Charles Oliver Abbey
|
Charles Oliver Abbey |
Charles Oliver "Charlie" Abbey was born September 20, 1825, in Hope Twp., Durham Co., Upper Canada, and died May 22, 1863, in Vicksburg, MS, at age 37. He was the son of Isaac Abbey and Lucinda Bradley of Canada West. Phoebe Elizabeth Searle was born June 4, 1826, in Bodmin, County Cornwall, England, and died January 27, 1903, at the Adam Shidell residence, Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI, at age 76. She was the daughter of William Husband Searle of Tywardreath, County Cornwall, England, and Ann Hill of England. William Searle and his family came from Cornwall, England to the Cobourg-Port Hope area in the early 1830's with many other Bible Christians who came from Cornwall at that time. It appears that she never could read or write. This helps explain the various spellings of her last name, which became known as Searle. Charles Oliver "Charlie" Abbey and Phoebe Elizabeth Searle were married December 20, 1847, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West. The Family Bible shows: Married December 19, 1847: Mr. Charles W. Abbey and Miss Phebe E. Searles. Charles Oliver "Charlie" Abbey and Phoebe Elizabeth (Searle) Abbey had five surviving children out of the nine she reported were born to her:
TIMELINE Ontario was known as: Upper Canada from 10 Jun 1791 to 10 Feb 1841; Canada West from 10 Feb 1841 to 1 Jul 1867; and Ontario after 1 Jul 1867. Charles Oliver Abbey was born September 20, 1825, in Hope Twp., Durham Co., Upper Canada. Phoebe Elizabeth Searle was born June 4, 1826, in Broadoak (Braddock) Parish, County Cornwall, England. Phoebe's father, William Searle, first appeared on the Durham County census in 1836 as a property holder. He was undoubtedly there a year or two earlier. That census shows 2 males over 16, 1 female over 16, 2 males under 16 and 5 females under 16. In 1840 William's household gained another adult female and 2 female children. It seems that in 1839/40 William might have become remarried to a widow with 2 daughters. William is still listed on the census in 1848 as a farmer with 10 in the household (Lot 32 Con 2 Hope Twp. - 1848). In 1851 Alice Searle (age 17) and George Searle (age 1) are listed with 2 in the household (but no William). William by then may have already made the move to the western territories of the USA. Nathaniel Abbey lived on Lot 27 Con 2 Hope Twp. from about 1806 until his death in 1825/1826, and his family continued to live there until about 1848. Only four farms about a mile apart separated the Abbey and the Searle homes. By 1860 William Searle was still in Wisconsin, married to a lady 9 years older born in New York. Charles Oliver Abbey operated a farm in Hope Twp., Durham Co., Canada West, after growing to manhood. Charlie and Phoebe were married April 6, 1848, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West. The 1850 Census/Assessment for Hope Township, Canada West, shows Charles Abbey (not an owner) living on Lot 27, Concession 3, Total of 3 in Family. The 1851 Census/Assessment for Hope Township, Canada West, shows Charles Abbey living on Lot 27, Concession 3, Total of 4 in Family. The Charles Abbey family lives in a Shanty, which includes both Allice Sarl (age 17) unmarried, and George Sarl (age 1). Leigh Larson note: Allice is likely the sister of Elizabeth (Searle) Abbey. 1851 Canadian Census shows William Watson (age 26) born in Canada and with Catholic religion is a Labourer and is living in a Frame Home in Hope Twp., Durham Co., Canada West. Living with him is Mary Watson (age 26) born in England and affiliated with the Church of England religion. Also living there are three Watson children, all born in Canada: Franklin Watson (age 4); Laury Ann Watson (age 3); and Hannah Watson (age 1). Leigh Larson note: The Charles Abbey family lives in a Shanty a few homes away, including Elizabeth (Searle) Abbey, the sister of Mary (Searle) Watson and both Allice Sarl (age 17) unmarried, and George Sarl (age 1). Allice is likely the sister of both Elizabeth and Mary. Lucinda and Isaac, the first two children of Charles and Phoebe, were born in Hope Twp., Durham Co., Canada West. When William and Mary Jane were born they were living in Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West. Charles Oliver Abbey, his wife Phoebe Elizabeth (Searle ) Abbey and his four children came to the U. S. A. from Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West, in 1860. They are found by July 5, 1860, living in Oak Grove Twp., Dodge Co., WI, next door to Phoebe's father and his wife, William Surl and Abigail Surl. William had his son, William Surl Jr., and his insane (step)son, Thomas Surl living there, too. The 1860 U. S. Census taken on July 5, 1860, shows Charles Abby (age 35) born in Canada with personal estate valued at $100 is a Farm Laborer living in Oak Grove Twp., Dodge Co., WI. Living with him is Elizabeth Abby (age 34) born in England. Also living there are four children, all born in Canada: Lucinda Abby (age 12), Isaac Abby (age 9), William Abby (age 7), and Mary J. Abby (age 1). Charles and Elizabeth