My great-granduncle, Daniel COSGROVE was born in 1815 in Co. Sligo, Ireland. He emigrated to America in the 1850's, married to Anne DUFFY and was father of Mathew and Daniel.

Daniel Cosgrove enlisted in Richfield Springs on Aug. 22, 1862 in the 152nd Regiment NYS Vols, Company D. He was mustered in on Oct.15, 1862. He fought at Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Reams Station and White Oak Swamp. He was mustered out in June, 1865. Daniel died on May 9,1874, from war-related wounds and was buried in Yost Ground/Station in Fonda, NY.

My fourth great-grandfather Colonel Peter Bellinger (Battle of Oriskany), had a son Colonel Christopher P. BELLINGER, who was in the War of 1812 at Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario. Christopher's regiment was known as The Regiment of The Mohawk Valley or the 27th Regiment, NY Militia. He served under Brigadier General Jacob Brown. His sister Gertrude Bellinger was my third great-grandmother.

My Great Uncle, Charles Tyler THOMPSON, was born in Cold Brook, Town of Russia, Herkimer County on March 23, 1841. In August 1862 he qualified for and enlisted in Co. B 1st United States Sharpshooters (Berdan's), was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville, and was exchanged and returned to the regiment. He was promoted to corporal Nov. 1, 1864. When the sharpshooters were disbanded he entered Co. H 124th N.Y. Vol. Inf. on Feb. 18, 1865.

Melchert M. FOLTS of Herkimer served in Capt. Dederick Bellinger's Company of the New York State Milita in the War of 1812. He died March 20, 1851, aged 62, and was buried with his wife Katherine in the old Herkimer City cemetery.John Alvord Thompson

Anthony DAVOE/DEVOE served in the Revolution within Weissenfels' Regiment, a unit of levies, where "Anth'y. Devoo, Pvt.," was in White's Company. These draftees were raised "for the Protection of the Northern and Western frontier" having been dispersed "to afford Security to the different settlements..." which apparently accounts for the site of Anthony's duty.

His deposition for a pension states he entered the service a bout July 1779 and left it late in January, 1780, serving in a Fort in Albany. He was born near Albany in 1763, moved to Warren, Herkimer County in the mid 1790s and died in 1844. He is buried in Springfield, Otsego Co., NY. For info on his service in the Revolution, see Beer's "History of Herkimer County" and his pension application.

Edward Emmett WHITE was born in Herkimer County, New York June 30, 1846. He enlisted in the Union Army April 7, 1862 and was in Company I, 9th Illinois Cavalry, 5th Division, Second Brigade, 14th Division Corps, commanded by General Thomas. He enlisted in Chicago, Illinois. Edward Emmett White was the father of Chester Bradford White and grandfather of Mardelle Probasco.

Maggie and her son are the transcribers of our Montgomery County Civil War rosters. Maggie recently found this poem in an old issue of the Brooklyn Eagle. "I enjoyed it so I thought you may want to place it with your Civil War stuff." Poems such as this were usually penned by members of the Civil War veteran's organization, the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) We couldn't think of a better place to put this memorial to a small town soldier than on the page for your own ancestors. The spellings are the writer's own.

The Veteren's Rememberence

Soldiers Marchin' bands a-playin' cavalry chargers prancin' gay
Lord! How I would like to jine them on this Decoration Day.
Like I jine the ranks of bluecoats at Old Union's stern command.
Gosh! That very tune we marched to way down south in Dixie Land.

Somehow seems as I remember trampin' along the dusty road.
How the baby of the regiment staggern' neath his heavy load,
gazed up at me sort of smilin' with a brave though tired look,
but in such a pleadin' manner that his gun from him I took.

Such a greatful glance he gave me as he straightened up and marched.
Tho my back was nearly broken an' my throat was hot and parched.
But the little hero suffered worse then me that bloody day
for we fought and when 'twas ended on the field a corpse he lay.

