Our Civil War Veteran

Though many of us remember Grandpa Carroll -- John E. Carroll -- or at least had a photograph taken with him when we were babies, I wonder how many of us knew that his father, Nicholas Carroll, was a veteran of the Civil War.

Nicholas was born in 1840 in Maryland; he was 21 in 1861, the beginning of the Civil War.  In the early days of the war, each state was in charge of recruiting companies of local soldiers that were then sent to fight with the Federal forces.  Young Nicholas Carroll enlisted with the Patapsco Guards, a company of about 100 men out of Ellicott Mills, Howard County, Maryland in September 1861.  This unit primarily served provost marshal duty -- military police -- during the first year of the war right there in Howard County.  They were eventually assigned to Harper's Ferry, then to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, then the Chambersburg-Carlisle-York-Harrisburg area, guarding various bridges and towns under the threat of Robert E. Lee's northern advance.  The company was in charge of guarding various fords at the Susquehanna River during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863, but they were sent back to York and then Gettysburg itself soon after for guard duty at hospitals and prisons.  Nicholas was officially mustered out of service in 1864, the same year that he and Elizabeth were married.  Their son, John E. Carroll, was born February 18, 1865, in Maryland.  Two daughters were born after the family moved to Pennsylvania, Steller A. in 1868, and Ada S. in 1872.

This is a card from the military pension index showing Nicholas Carroll filed for a pension in 1890.  It also notes the date of his death on February 14, 1926, at age 86.  He is buried in Watsontown, Pennsylvania.

 

It is frustrating that we can't find any photos of Nicholas Carroll, especially since he was still living in 1926.  We'll keep digging.  --cds/ck

 

 

Eleventh Hour, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Month...

... marked the ceasefire that brought World War I to an end (on the Western Front anyway) in 1918. Armistice Day (or Remembrance Day) turned into Veterans Day in the United States when we pause to remember all those who served in our country's military, in whatever capacity, during whatever era. Since I don't want to make a mistake in identifying a branch of service or rank or anything, I'll just post a few of the soldier photos that we've received. I know there are others, particularly from the younger generations, who have served as well, but we don't have their pictures just yet.  Nonetheless, our pride and gratefulness to all military service men and women and their families remain steadfast.

George Humphrey, husband of Thelma (Alcott) Humphrey:

 

Chet Clifford, husband of Ethel (Alcott) Clifford:



 

Morris Trout, husband of Delores (Alcott) Trout Athis:

William Alcott, son of William and Ada Alcott:

 

Carl Alcott, son of William and Ada Alcott:

John Kohl, husband of Claudia (Alcott) Kohl:

 

Frank Athis, husband of Delores (Alcott) Trout Athis:

 

Donald Humphrey, son of George and Sis Humphrey:

 

Don's son, also Donald Humphrey:

 

David Searl, son of Susan (Trout) Searl:

 

 

--cds/ck

Guys (and Girls) and Cars

Sometimes as I'm scrolling through all these photos, my husband Jim (a car guy) will halt me in mid-scroll and say "wait, go back to that picture of the old car":

Not "who is that cute little angelic-looking child" (Little Claudia) -- he just zeros in on all that chrome. Oh well. So above is my Dad's old Ford - 1950 or 51, we think.

Cousin George Humphrey in front of one of his Dad's Pontiacs (remember the lavender and cream colored one? I loved that car). Below the Humphreys are out visiting in their, perhaps, Easter Sunday finest. Aunt Sis always dressed so nicely, didn't she? And it is worth zooming in on her shoes in this photo -- very strappy and stylish.



It was so popular to pose the kids in front of the vehicle. This one is covered up by Jackie Alcott and Morrie Trout in front. Bill Alcott in uniform holding Carole Alcott and George Humphrey with Claudia Alcott standing alongside.



Ethel and Chet Clifford standing in front of a line of cool cars, and even cooler soldiers -- not sure where these were taken - perhaps some military installation.



Not sure whose car this is.



This Ford was one of our old station wagons where our parents would just let us play around in the way back -- scarey to think about those days before seat belts, isn't it.



Here is Lois and Sis not giving a hoot about the shiney cars in the background. In fact, Lois is saying "Doug, put down that G-D camera." Lois was sassy in those days.



Guys will always love putting their feet up on the bumper and enjoying a beer or two. Uncle Bud Marks and William Reynolds Alcott enjoying themselves.



Uncle Bud in 1960 (love photos that are dated).



Love this photo for so many reasons, not the least of which for the crease in those trousers! Grandpop Alcott is dressed to the nines for some reason -- pressed shirt with cufflinks, hat in hand, sweater, and those pants! This is one of my favorites. Oh yes, Jim thinks the car is a Buick, maybe 1948 or 49, something like that.

Same car with Leonard Alcott this time -- very cool.



I like this one also -- pull the cars up in the yard, get out the lawn chairs, and join the picnic.



Ada Alcott getting into the passenger side -- did she ever have a driver's license? I forgot to ask that before posting this picture.



Bill and Ada Alcott.



See what I mean by loading all the kids on the back of a vehicle? This is a more modern photo - very early 70's I think, with Aunt Sis and Marcy Humphrey standing (with toddler Melissa Humphrey?). Sitting on the station wagon's roof, Jeff DeHart holding Patrick Baker, Rob Baker and Terrie Sue Baker flashing us the peace sign. I'm sorry, but I don't know who is sitting behind Rob.



--cds/ck