Angeline is the daughter of Thomas Harris, Jr and Mary Ann Hart.  According to Sarah’s Los Angeles Co CA death certificate, she was living at 432 N. Normandie Place at the time of her death and died of cerebral hemorrhage.  A Louis N. Bertholf was the certificate’s informant – and was also living at 432 N. Normandie Place.

 

Daniel Easley’s Civil War Record

 

Daniel served in Companies H and A in the 28^th Illinois Infantry in the Civil War.  Daniel enlisted on 8 Aug 1861 at Ipava, Fulton Co IL as a Private in Company “H” of the 28^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was honorably discharged 4 Jan 1864 at/near Natchez, Mississippi.  The following day, on 5 Jan 1864, Daniel re-enlisted as a Private in Company “A” of the 28^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served until honorably discharged a second and final time on 15 Mar 1866 at Brownsville Texas. 

 

During the Civil War, Daniel was injured at: 1) Battle of Shiloh Mississippi in April 1862 (“gunshot wound, left side”), 2) Siege of Vicksburg Mississippi in June 1863 (“fever”) and 3) service at Brownsville Texas in the winter of 1864 & 1865 and fall of 1865 (“disease of lungs” – ie TB?).

 

Sarah applied for a Civil War Widow’s pension after his death.  Sarah began receiving a pension (#481547) from the US Government until her marriage with Horace Bertholf on 23 Dec 1886.  After Harace's death on 19 May 1923, Sarah submitted a “Declaration for Remarried Widow’s Pension” on 29 Oct 1923.  She was approved for a resumption of pension payments. (Widow Claim # 438177).

 

Daniel’s unit saw considerable action in the deep south during the Civil War.  Here is a summary of his unit’s service:

 

28^th Illinois Infantry

Military Service Summary

August 1861 - May 1866

 

Organized at Camp Butler, Ill., and mustered in August 15, 1861.

Moved to St. Louis, Mo., Aug 28, thence to Thebes and to Bird's Point, Mo., Sep 9.

Attached to District of Cairo, Ill., to October, 1861.

4th BrIgade, District of Cairo, Ill., to February, 1862.

1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of Cairo, Ill., February, 1862.

1st BrIgade, 4th Division, District of West Tennessee, and Army of the Tennessee to July, 1862.

1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., to September, 1862.

1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862.

3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept of the Tennessee, to Dec, 1862.

3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, to January, 1863.

3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Army Corps, to July, 1863.

3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, to August, 1863.

3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, August, 1863.

Post of Natchez, Miss., to October, 1864.

3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Department of the Gulf, to December, 1864.

1st Brigade, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865.

1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, February, 1865.

1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865.

Department of Texas to March, 1866.

SERVICE

At Bird's Point, Mo., till October 2, 1861.

Moved to Fort Holt, Ky., October 2, and duty there till January 31, 1862.

Moved to Paducah, Ky., January 31.

Operations against Fort Henry, Tenn., and Fort Heiman, Tenn., February 2-6. (1)

Occupation of Fort Heiman, tenn., February 6 to March 6.

Moved to Plttsburg Landing, Tenn., March 6-22.

Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. (2)

Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30.

March to Memphis, Tenn., via Grand Junction, LaGrange, Holly Springs, Moscow and

Germantown, Tenn., June 1-July 21, and duty there till September 6.

Moved to Bolivar, Tenn., September 6-14.

Duty there till October 4.

Battle of the Hatchie, Metamora, Tenn., October 5.

Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November 2, 1862, to January 10, 1863.

Guard R. R. at Colllersville, Tenn., till May, 1863.

Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., May 11-14.

Duty at Grand Gulf, Miss., till June 11.

Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June 11-July 4. (3)

Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10.

Siege of Jackson, Miss., July 10-17.

Assault on Jackson, Miss., July 12.

Duty at Vicksburg, Miss., till August 15.

Moved to Natchez, Miss., August 15, and duty there till October, 1864.

Expedition to Harrisonburg, La, September 1-7, 1863.

Near Harrisonburg, Miss., and capture of Fort Beauregard, Miss., September 4.

Operations about Natchez, Miss., December 1- 10.

Regiment veteranize January 4, 1864.

Veterans absent on furlough May 18-July 8.

Expedition to Gillespie's Plantation, Black Bayou, August 4-6.

Expedition to Buck's Ferry and skirmishes September 9-22.

Expedition to Sicily Island, Miss., September 26-30.

Expedition to Homachita River October 4-8.

Moved to Morganza, La., October 10-12, thence to the mouth of White River November 3-7.

Moved to Memphis, Tenn., November 20-22.

Duty there till January, 1865.

Expedition to Moscow, Tenn., December 21-31,1864.

Moved to Kennersville, La., January 3-6, 1865; thence to New Orleans February 12-15.

Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defenses February 17-April 12.

