Treasure Chest Thursday - Letis E. Littrell, 2nd Pension Letter

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

 

In May 1890, my 3rd great grandmother, Letis Ellen Littrell had a 2nd pension letter written on her behalf from Saunders County, Nebraska. She is probably with her son William who was living in Wahoo, Saunders, Nebraska in the 1800 census. This letter is written 28 years after the first letter. She would have been 60 years old. I wonder why it took so long to send a second letter and did she ever get a pension.

 Source: 

Federal Military Pension Application, Letis E. Littrell, widow's pension, service of John H. Littrell (unassigned recruit, 12th regiment of infantry, civil war); pension file no. 11 273, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1st Pension Letter

Treasure Chest Thursday - Letis E. Littrell, 1st Pension Letter

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Quite a few years ago, I ordered the  Civil War pension application for my 3rd great grandmother, Letis E. (Knox) Littrell from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. I remember it was quite exciting to see these records when I finally received them. A cousin recently contacted me about the Littrell family after reading my blog. So now may be a good time to share these records. There are eight pages and one title page, so I'll split them up. The first letter is dated December 31, 1862, about a month after her husband dies from lung disease contracted during his service. She states that she married John H. Littrell on September 20th, 1852, which matches their marriage record. Margaret Robinson and Mr. Kyne, residents of Dubuque, are character witnesses for Letis. My 3rd great grandmother signs her name at the bottom of the first page. It's amazing to see your ancestors script from 155 years ago. 

 

 Source: 

Federal Military Pension Application, Letis E. Littrell, widow's pension, service of John H. Littrell (unassigned recruit, 12th regiment of infantry, civil war); pension file no. 11 273, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

More about the Littrell Family:

Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell) Obituary  

John H Littrell

Sunday's Obituary - Lydia Elzina Knox (Brown)

Lydia Elzina Brown

      Dies At Keithsburg

   Special To The Hawk-Eye.

  Keithsburg, Ill., March 22 - Mrs.

Lydia Elzina Brown died at her home

in Keithsburg Saturday March 19, af-

ter an illness of about four weeks.

  Lydia Elzina Knox was the daughter

of Asa and Elmira Knox, pioneer set

tlers in Mercer county.

  She was born Oct. 24, 1851 and her

entire life was lived in the county ex

cept one year spent in Iowa.

  In January 1869 she was married to 

David A. Brown. To this union were 

born 16 children, eight boys and eight

girls. Her husband and five children 

preceded her in death.

  Those who live to mourn her pass-

ing are Rose Kilsey of Washington, Ia.,

William Brown of New Boston, Ill.,

Mina Knox of Gilchrist, Ill., Glen

Brown of Elizas,  Clint, Dan, Clem,

Clive, Louis, Earl and a sister Mrs.

Fern Robbins, all of Keithsburg and

one brother Van Knox of Keithsburg.

  There are 68 grand children, 40  great

grandchildren. Funeral services will

be heald Tuesday, March 22 at 1 p. m.

at the Christian church. Rev. Leslie

J. Ross preaching and burial will be

in Brink cemetery near Joy, Ill.

 The Burlington Hawk-Eye

(Burlington, Iowa)

23 March 1932 • Page 9 

Newspapers.com

Lydia Elzina Brown would be my 1st cousin 5x removed

Find A Grave Memorial# 54018824

 

More on the Knox family:

52 Ancestors - George Knox

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Another huge thank you to my cousin Jo for finding and sharing this obituary for my third great grandmother.

                                                                                      

  Mrs. Littis Ellen Littrell, eldest
daughter of George and Clarissa Knox
was born in the town of Joy, Maine,                                
April 14, 1830, emigrating with her
parents to Illinois in 1842 at the age
of 12 years, making the entire trip in
a wagon. She was the oldest of a
family of six children, a brother and a
sister surviving her. In 1849 she was
united in marriage to John H. Littrell
of Dubuque, Iowa. To this union
were born eight children, two dying
in infancy and one daughter who
died in 1888. Those living to mourn
her loss are Mrs. Lucinda Hersom of
Fonda, Iowa, Charles Littrell of Kan-
sas City, Kansas, William H. Littrell
of Nebraska, Mrs. Sadie Highfield of
Oakville, Iowa, and Harry L. Littrell
of Keithsburg, besides twenty-one
grandchildren, thirty-five great grand-
children, five great great grandchild-
ren and host of warm friends. She
was a kind and devoted mother and
grandmother. In her early years she
united with the United Brethren
church, remaining a steadfast member
until about ten years ago when she
placed her membership with the
Christian church of which she was a
member at the time of her death,
which occurred at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Sadie Highfield of Oak-
ville, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1916. She was
86 years, 8 months and 2 days old
and was one of the oldest pioneers of
Mercer county. She came here when
the country was a wilderness and the
Indians were numerous and lived to
see Mercer county one of the foremost
counties in the state. The funeral
services were held in this city Sun-
day, Nov. 19th. Rev. Shepherd of the
Methodist church, assisted by Even-
gelist, Conn, officiated at the services.
Burial took place in Greenmound cem-
etery.
  