Abbey cannot read or write. Elizabeth Abby's father was living in the adjacent house: William Surl (age 60) is a Farmer born in England with real estate valued at $800 and personal estate valued at $400. Living with William is his wife Abigal Surl (age 69) born in Connecticut. Also living there are their children: Thomas Surl (age 25) born in New York and indicated as insane; and William Surl Jr. (age 11) born in Canada. William, Abigail and Thomas Searle cannot read and write. About 1861 the Charles Abbey family removed from Oak Grove Twp., Dodge Co., WI, to South Byron, Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. By August 10, 1861, Charles and Phoebe were living in South Byron, Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, when Charles Washington Abbey was born. On December 9, 1861, Charles Oliver Abbey, as a resident of Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, enlisted in the Wisconsin Volunteers 14th Regiment Infantry Company A, along with his cousins Isaac Abbey and Wellington Abbey. On May 22, 1863, Charles Oliver Abbey was killed at age 37 in action before the fortifications during the siege at Vicksburg, MS. His body would have been buried at the National Cemetery at Vicksburg. A marker would eventually be placed in Union Cemetery, Milladore, Wood Co., WI, alongside his wife upon her death in 1903. On November 1, 1865, Phoebe Abbey created a mortgage to Hayward Jones, both parties of Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, in the amount of $120.00 for one acre of land: Commencing at the NE corner of the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 32 Twp. 14 N; to 17 E, thence south eighteen rods thence west seventeen rods to lot owned by George McLean, thence north along said line eighteen rods to the center of the public highway thence east along said highway seventeen rods to the place of beginning containing one acre and 146 rods be the same more or less. Hayward Jones died July 17, 1904 in Fond du Lac Co., WI. Phoebe was receiving widow's benefits and living after the Civil War in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI raising her five children. On April 2, 1866, Phoebe's oldest daughter, Lucinda Matilda Abbey, was married to Adam William Shidell in Phoebe's home in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. In 1869 Phoebe purchased a one acre plot in Township 14 North, Range 17 East, Fond du Lac Co. (V60p207-8) and sold it on April 5, 1872. The value of the property was given in the 1870 census as $600. It was close to a school and to the community of Byron. The land is on a hill and has a lovely view. Adam and Lucinda had removed to Oakfield Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, according to the 1870 Census. The 1870 U. S. Census taken on June 4, 1870, shows Phebe Abbie (age 44) is living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI as the head of household with $600 value of real estate (keeping house and born in Canada West), along with her five living children: Lucinda Abbie (age 22) keeping house, Isaac Abbie (age 20) farm laborer, William Abbie (age 17) farm laborer, Mary Jane Abbie (age 10) at school, and Charles Washington Abbie (age 8) at school. All children were born in Canada West, except for Charles Washington being born in Wisconsin. The George McLean family lived next door. He was born in Canada West. The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 9, 1870, shows Adam Shidell (age 27) born in France is a farmer living in Oakfield Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI with personal property worth $500. Living with him is his wife Lucinda Shidell (age 22) born in Canada. Also there are their children: Emma Shidell (age 3) and William E. Shidell (age 1), both born in Wisconsin. On April 5, 1872, this one acre parcel was subsequently sold to George McLean for $120.00. The 1875 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 1, 1875, shows Phoebe Abbey is the Head of Household and is living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living in the household: 1 Male, and 3 Females. The 1876 Centennial Directory for Fond Du Lac Co., WI, printed about March 20, 1876, shows Mrs. P. Abbey (a Englishwoman, widowed with 3 in the family) resides on 1 acre in Byron Twp. The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 7, 1880, shows Phoebe Abbey (age 54) born in England to English-born parents is found keeping house in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI for her father William Searl (age 79), a Farmer born in England to English-born parents who is listed as either widowed or divorced. William Searle died on August 18, 1880. The 1885 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 20, 1885, shows Mrs. Phoebe Abbey is the Head of Household and is living alone in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living in the household: 1 Female, born in British America. The 1890 Wisconsin Veterans Schedule shows Phoeba Abbey is a widow of Charles W. Abbey (Deceased) and is living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac County, WI.
