Armstrong Genealogy Report

Armstrong Genealogy Infomation

Family Tree - Armstrongs, Braswells and Allied Families

This was all the information I had. Found my grandfather Samuel Armstrong April 2004. So, never stop looking.

My father, John Melton ARMSTRONG, was born 8/21/1884 in St. Joseph, MO. He was 48 years old when he married my mother (she was 20) and this was, as far as I know, his second marriage. They were divorced in 1933. The only information I have is a letter my father wrote to my grandmother May 24, 1956 from Plant City, FL. At this time my father was 72 years old.

I am looking for information to his reference to "Merrils Black Horse". It could be Merrill, Merritt or ? and is probably Union Cavalry. See below for his regiment, 2nd Regiment, Missouri Cavalry (Merrill's Horse) 1861-1865. Found it 6/3/2003 (only took 47 years and 9 days to find it!)

"Dear Nan,

In answer to your letter? Father John M Armstrong can not tell you what the M. stands for. Irish from No. of Ireland. Came from Phil., PA. Quaker did not smoke, drink, cuss or gamble, church members very strict but a good Dad. Served his hitch Union Army Colonel under Merrils Black horse. Postmaster and Internal Rev. Col. under McKinley, St Joseph MO. father died and mother served the rest of his term. Mother Francis Melton Armstrong. British from London, very strait laced church woman. Married dad in New York City. I was named after dad and mother. They changed my name to Jack in Wash. State where lived 6 years.

All my love,

Jack"

This was all the information I have. The SSDI had his name spelled wrong (ARMSTRON without the g). Soundex found it. Also there is a good chance that he left out a few generations. The Union Army tour and the appointment by McKinley as postmaster are many years apart. His son, my father, was 48 when I was born. It looks like my grandfather was 44 when my father was born. Can not go by age all the time and this has slowed down the search.

Descendants of Samuel Armstrong

Generation No. 1

1. SAMUEL1 ARMSTRONG was born Abt. 1817 in New York, and died Aft. 1849. He married ? UNKNOWN Bef. 1838. She was born Abt. 1817.

Notes for SAMUEL ARMSTRONG:

From An early history of the Armstrong Family, published in "Notable Southern Families" :

"The family of Armstrong derives its name from the following circumstance: An ancient King of Scotland had his horse killed under him in battle. Fairbairn, His armor bearer, immediately grasped the King by the thigh and set him upon his own horse. For this assistance at such a critical moment the King rewarded him with lands on the Border, and to perpetuate the memory of so important a service, as well as the extraordinary manner in which it was performed, the King gave him the appellation "Armstrong" and assigned him for a crest an armed arm and hand grasping a leg in armor.

The hero of the exploit, "Siward the Armstrong" Earl of Northumberland, first of the name and ancestor of the renowned Border Family of Armstrong, was one of those stalwart figures who will never pass away from the pages of history and tradition. In His physical strength and prowess, wit and wisdom, loftiness of character, defiance of danger and death, he was remarkable. He was undoubtedly a Christian, for he built the Minster of York, but he reminds us of those old heroes of the Edda, from whom his ancestors were said to have descended. He acquired honor for England by his successful conduct of the only foreign enterprise undertaken during the reign of Edward the Confessor. (Johannes Brinston, Saxe Gramatieur, George Stephens).

Duncan, King of Scotland, was a prince of gentle disposition, and lacked the genius for governing so turbulent a country as Scotland, and one so infested by the intrigues and animosities of the great Macbeth. Siward embraced, by Edward's orders, the protection of the distressed royal family. He marched an army into Scotland, and, having defeated Macbeth in battle, restored Malcolm, Duncan's son, to the throne of his ancestors. This service, added to his former connection with the royal family of Scotland, brought great accession to the authority of Siward in the North.

Soon after his return from this campaign he was attacked by a fatal disorder. As he felt his end approaching he said to his attendants, "Lift me up that I may die on my legs like a soldier, not couching like a cow. Dress me in my coat of mail, cover my head with my helmet, put my shield on my left arm and my battle axe in my right hand that I may die under arms."

Ingulf's record of his death reads as follows: "In the year of our Lord 1056, Siward the brave Earl of Northumberland, departed this life and was buried in the cloister of the monastery of Saint Mary, which he had built without the walls of the city of York." Siward was a Dane and he was much beloved by his Northumberland.