But he gave his life up bravely, fightin' with a youngsters hand
till the minie ball that pierced him sent him to a better land.
An' before he crossed the river---- Where no battlefields he'll roam---
Lookin' in my eye he whispered, Take me--back again--to--home.

When we sent his body homeward ev'ry man amoung us cried
for we knew a true blue soldier had forever left our side.
An' the good Colonel's eyesight was with honest tears made dim
when for Paul the big guns thundered as the train rolled out with him.

To north his body journeyed in a Soldier's grave to rest
Young'uns seem to think wars glory but they'll find that home's the best.
An' I heard his poor old mother from which side he ran away
couldn't live while Paul was buried --- close beside him she soon lay.

Guess I'd better quit my gazin' makes my eyes feel kinder wet,
tho the stirring martial music makes me seem a younster yet.
Wonder if of all the flowers any for Paul's mound they'll save?
s'pose they don't know where he's buried guess I'll decorate Paul's grave....

William Gerard Chapman
Morris Park, Long Island NY

Joseph H. HEATH served nearly 3 years in the War of the Rebellion (Civil War). He enlisted July 16, 1862 in Company A, 121st Regiment, N.Y. Volunteer Infantry as a private, and was promoted by degrees until September 19, 1864, when he received a captain's commission at the Battle of Winchester. He was honorably discharged in June 1865. ( Ref. Beer's History of Herkimer County, 1879) and may be buried in the Heath Cemetery in Paines Hollow. My relationship to the Civil War Joseph H. Heath is first cousin, two generations removed. Joseph's father, also Joseph H. Heath, was my gg-grandfather.

Dougald McINTOSH enlisted August 11, 1862 at Russia, Herkimer County, New York at the age of 19 years. He was mustered in as a Corporal in Co. B, 152 New York Vols. Promoted to Sgt. on August 14, 1864, Dougald was captured in action on May 12, 1864 at Strawberry Plains, Va. He was a prisoner of war at Belle Isle Prison in Richmond, Va. Dougald was a brother to my Grandfather William A. McIntosh.

John B. McINTOSH enlisted July 27, 1862 at Wilmurt. He was mustered in as a Sgt. with Co. B, 152 New York Vols. and discharged November 18, 1864. John B. was a first cousin to Dougald McIntosh.

Stephen HAMMOND was born Feb. 17, 1764 in Cranston, RI, and died Nov. 16, 1847 in German Flatts, Herkimer, Co., NY. He was the son of Stephen Hammond of Providence-Cranston, RI. The following is a copy of his Revolutionary War Pension application, dated 19-Feb-1833:

Name. HAMMOND, Stephen
Service: Soldier states that he entered the service early summer of 1777 in R.I. State Militia, officers names not remembered, served two tours of 3 months each, stationed at Providence and on New Port Island. Enlisted May 1778, as Marine, under Capt. Jerimiah Clark, on board Guard Ship wich was stationed at Fields Point on Providence River, R.I. during this service, marched to New Port Island and was in battle there under Gen. Sullivan, returned to the Guard Ship, latter part of season of this year went on a ? expedition under Col. Silas Talbert and cut out a row ? galley ? the British Fleet and -?- -?- her into Stonington harbor, afterwards under Capt. Jerimiah Clark took the now galley into Providence, returned to the Guard Ship and remained on board until term of service expired. 9 months. 1779, as Minute Man in the Rhode Island State Militia, Was in several skirmishes and two severe engagments, one at Warwick Cove and the other at the storming of a fort on an Island in New Port Harbor, 5 months.

Also served in addition several short periods on alarms. Enlisted early summer of 1780, Marine under Capt. James Monroe on board ship "Washington" of Providence, R.I., was in several engagments, Commadore Whipple commanded the squadron consisting of the "Washington", "--?", the "Milflore ?" and "Pilgrim", said squadron captured 5 British Vessels one of which was the British armed Vessel "Spit Fire" 4 months.

Voluntered last on Feb. or First of March 1781. Marine, on board ship "Conqueror" of the French Fleet lying in New Port Harbor, in an engagment with the British Fleet off Chessapeak Bay under Adm. Count de Estang, returned to New Port in June and then left the service- was in actual service over 2 years and 3 mos.

