Ayres Family Letters, 1839 - 1900
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Ayers Family
- Abstract:
- Letters from various Ayres family members from Libertyville, NY. The collection primarily contains letters written by James and Alexander Ayres during the Civil War.
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The earliest letters predate the Civil War. These include two letters between Philip Ayres of Libertyville (town of New Paltz), Ulster County, New York and Thomas Requa of New York, New York, reminiscing about childhood in Libertyville, family news, the weather, life in general, and steamboat travel to New Orleans on a ship named “Manchester.” Another early letter, probably dating from 1839, is addressed to Miss Sarah Anne Requa of Libertyville, care of Moses Wolsey (Woolsey) and discusses family news and visits.
The bulk of the collection consists of letters dated from 1859 to 1864 and relate to James H. Ayres and Alexander Ayres. Most of these letters were written to and from their parents back home during their military careers, and describe various aspects of camp life, battles, hospital treatment, scenery, and the weather.
James H. Ayres earlier letters are from his time in Carroll County, Illinois, and Solen, Ohio discussing work prospects in civil engineering and the ‘good country’ in Ohio. In 1861 James writes about enlisting in the Union Army and relocating with his regiment to the Chicago area. At this point, he is optimistic and enthusiastic about the war and military service, remarking about his clothes and the ‘good spirits’ of the regiment. In early 1862, James H. Ayres writes of his changing opinions about war after viewing battles, prisoner exchanges, and soldier burials, which he describes in some detail. On March 26, he writes that “this war will be a lesson to A great many boys me for one included if I get out of this alive I will know better another time.” In the spring, James writes that he is growing weary of the war, and has contracted the measles, which has allowed him to temporarily leave the unit on a furlough. The following summer, James writes home discourage his younger brother Alexander from enlisting in the army, prior to Alexander’s enlistment. On September 23, James writes from Camp Montgomery near Corrinth and says that “we are having verry good time now, but it rains nearly all the time, this dose not hurt us we are tough and constant.” The next letter written home comes from a family friend near Argo named William H. Balcom informing the parents about the James’ death on October 19th from wounds he that he received on October 4th in the Battle of Corrinth. Several more letters from Balcom discuss his efforts to send James’ belongings and the ‘fatal bullet’ back home, to secure the wages owed to James’ family, and to find out more details the soldier’s death. Another letter sent to the parents from March 31, 1863 includes a badly faded albumen print photograph of James H. Ayres’ grave taken by the surviving members of his company.
In addition to corresponding with his parents, there are also letters between James and friends and family members serving in the army elsewhere. Letters written to James from Peter Holman describe the Battle of Pittsburgh and other friends and family in the service, including James Holman, James Hall, Delancey Kingon, Joseph Wallace, and Captain S.S. Dunn. During the Spring and Summer of 1862.
The letters of Alexander Ayres were written during the period of November 1862 to May 1863. Most of these letters were written from New York City and Long Island where Alexander was stationed from late November through February, although there are a few letters written from Kingston in early November 1862 and three letters written from Falmouth near Washington D.C. in March and April 1863. The subjects covered in these letters focus on Alexander’s impressions of camp life, mostly relating to food, drilling, the weather, a stay in a hospital on 319 Broadway in New York after contracting the measles, a riot in New York, Central Park, members of his regiment that became shipwrecked off Florida on their way to New Orleans, and skirmishes near Washington D.C. Alexander also briefly makes reference to working “in the mercantile business” for DuBois LeFevre, a hotel in Kingston owned by Nathaniel LeFevre, and a store owned by Josiah DuBois.
In August, a New York attorney named Adolphus Benedict writes to Alexander’s parents that he is “anxious about Alexander.” There are no further letters from or concerning Alexander, but it is known that he was killed in July. However, three more letters written by Benedict while acting under power of attorney discuss a lawsuit involving the Trinity Corporation and heirs of John Requa in 1866 and 1868. There are two other letters in the collection, one written in September 1871 from Sarah’s sister, signed A. Church, which is most likely her sister Angelina, and another written in 1900 from Albert to his brother, George, from the town of Highland.
- Biographical / historical:
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James and Alexander are the sons of Philip Ayres and Sarah Ann Requa. Philip and Sarah married in the Guilford Church on December 12, 1839. Sarah was the daughter of Gilbert Kipp Requa and Elizabeth Woolsey.
The Ayres family can be found in the 1850 United States Census. Philip Ayres, a 30-year-old carpenter lived in New Paltz with his wife, 29-year-old Sarah D. Ayres, three children, James N. (aged 9), Alexander (aged 7), and Albert (aged 1). Also listed is Elizabeth Requa, who is Sarah’s mother. Philip died sometime between 1852 and 1855. The New York State Census of 1855 lists Sarah A. Ayres as a 36 year-old widow, working as a ‘tailoress’ in the town Lloyd, with two sons, Albert and Phillip. Alexander Ayres, aged 11, is living in the household of John and Hanna B. Requa in the town of Gardiner. Sarah married John Eyett by 1859, who James addresses letters to at this time. In the 1865 Census, Sarah and John both claimed to have married twice, Sarah has claimed to have 10 children; this likely includes John’s children from his first marriage.
James Ayres moved to Carroll County, Illinois and Solen, Ohio by 1859. He joined Company F of the 52nd Illinois Infantry in 1861, was stationed at “Camp Sampson” and Cairo, Illinois, participated in the Battle of Corinth and the Battle of Pittsburgh, and died on October 19, aged 21.
Alexander Ayres enlisted with Company I of the 2nd U.S. Infantry in Kingston, NY, was primarily stationed near Washington D.C., and died in July 1863, aged 19.
James and Alexander Ayres are the sons of Philip Ayres and Sarah Ann Requa. They had a brother, Albert, born in approximately 1849. Philip died sometime between 1850 and 1855. Sarah married John Eyett by 1859. Sarah was the daughter of Gilbert Kipp Requa and Elizabeth Woolsey, born 1819 and died in 1892.
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Civil War
- Names:
- Ayers Family
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Unrestricted
- Terms of access:
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