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'Born to my great great grandparents, John and Judith Lummis (Burroughs) Wamsley, (married at Mullica Hill, N.J. on August 27th 1836), were eight (8) children. All were
from Gloucester County in southern New Jersey. While all eight are listed here, three served gallantly in the war between the states; our Civil War - 1861 to 1865. With the exception of my great grandfather, S. Townsend
Wamsley 4 were great uncles and 3 were great aunts of mine. |
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The eight brothers and sisters are:
Thomas Banks Wamsley B. 1/25/1837 D. 3/8/1918
Ann Elizabeth Wamsley B. 12/29/1838 D. 5/8,1913
Henry Janvier Wamsley
B. 11/6/1840 D. 5/14/1864 Killed in battle at Spottsylvania, Va.
John Burroughs Wamsley
B. 7/26/1843 D. 7/7/1905 Survived battle in Civil War - Skeleton found about a mile from his house in Enid, Oklahome.Cause of death unknown.
Socrates Townsend Wamsley B. 8/20/1846 D. 7/7/1914 Accidentally shot & killed at Morenci, Az.
Dr. James Armineous Wamsley B. 4/15/1851 D. 12/10/1914
Annie Baker Wamsley B. 12/26/1856 D. ?
Carrie Parker Wamsley B. 7/21/1861 D. ? |
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It is perhaps odd that these three brothers, who all served in the U.S. Civil War, met untimely deaths at various times and places with only one being killed in battle. The remainder of
this section will concentrate on those three brothers. First I will offer what little I know about my two great uncles before addressing what I know about my great grandfather, S.T. Wamsley. |
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Henry Janvier Wamsley, born at Mullica Hill, N.J. enlisted in Company A, Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers on Friday April 19, 1861 - seven days after Fort
Sumpter was fired upon. On May 22nd, 1861 he was mustered into the United States Service for a term of three years. Along with his comrads, he saw hard service in the following engagements:
Springfield Station, Va.; Bull Run; Munson's Hill; West Point, Va.; Gains Farms; Charles City Cross Roads; Malvern Hill; Chantilly; Cramptons Pass or South
Mountain; Antietam; first and second Fredericksburg, Va.; Salem Church, Va.; Gettysburg, Penna.; Fairfield, Md.; Williamsport, Va.; Funkstown, Md.; first and second Rappahannock Station, Va.; Mine Run; and Spottsylvania.
It was here, at Spottsylvania that he was killed in action on Saturday May 14th, 1864 at the age of twenty four. Never prior did he receive any wounds or
lose a days duty during his term of service and shortly before he was killed he re-enlisted. He was buried on the battlefield, afterward being removed to Marye's Heights and eventually to a National cemetery overlooking
Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ironically, his brother, John Burroughs Wamsley was in the same battle, serving in another unit and unaware that his brother had been killed.
John Burroughs Wamsley
, also born at Mullica Hill, N.J. enlisted and was mustered into Company F 12th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers on August 4th, 1862 for three years. He left Camp Stockton, Woodbury, N.J. on September 7th, 1862
with a total of 992 men. The following accounts are a metter of military records: Their first battle was Chancellorsville, Va. The Regiment suffered severe losses
with a total of 179 men killed, wounded or missing. At Gettysburg, Pa. their losses represented 120 men and at the battle of Spottsylvania, Va. about another 200 men. In the battle of Cold Harbor the fighting was so
severe and the losses so heavey that the 12th Regiment was reduced to 90 muskets - having never received any replacements up till now. Other engagements were Reams Station, Petersburg, Hatchers Run and finally at
Appomatox during the surrender of Robert E. Lee. John B. Wamsley was mustered out of the service near Munson's Hill, Va. on June 4th, 1865. |
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Returning to Mullica Hill, N.J. after the war, John B. Wamsley worked with his father, John, and two of his brothers in the Millwrighting business. They were, Thomas and my great grandfather,
S. T. Wamsley. |
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John Burroughs Wamsley on November 11, 1868 married Margaret Avis. They were married at the Pittsgrove Presbyterian Church by Rev. E.P. Shields of Daretown, New Jersey. Her parents were George
Avis and Mary (Webb) Avis. Margaret was born August 7, 1852 near Daretown, New Jersey. John Burroughs, his wife Margaret and two children; his brother S. Townsend and his wife Morena and their two children,
headed
West in 1874. They built the first grist Mill at Hutchinson, Kansas. Finally John B. Wamsley and family settled in Enid, Oklahoma where he engaged in his trade and also farming. On July 7, 1905 John went out into
the Woods, several miles from home. Not returning home, his family and friends went in search for him, eventually finding his body. Margaret Wamsley died Nov. 14,1929. John Burroughs and Margaret Wamsley had issue
