SUNDAY'S OBITUARY - Patrick O'Donnell

Patrick O'Donnell was my great-great-Grandfather. His grandson, John Huber O'Donnell (1905-1964), was my grandfather - the father of my Mom. This obituary was published in the Henry County Local (Kentucky), June 1911.

Pat O'Donald

Patrick O'Donnell (in window)
Daughters Ella & Josie, unidentified boy
Jericho, Henry County, Kentucky
ca. 1905-1911

"This good man, the last of seven brothers, was born in Ireland, January 23, 1823. He and Honorable John D. Carroll's father were school mates in Ireland and came to this country together in young manhood and remained steadfast friends through life. Mr. O'Donald became a recognized citizen of the United States July 27, 1854, his papers being signed at New Castle by O. P. Thomas. He took up his residence in Jericho, April 12, 1854 and spent the remainder of his life here, having passed the 87 mile-stone.

He married Miss Bridget Kennedy, June 27, 1856. She died February 18, 1883, leaving to a father's care and training seven children, a son, John and daughters, Mrs. Maggie Hayden, Pewee Valley, Mrs. Mollie Kennely, Mrs. Alice Smith, Mrs. Fannie Delaney, of Louisville, Mrs. Ella Jackson and Miss Josie O'Donald, of Jericho.

His six brothers, John, James, Thomas, William, Richard and Edward, also came with him to this country. He and these brothers helped to grade the L & N road from Louisville to Lexington and laid the first steel rails on this line and were efficient section bosses at various points along the line.

Mr. O'Donald became an invalid August 5, 1905, and had been confined to a chair until his spirit took its flight being released from the body June 5, 1911, Pentecost Monday. He indeed died the death of a saint, falling as calmly to sleep as could a babe in its Mother's arms. He had faithfully served God through a lifetime, trying to build a character akin to St. Paul and had won a reputation for integrity and square dealing."

SATURDAY'S STRUCTURES: Palace Royal Saloon

"Saturday's Structures" will show photographs and tell the stories of the homes, businesses, churches and cemeteries that played an important role in the lives of our family. These will run the gamut from New Orleans Plantations, to homes our ancestors were born in and raised; from awe-inspiring Cathedrals from around the country, and world, to quaint country churches; from historic cemeteries to businesses that are now parking lots.

Palace Royal Saloon
Charles Horst, Proprietor (in front of bar with moustache)

Palace Royal Saloon, Birmingham, Alabama

Edward Horst (1858-1901), second son of Martin Horst (1830-1878) and Apollonia Weinschenk (1829-1908), left Mobile during the late 1880's and moved to Birmingham. The city was founded in 1871, so the prospects of new opportunities were endless. In 1891 Edward was working as a barkeeper at the Palace Royal Saloon, owned by William Wigginton. By 1895, Edward was the Proprietor. This was not his first experience managing a bar. He and his older brother Charles Horst (1856-1912), my great-great-Grandfather, had owned and operated the City Exchange Saloon in Mobile, after their father's death.

The Palace Royal Saloon was located at 2100 2nd Avenue in downtown Birmingham. The building was razed and is now a parking lot with Birmingham's Central Parking System.

Edward died on Sunday, May 19, 1901, after suffering a stroke while behind the bar on the previous afternoon. News of his falling ill was reported in the newspaper. He never married, and was just 42 when he died. The following day's newspaper reported his death, and told about the man himself. Of the saloon it was written:

"His saloon was noted for the quiet that prevailed there day in and day out, and for the absence of rowdyism, which was not tolerated either by the proprietor or his brother. Deceased was a strict observer of the law, and his saloon, for that reason, was never one that was watched over by the police."   [From The Birmingham News; May 20, 1901]

Edward was buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Mobile, next to his father.

2100 2nd Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama
site of Palace Royal Saloon, ca. 1935

After Edward's death Charles ran the saloon. He had worked with his father and brother at the City Exchange Saloon, and had been the proprietor of the Big Six Saloon in Mobile, until  he and his wife Odalie Fortier (1857-1920) and their two young children left the city and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Here Charles worked as a barkeeper, while living with his family at the home of his aunt, Elizabeth Horst Ginter's (1827-1877) family. By 1895 Charles, Odalie and their growing family of six moved to Birmingham. Charles was now listed in the Birmingham City Directory as the "Mixologist" for the Palace Royal Saloon. Charles continued to run the saloon after his brother's sudden death, but by 1910 Charles was retired.

He died on August 30, 1912 at the age of 55. He was survived by his wife, five children and five grandchildren. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery, along side his wife Odalie.

FRIDAY'S FAMOUS: '27 Rose Bowl Player of the Game & FRIDAY'S FORGOTTEN: Young Mother and Child

My plan for each Friday's post is to recognize and tell the story of those individuals within our extended families, who are on the two ends of the recognition scale - the Famous, and the Forgotten. All families have them. There are the famous ones who have done something extraordinary, achieved some high level of personal success, or been recognized for an outstanding contribution - we all like to be related to them! Then there are those we never heard of - who maybe died young, or who lived a common life with no extreme story to tell, or maybe who died so long ago and without leaving any descendants that most of us didn't even know they ever lived at all - the forgotten. I hope to honor both ends of the spectrum, because every life really does have a story to tell
          For this first Friday blog, it just so happens that both ends are in the same family so I decided to tell you about both - Friday's Famous, and Forgotten.

