Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly

This article is reprinted with permission of the Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS), and first appeared in the Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 47 (Spring 2011): cover, 5-12. For more information on GGS, please visit http://www.gagensociety.org. Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly Volume 47, Number 1, Spring 2011

GGS QUARTERLY EDITOR Elizabeth C. Snow, mls EDITOR EMERITUS Monica L. Hopkins EDITORIAL BOARD Barbara Dover Brown Linda S. Hughes John Sloan Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. BOOK REVIEWS Elizabeth Moye SCANNINGS Leah Gilbreath Gonzalez QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Robert S. Davis Jr. This volume was published and desposited in this library with funds from the R. J. Taylor Jr. Foundation. The purpose of the R. J. Taylor Jr. Foundation trust is to promote genealogical research and study in Georgia in conjunction with the Georgia Genealogical Society and the Georgia Archives. www.taylorfoundation.org COVER: Circa 1862 envelope from Culpepper, Virginia to Warrenton, Georgia with illustration of a mounted soldier and a military text (Photo courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Sale 34, Lot 2789). Image supplied by James R. Miller, from The Philatelic Genealogy website (philgen.org).

Philatelic Genealogy in Georgia: 1861-1865 By James R. Miller Old envelopes and postcards from postal history collections are a source of genealogical information. 1 This paper presents six envelopes from Georgia from 1861-1865 with basic genealogical data on the sender and recipient (when available) to introduce the Philatelic Genealogy website and database (http://philgen.org). The website was launched in March 2009 to begin building a digital archive of envelope and postcard images with genealogical value and to promote an exchange between postal history collectors and genealogists. The site has grown to more than 1,450 envelopes and postcards. Every item includes a photo [used with the owner s permission] and U.S. census or similar details on the sender and/or addressee. The website at present has 24 envelopes and postcards sent to or from Georgia. While home delivery of mail in large cities began in 1863, envelopes in rural areas were addressed to the nearest post office until after 1900. 2 The James R (Jim) Miller is a genealogist and postal historian and is the founder of Philgen.org. He lives in Caroga Lake, New York and Haguenau, France, and can be contacted at jim@philgen.org. The author thanks Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions for the use of photos, the genealogists who responded to email and message board queries, and Lisa Birsinger for database and website support. 1. James R. Miller, Philatelic Genealogy: Old Envelopes, Postcards, and Immigrant Origins, New England Ancestors 10 (Spring 2009): 37 38 and Philatelic Genealogy Update: An Initial Assessment of the Genealogical Value of Old Envelopes and Postcards, American Ancestors 11 (Winter 2010): 45 [both viewable at http:// philgen.org, click on NEA and American Ancestors in the Main Menu]. 2. National Postal Museum, Bringing the World Home, (http://arago.si.edu/ index.asp?con=4&cmd=2&eid=370 : accessed 2 Jan 2011). David M. Henkin, The Postal Age, The Emergence of Modern Communications in Nineteenth-century America (Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 2006), p. 9. James H. and Donald J. Bruns, Reaching Rural America: The Evolution of Rural Free Delivery (Washington, D.C.: National Postal Museum, 1998), p. 21.

6 Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol.47, No. 1 Figure 1. Circa 1862 envelope from 3rd Georgia Battalion to Hickory Flat, Georgia with illustration of a Confederate flag and a tent (Photo courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Sale 34, Lot 2791). address written on an envelope from the 1800s may be the nearest post office and not the recipient s home address. Georgia was a part of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. Many residents served in the military, and surviving envelopes from these years let us glimpse their lives during this time. Mr. Joel Haley of Hickory Flat, Georgia received an envelope circa 1862 (see Figure 1). A Joel Haley is in Canton [about six miles northwest of Hickory Flat] in the 1860 U.S. census. 3 The envelope was sent by Lt. [Lieutenant] J.F. Haley of Company B, 3 rd Georgia Battalion. A James F. Haley served from June 1861 to May 1863 as a lieutenant in the 3 rd Georgia Infantry Battalion. 4 Several online family trees show that Joel Haley was the father of James F. Haley. 5 The envelope, with 3. 1860 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Georgia, population schedule, Canton Post Office, Wood Stock District, p. 167 (penned), dwelling 1193, family 1268, Joel Haley; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2011), citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 116. 4. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, database, Ancestry.com (http:// www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2011); entry for James F. Haley, Murray County, Georgia, enlistment date 13 June 1861; citing Confederate Pension and Record Department, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865. 5. See, for example, Haley, Pickney & Families family tree, posted on Ancestry.

