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 - Harry L. Littrell

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - her brother - Harry Lincoln Littrell

  Thanks to my cousin Jo for sharing this obituary. 

HARRY L. LITTRELL PASSES                                           

           AWAY.

  Harry Lincoln Littrell, son of John

and Ellen Littrell, was born near

Keithsburg, January 11, 1864, and de-

parted this life, at his home, July 26,

1920, at the age of 56 years, 6 months

and 15 days.

  He was united in marriage the 20th

day of September 1904 to Mrs. Linnie

M. Burch. To this union was born a

daughter L. June Littrell.

  He began his duties as a man in

early years, as a teacher, afterwards

moving to Chicago with his mother

where he was connected with the Chi-

cago postoffice for a period of 15

years. After his marriage he again

began to teach in which vocation he

continued until his late illness.

  He became a member of the Metro-                                                    

politan lodge No. 860. A. F. & A. M.,

being initiated January 19, 1904, pass-

ed February 23, 1904, and raised

March 29, 1904. He was an enthus-

iastic and consistent worker in the

order and a firm believer in its prin-

ciples.

  He became a member of the M. E. 

church at an early date and after-

wards affiliated with the Disciples of

Christ with when he walked the re-

mainder of his days.

  He leaves to mourn his departure,

his wife, Mrs. Linnie M Littrell, his

daughter, L. June, two sisters, Sadie

E. Hyfield of Burlington, Iowa, and

Lucinda Herson of Fonda, Iowa; two

brothers, Charles and William H.

Littrell, two step children, Everett M.

Burch of St. Paul Minn., and Mrs. 

Mary E Kemp of this city. Besides

these many other dear ones and a

host of friends.

  He was wholesoled and heartily

fervent in his profession, a great

brother in his order, a true disciple of

his Christ, a loving husband, a fond

parent and a loving friend. 

  Funeral services were held Wednes-

day afternoon, July 28, at the Chris-

tian church, Rev. J. M. Dawson of

ficiating under the direction of Ro-

bert Burns Lodge No. 213 A. F. & A.

M.

 

The Times Record

Aledo, IL

Vol. XXXVII, #7, 29 July 1920

Part 2, p. 13, "Keithsburg Happenings"

 

Find A Grave Memorial# 124901657

 

More about the Littrell family:

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)  

The American Civil War - John H Littrell

Fearless Females - Mini Profile

 

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 - J. S. Littrell – A Mean Man

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 - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - John H Littrell (J.S. Littrell  brother to John?)

We tend to think the best of our ancestors when all we have to go by are a few records with dates and names. Sometimes there’s a family history or obituary portraying them as an upstanding citizen of the community. And if they weren’t so upstanding maybe very little was said. While searching for my 2^nd great grandfather John H. Littrell in the Dubuque, Iowa, USA newspapers, I came across all the dirt on Jacob S. Littrell, also know as J. S. Littrell.  I believe he may be John’s brother or close relative. I have yet to find prove of a relationship, but there’s strong evidence of a family tie. Both John and Jacob are one of the few Littrells in the Dubuque area during 1850s and 1860s, they are close enough in ages to be brothers. John is born about 1830, Jacob 1833. They both enlisted in the Union army during the civil war in the same regiment. John enlisted in the regular army 12^th infantry regiment on November 29, 1861, Jacob  enlisted on February 14, 1862 

My 2 ^nd great grandfather John died in Dubuque, Iowa in November of 1862 after being medically discharged on October 11, 1862. Jacob was discharged on February 14, 1865 and returned to Dubuque. I’m not sure what kind of man my 2^nd great grandfather was, but J. S. led a scandalous life in Dubuque, Iowa. It was all highlighted in the Dubuque Herald on February 23, 1873. Just the title suggest he wasn't highly thought of. 

 A MEAN MAN -  The Depth of Moral Filth a Man May Revel in and Yet Assume an Air of Decency. - A Few Interesting Facts in the History of J.S. Littrell, the Recent City Engineer. - An Incompetent Officer -- A Wife Deserter and a Patron of Lewd Women. 

The article gives a few facts of J. S. Littrell's life. It states he moved from Maryland to Iowa with his parents in 1847.  He lived in Maquoketa for a while.  J. S. was 40 years old on the February 20, 1873, making his birth date February 20,1833. He married Mary Ann Kelly about 1853. In the 1870 census, J. S. and Mary are living in Dubuque, Iowa with children Frank, 9 years old, and Charles, 2 years old. 

Most of the article is about his scandalous ways. Somehow he became the city engineer in 1870 serving out the unexpired term of Mr. Crusius. It states he was man of more than average ability, but he put a poor effort in at work and accepted bribes. He had numerous relations with lewd women, leaving his sickly wife at home. Then he left town leaving his family in poverty with unpaid debts.

I don't think J. S. would have returned to Dubuque, Iowa after his scandal. I did find in the United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, a headstone record for Jacob S. Littrell in Denver Colorado in the Riverside cemetery that lists his death date as December 2, 1889. 

