Five wives, nine lives, and an understated obituary.
He Was Useful in His Day
Category: In the Military
Thomas Bembry of the U.S. Colored Troops
The story of the only Bembry to wear Union blue.
Chunky Bob Shaw and the Old Lady
I've recently taken a deep dive into the Revolutionary War pension file of Robert Shaw, my 5th great-grandfather. Born about 1755, his parentage is unknown. He may have been a Scottish, Irish or British immigrant. He is first found in Guilford County, North Carolina, relocating to Sumner County, Tennessee about 1786 along the Red River. … Continue reading Chunky Bob Shaw and the Old Lady
Thomas N. Bembry Part II: The War Years
On 14 February 1862, Thomas N. Bembry and his younger brother, Henry L. Bembry, signed on as Privates with the 5th Confederate Florida Infantry, Company F ("Frink's Guards.") Two of Sarah's brothers, Elijah Moses and Aaron signed up for the same unit on the same day. Another brother, Henry F. Simpson, signed up just a few … Continue reading Thomas N. Bembry Part II: The War Years
Calvin Cole: Reluctant Rebel
For my entire life, I had always heard that my grandmother's people were with the Union in the Civil War. There was good reason to believe it, as Benton and Carroll counties were settled primarily by people from the hills of East Tennessee and western North Carolina. In fact, Union sympathy ran high in both … Continue reading Calvin Cole: Reluctant Rebel
Some Pulaski County Confederates
I received this information which sorts out the military records of the two William Bembrys from Pulaski County, GA from a distant cousin, Jason Bembry. I am sharing it here with his permission. Thanks, Jason! William Bembry, born December 9, 1834, was one of the sons of William Miles Bembry (August 23,1795-April 22, 1839) and grandson … Continue reading Some Pulaski County Confederates