Map of South Byron, Fond du Lac Co., WI, in 1893 In 1881 Adam and Lucinda Shidell removed to Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI, and Phoebe undoubtedly followed them there sometime between 1890 and 1895. Phoebe Abbey appears in the old church records for the Methodist Church in Byron Twp. (probably the one in South Byron), Fond du Lac Co., WI. It indicates that Phoebe Abbey removed without sending a letter to the church. This would not be surprising since Phoebe could neither read nor write. This church record was found in the Adams House historical building in Fond du Lac, WI. The 1895 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 20, 1895, shows Adam Schidel is the Head of Household living in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI. The following are in the household: 6 Males, 4 Females. Of these, 8 born in the United States, 1 born in Great Britain, and 1 born in Scandinavia. Leigh Larson note: The Great Britain person in likely Phoebe (Searle) Abbey, widowed mother of Lucinda (Abbey) Shidell. The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 6, 1900, shows Adam Shidell (age 57) born April 1843 in France to French-born parents is a farmer living in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI having emigrated in 1860. Living with him is his wife of 35 years, Lucinda M. Shidell (age 52) born September 1849 in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Nine of the eleven children born to Lucinda are still alive. Also there are their children: Ida B. Shidell (age 15) born September 1885; James A. Shidell (age 12) born October 1887; Dixon Shidell (age 10) born August 1889; and Blanch E. (age 9) born May 1891. All children were born in Wisconsin. Also living there is Lucinda's mother, Phebe Abbey (age 72) born June 1827 in Canada to French and Canadian parents. Leigh Larson note: Adam William Shidell's older sister, Emma (Shidell) Hollingshead, is living on the adjacent farm, married to George Washington Hollingshead. Phoebe Elizabeth (Searle) Abbey died January 27, 1903, at the Adam Shidell residence, Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI, at age 76. The Stevens Point Journal, Saturday, January 31, 1903 WEDNESDAY. Mrs. Phoebe Abbey, a lady 77 years of age, died at her home near Milladore Monday afternoon after a long illness with dropsy. The funeral will be held tomorrow. From the Death Certificate for Phoebe Abbey, found at the courthouse in Wisconsin Rapids, Wood Co., WI: Name: Mrs. Phoebe Abbey. Maiden Name: Phoebe Salz. Color: White. Sex: Female. Race: Caucasian. Occupation: Housework. Age: 76 Years, 7 Months, 23 Days. Father: Mr. Salz. Father's Birthplace: England. Mother: Mrs. Salz. Mother's Birthplace: England. Born: England. Husband: Charles Abbey. Widowed. Died: January 27, 1903. Residence: Adam Shidell's residence, Sherry Twp. Cause of Death: Primary cause General Dropsy; Secondary cause: Asthma Shock. Place of Death: Home at Adam Shidell, Sherry Twp. Duration of Disease: Seven years. Buried: Union Cemetery, Milladore Twp., Wood Co., WI. Name of person conducting burial: Adam Shidell. Date of Certificate and also date of burial certificate: January 28, 1902. Notes: Deceased has been an invalid for some time. Phoebe's father, William Searle, first appeared on the Durham County census in 1836 as a property holder. He was undoubtedly there a year or two earlier. That census shows 2 males over 16, 1 female over 16, 2 males under 16 and 5 females under 16. In 1840 William's household gained another adult female and 2 female children. It seems that in 1839/40 William might have become remarried to a widow with 2 daughters. William is still listed on the census in 1848 as a farmer with 10 in the household (Lot 32 Con 2 Hope Twp. - 1848). In 1851 Alice Searle (age 17) and George Searle (age 1) are listed with 2 in the household (but no