Siege of Spanish Fort, Ala., and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8.

Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9.

Occupation of Mobile, Ala., April 12.

Whistler's Station April 13.

Duty at Mobile, Ala., till July.

Moved to Brazos Santiago, Texas, July 2-3.

To Clarksville, Texas, July 7.

To Brownsville, Texas August 2-3, and duty there till March, 1866.

Mustered out March 15 and discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., May 13, 1866.

Regiment lost during service

9 Officers and 97 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded.

2 Officers and 182 Enlisted men by disease.

Total 290.

 

 

Abstract of several Civil War battles

 in which the

28^th Illinois Infantry saw action

(footnote corresponds to the event listed above)

 

(1) Fort Henry, Confederate fort built early in the American Civil War on the right bank of the Tennessee River, just south of the Kentucky-Tennessee boundary. Together with Fort Donelson it constituted the most important link in the first line of Confederate defense in the Mississippi Valley. Early in 1862, to gain control of the Mississippi Valley and split the Confederate states in two, the North planned the capture of the forts. General Ulysses S. Grant, in command of about 17,000 men on transports, and Commodore Andrew Foote, commanding a flotilla of gunboats, moved up the river to Fort Henry, which was defended by about 3000 men under General Lloyd Tilghman. On the morning of February 6, Foote attacked the fort alone, because the transports bearing Grant and his men were delayed. The garrison of the fort was enabled by the delay to withdraw by land to Fort Donelson, 19 km (12 mi) distant on the Cumberland River, leaving a small artillery detachment that returned the fire of the Union gunboats for more than an hour, until forced to surrender.  "Fort Henry," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

(2) Battle of Shiloh, also called the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, engagement of the American Civil War. The name Shiloh was taken from that of a meetinghouse, 5 km (3 mi) from Pittsburg Landing, that is on the Tennessee River, 14 km (9 mi) north of Savannah, Tennessee. Here on April 6, 1862, a Confederate army of 40,000 men under General Albert S. Johnston surprised and attacked a Union army of 45,000 men under General Ulysses S. Grant. During the battle, which lasted from dawn to dusk and was one of the most desperate of the war, the Union troops were steadily driven back, but Johnston was killed, and his successor, General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, ordered operations suspended a few hours later. The following day Grant, with 25,000 reinforcements under General Don Carlos Buell, attacked the Confederates and forced them to withdraw to Corinth, Mississippi. Thus, Grant regained all the ground he had lost, and the two-day battle ended without a conclusive victory for either side. Casualties numbered more than 10,000 in each army. A national military park and cemetery commemorating the battle are located at Shiloh.  "Shiloh, Battle of," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

(3) Campaign of Vicksburg, major siege of the American Civil War, consisting of military campaigns in 1862 and 1863 that ended with the capture of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, by Union troops on July 4, 1863.

Vicksburg, perched on a steep bluff along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, was one of the main Southern strongholds along the river. It was therefore of strategic importance to both the North and South. In February 1862 the Union captured Fort Donelson in northern Tennessee, which broke the Confederate first line of defense for the Mississippi Valley. Vicksburg then remained the one serious obstacle to federal command of the Mississippi River. Union control of the Mississippi meant the Confederacy would be split in two.

In May 1862 Union forces made an unsuccessful attempt to take the city by means of a naval expedition. The Confederates strengthened their defenses, setting up extensive batteries to obstruct passage on the river. On June 27 a Union fleet under Admiral David G. Farragut appeared below the city; the next day two frigates and six gunboats attempted to run the Confederate river fortifications. The attack failed, as did several subsequent maneuvers to bypass Vicksburg by river.

In December 1862 the Union General Ulysses S. Grant proposed moving from a base in Holly Springs, Mississippi against the town of Grenada. The goal was to cut the Confederate line of communications and draw General John C. Pemberton, the Confederate commander of Vicksburg, from his stronghold. Meanwhile, an army under Union General William T. Sherman was to be convoyed downriver by a fleet commanded by the Union naval officer David D. Porter; Sherman would then seize the city in the absence of a majority of its defenders. These plans, however, were upset by a Confederate raid on Holly Springs, which halted Grant’s advance. Sherman, after a successful landing, found the countryside virtually impassable because of swampy land. Nevertheless he engaged in bloody but futile attacks in late December. Soon after the Union armies retreated north of Vicksburg.

In April 1863 Grant made a bold decision. Ignoring the advice of Sherman and others that the Union forces retreat to Memphis, Tennessee, Grant decided to attack Vicksburg from the east. First he sent Union boats under Porter down the Mississippi River to try to run the Confederate blockades at Vicksburg; a number of the boats made it through successfully. Next he marched his troops down the west side of the Mississippi River in Louisiana; they marched and floated some 48 km (30 mi) south, then used the boats to cross the river from Hard Times, Louisiana to Bruinsburg, Mississippi on April 30, 1863. At the same time, troops under Sherman moved north of Vicksburg and exchanged fire with the Confederates to create a diversion during the river crossing.