of nine children:
1. Florence May Wameley, born April 8,1869 at Mullica Hill, N.J. Died
March 31, 1913 at Los Angeles, Calif. Married (1) Oct. 14, 1890 William
McCain; he died May 30,1893. Married (2) William Angood. No issue. (complete)
2. Lizzie lamsley, born November 12, 1870 at Mullica Hill, N. J. Died July 24,1872. (complete)
3.William Avis Wamsley, born September
1872 at Mullica Hill, N. J. Died August 19, 1874. (complete)
4. George Oliver Wamsley, born December 28, 1879 at Halsted, Kansas. Died July 29, 1948, Married Goldie Akin. (continued)
5. Carrie Dunham Wamsley, born December 26,1880,died July 20,1882. (complete)
6. Maggie Wamsley, born May 9, 1883 at Halsted, Kansas. Died August, 1934. Married Lewis H. Woolwine.(continued)
7. Burl Wamsley, born
May 5, 1885 at Elmer, New Jersey. Burl died October, 1923. Unmarried.(continued)
8. Vadie Viola amsley, born July 16, 1887, Oklahoma. Died about 1918. Married Abraham Beason.(continued)
9, Avis 1amsley, born
October 19, 1890. Died-___~,__• Married Miss Ida Maxson.(continued) |
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Socrates Townsend Wamsley, the fifth child of John Wamsley and Judith Lummis (Burroughs) Wamsley, was born Thursday August 20,1846 at Mullica Hill, New
Jersey. Townsend Wamsley was the third son of John Wams1ey to volunteer during the
Civil War. He enlisted into Company K, 2nd. New Jersey Cavalry; Friday August 24,1863, Salem, at the age of seventeen years by
four days. Leaving Trenton New Jersey for ;rashington,D.C. Oct.5,1863, with 890 men. He was Sent to camp between -Alexandra and Long Bridge,Va. Assigned to Gen. Stoneman's Division of Cavalry, Army of the
Potomac. While here, he was part of the Regiment and had a skirmish with Mosby, the rebel guerilla. On the 9th. of November 1863, ordered to Eastport, Mississippi by steamer, joinomg the Army of the Southwest, on
November 28th. they skirmished on Dec.4,1863 at Iuka. December 15,1863 arrived at Union City, Tenn. At Okolona, with Spencer Carbines just issued to the 2nd. I.J. Cavalry, they saved General Smith's expedition,
and defeated the rebel cavalry, April 5, 1864; May 2,1864 they beat General Forrest at Bolivar, Tenn. They engaged Gen. Forrest at Guntown, and in June 1864, with
9,000 Union infantry under General Smith and 3000
Cavalry under Grierson. The Union soldiers were defeated and chased to Memphis, Tenn. The Union losses were 4000
men, killed, wounded and captured; yjeir entire wagon train of 250 wagons, the entire ambulance train
and every cannon except two. The worst loss experenced by the 2nd. New Jersey Cavalry in the Civil war! (This was my great grandfather) On July 6,1864 they were assigned to the command of General Elliot to
recoup their strenth, 16 miles from Vicksburg. They skirmished and defeated rebels at Port Gibson, riss. November 28,1864 a detachment of men (250- 2nd, .N. J. Cavalry, 150- 4th. Iowa) to Osceola, Arkansas and
captured a rebel train of 18 wagons, 900 arms, 11 prisoners and two Officers. Then on Dec.21,1864 General Grierson's Horse Soldiers (2nd.N.J.
Cav; 4th. Missouri; 7th. Indiana Cavalries) started their dash, deep into
enemy territory. At Boonville, they tore up a mile of rail road tracks, burned two large buildings filled with Q.M. supplies, securing arms and ammo, then moved South and destroyed bridge over Twenty Mile Creek.
At Verona Station attacked 700 dismounted rebel Cavalry of Gen. Forrest and routed them. Captured 300 tons of Ammo, 5000 stands of new carbines, 8000 sacks of shelled corn, large quanity of wheat, R.R. Train, recaptured
Army wagons captured by Gen. Forrest from Gen. Sturgis during the June expedition! .evening of Dec.26, at 8hannpn- and captured 100 new rebel Army wagons and stores en route to supply Gen. Forrest.
On December
27th. they chased Forrest's men to Okolona, captured a courier; the dispatch stated 1,390 infantry would re-enforce Okolona; they attacked and defeated the town. They tapped telegraph lines and intercepted messages from
Gen. Dick Taylor, Gen. Gardner and others to hold Egypt Station, 15 miles below Okolona that rebel re-enforcements were on the way.
The 2nd. N.J. Cavalry marched to Egypt Station attacked and captured
"Fort" and stockade on Dec. 28, 1864 and secured 550 prisoners. The 2nd. N.J. lost 74 men and 80 horses, but captured Gen. Gholson and Col. Harris! On Dec. 31, 1864 at Wenona Station destroying the R.R. depot,
telegraph, bridges, buildings and Q.M.stores, arriving at Vicksburg on January 6, 1865.
No expedition of the war was more completely successful, and in none did the 2nd. N.J. Cavalry exhibit greater gallantry and
soldierly endurance than this dash through the very heart of Mississippi." (Records- Officers and men of New Jersey by Foster and Adj. General Stryker of New Jersey.)
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After the Civil War, Socrates Townsend Wamsley returned to Mullica Hill, New Jersey to learn the vocation of millwright from his father John Wamsley. On January 9, 1870, Townsend married.
