CO A
42nd Infantry Regiment
VA TROOPS
===
Most of this from the Rockingham County, N.C. Heritage book:
He was born near Smith River and grew to young manhood with his 3 sisters and at least 2 half-sisters and 2 half-brothers (children of his wife, Mary J. Norman).
William met Mary, his wife, because she lived on the adjoining plantation on the Smith River.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in the CSA at Orange County Court House on March 25th 1864 and served under the brother of his sweetheart, Major Jesse Martin Richardson.
He was stationed near the nations' capitol in a group observing the White House.
Shortly afterwards as a member of the rag-tag 4th Regiment under William Terry of VA, battle was very much a part of Williams' life. He was reported missing in Sept.1864 and he was temporarily held prisoner at Harpers' Ferry, WV. then transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, which was on a sand bar and had only tents for shelter. He was exchanged on March 17th 1865.
He and Mary married in 1866.
In 1883 he went to Wentworth, NC to witness a hanging and met a man who had a large farm for sale. He returned to VA. and discussed it with his family and decided to sell the 18 acres he had left in VA. to his father-in-law George Richardson. He then moved to the 250 acre farm in NC that he purchased for $2000.
===
After Mary died in 1921 he began to sell his land and went to live with his daughter Ida Lindsey and her husband. When he refused them money to buy a Model T Ford, they kicked him out. He went to live with his son Tom and his wife Edna.
===
William died in Wentworth, Rockingham County, N.C.
CO A
42nd Infantry Regiment
VA TROOPS
===
Most of this from the Rockingham County, N.C. Heritage book:
He was born near Smith River and grew to young manhood with his 3 sisters and at least 2 half-sisters and 2 half-brothers (children of his wife, Mary J. Norman).
William met Mary, his wife, because she lived on the adjoining plantation on the Smith River.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in the CSA at Orange County Court House on March 25th 1864 and served under the brother of his sweetheart, Major Jesse Martin Richardson.
He was stationed near the nations' capitol in a group observing the White House.
Shortly afterwards as a member of the rag-tag 4th Regiment under William Terry of VA, battle was very much a part of Williams' life. He was reported missing in Sept.1864 and he was temporarily held prisoner at Harpers' Ferry, WV. then transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, which was on a sand bar and had only tents for shelter. He was exchanged on March 17th 1865.
He and Mary married in 1866.
In 1883 he went to Wentworth, NC to witness a hanging and met a man who had a large farm for sale. He returned to VA. and discussed it with his family and decided to sell the 18 acres he had left in VA. to his father-in-law George Richardson. He then moved to the 250 acre farm in NC that he purchased for $2000.
===
After Mary died in 1921 he began to sell his land and went to live with his daughter Ida Lindsey and her husband. When he refused them money to buy a Model T Ford, they kicked him out. He went to live with his son Tom and his wife Edna.
===
William died in Wentworth, Rockingham County, N.C.
Family Members
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Clara Fretwell Wilson
1868–1950
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George Lynn Fretwell
1869–1931
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Mary Ida Fretwell Lindsey
1872–1951
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Dora Lou Fretwell King
1878–1946
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Jesse Richardson Fretwell
1880–1918
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John Alvis Fretwell
1883–1934
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Claudia "Claudie" Fretwell Smothers
1885–1970
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Thomas Edward Fretwell Sr
1888–1963
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Fannie Fretwell Williams
1894–1982
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