Humphrys genealogy

Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.


My ancestors - Cashel - Contents


Edward Francis Cashel



Part of Cashel family bible.




Edward Francis Cashel,
Edward, born Co.Tipperary, Ireland, bapt 14 June 1840.
Descendant through Blennerhassett of Edward III.
He grew up in Mullinahone, Co.Tipperary.

Emigrated to America:
He went to America in 1860 or earlier.
He went to stay with his uncle William Kickham and family in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. (William Kickham had been in America since at least 1849.)
Edward is listed in [US Census, 1 June 1860] as living with his uncle William Kickham in Georgetown. He is a "miller".

Fought in American Civil War, 1861-1865:
Edward was living in Washington, DC (capital of the Union, the North) when American Civil War broke out in Apr 1861.
He signed up to fight for the North. See Edward Francis Cashel military record.
He enlisted as a private in the Regulars.
He was in Company G (also called Battery G) of the 2nd Regiment, US Artillery (U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade).
He enlisted at Washington, DC, 8 May 1861, age 20 (right at start of war, he was volunteer, no conscription at this time). Listed as blue eyed, brown haired, with ruddy complexion, height 5 ft 10.5 in. Though later military record says 5 ft 9 in.
Enlistment incorrectly states Georgetown as his birthplace. Rather it was where he was living. Enlistment lists his occupation as a "miller". Says he was age 22 but baptism shows he was younger.
An estimated 200,000 Irish fought for the North, and 30,000 fought for the South.
He was only a private, but was in an important Federal unit, which saw action in many of the biggest battles of the war.

See Civil War battles of Edward Francis Cashel, July 1861 to Nov 1863.

The North's campaign did not start up again after winter 1863-64 until May 1864.
Edward's 3 years were up that month. He was honorably discharged at "the Wilderness", VA on May 8, 1864, for reason of Expiration of Term of Service.
This was the day after the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5 to May 7, 1864). His military records say he was in the hospital at the time of his discharge. Though in 1864 letter he says he was never wounded.

He wrote a letter on 20 May 1864 to his father George Cashel in Ireland. The war is still on, but his 3 years are up: "I have just returned to Georgetown from the Army in which I served 3 years. I was sworn in for 5 years, but Congress passed an Act that all persons who enlisted in 61 were to serve only 3 years".
In 1864 he is staying again in Georgetown, DC, with "Uncle William and Aunt Jane".
He said: "I have been in a great many battles, and thank God I never received a scratch or wound in the whole campaign".
He was in 5 of the 10 biggest battles of the war (Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Antietam, Fredericksburg). Some of them the N lost. He was lucky to have no injuries.
He asks "what William and Blen are doing". "Hoping you, brothers and sister enjoy good health" (mother obviously dead, and since this is apparently the first contact since he signed up in 1861, she probably died before 1861).
While Edward was away, Battery G was dismounted in June 1864 and sent to Washington. It had no more active service in the Civil War [Simpson, 1896].
Edward did not stay a civilian for long. He rapidly re-enrolled again, July 27, 1864, at Fort Cass, Arlington, VA, signing up for another 3 year period, again with Battery G, 2nd Regiment, US Artillery.
American Civil War ended May 1865.

Stayed in army after war, 1865-1870:
Edward deserted for one day, July 31, 1865, and was apprehended August 1, 1865. He was restored to duty without trial.
The 2nd Regiment, US Artillery, was assembled at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland, in August, 1865, and sailed from there for California via the Isthmus of Panama. (The Panama Canal did not exist at this time, but travel from E coast to W coast through the Isthmus was still easier than travelling overland.)
The 2nd Regiment arrived San Francisco Sept 1865. Set up headquarters at the Presidio, San Francisco [Simpson, 1896].
Battery G were based at Alcatraz Island, San Francisco.
Edward was promoted to Corporal (just above Private), 1 Jan 1867.
He was honorably discharged from his 3 years service on July 27, 1867 at Alcatraz Island, San Francisco.
He immediately signed up for another 3 years service, July 27, 1867, at Alcatraz Island, again with Battery G.
He was promoted to Sergeant 1 Sept 1867.

