Diary of Corporal David L. Day: March 9, 1862

A beautiful Sabbath morning, not a ripple disturbs the smooth surface of the sound. Religious services this morning in the saloon; in the afternoon on the promenade deck. All the troops, except one or two regiments, left to garrison the island, are again afloat, and the talk now is that Newbern is the next point of attack.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 41

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: March 11, 1862

ON A SHOAL.

This morning the clink of the windlass is again heard from all the boats hoisting their anchors. We steam out of Croatan into Pamlico sound; so here we go for new conquests.

The Burnside expedition, it did not end in smoke:

It captured Elizabeth City, and the isle of Roanoke.

About 11 a.m., the New York went on to a shoal and came to a dead halt. Here was a pretty fix, stuck right in the middle of Pamlico sound. We had the schooner Skirmisher in tow, with companies K and I aboard, but they thought they would leave us and go it alone. Accordingly they hauled in their hawser, hoisted sail and left us, sailing with a fair breeze gallantly down the sound. Three large steamers hitched on to us, to pull us off. After a good deal of hard work, lots of swearing and breaking hawsers, they finally succeeded, about 4 p.m., in hauling us off. We again started and dropped anchor at Hatteras inlet at 10 p.m.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 41

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: March 12, 1862

THE START FOR NEWBERN.

This morning weighed anchor and our fleet, comprising upwards of 50 sail, steamed up the Pamlico sound for Newbern. After a few hours' sail, large numbers of wild geese and ducks attracted our attention. Wide marshes which extend into the sound are their feeding ground, and from these they make their way a long distance into the sound. These waters appear to be their winter quarters. About 3 p.m., we enter the Neuse river, which is here about two miles wide. Situated on the left bank, thirty miles up the river, is the city of Newbern. Slowly we steam up the river, seeing nothing but the low, piney shores, and the smoke of the enemy's signal fires. About 8 p.m., when 15 miles up the river, in a wide place forming a kind of bay, we dropped anchor for the night. The transports lay huddled together in the middle of the river, while a cordon of gunboats surrounds us as a picket. A dark, black night has settled down on us, and all is still and silent as the tomb. Not a sound is heard or a light seen, save the enemy's signal fires, far up the river. This stillness is dreadful. It is really oppressive, and seems as though it has remained unbroken since the morning of creation. Our errand here is to make an attempt to occupy the city of Newbern, and if anybody attempts to stop us, there will be a big fight and somebody will be hurt.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 41-2

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 1, 1864

Cedar Town, Ga., November 1, 1864.

Abomination of abominations, train guard to-day. It is the most disagreeable duty we are subject to on the march. I escaped the afternoon duty by being sent out foraging. Got all the men would carry, and disgusted a rich citizen considerably, also saw a nice, rosy-faced girl, whose teeth and finger-nails would spoil a meal for any one of ordinary constitution. One man in our brigade wounded, 40th Illinois, in a little skirmish to-day.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 317

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 2, 1864

Van Wirt, Ga., November 2, 1864.

It has rained steadily all day. Moved 12 miles. I have an excellent pair of shoes. A good deal of water got into them to-day, but it all ran out. Camp to-night on a high pine ridge. Pine knot fires come in first rate. That 40th boy that was wounded last night was captured with three more of our men by 30 Rebels and taken eight or ten miles, then formed in line and ordered to about face and fired upon; two fell dead and the other two ran away.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 317

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 3, 1864 — 6 p.m.

Five miles northwest of Villa Rica, Ga.,

Novembebr 3, 1864, 6 p.m.

Forty-eight hours' rain without a stop and a good prospect for as much more. We left Van Wirt and Dallas to the left, and by 16 miles hard marching have got near enough over this barren ridge, I think, to find a few marks of civilization. Rumor says we are going to Atlanta to relieve the 20th Corps, and will then be paid. Passed to-day a one-horse wagon, a large ox in the shafts and four women in the wagon dressed for a party.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 317

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 4, 1864

Powder Springs, November 4, 1864, 6 p.m.

Cold rain to-day. Made 15 miles. Country only fit for (?) Come through a long line of fine works the Rebels put up after they took up our railroad at Acworth. This about the last day of pork and potatoes; to-morrow will bring us to a country we have worn out.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 318

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 5, 1864

Vinings Station, November 5, 1864.

