Military Service: Percy W. Ott, World War I

A three page report on the service of Percy can be found on Fold3. It is a detailed report of his service overseas during World War I. Best of all, the report was written and signed by Percy. 

 

 

 Captain Percy Wright Ott

24 September 1889 Mt. Hermon, LA – 19 April 1977 Baton Rouge, LA

Son of Elbert Weston Ott & Martha E. Leggett

 

My 2^nd cousin, 3 x removed 

 

Percy W. Ott served a Captain during World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces as chief engineer. He enlisted 15 August 1917. On 1 September 1918 he sailed for duty as an Adjutant, 1^st Battalion, 603^rd Engineers. On 13 September the transport ship Ortega cast anchor in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. Percy, “was willing to admit, with everyone else onboard, that this part of Scotland was the most beautiful bit of land he had ever seen.” The regiment disembarked the next day in Glasgow and took a train to Camp Winnall Downs at Winchester, England.

 

Percy’s account of this time includes details of the regiment’s movements from the training in England to France. He served as regimental adjutant. He assigned men to their “billets.” He wrote that: “The regiment never went into action as a whole, but every man got his chance to do his bit.” They maintained the bridges in the vicinity of Verdun. “On the afternoon of Nov. 6 Captain Ott was at Brieulles, where the detachment 603^rd Engineers had just joined the 7^th Engineers, and got his first taste of real warfare and learned the gentle art of dodging bullets.”

 

“After the armistice the regiment continued to work in scattered detachments, and Captain Ott made immemorable trips up and down the Mause and over the old battle areas.”

 

This document was dated 16 December 1918.

 

Source: WWI American Expenditionary Forces, Officer Experience Reports; digital image; Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed March 2022) Percy W Ott.

 Related Posts:

• Military Service: Jeremiah Smith, War of 1812
• Soldiers in Our Family (on my website)

 

 

 

Forget Me Not: S. Rayleen (Brown) Hall, 2006 MS

It wasn’t until the early 1990s that I learned my paternal grandfather, Roy Jessie Brown, had been married before he married my grandmother, Ivy R. (Mark) Brown. My father, Delbert K. Brown, told me he had a half-sister in Mississippi. He visited Rayleen in 1993. After his visit Rayleen & I began a correspondence. In May 1994 Rayleen and her daughter, Bonnie, came to stay at our house in NY. It was wonderful to meet them; to introduce them to the rest of the local Brown family; and to begin a relationship with them. In the summer of 1997 my husband and I and our children visited Rayleen and family in Mississippi. They showed us the famous southern hospitality and introduced us to many family members there. Rayleen and I continued to correspond. We exchanged Christmas cards, birthday cards and letters for many years. We discovered that we both liked to quilt. She was a gracious, funny and loving lady.  

Sylvia Rayleen (Brown) Hall

5 Mar 1924 MS - 15 June 2006 MS

Daughter of Roy Jessie Brown & Mary Thelma Ellzey

Wife of Jessie Miles Hall

 

Sylvia Rayleen Brown Hall, 82, of the Silver Creek community, died June 15, 2006, at Beecham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia. Visitation is 5 to 9 tonight at Silver Creek Baptist Church. Services will be at 10 a. m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Jimmy Smith officiating. Burial will be in Silver Creek Cemetery. Capps Funeral Home in Tylertown is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Hall was born March 5, 1924, in Slidell, La. She was the daughter of Roy Brown and Mary Ellzey Goings. She was retired and was the first woman to serve on the Pike County Board of Supervisors, elected in 1983. She also owned and operated a country store and was a homemaker. For most of her life, she was an active member of Silver Creek Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, church hostess and church clerk for many years. Mrs. Hall was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jesse Miles Hall, a former Pike County supervisor; and a brother. Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Jackie and Paul Boatner of Clinton; five children, Sylvia Alford of Abilene, Texas, Billy Hall, Cecil Hall and his wife Barbara, the Rev. Wayne Hall and his wife Jeanette, all of Magnolia and Bonnie Hall of McComb; several grandchildren, Duane and Wade Alford, Deanna Laciura, Diane Welch, Angela McNabb, James Hall and Dr. Stephanie Hall; 12 great – grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are George Garner, James Hall, Brandon Meyers, Wayne Meyers, Jesse Stitman and Austin Tolar. Honorary pallbearers are deacons of Silver Creek Baptist Church.

