Fold 3 Question

[WhistlingDixie]

I need service records for an ancestor I want to add to the UDC database, but his records at Fold3 are not legible. Evidently the transcriber was too tired to dip his pen in ink, or low on it or something.

Can anyone suggest another place to look? His name is Seaborn L Hatton, 2nd Battalion Fl and 11th Regiment Fl.
Thanks!

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

I need service records for an ancestor I want to add to the UDC database, but his records at Fold3 are not legible. Evidently the transcriber was too tired to dip his pen in ink, or low on it or something.

Can anyone suggest another place to look? His name is Seaborn L Hatton, 2nd Battalion Fl and 11th Regiment Fl.
Thanks!

When in Fold 3's viewer did you try inverting the image? Instead of the paper being white and the ink pale black/brown it inverts the paper to be black and the ink whitish. I've often found that handy when having trouble reading documents on the site.

The transcriber may have used enough ink, but sometimes depending on the quality of the ink and the amount of time that has passed some inks fade more than others.

Edit: I looked on Fold3 and inverting the document doesn't help much. The scribe used a super loopy handwriting which isn't helping either!

You might want to look into finding a regimental history that documents who was in the regiment and when. I have some downtime in the office this afternoon and I check if I find anything helpful for you.

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

Okay, I looked on Ancestry and you may or may not have this information for him already but I thought I'd share it with you in case, especially since his muster roll isn't legible. For some reason he's listed as Seaborn J Hatton not L Hatton like on Fold3. It appears to be for the same person as the service records matches. My guess is since he didn't survive the war according to this you might be able to track down a widow's pension claim which would help you with getting a clear picture of his service.

Name: Seaborn J Hatton
Residence: Marianna, Jackson County, Florida
Enlistment Date: 13 Aug 1862
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Marianna, Jackson County, Florida
State Served: Florida
Survived the War?: No
Service Record: Enlisted in Company E, Florida 2nd Infantry Battalion on 13 Aug 1862.Mustered out on 10 Sep 1864 at Howard's Grove Hospl, VA.
Sources: Biographical Rosters of Florida's Soldiers 1861-1865

There also happens to be a thread about the 11th Florida on the forum -
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/11th-regiment-florida-infantry.95430/

Hope it helps! Maybe someone who's a little more skilled with tracking down military records might pop up and lend a hand.

 

[WhistlingDixie]

His wife remarried twice after his death, so I doubt she applied for his pension. Her third husband was also a Veteran. I did try the inversion method.. like you said, it wasn't much better.
Do you happen to know where the transcriber would have gotten his information?

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

His wife remarried twice after his death, so I doubt she applied for his pension. Her third husband was also a Veteran. I did try the inversion method.. like you said, it wasn't much better.
Do you happen to know where the transcriber would have gotten his information?

I have no clue how they received the information...I would guess initially when they joined some kind of record was created in a master log book of sorts and then was transcribed onto those sheets. That's why tracking down more of the regiment history might prove useful. A local historic society in FL might be able to help you as well.

That's one of the worst muster rolls I've read as far as quality goes, sadly

 

[Frederick14Va]

Seaborn L. Hatton
Enlisted Aug 13th 1862; Marrianna Florida, "for the war"
2nd Florida Infantry Battalion; Company E

Feb 28th 1863; Muster Roll: "Absent, sick at home since 3 Dec "
Jun 30 1863: Muster Roll: Absent, sick at home since Dec 3rd, Bounty due $50"
Dec 31 1863: Muster Roll: Absent; Detailed Oct 20th as nurse in Marianna Hospital for duty per commander of post"

(June 8th 1864 2nd Fla Battn broken up, Companies E & F transferred to 11th Florida Infantry Regt.)
11th Florida Infantry Regiment, Company-A

Apr 30 - Aug 31 1864; Muster Rolls; "Present"
Sept - Oct 1864; Muster Roll; "Died at Howards Grove Hospital Richmond on Sept 10 1864 of disease"

Sept 1864: Patient Register for Howards Grove Hospital Richmond. "Admitted Sept 10th 1864, Died Sept 10th 1864"
Sept 1864: Report of Sick & Wounded at Howards Grove Hospital for month of September: "Died Sept 10th 1864 of Febris Intermittious" (Intermitting Fever)
Sept 1864: Inventory of Effects - 1st Division of Howards Grove Hospital Richmond; "One coat, two pairs of pants"

 

[WhistlingDixie]

Thank you for the valuable information.. you've been most helpful. But how you were able to read his record, is beyond me.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Thank you for the valuable information.. you've been most helpful. But how you were able to read his record, is beyond me.

No problem glad I could assist... Not always easy and at times a challenge... but plenty of experience and practice reading, transcribing and deciphering period writings.. lol.. Ive seen many that were a lot worse than these were...