William). William by then may have already made the move to the western territories of the USA. Nathaniel Abbey lived on Lot 27 Con 2 Hope Twp. from about 1806 until his death in 1825/1826, and his family continued to live there until about 1848. Only four farms about a mile apart separated the Abbey and the Searle homes. By 1860 William Searle was still in Wisconsin, married to a lady 9 years older born in New York. History of Wood County, 1923 Adam Shidell, now deceased, who spent many useful years as a resident of Wood Co., was born in Alsace-Lorraine, April 25, 1843, and came to America with his parents about 1857. The family settled in Fond du Lac Co., WI and from there at the age of 18 Adam Shidell enlisted in Company A of the 14th Wisconsin Regiment to take part in the Civil War. He served for four years and took part in much of the hard fighting of the war, being twice wounded. At the close of the war he returned to Fond du Lac Co. and was there married on April 2, 1866 to Lucinda M. Abbey, who was born in Canada, September 20, 1848, daughter of Charles and Phoebe (Searls) Abbey. Her parents were natives of Canada and England respectively. Charles Abbey was born in Hope, Canada, September 20, 1825. He remained in his native place till he was about 35 years old, operating a farm after growing to manhood. Then in 1860 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Fond du Lac. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted for services in the Civil War, becoming a member of Company A, 14th Wisconsin Volunteers. His regiment was assigned to Grant's army and Mr. Abbey was killed before Vicksburg, May 22, 1863. His wife was left with five children, namely; Lucinda M., now Mrs. Adam Shidell; Isaac, now residing at Superior, WI; William, of Dodgeville, WI; Mary J., now Mrs. A. Krause of Norton, KS; and Charles W., of North Dakota. Mrs. Phoebe Abbey died February 7, 1903. For awhile after his marriage Adam Shidell continued to live in Fond du Lac Co., doing farming and teaming. Later he went to Waupun, where he engaged in farming, and in the spring of 1881 he came to Wood Co., where he had previously purchased 80 acres of wild land in Section 14, Sherry Twp. On his first coming here he lived in true pioneer state in an old logging shack that was on his farm. During the following years he went through the struggle that is the lot of him who essays to build up a farm from wild land in a primitive country. He worked first for several years as fireman and night watchman for the Sherry Lumber Co., going into the woods during the winters to work in the logging camps. Gradually, however, the results of Mr. Shidell's persistent, untiring work in the development of his property began to make themselves shown, and in the end a fine farm emerged, with 70 acres of rich soil cleared and modern buildings erected, including a fine brick house. He operated this property until his death, September 14, 1919, which resulted from his being gored by a bull while engaged in his duties about the farm. The mother still makes her home with her son Dixon. Mr. and Mrs. Shidell were the parents of 11 children: Emma J., born December 24, 1866, now Mrs. George Hollinghead, of Woodland, CA; Willie A., born February 22, 1869, now living at Milwaukee, WI; John J., born October 7, 1870, residing at Portland, OR; Isaac E., born December 15, 1872, who died November 19, 1874; Wallace I., born October 27, 1876, now living in Marathon Co., WI; Neta M.; born June 18, 1879, now Mrs. Charles Shorey of Marathon Co., WI; George A., born November 14, 1882, who died April 18, 1883; Ida B., born September 18, 1884, now Mrs. Matthew Paulson of Marathon Co., WI; James A., born October 2, 1886, now living at Hope, ND; Dixon, born August 20, 1888, a sketch of whom follows this; and Blanche, born May 3, 1891, now the wife of John J. Becker of Rudolph Twp., Wood Co.
