Cain W. Lucas (1844 - 1880)

Born 1844 in Phillips, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 15 Apr 1880 at about age 36 in Poweshiek, Iowa, United States

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Biography

Cain Lucas is a part of US Black heritage.

Pvt Cain Lucas served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 1864
Mustered out: 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Company A, 60th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry

Cain was born in 1844. He was the son of Henry Lucas and Walter was born about 1848. He is the son of Henry Lucas and Lottie Smith. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Cain Lucas (bef.1789-)

Cain was born an enslaved person in Phillips County, Arkansas. His then owner, John M. Preston, Jr., allowed his father to purchase freedom for the family. When Arkansas banned free people of color from living in the state in 1859, the Lucas family moved to Poweshiek County, Iowa.

Cain fought for the Union in the U.S. Civil War, enlisting in the 60th Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry. Ironically, his military service took him back to Helena, Arkansas, where his family had lived prior to being expelled.

Cain returned to Iowa. He married, and probably farmed there.

He died in 1880.^[1]

Military Service

UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS: 60th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry^[2]

OVERVIEW:

Organized March 11, 1864, from 1st Iowa Colored Infantry. Attached to District of Eastern Arkansas, 7th Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Corps, to August, 1865. Dept. of Arkansas to October, 1865.

SERVICE:

Post and garrison duty at Helena, Ark., till April, 1865. Expedition from Helena to Big Creek July 25, 1864. Action at Wallace's Ferry, Big Creek, July 26. Expedition to Kent's Landing August 11-13. Expedition up White River August 29-September 3 (Cos. "C" and "F"). Scout to Alligator Bayou September 9-14 (Detachment). Scouts to Alligator Bayou September 22-28 and October 1-4. Expedition to Harbert's Plantation, Miss., January 11-16, 1865 (Co. "C"). Moved to Little Rock April 8, 1865, and duty there till August 20. Moved to Duvall's Bluff, thence to Jacksonport, Ark. Duty there and at various points in Sub-District of White River, in White, Augusta, Franklin and Fulton Counties, Powhatan on Black River and at Batesville till September. Mustered out at Duvall's Bluff October 15, 1865. Discharged November 2, 1865

There may be images of Cain's military records at Fold3.com, a subscription site.

Sources

1. ↑ Photograph of stone at Find A Grave
2. ↑ National Park Service, United States> The Civil War> Battle Units Detail: 60th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. [1]

• “John B. Lucas Writes a History of the Lucas Family” in the Farm Column, I.S. Bailey, editor, Grinnell Herald,10 May 1932. Images available courtesy of Drake Community Library, Grinnell, Iowa [2]

• 1860 United States Census> Iowa> Poweshiek> Jackson> Image 16, Dwelling #95> Household of Henry Lucas. Database and Images at Ancestry.com [3]

Henry Lucas; Age 47 {1813}; African American; Born in Virginia; Occupation: Farmer. Real Estate: $2,180; Personal Estate $267

Charlotte Lucas; Age 38 {1822}; African American; Born in Virginia

Cain Lucas; Age 16 {1844}; African American; Born in Arkansas

Walter Lucas; Age 12 {1848}; African American; Born in Arkansas

• National Park Service, United States> Civil War Soldiers & Sailors Database> Cain Lucas. [4]. citing M589 Roll 55, Film Number C-71

Battle Unit: 60th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry

Rank In: Private; Rank Out: Private

• U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865. Database at Ancestry.com [5].

Cain Lucas; Age 20 {1844}; Private, Company A, 60th U.S. Colored Infantry

• Find A Grave Memorial for Cain W Lucas [6]. Photograph of stone at website.

Burial at Jackson Township Cemetery, Montezuma, Poweshiek, Iowa

”CANE W./ LUCAS / DIED / APR. 15,1880 / AGED / 35{?} YS, 11 MS / 1 DS / A VT OF CO. A 60{?} / U.S.C. {I.?] / rest of inscription is indistinct”

• Iowa, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997> Poweshiek> Probate Records, Vol A-C> 1876-1906> Page 139 / Image 171. Database and Images at Ancestry.com [7]

Will of Henry Lucas, Pleasant Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa. Signed 10 April 1886

Bequests to: wife, Charlotte Lucas; son John Brown Lucas; son Charles Theodore Lucas; son Henry Lucas {!?}; Daughter-in-law Emma Lucas, wife of Walter Lucas, deceased; granddaughter Phoebe E. Lucas; Mrs. Mary A. Benton, wife of Cain W. Lucas, deceased