 

Source: Rayleen Brown Hall. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 16 June 2006) A003; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed October 2020.

Sylvia Rayleen (Brown) Hall, as a child

Related Posts:

1. Roy Jessie Brown, WWII Draft Registration Card
2. An old Family Tree Sketch

 

A Time to Write: 2. The Most Elusive People

I am working on writing, Our Brown Roots, the history of my paternal grandfather’s family & its many leaves & branches. I am trying to focus my time & efforts on finishing up that huge project but will give some time to posting about the procedure here.

My Closest Family May be the Most Elusive

 

Does anyone else find this to be true?

 

For several years I have compiled data on ancestors. Among others, I have found:

 

Andries Van Valkenberg, c 1540 Netherlands – 1609

My 11^th great grandfather

 

Thomas Lawrence, 1539 - 28 Oct 1593 England

My 11^th great grandfather

 

John Ashley, 1625 England - c 1687 VA

My 9^th great grandfather

 

I have traced & documented these ancestors, their families and their connection to my paternal grandfather and me. 

 

However, I am still missing information about my closest family members. I am still learning about my paternal grandfather, Roy Jessie Brown and his seven children. It can be easier to learn about an ancestor in a library or in a census report than to ask a cousin about their parent. Memories are not always clear or siblings can differ in their memories. Recent records are harder to access. 1950 is the most recent Federal Census we can study. I have not accessed recent records often & am unfamiliar with them. Researchers, do you have any favorite places to search?

In genealogy you are told to begin your research with what you know, the people who are closest to you. I thought I did but I only knew basic facts. Now I need to know what kind of people they were. What did they do between those birth and death dates? Where did they live and what did they do? Were they kind, curious, adventurous, timid, shy? Do I have their traits?

And, what about my own parents, can I write about them subjectively? Will my brothers have the same memories & thoughts? And, how objective should I be when writing about people who are close to my heart; maybe the emotions are important to keep them come across as living people. These are the thoughts I am dealing with as I finish the final section of my book.

Therefore, I am working hard on writing about my paternal grandparents & their children but it is not easy. They are my last generation to write about. Then it will be down to formatting. 

 

Related Posts:

• A Time to Write
• YOU are the Best Author
• Time to Write; Editing, Editing & More Editing!

 

Forget Me Not: Preston S. Brown, 1918 CA

 Preston Seward Brown

4 Sept 1847 MI – 29 Aug 1918 CA

Son of Aaron & Elizabeth Brown

 

Butte Pioneer Dies. Chico (Butte Co.), August 30 – Preston S. Brown died following a paralytic stroke last night. The deceased was 71 years old. He was born in Cass County, Michigan, and moved to California with his family in 1904. He is survived by a widow and two daughters, Mrs. Lisle Mecum of Chico and Mrs. B. A. Sifford of Oakland.

 

Source: Butte Pioneer Dies. (Sacramento, CA: The Sacramento Bee, 30 Aug 1918) 9; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed March 2022.

Related Posts:

• Colonel Aaron Brown
• Moses Brown

 

A Time to Write

 As a genealogist I am a gatherer of information. I gather birthdates and anniversaries; military service details; addresses and cemeteries. I have scraps of paper, spiral notebooks, folders and books. I have photographs, Bibles and year books. My laptop is filled with files.

 

Genealogy is more than just gathering. I believe it is also about sharing. I share the bits of data I collect in my blog posts and on my website. However, to know the full story, the people and the times they lived in, I believe a book is required. A book gives me the room and the flexibility to paint a picture of our family over the centuries. 

 

I have written “The Mark Family Story: The Story of the Mark and Other Related Families: Brown, Dick, Gruissy, Heffelfinger, Keck Ritter & Wolf” which is the story of my paternal grandmother’s family. (2011) I have written “Remembrances: The Story of Brady, Coyle, Gardner, Mullane & Other Related Families” which is about my mother’s family roots. (2016) Both were printed through Troy Book Makers in Troy, NY. 

 

Now I am writing 

 

OUR BROWN ROOTS

THE STORY OF OUR BROWN FAMILY TREE

& ITS BRANCHES:

 

ALFORD,

ASHLEY,

BRUMFIELD,

DILLON,

FORTENBERRY,

HOLLIS,

KELLY,

KENNINGTON,

LAWRENCE,

OTT

 SMITH,

& SPURLOCK

 

This has been a work in progress for several years and it is approaching completion. My daughter, Alyssa, is editing my format, tables & charts & maps. My first cousin, Nancy, is editing each page, each word and punctuation mark. It is amazing that they can find time to help with this enormous venture. 