Phoebe Elizabeth (Searle) Abbey, about 1870
Top, L to R: Emma Jane (Shidell) Hollingshead; Lucinda Matilda (Abbey) Shidell. Bottom, L to R: Phoebe Elizabeth (Searle) Abbey; Sarah Jane "Sadie" (Hollingshead) Boucher. The picture, dated early January, 1902, was from Joyce (Stanton) Hines, now deceased.
William, Mary Jane, Lucinda, Charles and Isaac Abbey, about 1880
Grave markers of Charles and Phoebe Abbey, located in Milladore, WI. Leigh Larson visited the gravesite on September 13, 2001, with Roy and Barbara (Holzhaeuser) Woboril. Barbara Woboril is Charles and Phoebe's great-great granddaughter. Leigh Larson is Charles and Phoebe's great-great grandson. The small marker in the left foreground reads: C A. Since Charles was killed at Vicksburg, MS he was probably buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery. The small marker to the right reads: P E A. The tall stone in the rear center contains an angled surface with the birth and death dates of Phoebe, while the vertical upright surface below contains information for Charles. The pedestal rests on a horizontal ABBEY section, and the darker color base rests on the ground. The markers have areas of moss-like plants (lichen) growing on the surfaces, indicating a lack of cleaning for many years.
Roy and Barbara (Holzhaeuser) Woboril at the Union Cemetery in Milladore, WI. Adam Shidell married Lucinda Matilda Abbey, who was the oldest daughter of Charles and Phoebe Abbey. Phoebe lived with the Adam Shidell family near Milladore in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI. It is surmised that the rustic home shown below is the original homestead of Adam Shidell that was in Wood Co., WI.
Presumed pioneer home of Adam and Matilda (Abbey) Shidell, Wood Co., WI. Shown are Emma Dora Marie (Heinrichs) Shidell with her daughter Caroline Mabel Shidell and son Adam William Shidell, taken about 1904. Phoebe eventually moved to a red brick home in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., south of Milladore, WI. The red brick structure was demolished and replaced with a machinery shed about the year 2000.
Port Hope, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Charles Oliver Abbey's grandfather, Nathaniel Abbey, removed from New York State to Canada West in 1798.
Union Wisconsin Volunteers 14th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry Organized at Fond du Lac, Wis., and mustered in January
30, 1862. Left State for St. Louis, Mo., March 8, thence moved to Savannah,
Tenn., March 23-28. Served unattached Army of the Tennessee to May, 1863. 2nd
Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, May, 1862. Provost guard at
Pittsburg Landing and Hamburg Landing, Tenn. Unattached, Army of the Tennessee,
to August, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, District of Corinth, Miss., Army of
the Tennessee, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, Left Wing, 13th
Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 6th
Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, 17th
Army Corps, to September, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, to
March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Provisional Divisional, 17th Army Corps, Dept. of the
Gulf, to June, 1864. (Veterans attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army
Corps, Army of the Tennessee, April to November, 1864.) Detached Brigade, 17th
Army Corps, and 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1864. 1st
Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd
Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to
February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military
Division of West Mississippi, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th
Army Corps, to August, 1865. District of Alabama to October, 1865. Moved to Mobile August 27 and duty there until October. Mustered out October 9, 1865. Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 116 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 194 Enlisted men by disease. Total 319. Vicksburg Other Names: None Location: Warren County Campaign: Grant’s Operations against Vicksburg (1863) Date(s): May 18-July 4, 1863 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [US]; Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton [CS] Forces Engaged: Army of the Tennessee [US]; Army of Vicksburg [CS] Estimated Casualties: 19,233 total (US 10,142; CS 9,091) Description: In May and June of 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s armies converged on Vicksburg, investing the city and entrapping a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was the culmination of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. With the loss of Pemberton’s army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half. Grant's successes in the West boosted his reputation, leading ultimately to his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union armies. Result(s): Union victory |
