James William Padgett (1832 - 1908)

Born 4 Jul 1832 in Augusta County, VA, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Margaret Sillings — married 31 Aug 1854 in Augusta County, VA, USA

Descendants

Died 7 Jan 1908 at age 75 in Sherando, Augusta County, VA, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Laura McCurry [send private message]

Biography

James William Padgett was born 4 Jul 1832 on Back Creek, near Sherando, Augusta County, VA to Spotswood Padgett Elizabeth Bridge.

He spent his life working on the family farm.^[1][2][3][4]

James married Sarah Margaret Sillings in Augusta Co, VA the day after his brother Reuben Beverly Padgett married Minerva Jane Rankin.^[5]

When the Civil War began, James was about 29 years old, married with children. But on 15 Jul 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army of Virginia. He was a Private in the Confederate Army 52 Virginia Militia Company B and was transfered to Company F on March 1, 1862.^[6][7]

From his registration, he's listed as being 6 foot in height, fair conplexion, blue eyes and dark hair.^[8]

James William seems to have had an interesting military service. As long as his company stayed in state, he was with them. When they left, he was absent without leave. He is absent without leave from May 17 to June 20 and July 18 to October 7 1862. When he present on the muster rolls next, he's marked as "conscripted." But he does eventually re-enlist. He went absent without leave again March 14, 1863. Service record indicates he was most likely at the battles in: Staunton, VA; McDowell, VA; Camp Allegheny WV; Strasburg, VA; Gaines Mill, VA; Malvern Hill, VA; Port Royal; Fredericksburg, VA. Finally by October of 1863, he deserts to the enemy most likely with Elijah and John D. Balsley.^[9][10]

James is mentioned three times in the letters of Henry H. Dedrick to his wife. First two letters in 1862 just mention that James Padgett is with him and that he send his regards. ^[11][12] The third mention of James Padgett in July 1863 is to share that Dedrick doesn't know where he is.^[13]

He spent the rest of the war in a Prisoner of War camp on New Creek, Mineral County, in West Virginia and takes the Oath of Allegiance on 20 October 1863 in Clarksburg, WV.^[14]

After the war he returns to being a farmer, raising his family on a portion of the Padgett farm.^[15][16]

In 1885 he receives half of the Padgett farm in his father's will.^[17]

