George Henry Blenco [5994]
1828-1908
Father Nm: John B Blencowe 1796–1890 BIRTH APR 1796 • Gawcott, Buckinghamshire, England DEATH 03 FEB 1890 • Masonville
Mother Nm: Hannah Herring 1798–1867 BIRTH 29 JUNE 1798 • Sheffield, Metropolitan Borough of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Death 6 September 1867 Guilford, Chenango, New York, USA
Marriage Dt:Before 1852
K comments: Younger brother James served with the same Regiment and enlisted on the same day
Spouse comments: Elizabeth Nancy Wicks [2630] born 1831 New York died
Wife: Elizabeth Nancy Wickes b. 13 Jun 1829, England 
d. 25 Oct 1912, Fairmont Martin Minn .
Children:
 |  |  |  |
| Lydia Blencoe b. 1853 | Nelson Blencoe b. 1855 | Fannie M Blencoe b. 1858 | George H. Blencoe Jr. b. 1860 |
 |  |  | |
| Henry Hosea Blencoe b. 1863 | Hattie Blencoe b. 1865 | Frank Blencoe b. 1867 |
Born 1828
2 Dec. 1828 Buckingham, Buckinghamshire
Baptism 4 Jan 1829 Gawcott,Buck
1832 Emigrated to America
3 July, George a 3 year old travelled with his mother and father and arrived at New York on the Brig Prince Leboo from Liverpool
1860 CENSUS
Masonville Delaware
George Blinco 31 Blacksmith
Elizabeth Blinco29
Lydia Blinco 7
Nelson Blinco 5
Fanny Blinco 2
George Blinco 8/12
James Blinco 24 brother Blacksmith
Elizabeth Blinco 19
Civil War
George Blenco Pvt 1st Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade
Synopsis
George and his younger brother James being Blacksmiths were highly sought after for their skills in the Civil War and it’s very likely that after being drafted by Captain Gordon. In 1863 an agreement was struck so that they could continue as civilian Blacksmiths, but to follow the Regiment in the war and generally provided the essential services to keep the regiment operational. “Blacksmiths followed artillery units as well, transporting the battery forge and repairing cannons, wagons, the horses that wend with, and the equipment used, such as the worm (for cleaning out the remains of the canister in the barrel).
Legions of civilian blacksmiths were hired in during the war for the foundries for cannons. They cast and drilled out hundreds of cannon barrels throughout the war.
The average blacksmith in the North made $3.00 per day, which in respect to Union infantry soldiers, was a small fortune.” It could be the reason after the war George and James appear as landowners in the later census ie they earned enough to become relatively well off during the war.
1863
- 23 July. Drafted by Captain Gordon, along with brother James. There are no other records found for George which supports that he was employed as a Civilian Blacksmith by the Union Army
1864-1865
Most likely following 1st Md Cavalry and performing role of Blacksmith.
Photographed by Alexander Gardner.
Library of Congress image.
The Civilian role wasn’t without its risks and dangers.
Status if Captured:
- Non-Combatant Ambiguity: As civilian employees, their status was often precarious. While modern conventions protect civilians, during the Civil War, they were often treated as prisoners of war (POWs) if captured with the military.
- Value to the Enemy: Because their skills were in such high demand, captured blacksmiths were sometimes “unburdened” of their tools or pressured to work for the opposing side.
- General Treatment: If not immediately paroled, they could be sent to prison camps like Andersonville or Richmond. However, unlike soldiers who were part of formal prisoner exchanges based on rank, civilians were often held until military operations in the area concluded, unless they were suspected of spying.
After the War
1870 Census
Blue Eath Fairbault Minnesota
Geo Blenco 41 Blacksmith
Elizabeth Blenco 40
Lydia Blenco 17
Nelson Blenco 15
Fannie Blenco 12
George Blenco 10
Henry Blenco 7
Hattie Blenco 5
Frank Blenco 3
Old photo of Blue Earth County and its rural past source https://www.revimage.org/city-hall-blue-earth-mn/
1880 Census
Fairmount Martibn Minnesota
Geo. Blenco 51 Self (Head) Bleacksmith
Nancy E. Blenco 49 Wife
Nelson N. Blenco 25 Son
Fannie M. Blenco 22 Daughter
Henry H. Blenco 17 Son
Hattie D. Blenco 14 Daughter
Frank E. Blenco 12 Son
1900 Census
Fairmount Martibn Minnesota
George Blenco 71 Head
Elizabeth W Blenco 68 Wife
Death 1908
14 OCT 1908 Fairmont, Martin, Minnesota
Gallery
Sources and Reference
- Ancestry and BFA database
- Fold3 and National records Office USA
- Civil War Talk Forum
- National Park Service (NPS): Documentation on the essential nature of blacksmiths and farriers in colonial and Civil War military units.
- The Ordnance Manual of 1863: Outlines the standard equipment and deployment of traveling forges used by army blacksmiths.
- American Battlefield Trust: Provides comparative data on Union and Confederate soldier pay scales.
- Library of Congress / Alexander Gardner: Historical photography confirming the presence of blacksmiths at Army of the Potomac headquarters.