DEATH OF CAPT. F. A. FRANCIS,
VETERAN OF 49TH REGIMENT
Last to Survive of the Field and Staff Officers
Capt. Frederick Augustus Francis, 78, one of the best-known veterans of the civil war in this section of the state and a member of the 49th regiment, died at 10 a.m. Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John N. Robbins, 31 Brenton terrace, Pittsfield, after a two-weeks' illness with a constitutional breakdown incident to old age. Capt Francis had a severe attack of grip about a year ago, but recovered and proclaimed himself as fit as ever, and was able to be about the streets until recently. He was at the House of Mercy hospital a few years ago, but recovered fully from that illness. For some months past he had lived at the Kenney hotel, but when his final illness came he went to the home of his daughter and remained there until death. Besides his daughter, Capt Francis leaves a nephew, Fred T. Francis, and several grandchildren.
Capt Francis was a commander of Co A, 49th Massachusetts regiment, in the civil war, and was justly proud of his war record. Upon the streets he had a ready handclasp and winning smile for everyone. During the war he enjoyed to the fullest detail the confidence of superior officers and was frequently detailed for special duty involving courage, tact and knowledge of military maneuvers. On September 7 last, at the reunion of the 37th and 49th regiments at Pittsfield, Capt Francis, last of the field and staff officers of the famous Berkshire regiment, was in his glory,. For weeks prior to teh reunion he had been active in perecting details. He had numerous photographs printed of the field and staff group of the 49th and gave them to his friends. On that day he was heard to remark several times, "When Pittsfield does anything, it does it well." The great success of the day pleased him immensely.
Capt Francis had a great knowledge of military tactics and of the movements of Massachusetts troops durig the war, and on the day of the reunion spent intervals with old comrades discussing the war days. Of late years Capt Francis had devoted himself to raising big squashes, and several of them have been placed on exhibition at different times. He did the gardening on the property of his daughter.
Manning and Elizabeth (Root) Francis were Capt Francis's parents. He was born in the Stearnsville section of Pittsfield November 18, 1834. The founder of the family was one of two brothers who arrived in this country early in the colonial period. A later ancestor was Elder John Francis, who founded the First Baptish church at Pittsfield. The paternal grandfather was Dea Luke Francis, born in Wethersfield, Ct., February 23, 1772. In company with two brothers he settled in Pittsfield, locating upon land just west of the village, where for many years he was a prosperous farmer and breeder of fine horses. He was the second deacon and one of the main pillars of the First Baptist church and died August 30, 1848. Capt Francis's faher was born in Pittsfield January 29, 1804, and followed farmng until contractors began the construction of the old Western, now the Boston and Albany railroad, when he was appointed station agent at West Pittsfield, holding the position for 40 years. He was a whig in politics and later a republican. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Pittsfield in 1809, the daughter of Gen George Bridges Rodney Root. Her grandfather was one of Pittsfield's founders, a tory, and reared his sons in the British army. Gen Root was prominent in military affairs. He was a large landed proprietor, owning at one time the land bounded by East and South streets.
Frederick A. Francis acquired his education in the public schools of Pittsfield. He was engaged in mercantile business until teh war and at that time was a member of the Allen guards, which were mustered into service September 16, 1861, as Co A, 49th Massachusetts volunteer infantry. He was appointed post quartermaster by Col Bartlett and served upon the lower Mississippi; taking part in teh sieges of Port Hudson and Donaldville, being wounded in both engagements. He was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant, later adjutant, and was maustered out as such at Pleasure park in Pittsfield, September 3, 1863.
For some years after his discharge he was associated with Charles Morgan in woolen manufacturing, operating three mills in Stearnsville. Leaving that business he entered into a partnership with Homer Gilmore and they carried on an insurance business. Twelve years later Capt Francis was made sole proprietor of the agency, then the largest west of Springfield. Later he sold out to Mr Stevenson, who had been his clerk, and bought the Lindent stock farm, 2 1/2 miles from Pittsfield, and for some time raised horses, some of the fastest animals in the state having been bred upon his farm. The property was subsequently sold to A. B. Gale.
Capt Francis first married Miss Harriet Barker and on May 27, 1864, he married Miss Jessie Stevens, daughter of Col Joel Stevens, a prominent Pittsfield physician in his day. Three children were born of the union, but one of whom is now living. Mrs Francis died in 1888. Capt Francis was senior vice-commander of the first Grand Army post in Pittsfield at one time and was assisted in the organization of the post by Col Green of Hartford, Ct. He was a member of Mystic lodge of Masons, Berkshire Royal Arch capter, Masons, and Berkshire commandery, Knights Templars. Politically he was a republican.
