James Blencoe 1836-1909
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:1860 New York
K comments: Brother George served with 1st Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade
Spouse comments: Elizabeth A Littebrant Birth 1839 New York
Died 5 Nov 1921 in Binghamton, New York
Children. Josephine Blencoe, b. 1873- was an adopted child.
Born 1836
February 1836 Masonville, New York
1860 CENSUS
With brother in Masonville both Blacksmiths.
George Blinco 31 Blacksmith
Elizabeth Blinco 29
Lydia Blinco 7
Nelson Blinco 5
Fanny Blinco 2
George Blinco 8/12
James Blinco 24 Blacksmith
Elizabeth Blinco 19
Civil War
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Synopsis
James and his older brother being Blacksmiths were highly sought after skills in the Civil War and it’s very likely that after being drafted by Captain Gordon in 1963 an agreement was struck so that they could continue as civilian Blacksmiths 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 George.As with brother no further records and so its likely both Blacksmiths they were recruited as civilians to work on behalf of Union Army
1864-1865
Most likely following 1st Md Cavalry and performing role of Blacksmith.
Photographed by Alexander Gardner.
Library of Congress image.
After the War
1870 Census
A single Blacksmith living with Abram Scott a carpenter, also in the household future wife Hannah Littebrant
1880 Census
Married in Masonville and a Farmer
Blencoe Age 43
Elizabeth Blencoe Age 41
1900 Census
James Blencoe Age 63
Elisabeth A Blencoe Age 60
Josephine A Blencoe Age 21 an adopted child.
Death 1909
10 September 1909 Masonville
Gallery
Sources
- 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.