Ira Ayer, II

Other Events:

• Census: 13 Sep 1850, Evans, New York
• Education: Between Sep 1853 and Dec 1854, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
• Military: Between 1855 and 1861, New York
• Education: 1859, Lima, New York; The school is the predecessor of Syracuse University.
• Education: Between 1860 and 1861, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
• Census: 15 Aug 1860, Evans, New York
• Milit-Beg: 14 Jun 1861, Camp Wilkins, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Milit-End: 11 Jun 1864, Washington, District of Columbia
• Census: 18 Jul 1870, Norfolk, Virginia
• Census: 5 Jun 1880, Ashland, Virginia
• Census: 11 Jun 1880, Baltimore, Maryland
• Census: 6 Jun 1900, Brooklyn, New York

Notes:

Biography:
The following is from a book called "Marital Deeds of Pennsylvania" written by Samuel P. Bates. It was published in 1874 by T. H. Davis & Co in 1875. The book contains biographies of many of the more prominent people that fought in the Civil War from Pennsylvania.
Ira Ayer, Jr., Colonel of the Tenth Reserve regiment, was born in Erie county, New York, on the 14th of July, 1836. He was son of Ira and Julia M. (Wadsworth) Ayer. At the opening of the Rebellion he was a student of Allegheny College. Without waiting for authority he called together his fellow-students, and having had some training in the Sixty-seventh militia, of which his father was Colonel, commenced drilling them. Though earnest in his appeals his company failed of acceptance, until the Reserve corps was authorized, when it was mustered as Company I of the Tenth. He was first in action at Dranesville. He seems to have had a poetic appreciation of valor; for when General Ord, who commanded in the battle, came galloping forward, leading Easton's battery into action, he thus records his impressions: "Just then Ord came dashing up. `Make way for my artillery,' he shouted, and without slackening his speed dashed by, while his `war-dogs' followed close behind. The General was an old artillerist, and knew well how to value this arm of the service. The scene was, I think. the most animated that I witnessed during the war. He was mounted on a beautiful bay, and as he rode up, his eyes flashing fire and every lineament of his countenance betokening courage, his presence inspired all with confidence."
In the battle of Beaver Dam Creek he was sent forward with his company to occupy the skirmish line, and remained in this advanced position during the entire engagement, the regiment ??quitting itself in the most gallant manner. "About ten o'clock," he says, "the roar of artillery had ceased. In our advanced position we could hear distinctly the movements of the enemy, and the cries and shrieks of the wounded and dying, as lay where they had fallen or were being moved from the field." In the battle of the following day, at Gaines' Mill, he received a gunshot wound in the right side and a severe contusion of the right arm. "Colonel Warner," he says, "mustered the regiment on the 30th, and I shall never forget the glow of soldierly pride with which he commended the company's bravery, and viewed its thinned but still compact ranks." And now came the change of base, with infinite discomfort to the wounded and worn-out soldiers. But a place of rest had not been gained before the enemy attacked, now at Charles City Cross Roads. The Reserves felt the first shock and were terribly scourged, but suffered no diminution of gallantry. In the Seven Days of this contest Captain Ayer's company lost more heavily in killed and wounded than any in the division. As it was the representative of one of the prominent colleges in the State, the fact may be regarded as significant.
At Bull Run, Captain Ayer received a severe wound. Passing over this field nearly a year afterwards the recollection of the battle were brought vividly to his mind and he thus wrote to a friend: "A little farther on we came to the scene of our last year's operations. There is the very field where we lay, Thursday night, August 28th, all day under a hot sun, covered a little from the enemy. This was near Groveton. Yonder is the wood where our regiment made a charge to take a rebel battery, but without success, and there is the field where they shelled us after dark, throwing their missiles very accurately, but, as it happened, without effect. That was Friday evening, the 29th; and there is the field where our regiment stood picket the same night. Passing on a little farther we come to the house hear which we lay Saturday, before we were ordered into the engagement. But here