The Times Record
Aledo, IL
Vol XXXIII, #23,
23 November 1916, Part 2, p. 12
"Keithsburg Happenings"  

 

Find A Grave Memorial# 114527676

 

More about the Littrell family:

Fearless Females - Mini Profile

The American Civil War - John H Littrell

                                                           

52 Ancestors - Clarissa Fuller (Knox) - Pioneer Woman

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

Me-My Mom-Ruby Alberta Belknap-Bessie Beatrice Landers-Angleine Henrietta Littrell-Letis Ellen Knox-Clarissa S. Fuller

My 4th great grandmother, Clarissa Fuller, is another woman in my direct maternal line and another resilient pioneer. She lived to the old age of 81.  She was born about 1809 in Jay, Franklin, Maine, U.S.A. to Erza Fuller and Avis Briggs. She was only 5 years old when her mother passed away leaving a home full of children. Clarissa's father remarries the widow Sarah Morse Stubbs (also known as Sally). She probably helped him raise the younger children. 

Clarissa grows up in her hometown and marries George W. Knox in September of 1827. Shortly after her father dies in October of 1842, Clarissa and her family join a wagon train going west to Mercer County, Illinois. Many of Clarissa's and George's relatives and friends are on the journey. Clarissa is now the mother of three children. Her oldest daughter, Letis Ellen, would have been about twelve year old. 

In Mercer county, Illinois, the family settles on a farm and three more children are born. But their lives about to change, as the civil war is coming. Like so many families during that time period, Clarissa watches as her oldest son (George E. Knox) enlist in the Union army. Their family is one of the lucky ones, as George makes it home.

Clarissa losses her husband sometime between 1860 and 1880. See my post about George W. Knox. In the 1880 census, Clarissa is living with her children, Lydia and Joseph in Abington, Mercer, Illinois. According to Clarissa's obituary, when she died on February 24, 1891, she is living with her son-in-law, Issac Downs. Isaac was the husband of her daughter, Samantha. The obituary lists her children and where they where living in 1891. George E., Letits Ellen, who resides in Nebraska, , Lydia, living near Keithsburg, Sarah Sullivan, of Millersburg, Mrs. Isaac Downs and Joseph B Knox of Joy.

Sources:

"Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F44Q-SZY : accessed 05 May 2014), Ezra Fuller in entry for Claracy Fuller, 1809; citing JAY,FRANKLIN,MAINE; FHL microfilm 11037. 

"Maine, Marriages, 1771-1907," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F4FD-YZD : accessed 05 May 2014), George W. Knox and Clarissa S. Fuller, 09 Sep 1827; citing Jay,Franklin,Maine, reference ; FHL microfilm 11037. 

1880 U.S. Census, Mercer County, Illinois, population schedule, Abington, enumeration district (ED) 172, Sheet 263A (stamped), dwelling 153, family 155, Clarrissa Knox; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2014); NARA microfilm publication T9.

Volume, VII, #34, The Times Record, Aledo, IL, 26 February 1891. obituary for Clarissa Fuller Knox.

52 Ancestors - George W Knox

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

George W Knox is my 4th great grandfather on my mother's side.

Me-My Mom-Ruby Alberta Belknap-Bessie Beatrice Landers-Angeline Henrietta Littrell-Letis Ellen Knox-George W Knox.

