Justin and MaGee - Colonial Americans » Alonzo Lee Justin Jr., Private (1845-1923)

Personal data Alonzo Lee Justin Jr., Private 

• He was born on October 20, 1845 in Saint Clair Township, St. Clair County, Michigan.Sources 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
• Title: Private, Company H, 8th Michigan Cavalry Wounded, General Stoneman's Raid on Macon, Ga.
• Profession: on 1860 - 1923 Farmer and seasonal Lumberjack in Michigan.
• Resident:
• St Clair.Source 4
• on June 12, 1880: Medina, Lenawee, Michigan, Verenigde Staten.Sources 6, 11
• in the year 1906: Sanilac, Michigan.Source 8
• in the year 1894: Sanilac, Michigan.Source 8
• June 1890: Sanilac, Michigan, United States.Source 16
• on June 25, 1870: Saint Clair, Saint Clair, Michigan, United States.Source 6
• on July 20, 1850: Saint Clair, Saint Clair, Michigan, United States.Source 6
• in the year 1850: St Clair, St Clair, Michigan.Source 9
• in the year 1910: Groutt, Gladwin, Michigan.Source 17
• in the year 1864: St. Clair Township, St. Clair County, Michigan.Source 21
• in the year 1861: St Clair County, Michigan, Verenigde Staten.Source 21
• in the year 1880: Flynn, Sanilac, Michigan, United States.Source 24
• in the year 1900: Flynn Township, Sanilac, Michigan.Source 15
• in the year 1870: Speaker, Sanilac, Michigan.Source 22
• in the year 1860: St Clair, St Clair, Michigan.Source 14
• in the year 1920: Gladwin, Gladwin, Michigan.Source 20
• Census in the year 1890, Flynn Township, Sanilac County, Michigan.
• (Military Service ) on 15 Nov 1861 - 13-07-1863 in Civil War: PrivateBattery "H" 1st Michigan Light Artillery .Sources 10, 12, 19, 21
• He died on February 23, 1923 in Gladwin, Gladwin County, Michigan, he was 77 years old.Sources 3, 18, 19, 23
• He is buried February 1923 in Highland Cemetary, Gladwin, Gladwin County, Michigan.Sources 3, 23
• A child of Alonzo Lee Justin and Sarah Hollenbeck

Household of Alonzo Lee Justin Jr., Private

He is married to Faith Helena "Fanny" Gardner.

They got married on March 10, 1870 at Speaker, Sanilac County, Michigan, he was 24 years old.Sources 4, 7

Child(ren):

1. Harriet (Hattie) Genora Justin  1871-1949 
2. Minnie Belle Justin  1873-1944 
3. James Herbert "Herb" Justin  1875-1927 
4. Emma Ellen "Ella" Justin  1880-1928 
5. Nina Pearl Justin  1889-1960 
6. Frances (Fannie) Claire Justin  1891-1946 

Notes about Alonzo Lee Justin Jr., Private

1. 1850 Federal Census St. Clair Michigan lists age as 4, thus making year of birth 1846. This age corresponds to family oral history that Alonzo first enlisted at age 15. Alonzo was large for his age and was in the same Battery as his older brothers, William & Issac, and several cousin's. Alonzo's Discharged Certificate of 13 July 1863 notes reason for Discharge as "Minority". Alonzo enlisted a second time, in 1863 at age 17, in the 8th Michigan Cavalry. Due to the above, his reported date of birth ranges from 1844 to 1846.

2. Farmer and Lumberjack; lived in St. Clair, Burnside, Speaker, Flynn, and by 1910 Gladwin County Michigan.

3. 1880 Federal Census Flynn, Sanilac, Michigan:
Alonzo JUSTIN Self M Male W 36 CAN Farmer
Fanney JUSTIN Wife M Female W 27 CAN Keeping House
Hattie JUSTIN Dau S Female W 8 MI At School
Minnie Bell JUSTIN Dau S Female W 6 MI At School
James Hurb. JUSTIN Son S Male W 4 MI At Home

3. Alonzo Justin's maternal 2nd great grandparent (Atherton Chaffee & Rachel Fuller) were the founders of the Town of Westminster, Windham County, Vermont. In 1751, John Averill, wife and son; Asa, William Gould, wife and son, John, Amos Carpenter and wife, and Atherton Chaffee removed from Northfield, Mass., to Westminster, which was then known as " Township No. 1." They build a blockhouse and lived in it with twenty other families for four years during the French & Indian War.