Philatelic Genealogy 7 an illustration of an 11-star Confederate flag and a tent, appears to have been sent by a son to his father. This envelope, and the five envelopes that follow, were found in an online philatelic auction catalog from which Philgen.org has permission to use photos. 6 Figure 2. Circa 1862 envelope from Dalton, Georgia to Orange, Cherokee [County], Georgia with hand-drawn Confederate flag (Photo courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Sale 34, Lot 2768). Mrs. Elizabeth Willkie of Orange, Cherokee [County], Georgia received an envelope from Dalton, Georgia circa 1862 (see Figure 2). An Elisabeth Wilkie from South Carolina, with her apparent husband Jesse W. and two children, two-year-old Zillia M. and three-month-old Mary C., is in Ophir [about seven miles northeast of Orange] in the 1860 U.S. census. 7 The envelope was sent by F[?] com, owner karenwh17; primary source citation not shown for James Franklin Haley s relation to Joel Thomas Haley. 6. Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions (http://www.rumseyauctions.com), click Search, type Ga Georgia in Keywords. Additional envelopes from 1861-1865 from Georgia can be seen in Robert A Siegel Auction Galleries (http://www.siegelauctions. com), click Power Search, Area = United States, Sub-Area = Confederate States and Civil War Related, Symbol = Cover, check Only those that have photos, Key Word = Ga or Georgia. 7. 1860 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Georgia, population schedule, Ophir Post Office, Cross Roads District, p. 118 (penned), dwelling 848, family 902, Jesse W. and Elisabeth Wilkie; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 116.

8 Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol.47, No. 1 M. Willkie, Co[mpany] E, 36[th] Georgia Reg[iment]. Note that Willkie is spelled with two l s in both the sender and recipent s names. A Jesse W. and Francis Wilkie, with George and Ann their apparent father and mother, are in Cherokee County in the 1850 U.S. census, 8 and Francis M. is with George and Ann in Ophir in the 1860 U.S. census. 9 A Francis M. Wilkie and a Jesse W. Wilkie served in Company E, 36 th Georgia Infantry Regiment, and Jesse died during his service. 10 The envelope, with a hand-drawn 10-star Confederate flag, appears to have been sent by Francis M. Willkie to his sister-in-law. An Elizabeth Wilkie, from South Carolina, with twelve year-old Ann, and ten year-old Caroline, is in Canton [about eight miles west of Orange] in the 1870 U.S. census. 11 As with any source of genealogical information, old envelopes must be studied in combination with other sources before reaching any conclusion. Mrs. A.E. Rylander of Plains of Dura [now Plains], Georgia received an envelope from Petersburg, Virginia circa 1864 (see Figure 3). The envelope was originally sent to Buena Vista in Marion County. An A.E., female, and J.E. Rylander, male, apparently husband and wife, with children Emma and Carrie, are in Americus, Georgia in the 1860 U.S. census. 12 The envelope was sent by J.E. Rylander, Maj[or] 8. 1850 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Georgia, population schedule,15th Division, p. 950 (penned), dwelling 1035, family 1039, Jesse W. and Francis Wilkie; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 65. 9. 1860 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Georgia, population schedule, Ophir Post Office, Cross Roads District, p. 130 (penned), dwelling 934, family 996, Francis M. Wilkie [shown incorrectly as female]; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 116. 10. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, database, Ancestry.com (http:// www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2011), entries for Francis M. and Jesse W. Wilkie, residence Cherokee County, Georgia; citing Confederate Pension and Record Department, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865. 11. 1870 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Georgia, population schedule, Canton Post Office, 1032nd District, p. 173 (penned), dwelling 58, family 58, Elizabeth Wilkie; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 143. 12. 1860 U.S. census, Sumter County, Georgia, population schedule, Americus Post Office, 27th District, p. 114 (penned), dwelling 804, family 810, J.E. and

Philatelic Genealogy 9 Figure 3. Circa 1864 envelope from Petersburg, Virgina to Buena Vista, Georgia, forwarded to Plains of Dura (now Plains), Georgia (Photo courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Sale 34, Lot 2548). 10 th G[eorgi]a Batt[alion]. A John Rylander of Sumter County served as a major with the 10 th Battalion Infantry Regiment of Georgia from March 1862 until June 1864, when he was killed in service at Cold Harbor, Virginia. 13 The envelope appears to have been sent by an officer to his wife. An Ann E. Rylander, with Emma, Carrie, and two younger children, is in Americus in the 1870 U.S. census. 14 Mrs. J.C. Curtright of LaGrange, Georgia received an envelope from Atlanta, Georgia in 1862 (see Figure 4). The envelope was sent by J.C. Curtright, Co[mpany] E, 41 st G[eorgi]a Reg[imen]t. A J.C. and M.E. Curtright, with children A.C. and S.A., are in LaGrange in the 1860 U.S. census. 15 A John Curtright, from Troup County, served A.E. Rylander; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 136. 13. American Civil War Soldiers, database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry. com : accessed 18 January 2011); entry for John Rylander, Sumter County, Georgia, enlistment date 15 June 1861; citing Confederate Pension and Record Department, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865. 14. 1870 U.S. census, Sumter County, Georgia, population schedule, Americus Post Office, 27th District, p. 65 (penned), dwelling 643, family 631, Ann E. Rylander; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 174. 15. 1860 U.S. census, Troup County, Georgia, population schedule, LaGrange