Frederick William Pickhard, Jr.


Fred Pickhard
All-American
University of Alabama
1925-1927

 Fred Pickhard was born in Mobile, Alabama on July 20, 1906. He was the youngest child of Frederick William Pickhard (1862-1951), also from Mobile, and Estella "Stella" Guise (1865-1955), a native of Ohio. Fred's father, Frederick, Sr., had been widowed when his first wife, Amelia G. Helmetag (1862-1898), died just short of her 36th birthday. Amelia was the oldest child of Frederick William Helmetag (1834-1883) and Wilhelmina Amelia Horst (1843-1885), the half sister of my 3rd great-Grandfather Martin Horst (1830-1878). [See story below]

Fred, Jr. attended the University of Alabama and played on the Crimson Tide Football Team from 1925-1927. Fred was a 6'3", 205 lb. Offensive Tackle for the Tide. His bio on rolltide.com states:

"Pickhard was an All-American choice in 1926 and an All-Southern Conference selection in 1926-27. He played on national championship teams in 1925 and 1926 and was captain of the 1927 squad. Perhaps the biggest play of the year in 1926 was Pickhard’s block of a fourth-quarter punt by Sewanee that Bama recovered for a safety to win 2-0 which kept Bama perfect en route to a Rose Bowl berth. Against LSU the very next week, Pickhard blocked two more punts for touchdowns. Only 16 punts were blocked for scores in 1926 and Pickhard had three of them."



University of Alabama 1925 National Championship Team
(Fred Pickhard pictured middle row, center)



Fred was selected as the "Rose Bowl Player of the Game" in the 1926 National Championship game, in which Alabama tied Stanford 7-7 (the last Rose Bowl to end in a tie).

In 1938 Fred moved to Oregon, where he married Lucille Hoober and together they had 3 children. Only son Fred, III, went on to play Left End for Michigan, playing in the 1951 Rose Bowl, where his Wolverines beat the California Golden Bears 14-6.

Fred Jr. retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. as a service manager in 1971. He died on April 11, 1993 and is buried at Portland Memorial Mausoleum. He was survived by his wife of 53 years, his three children and nine grandchildren.

Amelia Helmetag Pickhard


AMELIA G. HELMETAG
Wife of FREDERICK W. PICKHARD
Born Dec. 24, 1862      Died Dec. 4, 1898 
Our Baby
AMALIE ST. JOHN,
Aged 3 months and 6 days.
OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

Amelia, the first wife of Frederick William Pickhard (Fred Pickhard, Jr.'s father), was the cousin of my great-great Grandfather Charles Frederick Horst (1856-1912). Her mother Wilhelmina, later called Amelia, and Charles' father Martin immigrated with their father Johan Eckhard Horst (1802-1852), Eckhard's second wife Elisa Geiss (1817-1852), and three other siblings, from their home in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, arriving in New York on August 7, 1846. Amelia Horst married William Helmetag in 1861 and they had 5 children. William, also an immigrant from Germany, was a shoemaker by trade. They lived in Mobile.

  

William and Amelia's first child, Amelia was born on Christmas Eve, 1862. The date of her wedding to Frederick Pickhard is unknown. Frederick was a carpenter for the L & N Railroad during their marriage. They had a daughter, Amalie St. John Pickhard - exactly when is unknown. Amalie lived 3 months and 6 days. Amelia Pickhard died on December 4, 1898. Mother and daughter are buried together at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Their grave seems very solitary, no one next to them, under a small tree. Frederick remarried around 1902. His wife Stella Guise was Amelia's first cousin. Frederick is buried next to Stella in Mobile's Pine Crest Cemetery.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY'S PHOTO - "A Horst Family Day at the Beach, ca. 1916"

The photographs and portraits that I have discovered, including the hundreds that my Dad had collected during his years of research, are probably the things I enjoy most as I search through the branches of our trees. "Wonderful World of Pictures Wednesday" will highlight one photograph or portrait that I have collected. If you would ever like me to send you a copy (without the "property of" on the pic) just let me know. So, in honor of my family being at the beach as I write this, here's a picture you might enjoy!

A Horst Family Day at the Beach
ca. 1916

Charles Frederick Horst, Jr. (1880-1964) is pictured here with his two children - daughter Grider (1908-1995), left, and son Charles, III (1911-1984) at an unknown beach. The woman on the veranda, in white, is his wife, Eliza Dilworth Horst (1885-1960). Charles, the oldest child of Charles F. and Odalie Fortier Horst, was the older brother of my great-Grandmother Pearl Horst Flemming. He lived with his family in Birmingham, in the Highlands area. He started his career with Grider Coal Sales Company, later owning and operating his own coal company, C.F. Horst & Company, selling "Steam and Domestic Coal". Eliza, originally from Pennsylvania, was the daughter of John Dilworth (1858-1930), a "pioneer in the development of coal mining in Alabama". The Horsts were members of Highlands Methodist Church in Birmingham; they later moved to Tampa, Florida after he retired.
Did you notice:

• The young people hanging out under the building, trying to stay cool.
• Eliza was wearing the dress of the day - long skirt (with plenty of petticoats no doubt) with 3/4 sleeves;
• The woman seated next to Eliza on the left appears to be wearing a fashionable bathing suit.
• Grider's ruffled hat that was part of women's bathing attire at the time.

