Person:Woodman Sample (1)

Civil War

The Civil War broke out in April of 1861. Woodman answered the call by enlisting in May of 1861 in the First Virginia Infantry Regiment.^[9] This regiment later became the First West Virginia Infantry Regiment.^[9] The regiment was created from volunteers who agreed to three months service, and was formed in Wheeling, West Virginia.^[48] Records show that Woodman was mustered into the regiment on May 13, 1861. ^[9] His three months of service would have ended on August 13, 1861, however, somehow he mustered into the 61st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, on August 1, 1861,^[8] before his service with the First West Virginia Infantry was due to expire.

Woodman was mustered into Company E of the 61st Regiment and later transferred to Company A.^[9] He was a drummer, and during this period of military history, drummers beat cadence as a way of passing along orders during battle.^[10] The drummers also worked as stretcher bearers or messengers after their drumming duties were no longer needed.^[10]

On 4 Sep. 1864, Woodman was promoted to Principal Musician, and assigned to Field and Staff Officer's (F&S) Company, where he served until the regiment was disbanded on June 28, 1865.^[8] The rank of principal musician is similar to the rank of sergeant major.^[10]

Woodman’s pension folder shows that he participated in the following engagements:^[44]

Richmond

Malvern Hill

Second Bull Run

Antietam

Cold Harbor

Frederick City

Gettysburg

The surviving record leaves snapshots of Woodman’s Civil War experience. In one instance, Woodman was too near a canon when it exploded and it burst an eardrum causing total deafness in one ear.^[30] In another snapshot, a humorous newspaper article describes how Woodman maintained a mustache from after the Battle of Antietam in 1862 until it was shaved off in 1905.^[21]

In his correspondence with the Civil War pension borough, Woodman relates his experience at the Second Battle of Fredericksburg in which he lay on the ground all night under enemy fire, and awoke to a bad cold. The cold progressed to a fever with pain in his eyes. He was placed in a tent where he lay for ten hours, and was eventually evacuated to Washington, D.C. Woodman attributes his “dimness” of eyesight and blindness later in life to this bout of sickness.^[43]

When marching to the Battle of Second Bull Run, Woodman’s knee locked after resting.^[43] The “rheumatism” bothered him for the remainder of his life.^[49]

Woodman left the service in 1865 with total deafness of the left ear, severe deafness of the right, "very coceal" of the left side, diseased eyes and scurvy. ^[43] In 1891 he had a pterygium (Woodman described it as a “terreginm”) removed which he attributed to his Civil War service. ^[43]

Pension Dispute

Woodman was granted a pension in 1891 as partially disabled as a result of the war.^[43] He was granted an increase in his pension to $50 per month by act of Congress in 1917.^{[34] [35]} Woodman continued to petition the Pension Bureau for the remainder of his life for an additional increase to $72/month.

In 1914, Woodman awoke to find himself completely blind.^[30] He attributed his blindness to his service in the war and requested an increase in his pension. His request for an increase was repeatedly denied. The examining doctor determined that the blindness was caused by glaucoma as a result of old age, and not as a result of his service.

After the War

After the war, Woodman moved to Fairmont, West Virginia where he married Violet Lloyd. ^[46] They lived there together for the remainder of their lives.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Woodman and Violet had 6 or 7 children together. The 1900 Census record state that Violet gave birth to seven children, 5 of which were alive in 1900. ^[13] The census for 1910 shows that Violet had 6 children, 4 of which were alive.^[14] Violet’s eldest son, William, was killed in a railroad accident when he was 17 years old in 1886.(citation needed). If one were to guess, one might conjecture that the 1910 record is accurate because of the surviving children, William’s death, and perhaps another baby that died in infancy.

Woodman had various occupations in his life. He was a coal miner ^[7], constable^[16], humane society officer^[17][25], and grocer^[11].

Appearance

Woodman’s Civil War pension file listed him as 5 foot 8 inches tall with dark hair, dark complexion and gray eyes. ^[44]

1.   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
2.   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
3.   United States. U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865. (National Park Service).