Siward married twice. His son by the first wife, called Young Siward in Macbeth, was killed by Macbeth in the battle of Dunsinmore. Siward married for his second wife Aelfled, daughter of Alfred, Earl of Northumberland, and through her acquired that title and great authority. The Northumbrians were of Danish extractions and rejoiced at being ruled by the great Earl who was of Danish blood. His son by Aelfled succeeded to the title, and his daughter by Aelfled married David I, King of Scotland."

From Early Families of Herkimer County, New York:

In 1723 a number of Palatine families were allowed to take up lands in the Mohawk Valley of New York. Those settling in the bounds of the present county of Herkimer were known as the Burnetsfield Patentees, after the name of the grant made by New York Governor William Burnet, and are the subject of this formidable work. Initially called Burnetsfield, in the Kingsland District, the early Herkimer County area was variously referred to as Stone Ridge, The Flats, the Falls, and most commonly as German Flats. Between 1723 and 1755 the original Burnetsfield settlers were joined by other Palatine families, and by the time of the American Revolution the area was a prosperous, almost utopian, community.

This book deals with the families established in the area before the Revolution, and detailed genealogies are given for the following families: Armstrong, Ayer, Barsh, Bashor, Baum, Bauman, Bell, Bellinger, Brodhack, Campbell, Christman, Clepsattle, Coens, Crim, Cunningham, Davis, DeMuth, Dockstader, Dornberger, Dygert, Eckler, Edick, Eysaman, Feller, Folts, Fox, Frank, Fulmer, Getman, Gray, Hager, Harter, Hartman, Helmer, Herkimer, Hess, Hilts, Hiser, Hockstatter, Hoyer, Huber, Kast, Kessler, Korsing, Lant, Leiper, Lentz, Lighthall, McGinnes, McKoom, Meyer, Miller, Moak, Orendorf, Osterhout, Petrie, Petry, Pfeiffer, Rasback, Richards, Riegal, Riema, Riemensneider, Ritter, Rosencrantz, Schell, Scherer, Schutt, Schuyler, Seghner, Shoemaker, Skinner, Small, Smith, Spohn, Stahring, Steele, Thumb, Weaver, Wentz, Witherstine, Witrig, and Wholeben.

From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri" Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company,

Samuel was a native of New York and moved with his family to Jerseyville, Illinois 1849.

Children of SAMUEL ARMSTRONG and ? UNKNOWN are:

2. i. JOHN M.2 ARMSTRONG, b. Mar 31, 1838, Centerville, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania; d. Abt. 1907, St. Joseph, Buchcanan, MO.

ii. GEORGE B. ARMSTRONG, b. Oct 08, 1846.

Notes for GEORGE B. ARMSTRONG:

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Armstong, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

(see John M. Armstrong for his Sketch)

Biographical Sketch of George B. Armstrong, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph

Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.

**********************************************************************

Armstrong Brothers, the live and spicy business men of St. Joseph,

justly merit the rank they occupy. In the browning of coffee, man-

ufacture of baking powder and spices, their trade has grown from a

small beginning until it stands among the prominent industries of

the city.

George B. Armstrong, was born in Centerville, Bucks County,

Pennsulvania, on October 8, 1846. In 1849, he came to Jerseyville,

Illinois, with his parents, where he was educated and was engaged

in farming until the autumn of 1866, when he became a resident of

St. Joseph. He engaged in the grocery trade in the spring of 1867,

and has since been closely associated with the business interests

of the city. In 1870, he married Miss Mary E. Mapstone, of Chicago.

Mr. Armstrong is a member of the A.O.U.W.

====================================================================

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb

Archives by: Penny Harrell <Incog3678@aol.com>

====================================================================

Generation No. 2

2. JOHN M.2 ARMSTRONG (SAMUEL1) was born Mar 31, 1838 in Centerville, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania, and died Abt. 1907 in St. Joseph, Buchcanan, MO. He married (1) AMELIA ESPY 1864 in ST. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MO. She was born Abt. 1838, and died Bef. 1870 in St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MO. He married (2) JENNIE MILTON 1871 in New York City, NY per son John. She was born Abt. 1850 in New York, and died Aft. 1907 in St. Joseph, Buchcanan, MO.

Notes for JOHN M. ARMSTRONG:

My father, his son, in a letter in 1956 said that John was appointed Post Master of St. Joseph by Pres. McKinley. McKinley was shot 1901 so the appointment would be before 1901. Also, daddy said he died before he finished his term and his wife finished out his term. At the moment I think John M. died about 1907. Researching and digging!