Our brigade rear guard all day. Foragers could not find a thing. Traveled through a perfect labyrinth of breastworks. Rebel or Yankee grave every 100 yards. One month ago we passed here confident of overtaking Hood, but he was too swift for us, and after 300 miles travel we are back at the starting point. Altogether it has been the most pleasant campaign of my soldiering. The officers of the regiment have all messed together, and we have had all the good living and fun we wanted. I was under the civilizing influence of a white woman's society to-day for five minutes, and in consequence feel duly amiable.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 318

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 6, 1864

November 6, 1864.

Rain all day. We are preparing for a huge campaign, and are all right glad of it; 50 days' rations is the word. Don't know when we start. Montgomery or Augusta are probably the points. We are going to shake up the bones of the rebellion. I would not miss this campaign for anything.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 318

Martha Glover to Richard Glover, December 30, 1863

Mexico Mo    Dec 30^th 1863

My Dear Husband   I have received your last kind letter a few days ago and was much pleased to hear from you once more.  It seems like a long time since you left me.  I have had nothing but trouble since you left.  You recollect what I told you how they would do after you was gone.  they abuse me because you went & say they will not take care of our children & do nothing but quarrel with me all the time and beat me scandalously the day before yesterday–  Oh I never thought you would give me so much trouble as I have got to bear now.  You ought not to left me in the fix I am in & all these little helpless children to take care of.  I was invited to a party to night but I could not go   I am in too much trouble to want to go to parties.  the children talk about you all the time.  I wish you could get a furlough & come to see us once more.  We want to see you worse than we ever did before.  Remember all I told you about how they would do me after you left–for they do worse than they ever did & I do not know what will become of me & my poor little children.  Oh I wish you had staid with me & not gone till I could go with you for I do nothing but grieve all the time about you.  write & tell me when you are coming.

Tell Isaac that his mother come & got his clothes   she was so sorry he went.  You need not tell me to beg any more married men to go.  I see too much trouble to try to get any more into trouble too–  Write to me & do not forget me & my children–  farewell my dear husband from your wife

Martha

SOURCE: Ira Berlin & Leslie S. Rowland, Editors, Families and Freedom: A Documentary History of African-American Kinship in the Civil War, p. 97