to the right is the very spot where the regiment fought. There fell Captain Hinchman, of Company A, and it is said that he is buried in that little rail enclosure. Here, too, fell Tryon and Pearl; and Phelps, out Lieutenant, a bold and dashing officer, was shot through the breast. No better men graced the ranks of the Union army. On this same ridge the rebel bullet struck my arm, and another went through my hat. The former made a sad hole in my canteen, causing all my cold coffee to run out. The boys in going over the field to-day found what they asserted to be the self-same canteen; but they were mistaken, for I carried it off with me." His wound was a severe one, fracturing the left forearm. At Gettysburg, while reconnoitering, he was fired at by two sharpshooters from an unexpected quarter, but was not hit. Turning suddenly back, a third shot was fired, which just grazed his side, making a deep abrasion, and would have done certain execution had it not been fired at the instant of his turning away, carrying him out of aim after the missile had actually left the piece.
He had been promoted to the rank of Major on the 18th of October, 1862, and on the 18th of December, 1863, was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel and placed in command of the regiment. When it entered the Wilderness campaign it went with the free step and resolute mien of the best trained and organized soldiers. It had not penetrated far before the old foe was met. In a letter dated May 6th, the second day of the battle, he says: "Our division had been rapidly ordered forward, preparatory as was supposed to a charge upon the enemy's works. I was leading my regiment my regiment into line when hit by a bullet from the one of the enemy's sharpshooters, which passed through the large bone of my leg, causing a very painful though I hope not dangerous wound. I was compelled to leave the field at once, which I did after exhorting my men to do their duty."
For more than a year after the Reserve corps had completed its period of service and been mustered out he was disabled. He was brevetted Colonel for this action, and was warmly complimented by Generals Crawford and Fisher. Only by wounds, however, was he kept from the field, possessing a good constitution and actuated by real patriotism. In person he is six feet in height, well formed, and of fair complexion. At college he manifested a strong liking for mathematics and natural science, and later in his course for lingual studies. Strictly temperate--of tobacco and spirituous liquors abstemious--he was little affected by temptation, as the habits of youth are strengthened and firmed by time.
Colonel Ayer was married on the 21st of December, 1863, to Miss Jennie James, whose mother had, during the war, ministered at the bedside of many sick and dying soldiers, evincing a patriotism as sincere and fervid as the man who bore the musket and met face to face the foe. She watched at the side of one of the brave men of Ayer's company, Edwin B. Pier, a scholar of promise, and after his death wrote a most touching letter, descriptive of the Christian fortitude of the departed young soldier. When Ayer next visited Washington, he called upon the family to tender his acknowledgments for the kindness shown his beloved companion-in-arms, and then for the first time met the daughter. The acquaintance ripened into esteem, and finally resulted in their marriage. At the close of the war, Colonel Ayer settled in Virginia, and now resides at Norfolk, where he holds a responsible position in the civil service of the General Government.
The following is the Civil War record of Ira Ayer, Jr. rebuilt from his military records and other sources.
June 14, 1861 - Ira Ayer, Jr. enlisted as Capt. "to fill an original vacancy" in Co I, 10th Reg't Pennsylvania Reserve Corps for a period of three years.
July 21, 1861 Harrisburg, PA - reported for duty.
Sept. & Oct., 1861 - Muster roll - present.
Nov. & Dec., 1861 - Muster roll - present.
Jan. & Feb., 1862 - Muster roll - present.
Mar. & Apr., 1862 - Muster roll - present.
May. & June., 1862 - Muster roll - present.
Aug. 29&30, 1862 - Wounded at Bull Run.
July. & Aug., 1862 - Muster roll - absent - wounded.
Sept. & Oct., 1862 - Muster roll - absent - wounded in hospital.
Oct. 27, 1862 Buffalo - Letter from Doctor "To whom it may concern...the arm of Capt Ayer...tho doing well, it would be injurious if not dangerous to attempt to use it for at least twenty days yet."
Nov. & Dec., 1862 - Muster roll - present.
Jan. & Feb., 1863 - Muster roll - present commanding Regiment.
