In his Civil War records, Sebastian reports that he was born in Goshen, New York. On his marriage certificate he reports that his parents were Sebastial Merkel, Sr. and Magdalene (Lang) Merkel. Recently discovered information tells us that Sebastian Merkel, Jr., son of the above-named couple, was baptised in Goshen, New York, three months before "our" Sebastian's self-reported birthdate, and died 17 months later. He was buried in Goshen on Septmeber 18, 1844.
More research needs to be conducted on this matter in order to ascertain if Sebastian adopted the identity of a dead child or if both the baptism AND the death records for that child are wrong. Independent information (not self-reported by Sebastian)tips our proof toward Sebastian being an imposter, especially since we can find no record of him prior to his enlistment in the Union Army in 1861.
Sebastian may have been too young (or too old) to enter the army, so he adopted the identity of the dead child. He could have a criminal past he wanted to hide. We just don't know.
On Sebastian Sr's naturalization card, the witness is listed as "Christian Lang" and he is probably a relative of Sebastian's purported mother. It may have been from this person that Sebastian obtained the identity of the dead child that he later used as his own.
The witnesses to the marriage of Sebastian, Jr. and his first wife, Eleanore "Lena" Meyer, are George and Sarah Lang, also probably relatives of Sebastian Sr's wife, and Valentine Falger, the relationship to the couple unknown.
Sebastian was among the first to enlist in the 45th NY (volunteer) Infantry, mustering in on September 2, 1861 in New York City. He mustered out of the 45th on October 8, 1864 in Nashville, Tennessee. During the three years in which he served in the 45th, they were involved in crucial Civil War battles, including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. There is a large monument dedicated to the 45th at Gettysburg.
The military records indicate that Sebastian was sick during the war and was transferred to different units while he was in the hospital recovering. I am analyzing the data and will post the results soon.
After the war, Sebastian returned to New York and resumed work as a grocer.
In 1868, while still living in New York, Sebastian married Elenora "Lena" Meier (sometimes spelled "Meyer"), a German immigrant and daughter of Friederick Meyer and Anna (Gunther) Meyer. (In later records, Anna's surname is listed as "Von Eichert" and we are assuming this is the name of another husband, but more research is needed for a definitive verdict on that score.)
Sebastian and Lena had two children in New York and one child born in Oregon:
George Frederick, Dec 6, 1869, New York
Henry William, Dec 2, 1871, New York
Caroline "Lena" Henrietta, Aug 2, 1878, Oregon
By the time of the 1880 census, Sebastian is living in San Francisco, and this is where he stayed for the rest of his life. Just a few years after that census, in July of 1884, Sebastian and Lena divorced. Lena's youngest child was only 6 years old.
In 1895, Sebastian married a French woman named Marie Louise (Voinchet) Vimont, previously married to Edmond Vimont. She is sometimes referred to as "Mamie." She was born in January of 1860, if her census reports can be believed, which means that she would have been 17 years younger than Sebastian. Theirs was a tempestuous relationship, the fallout from which was sometimes played out in the San Francisco newspapers. Marie sued him twice for divorce, but did not follow through with either suit, except for a few hearings, the result of which were some highly comedic passages in the San Francisco Call in which he passionately pleads his love for her and kisses her while she is on the witness stand.
Over the years, Marie wrote several newspaper blurbs, mostly in the fields of "household hints" such as "How to be Your Own Plumber" and French cooking, such as "Fish a la Bechamel" and "Fromage de Pied de Cochon." I have meant to try some of her recipes one day. She also wrote an article somewhat slamming the male sex. From all accounts, Sebastian must have been a handful, and she was his equal in that regard.
Sebastian had one child with Marie, a girl named Marcella, who was born in about December of 1897. In 1928 Marcella married a man from Austria by the name of Andrew Urdovich, according to the 1930 census. At this writing, I have lost track of them, but I would love to make contact with descendants, if any exist.
In his later years, Sebastian was often invited to give talks about President Lincoln and the Civil War. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Lincoln Post No. 1 in San Francisco.
Sebastian's children from his first wife, Lena, have MANY living descendants, a great number of whom I have found and included on my Facebook page where we enjoy a perpetual virtual reunion. One of those cousins, Diane Pedersen, is very good at finding official documents for our ancestors, and I am indebted to her for sending me copies and helping me untangle the history of our family. We continue to work together in a happy collaboration of talents, and I am thrilled to have found this 3rd cousin, once removed!