(Springfield Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, Thursday, 06 Feb 1913, p. 11, c. 1)
VETERAN OF 49TH REGIMENT
Last to Survive of the Field and Staff Officers
Capt. Frederick Augustus Francis, 78, one of the best-known veterans of the civil war in this section of the state and a member of the 49th regiment, died at 10 a.m. Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John N. Robbins, 31 Brenton terrace, Pittsfield, after a two-weeks' illness with a constitutional breakdown incident to old age. Capt Francis had a severe attack of grip about a year ago, but recovered and proclaimed himself as fit as ever, and was able to be about the streets until recently. He was at the House of Mercy hospital a few years ago, but recovered fully from that illness. For some months past he had lived at the Kenney hotel, but when his final illness came he went to the home of his daughter and remained there until death. Besides his daughter, Capt Francis leaves a nephew, Fred T. Francis, and several grandchildren.
Capt Francis was a commander of Co A, 49th Massachusetts regiment, in the civil war, and was justly proud of his war record. Upon the streets he had a ready handclasp and winning smile for everyone. During the war he enjoyed to the fullest detail the confidence of superior officers and was frequently detailed for special duty involving courage, tact and knowledge of military maneuvers. On September 7 last, at the reunion of the 37th and 49th regiments at Pittsfield, Capt Francis, last of the field and staff officers of the famous Berkshire regiment, was in his glory,. For weeks prior to teh reunion he had been active in perecting details. He had numerous photographs printed of the field and staff group of the 49th and gave them to his friends. On that day he was heard to remark several times, "When Pittsfield does anything, it does it well." The great success of the day pleased him immensely.
Capt Francis had a great knowledge of military tactics and of the movements of Massachusetts troops durig the war, and on the day of the reunion spent intervals with old comrades discussing the war days. Of late years Capt Francis had devoted himself to raising big squashes, and several of them have been placed on exhibition at different times. He did the gardening on the property of his daughter.
Manning and Elizabeth (Root) Francis were Capt Francis's parents. He was born in the Stearnsville section of Pittsfield November 18, 1834. The founder of the family was one of two brothers who arrived in this country early in the colonial period. A later ancestor was Elder John Francis, who founded the First Baptish church at Pittsfield. The paternal grandfather was Dea Luke Francis, born in Wethersfield, Ct., February 23, 1772. In company with two brothers he settled in Pittsfield, locating upon land just west of the village, where for many years he was a prosperous farmer and breeder of fine horses. He was the second deacon and one of the main pillars of the First Baptist church and died August 30, 1848. Capt Francis's faher was born in Pittsfield January 29, 1804, and followed farmng until contractors began the construction of the old Western, now the Boston and Albany railroad, when he was appointed station agent at West Pittsfield, holding the position for 40 years. He was a whig in politics and later a republican. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Pittsfield in 1809, the daughter of Gen George Bridges Rodney Root. Her grandfather was one of Pittsfield's founders, a tory, and reared his sons in the British army. Gen Root was prominent in military affairs. He was a large landed proprietor, owning at one time the land bounded by East and South streets.
Frederick A. Francis acquired his education in the public schools of Pittsfield. He was engaged in mercantile business until teh war and at that time was a member of the Allen guards, which were mustered into service September 16, 1861, as Co A, 49th Massachusetts volunteer infantry. He was appointed post quartermaster by Col Bartlett and served upon the lower Mississippi; taking part in teh sieges of Port Hudson and Donaldville, being wounded in both engagements. He was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant, later adjutant, and was maustered out as such at Pleasure park in Pittsfield, September 3, 1863.
For some years after his discharge he was associated with Charles Morgan in woolen manufacturing, operating three mills in Stearnsville. Leaving that business he entered into a partnership with Homer Gilmore and they carried on an insurance business. Twelve years later Capt Francis was made sole proprietor of the agency, then the largest west of Springfield. Later he sold out to Mr Stevenson, who had been his clerk, and bought the Lindent stock farm, 2 1/2 miles from Pittsfield, and for some time raised horses, some of the fastest animals in the state having been bred upon his farm. The property was subsequently sold to A. B. Gale.
Capt Francis first married Miss Harriet Barker and on May 27, 1864, he married Miss Jessie Stevens, daughter of Col Joel Stevens, a prominent Pittsfield physician in his day. Three children were born of the union, but one of whom is now living. Mrs Francis died in 1888. Capt Francis was senior vice-commander of the first Grand Army post in Pittsfield at one time and was assisted in the organization of the post by Col Green of Hartford, Ct. He was a member of Mystic lodge of Masons, Berkshire Royal Arch capter, Masons, and Berkshire commandery, Knights Templars. Politically he was a republican.