10th Missouri Cavalry

Organized at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., October, 1862, from 28th Missouri Infantry. Bowen's Battalion assigned as Companies "A," "B," "C" and "D," and six Companies organized for 9th Missouri Cavalry assigned December 17, 1862, as Companies "E," "F," "G" and "H." Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., to January, 1863. District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, Dept. of Tennessee, to March, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, District of Corinth, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, 15th Army Corps, to December, 1863. Winslow's Cavalry Brigade, 17th Army Corps, and District of Vicksburg to April, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Sturgis' Expedition, June, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to May, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.—Moved to Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862. Duty in the District of Memphis, Tenn., till February, 1863. Moved to Corinth, Miss., February 7-15. Actions at Glendale and Tuscumbia, Ala., February 22. Duty in that district till June. Courtney's Plantation April 11. Burnsville, Ala., and Glendale, Miss., April 14. Dodge's Expedition into Northern Alabama April 15-May 8. Barton Station April 16-17. Dickson Station, Great Bear Creek, Cherokee Station, and Lundy's Lane April 17. Dickson's Station April 19. Rock Cut near Tuscumbia April 22. Dickson's Station and Tuscumbia April 23. Leighton April 23. Lundy's Lane April 25. Town Creek April 27. Expedition from Burnesville to Tupelo, Miss., May 2-8. Guntown May 4. Tupelo May 5. Near Vicksburg, Miss., May 18 (Co. "C"). Expedition from Corinth to Florence, Ala., May 26-31. Florence, Ala., May 28. Hamburg Landing, Tenn., May 29-30. Iuka, Miss., July 7. Jackson, Miss., July 29. Jacinto August 13. Expedition from Corinth to Henderson, Tenn., September 11-16. Clark's Creek Church September 13 (Detachment). Yazoo City, Miss., september 27. Expedition from Big Black River to Yazoo City September 27-October 1 (Detachment). Brownsville September 28. Canton September 28. Moore's Ford near Benton September 29. Messenger's Ford October 5. Expedition to Canton October 14-22. Brownsville October 15. Canton Road near Brownsville October 15-16. Treadwell's Plantation near Clinton and Vernon Cross Roads October 16. Bogue Chitto Creek October 17. Robinson's Mill near Livingston October 17. Livingston Road near Clinton October 18. Treadwell's Plantation October 20. Brownsville October 22. Near Yazoo City October 31. Operations about Natchez, Miss., December 1-10. Natchez December 10 (Detachment). Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2, 1864. Near Bolton's Depot and Champion's Hill February 4. Jackson February 5. Morton and Brandon February 7. Morton February 8. Meridian February 9-13. Hillsboro February 10. Meridian February 13-14. Laudersdale Springs February 16. Union February 21-22. Canton February 24. Near Canton February 26. Sharon February 27. Canton February 29. Livingston March 27. Near Mechanicsburg April 20. Ordered to Memphis, Tenn., April 29. Bolivar, Tenn., May 2. Sturgis' Expedition to Guntown, Miss., June 1-13. Rienzi, Miss., June 6. Danville, Miss., June 6. Brice's or Tishamingo Creek near Guntown June 10. Guntown June 24. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21. Tupelo July 14-15. Old Town Creek July 15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Hurricane Creek and Oxford August 9. Tallahatchie River August 10. Oxford August 12. Hurricane Creek August 13-14 and 19. Holly Springs August 27-28. Moved to Little Rock September 2-9. Campaign against Price in Arkansas and Missouri September 17-November 30. Actions at Little Blue October 21. Big Blue and State Line October 22. Westport October 23. Engagement at the Marmiton or battle of Chariot October 25. Osage Mine Creek, Marias des Cygnes, October 25. Rolla November 1. Expedition from Memphis to Moscow November 9-13. A detachment on Grierson's Raid on Mobile & Ohio Railroad December 21, 1864, to January 5, 1865. Verona December 25. Egypt Station December 28, 1864. Regiment at Louisville, Ky., till February, 1865. Moved to Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 5-15, 1865. Wilson's Raid from Chickasaw, Ala., to Macon, Ga., March 22-April 24. Near Montevallo, Ala., March 31. Ebenezer Church near Maplesville April 1. Selma April 2. Columbia, Ga., April 16. Capture of Macon, Ga., April 20. Duty at Macon and in Georgia till June. Mustered out June 20, 1865. (Co, "C" in demonstration on Haines' Blur April 29-May 2, 1863. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Jackson July 29. Expedition to Yazoo City September 27-October 1.)

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 52 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 295 Enlisted men by disease. Total 352.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1309-10

10th Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Organized at Louisiana, Mo., May 5, 1862. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., and District of North Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1863.

SERVICE.—Guard line of North Missouri Railroad, Headquarters at Louisiana, Mo., and duty in North Missouri operating against Porter till November, 1862. Actions at Brown's Springs July 27, 1862 (Cos. "B," "D"). Morris Mills, near Fulton, July 28 (Cos. "B," "D"). Kirksville August 6 (1 Co.). Auxvasse Creek October 16. Moved to Jefferson City, thence to Rolla and to Pilot Knob December 10-26, 1862. Designation changed to 3rd Missouri State Militia Cavalry February 6, 1863, which see for further service.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1310

Samuel Read Anderson

Samuel Read Anderson is dead. The Legislature of his adopted State, recognizing in him a worthy descendant of a Revolutionary sire, as a public recognition of his eminent services to his adopted State, while the rough gale of death sweeps him from the rising tide of earthly honors, doth declare that we recognize in him an example worthy of imitation by the members of this body. A wise counsellor in peace, a brave soldier in war, an honest public servant, who valued the opportunity of doing good higher than the perquisites of office, a citizen of unblemished reputation and a Christian hero whose life taught the sublime lesson that firmness of conviction in the discharge of public duty may be tempered with kindness and brotherly love. We further declare that this memorial be spread upon our minutes, and a copy furnished his family, with a tender of the sympathy of this body.

JOHN J. McCANN of Davidson,

W. A. BUNTIN of Robertson,

W. J. MALLORY of Dickson,

HALBERT B. CASE,

A. M. LOONEY.

SOURCE: House Journal of the Forty-third General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, which Convened at Nashville, on the First Monday in January, A. D. 1883, p. 54

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, July 1, 1864

This day is the anniversary of my birth. I am sixty-two years of age. Life is brief. Should I survive another year, I shall then have attained my grand climacteric. Yet it is but the journey of a day, and of those who set out with me in the morning of life how few remain! Each year thins out the ranks of those who went with me to the old district school in my childhood.

