Are these men the same person?

[Insaniac]

I've been researching my family tree for a good while now and I think I've found a soldier ancestor who enlisted under an alias. Unfortunately, it seems he used both names at times even after the war. Please look at the info and tell me if you think the two are the same. This is all of the information I've got.

Enoch Etheridge
-born 1842 or 1843 in North Carolina (Virginia according to 1870 census)
-married Josephine Cromwell
-lived in Norfolk, Virginia from 1870 to death and appears in every census (except 1890, of course)
-appears on one veterans' pension list in 1890
-died July 17, 1918 in Norfolk

Enoch Barnett
-born 1842 or 1843 in Currituck, North Carolina
-enlisted in the 2nd Infantry USCT in July 1863
-mustered out 1866
-does not appear on any US Census
-married a woman named Josephine
-filed for pension as an invalid in 1891 in Norfolk, Virginia
-died July 17, 1918 in Norfolk, Virginia

Thanks for your help.

 

[Patrick H]

I'd say no, based on the simple evidence of their different surnames. First names and spouses' first names are probably nothing more than a coincidence.

So...let me ask you: Why do you ask? I think your curiosity has been stimulated by more than these simple coincidences.

 

[Insaniac]

I'd say no, based on the simple evidence of their different surnames. First names and spouses' first names are probably nothing more than a coincidence.

So...let me ask you: Why do you ask? I think your curiosity has been stimulated by more than these simple coincidences.

I was curious because I'm definitely descended from the first guy. I never considered the different last names to be much of an issue because, well, he was a slave. When you're doing research on slave ancestors before 1870, surnames don't mean that much. Or, at least, from my experience.

 

[Patrick H]

I was curious because I'm definitely descended from the first guy. I never considered the different last names to be much of an issue because, well, he was a slave. When you're doing research on slave ancestors before 1870, surnames don't mean that much. Or, at least, from my experience.

Okay, now THAT is interesting, indeed! I'd also say you could be correct about surname changes for a slave. That's a good insight. Do you have any family lore about your ancestor having been sold or traded--perhaps to another owner with the second surname?

I wish I knew how to help you in your quest. I don't. But I think this is a particularly interesting thread topic. I hope someone will come forward with some more help.

 

[John Hartwell]

The 1890 veterans census, if that's what your "1890 veterans pension list" refers to, should list Enoch Etheridge's unit and dates of service.

 

[Insaniac]

Okay, now THAT is interesting, indeed! I'd also say you could be correct about surname changes for a slave. That's a good insight. Do you have any family lore about your ancestor having been sold or traded--perhaps to another owner with the second surname?

I wish I knew how to help you in your quest. I don't. But I think this is a particularly interesting thread topic. I hope someone will come forward with some more help.

Thank you! And my research indicates that there were a lot of Barnetts and Etheridges in the Norfolk/Outer Banks area at this time, so I think it's plausible.

 

[Insaniac]

The 1890 veterans census, if that's what your "1890 veterans pension list" refers to, should list Enoch Etheridge's unit and dates of service.

See, that's the thing. It's blank except for some ditto marks that could indicate he was a private.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8SW-PKG

 

[Patrick H]

Thank you! And my research indicates that there were a lot of Barnetts and Etheridges in the Norfolk/Outer Banks area at this time, so I think it's plausible.

Since you have explained it this way, I also think it is at least plausible. I'm going to keep an eye on your thread here. I think this is extremely interesting.

 

[John Hartwell]

See, that's the thing. It's blank except for some ditto marks that could indicate he was a private.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8SW-PKG

Bummer.
It also appears that though Enoch E. is on that 1890 pensioners' census, apparently Enoch B. did not apply for a pension until 1891.
Then, the fact that Enoch E's name is added at the end of the form, and in a different handwriting, might (?) indicate that someone added it after he applied (?). Can't make out what that annotation is before his house number and name.
Have you checked the USCT service records on fold3.com? Might give some hint. The actual pension file should settle the matter -- of course you risk spending the $85(?) fee only to find out they're not the same.

 

[Insaniac]

Bummer.
It also appears that though Enoch E. is on that 1890 pensioners' census, apparently Enoch B. did not apply for a pension until 1891.
Then, the fact that Enoch E's name is added at the end of the form, and in a different handwriting, might (?) indicate that someone added it after he applied (?). Can't make out what that annotation is before his house number and name.
Have you checked the USCT service records on fold3.com? Might give some hint. The actual pension file should settle the matter -- of course you risk spending the $85(?) fee only to find out they're not the same.

Thanks, but I've tried Fold3 and I couldn't find any information I didn't already have. Do you happen to know what the checkmarks next to their names mean?

 

[James B White]

I'm curious about the two identical death dates. Those are pretty specific, but I'm assuming they didn't come from the same sources (both from official death records, or both obituaries, etc.). How did you pinpoint the exact date of death for both?

 

[Insaniac]

I'm curious about the two identical death dates. Those are pretty specific, but I'm assuming they didn't come from the same sources (both from official death records, or both obituaries, etc.). How did you pinpoint the exact date of death for both?

Two different sources. The death certificate for Enoch Etheridge gives his death date as July 17, 1918. A request for a pension by widow Josephine Barnett dated to October 1918 gives the death date for her husband as July 17, 1918.

Edit: I couldn't find a death certificate for Enoch Barnett

 

[MRB1863]

WOW! If this is a coincidence, it is a great parallel all the way down the line! Truly proves the saying correct "it's a small world"!

 

[Insaniac]

WOW! If this is a coincidence, it is a great parallel all the way down the line! Truly proves the saying correct "it's a small world"!

You said it!

 

[John Hartwell]

Thanks, but I've tried Fold3 and I couldn't find any information I didn't already have. Do you happen to know what the checkmarks next to their names mean?

Each name was probably just ticked off during some indexing, counting or checking process.
I'd say it's probably 80-90% certain they're the same man. But you really need to find some document with both names together for absolute certainty. Is there any probate record?

 

[Insaniac]

Each name was probably just ticked off during some indexing, counting or checking process.
I'd say it's probably 80-90% certain they're the same man. But you really need to find some document with both names together for absolute certainty. Is there any probate record?

None that I could find, unfortunately. Not on Ancestry, anyway. Maybe I'll head to the courthouse to see if there's something there.

 

[John Hartwell]

None that I could find, unfortunately. Not on Ancestry, anyway. Maybe I'll head to the courthouse to see if there's something there.

The Probate Court would also have handled legal name-changes. He didn't necessarily have to go through a legal process -- but he might have, if there were some business or other complicating issues involved. Don't know if he owned any property, but you might look through Registry of Deeds indexes, just in case.

Good luck.

jno

 

[Northern Light]

I seem to remember that this came up before somewhere. As I recall, some slave took their master's last name at first, but later changed to a name of their own choice that had nothing to connect them with the master. This might be the case here. I will try to see if I can find the reference.

 

[Insaniac]

Lately, I've considered the idea that he was originally owned by the Etheridges and then sold to a master named Barnett in Northern Virginia (Currituck is a ways away from Arlington, where Enoch B. enlisted) and then used that name because it was that of his most recent master. Then, when he moved to Norfolk after emancipation (which I know Enoch B. did at some point, for some reason), he took the last name of the family who had owned him originally. Too farfetched?

 

[John Hartwell]

Or, he might have enlisted using his most recent master's name (Barnett), and later adopted Etheridge after some helpful/influential person whom he admired. Was there, by any chance, an officer named Etheridge in the 22nd USCI? (that's too much to hope for, too easy) Possibly someone who befriended him.