*************************************

UNION MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS

2nd Regiment, Missouri Cavalry (Merrill's Horse)

Organized at Benton Barracks, Mo., by Captain Lewis Merrill, U. S. A., under authority of General Fremont, September 3 to December 11, 1861. (Co. "L" organized at St. Louis, Mo., January 1, 1863, and Co. "M" at Warrenton June 30, 1863.) Before organization of Regiment was completed ordered to march to Springfield, Mo., September, 1861. Fremont's Campaign against Springfield, Mo., September-October. At Sedalia, Mo., till January, 1862. Scout through Saline County December 3-12, 1861. Expedition to Milford December 15-19. Shawnee Mound or Milford, Blackwater River, December 18. Roan's Tan Yard, Silver Creek, January 8, 1862. Knobnoster January 22. Attached to Dept. of Missouri September, 1861, to January, 1862. District of Northeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to June, 1863. District of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to August, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Arkansas Expedition, to December, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of Arkansas, to January, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to May, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to muster out.

SERVICE.-Moved to Northern Missouri and duty at Columbia, Glasgow, Sturgeon, Paris, Huntsville, Palmyra and Warrenton, operating against guerrillas January, 1862, to June, 1863. Expedition into Schuyler and Scotland Counties, Porter's and Poindexter's guerrillas, July 12-August 8, 1862. Near Memphis, Mo., July 18. Brown Springs July 27. Moore's Mills, near Fulton, July 28. Kirksville August 6 (Detachment). Pursuit of Poindexter August 8-15, with skirmishes at Grand River, Lee's Ford, Chariton River and Walnut Creek, near Stockton, August 9. Switzler's Mill August 10. Little Compton Ferry, Yellow Creek, August 11. Roanoke September 6 (Detachment). Scotland and Boone Counties September 30 (Detachment). Joined Davidson's Cavalry Division at Pilot Knob June, 1863. Expedition to Little Rock, Ark., July 1-September 10. Grand Prairie August 17. Brownsville August 25. Bayou Metoe or Reed's Bridge August 27. Reconnoissance from Brownsville August 29. Bear Skin Lake, Ashby's Mills, September 7. Bayou Fourche and capture of Little Rock September 10. Pursuit of Price September 11-13. Near Little Rock September 11. Duty at Little Rock till March, 1864. Steele's Expedition to Camden March 23-May 3, Benton Road March 23-24. Okolona April 2-3. Prairie D'Ann April 9-12. Camden April 15-18. Moro Bottom April 25-26. Jenkins' Ferry, Saline River, April 30. Scatterville July 28. Duty in Arkansas till September. Operating against Price September and October. Booneville, Mo., October 9-12. Little Blue October 21. Big Blue, State Line, October 22. Westport October 23. Battle of Charlot October 25. Mine Creek, Osage River, Marias des Cygnes, October 25. Grierson's Expedition from Memphis against Mobile & Ohio Railroad December 21, 1864, to January 15 1865 (Co. "E"). Near Memphis February 9 (Detachment). Moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and duty operating against guerrillas in Georgia and Alabama and escorting trains from Chattanooga to Atlanta January to September, 1865. Mustered out September 19, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 53 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 205 Enlisted men by disease. Total 262.

http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.htm

2nd Regiment, Missouri Cavalry (Merrill's Horse)

Displaying records 55 --59 out of 3306

No. Last, First Company Rank_In Rank_Out

55 Armstrong, James Private Private

56 Armstrong, John M. F&S Corporal First Lieutenant (my grandfather, Liz Armstrong Braswell)

57 Armstrong, William F. M Private Private

58 Armstrong, William L. K Private Private

59 Armstrong, William P. K Corporal Corporal

*************************

St. Joseph Daily Gazette, Aug 12, 1868

Real Estate Transfers. -- The following conveyances were filed in the Recorders office yesterday: John BURLINGTON to J. M. ARMSTRONG; warrantee deed for lot 4 in block 19, Robidoux's addition to St. Joseph. Consideration $1,500.

*************************

U.S. Census 1880, St. Joseph, MO

John M. Armstrong W/M/42 Head Grocer Penn/Penn/Penn

Jennie M. W/F/32 Wife Keep House MO/England/England

Thomas E. W/M/14 Son School MO/MO/Penn

Beattie W/M/6 Son School MO/MO/Penn

Fannie Eliz. W/F/2 Dau MO/MO/Penn

and

Tate, Eliz W/F/24 domestic Servant IN/KY/KY

***************************