Governor Tod has declined the position of Secretary of the Treasury. It does not surprise me. Senator Fessenden has been appointed, who will, it is said, accept, which does surprise me. I doubt if his health will permit him to bear the burden. He has abilities; is of the same school as Chase. Has been Chairman of the Committee of Finance during Chase's administration of the Treasury, and, I have supposed, a supporter of his policy. Yet I have had an impression that Fessenden is an improvement upon Chase, and I trust he is.

But the President's course is a riddle. Tod is a hard-money man; Fessenden has pressed through Congress the paper system of Chase. One day Tod is selected; on his refusal, Fessenden is brought forward. This can in no other way be reconciled than in the President's want of knowledge of the subject. His attention never has been given to the finances. He seems not aware that within twenty-four hours he has swung to opposite extremes. Seward can hardly have been consulted, for Fessenden has been his sharp and avowed opponent of late, and unless he has changed, or shall change, will prove a troublesome man for him in the Cabinet. The President has great regard for Chase's abilities but is glad to be relieved of him, for C. has been a load of late, is a little disappointed and dissatisfied, has been captious, and uncertain, favored the faultfinders, and, in a way, encouraged opposition to the President.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 64-5

Diary of Gideon Welles: Saturday, July 2, 1864

The last business day of the session, and many of the Members have gone home already. Much is done and omitted to be done during the last hours of Congress. Members do wrong in abandoning their post at these important periods, and no one who does it should be trusted. I am told by the members of our naval committees that all naval matters are rightly done up in the two houses, but I discredit it. Some matters will be lost, and hurried legislation is always attended with errors.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 65

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, July 5, 1864

On the morning of Sunday the 3rd, went with Postmaster-General Blair and family and my own family, also Mr. Fox, Mr. Faxon, Dr. Horwitz,   on an excursion down the Potomac and Bay to the Capes, to Norfolk, and Fortress Monroe, returning to Washington this A.M. at five o’clock. National salutes were fired from the American, English, and French frigates and also from the Fortress at meridian on the 4th. The jaunt was very pleasant.

Telegrams this A.M. inform us that the pirate Alabama was sunk on the 19th of June off Cherbourg by the steamer Kearsarge, Commodore Winslow, after a fight of one hour and a half. Informed the President and Cabinet of the tidings, which was a matter of general congratulation and rejoicing.

Mr. Fessenden appeared at Cabinet-meeting as the successor of Mr. Chase. Although the regular day of meeting, all were specially notified, and all promptly attended. The President appeared more constrained and formal than usual. When Mr. Stanton came in, he was accompanied by a clerk, whom he seated at the President's table. The subject of trade and especially trade in cotton with the Rebels, was the subject of general interest which the President desired to lay before us. He appeared to have no fixed purpose in his own mind. Alluded to a Mr. Atkinson who had called on him. Said that Mr. A. had impressed him with some very striking facts. The most prominent was, that although the Rebels sold less cotton they received about as much for it in consequence of high price as when they had more of the article. The President thought it might be well to take measures to secure the cotton, but was opposed to letting the Rebels have gold.

Seward was voluble but not clear and pointed. Fessenden had seen Atkinson, had interview with him, thought him intelligent. On the subject of trade with the Rebels was not posted. Stanton made extended, and in the main sensible and correct, remarks, being wholly opposed to fighting and trading at the same time with the Rebels, ground which I have uniformly taken, but have not always been supported. Blair made a few sensible remarks, as did Mr. Bates. Usher, thinking it apparently a duty to say something, talked without much point or force, on a subject he did not understand, nor to which he had given much attention. Mr. Bates made a legal suggestion. As Stanton had pretty clearly expressed my views, I did not care to multiply words farther than to say so, and to regret that a bill had passed the last moment of the session depriving the Mississippi Squadron of prize.

This was done, I understand, at the instigation of Chase, who could not have been aware of the effect of what he urged. The incidental remarks of some of the gentlemen on the subject of trade, and especially of restrictions on gold, struck me as the wretched remnants of error which I hope will go out with Mr. Chase. I also trust we shall get rid of his trade regulations, trading agents, and other mischievous machinery.