Short History of the Bathing Suit

During the 18th century, spas where men and women engaged in public bathing began appearing in France and England. Men and women still bathed infrequently however and the typical "swim" was a brief dip in the water with ladies on one side of the beach and men on the other. The earliest bathing suit may have possibly been an old smock resembling a kind of "bathing gown." Modesty was the dictum with style not much of a consideration in those days. The first suits were far from practical or comfortable; ladies went as far as to sewing lead weights into the hem of the "bathing gown" to prevent the dress from floating up and exposing her legs. The men's swim suit, a rather form-fitting wool garment with long sleeves and legs similar to long underwear, was developed and would change little for a century.

By the mid 1800's bathing became considered a recreation whereas previously it had been merely a therapeutic device. The early 1800's marked the beginning of a revolution in swim wear when Americans flocked to the beaches for seaside recreation. Technological innovations such as railroads made public beaches more accessible for vacations. With increased recreation time and improved economic conditions, the time was ripe for change in women's swim wear. People flocked to the seaside for popular seaside activities such as swimming, surf bathing, and diving. A need for a special costume that retained modesty but was free enough to enable the wearer to engage in sports became obvious.

The first swimsuits consisted of bloomers and black stockings. By 1855, drawers were added to prevent the problem of exposure. Women still refrained from swimming too much; the prevailing attitude of the day was that only men should swim. Gradual improvements were being made in the cut of the suit itself. By the end of the 19th century, swimming had become an "art," as well as an intercollegiate and Olympic sport. In this environment, it finally became acceptable for women to swim. Now women's bathing suits really had an opportunity to take off. By the 1880's the "Princess" cut was introduced, consisting of a blouse and trousers in one piece. The skirts were traded in for cotton-like pants. There was also a separate skirt that fell below the knee and button at the waist to conceal the figure. A ruffled cap or a straw hat completed the ensemble.

During the 1880's, men's styles stuck close to the traditional skivvies. Improvements were made gradually. The first prototypes of the first "modern" swim trunks were cumbersome and made the action of swimming itself more difficult. The first Jantzen suit weighed 9 lb. when fully soaked, making them extremely heavy in water. They also had the unfortunate tendency of slipping down!

Women's new swimsuits relied heavily on the form of the "fashionable" body, gradually exposing more and more skin. The beginning of the twentieth century marked a new daring era in swim wear for women. In 1909, Australian Annette Kellerman was arrested in the United States for wearing a loose, one piece suit that became the generally accepted swimsuit for women by 1910. After that swimsuits began the trend of becoming lighter and briefer. The apron disappeared by 1918, leaving a tunic covering the shorts. Even though matching stockings were still worn, bare legs were exposed from the bottom of the trunks to the top of the shorts. With the Roaring 20's following WWI, there was a large increase in appreciation of recreation and the spending of leisure time. This was manifested in the first annual "Bathing Suit Day" held on May16, 1916 at Madison Square Garden .

[Taken from http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~roseying/ids110/WHIS.HTM by Roselyn Hsueh]

HOMETOWN TUESDAY: Cassville, Georgia

My hope for this blog is that Tuesdays will be the day that I write about a town, or a city, or a village, where some of our ancestors lived in the past. I'm calling it "Hometown Tuesdays". The history, culture, and make-up of any hometown effects the individuals who live there. In my research I've discovered how unique each city is. So take a trip back in time - to the early 1800's - to the one time home of James and Sarah Flemming, my 3rd great-Grandparents, and my great-great Grandfather Charles Flemming. . . .

Cassville, Bartow County, Georgia

Cassville, in what was then Cass County, is known by many Civil War buffs as the location of the battle that never was. During the Atlanta Campaign in 1864, Confederate General Joe Johnston intended a major offensive here after tricking General Sherman into dividing his forces at Adairsville. But on the evening before the battle was to have been fought, General John Hood convinced Johnston to withdraw south to Allatoona. Union Forces occupied Cassville from that night until November 1864. On October 30, orders were issued to destroy Cassville. Residents were given only 20 minutes notice that the town was being burned. No images of the town, nor official records of her citizens, survived. That's the end of the story. But what was Cassville like when James and Sarah Linza Jackson Flemming lived and worked here, with their two young sons in late the 1850's, and early 1860's?

Cass County was created by the Georgia legislature in 1832 and Cassville, the county seat, was laid out less than a year later. The town grew up in the middle of the woods where the Cherokees were still roaming and became a busy place. The town was built around the Court Square in a similar fashion to most Southern towns and a brick courthouse and jail were completed by 1837. Just over a decade later, Cassville boasted with pride about being the largest, most prosperous, most culturally affluent town in northern Georgia. After all, Cassville contained four hotels including the fancy Latimer Hotel which was less than a block away from the courthouse. These hotels made Cassville an ideal place for a stage coach stop and many took advantage of the facilities. There was a bookstore, insurance company, several practicing lawyers, two tailor shops, dry good stores, grocery stores, two carriage and wagon shops, a blacksmith, jewelry store, harness shop, livery stable, furniture store, lumber yard, a boot and shoe maker, brick yard, and four practicing doctors.

