Lailhengue > Mercier & Mercier - Alsace, France

When The Saints Go Marching In, Louis Armstrong (1959) on The Ed Sullivan Show on YouTube.com.

FRANCE to New Orleans, LA: Mercier, Jacques - immigrated bef 12 Nov 1871

FRANCE to New Orleans, LA: Mercier, Francois - immigrated 1872

Originally, the hunt for immigration records was just for Francois Mercier but ended up including his father, Jacques Mercier. Since Francois “Frank” was age 29 when he immigrated, he spent most of his life in New Orleans. On the other hand, Jacques “Jacob” was about age 57, but technically, he was the first one who arrived. So, they both earn the “boat” icon in the family lineage at the end of this post. More about Jacques’ life in France can be found in a future post under the category “Across the Pond”.

As of this post, no passenger lists have been found for Jacques or Francois Mercier or their wives. Interestingly, documents tied to their sons give us information that may lead to future discoveries.

 While checking the detailed records for all of Jacques’ children while they were in France, I came across Francois’ marriage certificate in 1865 that gives his parents names and where they were living. When I came across another son, Pierre’s marriage certificate dated 12 Nov 1871, it records that his parents Jacques Mercier and Catherine Flotat had both emigrated to the United States of America. (From Belfort, Alsace, France, Birth, Marriage and Death Registers, 1599-1919, at Ancestry.com, accessed 8 Nov 2023.)

So, some time between Oct 1865 and Nov 1871, Jacques emigrated to America. I wonder why was he in such a hurry to leave everything behind and start over in another country at age 57? My husband suggested that he might have wanted to avoid conscription into a war with Germany that seemed imminent (and that DID break out 19 Jul 1870). Other Merciers had settled in New Orleans decades before this time period. Perhaps, they had written letters to relatives talking about how great life was in Louisiana.

So Jacques’ timeline looks like this:

1814 Apr 25 - Jacques Mercier is born in Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France

1842 Jul 7 - Jacques Mercier marries Catherine Flotat in Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France

1861 Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France, Census - Jacques Mercier, age 47, and Catherine Flotat, age 36, living in the “neighborhood of factories” with:

Francois - age 18

Catherine - age 16

Pierre - age 14

Julie - age 12

Marie - age 5

Eugenie - age 2

Julie(-Louise) - age 8 days old

1871 Nov 12 - Jacques’ son, Pierre’s marriage certificate states that his parents, Jacques Mercier and Catherine Flotat, have already emigrated to the United States

1878 New Orleans City Directory - Mercier Jacques, gardener, residence north side of N. Rampart between Bartholomew and Mazant Sts.

1880 Jun 30 U.S. Census - Jacques and Catherine Mercier (Francois’ parents) are in New Orleans living on Jeanne St., he is age 66 and a gardener, she is age 56 keeping house, both born in France, and living with adopted son, Jules Mercier, age 18, a baker born in Louisiana.

1892 February - New Orleans City Directory - Mercier Jacques, laborer, residence north side of Royal between Mazant and French Sts. Jules, the adopted son, is living at the same address.

1892 Apr 3 - Jacques “Jacob” Mercier dies in New Orleans age 77. Burial location not known.

Now, on to Francois “Frank” Mercier:

The first clue starts with the 1900 U.S. Census where “Frank” Mercier says he immigrated in 1872. However, no passenger lists showing him and/or his family have turned up for the time period 1868-1874.

On Nov 8, I decided to check naturalization records and found a naturalization record for Francois’ oldest son, Joseph Jules Mercier, that sheds light on how they got to America. From “Louisiana, U.S. Naturalization Records, 1836-2001: Eastern District Court, Questionnaire for Naturalization Petitions, 1911-1929”:

Joseph Jule Mercier

Residence: 4221 Dauphine St., New Orleans

Occupation: Laborer

Born: 7 Dec 1866 at Grandvillars, France

Emigrated from: Le Havre, France, on 25 Nov 1872

Arrived at: New Orleans on 18 Dec 1872 on the vessel Frankfort

Declaration of intention to become a U.S. citizen: 21 Feb 1888 at Camp and Lafayette Sts. in the Criminal District Court of New Orleans (these courts handled naturalization)

After naming his wife and four children, he goes on to state he has lived in the U.S. since 18 Dec 1872 in the state of Louisiana.

Two Witnesses: Nicholas J. Fraiche, Dec 1895 and Andrew J. Kieran, Nov 1900

Even though I have not found a passenger list, the above is a good source given that Joseph Jules Mercier would have been age 6 in 1872 and was probably with his parents.