The subject of the arrest and trial of General Dix in New York for suspending the publication of the World and Journal of Commerce was brought forward. There was a little squeamishness with some on the subject. The President very frankly avowed the act to be his, and he thought the government should protect Dix. Seward was positive and bold on that.

I expressed no opinion, nor did Blair or Bates. While I regret that the papers should have been suppressed or meddled with, I would not, I think, permit a general officer to be arrested and tried by a State judge for obeying an order of the President. If there is a disposition to try the question before the United States tribunals, it would be well to permit it. This was my hasty conclusion.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 65-7

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, June 30, 1864

Camp Piatt, June 30, 1864.

DEAREST: – We reached here ten miles above Charleston last night. Dr. Joe will tell you all the news. It has been a severe but very pleasant campaign. We did not do as much as we think might have been done, but we did enough to make our work of great importance.

We are now talking of rumors that we are to go East via [the] Ohio River and [the] Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It is generally believed to be true, although as yet we have no other evidence of it than camp rumor.

I thought of you often while I was gone — of your anxiety about me and the suffering that all rumors of disaster to us would cause you. But I hoped you would keep up good courage and live it through. Oh, darling, I love you so tenderly. You must always think of me pleasantly. You have been the source of such happiness to me that I can't bear to think that anything that may befall me will throw a permanent gloom over your life.

The Twenty-third was lucky on this campaign, losing less than any other regiment, etc. The Fifth lost most, [the] Thirty-sixth next. All together, killed, wounded, and missing, my brigade does not lose over one hundred, if so much [many].

I am very fortunate in my brigade. It is now to me like my own regiment, and is really a very good one, perhaps the best to be found, or one of the best, in the army. General Crook is the favorite of the army. We hope to be organized into an independent command with Colonel Powell's Cavalry Brigade and two batteries. Then we can raid to some purpose.

If we are not sent East, we shall stay here three or four weeks recruiting, etc. — My love to the boys. Dr. Joe will have plenty of stories to tell them. The doctor was a most important person in this raid. He did more for the wounded than anybody else. Colonel Turley had his thigh broken at Lynchburg and was hauled over two hundred miles over all these mountains. His admirable pluck and cheerfulness has saved him. Nothing can exceed the manliness he has exhibited. — Love to friends all.

Affectionately,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 475-6

George Washington to William Drayton, November 20, 1786

Mount Vernon, November 20, 1786.

Sir: I wish it was in my power to give you a more favorable accot. than the following, of your Servant Jack.

After absenting himself from you at Dumfries (as I believe my nephew has already informed you) he came here and remained quietly 'till the 12th.; when being informed by some gentlemen from Baltimore that a Packet from that place was on the point of sailing for Charleston, I sent him under the care of a very trusty Overseer to be shipped from that place, requesting a friend of mine in the Town to engage a passage and to provide everything for him on Ship board, that was necessary. When they arrived at Baltimore, unfortunately, the vessel was hove down. It became necessary therefore to commit him to Goal for security; but before this could be effected, he took advantage of a favorable moment and made his escape. Diligent, but ineffectual, search was instantly made, and it is supposed his object is Philadelpa.

The Gentleman to whose care I sent him has promised every endeavor in his power to apprehend him, but it is not easy to do this where there are numbers who had rather facilitate an escape than apprehend a run-away. I hope your journey was not much incommoded by this untoward step of your waiter.

With sentiments of great esteem etc.

[George Washington.]

SOURCE: John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor, The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799, Vol. 29: September 1, 1786—June 19, 1788, p. 78-9

