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From: Susan Murray <>
Subject: [GM] Civil War Orphans
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 09:38:32 -0700


Hello All,

I'm working on my family history and have discovered that both of my
gr-gr grandfathers died between 1860 and 1870 in Arkansas which had
been for the most part occupied by Union forces beginning 1862. My
great grandfathers were both orphans. One in particular has proved
vexing because I'm not certain which of the males listed in the 1860
census is actually his father:

Brushy Lake Twp, Poinsett County Ark., 1860
Henry J Trexler 50 years old in 1860, from North Carolina (Rowan Co?),
occupation, blacksmith,
My ancestor born 1862.
Wife Eliza 50 years old from Georgia
William, 25,(son?) No birth place listed. (Born 1835)
Frances, 18, Daughter?, Alabama
Henry, 16, Son (no birth place - assume Arkansas)
Willie, 14, Son (Arkansas?)
Clementine, Son 13 (Arkansas?)
John, 12, Son (Arkansas?)
Mary, 11, Daughter (Arkansas?)
Abna (Abner?) 9, Son (Arkansas?)

I don't believe it was Henry and Eliza because of their ages.
William may have been Henry's son and he may have been married to
Frances from Alabama. William L Trexler of the above household
joined Dobbins 1st Arkansas Calvary sometime in 1862 and was
captured in March of 1863 and sent to Alton IL Military Prison. My
great grandfather was William Henry Trexler born in 1862. William L
Trexler was paroled in March of 1865 in Memphis, TN which is about
40 miles east of his home. Another child, Sallie Trexler was born
about 1867.

In the 1870 census, the family has disappeared from Brushy Lake,
Cross County Arkansas (his township in 1870 was moved to Cross
County because of rezoning) and I cannot find any trace of them. I
did find my great grandfather, William Henry, and his sister,
Sallie, ages 8 and 3 living with an unrelated family in Cross County
as orphans.

I cannot find any birth records of either of them in Cross County or
in Poinsett County Arkansas.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Susan Murray

Susan Murray <>

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