Lorena Titus Mattson of Auburn, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Johathan W. Mattson and Rebecca S. (Burton) Mattson. Lorena and Townsend were married by J.L.Lauder, minister of the Gospel. Born Dec. 7,1850, Lorena
(Mattson) Wamsley died March 12, 1925 at Camden, N.J.
On June 19, 1871 their first child, Henry (called Harry) Janvier Wamsley was born'. (He was named for his father's brother who was killed in the Civil War).
On December 15, 1872, Rhoda Mattson'Wamsley was born. (both, continued later).
S. Townsend Wamsley and family traveled West in 1879, with his brother John Burroughs Wamsley and his family. They built the first Mill
at Hutchinson, Kansas. S. Townsend Wamsley secured land granted to ex-Civil war soldiers by the Government. They located on the prairies near the little Arkansas River, many miles from Hutchinson in Keno County, Kansas.
Here, on Monday, March 8, 1875, their third child, Clifford Prentice Wamsley (my grandfather) was born in their sod-house. (continued later)
Roger Wamsley was born in 1876, died the first year. (complete)
Clarence uamsley was born in 1878 and died on July 2nd. 1881. (complete)
The family raised some cattle; however Townsend Wamsley was away most of the time, employed as a surveyor for the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas Railroad. This leaving Lorena, his wife, to fulfill the duties of mother and father most of the time. Even though Lorena's two-fold job was done as well as anyone could expect, both wife and children
were
lonely on the great praire with-out the help and companionship of husband and father. Lorena, having two children die here, Clarence only reciently; and the cold winter months still ahead, was most depressing. Then a
letter arrived from Lorena's mother, telling of a serious accident that had be-fallen Lorena's father (Jonathan Mattson). He had fallen from a tree! This prompted Lorena to return "east", finally arriving at
her parents farm in Auburn, New Jersey, December of 1881. Lorena's father, Jonathan Mattson, died January 4,1882. Lorena and children continued to live in Auburn with her mother. She became a school teacher. Rebecca
(Burton) Mattson, Lorena's mother, died on September 1, 1898. S. Townsend Wamsley, working, as surveyor and sometimes prospecting during the gold fever days in the west, traveled south to New Mexico in 1879; then in
1881 at elPaso, Texas; then into Mexico. Later he located at Morenci, Arizona. He was employed as a surveyor for the Clifton & Southern Pacific hail Road; also Arizona and New Mexico R.R. He settled down on a
Ranch outside of Morenci in the Bonita Valley section. Around 1890 Townsend married Sarah Anna Smith McDaniel, age 22. Sarah was born May 31, 1868 in Iowa. According to the Federal census, she lived in Weld, Colorado in
1880 and on November 8th, 1883 she married Frank A. McDaniel. He was born in 1865. They had two children, Homer Frank McDaniel 1883-1973 and Katherine Elma McDaniel 1887-1938. Both children were born in Colorado.
In 1903, at Morenci, Arizona,Katherine Elma McDaniel, age 16, married Robert Birdwell Lewis, who was born in Virginia 1877. This made Robert B. Lewis my great grandfather's son-in-law. Reportably, Townsend, sometimes
affectionately called "Towny" was loved and respected by all that knew him. Apart from working as a surveyor for the Phelps-Dodge Copper mines, he was also a rancher.
On the fateful night of July 7,1914, Townsend 'Wamsley
was at the home of his step son-in-law, Robert Birdwell Lewis, and Townsend's adopted step-daughter Kate. There had been trouble with Mexicans in the area and also some rustling. Hearing a noise one night, Townsend went outside by way of the back door. Not knowing that his step-son, R.B. Lewis (husband of his adopted daughter) had picked up Townsend's revolver and went out the front door - both men rounding the corner of the house at the same time and thinking the other to be an intruder, Lewis shot Wamsley through the heart, killing him instantly!
Socrates Townsend Wamsley was buried at the "Morenci Cemetery", (reportably in plot 161) Morenci, Arizona, Thursday, July 9th. 1914. He had property consisting of residences in Morenci and a Ranch in
the Bonita River section. The obituary stated that he, ". . . being one of the oldest and longest residents - a resident pioneer of the State."
(information,
The Morenci Leader Newspaper, dated July 10,1914)
Addendum:
Records of St John's Methodist Church, Harrisonville,.New Jersey - On February 13,1870, S. Townsend Wamsley (single) was dropped as a
member of the Church. The family had changed their membership to the (new) Trinity Methodist Church, located within a block from their home in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. Civil War Pension records show that Townsend
Wamsley was six feet tall, a trait among the Wamsley - Walmsley men.
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Thus, while certainly not complete this information, lays forth some record of the three Civil War Wamsley brothers. My two great uncles, Henry Janvier and John Burroughs Wamsley and my
great grandfather, Socrates Townsend Wamsley. |
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NOTE: George P. Walmsley, Sr. authored a book that captures the actual Civil War Experiences of his grandfather, S. Townsend Wamsley. As a side trip you may want to visit that site at: http://civilwarhorsesoldiers.com |
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From here please visit the "Family Tree" link below to see 3 other attendant pages on these brothers or one of the other navigation links. Thank you.
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