John Kline

The subject of this brief memoir was born near New Germantown, Hunterdon Co., N. J., on the 8th day of August, A. D. 1784. He was the grandson of Jacob Kline, who was born in Germany, March 6, 1714, and Fraenica Gertraut Melick, born at Landaif, Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 9, 1727. They emigrated to America, and settled at Readington, on the farm where the subject of this sketch spent eighty-three years of his life (from 1796 to 1880). Jacob Kline was for many years a justice of the peace of the county of Hunterdon; his docket, kept in the German language, is now in the possession of Lewis Vandoren, of Peapack, N. J. He died A.D. 1789, and was buried in the Lutheran cemetery, at New Germantown. His widow, Fraenica Gertraut, died A.D. 1801, at the house of her daughter, at Germantown, Pa. They had six sons and three daughters. The sons, as well as the father, were not only agriculturists, but tanners and curriers also. Their eldest son, John William Kline, was born Jan. 5, 1750. He married Altje, daughter of Matthias Smock and Gcertje Post, Jan. 24, 1780. They had one daughter, Charity Kline, born Nov. 6, 1780, married Henry Van Derveer, May 12, 1799, and had six children, two of whom are deceased, leaving no issue,—viz., Rev. John Van Derveer, D.D., of Easton, Pa., and Jacob K. Van Derveer, of Flemington, late of Clover Hill. Those still living are Peter N. Van Derveer, of Somerville; Alletta Vandoren, relict of Christianus T. Vandoren, late of Neshanic; Mary, relict of John C. Van Liew, of the same place; and Henry Van Derveer, of North Branch. Peter has two sons and three daughters. Mary has two sons and one daughter, Henry V. D., John J., and Anna Van Liew. Henry Van Derveer, of North Branch, married Frances Caroline Blackwell, of Amwell; she died without issue, August, 1880.

John Kline was born, as above stated, on what was for many years known as “the Cole farm,” half a mile southwest from New Germantown. His father, John William Kline, moved to Lower Valley, and engaged in mercantile business with David Miller; and when John was twelve years of age, he returned with his family to the homestead at Rcadington, three years before his father’s death. He was a man of correct habits and exemplary character, much respected in the community,—and so were his brothers and sisters,—and attached to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His son, the late John Kline, married Catharine Williamson, Oct. 27, 1804, who died A.D. 1837; and for his second wife he married Ellen Wyckctf (widow of Henry Vroom), Jan. 27, 1841, who survives him and now resides in Somerville, N. J. Mrs. Vroom (the youngest daughter of Dennis Wyckotf, Esq.) had one daughter by her first husband, Henrietta Vroom, born in Wayne Co., Ohio, June 27, 1836; was educated at the female institute in Somerville. She married Lewis Vandoren, of Peapack, Somerset Co., N. J. and died January, 1875, leaving three children—John Henry, Ellen Kline, and Henrietta Vroom. Mr. Kline did for her in all respects as he would have done for an only daughter, and she loved and respected him as a father. The death of Mr. Kline, which occurred Jan. 20, 1880, was deeply lamented by the whole community. He was the patriarch of that section of the country, and commanded more than the respect of all who knew him. He was honored and beloved. Speaking of his funeral at his late residence on the homestead farm of his father and, grandfather, and where he had spent eighty-three years of his life, the obituary notice says, “Never had that wide-spread, hospitable roof covered a larger company, and seldom has such a gathering been so entirely pervaded and absorbed with affectionate reverence for departed worth.” Several years before his death he selected for his funeral text, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” He was a man of exemplary, devoted Christian life, genial in spirit and-abundant in hospitality; of simple, child-like faith and unostentatious manners, he was yet a man of positive strength of character, and exerted a wide-spread influence for good, being a liberal patron of the church and a free giver to every charitable and benevolent enterprise. From the worldly abundance with which Providence had blessed him, and from the rich treasure of his inner life, he shed a light and a benediction upon all around him. His body lies in the Readington cemetery, near the Reformed church, of which A granite monument, incloscd by an iron fence, marks the place of burial.

SOURCE: James P. Snell, History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, p. 506

_______________

EDITOR’S NOTE: John Kline, a German American tannery owner was the first owner of fugitive slave, Sam Scomp. He sold Sam to David Hill in 1824.¹

¹ Richard Bell, Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, p. 17.

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 23, 1864

The Secretary of War has authorized Mr. Boute, President of the Chatham Railroad, to exchange tobacco through the enemy's lines for bacon. And in the West he has given authority to exchange cotton with the enemy for meat. It is supposed certain men in high position in Washington, as well as the military authorities, wink at this traffic, and share its profits. I hope we may get bacon, without strychnine.

Congress has passed a bill prohibiting, under severe penalties, the traffic in Federal money. But neither the currency bill, the tax bill, nor the repeal of the exemption act has been effected yet and the existence of the present Congress shortly expires. A permanent government is a cumbersome one.

The weather is fine, and I am spading up my little garden.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 133-4