The old town of Cassville had brick sidewalks and was laid out in a traditional village style with square blocks spreading out from the courthouse square in the center. On either side of the courthouse was the main business district of town. Six stores, three on each side, were lined about the courthouse. The U. S. Post Office was directly across the street from the courthouse and the Latimer Hotel was just past the post office. M. Murray's store, another hotel, and the printing shop were located on the opposite side of the courthouse square.

The town was also the home of two fine colleges, the Cassville Female College and the Cherokee Baptist College both of which were housed in large brick buildings on beautiful campuses. Girls and boys from allover Cherokee Georgia came to Cassville to go to college. The Female Institute was owned by the Methodist and was located on a hill overlooking the town from the West. The hill was known by the town's residents as "College Hill." By 1853, the large three-story brick structure was erected and in full use containing .the finest library in northern Georgia.

The Cherokee Baptist Male College, on Chapman Hill, was located about 3/4 of a mile northeast of the Female Methodist College. It was a school for boys established in January of 1854. It too was a three-story building constructed of brick, but it had two-story wings flanking each side of the main structure. The school was burned in 1856 and was quickly rebuilt within a year and included the same floor plan as before as well as a chapel large enough to seat 800 people. There were seven recitation rooms, a library, two rooms for other purposes, and two large halls for the two Literary Societies to hold their functions. The Cherokee Baptist Male College and the Female Methodist College were the first chartered institutions of higher education in Cherokee, Georgia. Because there were no dormitories at either school, the citizens of Cassville boarded the youngsters for a small fee.

There were many fine homes in and around Cassville. It was a pleasant place to live and there was an element of culture and refinement in the town that could not be found in surrounding areas.  It was in Cassville that the first decision ever of the Georgia State Supreme Court was handed down. The first paved sidewalks in upper Georgia were laid in Cassville as well. It was one of the very first towns in Georgia to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors, and businesses in Cassville prospered as greatly as any others in the state. Cassvillians were especially proud of their brass band which was held together until the young men went away to war. There was also a circus grounds used for special events.

There were four churches in Cassville: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian. Three of the four are still located on the same grounds they held before the town was burned. Late in 1861 Confederate Hospitals were organized in Cassville and by May of 1864 eight large Confederate hospitals were in operation. There were also several regimental hospitals in Cassville. More than 10,000 Confederates were treated in these hospitals. More than 500 Confederates died in them, of which about 300 are buried in the Confederate Cemetery. Also buried in the Cassville cemetery is Bartow's able Brigadier General W. T. Wofford.

The Cassville battle did not reach major proportions of a major conflict. There were not many killings in the little fighting that actually took place. The battle was fought Thursday, May 19, 1864 and was of more importance as to what would happen in the future than it was of that day. Hood's Advance and Retreat called the battle, "The Controversial Cassville Battle," or the "Question Mark" of the Atlanta Campaign.

It was on November 5, 1864 when the city of Cassville was destroyed by fire at the hands of the Fifth Ohio Regiment of the Federal Army under the command of Colonel Heath and Major Thomas. They said they had orders from Sherman "that not a house be left within the limits of the incorporation, except the churches." One theory for the total destruction of the town is that Yankees had a special grievance against the town because it had changed its name from Cassville to Manassas and the name of the county from Cass to Bartow just after the Confederate victory at First Bull Run in 1861. The names of the county and county seat had been altered because the state legislature did not believe that a Southern town should bear the name of a Michigan general who held the "wrong" views on the slavery question.

The Union Army destroyed the city and left behind a mass of smoking walls and charred timber around the limits of the town. During the summer of 1864 the Federals were in complete control of Cassville and her citizens went through hard times. The nearest mill was fifteen miles away and those fortunate enough to have a little wheat or corn had to walk that distance to use the mill. They walked because all their horses had been seized by either Union or Confederate cavalries. Usually a few small boys would get together and sneak over to the mill because if they were caught by Federal troops, their grain would almost always be taken away. All the people had to pick berries to help toward their daily meals. It would have been tougher on the people of Cassville if it had not been for the kindness of a Federal captain stationed in Kingston who often sent assistance to the people in town.

There was an interview by a former resident years ago, who had lived through the event, that on the morning of November 5th the Union Army marched into town and, after giving a short notice about what was to follow, began their work. Within a short time the whole town was in flames. That night the people found themselves out in the street in a cold rain with not a shelter left over their heads. They could have found shelter in churches but they had to watch over the few personal belongings they had saved from the flames. They knew the Yankees would either steal or destroy them if they had a chance.

With Cassville now gone, the county seat was moved to the nearby rail center at Cartersville. It seemed useless to rebuild Cassville because of its location and total destruction. Cartersville quickly became the new center of activity in Bartow County and remains so today. All of the businesses, including several of the businessmen of old Cassville made themselves new locations in Cartersville. Cassville was only a memory, except for three churches, three homes, and the die-hards who decided to rebuild.

