Jubal Early Chapter #553

NewsletterRocky Mount, Virginia

Volume 6 - Number 5 www.jubalearlyudc.org May 2004

Chapter News

On Saturday, May 8, 2004, 13 members and one guest were presentat the May meeting of the Jubal Early Chapter at The Franklin Restaurantin Rocky Mount. The slate of officers was approved and voted on.

Hazel announced the reinstatement of Rhonda (Knighton) Casey,bringing our total membership to 28 with three prospective newmembers.

Linda All shared photos of the Hunley Burial with members and spokeabout the highlights of the event. She also collected shoe boxes for theveterans and a total of 30 will be distributed at the Salem VA NursingHome.

Hazel reminded members who volunteered to make Ditty Bags tobring them to the June meeting. They will be filled for convention at alater date with items collected by other Third District chapters.

The June meeting will be held at Hazel’s house and membersare reminded to bring a covered dish. Hazel will provide thebeverages. Special guest will be Virginia Division President, Mrs. DoloresC. Smith. Installation of officers will take place at this meeting. Anyoneneeding directions should contact Hazel.

The Memorial Day ceremony for Franklin County Military Veterans willtake place on the Courthouse lawn on Saturday, May 29th at 10:00 a.m.Members should plan to wear period attire. Three marker dedicationswill take place following the Veteran’s Memorial Day ceremony. Capt.G.W.B. Hale and Pvt. H.C. Chitwood will be held at High Street Cemetery,beginning at 11:30 a.m. followed by Capt. Benjamin Garrett, who’sgrave is located on Rt. 122 just across from the Booker T. Washingtonhome place. Members who wish to change into mourning attire can doso in the rooms provided for us in the court house.

Upcoming Events

May 29, 2004 - Memorial Day Ceremony - Fr. Co. Court House and three marker dedications

May 30, 2004 - East Hill Cemetery, Salem -2:00 p.m. Memorial Service

June 20, 2004 - Gen. Early Monument Dedication - Lynchburg

June MeetingSat., June 12, 2003 - 12:00 noon

Hazel’s HouseSee you there!

Other News

It was decided that the Chapter will hold another yard sale August 7thfrom 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Airlee Court Baptist Church. Membersshould begin to gather articles for sale and plan to participate for at leasta couple of hours at the sale. More details will be announced at the Junemeeting.

Five Jubal Early members attended the Third District Conference in Halifaxon Saturday, May 15th. It was announced that the Jubal Early Chapter hadthe second higest number of new members in the district. Ditty sold severalmore chances on her bonnet and several purses and insignia cases weresold as well.

Seven members served as hostesses for the Franklin County HistoricalSociety meeting with the Fincastle Rifles at the Jubal Early House on Sun-day, May 16th. Pictured above are Andrea McLeod, Ditty, Sissy, Ann, MaryLou, Martha, Linda N. and Hazel. Frances Murrary was also present.

Shoeboxes for Vets fill the trunk of Linda All’s SUV.

Hazel, Ditty, Ronda Atkins, Maxene and Linda N. atthe sale table in Halifax.

Confederate Ancestor of the Month

Each month the Jubal Early Chapter of the UDC features a Confederate Ancestor. The “Ancestor of the Month” for May is Benjamin GreenwoodGarrett. The Jubal Early Chapter is proud to present his story.

Benjamin Greenwood Garrett

Benjamin G. Garrett was born in Campbell County on 16 January 1829,the son of Absolom and Sarah “Sallie” C. (?) Garrett. His family werefarmers and were living in Bedford County in 1850. Census records listhis other siblings as: John J. born 16 January 1831; Edward Jasper, born9 December 1832; David Warren, born 16 January 1838; Robert Marion,born 24 May 1840; Caroline, born circa 1842; Sarah S., born circa 1845;Mary G., born circa 1847; and William S., born circa 1850; and Douglasborn May 1852 and died on 9 Oct. 1853.

Benjamin married on 7 April 1858 to Charlotte Ferguson. She wasborn in 1837 to Joseph Josiah and Sarah (Booth) Ferguson. Their mar-riage bond indicates that Benjamin was a widower, but no marriage recordcan be found to substantiate this. The couple was living in the home ofSarah’s parents in the 1860 Franklin County Census. Ben was a mer-chant, owning a merchantile store on what is now Rt. 122, across fromthe Booker T. Washington homeplace.

On 20 May 1861, Ben enlisted as Orderly Sgt. in Company D, 2ndVirginia Cavalry, known as “The Franklin Rangers”, under the commandof Captain G.W. B. Hale. The last record of his service was 31 August1864 when he was reported to have been on horse detail. He was re-ferred to as ‘Captain’ by family members, but no record of a promotionwas found.

It is interesting to note that on 18 May 1861, two of his brothers enlisted in the CSA; Robert Marion enlisted in Co. C, 42ndInfantry, but transfered to Co. F, 2nd Va. Cavalry on 16 August 1862. He died 20 July 1824 in Roanoke and was a Farmer,Merchant and Constable in Bedford before moving to Roanoke.

David Warren Garrett enlisted as a Private in Co. C, 42nd Va. Infantry and was promoted to Captain on 5 May 1864. Davidwas wounded in the foot at Gettysburg, captured at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House and held prisoner until he took theOath of Allegiance 16 June 1865 when he was released. He died 6 February 1919. Another brother, John J. enlisted 21 April1861 in the 13th Va. Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of 2nd Manassas and died of disease 27 August 1863. A fifthbrother, Edward, enlisted 25 July 1861 in Co. A, 58th Va. Infantry as a 1st Sergeant. He was discharged for disability on 11July 1862 and died 11 March 1868 in Bedford.

