Captain Steven Barlow Espy

The Espy-Espey Genealogy Book    Volume 2 - Page 60

Co.G -115th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry

"Captain Stephen Barlow Espy, ninth child of Patterson and Nancy Mercy 'Freeman' Espy, was born 08 June 1827, died 20 September 1862.

He married 11 September 1848, Rebecca Caroline Cutler, born circa November 1829, died 10 June 1912, aged 82 years, 6 months, 19 days, daughter of Judge Jacob Cutler. Her obituary was in the Ft. Madison Weekly Democrat.

Stephen was educated at Franklin Pennsylvania Academy, came to Fort Madison, Iowa, with his uncle Dr. George R. Espy, in 1846, and was a bookkeeper for his brother Thomas Stevenson Espy for two years.He was for some years a merchant in Fort Madison, and was conducting a store in Shelbyville, Illinois, at the breaking out of the Civil War.

He went to the front as Captain of Company G, 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was killed 20 September 1863 in the Battle of Chicamauga. (History of Crawford Co Pennsylvania, says he was killed at the Battle of Chattanooga 30 July 1863.) Quoting for the New York Tribune, 23 October 1863: "Capt. Espy, assistant commissary on Gen. Whitaker's staff, was a very lion that day. He was advised to remain with his train, but too noble-spirited for that he remained on the field, fearless of danger, doing wonders in cheering and rallying the men under the destructive fire of the enemy. He is one of Illinois' noble sons, and his loss is severly (sic) felt."

His widow Rebecca filed 09 November 1863 for pension; Application #38098, Certificate #14564.

Contributed by Sheila Cadwalader

I do not know the origination of the name Stephen Barlow.  It may be that Patterson Espy named his sons after friends or people he admired.  (see Stephen Barlow, Meadville, Crawford Co Pennsylvania; elected to the Twentieth Congress - March 04, 1827-March 03, 1829)

Patterson Espy "was educated for the Presbyterian ministry at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, but afterwards studied law.  He was also a surveyor and farmer.  During the War of 1812 he was engaged in buying cattle for the use of the American Army."  Patterson named his other sons: General Thomas Stevenson Espy, Alexander Clarkson Espy, and George Washington Espy.

Stephen Barlow Espy's maternal grandfather, Alexander Freeman, served in the Militia of Essex County, New Jersey, during the Revolution.  Alexander Freeman was among one of the first nine white families who settled in Mead Township, Crawford Co Pennsylvania.

Children of Stephen Barlow Espy and Rebecca Caroline Cutler were:

1.  Toma Espy born June 11, 1849 Fort Madison, Iowa, married Col. Joseph B. Morrison

2.  Knud Iverson Espy born September 11, 1853 Fort Madison, Iowa, and died December 29, 1884.  He married Adah Zimmerman January 19, 1875. 

3.  Florence Mercy Espy born April 4, 1857 Fort Madison, Iowa, and died on June 24, 1924 at Fort Madison, Lee, Iowa

4. Georgiana Espy born January 19, 1860 Fort Madison, Iowa

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