Goes to Alaska, 1868:
He was sent with Company "G", 2nd Regiment, US Artillery, in 1868 to the new US territory of Alaska.
He had rank of quarter master sergeant. Would need some education (maths) to hold that post.
[Foreman, 1935] says that after U.S. purchase of Alaska 1867, Eli Lundy Huggins (joined 2nd Artillery Feb 1866) received orders to conduct "Battery G" from their post at Alcatraz Island, California, to Kodiak, Alaska.
The first U.S. troops arrived at Kodiak in spring 1868. Huggins joined them on 6 June 1868.
[US Census, 1900] says Edward arrived in Alaska in June 1868.

Alaska background:
Russia established settlements in Alaska in the 18th century. See Russian colonization of North America and Russian America.
Alaska was purchased by U.S. from Russia in 1867.
It was inhabited at this point by a few thousand Russian settlers and the natives. Relations between Russians and natives varied from exploitation to trade to friendly inter-marriage and conversion to Christianity.
A Russian fort and a small village existed at Kodiak when the Americans arrived in 1868.

Edward served at Kodiak under Eli Lundy Huggins.
Battery G built the new Fort Kodiak at the pre-existing Russian fort and Kodiak village. [Huggins, 1874] says the aim was: "to prevent, in the absence of any organized civil government, any abuse by the settlers, traders and fishermen upon the natives of the Island, and second, to keep in check and overawe, by an exhibition of military force, the more barbarous natives of Kenay and Alaska Peninsula, who visit Kadiac" [Kodiak] "for purposes of trade."
William Kickham wrote a letter to George Cashel, Feb 1869. He says: "I had a letter from Edward .. he is at Fort Kodiak, Alaska Territory".
Edward's letter to William was posted in Alaska in Dec 1868, sent by steamer to "San Francisco, California" (note he names the state - George mightn't have heard of San Francisco, then just a small town) and then E across the continent to Georgetown, DC. "the letter was over 50 days coming here".
Huggins stayed with Battery G at Fort Kodiak until June 22, 1870 when he was assigned to St. Paul Island, Alaska.

Edward did not stay in contact with home.
His brother Blen went to the great expense of actually going to the US to look for him in 1870.
Blen received a dispatch from US War Department, addressed to him in New York City, 9 July 1870: "In reply to your communication of 29 June 1870, I have the honor to inform you that Edward F. Cashel, Qr.M.Sgt, of Co.G, 2nd Regt US Artillery .. [is with his Co. at] .. Fort Kodiak, Alaska Territory".

Leaves army 1870. Stays in Alaska:
Edward was honorably discharged as Sergeant at Fort Kodiak, July 27, 1870 for Expiration of Term of Service. He left the Army.
Battery G left Fort Kodiak Sept 1870. Fort was abandoned by army, but village continued and became Kodiak city.
Troops were sent to a number of other places in Alaska, but by end 1870 all these bases (including Fort Kodiak) were closed except for Sitka.
Huggins rejoined Battery G at the Presidio, San Francisco, November 19, 1870 [Foreman, 1935].
Edward stayed in Alaska. He lived Kodiak, 27 July 1870 - 15 May 1871 [pension records].

Edward mar 4 Sept 1870 to Marre-a Olgin [Russian, born 30 Mar 1848].
She is spelt "Marre-a Alexandrova Olgin" in [Cashel family bible].
Though looks like "Mareeia Alexandrovia" in pension records. "Mariia" in Russian church records.
Other spellings are Mare-a or Maria, and Aleksandrovno, and Ol'gin.
She was a Russian settler in Alaska. She was born 30 Mar 1848 (18 Mar according to the Julian calendar used in Russia) in Kodiak, dau of Aleksandr Vasil'iev Olgin (or Aleksandr Vasil'Evich Ol'gin) and Irina Platonova Bushkovskii (or Irena).
Native American ancestry: Her grandmother was apparently Aleut (Native Alaskan). [Marti Murray] says she had the designation "Creole", which would mean a combination of Russian and Native.
Some Russian settlers left after America bought Alaska, but many stayed.
Marre-a was Russian Orthodox. They married in the Russian Orthodox church. [Marti Murray] lists Edward as "Protestant", but think this is not true. He was born Catholic. He had his children baptised in the Russian Orthodox church though.
[Russian Orthodox church records] say they mar 23 Aug 1870 according to the Julian calendar. This is 4 Sept 1870 new style. NOT 25 Sept.
Church record says they mar in Kodiak Island parish (this is probably the Church of the Holy Resurrection, Kodiak, Alaska). Mar cert is apparently in Russian. They possibly married on Spruce Island in Kodiak parish.