Although I've found quite a few records and information on George, I ran into a brick wall when trying to find anything on him after the 1860 census. Some of the things I discovered about George W Knox:

• George was the son of Moses Knox and Susannah Perkins born in Maine, United States about 1807.
• George marries Clarissa Fuller (daughter of Ezra Fuller and Avis Briggs) September 9, 1827 in Jay, Franklin, Maine.
• George is found in 1830 census living next to his father-in-law Ezra Fuller in Jay with a total of 3 persons - two being himself and Clarissa, and one female being under 5. I think this may have been their oldest daughter, Letis Ellen, born in 1830. 
• George is still in Jay, Maine in the 1840 census. He now has one male under 5 (probably George E), one female between 5-9 (probably Lydia), one female between 10-14 (probably Letis Ellen), and himself and Clarissa. 
• In the 1850, George and his family are living in Mercer County, Illinois at Township 14 N R 4 W. They now have two more children, Sarah and Samantha. According to his daughter's (Letis Ellen) obituary the family came to Mercer County in 1842 by wagon. They are not the only family from Jay, Maine who made the journey to Mercer County, Illinois. George's father and some of his brother's and sister's are part of the group migration, as well as some from Clarissa family. 
• In the 1860 census, George and his family are still in Mercer County, Illinois, with one more child (Joseph Benjamin). 

I've not been able to find George nor Clarissa in the 1870 census, they don't seem to be in Mercer County. But in the 1880 census, his wife (Clarissa) is listed as a widow living  with their children Lydia and Joseph in Abington, Mercer, Illinois. So what happened between 1860 and 1880? 

I've looked for George in other records and have not found much. No gravestone on Find-A-Grave, that I could find. I've looked on Ancestry and Family Search. I posted a query on a message board on Ancestry, and I've even e-mailed the Mercer County Historical Society. They were very helpful in death dates for George's wife and a daughter but nothing on George's death. They even gave me the e-mail of a cousin who has been most helpful.

 If you have any information on George W Knox, please e-mail or leave a comment. Thanks
.

More posts about George's family:

Sunday's Obituary - Clarissa Fuller Knox (George's wife obituary)

Fearless Females - Mini Profile (George's daughter, Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell))

Sources: 

"Maine, Marriages, 1771-1907," index, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F4FD-YZD: accessed 26 February 2013), George W. Knox and Clarissa S. Fuller; citing Jay,Franklin,Maine, reference ; FHL microfilm 11037.

1830 U.S. Census, Oxford County, Maine, population schedule, Jay, p. 177, line 11, George Knox; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2014); NARA Series: M19; Roll Number: 50; Family History Film: 0497946.

1840 U.S. Census, Franklin County, Maine, population schedule, Jay, p 105., line 9, George Knox; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2014); NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 140, FHL microfilm 0009703.

 1850 U.S. Census, Mercer County, Illinois, population schedule, Township 14 N R 4 W, p. 377A, dwelling 462, family 462, George Knox; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2014); NARA microfilm publication M432.

1860 U.S. Census, Mercer County, Illinois, population schedule, Township 14 N 4 W, Mercer, p. 222, dwelling 1519, family 1519, George W Knox; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2014); NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803211.

Keithsburg Happenings, The Times Record, Aledo, IL, 23 November 1916, Vol XXXIII, #23, Part 2, p. 12. Obituary of Littis Ellen Littrell.

Sunday's Obituary - Clarissa Fuller Knox

I've been very fortunate to have found some wonderful cousins along my genealogical journey. Thanks so much to Jo for finding this obituary for one of our great grandmothers.

Mrs. Clarissa Fuller Knox died at the
residence of her son-in-law, Issac
Downs, in this place February 24, 1891.
Mrs. Knox was born in Maine in 1816,
and moved with her husband to Illinois
at an early day and made Mercer county
her home ever since. There were six
children born to them, George E., Let-
tis Ellen, who resides in Nebraska,
Lydia, living near Keithsburg, Sarah
Sullivan, of Millersburg, Mrs. Isaac
Downs and Joseph B Knox of Joy. Ser-
vices were held in the M.E. church,
Rev. Brink officiating. The remains
were laid to rest in the Brick Yard cem-
etery.

The Times
Aledo, IL
Vol. VII #34, Thursday 26 February 1891 

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day

For all you Mom’s have a wonderful day.  In honour of Mother’s Day, here is the maternal line of myself and Robert.

