Calvin Files (abt. 1846 - 1916)

Born about Oct 1846 in Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence, New York, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 26 Sep 1916 at about age 69 in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence, New York, United States

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Biography

Summary of my research on the family of Calvin Files by Douglas S. Files, written 1996 & appended 4/98:

Sources: U.S. Census records, St. Lawrence Co., NY 1865 NY State Census, Ogdensburg/Oswegatchie, indexed by Mary H. Smallman 1880 U.S. Census for Brandon, Franklin Co., NY Civil War enlistment records Oral family history from Charles and Louise Strutz Files Personal communication, Berniece Streeter, Sec'y of the Hopkinton-Fort Jackson (NY) Cemetery Assn. Lauri Files Farrell, who visited Potsdam in 2012 Cari Darminio

Between 1820 and 1830 several members of the Vilas/Fields family moved to Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence Co., NY. They were mostly tanners and shoemakers, per US Census records. Volunteer researcher Stan Maine of the St. Lawrence Co. Historical Assoc. was unable to unearth much about these families. However, he did find several Vilas family members in area cemetaries. He also sent along part of the Fader Genealogy book, which states that some Fields families moved from America to Canada. Noel and Lucinda Files/Fields emigrated from French Canada to Oswegatchie, NY between 1844 and 1846. Their first three children Caroline, David, and Noel Adney were born in Canada. Calvin was born in Ogdensburgh, NY in October 1846. He may have been named after his mother's brother Calvin Wait and his middle initial may have been "U". Calvin Files attended school until at least age 13. Emma was born in about 1855/6 in NY. Noel Sr., who worked as a laborer, died between 1855 and 1860. In February 1865 Calvin enlisted as a private in Capt. Piercy's Independent Co. #1 of the 26th NY Cavalry (Company L). Family legend has it that he was a drummer boy in the Civil War. The History of St. Lawrence Co., NY notes that his unit patrolled the Canadian border and saw little or no fighting. The 1865 NY State census lists Nowell Files as head of household at age 21. It notes that he was a naturalized US citizen, that he owned land, and that he was serving in the 6th NY Cavalry. Lucy Files, at age 45, is listed as a widow who had had six children. Calvin and Emma also appear in this census, but Caroline and David do not. By 1870 none of the above Files/Fields are found in Oswegatchie in the US Census. Cari Darminio thinks the family was living in Akron, OH then. Per the 1870 U.S. Census Calvin Files age 23 was living there with his wife "Jane" age 22 and two sons, William age 4 and Charles age 2. All four members of the family were born in NY. Calvin married a woman named Jennie Malay, who may have been of Spanish heritage, although the 1900 US Census states she was born in NY. Noel Files' death certificate confirms that they were both born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., NY. Noel was born in Hopkinton, NY on 1 Jul 1887. In the 1880 U.S. Census Calvin and Jennie were living in Brandon, Franklin Co., NY. Calvin was listed as a 32-year-old farmer. Jennie was 29 and kept house. Their three children were William age 12, Charles age 11 and Elbertha age 8. They had a boarder named Calvin Wait, who was probably a brother of Calvin's mother. In 1888 the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors agreed that Calvin Files had not been paid $200 owed him by the county as a Civil War veteran and they agreed to pay him the money. Jennie died prior to 1900 when the U.S. Census shows Calvin, age 53, living in Hopkinton Twp., St. Lawrence Co, NY. He owned his own home. Noel/Nowell/Newell was 14 years old and in school at that time, according to the census. Per Lauri Files Farrell, a Potsdam newspaper article states that Calvin bought a farm in 1908. Calvin is buried at Fort Jackson, Hopkinton, NY. He is buried in the section for soldiers on the right side of the cemetery in the back. Cemetery records show the following: "Files, Calvin, Co. L, 26 NY Cav. (Civil War) Buried: Sept. 29, 1916." Family members have seen his grave there. His gravestone is deteriorated but it may state that he died 29 Sep 1919. Mrs. Bernice Streeter, secretary of the Hopkinton - Fort Jackson Cemetery Association confirms the 1916 date, although the NY State Dept. of Health has no death certificate on file for Calvin. There is also a Mary Matilda (Perry) Files buried in the same cemetery on 9 Jun 1932, aged 82 years. He married her 10 Jan 1913. She applied for a veteran's widow's pension 24 Nov 1919.

From Calvin Files' Army enlistment:

VOLUNTEER ENLISTMENT State of New York, Town of Oswegatchie

I, Calvin Files, born in Oswegatchie, in the State of New York, aged seven-teen years, and by occupation a Farmer, do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this Fifteenth day of February, 1865, to serve as a soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of (three crossed out) one year, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Calvin Files, do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.

Sworn and subscribed to, at Ogdensburg, NY this 15th day of February, 1865, (signed) Calvin FIles before (signed) Elijah White

I certify, on honor, That I have carefully examined the above-named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that, in my opinion, he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier. (signed) G. T. Cole, 17th District NY Examining Surgeon

I certify, on honor, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer C. Files previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. (signed) D. A. Perry, 2nd Srent Recruiting Officer

Mustered into the service of the United States, for (three years or during the war, crossed out) one year, from date of enlistment, in Company No. 1 Frontier, Regiment of N.Y. Cavalry Volunteers, on the 16th day of February, 1865, at Malone, NY + credited to 21 sect Dist. Oswegatchie, St. Law. Co. Local Bounty $500 17th Cong. Dist. N.Y. Sct Munache Capt. P. Brono Marshal 17th Dist N.Y.

Handwritten at bottom of sheet: Conditionally Mustered in Co. No. 1, Frontier Cavalry

From the 1900 US Census, St. Lawrence Co., NY, Hopkinton Township, p. 30A, Enumeration district 97, sheet 14, line 13, census taken 26 Jun 1900:

Calvin N. Files, color: W, b. Oct 1846 in NY, age 53 at last birthday, widowed Calvin's parents were both born in French Canada. He could read, write and speak English. He owned his home (owned free and not mortgaged), and it was a house as opposed to a farm. Birthplace: New York Other members of family:

Files, Newell E. (or C.) relationship: S b. July 1885, age 14, born in NY Lewis, Sophronia relationship: Sr. b. July 1841, age 58, born in NY

1905 NY State Census - St. Lawrence Co., NY Catalogue #885345 -Hopkinton, NY

p. 16 Files, Calvin N. Head of Household White male, 57 years old, born in the U.S. Citizen of the U.S., Farmer, Class: OA (?) No wife or other family is listed with him, thus Jennie likely died before 1905 and probably before 1900.

Sources

• Douglas Files