|
|
Facts and Events
As with his siblings, Abraham Morrison Sample appears to be named for an associate of his father, Steele Sample. Steele sold the newspaper, the Sky, to Abraham Morrison in 1837.[4]
Abraham Morrison went by "Morrison" so many of his records refer to Morrison A. Sample. For Example, the index cards of Civil War veterans lists Abraham Morrison Sample as using the alias “Morrison A.”
Civil War
Morrison began his Civil War career by joining Company G of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry on June 13, 1861, a month before his 25th birthday. The Regiment was originally formed in Pennsylvania, but was refused because Pennsylvania’s quota had already been met. They were subsequently accepted by the western counties of Virginia and became the 2nd West Virginia Infantry.
Morrison was discharged for disability from the 2nd West Virginia Infantry on November 1, 1861. Family lore has it that a horse stepped on him.
Morrison’s company, Company G of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry, was transferred to Company G of the West Virginia Light Artilery in 1863. Morrison’s military records show that he served with the West Virginia Light Artillery, however, it is unclear how he could have served with the Light Artillery since he was already discharged. Perhaps the record keepers included the West Virginia Light Artillery in the records of anyone that served with Company G of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry.
The next year, Morrison joined Company I, 1rst Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry. He mustered into service on September 27, 1862, ten days after the Battle of Antietem. Antietem was the bloodiest single day battle in U.S. history. Morrison served with the 1rst West Virginia Cavalry until he was discharged near the end of the war on June 5, 1865.
The 1rst West Virginia Cavalry fought in the Battles of Gettysburg and Cedar Creek among others. It would be interesting to know if Morrison was present at these momentous battles.
The 1rst West Virginia Cavalry had more Medal of Honor recipients than any other Regiment during the civil war.
Image Gallery
 Index card to US government pension Files for U.S. Veterans referencing 1rst WV Cavalry.  Index card to US government pension Files for U.S. Veterans referencing 2nd WV Infantry.  Envelope record from the US government pension files for U.S. veterans referencing 1rst WV Cavalry.  Envelope record from the US government pension files for U.S. veterans referencing WV Light Artillery.  Envelope record from the US government pension files for U.S. veterans referencing 5th WV Cavalry. References
- ↑ Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Seventh Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication M432. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration).
The 1850 United States Federal Census for Jefferson, Fayette County, Pennsylvania lists:
Steele Sample, Age 42. Profession: Printer, Place of Birth: Westmoreland County, PA.
Household members are:
Caroline Sample, age 42, Place of Birth: Maryland;
Ellen Sample, Age 15, born Summersette Co., PA [sic],
Abraham Sample, Age 13, born Summersette Co., PA [sic];
George Sample, Age 11, born Summersette Co., PA [sic];
Woodman Sample, Age 10 born Summersette Co., PA [sic];
Johnston [sic, Johnson?] Sample, Age 6, born Summersette Co., PA [sic];
Thompson [Sic, Thomas?] Sample, Age 3 years, 3 months, born Summersette Co., PA [sic
1850 Census 
- ↑ Washington, Pennsylvania, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule.
The 1860 United States Federal Census for California, Washington County, Pennsylvania lists:
Steele Sample, Age 65, Occupation laborer, value of real estate $300, value of personal estate $100, place of birth: Pennsylvania;
Caroline Sample, age 46, Place of Birth: Pennsylvania;
Morrison Sample, age 23, Place of birth: Pennsylvania;
George Sample, age 21, place of birth: Pennsylvania;
Woodman Sample, age 19, place of birth: Pennsylvania;
Johnston Sample, age 16, place of birth: Pennsylvania;
Thos. Sample, age 12, place of birth: Pennsylvania;
John Sample, age 9, place of birth: Pennsylvania;
Henry C Sample, age 7, place of birth: Pennsylvania.
1860 Census 
- Jordan, John W, and James Hadden. Genealogical and personal history of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. (New York, United States: Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1912)
854.
"He married, in 1858, Ellen Sample, born 1833, died, November 9, 1900, daughter of Steele Sample, a journalist and editor of the first paper published in California, Pennsylvania. Later he moved to and edited a paper in Fairmont, West Virginia, where he died aged eighty-eight years. He was a Presbyterian, as was his wife. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Sample: 1. Morrison of Los Angeles, California. 2. Wood of Fairmont, West Virginia. 3. Johnson. 4. Thomas, a music dealer of Warren, Ohio, where he died. 5. George, for the past forty years a resident of California. 6. John, deceased. 7. Henry, one time editor of the Fairmont Free Press, now retired. 8. Ellen, of previous mention...."
- ↑ Storey, Henry Wilson. History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania: with genealogical memoirs. (New York; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1907)
Vol. 1, page 369.
"On May 13, 1836, M.A. Canan became a partner in the publication of the Sky. Tuesday, October 7, 1837, is the date of the last issue of the files under the Canans. The paper was afterward run for about a year by Steele Sample, and then was purchased by Abraham Morrison ...." [Emphasis Added].
- ↑ United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132).
1870 Cenus 
|
|