(Springfield Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, Thursday, 06 Feb 1913, p. 11, c. 1)
DEATH OF CAPT. F. A. FRANCIS,
VETERAN OF 49TH REGIMENT
Last to Survive of the Field and Staff Officers
Capt. Frederick Augustus Francis, 78, one of the best-known veterans of the civil war in this section of the state and a member of the 49th regiment, died at 10 a.m. Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John N. Robbins, 31 Brenton terrace, Pittsfield, after a two-weeks' illness with a constitutional breakdown incident to old age. Capt Francis had a severe attack of grip about a year ago, but recovered and proclaimed himself as fit as ever, and was able to be about the streets until recently. He was at the House of Mercy hospital a few years ago, but recovered fully from that illness. For some months past he had lived at the Kenney hotel, but when his final illness came he went to the home of his daughter and remained there until death. Besides his daughter, Capt Francis leaves a nephew, Fred T. Francis, and several grandchildren.
Capt Francis was a commander of Co A, 49th Massachusetts regiment, in the civil war, and was justly proud of his war record. Upon the streets he had a ready handclasp and winning smile for everyone. During the war he enjoyed to the fullest detail the confidence of superior officers and was frequently detailed for special duty involving courage, tact and knowledge of military maneuvers. On September 7 last, at the reunion of the 37th and 49th regiments at Pittsfield, Capt Francis, last of the field and staff officers of the famous Berkshire regiment, was in his glory,. For weeks prior to teh reunion he had been active in perecting details. He had numerous photographs printed of the field and staff group of the 49th and gave them to his friends. On that day he was heard to remark several times, "When Pittsfield does anything, it does it well." The great success of the day pleased him immensely.
Capt Francis had a great knowledge of military tactics and of the movements of Massachusetts troops durig the war, and on the day of the reunion spent intervals with old comrades discussing the war days. Of late years Capt Francis had devoted himself to raising big squashes, and several of them have been placed on exhibition at different times. He did the gardening on the property of his daughter.
Manning and Elizabeth (Root) Francis were Capt Francis's parents. He was born in the Stearnsville section of Pittsfield November 18, 1834. The founder of the family was one of two brothers who arrived in this country early in the colonial period. A later ancestor was Elder John Francis, who founded the First Baptish church at Pittsfield. The paternal grandfather was Dea Luke Francis, born in Wethersfield, Ct., February 23, 1772. In company with two brothers he settled in Pittsfield, locating upon land just west of the village, where for many years he was a prosperous farmer and breeder of fine horses. He was the second deacon and one of the main pillars of the First Baptist church and died August 30, 1848. Capt Francis's faher was born in Pittsfield January 29, 1804, and followed farmng until contractors began the construction of the old Western, now the Boston and Albany railroad, when he was appointed station agent at West Pittsfield, holding the position for 40 years. He was a whig in politics and later a republican. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Pittsfield in 1809, the daughter of Gen George Bridges Rodney Root. Her grandfather was one of Pittsfield's founders, a tory, and reared his sons in the British army. Gen Root was prominent in military affairs. He was a large landed proprietor, owning at one time the land bounded by East and South streets.
Frederick A. Francis acquired his education in the public schools of Pittsfield. He was engaged in mercantile business until teh war and at that time was a member of the Allen guards, which were mustered into service September 16, 1861, as Co A, 49th Massachusetts volunteer infantry. He was appointed post quartermaster by Col Bartlett and served upon the lower Mississippi; taking part in teh sieges of Port Hudson and Donaldville, being wounded in both engagements. He was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant, later adjutant, and was maustered out as such at Pleasure park in Pittsfield, September 3, 1863.
For some years after his discharge he was associated with Charles Morgan in woolen manufacturing, operating three mills in Stearnsville. Leaving that business he entered into a partnership with Homer Gilmore and they carried on an insurance business. Twelve years later Capt Francis was made sole proprietor of the agency, then the largest west of Springfield. Later he sold out to Mr Stevenson, who had been his clerk, and bought the Lindent stock farm, 2 1/2 miles from Pittsfield, and for some time raised horses, some of the fastest animals in the state having been bred upon his farm. The property was subsequently sold to A. B. Gale.
Capt Francis first married Miss Harriet Barker and on May 27, 1864, he married Miss Jessie Stevens, daughter of Col Joel Stevens, a prominent Pittsfield physician in his day. Three children were born of the union, but one of whom is now living. Mrs Francis died in 1888. Capt Francis was senior vice-commander of the first Grand Army post in Pittsfield at one time and was assisted in the organization of the post by Col Green of Hartford, Ct. He was a member of Mystic lodge of Masons, Berkshire Royal Arch capter, Masons, and Berkshire commandery, Knights Templars. Politically he was a republican.