Soldier mentions brothers and sisters. His brothers, Pardon, of Fenner, Madison Co. NY and James of Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., NY testify in this case.

Stephen Hammond is my 4th great-grandfather. My mother is a Hammond.

Michael DeGRAFF, my 4th gr-grandfather, was born in Dutchess Co. NY about 1738, the son of Moses and Annetje (KIP) DeGraff. He was married 20 December 1774 at Poughkeepsie to Jannetje (Jane) DeGraff his cousin, daughter of Abraham and Marretjen (VAN WAGENEN) DeGraff. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Half Moon (now Waterford) in Saratoga County where Michael was commissioned an Ensign in the Militia of that County under Col. Jacobus Van Schoonhoven. He later was promoted to Lieutenant. He served in the expedition against Burgoyne at Lake George, served twice at Fort Edward, was at the Schoharie Forts, Fort Plain and Fort Stanwix and was at Cherry Valley at the time that Cherry Valley was burned.

After the war, Michael and Jane moved back to Poughkeepsie and about 1800 moved to Herkimer County. Michael built a saw mill at Poland about 1802. He died in Poland 24 January 1807.

On 10 February 1844, the surviving children of Jane DeGraff filed a declaration for a pension that was due to their mother. (#2844) Jane had died at Newport on 6 March 1843. The surviving children were: Sarah ALLEN of Deerfield, NY; Anna COOPER of Schuyler, NY, widow of Peter Cooper; Elizabeth HARVEY of Cattaraugus Co. NY, wife of Cranston Harvey; and Lydia HARVEY, of Pennsylvania, widow of Solomon Harvey. Other children, Maria, Abraham, Hester and Margaret had died before 1844.

Peter J. Shaut was born 1836 in Minden, Town of Danube, where he resided in the 1850, 1855 and 1860 censuses. He died while serving in the Civil War in the Battle of Hatcher's Run VA on 27 October 1863, age 28 years 3 months 12 days. He was laid to rest at Petersburg, VA. Peter was married to Mary Horr (b. 1834; d. 1904). His widow Mary remarried @1870 at Wheeler, NY (Steuben Co.) to Jeremiah Stiller.

According to "The Shaut Family of Montgomery, Herkimer and Steuben Counties, New York" by Kathleen D. Fenton (1993), Peter's parents are listed as Isaac Shaut, born Minden and baptised at St. Paul's Lutheran in Minden Township and Elizabeth Cramer of Stark Township. Peter's siblings were Nancy Maria, b. 15 August 1834; Sara Jane, b. @1840; Parmelia, b. 12 Dec 1842/3 Steuben Co.; Matilda, b. @1843 Steuben Co.; Joseph M., b. 21 Mar 1848 Steuben Co.; and Mary Catherine b. @ 1856 Steuben Co. Mary C. resided unmarried in Wheeler, NY in 1883 and later m. Charles W. Everett of Avoca.

Peter J. Shaut was the second cousin, three generations removed, of Stanley A. Shaut. If anyone finds Peter J. Shaut on any regimental roster please contact Stanley.

Johannes Countryman was born March 2, 1736 at Canajoharie and married to Rachel Richards on March 4, 1758. He served in the "Tryon County Militia First Regiment Enlisted Men". Johannes had a family of twelve children and died April 1789. Johannes Countryman is the gggggg-grandfather of Jimmy Hartson.

John Snyder was born circa 1753 and married to Margaretha Countryman, daughter of Johannes Countryman. John served as a Captain and participated in the Battle of Oriskany. He died at Minden on November 15, 1825. John Snyder is the gggggg-grandfather of Jimmy Hartson.

William Hughes was born in Palatine Bridge, Montgomery County on 2 Oct 1840 and enlisted from Manheim, NY on 10 Feb 1864 as a private in Capt. John H. Fralick's 2nd NY Mounted Rifles. The regiment under Col. John Fisk left Lockport, NY in March 1864 and served in the 9th Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade, of the Army of the Potomac, participating in many battles, including: Spotsylvania May 15 - 24; Totopotomoy Creek, VA May 27 - 31; Cold Harbor June 1; and Petersburg June 15 - July 30.