Through baptismal records, marriage records, and census lists from Belfort, Alsace, France, we can piece together Francois “Frank” Mercier’s life:

1843 Aug 24 - Francois Mercier is born in Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France, to Jacques Mercier (1814-1892) and Catherine Flotat (1825-aft 1880)

1865 Sep 11 - Francois Mercier and Catherine Thomas marry in Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France.

1872 May 10 Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France, Census - Francois Mercier age 28 and Catherine Thomas age 28 are with Joseph age 5 and Dominique age 3

1872 Oct 1 - deadline to let German authorities know if they will retain French citizenship (more about this in “Across the Pond”)

1872 Nov 25 - family departs Le Havre, France, bound for New Orleans, LA

1872 Dec 18 - family arrives in New Orleans, LA

1874 New Orleans City Directory - Mercier Francois, laborer with Lhote & Co., residence N. Claiborne at the corner of Spain St. This same year, there are other Merciers already established in New Orleans:

Peter Mercier shown above is Francois’ brother. Out of Jacques’ nine known children, three are known to have lived in New Orleans (Francois’ sister, Julie, being the third).

1880 Jul 1-2 U.S. Census - Francois and Catherine Mercier are in New Orleans living at 59 Lesseps St., both age 36, both born in France, both sets of parents born in France. He’s a laborer. She’s keeping house. Four children:

Joseph - age 14, a laborer born in France

Dominique - age 11, at school born in France

Marie - age 6 born in France (incorrect)

Jacques (“Jack”) - age 1 born in Louisiana

1892 New Orleans City Directory - Mercier Francois, laborer, residence 23 Lesseps St.

1900 June 13 U.S. Census - Frank is in New Orleans living with his daughter Amelia and her husband, Gabriel Biane, at 619 France St. He is a widow, age 57, born in France, immigrated in 1872, is naturalized, and cannot read, write or speak English.

1903 Dec 27 - two days after Christmas, Francois “Frank” Mercier dies age 60. Burial location not known.

For more about Jacques and Francois’ lives in France, see “Across the Pond: Lailhengue > Mercier - Alsace, France.

Here’s our direct lineage back to Jacques and Francois:

8) Jacques “Jacob” Mercier, b. 25 Apr 1814 Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France, d. 3 Apr 1892 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana m. Catherine Flotat, b. 2 Feb 1825 Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France, d. aft 1880 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana

7) Francois “Frank” Mercier, b. 24 Aug 1843 Grandvillars, Belfort, Alsace, France, d. 27 Dec 1903 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana m. Catherine Thomas, b. 30 May 1843 Boron, Belfort, Alsace, France, d. 29 Apr 1899 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana

6) Marie Amelia Mercier, b. 1 Oct 1874 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana d. 8 Feb 1938 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana m. Gabriel Bernard Biane, b. 9 Aug 1873 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 10 Aug 1931 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana

5) Marie E. Biane, b. 10 Oct 1901 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 7 Jul 1972 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana m. Pvt. Paul Leon Lailhengue, b. 8 Nov 1890 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 2 Aug 1962 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana.

4) Andrew Charles Lailhengue, Sr., b. 17 Apr 1926 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 15 Feb 2004 Chalmette, St. Bernard, Louisiana, m. Virginia Iris Botkin, b. 13 Jun 1924 Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio, d. 17 Oct 1983 Chalmette, St. Bernard, Louisiana

3) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)

2) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)

1) BAC, my son-in-law (living - information withheld)

Lailhengue > Biane & Meyer - Alsace, France

 

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

America, Neil Diamond

FRANCE to New Orleans, LA: Biane, Bernard Francoise - immigrated mid-1800s

FRANCE to New Orleans, LA: Meyer, Elisa Alice - immigrated mid-1800s (Alsace-Lorraine)

This morning (5 Nov 2023), I located the marriage of Bernard Beane (sic) and Eliza Meyer at FamilySearch.org: "Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJC-9318 : Mon Oct 23 14:56:12 UTC 2023), Entry for Bernard Beane and Eliza Meyer, 23 Apr 1868. The mention of Eliza being the Ward of Jean Baptiste Pittaluga led to me finding Eliza’s parents and grandparents in Alsace-Lorraine, France.

The top part reads: …Jean Baptiste Pittaluga…declared to me that he gives his consent to the marriage of his Ward Eliza Meyer a Minor, aged 15 years, with Bernard Beane… 23 Apr 1868.