   Woodman Sample, Military Beginning rank: Private, Military Final Rank: Principal Musician, Military Side: Union, State or military term: Pennsylvania, Military Unit: 61st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Military Company: EA, Military Company note: F&S, Affiliate Film Number: 106.
   
   https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FSST-5ZR
   
   NARA microfilm publication M554, roll 106, multiple microfilm publications, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 882441.

4.   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...."

5.   Find A Grave
   Woodman Sample.
6.   J.M. Lathrop, H.C. Lathrop, W.R. Penny. An Atlas Of Marion And Monongalia Cos., West Virginia. From Actual Surveys by J.M. Lathrop, H.C. Penny and W.R. Proctor. (Philadelphia: D.J. Lake & Co.)
   19, 1886.

   On page 19 of the above-cited atlas, there is a map of Palatine, West Virginia (across the river from Fairmont). The map shows a lot owned by S & C Sample (presumably Steele and Caroline Sample) on Merchant Street. Also, of note are a lot owned by John E. Sample (presumably, Johnson E. Sample) on the northeast end of Merchant Street and a lot owned by W.S. Sample (presumably Woodman Stokely Sample) at the corner of Diamond and Polk Streets.
   
   A copy of the atlas can be found at The David Rumsey Map Collection, including page 19 of Palatine, Marion County, West Virginia.

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Marion, West Virginia, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   The 1870 United States Federal Census for Palatine (Fairmont Post Office), Marion County, West Virginia lists:
   
   Woodman S. Sample, Age 28, Occupation: Coal Miner, Value of Real Estate: $250, Place of Birth: Pennsylvania;
   Violet M. Sample, Age: 27, Occupation: Keeping House, Place of Birth: Virginia;
   William B. Sample, Age 1, Place of Birth: West Virginia.

   1870 Cenus
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4} Brewer, Abraham Titus, and 61st (1861-1865) United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. History, Sixty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865. (Washington [District of Columbia]: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service, 1987)
   Pages 161, 164 and 168.

   A copy of the book can be found here: https://books.google.com/books?id=ww82AQAAMAAJ

9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4} Rawling, C. J. (Charles J.). History of the First Regiment Virginia Infantry: being a narrative of the military movements in the mountains of Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley and east of the Blue Ridge during the War of the Rebellion, of the First Regiment Virginia Infantry Volunteers -- three months' and three years' service. (Washington [District of Columbia]: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service, 198-?)
   Appendix A.

   A transcription of the book with the Appendix showing Woodman's mustering in can be found here: http://www.lindapages.com/wvcw/1wvi/1wvi-appenda.htm

10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3} Poulin, FIELD MUSIC OF THE CIVIL WAR, Including extracts from, The 1861 Revised Regulations, Enactments of Congress, And Customs of Service.

    http://entrada1598.com/cw/cwmusic.pdf

11. ↑ R.L. Polk, and J.W. Weeks. West Virginia State Gazetteer and Business Directory. (Detroit, Michigan and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co., 1882-3)
    164, 1891-92.

    The West Virginia State Gazetteer for 1891-92 lists "Sample W S & Son (Woodman S and Albert L), grocers."

    1891-92 West Virginia State Gazetteer
12. ↑ United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9).

    The 1880 Census for Palatine, Marion County, West Virginia lists:
    Name: W L Sample
    Event Type: Census
    Event Date: 1880
    Event Place: Palatine, Marion, West Virginia, United States
    District: ED 85
    Gender: Male
    Age: 38
    Marital Status: Married
    Race: White
    Race (Original): W
    Occupation: [Blank]
    Relationship to Head of Household: Self
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Self
    Birth Year (Estimated): 1842
    Birthplace: West Virginia, United States
    Father's Birthplace: West Virginia, United States
    Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia, United States
    Note:
    Sheet Letter: D
    Sheet Number: 365
    Sheet Number and Letter: 365D
    Household ID: 13064420
    Person Number: 0
    Volume: 1
    Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
    Affiliate Publication Number: T9
    Affiliate Film Number: 1407
    GS Film Number: 1255407
    Digital Folder Number: 005162819
    Image Number: 00112
    
    
    Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
    W L Sample Self M 38 West Virginia, United States
    V M Sample Wife F 38 West Virginia, United States
    Wm B Sample Son M 12 West Virginia, United States
    Albert L Sample Son M 9 West Virginia, United States
    Leyed E Sample Son M 5 West Virginia, United States
    Della Sample Daughter F 0 West Virginia, United States
    
    
    
    Citing this Record:
    "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6RY-DCQ : accessed 14 February 2016), W L Sample, Palatine, Marion, West Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 85, sheet 365D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1407; FHL microfilm 1,255,407.