4. Alonzo Justin's maternal 2nd great Grandmother, Rachel Fuller, ancester came to America on the Mayflower;
PASSENGERS OF THE MAY FLOWER IN 1620:
A List of the Names of the Passengers of that noted vessel, the “May Flower,” on her first voyage to this country, in 1620, and landed her passengers at Plymouth Rock, (now in Massachusetts,) on the 11th day of December, O.S., 1620
Fuller:Samuel Fuller; William Butten, his servant, died Nov. 6, 1620Edward Fuller, died the first winter; Mrs. Fuller, his wife, died the first winter; Samuel Fuller, (called the younger,) son of Edward.

4. Alonzo Justin's maternal 4rd great Grand-Aunt, Sarah Averill Wildes, was executed as a "Witch" during the infamous "Salem Witch Trials". Much has been written about the Salem Witch Trials, that infamous time in American history. The fear of the occult and the subsequent trials were commonplace during the 17th century. How else could the people explain weird weather, earthquakes (one of which occurred around 1690 in Essex Co., MA, and is recorded in the History of Amesbury, Massachusetts), lunar and solar eclipses, and strange illnesses. Mankind had not yet achieved a scientific basis for understanding natural phenomenom or disease.
Old Witch House, Salem, Mass.;
I read in a passage about my ancestor, Samuel Dunham, that he was ex-communicated a couple of times. One time was around 1690 for saying, "a pox upon your house and puck," to one of his neighbors. Fortunately, the curse wasn't taken seriously. Rev. Mathers attributed it to Old Sam's alcoholism, stating in his journal, "Sam Dunham is an old drunk."
Another of my ancestors, Joseph Ballard of North Andover, however, blamed witchcraft for his wife's death from female problems. His accusation sparked the Andover branch of the 1692 witch hunt. Ballard brought the "afflicted girls" to the village for examination in July of that year. One of those accused, Nehemiah Abbott, was a cousin to the Abbotts that his granddaughter would marry a few years later.
The panic that followed the accusations in northeastern Massachusetts forever changed America's perception of the judicial system and religion's role in government. It also marked the end of Puritanism as a major religious force.
Of the many men and women accused, the Bishops were one that moved on, creating a new life for themselves in a different part of colonial Massachusetts. Ironically, generations later, descendants of Joseph Ballard and the Bishops would become related through marriage.
Some years ago, the Carpenter Museum of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, published a biography of Edward and Sarah Bishop in its newsletter. We use that as reference, together with web sites about the Salem Witch Trials to provide you with an account of the Bishop family's life after the witch trials.
Edward Bishop operated an inn in Salem Village, now known as Danvers. He had problems with the law in 1685, twice being charged with running an unlicensed establishment, profaning the sabbath, selling liquor illegally, and abusing swine. They were not well liked by the Puritan community. The anomosity between the two factions peaked on April 21, 1692, when a group of citizens filed complaints of witchcraft against nine of their neighbors, including Edward Bishop, his wife Sarah Bishop, and Sarah's step-mother, "SARAH AVERILL WILDES". They were arrested and imprisoned.
On July 1, 1692, Edward and Sarah Bishop testified against Mary Warren, also imprisoned. Why they did so is a mystery. However, if they had hoped they would be granted a lesser sentence or be freed, their plan didn't succeed.
Both Sarahs went on trial July 2. Their accuser was the Bishop family minister, Rev. John Hale of Beverly. Mrs. "SARAH AVERILL WILDES" was accused of bewitching her two step-sons in 1676, resulting in their deaths. She was convicted and hanged on July 19th. Sarah Bishop remained in jail.
In August 1692, Edward and Sarah escaped to New York. Sarah's sister Phoebe Wildes Day, was accused and arrested in September. The Bishops remained in New York until the spring of 1693, at which time they moved to Rehoboth, Massachusetts, near Providence, Rhode Island. The center of Rehoboth at that time is now Rumford, Rhode Island. Fifty years earlier, a schism within the Puritan church at Hingham drove many to Rehoboth. Perhaps the Bishops felt the residents of that place would be more tolerant of them, in spite of the family's lack of commitment to the Puritan church and of their notorious involvement in the witchcraft trials. In any case, the Bishop family prospered.
By 1706, Edward Bishop had received a license to serve strong drinks and established an inn in what is now East Providence. He purchased a good deal of land and served as a juror in 1705. The innkeeper was not without his legal problems, though. In 1707, he lost his license to serve liquor. Evidently, Bishop corrected the problem as it was reissued in 1708.
Bristol County Probate Court References:
On May 11, 1711, Edward Bishop made a will, which was probated May 28 of that year. It was witnessed by Deacon Samuel Newman, Moses Read, and Daniel Carpenter. The committee members were Abiah Carpenter, John Robinson, and Daniel Carpenter.
David Bishop died sometime before or near the time of his mother Sarah Bishop's passing. Bristol County, Massachusetts Probate Court records (Vol. 5, p 199) indicate that on December 21, 1725, Samuel Bishop of Attleboro was appointed guardian of the children of David Bishop, late of Ashford, Hartford County, Connecticut. Samuel Bishop died sometime between the writing of his will on June 6, 1726 and its probate filing on August 16, 1726. The witnesses were Isaac Bucklin, Ebenezer Robinson and Noah Carpenter. Samuel Bishop directed his son and Executor, Samuel Bishop, to "...bind out my three sons namely: Benjamin, Edward & Gideon to good trades."
Samuel Bishop of Attleboro, Massachusetts, who wrote a will, dated October 19, 1739 and probated June 17, 1740. An Elizabeth Bishop was named his wife. Samuel Bishop, his son under age 21, and daughter Mehitbel Bishop were named, along with "...the Child unborn My Wife Now Goes With..." Witnesses were Timothy Tingley, Benjamin Day, and Noah Carpenter. Wife Elizabeth was named Executor by her husband. (Vol. 9, pp 434-436).
NOTE: THE CARPENTERS ARE ALSO RELATED TO THE AVERILL/ABBEE/CHAFFEE/JUSTIN FAMILY.
The source for the probate records is from Abstracts of Bristol County, Massachusetts Probate Records, 1687-1745