Once on the east side of the river, Union forces took the towns of Port Gibson and Grand Gulf. They then marched northeast, cutting their own supply lines and heading deep into enemy territory. By this time, Sherman had come south to reunite with Grant, and there were more than 40,000 Union soldiers below Vicksburg. Sensing Grant’s intentions too late, the Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston tried to gather forces together to march toward Vicksburg from his base in Jackson, but Grant’s army arrived at Jackson first and defeated Johnston. Grant then repulsed Pemberton at Champion’s Hill on May 16 and attacked Vicksburg on May 19. Two assaults on the fortress failed and siege operations were begun; these lasted for almost six weeks. On July 4, 1863, the Confederate defenders surrendered the city along with more than 30,000 soldiers. The soldiers were originally taken as prisoners of war, but they were later paroled, taking an oath not to bear arms again until there was a formal exchange of prisoners.

The Union capture of Vicksburg was one of the most important Northern victories of the war. It gave the North control of the Mississippi River, allowing them passage straight through the Confederacy. With this passage, they were able to move supplies and men along the river. In addition, the capture freed Grant’s armies and allowed the North to use them for other battles, such as fighting the war in Virginia.  "Vicksburg, Campaign of," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

According to my Grandmother, Mary Ann (Carson) Brown (Daniel was Mary’s grandfather), Daniel contracted tuberculosis.  Doctors of the day thought that the arid weather conditions in Colorado or Arizona might alleviate the effects of TB so the family moved from their farm in Weir KS to Colorado between 1875 and 1880.  After Daniel died there in June of 1880, Sarah moved back to their farm in Weir KS, later remarried and lived off of a pension granted her as a result of Daniel’s service in the Civil War.  She later moved to California.  She also lived off of the farm’s income until she sold it late in her life.

 

After Daniel died, Sarah remarried twice: (1) Henry S. Kline, married 22 Oct 1881 Maple Grove, Labette Co KS and divorced in Oswego KS on/about 15 Jun 1883, (2) Horace Edwin Bertholf, married 21 Dec 1886 Girard, Crawford Co KS.  Horace was born 12 Oct 1843 in Rushville IL and died 19 May 1923 in Glendale, Los Angeles Co CA of “chronic myocarditis.”  Horace’s parents were Edward Bertholf of New York and Mary Jackson of Ohio.  He was buried on 22 May 1923 in the Grand View Cemetery in Glendale CA.

 

Daniel and Sarah Easley's

Cherokee Co KS Land Transactions

All involving

Section 25, Township 31, Range 24

Near Weir, KS

 

On 4 Nov 1875, Sarah (and only Sarah, Daniel is not mentioned in the deed) purchases 80 acres of land in Cherokee Co KS (W ½ of Section 25, Twp 31, Range 24) from the Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad Company for $625.  Cherokee Co KS Deed Book I, page 154.

 

On 10 Mar 1880, Daniel purchases 40 acres of land in Cherokee Co KS (NE ¼ of Section 25, Twp 31, Range 24) from the Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad Company.  Price is unknown as the deed book containing the deed burned in a courthouse fire. Cherokee Co KS Deed Book T, page 460.

 

On 29 Mar 1881, Sarah (Daniel died the preceding June) purchases 40 acres of land in Cherokee Co KS (SE ¼ of Section 25, Twp 31, Range 24) from the Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad Company.  Price is unknown as the deed book containing the deed burned in a courthouse fire. Cherokee Co KS Deed Book V, page 530.

 

On 20 Apr 1901, Sabina J. Hutton (Daniel’s daughter from his first wife) and her husband Charles G. Hutton sell her 1/8 interest on Daniel’s NE ¼ to Sarah A. Bertholf.  Cherokee Co KS Deed Book 104, page 369.

 

On 7 May 1927, Sarah A. Bertholf  “et al” (surviving heirs of Daniel M. Easley) sell their remaining interest in the above real estate to L.L. Calhoon and wife. Cherokee Co KS Deed Book 114, page 314.

 

According to a Los Angeles Co CA affidavit that Sarah A. Bertholf filed on 19 May 1927, Daniel M. Easley, at the time of his death, owned the NE ¼ of NW ¼ of Section 25 in Township 31 South, Range 24 East in Cherokee Co KS.  Cherokee Co KS Miscellaneous Book #6, pages 552 or pages 152-153.

 

 

 

Two short obituary notices were located on Daniel M. Easley, both in the 15 Jul 1880 edition of the Columbus (KS) Courier, page 3:

 

Dan Easley who died in Colorado a few weeks ago, of which we give notice elsewhere, was a member of Captain Rhodes company in the army, Co. H, 28^th Illinois.