Edward and Marre-a lived on Unga Island (the largest of the Shumagin Islands), Alaska, 20 May 1871 - Apr 1874 [pension records].
They lived Kodiak, Apr 1874 - 1878 [pension records].
They lived Unga, 1878 to her death 1884 [pension records].
Edward worked as an agent for the Western Fur and Trading Company (established 1877). He is listed as a "Storekeeper" in Unga for them [Reeve].
He injured his left arm in an accident at his house in fall of 1883.
He worked as an agent for the Alaska Commercial Company (which purchased the Western Fur and Trading Company in 1883). He was their agent as at 1884.
Gold was discovered on Unga Island in 1884 and there was a boom for many years.

Marre-a dies, 1884:
Marre-a died on 12 April 1884 at Unga Island [pension records], age 36 yrs.
[Russian Orthodox church records] say "Mariia Keshal" died 1 Apr Julian (which is 13 Apr new style). They say she died in Belkofski parish. Belkofski is just W of Unga (see map). Belkofski parish might include Unga.

After his wife died in 1884, Edward continued to live on Unga until at least 1907 [pension records].
After his wife died, it looks like he failed to give the children a proper education. He was able to read and write himself, but his children Sarah and Edward are both listed as illiterate in the 1900 census.
[Reeve] lists Edward as "well educated" and "hard drinker".
He injured his left hip in the accidental discharge of his gun on 22 Oct 1884.
He applied for U.S. Army pension, 31 July 1893.
He applied for U.S. Army pension, May 24, 1895. From here.
He applied for U.S. Army pension, April 8, 1898.
See US army pension record. From here. Filed 24 May 1898, [NA.US] T289.
There is a War Department document of 11 June 1898 about his pension.
See him listed in 1900 census at Unga. He is a "trader", former occupation "miller". It incorrectly states he was born in D.C.
There is a sworn document of 18 Oct 1901 where he explains his injuries of 1883 and 1884, both to his left side. It says the injuries "have been such as to prevent him from earning a future living". A friend signs a statement of 23 Oct 1901 and says Cashel's left arm and hip are both weak, and he was unable to do any manual labor for the last ten years. Says he has always been "a sober, peaceable man of good habits".
Applied for invalid pension 17 Sept 1906. Living Unga.
Filed for pension again 16 Aug 1907. He is living Unga. Further document dated 18 Oct 1907. He was a pensioner on the U.S. Army pension roll, #1037181.
Edward dies, 1909:
He died Dec 1909, age 69 yrs, on Simeonof Island, Shumagin Islands, Alaska [Reeve], [Nancy von Konsky], think NOT Unga.
Edward and Marre-a had issue:


  1. Mary Cashel,
    or poss. Maria Mary Cashel,
    born Kodiak Island, 1 Sept 1871 [Cashel family tree],
    or poss. 5 Sept [pension application], [Cashel family bible], NOT 25 Sept.
    [Russian Orthodox church records] say born 19 Aug Julian, which is 31 Aug new style.
    [Russian Orthodox church records] say bapt Kodiak Island parish, 26 Aug Julian, which is 7 Sept new style.
    "Mary" would be after mother and grandmother.