5. CIVIL WAR SERVICE:
a) ENLISTED AGE 15, ST. CLAIR COUNTY MICHIGAN DEC 24, 1861
Served in Battery "H" (DeGoylers Black Horse Battery), also called the 8th Michigan Battery, 1st Michigan Light Artillery. Brothers William, Issac and George, Cousins Amasa Chaffee, Phillip Chaffee & Theron Chaffee, George Bowman, Joseph, and Peter Wolvin in same Unit. SERVICE.--Operations against Island No. 10, Mississippi River, March 15-April 8, 1862. Expedition down the Mississippi River to Fort Pillow, Tenn., May 19-23. Duty in District of Columbus, Ky., Injured and sick he was hospitalized in Columbus, Ky., sent to St. Mary's Hospita, Detriot, Michigan on l June 1862, Discharged 13 July 1863.

b) Enlisted in Company "H", 8th Michigan Calvary in 1863, at age 17, with Cousins John, Robert and Milton Bowman, James and William Wolvin. SERVICE; 8th Regiment Michigan Cavalry 1862-1865
The rendezvous of the Eighth Cavalry was at Mt.Clemens, and was recruited under the direction of Colonel John Stockton, who was authorized by the Secretary of War, with the sanction of the Governor, to raise the Regiment. Its recruitment commenced in August, 1862, and was mustered into the service of the United States on May 2, 1863, having on its rolls, 1117 officers and men, leaving the State by detachments in that month, with orders to report to the field in Kentucky, the first detachment, composed of eight squadrons, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Wormer, leaving on the 12th. day of May.
Leaving Covington, June 1st., the Regiment, under the command of Colonel Stockton, who had joined it May 26th., with the second detachment, it went immediately into active service, moving to Hickman Bridge, then to Mount Sterling, then participated in a skirmish at Triplet's Bridge, on June 19th., where they killed and made prisoners, 20 confederates, while capturing 90 horses. At Kentucky River, they captured, killed or wounded 38 men, along with 40 horses. Then at Salt River, took 4 prisoners, along with 4 horses. The Regiment, then under the command of Lt. Colonel Wormer, started on a chase of the confederate General Morgan, overtaking him at Lebanon on the 5th. of July, driving him from the town, the Regiment captured 21 men and 5 horses. The pursuit was continued through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, the Regiment, being engaged for 16 days in the chase, overtaking Morgan at Buffington Island Ford, on July the 19th., when it immediately attacked his forces, capturing 573 men, killing and wounding a large number, with a loss to the Regiment of only 3 wounded. Twice, the Regiment marched 48 hours without halting to feed or rest, but once From Buffington Island, the Regiment returned to Kentucky, when during the month of August, 1863, they engaged in the advance into Eastern Tennessee, having in the meantime, participated in the pursuit of Scott's Cavalry, skirmishing with them from Lexington to Stanford, having captured, killed and wounded 213 men, also taking over 100 horses.
The Regiment, then in the 1st. Brigade, 2nd. Cavalry Corp, still under the command of Colonel Wormer, had entered into the Eastern Tennessee Campaign, having met the confederates at Kingston, on September 1st., then at Cleveland on the 18th. At Calhoun, on the 26th. of September, the brigade to which the Eighth belonged, was attacked by a force estimated at 15,000, under General's Forrest and Wheeler. After a sharp engagement, with some loss, the command retreated to Athens, where they endeavored to check the confederate advance, in which they were partially successful, but was compelled to finally fall back to Loudon. From June 1st., when the Regiment left Covington, to October 8th., they had marched over 3000 miles, during that same time captured 574 prisoners, 652 horses and large amounts of stores and equipments.
On the 1st. of November, now commanded by Major Edgerly, encamped at Lenoir, then participating in covering the retreat of the Union forces, then falling back from Lenoir Station, to Knoxville, where the Eighth aided in checking the advance of General Longstreet. They were engaged at Loweton, November 15th., Campbell's Station, on the 16th., then before Knoxville on the 19th. They participated in the Siege of Knoxville, until December the 5th., being then in the 1st. Division, joined in the pursuit of the rebel army, and was engaged at Rutledge on the 10th., continuing skirmishing daily with the rear guard until arriving at Bean's Station, where, on the 14th., they became warmly engaged, then again at New Market on the 25th.
January 14th., the Regiment marched to Dandridge, where it skirmished with the confederates, driving them 2 miles beyond the town. On the 16th., they were attacked, and obliged to fall back to Dandridge. On the 17th., they were warmly engaged during the day, but at night fell back to Strawberry Plains, thence to Knoxville. Crossing the Holston River on the 19th.,they moved to Flat Creek Gap, where they skirmished on the 25th., being obliged to fall back to Sevierville.