 

As the end appears in sight, I am reluctant to take time away from its completion, but I will attempt to document that final process here. Please be sure to leave comments. I welcome suggestions and encouragement to help me reach my goal. 

Related Posts:

• The Books Arrived!
• First Copy, Time to Edit
• Adding Side Bars

 

 

Library Research - Fairfax Regional Library

In the years since I have been researching my family’s history, more and more information has become available online. I am grateful to have those resources at my fingertips. However, archives, courthouses and libraries still contain information that can only be accessed by visiting those buildings.

 

Fairfax Regional Library

Virginia Room

10360 North Street

Fairfax, Virginia

 

Recently I was researching my 7^th great grandfather, John Hollis (c1700 England – 1768 VA). According to my online research he lived in Fairfax County, Virginia for many years. I visit Virginia frequently to visit our oldest daughter and her family. Fairfax is the neighboring county to hers.

 

I sent off an email to the Library asking about their holdings. I gave them my grandfather’s name and dates, asking if they had resources that would teach me more about him. I received an answer the following day. The librarian gave me information about hours & parking and information on their holdings. He also told me about specific resources that have information about John Hollis. He also suggested a visit to the nearby Fairfax Courthouse. The email was very helpful.

 

When I arrived at the Fairfax Regional Library I easily found their free parking and stepped into the large, beautiful library. I went up the stairs to the Virginia Room and spoke to the friendly librarian. She gave me a quick tour and soon I set myself up at a table with a large stack of books to search through. 

 

A sample of Books that gave me information I had not found online:

 

• Sparacio, Ruth and Sam. Fairfax County, Virginia Orders, 1768 – 1769 (VA: The Antient Press).  Includes court activities which included my family.

• Minutes of the Vestry, Truro Parish Virginia, 1732 – 1785 (Lorton, VA: Pohick Church, 1974). Includes years of parish records with many references to the Hollis family.

• Index to Farifax County, Virginia Wills and Fiduciary Records, 1742 – 1855 (Lovetttsville, VA: Willow Bend Books, 1995). References the Will of John Hollis.

•    Browne, John. The Story of Ravensworth (North Haven, CT: 2022). Ravensworth was the landgrant where John Hollis lived. His family is                   mentioned in this book.

What did this library visit tell me about John Hollis?

• A 1760 may showed me exactly where John Hollis lived in Fairfax Co.
• John Hollis grew tobacco & operated an "ordinary" (tavern/inn).
• John belonged to the same parish as George Washington.
• Truro Parish gave John yearly monetary support for his disabled son.
• John and 2 sons served in the French & Indian War, serving under Col. George Washington.

 

Visit a Library!

Related Posts:

• Hudson Area Library, NY 
• Ansonia Library, CT
• Pike - Amite - Walthall Library, MS

            

 

 

 

 

 

Military Service: John Hollis, French & Indian War

Independence Day is a time to think of our Revolutionary War Soldiers & our family does have those soldiers. However, I recently found that we also have soldiers from the French & Indian War. AND - John Hollis and his sons served under the command of Col. George Washington, their neighbor. AND - their service is documented in George Washington's papers in the Library of Congress. Exciting!

Later, John's grandson, John Hollis, served in the Revolutionary War.

 

 

John Hollis

C1700 England – 1768 Fairfax, VA

 

My 7x Great Grandfather

 

The French and Indian War (1754 – 1763) was a conflict between France and Great Britain to control the American Colonies. Native Americans fought on both sides. North America east of the Mississippi River was largely claimed by either Great Britain or France and between them large areas were dominated by Native American tribes. When conflicts began most of the British colonies mustered local militia companies to deal with Native American threats, generally ill trained and available only for short periods, but they did not have any standing forces. Virginia, by contrast, had a large frontier with several companies of British regulars.[i]

            John Hollis and his sons served in the French and Indian War in the Virginia Regiment of colonial forces under George Washington. They served “in the forts protecting the Virginia – Maryland – Pennsylvania frontier.”[ii] John Hollis can be found listed in payroll records between January[iii] and July 1756.[iv] Son, William Hollis, served under Colonel Washington at the Battle of the Great Meadows at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754.[v] Son, Burr Hollis, served in the “detachment of Militia from Fairfax County under the command of Capt. Bryan Fairfax.”[vi]

 

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[i] French and Indian War; digital record, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org: accessed June 2022). 