    1880 Census
13. ↑ ^13.0 13.1 United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).

    The 1900 Census for Marion County, West Virginia lists:
    
    Name: Woodman H Sample
    Titles and Terms:
    Event Type: Census
    Event Year: 1900
    Event Place: Fairmont city Ward 1, Marion, West Virginia, United States
    District: 51
    Gender: Male
    Age: 59
    Marital Status: Married
    Race: White
    Race (Original): W
    Relationship to Head of Household: Head
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
    Number of Living Children:
    Years Married: 34
    Birth Date: Jun 1841
    Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Marriage Year (Estimated): 1866
    Immigration Year:
    Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Mother of how many children:
    Occupation: [Blank]
    Sheet Number and Letter: 7A
    Household ID: 129
    Line Number: 17
    Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
    Affiliate Publication Number: T623
    GS Film Number: 1241764
    Digital Folder Number: 004123458
    Image Number: 00390
    
    
    Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
    Woodman H Sample Head M 59 Pennsylvania
    Violet M Sample Wife F 58 Pennsylvania
    Lloyd Sample Son M 25 West Virginia
    Della Sample Daughter F 21 West Virginia
    
    
    
    Citing this Record:
    "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9CT-GNN : accessed 14 February 2016), Woodman H Sample, Fairmont city Ward 1, Marion, West Virginia, United States; citing sheet 7A, family 129, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,764.

    1900 Census
14. ↑ ^14.0 14.1 United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T624).

    Name: Woodman S Sample
    Titles and Terms:
    Event Type: Census
    Event Date: 1910
    Event Place: Fairmont Ward 1, Marion, West Virginia, United States
    District: ED 58
    Gender: Male
    Age: 68
    Marital Status: Married
    Race: White
    Race (Original): White
    Relationship to Head of Household: Head
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
    Birth Year (Estimated): 1842
    Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Immigration Year:
    Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Occupation: Own Account
    Sheet Letter: A
    Sheet Number: 8
    Sheet Number and Letter: 8A
    Household ID: 162
    Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
    Affiliate Publication Number: T624
    Affiliate Film Number: 1687
    GS Film Number: 1375700
    Digital Folder Number: 005157683
    Image Number: 00329
    
    
    Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
    Woodman S Sample Head M 68 Pennsylvania
    Violet M Sample Wife F 68 West Virginia
    James G Sample Son M 29 West Virginia
    Elsie Sample Daughter [sic - daughter in law] F 24 Pennsylvania
    
    
    
    Citing this Record:
    "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPN1-SP3 : accessed 14 February 2016), Woodman S Sample, Fairmont Ward 1, Marion, West Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 58, sheet 8A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,700.

    1910 Census
15. ↑ United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625).

    Name: Wordman S Sample
    Titles and Terms:
    Event Type: Census
    Event Date: 1920
    Event Place: Fairmont Ward 1, Marion, West Virginia, United States
    District: ED 17
    Gender: Male
    Age: 78
    Marital Status: Married
    Race: White
    Race (Original): White
    Can Read:
    Can Write:
    Relationship to Head of Household: Head
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
    Own or Rent:
    Birth Year (Estimated): 1842
    Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Immigration Year:
    Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Sheet Letter: B
    Sheet Number: 4
    Sheet Number and Letter: 4B
    Household ID: 103
    Line Number: 52
    Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
    Affiliate Publication Number: T625
    Affiliate Film Number: 1961
    GS Film Number: 1821961
    Digital Folder Number: 004969023
    Image Number: 00647
    
    
    Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
    Wordman S Sample Head M 78 Pennsylvania
    Violet Marie Sample Wife F 77 West Virginia
    Dell K Williams Daughter F 40 West Virginia
    Teddy Williams Grandson M 3 Pennsylvania
    
    
    
    Citing this Record:
    "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNL4-Q73 : accessed 14 February 2016), Wordman S Sample, Fairmont Ward 1, Marion, West Virginia, United States; citing sheet 4B, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,821,961.