Jacqueline

Me (Paterson), My Mom (Makie), Ruby Belknap (1917-1997), Bessie Landers (1888-1947), Angeline Littrell (1855-1888), Letis Ellen Knox (1830-?), Clarissa Fuller (1810-1891), Avis Briggs (1773-1814), Lettice Hill (1745-1813)

Robert

Robert Foster, His Mom (Stoddart), Living Lutz, Florence Palmer (1899-1975), Bessie Mapplebeck (1879-1902), Fanny McKinley (1850-1899)  

The American Civil War – John H Littrell

Thanks to Bill West of West in New England for the Civil War Blog Challenge to mark the 150 anniversary of the start of the Civil War on 12 Apr 1861.  I’ve been meaning to blog about my third great grandfather, John H Littrell.  (See Fearless Females – Mini Profile, March 31, 2011 to read about his wife Letis Ellen Knox). I was quite surprised to find out how many American ancestors that I had, let alone an ancestor in the American Civil War.  My American ancestors are from my Mom maternal side who came to Alberta, Canada in the 1890s. 

Most of what I know about John Littrell comes from Pension No. 11273 (Applicant-Letis Ellen Littrell, Veteran-John H Littrell) and a couple of census records.  I have no parents for John and I’m not sure what the H stands for.  According to the records John was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1831. The year corresponds to his census record for 1860, taken in Mercer County, Illinois.  Although the census states he was born in Iowa. I tend to believe the pensions records as John probably gave them the information.

John Littrell was enlisted by Lieutenant S.S. Newberry of the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry at Dubuque, Iowa on November 29, 1861.  At this time John is married to Letis Ellen Knox and has five children.  He is to serve three years but doesn’t make it passed one.  On October 11, 1862 he’s discharged with a Surgeon Certificate of disability at Fort Hamilton NYH.  The surgeon, B. Randall, finds him incapable of performing his duties of a soldier because of a “pallid look, flabby muscles and broken down constitution”.  Somehow he makes it back to Dubuque, Iowa. His wife, Letis, in a letter to the pension office says that he died of his illness November 17, 1862.  

I believe that John H Littrell is buried at the Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa. Although when I e-mailed the cemetery they replied they didn’t have records back that far.  But I have found mention of a John Littrell of the Twelfth United States Infantry whom grave is at Linwood on p 419 of a book on google “The History of Dubuque County, Iowa, a history of the County, its Cities, Towns, & C.” published in Chicago by Western Historical Company, 1880.  John Littrell is, also, mentioned as one of the soldiers’ graves decorated at Linwood Cemetery on May 30, 1868 from the Dubuque Daily Herald on Dubuque County IA GenWeb.

I’m still searching for clues about John Littrell and learning about the civil war.  My husband is quite surprised that I’ll watch the civil war shows on TV with him. But they’re so much more interesting when you have ancestors who lived during that time period.  I have a lot of unanswered question.  Who were his parents? What battles was he involved with during the civil war? Is he really buried at Linwood cemetery and does he have a grave marker?

Fearless Females – Mini Profile

Thanks to Lisa Alzo of Accidental Genealogy for the prompts for Fearless Females in honour of Women’s History Month.  Although I didn’t have time to participate in all the prompts, I’ve enjoyed the ones I did.  It was a great way to honour our female ancestors, who sometimes are forgotten.

My third great grandmother Letis Ellen Knox was born April 14, 1830 in Jay, Franklin, Maine. She was the daughter of George W. Knox and Clarissa Fuller. I’ll refer to her as Letis, as this is the name on the civil war pension file, although she often went by Ellen. The family moved to Mercer County, Illinois somewhere between 1840 and 1850. In February of 1850 Letis gave birth to a daughter, Lucinda.  In the census of 1850, Letis and Lucinda are staying with her parents George and Clarissa.  On September 20, 1852 in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois, Letis marries John H. Littrell of Iowa. The family bounces back and forth between Dubuque, Iowa and Mercer, Illinois.  My second great grandmother, Angeline is born February 28, 1855 in Dubuque, Iowa.  By 1860 the family is back in Mercer with their children, Lucinda, Charles, Angeline, William, and Sarah. 

During this time period, lives change for many Americans including the Littrells.  On November 29, 1861 John H. Littrell enlists in  Dubuque, Iowa for the 12” US Infantry of Iowa. Letis is left to care for their young children like so many other mothers. Sadly Letis and the children won’t have a joyous reunion with John at the end of the civil war.  On October 11, 1862, John is discharged at Fort Hamilton, New York with a certificate of disability.  Shortly after he returns home to Dubuque, Iowa he dies of illness contracted during the war. On November 17, 1862 he passes away.  Letis is faced with raising the children on her own, with one more child, Harry. 