  2. Agnes Cashel,
    or poss. Agnia Agnes Cashel,
    born Unga Island, 19 Oct 1873 [pension application], or 18 Oct [Cashel family bible], [Cashel family tree], NOT 20 Oct.
    [Marti Murray] says born Kodiak Parish, 7 Oct Julian, which is 19 Oct new style.
    Grave says born 1872.
    [1900 census] says born Oct 1863, which is obvious error for Oct 1873.
    "Agnes" is a Cashel family name. It is her aunt's name.
    She mar maybe 1890 to Adolph Garn and had issue.


  3. Ereena Cashel,
    born April, 1875, on Kodiak [Cashel family bible].
    Would be named after grandmother Irina.
    She is not listed in Edward Cashel's list of living children in his pension application 1898.


  4. Sarah Cashel,
    born 24 Apr 1876 (12 Apr Julian) [pension application], [Cashel family bible], NOT 29 Apr, NOT 1875.
    She was born in Katmai ("Katmai Settlement, Kodiak Parish").
    Listed as "Sara" in [US Census, 1900].
    [Russian Orthodox church records] say she was bapt Kodiak Island parish, 19 Apr 1876 Julian (1 May new style).
    She mar 7 Sept 1891 to Andrew Berg [born 14 Oct 1858] and had issue.
    They mar at Unga [her age 15, him age 32].


  5. Edward Cashel,
    Edward Francis Cashel, Eddie,
    born on Unga Island, March 18, 1881 [pension application], [Cashel family bible].
    [Marti Murray] says born 7 Mar 1881 Julian, which is 19 Mar new style.
    [US Census, 1900] says born July 1882.
    [1910 census] says born [illegible month] 1882, and age 27 in April 1910. Month looks a bit like March but then should be age 28.
    He looks like "Ed. F. L. Cashel" in 1930 census.





Edward's baptism, Mullinahone, Co.Tipperary, 14 June 1840.



Edward in 1860 U.S. census, living with his uncle William Kickham in Georgetown, D.C.
See full size.



Extract from Edward's U.S. Army enlistment of 8 May 1861.
See full size.



Eli Lundy Huggins, Cashel's commander at Kodiak 1868-70.
From here.


  

Unga Island

  

The incredibly remote location of Unga Island, Alaska (home of Edward Francis Cashel).
From Bing Maps.
See also Google Maps.
Unga Island is now uninhabited.



Map of Unga Island from 2006 plan.
Note locations of Apollo mining camp and Unga village.
See modern satellite view of the abandoned Unga village in the SE.


  

The Alaska photo c.1887

  

The Cashel children and their Olgin relations.
Unga, Alaska, c.1887.
From Alaska's Digital Archives, Alaska State Library. Michael Z. Vinokouroff Photograph Collection, reference ASL-P243-1-113. Used with permission.
See larger and larger and full size.



"Edouard Cashel"
(born 1881).

Left to Right:
"Maria Cashel" (born 1871),
"Agnia Cashel" (born 1873),
"Sarah Cashel" (born 1876).

  

The part Native American Cashels:
Extract from 1930 census entry for Agnes Cashel.
It lists her race not as "W" (white) but as "In" (Indian, Native American) and her children as "Mxd" (mixed race).
This is rather inaccurate. Her father was entirely Irish. Her mother was part Russian, part Native American. Agnes might only be 1/8 Native American.
See full size.




Graveyards in Douglas and Juneau, Alaska

Various members of the family are buried in graveyards in Douglas and Juneau, Alaska.

  

A useful plan of the graveyards in Douglas, Alaska.
Posted at findagrave.com by Jennifer Wirawan.


  


Civil War battles of Edward Francis Cashel




The Irish family and the Alaska family reconnect



  

References

  

Family tree

  

Alaska

  


Sources yet to be consulted

  

Family tree

  

Alaska



Donation Drive

Please donate to support this site. I have spent a great deal of time and money on this research. Research involves travel and many expenses. Some research "things to do" are not done for years, because I do not have the money to do them.
Please Donate Here to support the ongoing research and to keep this website free.

Help       Conventions       Abbreviations       How to read the trees

Privacy policy       Adoption policy       Image re-use policy       New 250 G VPS server.