The 1870 Franklin County Census show Benjamin as being head of household with children: Leonidas, age 14; Oswald,age 10; Luke, age 3; and John, age 1. In 1872 Benjamin became a member of the Rocky Mount Masonic Lodge. In 1880Leonidas was no longer living at home but there was one more child, Amasa B., age 7. Amasa would marry Annie LeitchDuncan on 11 September 1895 and was a commissioner of revenue in Franklin County as well as Mayor. Ben’s parents werealso living in the home. Ben’s occupation is listed as a merchant and by 1879 had 404 acres of land. He was credited ashaving started the Duncan School in Franklin County.

Benjamin died 6 July 1887 and Charlotte died 29 November 1893. They are buried on the homeplace on Rt. 122 in FranklinCounty and his grave is marked with a CSA tombstone.

TTTTThe Victorian She Victorian She Victorian She Victorian She Victorian Society Nociety Nociety Nociety Nociety NewsewsewsewsewsBy Linda AllBy Linda AllBy Linda AllBy Linda AllBy Linda All

In future editions of this newsletter, we will periodi-cally discuss interesting tidbits from society in theVictorian Era, primarily the 1860s. We will addressfashions, manners, morals, traditions and customs ofthe period.

If you have been following this column in recent editions,then you know we have dressed our Victorian lady in theappropriate attire. From her chemise to her gauged skirt, from hercorset cover to her guimpe, she is certainly the picture of fashion.However, she is not yet the picture of beauty. There is one moremajor detail of her appearance that the Victorian lady must attendto before she shows herself in public, even to her family. Canyou guess what it is?

It has long been referred to as a woman’s “crowning glory.”Nevermore was this more apparent, or more strongly adhered to,than in the Victorian era. This was certainly one of the Victorianwoman’s most prized possessions, and one to which she gave agreat deal of her attention, time and imagination. Yes, it was herhair.

In a future issue of this column we will discuss hair care bythe Victorian lady. In this edition, we will concentrate on anoverview of the styles of the period, particularly the 1860s.

Many Victorian women never cut their hair in their entirelifetimes. That is not as farfetched as one may initially think.Victorian women, just like women in any era, enjoyed beauty andyearned to be as beautiful as they could. Their thick, shiny andsilky hair was a treasure to these women, something they wouldnot have abandoned with casual disregard. This regard for longhair was not confined to the Victorian woman. Many women inthe 20th century lived their lives without cutting their hair. Mygreat grandmother, who was born near the end of the Victorianera, and her daughter both died in their 70s, and neither of themhad ever cut their hair.

Simply put, the Victorian lady wore her hair long and up.Styles would change from decade to decade, a lot of times beingdictated by fashion trends, but the adult Victorian woman kepther hair up in some manner. An adult woman in the Victorian erawould not appear outside of her dressing room wearing her hairdown for fear of being considered “unsophisticated” and“childish”, as it was only young girls who wore their hair downand loose.

Until the 1870s, the Victorian hair was styled basically oneway, with subtle variations. The hair was parted on top down themiddle, then pulled back and gathered at the neck. There wereno bangs, no curls, and no loose hair. Until the 1860s, the hairwas pulled back over the ears, totally covering both ears, but ina “puff” over the ears to add some shape to the woman’s face.Beginning in 1860, the hair was combed straight and flat over theears, revealing only the lower part of the ears. In the mid 1860s,the hair was combed back behind the ears, fully revealing bothears. How bold!

Prior to the 1860s, the hair was gathered into a bun at thebase of the neck. However, the 1860s saw a new style that soonbecame very popular, and that was the chignon. The hair was

still confined at the back of the neck, but in the 1860s it wasbraided or twisted before being pinned into place. Decorativecombs, flowers and ribbons were often added to the chignon to“dress up” the look.

Hairnets were not worn as prominently as once thought.Hairnets were worn mostly by young girls, teenagers and womenin their 20s. If worn by an older woman, it was restricted to theback of the head, behind the ears, to cover the gathering of hairat the neck. Hairnets were worn more as decorative additions toa lady’s appearance than for any useful reason.

The Victorian lady took great pride in her appearance andspent much time ensuring she always looked her best. Herbeautiful hair was no accident. Indeed, she used a whole host ofconcoctions to keep her hair looking shiny and healthy. We’lltalk about some of those items in the next edition of The VictorianSociety News.

The Elusive Ancestor- Unknown

I went searching for an ancestor.I cannot find him still.He moved around from place to placeAnd did not leave a will.He married where a courthouse burned.He mended all his fences.He avoided any man who cameTo take the US Census.He always kept his luggage packed,This man who had no fame,And every 20 years or so,This rascal changed his name.His parents came from Europe,They shoud be upon some listOf passengers to USA,But somehow they got missed.And no one else in this worldIs searching for this manSo I play geneasolitaireTo find him if I can.I’m told he’s buried in a plot,With tombstone he was blessed,But the weather took engraving,And some vandals took the rest.He died before the county clerksDecided to keep records.No family Bible has emergedIn spite of all my efforts.To top it off this ancestor,Who’s caused me many groans,Just to give me one more painBetrothed a girl named Jones.

- From North South Trader’s Civil War magazine.