At Petersburg, William was wounded in the hip and spent 2 months in the field hospital at David's Island. He returned to his unit and was involved in more battles before serving in the garrison of the guard at the surrender at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. William was honorably discharged in August 1865 and returned to civilian life as a fireman for the NY Central Railroad in Little Falls, NY, where he died as a result of injuries sustained when he was struck by a train in 1899. He rests in the Little Falls Cemetery. His granddaughter Elizabeth Bowers still lives in Ilion. A Proud Great-grandson. Terry Bowers in California.

Peter BELLINGER, born about 1700, was Captain in the Tryon County Militia in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. The grandson of Johannes and Anna Maria Margaretha Bellinger, and the son of Frederick and Anna Elizabeth FOX Bellinger, Peter was of the third American generation. He also served at the Battle of Oriskany along with his son, Colonel Peter Bellinger.

Colonel Peter BELLINGER was born 1726, died 26 March 1813, and married January 1750 to Delia HERKIMER, sister of General Herkimer and the daughter of Johan Jost Herkimer and Anna Catherine PETRIE. Peter Bellinger and his wife Delia were my 4th great-grandparents.

"The information which I have given above may be verified by two books which I am quoting: "Genealogy of the Mohawk Valley Bellingers and Allied Families" by Lyle Frederick Bellinger, and "The Mohawk Valley Herkimers and Allied Families" by Hazel Patrick, Jane Spellman, and William Watkins. Both may be obtained from the Herkimer County Historical Society. Another booklet, "American Patriots of the Battle of Oriskany (August 6, 1777)" by Vera DeWitt, lists many, if not all of those who were at Oriskany. I understand that there were a total of thirteen Bellingers, the family with the greatest representation, at the battle. Only the two above were direct ancestors of mine."

If you would like to correspond with Stanley Shaut about Peter F. and Peter Bellinger and intermarried families, you can email him at: Stan Shaut.

Lt. James Albert Guinal was born abt. 1744 in Charleston (now Glen), Montgomery County, NY. James married a Matilda or Mechtel Collier on 4-7-1776 in Fonda, Montgomery County, NY. Matilda or Mechtel was born 2-9-1745 at Fort Hunter, Montgomery County, NY. Matilda/Mechtel Collier became pregnant and was about a month along when her husband died at the Battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777. Her and James's daughter, Cornelia Guinal, was born 2-11-1778, eight months after the battle. I noticed that there was a Jacob Collier who served at the Battle of Oriskany and I believe lived, who may be a brother or father to Matilda/Mechtel Collier.

Cornelia Guinal was born in Charleston (now Glen), Montgomery, NY and died 4-28-1829 in South Auburn, Schuylkill, PA. She married into the Robison family, who were also of Charleston (now Glen), Montgomery, NY. My wife, Jill Marie Robison (Fairall), is the direct descendent of Lt. James Albert Guinal.

More information about the Robison Family can be found in the Robison query for March 21, 1997. If you would like to correspond with David and Jill Fairall about the Guinals or the Colliers, please email them.

Alonzo Jones, son of Peter, was born in Herkimer Co. and died in 1867, at age 30. He served in the Civil War in the 10th Black River Heavy Artillery, Jefferson Co. NY. He mustered in as a private in Co C on Aug 29, 1864 to serve 1 year and mustered out with the company June 23, 1865 at Petersburg Va. He enlisted in Herkimer but Pamelia got credit for his enlistment. At the time of Alonzo's enlistment he was a farmer, had blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, and was 5' 6" tall. He received $300 as a bonus for enlisting. The person writing the information said they got the feeling that he was pretty sick and took advantage of the bonus offer to provide something for his family. More about the Jones family can be found in our January 1997 queries and in Bill's essay which details Alonzo's life and descendants.