EDWARD STANFORD, Company "F"
Submitted by Mary Stanford Pitkin, great-great granddaughter.
EDWARD STANFORD, Company "F"
Submitted by Mary Stanford Pitkin, great-great granddaughter.
Edward J. Stanford was born in Ireland in 1834, the son of James and Susan (Mason) Stanford. He came to America circa 1848 and was naturalized on 9 Mar 1867 in New Haven, CT.
Before settling in New Haven, Edward went to work in the coal mines in Lewisburg, VA/WV. In the 1860 Census Edward is listed in what seems to be a boarding house in Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., WV. He is listed as a "day laborer". Family notes say that at some time Edward lived in Eaton, OH. This may have been prior to going to WV, as he joined the Union Army in Lewisburg and settled in New Haven right after the war.
When the Civil War broke out, Edward joined the Union Army. He was a Corporal in Co. F of the 1st WV Mounted Volunteers. He enlisted on 19 Aug 1861 for 3 years. He was discharged 17 Jan 1864, reinlisted and was mustered out on 8 Jul 1865. While in service, he fought under Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley and was severely wounded by a saber thrust in the Battle of Winchester. He fought in the Battle of Bull Run on 29 Aug 1862.
Edward married Anne Carroll in New Haven, CT. Their children were: Susan b. Mar 1868 d. 6 Sep 1869; Thomas b. 22 Dec 1869; Mary Jane b. 1867 d. 10 Nov 1890; Annie b. 5 Oct 1871 d. 5 Feb 1953; Edward F. b. 23 Mar 1873 d. 21 Mar 1948 (my great grandfather); Susan (Susie) b. 13 Jan 1875; William Henry b. 7 Sep 1877 d. 6 Nov 1955; George C. b. 26 Jul 1880 d. 5 Jul 1951; Emma Lorette b. 18 Sep 1882; Elenor Mae b. 25 jan 1885; Elizabeth b. 28 Dec 1886.
When Edward first appears in the New Haven City Directories in 1866, he is listed as a "laborer" living on Lafayette Place. The next year he is listed as a "grocer" at Morrocco Ave. and living at 17 Dow St. In 1869, both his store and home were on Lafayette Place. In the 1870 Census the family was listed in the "third ward". In the 1880 Census, Edward is listed as living at 17 Lafayette Place and working at a "pork packing" plant.
According to military records, Edward was 5 ft. 8in. tall, weighed 130 pounds, had grey eyes and auburn hair, and a light complexion.
Edward died 24 Nov 1909 New Haven, CT. His death record lists the cause of death as "paresis." In his obituary, pall bearers are listed as "relatives": Dr. J. J. S. Doherty, Edward Stanford, Atty. Edward Stanford,, Charles Havey, Thomas McAveney and James.
The funeral of Edward J. Stanford was very largely attended this morning at his late residence, 196 Howard Ave, and later at St. John’s church where the Rev. Father Keating celebrated a solemn high mass of requiem. The Rev. Father McGivney was deacon. The Rev. Father Coyle was within the chancel.
Schmidt’s mass was sung by the quartet, composed of Miss Bertha Ray, Miss Jean Fahy, Charles O’Connell and Harry Merritt. Prof. Enrico was organist and also sang beautifully “Nearer, My God to Thee” and “Lead, Kindly Light”.
The death of Mr. Stanford, which occurred at his residence last Wednesday, has brought sincerest regret to an unusually large number of friends and the deepest sorry to his immediate family. An honorable citizen, a practical Christian, a devoted husband and father, a member of one of the oldest Catholic families of this city (New Haven, CT), his taking away has indeed left a void in the community.
Mr. Stanford is survived by his widow and five daughters, Susan, wife of Dr. J.A. Cooke of Meriden; Eleanor, wife of Attorney Frank J. McCoy of New York; and the misses Anna, Emma and Elizabeth Stanford, and five sons, Thomas J., Edward F., William H., and George C. Stanford.
At the conclusion of the services the Rev. Father Keating paid a merited and beautiful tribute to the deceased. He took for his text the words: “He has fought the good light; he has kept the faith; he has finished the course.”
He dwelt upon the justice of the Lord and his mercies and paid tribute to the admirable traits of Mr. Stanford. He dwelt on his patriotism and his service to his country during the Civil War, where he also fought the good fight. He then dwelt on the thousands of Irish Catholics who have laid down their lives on the battlefield for this country. He referred to the devotion of the Irish to their religious faith and at a time when there was not a Catholic church in every hamlet and in every town as now. He said the deceased had this strong self-sacrificing faith. The Rev. Father pictured most consolingly the closing hours of Mr. Stanford’s life, of his vigorous mind, of his love for his devoted wife and children and said that he looked forward with hope to the world to come, for he had indeed “fought the good fight, he had kept the faith; he had finished the course”.
Beautiful flowers covered his casket. The pallbearers who were relatives were Dr. J.J.S. Doherty, Messrs. Charles Havey, Thomas McAveney, Edward J. Stanford, James Burke and Edward Stanford. The internment was in St. Bernard’s cemetery and Cox and Henze had charge of arrangements.
The funeral of Edward J. Stanford who died Wednesday after a long illness, was attended Saturday morning at St. John’s R.C. church where a solemn requiem high mass was celebrated by Father Keating. Father McGivney was deacon and Father Ford sub-deacon. A quartet composed of Miss Jane Fahy, Miss Anna Keenan, Charles o’Connell and Harry Merritt sang. The pallbearers were Charles Havey, James Burke, Dr. J. S. Doherty, Edward J. Stanford, Thomas McAviney and Attorney Edward J. Stanford.
Mr. Stanford was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the First West Virginia regiment. He saw much active service and fought under Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley being severely wounded by a saber thrust in the battle of Winchester. He leaves besides his widow, five daughters, misses Anna, Emma, Elizabeth and Susan wife of Dr. J.A. Cooke of Meriden, Eleanor, wife of Attorney Frank J. McCoy of New York and four sons, Thomas J., Edward F, William H., and George C.
Internment was in St. Bernard’s cemetery and Father Keating officiated at the grave.