He died 7 Jan 1908 and is buried in the Methodist Chapel Cemetery, Sherando, Augusta County, VA.^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ Year: 1840; Census Place: Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 551; Page: 67; Family History Library Film: 0029684 Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
2. ↑ Year: 1850; Census Place: District 2 and a half, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: M432_934; Page: 410A; Image: 407 Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
3. ↑ Year: 1860; Census Place: District 1, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: M653_1333; Page: 558; Family History Library Film: 805333 Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
4. ↑ Year: 1900; Census Place: South River, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 1700; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0039; FHL microfilm: 1241700 Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
5. ↑ Augusta Co., VA, 94 1854, Padgett-Sillings. Augusta County Marriage Register: Book 1 Record #94, Augusta County Clerk's Office, Staunton, Augusta County, VA, Certified copy in possession Laura Hutchison. "This is to certify that under license issued by the Clerk of Augusta County, I did Celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between James Padgett and Sarah M. Sillings this 31st day of August 1854. Place of Marriage: Spootswood Sillings. Augusta County, VA Age of Husband 22 Age of Wife 18 Condition of Husband Single Condition of Wife Single Place of Husband's Birth Augusta County Place of Wife's Birth Augusta County Names of Husband's Parents William and Mary Names of Wife's Parents Spotswood and Elizabeth Residence Backcreek Augusta County Occupation Farmer Residence of Husband Augusta County Residence of Wife Augusta County Thomas Hildebrand"
6. ↑ National Park Service. U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, online <https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/>, acquired 2007.
7. ↑ Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.
8. ↑ Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Accessed 9 Aug 2017.
9. ↑ Hewett, Janet. The roster of Confederate soldiers, 1861-1865. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Pub. Co., 1995.
10. ↑ Sifakis, Stewart. Compendium of the Confederate armies. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 2003.
11. ↑ Dedrick, Henry H. Valley Personal Papers "Augusta County: Henry H. Dedrick to Mary E. A. Dedrick, January 22, 1862 ." The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Accessed August 05, 2017. http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A6006. Jan. the 22 62 Camp Alleghany My Dear Wife I received you most dear letter on the 19th and I was very glad to hear from you, to hear that you was well. I hope when these few lines comes to hand they may find you and the baby well and all the rest of my inquiring friends if there be any. I find that there is but few in [unclear: those] days, every man that is now at home is for his self and they take every advantage of them who is now in the army serving their country. I do hope that it will be our time next. Dear Lizza I want you to give me some satisfaction about my rye. I want to know if you have got it all thrashed out if you have not made use of it all. I want you to take care of it and your corn. If you have any you must keep it for grain is a going to be scarce after while. I want to know if you get any thing from Mrs. Ellis or not and I want to know how much you have got from him. Dear Lizza you wished to know what we wanted with so many clapboards. We have a stable to build, large enough to hold one hundred and fifty horses and we have some cabins to build yet, but I don't know how many. I am well and hearty. William Offlighter, George W. Offlighter, E. W. Sillings, Hiram Coyner, J. W. Padgett, Benjamin Wright, Lewis Phillips is all well and hearty. James, Lewis and William Grass is on the mend, they all send you their best respects. The health of our Regt. is very good at this time. Dr. J. S. Myers has been elected second lieutenant in our company. He is well. Dear Lizza I would like very much to see you and your sweet little boy about this time. Some says that we will get furloughs after while. If any of our company gets furlough I will. Captain Long says that he is going to try the first of next week and see what he can do for us. There is twelve married men that has not been at home. He says if there is any chance for us we shall go. Well, as I have no news of importance I will close for the present. I have not yet give up trying to meet my lord. I remain your affectionate husband until death separates us. From your husband. M.E.A. Dedrick
12. ↑ Dedrick, Henry H. Valley Personal Papers "Augusta County: Henry H. Dedrick to Mary E. A. Dedrick, April 7, 1862." The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Accessed August 05, 2017. http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A6009. April the 7 1862 Camp Shenandoah, Augusta Co., Virginia My Dear Wife- I received your kind letter yesterday. I was glad to hear from you and I was sorry to hear that you had the mumps, but if you take good care of your self you will soon get well. I was glad to hear that Willie was so [unclear: pert] and so lively. I am well at present and I do hope when these lines comes to hand they may find you all well. Uncle Will is not very well. He has been very sick. We have left Alleghany. We left last Wednesday and come to Monterey and the next day we come to McDowell and then we stayed there one day, and on Saturday we marched within a half of a mile of Rodgerses, which is on Shenandoah Mountain. We are now within 24 1/2 miles of Staunton and 14/12 miles from Buffalo Gap, but I can't tell you how long we will stay here, but if we stay here long I would like your pap to come out here to see me. I would like to see you all very much, but if I can't get to see you before my time is out I think I can stay three months and a half yet if I have my health. All of the creek boys is well. William Diddle is sitting in his tent blowing his fife. Dear Lissa I was up on the top of a ridge yesterday and I could see the Blue Ridge. I could see the laurel and Spring Hollow and I said to my self now if I was up in that hollow how soon I could get home. Well Dear Lissa I will now finish my letter. It is now 3 o'clock and it is very cold and snowy. We all just have to do the best we can. We are nearly froze. All the balance of my mess is lying down in the tent wrapped up in there blankets. I wish you could see us, then you would say that we had hard times out here. Lissa you wanted to know how much I had to pay a year on that lot and how much I had to pay in all. I have to pay $38.75cts a year and there is four payments back yet that will make $155. Yet if you do pay any on it you must take in my note. Uncle Will, Will Diddle, and Hiram Coyner and James Padgett and Ephriam Sillings all sends their best regards to you and Amanda and Aunt Rebecca and your mother and your Pap, and you will please give my love to all inquiring friends if there be any, and you must accept a great portion for your self. You said in your letter that I had better kept one of them ladies that I sent you. I had no use for them as they could not cook nor wash nor do anthing else. I would rather have you here by a long ways before I would have them. I must close as I am so cold I can't write. I was glad to get some of your hair. It is very pretty. May god bless you all. Nothing more but remain your affectionate husband until death. H.H. Dedrick to his dear wife.
