- Joined
- Apr 1, 1999
- Location
- Martinsburg, WV
Welcome to my personal ancestry research thread. During the American Civil War, at least three of my relatives served in the Union Army.
Rev. Thomas Edwin Vassar, D.D.
1834 - 1918
(Post-War Photo, circa 1872-1880, Flemington Baptist Church)
James Hervey Vassar
1839-1925
Adrian H. Vassar
1836-1864
In addition, the following notable civilian of the era is in my family tree:
John Ellison Vassar (a.k.a. Uncle John Vassar)
1813-1878
Rev. Thomas Edwin Vassar, D.D.
1834 - 1918
(Post-War Photo, circa 1872-1880, Flemington Baptist Church)
- Thomas is my 3rd Great Grandfather
- Son of William and Mary (Hageman) Vassar
- Born on December 3, 1834 in Poughkeepsie, New York
- Ordained as a Baptist Minister on January 19, 1857 in the First Baptist Church of Poughkeepsie, Age 22.
- Married to Tamma G. Sackett on October 7, 1861
- Chaplin of the 150th New York Volunteer Infantry
- Service Duration: 10/11/1862 - 8/6/1863
- Participated in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Trostle House (7/2) & Culps Hill (7/3)
- Post War Vocation as a Traveling Minister, traveling as far west as Kansas City, Missouri before finally settling in Elizabeth, NJ
- Children: Clarence, Thomas, Anvenette ('Nettie'), Frances, Harvey
- Thomas is the Author of Uncle John Vassar: The fight of faith, published 1879
- Died on July 2, 1918 in Elizabeth, NJ, likely of natural causes, at age 84
- Buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Elizabeth/Hillside, NJ
- Coord: 40°41'38.6"N 74°12'46.5"W (40.694051, -74.212906)
- Thomas' name is listed on the front of the 150th NYVI Monument at Culps Hill, Gettysburg, PA
James Hervey Vassar
1839-1925
- James is my 4th Great Uncle
- Son of William and Mary (Hageman) Vassar
- Born on October 20, 1839 in Poughkeepsie, New York
- Corporal, 150th New York Volunteer Infantry, Co. A (10/62 to 6/65)
- Participated in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Peach Orchard (7/2) & Culps Hill (7/3)
- Married to Henrietta Rice
- Post War Vocation was as a Clerk at the U.S. Sub Treasury in Boston, MA
- Died on July 28, 1925
- Buried at Worchester Rural Cemetery, Worcester, MA
Adrian H. Vassar
1836-1864
- Adrian is my 4th Great Uncle
- Son of William and Mary (Hageman) Vassar
- Born in 1836
- Married to Dency Olmstead
- Pvt/1st Sgt, 176th New York Volunteer Infantry, Co. B (9/62 to 9/63)
- Enlisted on September 23, 1862 at New York City, NY as a Private at age 26
- Captured by Confederates on June 23, 1863 at Brashear City, La
- Paroled August 17, 1863
- Promoted to First Lieutenant, Regimental Quartermaster of the 16th Corps de Afrique Infantry September 17, 1863 (Later known as the 16th Louisiana, or 87th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry)
- Died on February 6, 1864 near Brownsville, Texas by drowning while crossing the Boca Chica Inlet via horse after visiting Playa Bagdad, Mexico, swept out to sea by the tide going out
- Body recovered February 10th on Mexican shoreline about 7 miles South of the border, Funeral at Camp on February 13th
- Buried at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Adrian's name is listed on the African American Civil War Memorial, Washington, D.C.
In addition, the following notable civilian of the era is in my family tree:
John Ellison Vassar (a.k.a. Uncle John Vassar)
1813-1878
- John is my 5th Great Uncle
- Son of Thomas Vassar and Joanna Ellison
- Born on January 13, 1813
- Married to Mary Lee in 1838
- Tract Society's Missionary
- Civil War Connection: Captured shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg by Stuart's Confederate Cavalry, he was suspected of being a spy, and when he was confronted by General Stuart himself, he identified himself and his mission, and then John asked: "General, do you love Jesus?" A suggestion made by Stuart's men was heeded: "Take this man's promise that he will not tell of our whereabouts for twenty-four hours, and let us see him out of our lines, or we will have a prayer-meeting from here to Richmond." Uncle John was allowed to return to the Union lines.
- Burial: Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, NY
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