They again advanced to Fair Garden on the 26th., then moved to the Holston River, finding the confederates strongly posted behind breastworks, they charged the works, but being out flanked, were forced to withdraw.
On the 3rd. of February, the Regiment moved to Knoxville, turning over all of their horses to the proper department, they started, on the 6th., on foot, to Mount Sterling, arriving there on the 24th., after a tedious march over the Cumberland Mountains, of over 200 miles. They remained in camp at Mount Sterling and Nicholasville until the 3rd. of June. On this date, having been remounted and equipped, that started, under the command of Lt. Colonel Mix, on its march to Big Shanty,GA, where they arrived on the 28th., there joining the command of General Sherman. On its route from Cleveland,TN to Big Shanty,GA they scoured the country bordering the railroad, capturing 136 prisoners. They then participated in the movements of the cavalry, under General Stoneman, covering the right flank of the army during the advance on Atlanta.
During General Stoneman's Raid on Macon, in July, the Eighth Michigan, engaged the rebels on the Chattahoochie River, then after fighting Anderson's Brigade of cavalry, drove them across the river, receiving the cheers of General Stoneman for their gallantry. On the 29th., a detachment of the Regiment, captured and destroyed, three trains of cars on the Macon and Milledgville Railroad, loaded with supplies. The command, finding themselves outnumbered before Macon, retired. The 8th., having the advance, was almost constantly fighting with confederates, then at Clifton, on the 31st., an engagement took place. The Regiment made several charges, but was finally, by superior numbers, forced to give way. The General in command, finding himself completely surrounded, with further resistance useless, finally surrendered. When Stoneman became entirely surrounded, with surrender evident, the 8th., then under the command of Colonel Mix, unwilling to lay down their arms, bearing in mind the honor of their State, as well as their own, obtained permission from the commanding general to cut their way out, then dashing forward, commenced the desperate undertaking, surrounded entirely, fighting with sabres, hand to hand. Colonel Mix captured, owing to the loss of his horse, Major Buck assumed command, then succeeded, by, stubborn and persistent fighting, in breaking through the encirclement, he tried to reach the Union lines near Atlanta. Private Justin’s horse was shot out from under him during this battle. In the fall, Private Justin’s hip and leg were broken. A splint was improvised using his Sharps Carbine and Private Justin was tied into the saddle of another dead Troopers horse by his Cousins and told to "Ride or Die".
Being nearly worn out from fighting, having been in the saddle for seven days and eight nights, pursued and harassed, they were overtaken, then after a large engagement, many were taken prisoner, including Private Justin’s Cousin, Private John Bowman, yet a portion of the Regiment reached the safety of the Union lines, after a loss of 215 officers and men. (Private John Bowman was imprisoned in the infamous Confederate prison at Andersonville Georgia until the end of the war. Private John Bowman was killed in the explosion of the paddle wheel steamer "Sultana" while being transported home at the end of the war.)
The portion of the Regiment that escaped, were stationed at Marietta and Turner's Ferry, there being employed in picket duty until the 14th. of September, when they received orders to report to Nicholasville, where they proceeded by rail, arriving on the 21st., then on the 19th. of October, marched to Nashville, arriving there on the 26th. During the year, the Regiment had marched 2800 miles, and had lost 13 killed, with 225 missing.
During his term of Federal service, he was engaged at:
Triplet Bridge,KY/ Lebanon,KY/ Lawrenceburg,KY/ Salvisa,KY/ Buffington's Is.,OH/ Winchester,KY/ Salineville,OH/ Lancaster,KY/ Kingston,TN/ Cleveland,TN/ Calhoun,TN/ Athens,TN/ Loudon,TN / Philadelphia,TN/ Sweet Water,TN/ Lenoir Station,TN/ Campbell's St.,TN/ Knoxville,TN/ Rutledge,TN/ Ream's Station,TN/ New Market,TN/ Mossy Creek,TN/ Dandridge,TN/ Fair Gardens,TN/ Sevierville,TN/ Kenesaw Mountain,GA/ Sweet Water,GA/ Chattahoochie,GA and Moore's Ridge,GA. Total Regimental Enrollment--3025. (including 512 men from the 11th. Michigan incorporated into the 8th after the Stoneman Raid)..... Killed in Action--24..... Died of Wounds--7..... Died of Disease--290
Total Casualty Rate--10.6%
Wounded when horse was shot from under him and fell on him, Alonzo Justin was hopitalized in Marietta Georgia, 25 July 1864. Transferred to St. Mary's Hospital in Detriot, Jan 1865. Honorable Disability Discharg 22 Sept 1865.