(Springfield Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, Thursday, 06 Feb 1913, p. 11, c. 1)
VETERAN OF 49TH REGIMENT
Last to Survive of the Field and Staff Officers
Capt. Frederick Augustus Francis, 78, one of the best-known veterans of the civil war in this section of the state and a member of the 49th regiment, died at 10 a.m. Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John N. Robbins, 31 Brenton terrace, Pittsfield, after a two-weeks' illness with a constitutional breakdown incident to old age. Capt Francis had a severe attack of grip about a year ago, but recovered and proclaimed himself as fit as ever, and was able to be about the streets until recently. He was at the House of Mercy hospital a few years ago, but recovered fully from that illness. For some months past he had lived at the Kenney hotel, but when his final illness came he went to the home of his daughter and remained there until death. Besides his daughter, Capt Francis leaves a nephew, Fred T. Francis, and several grandchildren.
Capt Francis was a commander of Co A, 49th Massachusetts regiment, in the civil war, and was justly proud of his war record. Upon the streets he had a ready handclasp and winning smile for everyone. During the war he enjoyed to the fullest detail the confidence of superior officers and was frequently detailed for special duty involving courage, tact and knowledge of military maneuvers. On September 7 last, at the reunion of the 37th and 49th regiments at Pittsfield, Capt Francis, last of the field and staff officers of the famous Berkshire regiment, was in his glory,. For weeks prior to teh reunion he had been active in perecting details. He had numerous photographs printed of the field and staff group of the 49th and gave them to his friends. On that day he was heard to remark several times, "When Pittsfield does anything, it does it well." The great success of the day pleased him immensely.
Capt Francis had a great knowledge of military tactics and of the movements of Massachusetts troops durig the war, and on the day of the reunion spent intervals with old comrades discussing the war days. Of late years Capt Francis had devoted himself to raising big squashes, and several of them have been placed on exhibition at different times. He did the gardening on the property of his daughter.
Manning and Elizabeth (Root) Francis were Capt Francis's parents. He was born in the Stearnsville section of Pittsfield November 18, 1834. The founder of the family was one of two brothers who arrived in this country early in the colonial period. A later ancestor was Elder John Francis, who founded the First Baptish church at Pittsfield. The paternal grandfather was Dea Luke Francis, born in Wethersfield, Ct., February 23, 1772. In company with two brothers he settled in Pittsfield, locating upon land just west of the village, where for many years he was a prosperous farmer and breeder of fine horses. He was the second deacon and one of the main pillars of the First Baptist church and died August 30, 1848. Capt Francis's faher was born in Pittsfield January 29, 1804, and followed farmng until contractors began the construction of the old Western, now the Boston and Albany railroad, when he was appointed station agent at West Pittsfield, holding the position for 40 years. He was a whig in politics and later a republican. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Pittsfield in 1809, the daughter of Gen George Bridges Rodney Root. Her grandfather was one of Pittsfield's founders, a tory, and reared his sons in the British army. Gen Root was prominent in military affairs. He was a large landed proprietor, owning at one time the land bounded by East and South streets.
Frederick A. Francis acquired his education in the public schools of Pittsfield. He was engaged in mercantile business until teh war and at that time was a member of the Allen guards, which were mustered into service September 16, 1861, as Co A, 49th Massachusetts volunteer infantry. He was appointed post quartermaster by Col Bartlett and served upon the lower Mississippi; taking part in teh sieges of Port Hudson and Donaldville, being wounded in both engagements. He was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant, later adjutant, and was maustered out as such at Pleasure park in Pittsfield, September 3, 1863.
For some years after his discharge he was associated with Charles Morgan in woolen manufacturing, operating three mills in Stearnsville. Leaving that business he entered into a partnership with Homer Gilmore and they carried on an insurance business. Twelve years later Capt Francis was made sole proprietor of the agency, then the largest west of Springfield. Later he sold out to Mr Stevenson, who had been his clerk, and bought the Lindent stock farm, 2 1/2 miles from Pittsfield, and for some time raised horses, some of the fastest animals in the state having been bred upon his farm. The property was subsequently sold to A. B. Gale.
Capt Francis first married Miss Harriet Barker and on May 27, 1864, he married Miss Jessie Stevens, daughter of Col Joel Stevens, a prominent Pittsfield physician in his day. Three children were born of the union, but one of whom is now living. Mrs Francis died in 1888. Capt Francis was senior vice-commander of the first Grand Army post in Pittsfield at one time and was assisted in the organization of the post by Col Green of Hartford, Ct. He was a member of Mystic lodge of Masons, Berkshire Royal Arch capter, Masons, and Berkshire commandery, Knights Templars. Politically he was a republican.
(Springfield Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, Thursday, 06 Feb 1913, p. 11, c. 1)
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