Looking at census records, it looks like his boys Frank and Charlie stayed in the Dubuque, Iowa area. 

More on the Littrell family:

The American Civil War - John H Littrell

Sources:

 "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VRQC-C3X : accessed 20 Aug 2014), John H Littrell, 29 Nov 1861; citing p. 25, volume 56, Dubuque, , Iowa, United States, NARA microfilm publication M233, roll 28, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 350334.

 "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VRQC-CCK : accessed 20 Aug 2014), Jacob S Littrell, 14 Feb 1862; citing p. 31, volume 56, Dubuque, , Iowa, United States, NARA microfilm publication M233, roll 28, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 350334.

"A Mean Man," The Dubuque Herald, 23 February 1873, p. 4, column 2; digital image, My Heritage (http://www.myheritage.com : accessed 21 August 2014).

 "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDVM-ZMP : accessed 21 Aug 2014), Mary Littrell in household of J S Littrell, Iowa, United States; citing p. 44, family 357, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000545888.

 "United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V6HW-JBZ : accessed 21 Aug 2014), Jacob S Littrell, 02 Dec 1889; citing Denver, , Colorado, NARA microfilm publication M1845, roll 12, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 2155587. 

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.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Heritage Pie

I know it’s not Saturday night, but I was working.  So mine will be Sunday Morning Genealogy Fun.  Thanks to Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings for the mission.

My 16 great great grandparents are:

16. Johnston PATERSON, son of James PATERSON and Ann HUNTER was born on 29 Dec 1814 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He died on 20 Apr 1891 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He married Catherine MUIRHEAD on 02 Jul 1837 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

17. Catherine MUIRHEAD, daughter of George MUIRHEAD and Catherine KENNEDY was born about 1819 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She died on 23 Aug 1897 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

18. William DANSKINE, son of James DANSKINE and Helen HARDIE was born in 1816 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. He died on 10 Oct 1885 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He married Agnes FINDLAY on 20 Jan 1837 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland.

19. Agnes FINDLAY, daughter of James FINDLAY and Agnes GILCHRIST was born in 1816 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She died on 08 Aug 1892 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

20. George Augustus WARRY, son of William K WARRY and Mary Ann TAYLOR was born about 1848 in Islington, Middlesex, England. He died in Mar 1916 in Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, United Kingdom. He married Emily WORTHINGTON on 20 Jun 1875 in Old St. Pancras, Middlesex, England, UK.

21. Emily WORTHINGTON, daughter of William WORTHINGTON and Sarah (Worthington) was born about 1852 in London, England (St. Pancras).

22. John William SMITH, son of William SMITH and Sarah HORE was born on 17 Jun 1841 in Dorset, England (Parkstone). He died in 1913. He married Sarah Everton WAKEMAN on 01 Oct 1865 in Parkstone, Dorest, Poole, England.

23. Sarah Everton WAKEMAN, daughter of James WAKEMAN was born about 1841 in Worcestershire, England (Stourport).

24. Melvin MAKELA was born in Finland. He died in 1906. He married Unknown (Maki).

25. Unknown (Maki). (pobably born and died in Finland)

26. Sakaris HONKAWAARA was born in Feb 1836 in Pudasjärvi, Oulun Laani, Finland. He died in  1918 in Dunblane, Saskatchewan, Canada. He married Briita Maria RIEKKI in 1870 in Pudasjärvi, Oulun Laani, Finland.

27. Briita Maria RIEKKI was born in Dec 1846 in Pudasjärvi, Oulun Laani, Finland. She died in 1923 in Dunblane, Saskatchewan, Canada (Dunblane Finnish Cemetary).

28. Thomas Jefferson BELKNAP, son of Martin Seymour BELKNAP and Betsey Ann BRISTOL was born on 03 Nov 1850 in Lewis, New York, USA. He died on 17 Jun 1942 (Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada). He married Mary Elizabeth FEIDLER on 01 Oct 1876.

29. Mary Elizabeth FEIDLER, daughter of Henry FIDDLER and Frances GEORGE was born on 02 Dec 1852 in Williams, Calhoun, Iowa, USA. She died on 26 Jul 1898 in Minneapolis, Anoka,
Minnesota, USA.

30. James Robert LANDERS, son of John William LANDERS and Mary Angeline HUMBERT was born on 21 Feb 1854 in Danville, Hendricks, Indiana, USA. He died on 21 Feb 1929 in Riverton, Fremont, Wyoming, USA (Mountain View Cemetary). He married Angeline Henrietta LITTRELL on 29 Aug 1883 in Mercer, Illinois, USA.

31. Angeline Henrietta LITTRELL, daughter of John H LITTRELL and Letis Ellen KNOX was born on 28 Feb 1855 in Dubuque, Iowa, USA. She died on 10 Aug 1888 in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois, USA.

Birth places of my great great grandparents:

Scotland - 4
England - 4
Finland - 4
USA - 4

                                                     

Wow, just as I thought - pretty even.  If I were to do this for my husband, Robert - would be 100% Canadian.