By the 1870's, the state-owned Western and Atlantic Railroad made Cartersville a major travel center. It was this railroad that ended any possibility of rebuilding Cassville. Cassville could only be reached by horse or stagecoach, while Cartersville was a major rail center. It is for this reason that Cassville today is only a small community consisting of the three old churches, a store, a post office, a new fire station, an empty courthouse square, and a Confederate Cemetery.
[From www.cassvillehistoricalsociety.com/history/]

James Benjamin Flemming

The Flemming Family in Cassville
 According to the 1860 U.S. Census, James Benjamin Flemming (1827-1907) and his wife Sarah Jackson Flemming (1837-1902) were living in Cassville with their sons Charles Clinton Flemming (1854-1932) and John Flemming (1858-before 1870). They had left their home in Darlington, South Carolina sometime after son John was born. James was working as a Harnessmaker, a profession he occupied throughout his life, and would pass down to his sons. He valued his personal property on the Census as $50. The Flemmings were Baptists.

While living here, Sarah gave birth to their third child, son Thomas J., in July 1860. By the time their fourth child, Oscar Eugene (1866-1936) was born in October of 1866, the family was living in Rome, about 23 miles to the west. James was still working as a harnessmaker. By the 1870 Census, their second child John had died, and their fifth son, Walter Edward (1869-1907) was born. James and Sarah would later have two more children - James Benjamin (1876-1878), who lived just 16 months, and their only daughter Minnie E. (1879-1963).

Headstone at Myrtle Hill Cemetery
Rome, Georgia

It is unknown at this time which unit James served under during the Civil War but his obituary confirms that he was a veteran. Whether or not Sarah and her three young sons were living in Cassville on the day that it was burned to the ground is not known. Records were destroyed and their experienes in Cassville have long been forgotten. James and Sarah are buried beside each other at Rome's historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery.  

MONDAY'S MILITARY - Our Own Revolutionary War Heroes - In Celebration of Independence Day

Most of the families in my mother's tree immigrated to America after the Revolutionary War. But there are still several actual ancestors that earned all of us membership in the Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution. Here are the stories of our very own Revolutionary heroes:

Jacques Omer Fortier (March 4, 1759-September 15, 1820) was my 5th great-Grandfather. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second son of Michel Fortier (1725-September 20, 1785), a prosperous sugar-cane plantation owner on the Great River Road, and Perinne Langlois (1734-March 19, 1804); he was the fifth of twelve children. Jacques married Aimee Marie Victoire Felicitie Durel (November 17, 1868-November 27, 1843) on October 1, 1787. The couple had ten children, including my 4th great-Grandfather Jacques Omer Fortier (September 2, 1792-July 28, 1823).

Obituary of Jacques Fortier from New Orleans Louisiana Courier
18 Sep 1820
"Died, on 15th current, at his home in Cannes Brulees (“Burnt Cane” a.k.a. Kenner, Louisiana),
Mr. Jacques Fortier, aged 63, one of the most highly recommendable inhabitants of the country.
Mr. Jacques Fortier leaves a large (“numerable”) family and many friends to mourn (“cry”) his loss."

 [This Jacques and his wife Charlotte Adele Chauvin deLery (1796-May 4, 1834) had three children including oldest child Jacques Omer (1813-December 19, 1867), my 3rd great-Grandfather. Omer and his wife, Augustine Melanie Laperle DeGruy (January 17, 1822-November 1, 1872), were the parents of eleven. Their seventh child, Odalie Felice Fortier (August 31, 1857-November 14, 1920, was my great-great-Grandmother. Odalie married Charles Frederick Horst (December 21, 1856-August 30, 1912) and together they had five children. Their middle daughter, Pearl Alphonsine Horst (November 19, 1884-September 25, 1961), was my great-Grandmother and mother to my maternal Grandmother Susan Elizabeth Flemming O'Donnell (August 23, 1909-July 7, 1999).]

          Jacques Fortier was, like his father, a successful plantation owner several miles outside New Orleans. He also was a member of the German Coast Militia, made up of white males who were ready when called upon to serve. He, along with members of the other area militia, joined forces with Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish Governor of Louisiana, in 1779 and took part in defending Louisiana, a part of Spain at this time, from the British in key battles. Jacques Fortier achieved the rank of Colonel during his years in the militia. [See "Louisiana Soldiers in the American Revolution" below]

Colonel Michel Fortier II

Michel Fortier II (September 12, 1750-September 19, 1819) was the oldest child of Michel and Perinne Fortier, and brother to Jacques. He was my fifth Great-grand-Uncle. Michel was a planter and merchant, and served as a Captain during the campaigns under de Galvez, 1779-1881, along with his brother, cousins and other relatives. He later became a Colonel. He also became a member of the first city council in New Orleans. Michel II married Marie Rose Durel (1756-August 28, 1788), sister of his brother Jacques' wife Aimee. Together they had seven children. He is buried at St. Louis Cemetery #1.