 

 As shown directly above, Bernard’s signature shows his last name is Biane. There's also a witness, A. Lanartes(?). He showed up also in 1866 (see below).

So, now the hunt begins for finding out more about Jean Baptiste Pittaluga in New Orleans, LA.

In 1866, the New Orleans City Directory shows J.B. Pittaluga living at 352 Villere St. (This could be modern-day North or South Villere St.)

Other searches for Jean Baptiste Pittaluga in New Orleans reveal that he died at age 57 (birth year 1814) on 22 Jul 1871 in New Orleans, and his will shows he had two daughters: Marie and Clementine (also a popular name in the Biane family). His inventory shows he owned an “Oyster Saloon” that also served wine and liquors on Chartres Street between St. Louis and Toulouse Streets.

His wife’s name is Philomena Steyertt (also transcribed Strayer), and they married on 5 Aug 1864 in New Orleans, LA. She is from Alsace, France, was born abt. 1840 and died age 30 on 18 Dec 1870 in New Orleans, LA. On her death record, it shows his name as Jean Baptiste Pittalouga. Her death certificate says Philomena Steyertt, wife of Jean Baptiste Pittalouga, a native of Alsace, France, age 30, died on 12 Dec 1870. More about her later.

Now, I remembered that our Gabriel Bernard Biane in the 1930 Census said his mother (Eliza) was born in Alsace-Lorraine (a historically contested area where France meets Germany):

I did a quick search for Philomena and found a birth record of 7 Sep 1840 in Dannemarie, Altkirch, France (Haut-Rhin, Alsace births 1504-1922). If this is her, her parents are Joseph Steyert and Elisabeth Fasser (transcribed Faffer and Fassa). I made a quick mental note of this.

So I started digging in records for Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France. I found the church still located at 25 Rue du Château courtesy of Google Satellite Maps:

 

THANK GOD FOR CHURCH RECORDS! Combining my basic knowledge of German and French, my husband’s knowledge of French, and Google Translate, I was able to identify Eliza’s parents, grandparents, and confirm that Philomena is an aunt! I’ve never hit such a genealogical jackpot! 

Thanks to detailed church records from “Haut-Rhin, France, Births, Marriages, and Deaths 1504-1922”, I was able to fill in the missing pieces:

Joseph Steyert, b. 1799, d. aft 1840, worked as a boulanger (master of bread baking) m. abt. 1830, Elisabeth Fasser b. 1807, d. aft 1840. They had at least 2 daughters:

1) Anne Steyert, b. 13 Sep 1831, Dannemarie, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, d. bef 1866, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France m. abt 1849, Remy Meyer, b. 1822, d. aft 1855, worked as a boulanger (master of bread baking). They had at least 5 children:

a) Remy, Jr., b. 19 Nov 1850, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France

b) Xavier, b. 30 Dec 1851, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France

c) Marie Louise, b. 30 Dec 1852 at 3 a.m., Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France

d) Elise “Eliza”, b. 30 Jan 1854 at 2 p.m., Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, d. 26 Jun 1890, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, m. 23 Apr 1868 in New Orleans, Bernard Francois Biane, b. Jan 1844 France, d. 20 Jan 1919, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana

e) Ulric, b. 5 Oct 1855, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France

2) Philomena Steyert, b. 7 Sep 1840, Dannemarie, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, d. 12 Dec 1870, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, m. 5 Aug 1864 in New Orleans, Jean Baptiste Pittaluga, b. 1814, d. 22 Jul 1871, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana. They had at least 2 daughters:

a) Marie, b. 2 Jul 1866 at 8 p.m. in Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, d. aft 1871 

b) Clementine (Twin), b. 11 Nov 1867, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. aft 1871

c) Eleonore (Twin), b. 11 Nov 1867, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. bef her father’s death on 22 Jul 1871 since she is not named in his will

What is most interesting to me is that for the birth of Philomena’s first child, she and her husband went back to her hometown of Altkirch so her baby could be born at her parents’ house. Thanks to the inventory of his will, we know that Jean Baptiste Pittaluga owned an “Oyster Saloon” on Chartres Street that had wine and liquor valued in the inventory. So, he was doing pretty good to be able to afford to take his pregnant wife back to France. They probably stayed in nice ship cabins and not in the steerage section. Here is the description of the birth with my quickie translation beneath:

 “1866 2 July...Jean Baptiste Pittaluga, age 51 and living in “Nouvel Orleans” North America presents…a female…born today at 8 in the evening, at the Steyertt house, and Philomena, age 27 and living in New Orleans…” I also noticed that one of the witnesses, A. Lanartes(?), also witnessed Eliza’s marriage papers in New Orleans in 1868.

