Ancestry/Genealogy

roguevalley

(40,656 posts) Thu Oct 10, 2013, 01:44 AM Oct 2013

There was something interesting

in my family tree when I researched my great + grandpa, Thomas Paxton. I found out that he was very committed to the Revolution, stayed with it to the end, raised a battalion and wintered at Valley Forge. Then this ditty showed up in a published work on his life ...he was one of 16 soldiers asked to dinner with General George Washington December 25, 1777 at Valley Forge. The company included Lafayette, DeKalb and 13 others. It was shocking to think about this because my family is a very low key 'plain' group. This man rode with General 'Mad' Anthony Wayne and was considered because of his life growing up in the wilds of Pennsylvania to be one of the best shots 'among great shots' most had ever seen. Keep going. The nuggets are a work and a wonder to find.

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There was something interesting (Original Post) roguevalley Oct 2013 OP

For me, finding interesting stories like that makes me feel closer kdmorris Oct 2013 #1

and you too. Andersonville. How awful. I could hug him too. I feel roguevalley Oct 2013 #2

Rifles in the Rev. War dgibby Mar 2014 #3

kdmorris

(5,649 posts)

1. For me, finding interesting stories like that makes me feel closer

Reply to roguevalley (Original post)

Thu Oct 10, 2013, 06:33 AM

Oct 2013

like I "knew" them.

My 3rd great grandfather, Thaddeus Lewis Waters, was at Andersonville. Captured at Chickamauga and held in Richmond then moved to Andersonville. There is so much information about him that I almost feel like I've met him.

Congrats on your wonderful find!

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)

2. and you too. Andersonville. How awful. I could hug him too. I feel

Reply to kdmorris (Reply #1)

Thu Oct 10, 2013, 07:06 PM

Oct 2013

like this man is my grandpa in a real not distant way. Its so much fun isn't it.

dgibby

(9,474 posts)

3. Rifles in the Rev. War

Reply to roguevalley (Original post)

Mon Mar 24, 2014, 10:02 AM

Mar 2014

No doubt your g+grandfather was a rifleman, a group of rugged individuals from the Alleghany/Allegheny Mountains of Va and Pa who had developed and used a rifle rather than a musket. They also practiced the art of shooting from protected positions rather than standing in ranks in an open field. Washington desperately wanted these men to join his ranks, and he credited them with turning the tide of the war!

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