Samuel Stevens (abt. 1805 - abt. 1863)

Born about 16 Apr 1805 in Maine, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy White (Kenison) Stevens — married 3 Jul 1827 in OH

Descendants

Died about 17 Aug 1863 at about age 58 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Samuel was born in 1805 or 1806 in Maine. He emigrated to Iowa and lived near New London, IA.^[1]Samuel Stevens was part of the "Greybeards", the older, physically able men who served on Guard and Garrison duty during the Civil War for the Union Army, Co. H, 37th Iowa Infantry. He died while stationed at Memphis and is buried in the Memphis National Cemetery. One source says born in 1805 and another says 1806. Copied from findagrave: Civil War Veteran Co H 37th Iowa Infantry The Greybeard Regiment

From military records: Stevens, Samuel. Age 56. Residence New London,Ia. Nativity Maine. Enlisted Sept. 9, 1862. Mustered Nov. 5, 1862. Died Aug. 17, 1863, Memphis, Tenn.

The 37th Iowa Infantry, nicknamed "The Greybeard Regiment", was the only regiment of its kind ever recruited in the United States. It was made up of men over the enlistment age, which at that time was 45. Some were in their 70s and 80s. Its original purpose was to guard prisons in order to free young men for more active duty.

Based on enlistment, his service included guard duty of rebels confined in the two military prisons at St Louis, the arsenal and provost duty. From My-Jul 1863 assigned guard duty of the Pacific Railroad from St. Louis to Jefferson City, Mo. Subsequently, at Alton,IL guarding military prison until February 17, 1864, then to Rock Island, Ill., guarding the largest military prison in the West housing ten thousand rebel prisoners. On June 6, 1864, ordered to Memphis, Tenn. The regiment guarded the provision train from Memphis east to LaGrange, Tenn., and from there south to Holly Springs, Miss.

Note: Birth year based on age at enlistment

Burial: Memphis National Cemetery Memphis Shelby County Tennessee, USA Plot: A, 2084 ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Year: 1850; Census Place: New London, Henry, Iowa; Roll: 184; Page: 165B. Name: Samuel Stephens Gender: Male Age: 46 Birth Year: abt 1804 Birthplace: Maine Home in 1850: New London, Henry, Iowa, USA Occupation: Wagon Maker Industry: Railroad and miscellaneous transportation equipment Real Estate: 100 Line Number: 31 Dwelling Number: 94 Family Number: 94 Household Members: Name Age Samuel Stephens 46 Nancy Stephens 47 Nancy E Stephens 12 Susanna Stephens 10 David Stephens 4
2. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3171156. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 July 2020), memorial page for Pvt Samuel Stevens (1806–17 Aug 1863), Find a Grave Memorial no. 3171156, citing Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA ; Maintained by K L Bonnett (contributor 46868590)

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