Fallen marker at St. Louis Cemetery #1
Jn. Baptiste Degruy & Melanie Gaudin

Jean Baptiste Valentin DuFouchard DeGruy (March 8, 1751-March 1, 1838) was my 4th great-Grandfather, and father to Melanie Augustine Laperle DeGruy (see Jacques Fortier descendants above). According to a copy of his Service Record, Jean Baptiste had joined the Louisiana militia on September 25, 1774, subsequently serving in the German Coast Militia for over 17 years, then serving in the German Coast Disciplined Provincial Militia for over 8 years. He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. Jean Baptiste participated in the Campaigns of Ft. Bute in Manchac & Baton Rouge in 1779, and Mobile in 1780 during the Revolutionary War, under Galvez [see story below]. It was noted in his service record: "known valor; average application; good capacity & conduct."

Louisiana Soldiers in the American Revolution

          "During the early days of the Louisiana Colony, it was the duty of all able young men to serve in the militia, and to do their part to insure the protection of all. Militias were formed in the German Coast, Point Coupee, Opelousas and Attakapas throughout Louisiana.

          Spain, already in control of Florida, signed the secret Treaty of Fountainbleau, along with France in 1762, giving Spain the additional territory of Louisiana west of the Mississippi River and the Isle of Orleans. Then, in 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed giving Britain control of the French held territory of Canada and the Spanish held Territory of Florida. These events unknowingly helped to set the stage for the shaping of the next twenty years of history and the birth of a new nation.

         As America's war for independence was raging following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Spain, still in control of Louisiana, remained officially neutral, but ever watchful of the powerful British forces. In September 1776 Spain appointed a new Governor of Louisiana, Don Bernardo de Galvez, just 29 years old, to replace the retiring governor. Although Spain remained officially neutral, Galvez secretly helped the Americans by supplying munitions and money to Washington's Army fighting in the Western part of the 13 colonies, and facilitated American shipping by sea and up the Mississippi River, all the while improving the defenses of the Louisiana Colony.

          In 1778 France joined in the war in support of the new American Government, but Spain continued to resist official involvement and Galvez continued aiding the Americans in secret. His surveillance of the British, particularly at Pensacola, began to yield evidence that they were reinforcing their defenses beyond reasonable means. It was obvious that some form of attack was forthcoming, and it was suspected that the attack would be waged against New Orleans. The time had come and a decision had to be made. Galvez could wait for the suspected attack by the British, or he could take the initiative and attack them first.

          These events finally led to Spain's declaration of war against England in May of 1779, and Galvez was given permission to attack the British. He immediately began preparations and the attack was planned for the first part of August. Disaster struck less than a week before his troops were to leave. In his words, "a hurricane, like none other registered in the memory of this colony," destroyed every ship so painstakingly fortified by Galvez for the impending attack. The city was totally devastated and even more importantly, defenseless. The colonists also felt the fury of the storm. Their crops and homes were destroyed as well as the stores and provisions of the colony. If the British, who had not experienced the devastation of the hurricane, had attacked New Orleans at this time, they would have gained control with very little resistance.

          Galvez knew that something had to be done, and that there was no time to spare. Knowing of the devastation of the residents of New Orleans, he hesitated to ask for their help, but had been left with no other choice. He could not even be sure that the ships scheduled to arrive from Spain with reinforcements, had not also perished in the storm. And so it was that Galvez presented the facts to the inhabitants of the city. Although he hoped for a favorable response, he seemed somewhat surprised and relieved when, without a second thought, every man capable rallied to his aid.

          Word of the situation was soon passed to the settlements of the German Coast, Point Coupee, Opelousas and Attakapas. Although these areas had not felt the full fury of the hurricane as those in New Orleans had, they no doubt suffered the consequences of the torrential rains and damaging winds. Even with their fields and homes damaged, they, just as the inhabitants of New Orleans, did not hesitate to band together and lend their assistance to Galvez.

          Meanwhile, Galvez was finally able to leave New Orleans with an army of about 600 of his men, mostly new Spanish recruits. They were joined along their way to English-held Manchac, about 115 miles up the Mississippi River on British West Florida, by the 500 or so men from the Opelousas, Attakapas, Point Coupee and German Coast Militia, as well as Indians and free men of color willing to fight in the conflict. This rag tag army, containing men of every "class, nation, and color," endured many hardships on the nearly two week long journey. The bad roads and thick forests no doubt slowed their progress, and with no tents to protect them from the elements and very few supplies, many were forced to drop out along the way due to illness and exhaustion. By the time the group reached Fort Bute at Manchac, Galvez had lost nearly one third of his army, but, thanks to the added numbers of the colony's militia, they were still of sufficient force to capture the fort.

         After a few days of rest, the still shrinking army continued on their trek towards Baton Rouge. At Manchac, Galvez had had the element of surprise on his side, as the English were not yet aware that Spain had declared war against them. Not so at Baton Rouge, and as they approached the fort, the English began to fire on them.