13. ↑ Dedrick, Henry H. "Valley Papers Augusta County: Henry H. Dedrick to Mary E. A. Dedrick, July 11, 1863." The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Accessed August 05, 2017. http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A60017. July 11, 1863 Dear Lissa As I had forgot to let you know that Joseph Grass was killed at the fight at Gettysburg. I first heard that he was only wounded but since I have that he was killed. I want you to show this to William Grass. All the creek boys is well. I don't know where James Padgett is. He came to us when we was at Winchester and they kept him with the Regiment until we got to Shepherdstown and then I don't know where he went. We have marching orders. They have taken all the guards in from peoples houses...
14. ↑ United States. NARA. Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Virginia. Washington, D.C.: NARA, 1961. Accessed August 9, 2017. https://www.fold3.com/document/12510483/. Publication Number M324; National Archives Catalog ID: 586957; Record Group 109 State Virginia; Roll 0939. Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers from Virginia units, labeled with each soldier's name, rank, and unit, with links to revealing documents about each soldier.
15. ↑ Year: 1870; Census Place: South River, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: M593_1634; Page: 471A; Image: 367909; Family History Library Film: 553133 Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
16. ↑ Year: 1880; Census Place: South River, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 1354; Family History Film: 1255354; Page: 294B; Enumeration District: 021 Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
17. ↑ Augusta County, Virginia, Will Book 51:39, 23 March 1885; Augusta County Clerk's Office, Staunton, Augusta County, VA. Spottswood Padgett of the County of Augusta State of Virginia, being advanced in years, and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time made. In the first place, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts shall be paid out of any money or other property of which I may die seized and possessed. In the second place, I direct that my real estate shall remain subject the support and maintenance of my wife Elizabeth Padgett during the remainder of her natural life and after her death the same shall be divided in two equal tracts and sold by my Executor upon such terms as shall be deemed best to promote the objects of this my last will and testament. I direct that my son James W. Padgett shall have credit, should he be the purchaser of the tract now occupied by him, for the sum of Six hundred dollars on account of improvements made by him, and should he not purchase the same, he shall receive said sum out of the proceeds of sale of same said sum to be paid him out of the first payments upon same. I also direct that my said son James W. shall in like manner have credit for, or receive the sum of Two hundred dollars for two years services or labor after he became of the age of Twenty one years. I further direct that the said tract of land now occupied by my said son James W. shall be liable for the further sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars which sum shall be applied to the payment of the bequests hereinafter specifically made; the residue of the proceeds of said land shall go to my said son James W. I direct that my home place now occupied by son Reuben B. Padgett shall be liable for the sum of Seven hundred and ten dollars which sum shall go to make up the remainder of the bequests hereinafter made. The residue of the proceeds of said tract shall go to my said son Reuben B. The division of my real estate shall be made by three disinterested men of sound practical judgement but the line heretofore run by Martin Coiner, Daniel Hiserman and James A. Fitch, shall govern as far as practicable in said division. I give and bequeath to my four daughters Elizabeth Shreares, Kate Farnsworth, Mary Wagner and Martha W. Coiner, the sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars each, of which sum or legacy Kate Farnsworth has received the sum of Forty dollars making the sum payable to her Two hundred and ten dollars. I further direct that the sum of Four hundred dollars paid by me on account of my son Reuben B. Padgett shall not be held as a claim against him, his services or labor after he became of age being accepted by me as an equivalent for said amount. I hereby declare that all former wills devises or obligations made by me at any time are hereby revoked and forever annulled. Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of November 1879. The foregoing last will and testament of Spottswood Padgett was this day signed by the testator in our presence & at his request we here subscribed our names as attesting witness. G. W. Sutler Jas. A. Fitch Spottswood X Padgett (SEAL) I Spottswood Padgett having executed the foregoing as my last will and testament do add the following as a codicil thereto, which shall be held to be part of my said will. I direct that should my two sons James W. and Reuben B. Pagett purchase the respective tracts of land named in my will hereto annexed, the time of payment of the bequests to my daughters shall be one, two, three, four and five years without interest payable in equal installments. Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of November 1879. The foregoing was signed by Spottswood Padgett and declared to be a codicil ) his to his last will and testament and wit- ) Spottswood X Padgett (SEAL) nessed by us at his request. ) mark G. W. Sutler Jas. A. Fitch We the undersigned being selected by Spottswood Padget and his sons Jas. W. and Reuben Padgett as Commissioners to divide said Spottswood Padgett's farm near Sherando on both sides of Back Creek and to lay off to Jas W. Padgett 109 acres at the lower end of the farm, did on the 16th day of August 1871, lay off to Jas W. Padgett 109 acres by designating the points as laid off in the accompanying plat marked A. B. C. & D. with the line running from D. to some point at E. to make 109 acres, the fences at or near the said division lines to be moved upon said lines by the join labor of both parties, also that the said Reuben Padgett to have a right of way along the present private road to the public road, as it now runs between the Barn & house of said J. W. Padgett. There having been some misunderstanding as to some of the lines, we again reassembled on the premises on the 3rd day of August 1882, and having with us John G. Stover surveyor of Augusta County and pointing out to him the several lines and corners (as by us) made heretofore, all of which is show in his plat herewith submitted. Which we do certify is the correct division by us made. Given under our hands this 3rd day of August, 1882. Martin Coyner Jas. A. Fitch Commissioners Daniel Heiserman Surveyed and established the lines between J. W. Padgett's 109 acres and Reuben Padgett's land laid out by Martin Coiner, Jas. A. Fitch & Dan'l Hieserman on 16th August 1871, by the direction and consent of all the parties interested in the division viz: Beginning at a pine on Shaws line at A. thence N. 70 ½ W. 92 poles to white oak at B. N. 65 ½ W 49 poles crossing Back Creek to pile of stone at C./N. 17 ½ E. 15 1/5 po. to pile stone at D. (38` ½ E. 4.68 po. from marked walnut thence N. 61 W. 205 ¼ poles to pine at E. on Bear's line thus cutting off for J. W. Padgett 109 acres of the Spottswood Padgett's land as per plat, by red lines. In Augusta County Court March 23rd 1885. This last will and testament of Spottswood Padgett deed, with a codicil thereon endorsed dated the 27th day of November 1879, was presented in Court and said will and codicil proved by the oaths of George W. Sutter and James A. Fitch the subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. The estimated value of estate real and personal passing under said will being $4,000.00 it is ordered that the State tax of Four Dollars be paid hereon, which tax was paid by Reuben B. Padgett. Teste William A. Burnett Clk
18. ↑ "James William Padgett (1832 - 1908) - Find A Grave Memorial." James William Padgett (1832 - 1908) - Find A Grave Memorial. March 28, 2009. Accessed August 09, 2017. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35278589&ref=acom.