Apr. 10, 1863 - Special Muster roll - present.
Apr. 22, 1863 - Promoted to Major.
Mar. & Apr., 1863 - Muster roll - present.
May 1, 1863 Washington, DC - Individual Muster-out roll - age 25.
May 13, 1863 Washington, DC - Individual Muster-in roll - age 25.
May. & June., 1863 - Muster roll - present.
Jul. & Aug., 1863 - Muster roll - present.
Sept. & Oct., 1863 - Muster roll - present.
Nov. & Dec., 1863 - Muster roll - absent on leave.
Dec. 13, 1863 - From [Manenton] Junction applied for a pass to Alexandria for three days to transact private business.
Dec. 15, 1863 - Went on leave.
Dec. 18, 1863 - Printed Special Order 560. War Department Adjutant General's Office, Washington,
December 18th, 1863. (Extract)
27. The leave of absence granted Major Ira Ayer, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, in Special Orders, No. 551, December 12th, 1863, from this Office, is hereby extended fifteen days.
By order of the Secretary of War:
Signed by E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General. Dec. 21, 1863 Washington - Ira and Jennie got married.
Jan. 15, 1864 - Returned from leave.
Feb. 27, 1864 - Promoted to Lieut. Colonel to replace retiring Lt. Col. J. B. Knox. Took Oath of Office as Lieut. Colonel in Bristow Va.
Jan. & Feb., 1864 - Muster roll - present.
Mar. & Apr., 1864 - Muster roll - present.
May 6, 1864 - Wounded by "minie ball" in right leg at Wilderness.
May 12, 1864 - Admitted to a hospital (stamp says 3rd Div G. Alexandria, Va). Record says age: 28, Nativity: New York, Married, Residence: Washington, DC, wife: Jennie Ayer of 13th St. Washington, DC, Rank: Lt. Col. from Army of the Potomac. Back says Patient was received at 12ock at Night and transferred the Next Morning 7ock. no description of wound taken.
May 13, 1864, Transferred to Washington, DC [Seminary] Hospital. No date - Treated at Vol. Officers Hospital for G. S. W. (gun shot wound) Leg.
June 11, 1864 - Discharged. "this records that the above named officer was discharged the service June 11, 1864, by reason of the muster out of the field and staff on that date, he being at the time absent wounded." He was in Gent. Hospital in Washington, DC.
June 22, 1867 - Appointed Colonel by Brevet for "gallant conduct at the battle of the Wilderness, Virginia. To date from March 13, 1865."
According to tradition, he had a stillborn twin brother. According to himself, he was 5'11", had a light complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. He was a student at Allegheny College at the start of the Civil War studying to become a minister. He enlisted with 100 other students and was unanimously elected the captain of the Company. After training them very quickly they fought throughout the war during which time he was seriously wounded several times. After he was wounded in the leg he was treated at Seminary General Hospital in Georgetown, DC. He got married during the last year of the war. After the war he again served in the army from 1865 through 1867 and was stationed in the West. Part of that time he served on the Bureau of Refugees, Freed men, and Abandoned Lands. In 1869 he was appointed to the Treasury Department. According to an obituary (source unknown), he was always given the most important and delicate investigations. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA around 1871-5 (listed in city directories from 1872-1875/6). His daughter Alice said that she was born there and some pictures of the family were printed there. However, his family spent much of the time living in Richmond and Ashland with his in-laws. Between 1886 and 1888 he was special agent in charge of San Francisco. After that he was made statistician for the Treasury Department for the tin-plate industry, under the operation of the McKinley law. Then he worked to establish the rate of "drawback" on merchandise exported from this country. From about 1888 until the time of his death he was stationed at the port of New York. In 1892 in President Benjamin Harrison's fourth annual message to Congress he mentioned Ira by name while referring to a report done by Ira on the tin industry. He said "The report of Ira Ayer, special agent of the Treasury Department, shows that..." In 1900 he was renting a house at 37 Cambridge Pl., Brooklyn, NY. His wife and all his children were living there except Ira, III and Alice. They were both married at the time. He had a servant living there name Lena Curtis. Because of his war injuries he received a pension from 1875 until his death. For more information on his accomplishments during the Civil War see the section on him.