Letis applies for a widow’s pension at Dubuque, Iowa at the beginning of 1863.  After not having heard back from the pension office, she marries December 28, 1867 to Iredill Pate in Mercer, Illinois.  Letis and her husband, Iredill bounce between Iowa and Illinois. The last census they show up together is the 1880 census, Letis then returns to the surname of her first husband, Littrell. Letis Littrell appears in the special 1890 veterans schedule in Wahoo, Saunders, Nebraska. Why Nebraska?  It would make sense that the William Littrell of the 1880 census living in Wahoo, Saunders, Nebraska is her son. In Saunders, Nebraska, Letis applies for a pension, after not hearing anything since her first application in Dubuque, Iowa in 1863. 

By 1900, Letis is found in Chicago, Illinois living with her son (Harry), grandson (John Rodgers), and relative (Ida Knox). Once again, Letis returns to Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois by 1910 to live with her daughter and son-in-law (Sadie and Henry Highfield). She is with still with them in 1915 in Eliot, Louise, Iowa.  After this I’m unsure of what happened to Letis, she now 85 years old.  I’m on the hunt for more records.

Fearless Females – Six-Word Memoir

Write a six-word tribute to one of your ancestors.  This was so much fun, that I pick a female ancestor from each of my lines.

Father’s Maternal-Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (Paterson), my grandmother:  English. Wish I Had Known You.

Father’s Paternal-Elizabeth Danskine (Paterson), my great grandmother:  Scottish. Mother. Shopkeeper. Strong. Spanish Flu.

Mother’s Paternal-Britta Riekki (Honkawaara), my 2^nd great grandmother:  Lived Three Countries. Finnish, Skier. Religious.

Mother’s Maternal-Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell) (Pate), my 3^rd great grandmother:  Civil war widow. American. Mayflower Descendant. (still trying to prove)

Fearless Females – Family Documents

This is a narrative based on my 2^nd great grandmother’s (Angeline Littrell) marriage record from March 4, 2011.

John H Littrell’s and Ellen Knox’s daughter, Angeline married for the second time in Millersburg, Mercer County, Illinois.  She was married August 29, 1883 by Pastor J.D. Calhoun of the M.E. Church.  Angeline was born 1855 in Iowa and has been residing in Keithsburg. Her husband is the son of John W. Landers and Mary A. Humbert. James was born in Indiana 1854 and was a farmer at the time of his marriage, residing in Keithsburg.

My Mayflower Quest

This past year, I’ve been working on proving my line back to the Mayflower passenger Samuel Fuller.  The line I’m trying to prove is: Samuel Fuller-Samuel Fuller- Samuel Fuller-John Fuller-Consider Fuller-Ezra Fuller-Clarissa Fuller-Letis Ellen Knox-Angeline Littrell-Bessie Landers-Ruby Belknap-My Mom-Myself .  I’ve been in contact with a few cousins who have been most helpful, and have proved the line up to Ezra Fuller and Avis Briggs. So, I just need to work from them to myself.  Not always as easy as it sounds.  But I have been assured by my cousins that it is worth the effort. This has been like a great treasure hunt, trying to find the records.  It has, also, been a wonderful learning experience.  Important lesson, that not all records you need are the internet. You will be required to write to county courthouses or archives. Some records can be obtained through writing to the state archive and other through the county courthouse. I have found if you have a choice; choose the courthouse as it seems like a faster response time.  Almost, but not all, will required some sort of fee for their effort in finding your record.  I found it very important to do your homework. Find out what records may be available for each county you need records for. Google each state or county you need records from to see what their policies are for getting records.  There are some states that have forms, you need to fill out and require ID in order to get the records.  The hardest part is waiting.  Each record that I’ve received is my treasure.  Some of them have been more valuable than others.  There has been some more difficult to find, and I’ve hit a couple of brick walls.  I’ve been unable to discover the death date and place for George W Knox, his wife Clarissa Fuller (nee Knox), and their daughter Letis Ellen Littrell or Pate (nee Knox). But I’m hoping that in the New Year, I’ll break down these walls.