• 1840 US Census David Points Division, Western Territory, VA. Researcher's note: indexed as "Badget" in Ancestry.com.
• 1850 US Census District No 2, Augusta County, VA 25 Sep 1850.
  • 1860 US Census District No 1, Augusta County, VA 19 Jul 1860.
• 1870 US Census South River Township, Fisherville Post Office, Augusta County, VA 1870.
• 1880 US Census South River Township, Augusta County, VA 2 Jun 1880.
• 1900 US Census South River, Augusta County, VA 23 Jun 1900.

• Augusta Co., VA, 94 1854, Padgett-Sillings. Augusta County Marriage Register: Book 1 Record #94, Augusta County Clerk's Office, Staunton, Augusta County, VA, Certified copy in possession Laura Hutchison.
• Sifakis, Stewart. Compendium of the Confederate armies. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 2003.
• Hewett, Janet. The roster of Confederate soldiers, 1861-1865. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Pub. Co., 1995.
• Dedrick, Henry H. "Augusta County: Henry H. Dedrick to Mary E. A. Dedrick, January 22, 1862 ." The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Accessed August 05, 2017. http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A6006.
• Dedrick, Henry H. Valley Personal Papers "Augusta County: Henry H. Dedrick to Mary E. A. Dedrick, April 7, 1862." The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Accessed August 05, 2017. http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A6009.
• Dedrick, Henry H. "Valley Papers Augusta County: Henry H. Dedrick to Mary E. A. Dedrick, July 11, 1863." The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Accessed August 05, 2017. http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A60017.
• United States. NARA. Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Virginia. Washington, D.C.: NARA, 1961.
• Find A Grave Memorial# 35278589