I think this is when Philomena first met her niece, Elise “Eliza” Meyer, who would’ve been age 12. I don’t know what had happened to Eliza’s parents, but it’s odd Anne stopped having children after 1855 (when she was age 24).

Future research would be to see if there’s a passenger list from Le Havre, France, to New Orleans with the Pittalugas and baby Marie along with Elise “Eliza” Meyer and A. Lanartes (?) between Sep 1866 (birth of Marie in France) and Nov 1867 (birth of twins in New Orleans).

To follow up with Philomena, I wonder if she was strutting her pregnant stuff when she got back to Altkirch in 1866. She had married a man with money who could afford to bring her back home for the birth of their first child. Then, she found out her sister had possibly died. Perhaps Eliza looked like Anne. By 1868, Philomena has a 2-year old, possibly twins, and her husband has guardianship of Eliza in New Orleans. I don’t know if she suffered from post-partum depression or what, but we find her death record 18 Dec 1870 (From "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates, 1835-1954", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZHS8-RHMM : Sat Oct 14 02:39:31 UTC 2023), Entry for Philomene Steyertt and Jean Baptiste Pittalouga, 18 Dec 1870):

 “... Philomene Steyertt, wife of Jean Baptiste Pittalouga, a native of Alsace, France, aged 30, died on the 12th day of December 1870 at the Louisiana Retreat. Cause of Death: Insanity.”

Death by insanity? That’s a new one. I guess it could mean death from suicide, accidental deaths, or physical illness.

The Louisiana Retreat was run by nine sisters from the Sisters of Charity. It was the only private, clean, well-run house for mentally ill patients (called an asylum for inmates back in the day). According to an 1872 newspaper article, monthly charges varied from $15-$60, and the Retreat was already full. (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune-history-of-the-louisi/21770028/)

On to happier times and our direct line from Alsace-Lorraine, France:

9) Joseph Steyert, b. 1799, d. aft 1840, worked as a boulanger (master of bread baking) m. abt. 1830, Elisabeth Fasser b. 1807, d. aft 1840

8) Anne Steyert, b. 13 Sep 1831, Dannemarie, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, d. bef 1866, Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France m. abt 1849, Remy Meyer, b. 1822, d. aft 1855, worked as a boulanger (master of bread baking)

7) Elise “Eliza” Meyer, b. 30 Jan 1854 at 2 p.m., Altkirch, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, d. 26 Jun 1890, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, m. 23 Apr 1868 in New Orleans, Bernard Francois Biane, b. Jan 1844 France, d. 20 Jan 1919, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana

6) Gabriel Bernard Biane, b. 9 Aug 1873 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 10 Aug 1931 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana m. Marie Amelia Mercier, b. 1 Oct 1874 LA d. 8 Feb 1938 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana

5) Marie E. Biane, b. 10 Oct 1901 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 7 Jul 1972 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana m. Pvt. Paul Leon Lailhengue, b. 8 Nov 1890 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 2 Aug 1962 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana. They had 5 children:

a) Paul Robert (1923-1991)

b) Marie B. (1924-2004)

c) Andrew Charles Lailhengue, Sr. (1926-2004)

d) Lucien Leon Lailhengue (1931-1998) m. Mary Pauline McGee (1931-2003)

e) Shirley Eva (1932-1992)

4) Andrew Charles Lailhengue, Sr., b. 17 Apr 1926 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, d. 15 Feb 2004 Chalmette, St. Bernard, Louisiana, m. Virginia Iris Botkin, b. 13 Jun 1924 Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio, d. 17 Oct 1983 Chalmette, St. Bernard, Louisiana

3) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)

2) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)

1) BAC, my son-in-law (living - information withheld)

Powell: A Civil War Saga

 “If there is a place worse than hell, I am in it.” Abraham Lincoln, Dec. 1862

The Civil War. There’s not much new that I can say about this period of U.S. history that played out on the battlefields from 12 Apr 1861 to 9 Apr 1865. Just four years. It took almost 20 years for the South to officially recover. For some areas and families, recovery never happened.