           Realizing that to storm the well fortified and protected fort would be certain suicide for his army, Galvez sent one group of his army into the woods near the fort to draw the attention and fire of the enemy. They were protected by the trees of the dense woods and very little damage was done to them. Meanwhile, the rest of his army was busy digging trenches behind the fence of a peach orchard, a short distance from the fort. By the time the British realized where the main body of the Spanish Army actually was, they were already in the protected shelter of the trenches. The following morning, September 21, 1779, Galvez began a serious attack on the fort, and within a few short hours the British surrendered. Galvez also insisted that Fort Panmure of Natchez be turned over to him, and the British, having no other choice, accepted his terms.

          During the next few years, with the aid of the militia companies of the colony, Galvez went on to wage successful battles against the other British held forts of Mobile and Pensacola, thus returning the Florida Territory to the control of Spain.

The Importance of Spain's Actions

          In order to understand the importance of Spain's actions during the years of the American Revolution, one must first remember that Louisiana, at that time, consisted of the entire interior section of the present United States east of the Mississippi River and south of Canada.

          England owned the Floridas, and if Spain had allowed the British to attack and take New Orleans, they would have been in complete control of the mouth of the Mississippi River, as well as the Port of New Orleans. Once the British were in control of New Orleans, Galvez would have been hampered in trying to retain control of the rest of the colony as most of the trade and reinforcements from Spain were received in the New Orleans Port. Eventually England would have no doubt taken control of all of Louisiana, giving them not only complete control of the Mississippi at its mouth, but the entire Eastern side of the river as well.

          If this had occurred, the outcome of the American Revolution could very well have ended with England the victor. If England had gained that much control of the Mississippi River, it would have been as though they had opened a back door to the American Colony, thus giving Britain the ability to attack them from the west by way of the river as well as from the east by way of the ocean. This explains why some historians credit Galvez's capturing of the British held Floridas a turning point in the war, and why the militiamen of the Colony of Louisiana are, most definitely, Veterans of the American Revolution."

- from "A History of Louisiana Soldiers", posted by Lee Crockett on http://genform.genealogy.com, 24 Jan 2003

         

SUNDAY'S OBITUARY - Thomas Joseph McCaffrey (1832-1896)

Thomas Joseph McCaffrey
My 3rd great-Grandfather

[From Rome-Tribune, May 23, 1896, Rome, Georgia]

A WELL SPENT LIFE

Was Ended in the Death of Mr. T. J. McCaffrey

A Loyal Citizen and Soldier

Although Born in Boston, He was Devoted to the South,

the Home of His Adoption

 "The sudden and unexpected death of Ex-Councilman Thomas J. McCaffrey was a shock to his many friends in Rome.

He had just completed a term as member of the city council from the Fifth Ward, a position that he filled with ability and honor.

Mr. McCaffrey had been ailing since February last, and when he was stricken Thursday night his wife and two young daughters did everything they could for him, his sons being away from home.

A messenger was sent for Dr. McCall, but before he could get there Mr. McCaffrey realized that he was dying and said, "Charlotte, I am dying, pray for me!"

A few gasps for breath and his spirit took its flight and his daughters gently laid him down.

Mr. McCaffrey was born in Boston on April 17, 1834 but removed to Baltimore while a young man and married a lady of a most excellent family. While the war came on he went over to the South and made cannon for the Confederacy in Selma, Alabama.

When Forrest and Wilson were fighting around Selma he left the foundry and took part in that last engagement with Forrest.

As it appeared in Rome-Tribune

In the meantime, all the wives of confederate soldiers were ordered to leave Baltimore and Mrs. McCaffrey carried her baby in her arms across the lines. She and her husband were ever devoted to each other and her heart was with him in every undertaking.

At the breaking out of the war he was connected to the United States navy yard but, in 1861 came over to the south with the balance of the Maryland line. He served under Commodore Page and Commodore apR. Jones and was captured in the fight at Selma just before the surrender.

After the war he was connected with nearly all the rolling mills and furnaces in the construction department through Alabama, in Brierfield, Shelby and others up to the time he came to assist in the building of the water works by Noble Bros.

He served two terms as mayor of South Rome and in 1894 was twice a member of Rome city council. He was a gentleman of splendid business ability, and was respected by the people of the city of his adoption.

Besides his wife, who survives him, he leaves two married daughters, Mrs. Reece Miller, of this city, and Mrs. Charlie Flemming, of Birmingham, and Misses Lottie and Agnes, single daughters, and three sons, Charlie, Will and Joe McCaffrey, all grown up.

Mr. McCaffrey was a good citizen and served the country of his adoption well in the troublous days of the war.

He was a member of the Catholic church and his funeral will occur there this morning. The family wished to have it postponed for the arrival of his sister from Maryland, but were unable to do so.

Mr. McCaffrey was the sole of loyalty to his friends and he will be sadly missed by those who held him in such high esteem. He was a member of the Royal Arcanuma in high standing."

THOMAS J. McCAFFREY & SONS  (seated L to R: Thomas, Charles; standing L to R: Willie, Joseph, James) ca. 1893

          Thomas Joseph McCaffrey (April 17, 1832-May 21, 1896) married Charlotte Elizabeth McCluskey (February 15, 1838-June 12, 1917), on August 15, 1853 in her hometown of Philadelphia. Six of their 13 children preceded him in death. Their 3rd child and oldest surviving daughter was Elizabeth Agnes "Lizzie" McCaffrey Flemming (December 23, 1858-July 17, 1922), my great-great-grandmother.