Census:
Son.

Military:
He served as 1st Lieut. as of May 26, 1855 in the New York 67th Regiment, 32nd Brigade, 8th Division. This seems to have been a part time army because he was attending school off and on during this period.

Census:
Son.

Milit-Beg:
He was mustered in as Captain of Company I of the Tenth Reserve Regiment.

Milit-End:
He was still in the hospital at the time.

Census:
Boarder, listed as a Special Agent of the Treasury Department, however, his name is spelled Eyre and it says he was born in Massachusetts.

Census:
Head, 31 Rail Road.

Census:
Boarder, 139 Edmondson Avenue, US Treasury Agent.

Census:
Head, 37 Cabridge Place.

Buried:
Lot 31286, Section 193. Tombstone erected by a veteran’s group in 2009. Inscription:
Ira
Ayer Jr
Col
39 PA Inf
Civil War
1836
1903
Wounded at
Second Bull Run
&
The Wilderness

Ira married Mary Jane 'Jennie' James on 21 Dec 1863 in Corner of G and 14th Streets, Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, District of Columbia. Mary (daughter of William James and Jane Francis) was born in Aug 1838 in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales; died on 25 Jan 1907 in 37 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York; was buried on 28 Jan 1907 in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jennie James Ayer was born on 28 Aug 1864 in New York; died on 20 Jan 1923; was buried on 24 Jan 1923 in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
2. Julia Fletcher Ayer was born on 20 Oct 1866 in Hanover County, Virginia; died in 1935.
3. Dr. Ira Ayer, III was born on 6 Oct 1868 in Ashland, Virginia; died on 9 Jul 1939 in US Naval Hospital, San Diego, California; was buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
4. Edith Lavinia 'Daisy' Ayer was born on 26 Jul 1871 in Norfolk, Virginia; died on 19 Sep 1957 in 22 Seward St, Putnam, Connecticut.
5. Alice Wadsworth Ayer was born on 28 Sep 1873 in Norfolk, Virginia; died on 29 Apr 1966 in Carlton Convalescence Home, Riverside, Connecticut; was buried on 25 May 1966 in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
6. Clementine Ayer was born on 14 Aug 1875 in Ashland, Virginia; died in Feb 1972 in Ithaca, New York; was buried in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam, Connecticut.

Other Events:

• Census: 1830, Evans, New York
• Census: 1840, Evans, New York
• Census: 13 Sep 1850, Evans, New York
• Census: 15 Aug 1860, Evans, New York
• Census: 25 Jun 1870, Evans, New York
• Census: 14 Jul 1880, Evans, New York
• Adopted: 2 Jan 1884

Notes:

Biography:
As a child he lived on what he described as the most beautiful farm on the Merrimac River. In 1827 he was a Lieutenant of the 48 th Regiment of Infantry, New York Militia. By 1837 he had reached the rank of Colonel and in 1838 served in the Patriot War. He recruited and trained a Company of men for the Civil War. They were the first to be trained and report for service and became Co. A, 116, Reg. N.Y. Vol. They served through the entire war. In 1850 he had two people born in Ireland living with him. They may have been to help on the farm. In 1860 his wife's Uncle Joseph Davenport was living with along with a boy who was attending school and who's occupation was listed as Serving. In 1850 his farm was valued at $2650 and by 1870 his real and personal estate was valued at $7000. He was the town supervisor between 1857 and 1858.

Census:
Head, 1 male 20-29, 1 female under 5, 1 5-9 and 1 20-29.

Census:
Head, 1 male under 5, 1 10-19, 30-39, 1 female 5-9 and 1 30-39.

Census:
Head, his farm was valued at $2,650.

Census:
Head, his farm was valued at $4,500.

Census:
Head, his property was valued at $7,000.

Census:
Head.

Buried:
Capt. Jra Ayer
Born
Dec. 26, 1802
Died
July 28, 1889
Co. A N. Y. V. I

Ira married Julia Mariah Wadsworth on 26 Dec 1828. Julia (daughter of Nancy Davenport, daughter of John Wadsworth) was born on 27 Oct 1808 in Massachusetts; died on 14 Aug 1861; was buried in Forest Ave Cemetery, Angola, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Julia Mariah Ayer
• Census: 13 Sep 1850, Evans, New York
• Census: 15 Aug 1860, Evans, New York

Notes:

Biography:
It's not clear that Julia's father was John Wadsworth. She was born in Massachusetts a year before her parents got married. John was born in New York where he lived all his life.

Census:
Wife.

Census:
Wife.

Buried:
Julia M.
Wife of
Ira Ayer
Died Aug. 14, 1861
Aged
52 Yrs 8 Mos & 17 Ds

Other Events:

• Census: 1820, Eden, New York

Notes:

Biography:
He bought a farm in Haverhill about 1796 on the Merrimac River. In about 1811 he sold the farm and moved his family in a covered wagon to Erie County, NY and built a log cabin on a 430 acre farm outside of Buffalo. His gravestone still exists and reads:
In Memory of
James Ayer,
formerly of Haverhill
Massachusetts, who died
March 13, AD. 1839,
aged 73 years 1 month
& 13 days
Blessed are the dead who died in the
Lord

Census:
Head, 110201-120100 1 male under 10, one 10-15, 2 16-25, 1 45 and over, 1 female under 10, 2 10-15 and 1 26-44.

Buried:
In Memory of
James Ayer
formerly of Haverhill
Massachusetts who died
March 13, AD 1839
aged 73 years 1 month
& 13 days

James married Sarah Bradley on 14 Dec 1794 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of Enoch Bradley and Mary Low) was born on 1 Feb 1774; died on 7 Dec 1844; was buried in Evans Center Cemetery, Evans Center, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Ayer

Notes:

Biography:
Her gravestone still exists and reads:
Sarah B. Ayer,
Wife of
James Ayer,
Died Dec. 7, 1841,
Aged 70 Y'rs. 10 Mo's.
& 7 days.
The righteous ...