Some fast facts about the Civil War:

l There were Whites and Blacks in the North and South who were slave owners;

l There were many White Southerners who did not agree with the tenets of the Confederate States of America (CSA) and disagreed with their slave-owning fathers, often referred to as Southern Yankees;

l Union and Confederate troops in the border states and southern states got their food and supplies by plundering what they needed from locals as they marched from one area to another;

l As a result of this plundering along with the burning of crops in the South, almost everyone was literally starving;

l For almost a whole generation during and after the Civil War in the South, some family lines came close to dying out. Sons and husbands were killed in the war leaving widows and young daughters with no marriage prospects.

Thanks to my son-in-law BAC and his Powell family, this has been the most incredible family-history research journey of how one Powell couple’s Civil War story expanded into a whole county and made American history!

Abbreviations: RoJ - Republic of Jones; Pvt. - Private; Sgt. - Sergeant

Act One - Secession

 1860 - Jan 1861

For over 100 years, slavery had been a part of life in Mississippi. Seems like everyone owned slaves: wealthy plantation owners, young couples starting a family, even the elderly. Our slave-owning families included the Graves, Knights, Powells, and Wades (1850 and 1860 Federal Slave Schedules). However, not everyone could afford slaves, and many religious men thought it was a sin, especially around Jones County, Mississippi.

On 31 Oct 1860 Jones County had 3,323 people: 2, 916 white and 407 slaves (from Federal Census Records). Secession fever was sweeping the South, and a secession convention was going to be held in January 1861. So, Jones County took a vote on the issue. The secessionist candidate, J.M. Baylis, received 24 votes, and our cousin, John Hathorn Powell, Jr., the cooperationist candidate, received 374. (From https://www.americancivilwarforum.com/newton-knight-hero-of-jones-county-or-outlaw-13238.html)

Pvt. John Hathorn Powell, Jr. (Jones Co. Delegate to 1861 MS Secession Convention)

The Mississippi Secession Convention was held from Jan 7-26, 1861 in Jackson, MS. On 9 Jan 1861, John Hathorn Powell of Jones County voted against seceding but later in the day changed his vote. He offered no remarks or reason for the change. On page 47 of the original document titled “A Declaration”, it is made clear that he ended up going along with the opening statement:

“Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery--the greatest material interest of the world.” (From “Proceedings of the Mississippi State Convention…” at https://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/missconv/missconv.html)

Enter our cousin, Newt Knight, infamous leader of Knight’s Company and charismatic head of  the Republic of Jones, more popularly known as the Free State of Jones.

In Newt’s own words:

“Fact is, Jones County never seceded from the Union into the Confederacy. Her delegate seceded. …There was only about 400 folks in Jones County then. All but about seven of them voted to stay in the Union. But the Jones County delegate went up to the state convention at Jackson, and he voted to secede with the rest of the county delegates. He didn't come back to Jones County for awhile. It would 'a' been kinder onhealthy for him, I reckon.” (Interview with Newton Knight of Mississippi was originally published in the March 20, 1921, edition of the New Orleans Item. By Meigs O. Frost. Reprinted online at the Times Picayune website NOLA.com on 19 Jul 2019 (accessed 28 Oct 2023)).

In fact, the day after the citizens of Ellisville, Jones County, received this news, John’s effigy was hanged and burned. He returned but remained unpopular until they moved from Jones County.

1861 Feb 8 - the Confederate States of America (CSA) breaks away from the United States.

1861 Apr 12 - the Civil War officially begins. 

1862

First, here’s an introduction to the real-life cast of characters involving the Knight, Powell, Valentine, and Wade families. Direct ancestors are in bold and include relatives involved in Newt’s band of deserter outlaws consisting of 125 men known as Knight’s Company and/or living in the Republic of Jones (also known as the Free State of Jones) area near Soso, Jones County, Mississippi:

Pvt. Alpheus Knight, our Cornelia Knight’s and Newt Knight’s cousin, enlisted 1 May 1861

Newton “Newt” Stuart Knight, our Cornelia Knight’s cousin, enlisted 13 May 1862 in Jasper County

Pvt. William Martin “Dickie” Knight, our Cornelia’s brother, cousin of Newt, enlisted 1 May 1861

Pvt. Benjamin F. Knight, our Cornelia’s brother, cousin of Newt, enlisted 3 May 1862

  Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell, enlisted 13 May 1862

 Sgt. Daniel Webster Wade, husband of Cornelia Ann Knight, enlisted 12 May 1862

Pvt. Elisha Benton Wade, brother of Sgt. Daniel Wade, enlisted 12 May 1862

 Brothers of our Mary Marzella Valentine, wife of Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell, are left to right, standing:

Timothy Warren Valentine(Twin) - born 21 Jul 1855 (too young to enlist)

Pvt. James Morgan Valentine (RoJ) - enlisted about 1861

Millard Filmore Valentine - born 1851 (too young to enlist)

Seated left to right:

Pvt. William Bryant Valentine - enlisted 13 May 1861

Sgt. John Ira Valentine (RoJ) - enlisted about 1861

Pvt. Richard Hammett “Ham” Valentine (RoJ) - enlisted 1 Aug 1861

George Andrew Valentine (Twin) - born 21 Jul 1855 (too young to enlist)

A total of 11 men enlisted with two being our direct ancestors.