 

And a few paragraphs below:

 

DIED.  Easley—In Golden, Colorado, June 28^th 1880 of congestion of the lungs, Daniel M. Easley aged 36 years 11 months and 28 days.  A great many people of this county will regret to learn of the death of this most estimable man, particularly by the people of the north part of the county, where he lived for so many years.  Dan Easley, as he was familiarly called, was a citizen of Cherokee Township for a great many years, and took an active part in local affairs and society matters.  He went to Colorado hoping to regain his health, but there death found him.  We shall miss him as a citizen of our county.

 

 

 

The following was located in the History of Cherokee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens edited and compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904:

 

 

The First Settlers.

Cherokee – This township (now a county) formerly included what is now known a Mineral township; and a mentioning of the old settlers will include those who came to both, or the territory now covered by both.  Among the early settlers of the township may be mentioned: D.M. Easley……

 

 

 

 

The child of Daniel M. Easley and Rhoda Jane Kinsey was:

 

1.       Sabina, born possibly circa Nov 1867, married Charles G. Hutton 4 Oct 1894 Carthage, Jasper Co MO and later married  ______ Nash.

 

The children of Daniel M. Easley and Sarah Angeline Harris were:

    

1.       Eugene, born 3 Jun 1874 Cherokee Co KS, died 10 Sep 1874 Cherokee Co KS, buried Bird Cemetery, Pleasant View Township, Cherokee Co KS.

2.       Olive Gertrude, born 17 Sep 1875 Weir, Cherokee Co KS, married Glen Roy Carson 29 Dec 1897/1898 Cherokee, Crawford Co KS, died 30 May 1969 San Gabriel, Los Angeles CA, buried Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg, Crawford Co KS.

3.       Mary Viola, born Oct 1878 Reno Co KS, died 15 Sep 1880, buried Bird Cemetery, Pleasant View Township, Cherokee Co KS.

4.       Loretta D., born 7 Nov 1879 Cherokee Co KS, died 1968, buried Los Angeles CA.

5.       Kenneth, buried Cherokee Co KS.

 

 

Olive Gertrude Easley

 

Olive was born 17 Sep 1875 in Weir, Cherokee Co KS.  She married Glen Roy Carson on 29 Dec 1897/1898 in Cherokee, Crawford Co KS and died 30 May 1969 San Gabriel, Los Angeles CA.  She is buried next to her husband in the Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg, Crawford Co KS.  Olive and Glen Roy had five children. 

 

Mary Brown, my grandmother, remembers her mother Olive as a good disciplinarian, wonderful cook, baked great pies and loved babies.  One time before she took a trip to California to see her mom, she baked Glen Roy 4 pies.  She also remembers her mother telling her that she (Olive) had blood poisoning when she was born.  Mary has given us a red and black wool afghan that was made for her by her mother Olive – she apparently made one for each of her children.  

 

For more information on their five children or the Carson surname in general, please see the chapter so entitled.

 

 

Federal and State Census Records

 

 

1850 Federal Census, Town of Pleasant, Fulton Co, IL  (Household 156)

(*) Sabina's husband (and Daniel's father) Stephen Easley died in 4/22/1847.

 

1870 Federal Census, Cherokee Twp, Cherokee Co, KS  (Household 70, page 30)

NOTE: Daniel, single, living with an unknown family in Cherokee Co KS.

 

1875 Kansas State Census, Cherokee Twp, Cherokee Co, KS  (Household 7, pg. 16)                     

NOTE: Mary Ann Actor is Mary Ann (Hart) Harris Corderman Actor, Sarah (Harris)

Easley's mother.  I checked and she is not buried in Cherokee Co KS and is not listed in the 1880 Cherokee Co KS federal census.

 

1880 Federal Territorial Census, Golden, Jefferson Co, CO  (Page 238)

 

1910 Federal Census, Cherokee City, Sheridan Township, Crawford Co, KS

Household  79 (W. Pine St, next door to Glen R Carson, containing mother of Olive E. Carson)

 

 

EASLEY SOURCES

 

·         Genealogical and historical research I conducted.

·         The Easley Family Tree by Dr. Thomas Charles Gray, Box 705, Vale OR 97918, 1990.   Dr. Gray provided me with a wealth of Easley information – much of the above information has come from his research.  Some of Dr. Gray’s information came from James Daniel Easley’s Three Hundred Years of Easley Genealogy.

·         History of Fulton County, Illinois, 1879.  Author and Publisher unknown.

·         Ipava (Illinois), published in 1986 by the Ipava United Presbyterian Church, Box 36, Ipava IL  61441.

·         The Foothills Inquirer, Foothills Genealogical Society of Colorado, Inc.  Volume 21 (2001), Numbers 1, 2 and 3.  A quarterly newsletter.