10 Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol.47, No. 1 as a captain with Company E, 41 st Infantry Regiment of Georgia, and was killed at Perryville, Kentucky on 8 October 1862, fifteen days after the envelope was postmarked. 16 An M.C. Curtright, with children A.C. and S.A., is in LaGrange in the 1870 U.S. census. 17 Figure 4. 1862 envelope from Atlanta, Georgia to LaGrange, Georgia (Photo courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Sale 34, Lot 2537). Mr. Ezra McCrary of Warrenton, Georgia received an envelope from Culpepper, Virginia circa 1862. An Ezra McCrary, with apparent sons John and Isaac, is in Warrenton in the 1860 U.S. census. 18 The envelope was sent by Private McCrary of Co[mpany] H, 22 [nd] District, p. 108 (penned), dwelling 1037, family 964, J.C. and M.E. Curtright; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 138. 16. American Civil War Soldiers, database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry. com : accessed 18 January 2011); entry for John Curtright, enlistment date 4 March 1862; citing Confederate Pension and Record Department, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865. 17. 1870 U.S. census, Troup County, Georgia, population schedule, La Grange District, p. 10 (penned), dwelling 100, family 100, M.C. Curtright; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 178. 18. 1860 U.S. census, Warren County, Georgia, population schedule, Warrenton Post Office, McCrarys District, p. 37 (penned), dwelling 276, family 94, Ezra McCrary; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 140.

Philatelic Genealogy 11 Reg[iment] G[eorgia]a Vol[unteer]s. A John and an Isaac McCrary, both from Troup County [where Warrenton is located], served as privates in Company H, 22 nd Infantry Regiment of Georgia. 19 The envelope, with an illustration of a mounted soldier and a military text, appears to have been sent by one of Ezra McCrary s sons to his father and appears on the cover of this issue of the Quarterly. Figure 5. 1861 envelope from Albany, Georgia to Americus, Georgia with illustration of a Confederate flag (Photo courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Sale 34, Lot 2623). Mr. A.G. Ronaldsen of Americus, Georgia received an envelope from Albany, Georgia in 1861 (see Figure 5). An A.G. Ronaldson is in Americus in the 1860 U.S. census. 20 The envelope has an illustration of a 7-star Confederate flag. Other envelopes sent during 1861-1865 to Georgia residents [all viewable on Philgen.org] went to Mrs. E.J. Baldy of Griffin [and is illustrated with a 10-star Confederate flag], Mary C. Baldy of Starkville 19. American Civil War Soldiers, database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2011); entries for John and Isaac McCrary, Warren County, Georgia, enlistment date 31 August 1861; citing Confederate Pension and Record Department, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865. 20. 1860 U.S. census, Sumter County, Georgia, population schedule, Americus Post Office, 16th and 27th Districts, p. 457 (penned), dwelling 712, family 718, A.G. Ronaldson; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 February 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 136.

12 Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol.47, No. 1 [with a 10-star flag], Margaret (Mrs. Thomas H.) Harden of Savannah [with a 7-star flag], Cornelia F. (Mrs. Robert) Hester of Elberton [with an 11-star flag], Henry L. Jewett of Macon [with a 11-star flag and a cannon], Mary Ann (Mrs. Dr. E. ) Parsons of Savannah [with a 7-star flag], and Mr. G.H. Winston of West Point [with an 11-star flag]. The purpose of this article is to help the researcher see one type of genealogical information available from postal history. Other envelopes relate to our ancestors political and social interests, work, recreation, and immigrant origins. 21 Many more envelope and postcard photos involving Georgia residents are available. Postal history vendors have given Philgen.org permission to use thousands of photos from their websites and archived philatelic auction catalogs, and most have not yet been placed on Philgen.org. More than 500 involve Georgia during 1861-1865, and these sources are a fraction of available postal history items. Other potential sources are being contacted. At present, genealogists cannot easily locate an envelope or postcard sent or received by their ancestors. Envelopes and postcards for sale and in postal history collections are classified by stamps, cancellations, and other postal markings. The purpose of Philgen.org is to present envelope and postcard photos with details on who wrote and received each item to make them accessible to genealogists. Anyone interested in helping to add Georgia envelopes and postcards to the website, including photos of items used in their genealogical research, is invited to contact the author. Photos and data posted for each item will be credited to the person and/or their genealogical association. 21. For examples of other types of information available from postal history, see James R. Miller, Philatelic Genealogy in Iowa: An Introduction, Hawkeye Heritage 44 (Spring 2010): cover, 7-14; digital images, Philgen.org (http://philgen.org, select Iowa from Main Menu: accessed 28 February 2011) and James R. Miller, Philatelic Genealogy in Ohio: An Introduction, Ohio Genealogy News 41 (Spring 2010): cover, 6-9; digital images, Philgen.org (http://philgen.org, select Ohio from Main Menu: accessed 28 Feb. 2011).