Act Two - Siege

Since the South had focused most of its attention on growing cotton, most of the food grown in the United States was in the North. As a result, both Union and Confederate troops in the border states and southern states got their food and supplies by plundering what they needed from locals as they marched from one area to another. As a result of this plundering along with the burning of crops in the South, almost everyone was literally starving.

Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, 1939 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2jR62cTTKo)

Desperation along with disenchantment with the realities of war motivated many men to desert from the Confederate army including desertions in six Mississippi counties: Jones, Perry, Jasper, Smith, Covington, and Wayne. Newt was conscripted to fight at Vicksburg in 1862 but deserted before he got there. Even though defiance was brewing, many of our relatives did join the Vicksburg Campaign, which began in 1862.

1863 May 18 - Siege of Vicksburg Begins

President Abraham Lincoln remarked, “Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” (Source: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/vicksburg)

Brothers at Arms Against Each Other

After Union troops tried unsuccessfully to fight the Confederate troops around Vicksburg, they decided to surround Vicksburg to stop supplies and Confederate troops from entering the town. This resulted in Confederate troops plundering what they could from the locals.

Grim Humor at Vicksburg “During the waning weeks of the Siege of Vicksburg, artilleryman Marion Berry Richmond recalled a humorous exchange with federals. He and his comrades in the 1st Mississippi Light Artillery were within audible range of the Yanks. “One night we asked them what they had to eat over there. The reply enumerated ‘beef, good bread, molasses, coffee,’ etc., and then asked what we had to eat. Some wag replied that we had ‘hot biscuit, young lamb, butter, coffee, cake,’ etc., when a Yank yelled back, ‘and pea meal.’” Both sides roared with laughter. (From Mississippi Faces: Portraits from the Matthew L. Oswalt M.D. Collection published 6 Jun 2022 at  https://www.militaryimagesmagazine-digital.com/2022/06/06/mississippi-faces-portraits-from-the-matthew-l-oswalt-m-d-collection/ (Accessed 29 Oct 2023))

1863 July 4 - Siege Ends

Pvt. Richmond (pictured above) might have fought alongside our relatives. Pvt. Alpheus Knight, our Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell, our Sgt. Daniel Webster Wade, Daniel’s brother - Pvt. Elisha Benton Wade, Sgt. John Ira Valentine, and Pvt. Richard “Ham” Valentine along with 30,000 troops were starved into surrendering to Union General Grant.

“A few hours later, Union supply wagons rolled up with an enormous amount of food. Richmond and his hungry comrades ate until they were stuffed, slept until they digested the meal, and then repeated the cycle. Three days later, they signed the Oath of Allegiance to the federal government.” (From Mississippi Faces: Portraits from the Matthew L. Oswalt M.D. Collection published 6 Jun 2022 at  https://www.militaryimagesmagazine-digital.com/2022/06/06/mississippi-faces-portraits-from-the-matthew-l-oswalt-m-d-collection/ (Accessed 29 Oct 2023))

 Sgt. Hiram W. Powell’s surrender and allegiance to the United States 7 Jul 1863.

It was the final, major battle in the Vicksburg Campaign. It gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, a critical supply line.

Act Three - We’re Not Gonna Take It!

After Vicksburg, our Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell and our Sgt. Daniel Webster Wade were sent to Alabama to recover and then continued fighting in Tennessee before returning home. When Hiram returns home, he finds out that his wife, Mary Marzella Valentine, died of starvation on 17 Jan 1863. Rather than feed herself, she fed her five children (all under the age of 10). Our William Thomas Powell was the oldest of the five children.

 Mary Marzella Valentine and Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell’s log cabin

The Greater Soso Area Family History website shows the small log house where she starved to death while Hiram was off fighting in the Civil War. (https://www.wcl1971.info/getperson.php?personID=I5296&tree=wcltree1)

Thanks to Google Satellite Maps, I was able to track down its location at 560 Union Line Road, Soso, Jones County, MS, as of October 2023.