          Since at least the age of 18, Thomas had worked as a "pattern maker". [A pattern-maker transformed a design into a wooden form that was sent to a local foundry which then produced a part cast in iron. From National Park Service brochure]. His talents would have been indispensable during the war.

          Thomas is buried next to his wife Charlotte in Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Rome, Georgia.

What's in a name? The story of 'Susan'

When I was born in 1961, my parents named me 'Susan Frances'. I was named for my two grandmothers - 'Susan' for my maternal grandmother Susan "Susie" Elizabeth Flemming O'Donnell, and 'Frances' for my paternal grandmother Sarah Frances Baxter Powell, called "Frances". I always knew this was where my name came from, and it was my first awareness of being connected to generations before me. These weren't given to me because they were pretty names - 'Susan' is from Hebrew meaning 'lily' and 'Frances' is from Latin meaning 'free'. I wasn't named these because they were popular - according to the Census Bureau "Susan" was the second most popular name for baby girls in 1957-60, and 3rd the year I was born (Frances was 135th). My name was handed down from two women who had been living for more than 50 years before I was ever born. This fact joined me to them in a way that my other siblings would never have. But, by doing family history, I have recently found out that the name 'Susan' was handed down through our family for at least 6 generations before I was born.


Headstone of Susan McCaffrey
St. Patrick's Cemetery     Baltimore, Maryland
"SUSAN, Beloved Wife of Thomas McCaffrey
A native of county Tyrone, Ireland
Died Dec. 24th, 1869
Aged 76 years
May She rest in peace, Amen"
[photo by Robert Breneman]

           Susan McCaffrey, my fourth-great-grandmother, immigrated to the United States from County Tyrone in Ireland (now Northern Ireland) early in the 1800's. Susan (1793-December 24, 1869) married Thomas McCaffrey (1799-April 16, 1890), also from County Tyrone. They had five children - three daughters and two sons. Their fourth child and second daughter was named Susan McCaffrey. Susan was born in 1834 in Boston. On October 4, 1855, daughter Susan died in Baltimore where the family was now residing. She was just 21 years old. Thomas and Susan's third child was Thomas Joseph McCaffrey (April 17, 1832-May 21, 1896). Thomas was my 3rd-great-grandfather, and Susan's older brother.
          Son Thomas married Charlotte Elizabeth McCluskey (February 15, 1838-June 12, 1917). They had 13 children together, relocating first to Shelby County, Alabama during the Civil War, then settling in Rome, Georgia. Their second child, their first daughter, they named Susan McCaffrey and called her Susie. She was born March 3, 1856, five months after Thomas' sister Susan had died. Tragedy struck on May 28, 1861, when 5-year-old Susie died from Scarlet Fever, while the family was living in Philadelphia. Thomas and Charlotte's third child, and Susie's younger sister, was Elizabeth Agnes 'Lizzie' McCaffrey. She is my great-great-grandmother.
          Lizzie (December 23, 1858-July 17, 1922) met and married Charles Clinton 'Charlie' Flemming (June 23, 1854-January 26, 1932) while living in Georgia. They had ten children together. Their first daughter, and second child, was given the name Susie Elizabeth Flemming, no doubt in honor of Lizzie's older sister. Susie was born November 17, 1879. This Susie married John Moore in November 1906, but again tragedy struck and on November 24, 1908, Susie died during childbirth. Lizzie and Charlie Flemming's first child, and Susie's older brother, was Harry Clinton Flemming. Harry was my great-grandfather.
          Now in Birmingham, Harry (January 12, 1878-May 25, 1955) married Pearl Alphonsine Horst (November 19, 1884-September 25, 1961). They had married 7 months prior to his sister Susie's wedding. Harry and Pearl had 8 children. Their second child and second daughter was born 9 months after Harry's sister Susie died. In her memory, they named their daughter Susan Elizabeth 'Susie' Flemming. Susie was my grandmother.
          Susie (August 23, 1909-July 7, 1999) married John Huber O'Donnell (May 6, 1905-June 19, 1965) and they had 8 children together. This 'Susan' was the first in five generations to live past her 30th birthday and to have children of her own - not since the first Susan McCaffrey who had immigrated from Ireland. Susie's oldest daughter (and coincidentally her second child) was named Mary Susan 'Mary Sue' O'Donnell. Their oldest child Huber, Jr. (aka Jack) named his only daughter Susan Elizabeth O'Donnell (b. 1960). Susie and Huber's 3rd child, Barbara, was my mother, who named me after her mother.
          Unfortunately, after seven straight generations, this is where the name ends in our family. I had three sons, and there is no "boy named Sue" living with me. None of my cousins named their children Susan. Susan is no longer at the top of the popular name chart - in fact it's now #792, even less popular than the name Frances! But now I know just how meaningful my name has always been, and much more of how I'm connected to past generations. The lives, and deaths, of Susans before me effected how I was named - traveling across the ocean in the 1820's to come to America; dying before ever getting married, or in childbirth, or at just 5 years old; living to almost 90 years old, with 8 kids, 20 grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren. They each played a special part in making me who I am . . . Susan.