6) Historical/Genealogical Societies of Gladwin County:
Obituary/Death Notice: Alonzo Justin died Feb. 23, 1923, at his home west of the river, in the city of Gladwin, having been in poor health several years. Alonzo Justin was born at St. Clair, Mich., Oct. 20, 1844 and was aged 78 years, four months and three days. When 17 years old he enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry where he was thrown from his horse and seriously injured. Although his health was never good he followed the occupation of farming until 10 years ago when he left the farm and moved to town. He was married March 13, 1870, to Miss Fannie Gardner of Speaker, Sanilac county, Michigan.
To this union were born six children, Mrs. Hattie Hillaker of Argyle, Sanilac county, Michigan, Mrs. Minnie Hillaker of Smith Creek, Gladwin county, Herbert Justin of Gladwin, Mrs. Ella Collins of Flint, Mrs. Nina Wolf of Highland Park, Detroit, and Mrs. Fannie Turner of Gladwin, who survive him with his wife; 15 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was a kind and loving husband and father and an honored and respected citizen. Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. E. T. Smith.
Today a grief our hearts would rend, Today shall sleep beneath the sward, The husband, father and the friend. Nor call for aid was made in vain, His generous heart with pity filled, He shared our joys our grief and pain, The fears of youth with love he stilled, His blood has damped his country's soil, He bore his struggles in the fight, And through a life of honest toil, He gave his best, his loyal might.
Service
Feb 23, 1923

Military Service:
Private, Battery "H", DeGolyers Black Horse Artillery, 1st Michigan Light Artillery; 1861-1862
Private, Company "H", 8th Michigan Calvary; 1863-1865

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Timeline Alonzo Lee Justin Jr., Private

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