A Civil War Tale of a Family
While I was researching my family history, it became very evident that I would come across a set of people that I would be drawn to. No matter where my research led, I was always brought back to this particular family. Eventually, this became more of an obsession than a curiosity.
This family has so much more to share. I have yet to uncover all the hardships, tragedies and blessings this family have shared. For now, I'll share with you what I know about this particular family. I know they will intrigue you also. Painting the Family Portrait
James and Lizzie were both born in South Carolina and married there at a very young age. Lizzie appears to be about 13 to 15 years old when they married.
Immediately they had their son Littleton that same year. Following along was Thomas J, John, Mary Ann and Elizabeth in 1822. By 1827 Robert, James' father, has gone to Alabama and purchased land. He sets up his property. In 1831 their son James purchases land and brings his family from South Carolina. It must have been a thriving place in those days. The newly established land was selling much cheaper than other land. They were hoping for fertile land and less political strife. By 1835, the girls were married, the boys all had bought property and James and Lizzie had expanded their family with Henry, Eliza, James, Newton, Jasper, and Perry. Then a terrible tragedy strikes and James dies, leaving Lizzie to raise her large family alone. She does so for several years, while her married children begin to raise family of their own and purchase property near by. In 1850, she is living with her daughter Elizabeth and her husband John Edmonds(Edmunds) and their children. By 1855 it is just her and her son Newton. What happened between 1850 and 1855? Her son Henry moves to Arkansas. Living with him is Newton and James. Henry dies and Newton moves back to Alabama. Why, I'm not sure, but then all hell breaks out in the country and all the sons, grandsons of age, and son-in-laws all served. The elder James's nephew dies in the war serving with one of his sons. Several were taken prisoner several times only to return and serve again. Nearly all were sick or wounded during the war. When the war ends, Newton files claim with his sister Eliza Ann to divide their family property. By the end of it, the family is torn to pieces and the bonds are forever broken. (view the files here) But something more happens. To which I have yet to figure out, but the story is told that while at the courthouse, Newton was mistaken for his twin brother Jasper and shot. Who shot him? why did they shoot? Was it intended for Jasper and why? The search goes on for the answers.... |
Tons of Information
Sometimes documents are the best thing to see to get the full picture. When there are holes in a story that you can't fill in with vital statistics like name, date, marriage, children - there remains other documents. We each leave a paper trail in our lives. It was also that way years ago, although the documents are fewer and farther between. It still amazes me how many items I've been able to locate and fill in the black holes in a family story. The below documents are true to that also. This is the Civil War Family Documents - Each item gives a few more details to the lives of those who lived through it. .
It would be impossible for me to type out all the stuff that I've documented over the years. This is a fast and effective way to show a large amount of information to friends and family. The Family: Father : James T Duke Mother: Elizabeth Judith Wilson Children: Littleton C Duke , Thomas J Duke, Eliza Ann Duke, John M Duke, James B Duke, Mary Ann Duke, Elizabeth Duke, Henry T Duke, Jasper Gerome Duke, Newton M Duke, Perry M Duke. Grandchildren: (who also served in the civil war included here) James M Duke, William H Duke, Littleton C Duke Jr. - probaby more that I'm yet unaware of. Son-in-Laws: William H Wharton (Husband of Mary Ann) - likely ALL their sons: Thomas, Henry, Jesse, William, James and Stephen. Likely their daughter's husbands also. No record of how he died - however he died in 1862 during the war, it is quiet possible of wounds incurred during battle. Richard Edmonds (Husband of Eliza Ann) |
Jasper Gerome Duke Civil War Documents
Click here to Download
(Note Scribd download link does not function) James B Duke Civil War Documents
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(Note Scribd download link does not function) Thomas J Duke's Son - James Monroe Duke Civil War Documents
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(Note Scribd download link does not function) |
Newton M Duke Civil War Documents
Newton M Duke Civil War Documents II
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(Note Scribd download link does not function) Perry Duke - Civil War Documents |
Lets view a simple family timeline.
This timeline is interactive. Please feel free to click and explore. (It's a work in progress, I do not have it all entered)
Photos and Documents
Some of these photos are non-copyrighted images from the Library of Congress. For more information please feel free to view their website collections and read their usage FAQ sheets.
Photos I chose to share here pertain to battles that I can show members of this family were at and fought in. This is a work in progress also, I will post more information in the next few days.
Photos I chose to share here pertain to battles that I can show members of this family were at and fought in. This is a work in progress also, I will post more information in the next few days.
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