William Osborne Caynor

William Osborne Caynor M V T K Y Photo: “I do not have or have never seen any pictures of any member of the Caynor family other than Margaret who married J. B. Robinson.”[958] Born: 20 February 1846, Harrisonburg, Rockingham County.[959] [960] “William was born in 1849 in Harrisonburg; Rockingham County.”[961] Probably delete above line. “Let me begin by saying there are many discrepancies regarding the date that William was born, I will give you my sources and you can make your own determination. “1) 1850 Fauquier County Census lists him with his father James Canor (Farmer, age 42). His age is recorded as 3 years. That would mean he was born in 1847. “2) 1860 Fauquier County, Southwest District Census lists him with his father James L. (Overseer, age 49). His age is recorded as 14 years that would mean he was born in 1846. “3) November 9, 1897 Fauquier County marriage license lists William as 48 years of age; this would mean he was born in 1849. “4) June 3, 1902 Soldiers pension lists William as 57 years of age; this would mean he was born in 1845.”[962] [NOTE:The mean of the years reported in previous citation is 1846.25.—SBR] “[H]is marriage license… also mentions William as being born in Rockingham County.”[963] “I located a bible record called “The Beemer Family Bible Record”, which can be accessed on the Library of Virginia website. This record gives William’s name as William Osborne Caynor, born February 20, 1846….”[964] Married: “William was married to Charlotte A. Burgess on 11/9/1897 in Fauquier County; she was born in 1850 in Fauquier County. She was divorced at the time; this information comes from their marriage certificate.”[965] “He married Charlotte A. Burgess (born 1852) on November 09, 1897, in Fauquier County, Virginia.”[966] Note different birth year for her. Died: Between 1902 and 1910.[967] Obituary: Children: “I haven’t identified any children from this marriage … but they probably did not have children since he was 48 and she was 45 years old at the time of this union.”[968] “I haven’t located any children for William; it doesn’t appear that he had any.”[969] Parents and Siblings: “His mother was Mary Beemer.”[970] “William’s parents are listed on his marriage license.”[971] “William’s father was James and his mother was Mary, they were married in 1831.”[972] “His father James is listed in the 1840 Rockingham Census as James Cayner.”[973] “William Osborne[974] Caynor a son of James Caynor and Mary his wife was born February 20th 1846.”[975] His mother, formerly Mary B. Beemer,[976] was born September 17, 1816, and died Feb 22, 1849. His siblings were: George B. Caynor, born 18 Nov 1833; John H. Caynor, born 18 Mar 1835; Mary Louisa Caynor, born 25 Sep 1838; Margaret Annyn(?) Caynor, born Feb 3 1841; and James R. Caynor, born 29 Oct 1843.[977] “William’s siblings were; Louann (born 1838), George B. (born 12/19/1834), James R. (born 1841)”[978] “Upon further research I have found a correction in James R. year of birth, it should be 1843 not 1841. He is listed as 45 years old on his death certificate; he died on June 4, 1888.”[979] Other Family: “William’s father James who is listed as an overseer for A. J. B. Smarr in the 1860 Census in Fauquier. William’s other brother George B. is listed as a paroled prisoner at Warrenton, … [29 September] 1862; he is listed as a citizen.”[980] “William’s brother James R. worked in a Confederate ordinance factory until being conscripted into Company F of the 60th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate army on 10/30/64.”[981] “James R. enlisted (10/30/64) in the 60th Virginia Infantry, Company F. James and William’s uncle was the Captain of this company (John L. Caynor).”[982] “William’s brother James was a private with the 60th Virginia Infantry, Company F, formed in Fauquier and his Uncle John L. Caynor had a distinguished war record as the Captain of this unit. His grandfather was John Caynor, an overseer before the war. And his great grandfather was Mathew Caynor of the 10th regiment of the Continental line in the Revolutionary War; this unit was formed in Fauquier County.”[983] “Margaret Ellen Caynor Robinson was not the sister of William Osborne Caynor but instead a cousin. … To date, I have not been able to trace William O. Caynor’s sister Margaret past the 1860 census when she was living with her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Louisa Caynor and John Beemer. Mary L. and John were married 10/8/1856 in Frederick Co., Virginia.”[984] Stories, Letters & Biographies: CSR: Enlisted 15 February 1863; captured 16 April 1863 Fayetteville; Old Capitol Prison; exchanged 10 May 1863; transferred April 1864. Confederate Pension Application: A lifelong Virginian, he had resided in Fauquier County since a small child. He was occupied as a laborer all his life. He served with the Brooks Battery under Capt. Utterback until the surrender at Appomattox. In June 1902, he recollected that he entered the service of Virginia “in 1862 about January I think.” He applied for a pension due to a “disease of the lungs, [and infection] of the eyes,” resulting from a “deep cold contracted last winter,” which left him “able to do some work but not sufficient to earn a living. … Annual income has been less than fifty dollars.” The “pension would give him an additional $15 per year.”