1863 Oct 13

I think Mary Marzella’s death combined with the defeat at Vicksburg left her brothers and relatives angry and wanting revenge. Rather than rejoin the Confederate army, many decided to band together with Newt Knight (already a deserter) and form Knight’s Company. Since desertion from the Confederate army was considered treason and punishable by death, they felt that this was the best way to survive until the war was over. They would protect their families from the looting of Confederate soldiers. They would loot the CSA and distribute the food and goods to the needy in the local area.

These family charts show just how many relatives and direct ancestors (in bold) were either in Knight’s Company (symbolized by RoJ, Republic of Jones) or were sympathizers:

KNIGHT and WADE FAMILIES

POWELL FAMILY

VALENTINE FAMILY

WELCH FAMILY

In the spring of 1864, Knight’s Company overthrew the CSA in Jones County and raised the Union flag over the county courthouse in Ellisville. (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-free-state-jones-180958111/

Now, this got the attention of CSA President Jefferson Davis who issued orders that Newt and his men be found and executed. By April 1864 several of Newt’s men had been found and hung. But what really struck home is revealed in this account from a Confederate soldier who was part of the hunting party tracking down the “outlaws”:

“Lowry caught Ben Knight, Capt. Newt Knight’s cousin and an officer in the Confederate Army on furlough. Thinking that he had captured the leader of the deserters, Lowry hanged Ben Knight and threw his body on Newt’s front step. Newt’s wife told the Confederates of their error and they found furlough papers in the dead man’s pocket. …In revenge for the slaying of his cousin (Ben Knight), Capt. (Newt) Knight ordered one of Lowry’s 50-man cavalry patrols ambushed. During that fight 15 Confederates were killed at Rocky Creek on April 26, 1864." (From Newt Knight and the “Republic of Jones” posted by 2^nd Alabama Cavalry on 12 Feb 2019 at https://civilwartalk.com/threads/newt-knight-and-the-republic-of-jones.154692/)

Ben Knight is our Cornelia’s brother.

Act Four: Almost a Red Wedding

Even though the war raged on, the normal events of life continued whenever time would allow. One such event was the engagement of Pvt. Alpheus Knight and Mary A. Elizabeth Powell, the sister of our Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell. Having hosted the marriage of my daughter in February 2023, I cannot imagine the stress and strain of trying to host a marriage of my daughter to a known deserter and outlaw!

Mr. And Mrs. James Madison Powell

Request the pleasure of your company

At the marriage of their daughter

Mary A. Elizabeth

To

Private Alpheus Knight

Thursday, December 29^th , 1864

Soso, Mississippi

Reception to Follow

Fortunately, Newt Knight was there to recall what happened:

"But the rebels started to build a fire under us. I remember the night Alpheus Knight was married up near Soso. That wedding ended up in a battle. Not that I aint' heard" -- and the old man smiled with quaint humor -- "that lots of other weddings end up in battles, too.

"Only this was a right smart battle. You see, there was one woman living near us who didn't like us. She got word of Alpheus Knight's wedding. He was a cousin of mine. And she told her n___ cook: 'Gal, you take this message and don't you stop to eat or sleep until you've delivered it to the Confederate soldiers by Ellisville.' But some folks that were friendly to me, they send word about it.

"Well, Alpheus, he got married all right. It was a right cold night, just durin' Christmas week. I told 'em to go ahead and celebrate the weddin', 'n' I'd keep watch. There was only less'n a dozen of us there. We kept scattered a lot, so the rebels couldn't trail us so easy.

"...Then just after daylight, I heard a chain rattle on a flat (flatboat). I knew it was the rebels crossing the river. I could hear their horses' hooves. Then I could sight of 'em. They was about 100 of 'em stomping on that flat. I had about a half-mile to go to the house where Alpheus and his bride were with the rest of us who went to the wedding. I made that half mile right fast.

" 'Come on,' I said. 'We've got to get out of here. There's about a hundred Confederates marchin' on this house.'

"Well, we all packed up and started. There were some ladies there. One of 'em had a baby in her arms…

"We hadn't gone 200 yards from the house when I heard a clatter of hooves.

"About 20 of the Confederates had ridden up…. The minute they saw us they opened fire.

We were outnumbered. So I jumped into the brush, and I yelled as loud as ever I could:

" 'Attention! Battalion! Rally on the right! Forward!'

"There wasn't no more battalion than a rabbit. But there was thick woods all around, and the rebels must have thought there was an army in them. They reined in their horses anyway, and dashed back to the main body. That gave us a chance to get away."