Other Events:

• Name: Nancy Wadsworth

Notes:

Biography:
In 1860 she was listed in the Buffalo census as a house keeper living in the house of a butcher named Henry Lamn and his wife Sarah. Sarah was probably the daughter of Nancy because Sarah was the same age as Nancy's daughter Sarah.

Died:
There are several different death dates floating around but some letters for Ira, Jr clearly show she died in January.

Buried:
Inscription:
Nancy Davenport
Wfie of
John Wadsworth
Died
Apr. 8, 1863

Other Events:

• Probate: 6 Jun 1781

Notes:

Biography:
He was a tanner and lived in the west parish of Haverhill. He fought in the American Revolution. He was Captain of a Company in Col. Johnson's Regiment that marched to the "Alarm" of April 19, 1775. He served seven and a half days. He was also a member of a Committee of Correspondence for the town - appointed July 20, 1774. On January 30, 1775 he was appointed member of the Committee of Inspection for the town.

Richard married Martha Mitchell on 14 Jun 1753 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Martha (daughter of James Mitchell and Martha Bradley) was born on 5 Aug 1729 in Haverhill, Massachusetts; died on 26 Sep 1767 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Martha Ayer

Notes:

Anecdote:
Enoch fought in the Revolutionary War with the rank of Sergeant under the command of Captain Eaton and Colonel Johnson.

Buried:
Inscription:
In memory of Enoch Bradley, Esq. Who died May 29, 1834 ET 85 Although God long suffers and forbid with sinful man, and seems to delay his call that he may be prepared for mansions in the skies yet my surviving friends, delay no time in securing your peace with God, for youth nor all this world can give, will avail death's arrows, when God directs.

Enoch married Mary Low on 10 Oct 1770 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Caleb Low and Abigail Varney) was born on 18 May 1747 in Essex, Massachusetts; died on 23 Aug 1822 in Haverhill, Massachusetts; was buried in West Parish Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Bradley

Notes:

Buried:
Inscription:
Gone in fatal moment hence . Mrs. Mary wife of Enoch Bradley, Esq died Aug 23, 1822 AET 75 - The pain she long endured are now no more. Her body moulders in the silent tomb, But gone we trust to some more blisfull shore, Her spirit reigns where joys unfading bloom.

Notes:

Biography:
Joseph first arrived at the battle of Concord, April 19, 1773, as a private in Capt. Daniel Puller's Company form West Newton. In May 1775, he enlisted for eight months in Capt. Phinies Cook's Company, Col. Gardner's Reg't., receiving a bounty coat for this service.
He enlisted a third time, March 1st, 1777 in Capt. K. Smith's Company, Col. Smith's Regt. Mass. Continental troops serving until July 1st, 1780. He was with Gen'l. Gates at the surrender of Gen'l. Burgoyne, Oct. 17, 1777.
Joseph Davenport appears as a private in Capt. Cook's Company.
He appears with rank of Corporal in Continental Army Pay Accounts of Capt. K Smith's Company, Col. Smith's Regt. for services from March 1, 1777 to July 1, 1780 - credited to the town of Newton.
According to the autobiography of Joseph's youngest son, Joseph:
"Among my earliest recollections were stories of the Revolutionary War recited by my father, Joseph Davenport, born May 22, 1756, who was a "Minute" man, and was called to the "Alarm" of April 19, 1775 at 2:00 a.m. He immediately joined the Army and fought in the Battle of Lexington and shared the privations and triumphs of Bunker Hill and Concord, driving the enemy out of the "Old Bay State." He was at Valley Forge, White Planes and at Saratoga with Gen'l. Gates at the surrender of Burgoyne; also at Princeton, Monmouth and Trenton. He was wounded during the war."

Joseph married Mercy Crocker on 7 Dec 1780 in Massachusetts. Mercy (daughter of Theophilos Crocker and Mercy Hayford) was born on 25 Dec 1758 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Mercy Davenport

Notes:

Biography:
The records show that she had 7 children but family records indicate there were four more. At least one we are sure of, the second Joseph, Jr. He spent time living with his great nieces and nephews (children of Ira Ayer, Sr.) and his great, great nieces, Alice and Clementine Ayer, have quotes from him and his birth date.
From the 1810 census, there are two boys and one girl under the age of 10 in the home, supporting the idea of the extra children. There is also a girl between 10 and 15. That could account for all four extra children. There is one between the ages of 26 and 44 (could be one of the older daughters). There is no one the age of Mercy, so she may have died by then.