[985] To support the justice of his claim, Wm. O. Caynor wrote, “I tried to serve faithfully and do my duty while I was in the army.” According to the application, he received mail at the “Swamp Post Office.” This post office, also known as Swampoodle, was between Marshall and The Plains.[986] Wm. L. Ficklin and Thomas A. Fant are mentioned in the 1902 application. Hugh Hamilton and M. M. Green signed the affidavit, and John R. Turner was Clerk of the Court.[987] Additional Information: “He enlisted on February 15, 1863.”[988] “[T]his [the 20 February 1846 birth date from the LOV bible record] means that William enlisted 5 days before his 17th birthday, he enlisted on February 15, 1863.”[989] “During the Civil War he enlisted as a private in the Confederate 4th Va. Cavalry, Company H (The famous Black Horse Troop). The date of enlistment was Feb. 15, 1863.  Was captured with his Commander, Lt. Payne, and six other Black Horse Troopers [Rawleigh William Downman was one of these[990]], on April 16, 1863, in Fayetteville …. Confined on April 19, 1863 at Old Capitol Prison, exchanged May 12, 1863.  Was reported AWOL in the company muster on April, 1864. “Was then transferred to Capt. Utterbuck’s company of Virginia Light Artillery on 4-22-64. Formerly Capt. Brooke’s Co. was originally Co. A. 12th Battery Virginia Light Artillery. Subsequently served in Poaque’s [**Poague’s?] Battery of Light Artillery. Was on detached service August of 1864.  Surrendered and paroled at Appomattox Courthouse April 9, 1865.” [991] “Special Order No. 110, paragraph 17 states the following: Private Wm. O. Caner[992] serving 4th Va Cavalry being dismounted is hereby transferred to Utterbacks Battery, Poagues Battn of Artillery, by command of Gen. R. E. Lee. (I also find other documents related to other cavalry soldiers at this time not being able to locate new mounts and being subsequently transferred to the artillery because of the lack of a horse.)”[993] “William was listed on detachment service from the Brookes Artillery on 8/64.”[994] “William O. Caynor is listed in the Appomattox Paroles as surrendering with Utterback’s Battery, Poague’s Battalion of Artillery, 3rd Corps.”[995] “[H]e was a farmer and a laborer.”[996] He was living in Bealeton circa 1874–1878.[997] “William is listed as being present at the first meeting and organization of the Black Horse Camp of Confederate Veterans on May 20, 1890.”[998] “In 1890 he was in the Black Horse Camp …; he was also listed with the Joe Kendall Camp of Fauquier.”[999] “William is listed in the 10/16/1897 “True Index” newspaper article regarding the dedication of the new Monument for G. W. Martin.”[1000] [NOTE:Next pasted here on 1 January 2006. Cut, edit, weave as needed.] “The document in question does not have a year indicated only a month and day on it (June 30), but based on the fact that the 17th Virginia is not mentioned in any engagements in 1861 until Blackburn’s Ford and 1st Manassas in July. And the fact that William Smoot enlisted on May 1, 1862 as well as the fact that Colonel Corse was promoted in September, 1862 to General I would have to say that the year for this document is 1862 and the engagement is the Battle of Frayser’s Farm, which was part of the Seven Days Battle around Richmond. The 17th Virginia Infantry was engaged in this battle on June 30, 1862 and can be found in the writings of the “War and Rebellion”. “As for which Taliaferro, I do not know. Robert L., Francis and Charles are all suspect because of their enlistment dates.”[1001] Was one of seven men who crossed the Rappahannock River on foot in a midnight downpour as part of a horse raid circa December 1863. See reference for more of this story.[1002] p444 “That night was as dark as dark could be; one could not see his hand a few inches before his eyes. We marched in single file and with lock-step, each man’s hand resting on the shoulder of his file leader, like so many convicts on the way to prison meals. “It was enough to try the nervew of any one to listen to the roar of the turbulent water, all unseen in the blackness, as it rushed, seethed and bubbled over the rocks. “ ‘I am familiar with every foot of this ford,’ said Taylor, ‘and I know it to be safe. My only fear is that the enemy’s pickets are on the other side, but that must be risked.’ “ ‘Shall we take off our breeches?’ asked one. “ ‘If you wish; I do not propose to shed mine,’ answered Caynor, a slab- sided fellow…. “ ‘I will for one,’ said I, ‘for in case we should be swept down stream we will certainly drown with our clothes on.’ “ ‘That’s so,’ said several. “ Out of the six, five removed their lower garments and rolled them in a bundle. We strapped our postols more firmly around our necks, having left our sabres and carbines behind….”