[ii] Browne, John, The Story of Ravensworth (North Haven, CT: 2022) 72.

[iii] George Washington Papers, Series 4, General Correspondence: Thomas Waggener, January 1756, Company Payroll Receipt; digital image, Library of Congress (loc.gov: accessed June 2022) John Hollys.

[iv] George Washington Papers, Series 4, General Correspondence: Thomas Waggener, July 1756, Company Payroll Receipt; digital image, Library of Congress (loc.gov: accessed June 2022).

[v] Roster of Virginia Regiment, Fort Necessity, National Park Service; digital record (home.nps.gov: accessed June 2022) Will’m Hollis.

[vi] Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt, Virginia’s Colonial Soldiers (Genealogical Publishing Company, 1988) 93.

Related Posts:

• John Hollis, Revolutionary War
• Our family Came Together, Revolutionary War
• Revolutionary War Soldiers

Military Service: Joel Ott, War of 1812

Although there are few details of the service of Joel Ott during the War of 1812, Fold3 has 29 pages pertaining to his pension application. Many of the hand written pages are difficult to read but they are interesting viewing.

 

 

Private Joel Ott

1792 Orangeburg, SC – 1879 LA

Son of Jacob Ott III

 

 

In the War of 1812, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain, in a conflict that would have an immense impact on the young country’s future. Causes of the war included British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy’s impressment of American seamen and America’s desire to expand its territory[i].

 

 

Joel Ott served in the War of 1812.[ii] He was a private in Captain Bickham’s Company of the Louisiana Militia from 23 December 1814 to 9 March 1815.[iii] He wrote, “I was on guard duty…when the Battle of New Orleans was fought.”[iv]Delayed communication caused that battle to be fought after the war was over. 

 

He applied for a pension in the Spring of 1875. In June 1876 William Duncan wrote a letter to Washington, D.C. stating that Joel still had no reply to the pension request. 

 

Mr. Ott is now Eighty – six years old and if there is a pension due him the government should not delay his claim any longer he is in Extreme poverty and the allowance of his pension would enable him to live comfortably the remaining portion of his life.[v]

 

Eventually Joe did receive eight dollars a month as a pension from the government.[vi]

 

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[i] War of 1812; digital information, History (history.com: accessed May 2022).

[ii] Louisiana Soldiers in the War of 1812, digital record; Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed May 2022) Joel Ott.

[iii] The American Revolution in South Carolina, The Orangeburg District Regiment Militia; digital image (carolana.com: accessed February 2019) Jacob Ott, Captain.

[iv] War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, NARA; digital images, Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed March 2022) Joel Ott.

[v] War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, NARA; digital images, Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed March 2022) Joel Ott.

[vi] War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, NARA; digital images, Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed March 2022) Joel Ott.

Related Posts:

• Military Service: Jeremiah Smith, War of 1812
• Military Service: Moses Brown, War of 1812
• Military Service: Kelly Brothers, Mexican - American War
• Soldiers in Our Family (on my website)

Forget Me Not: Adolphus Everett Ott, 1931 MS

This obituary refers to the subject of its article as both E. A. and A. E. Ott. My records show him to be Adolphus Everett Ott.

 

Adolphus Everett Ott

22 February 1858 LA – 25 May 1931 MS

Son of Charles Ott & Margaret Ann Tate

Husband of Berilla Susan Damper

 

 

 

A. E. Ott of Peoria passed away quietly at his home in Peoria early Monday morning, May 25^th, at the age of 73 years.

Mr. Ott had been a resident of Amite county for about forty years. During this time he had been a merchant and postmaster, first at Bates’ Mill, then at East Fork and for the past 21 years at Peoria. 

No more popular or better beloved man ever lived. His business and official record was unblemished. He was a practical Christian. He lived by the Golden Rule. The many personal tributes paid him by old friends and neighbors at the funeral attested his high character and useful and well – spent life. His greatest pleasure was derived from helping those in need. He was indeed the poor man’s friend.

Besides his wife, Berilla Dampeer Ott, he leaves one brother and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins among the large and well known family of Otts of South Mississippi and Louisiana. 

 

 

Source: E. A. Ott. (McComb, MS: Semi – Weekly Journal, 6 Jun 1931) 3; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Sept 2021.

Related Posts:

• Adolphus Everett Ott, Texas Mules & Horses