(From Interview with Newton Knight of Mississippi was originally published in the March 20, 1921, edition of the New Orleans Item. By Meigs O. Frost. Reprinted online at the Times Picayune website NOLA.com on 19 Jul 2019 (accessed 28 Oct 2023)).

I’m sure a good time was had by all!

1865 Apr 9 - War is Over!

Pvt. William Martin “Dickie” Knight, our Cornelia’s brother, was at the battle of Appomattox, VA. After the South surrendered at the Appomattox Court House, the South went home to start the recovery and reconstruction process.

So, what finally happened to the Jones County “Robin Hood and his Merry Men”?

Pvt. Alpheus Knight, Officer in Knight’s Company. Newt’s cousin. Lived out his days in Jones County until he died on 21 Jun 1896. His wife Mary A. Elizabeth Powell died 4 Oct 1921 in Jones County.

Cornelia Ann Knight, wife of Sgt. Daniel Webster Wade. Newt’s cousin. She lived out her days in Soso, MS, dying on 28 Jan 1923.

Newton “Newt” Stuart Knight, Leader of Knight’s Company. He was never caught. In 1870 Jasper County, he is living with his white wife, Serena, and their six younger children and next door is his black wife, former slave Rachel, and his two young children from her. He lived out the rest of his days in Jasper County dying in 1922.

Sgt. Daniel Webster Wade, member of Knight’s Company. Husband of Cornelia Ann Knight, Newt’s cousin. He died 10 Mar 1908 in Soso, MS.

 Pvt. John Hathorn Powell, Jr. (Jones Co. Delegate to 1861 MS Secession Convention) and his wife, Eliza, left Indian Springs Baptist Church on 27 Feb 1864. With their son, James Madison Powell and his family, and their daughter Sarah, who was married to Abram Davis and her family, they left Jones County and moved to Alvarado, Texas, where John died three years later on 22 Sep 1867. (Source: The Powell Families of Virginia & the South, pp. 431-432).

Sgt. Hiram Washington Powell. In the Fall of 1865, Hiram married Mary Catherine Grimes, had nine more children and lived out his days in Soso, MS, until his death on 10 Jan 1885.

William Allen Valentine and his wife, Cynthia Eboline Welch, parents of Mary Marzella Valentine. They lived out the rest of their days in Soso, MS. He died in 1901 and she died 1887.

 Sons of Pvt. William Allen Valentine and Cynthia Welch are, left to right, standing:

Timothy Warren Valentine

James Morgan Valentine (RoJ) - died in 1901

Millard Filmore Valentine

Seated left to right:

William Bryant Valentine

John Ira Valentine (RoJ) - died in 1916

Richard Hammett “Ham” Valentine (RoJ) - died in 1924

George Andrew Valentine

(Photo submitted by Mary Allen Valentine Murphy, great great granddaughter of Allen Valentine and Cynthia Eveline Welch. Added on FindAGrave.com by Ralph on 28 Feb 2013 for John Ira Valentine Memorial ID 13496812.)

Sgt. Hiram W. and Mary Marzell (Valentine) Powell’s first born son, William Thomas Powell, married on 20 May 1875 Sarah Shows Wade, daughter of Sgt. Daniel Webster and Cornelia Ann (Knight) Wade; thus, uniting all five families.

6) William Thomas Powell b. 28 Jul 1853 Jones Co., MS d. 15 Jan 1920 Jones Co., MS m. Sarah Shows Wade b. 22 Apr 1855 Jones Co., MS d. 9 Aug 1921 Soso, MS

5) Rev. Sidney Pearson Powell b. 12 Nov 1891 Soso, MS d. 29 May 1965 MS m. Alma Susan Hill b. 27 Feb 1893 Soso, MS d. 2 Nov 1967 MS

4) Roddie Pearson Powell b. 25 Jun 1920 MS d. 5 Feb 1998 MS m. Della Gay Furr b. 22 Oct 1921 MS d. 1 Jul 1977 MS

3) Douglas Eugene Powell b. 22 Aug 1947 MS d. 14 Aug 2011 MS m. Catherine Diane Watkins b. 23 Mar 1952 MS d. 1 Feb 1993 MS

2) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)

1) BAC, my son-in-law (living - information withheld)

Other Sources:

https://deepsouthmag.com/2015/08/05/the-real-free-state-of-jones/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-free-state-jones-180958111/

https://renegadesouth.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/bt-collins-post-on-john-h-powell-as-jones-county-delegate-to-the-mississippi-secession-convention-of-1861/