    1920 Census
16. ↑ Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    21 Jul. 1904.
    Woodman resigns as constable to become humane officer.
17. ↑ Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    26 Jul. 1904.
    Humane Society Active
18.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    13 Aug. 1904.
    Woodman active Republican
19.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    08 Apr. 1905.
    Woodman gets a raise
20.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    20 May 1905.
    Woodman attends John L. Sample's funeral
21. ↑ Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    18 Jul. 1905.
    Woodman shaves his 40 year old mustache
22.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    08 May 1906.
    Woodman visiting Della and Bert in Pittsburg
23.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    04 Sep. 1906.
    Woodman burned in extinguishing fire
24.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    04 Nov. 1907.
    61st PA Regiment is organizing a reunion
25. ↑ Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    25 Jun. 1908.
    Woodman in court in his role as humane officer
26.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    08 Oct. 1908.
    Maltese cross in Woodman's hat
27.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    19 Jul. 1911.
    Woodman's nephew Steele Sample died in accident
28.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    28 Sep. 1911.
    W.S Sample, agent to sell trees, shrubbery, etc.
29.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    07 Nov. 1913.
    Woodman is an election commissioner
30. ↑ ^30.0 30.1 Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    14 Apr. 1915.
    Woodman loses his eyesight
31.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    01 Jun. 1915.
    Congressman helping Wood with his pension increase
32.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    22 Jun. 1915.
    Albert announces his marriage
33.   The Daily telegram (Clarksburg, West Virginia). (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    17 Apr. 1916.
    Woodman receives increase in pension
34. ↑ The Daily telegram (Clarksburg, West Virginia). (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    19 Jul. 1916.
    President signed bill to increase Wood's pension
35. ↑ The Daily telegram (Clarksburg, West Virginia). (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    22 Sep. 1916.
    Bill enacted to increase Wood's pension
36.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    26 Jan. 1917.
    New bill to increase Wood's pension to $72
37.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    27 Aug. 1917.
    James Sample, son of Wood, is in the ambulance corps
38.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    12 Oct. 1917.
    James arrives in France
39.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    24 Jun. 1919.
    James arrives in New York from France
40.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    12 Jul. 1919.
    James on furlough in Fairmont
41.   Mitchell, G. A. Fairmont West Virginian. (Morgantown [West Virginia]: West Virginia University Library, 1957)
    14 Jul. 1919.
    Albert visiting James and Wood in Fairmont
42.   Department of Veterans Affairs. Civil War and Later Pension Files. (Washington D.C.).
    A letter dated 18 Jan. 1917 sent to the Congressman Neely seeking an increase in pension.
43. ↑ ^{43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4} Department of Veterans Affairs. Civil War and Later Pension Files. (Washington D.C.).
    A letter dated 16 Mar. 1917 sent to the Commissioner of Pension seeking an increase.
44. ↑ ^44.0 44.1 Department of Veterans Affairs. Civil War and Later Pension Files. (Washington D.C.).
    The file jacket of Woodman's pension file.
45.   United States. Veterans Administration. General index to pension files, 1861-1934. (Washington, District of Columbia, United States: NARA).
    Woodman Sample Principal Musician Co. E, A, F&S, 61rst Reg't Pa Woodman Sample Musician F and S Co 61rst Reg't Pa Inf Woodman Sample Musician A Co. 61rst Reg't Pa Inf Woodman Sample Musician D Co. 1rst Reg't WVa Inf
46. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution. Colonel Morgan Chapter (West Virginia). Marion Co. marriage records, 1842-1865. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970).
    
47. ↑ ^47.0 47.1 Woodman Sample Death Certificate
48. ↑
49. ↑