Biography Copyright (c) 2010,
Silver Rose Parnell
All rights reserved.
Written permission required to use copyrighted material for any purpose.
More research needs to be conducted on this matter in order to ascertain if Sebastian adopted the identity of a dead child or if both the baptism AND the death records for that child are wrong. Independent information (not self-reported by Sebastian)tips our proof toward Sebastian being an imposter, especially since we can find no record of him prior to his enlistment in the Union Army in 1861.
Sebastian may have been too young (or too old) to enter the army, so he adopted the identity of the dead child. He could have a criminal past he wanted to hide. We just don't know.
On Sebastian Sr's naturalization card, the witness is listed as "Christian Lang" and he is probably a relative of Sebastian's purported mother. It may have been from this person that Sebastian obtained the identity of the dead child that he later used as his own.
The witnesses to the marriage of Sebastian, Jr. and his first wife, Eleanore "Lena" Meyer, are George and Sarah Lang, also probably relatives of Sebastian Sr's wife, and Valentine Falger, the relationship to the couple unknown.
Sebastian was among the first to enlist in the 45th NY (volunteer) Infantry, mustering in on September 2, 1861 in New York City. He mustered out of the 45th on October 8, 1864 in Nashville, Tennessee. During the three years in which he served in the 45th, they were involved in crucial Civil War battles, including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. There is a large monument dedicated to the 45th at Gettysburg.
The military records indicate that Sebastian was sick during the war and was transferred to different units while he was in the hospital recovering. I am analyzing the data and will post the results soon.
After the war, Sebastian returned to New York and resumed work as a grocer.
In 1868, while still living in New York, Sebastian married Elenora "Lena" Meier (sometimes spelled "Meyer"), a German immigrant and daughter of Friederick Meyer and Anna (Gunther) Meyer. (In later records, Anna's surname is listed as "Von Eichert" and we are assuming this is the name of another husband, but more research is needed for a definitive verdict on that score.)
Sebastian and Lena had two children in New York and one child born in Oregon:
George Frederick, Dec 6, 1869, New York
Henry William, Dec 2, 1871, New York
Caroline "Lena" Henrietta, Aug 2, 1878, Oregon
By the time of the 1880 census, Sebastian is living in San Francisco, and this is where he stayed for the rest of his life. Just a few years after that census, in July of 1884, Sebastian and Lena divorced. Lena's youngest child was only 6 years old.
In 1895, Sebastian married a French woman named Marie Louise (Voinchet) Vimont, previously married to Edmond Vimont. She is sometimes referred to as "Mamie." She was born in January of 1860, if her census reports can be believed, which means that she would have been 17 years younger than Sebastian. Theirs was a tempestuous relationship, the fallout from which was sometimes played out in the San Francisco newspapers. Marie sued him twice for divorce, but did not follow through with either suit, except for a few hearings, the result of which were some highly comedic passages in the San Francisco Call in which he passionately pleads his love for her and kisses her while she is on the witness stand.
Over the years, Marie wrote several newspaper blurbs, mostly in the fields of "household hints" such as "How to be Your Own Plumber" and French cooking, such as "Fish a la Bechamel" and "Fromage de Pied de Cochon." I have meant to try some of her recipes one day. She also wrote an article somewhat slamming the male sex. From all accounts, Sebastian must have been a handful, and she was his equal in that regard.
Sebastian had one child with Marie, a girl named Marcella, who was born in about December of 1897. In 1928 Marcella married a man from Austria by the name of Andrew Urdovich, according to the 1930 census. At this writing, I have lost track of them, but I would love to make contact with descendants, if any exist.
In his later years, Sebastian was often invited to give talks about President Lincoln and the Civil War. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Lincoln Post No. 1 in San Francisco.
Sebastian's children from his first wife, Lena, have MANY living descendants, a great number of whom I have found and included on my Facebook page where we enjoy a perpetual virtual reunion. One of those cousins, Diane Pedersen, is very good at finding official documents for our ancestors, and I am indebted to her for sending me copies and helping me untangle the history of our family. We continue to work together in a happy collaboration of talents, and I am thrilled to have found this 3rd cousin, once removed!
Biography Copyright (c) 2010,
Silver Rose Parnell
All rights reserved.
Written permission required to use copyrighted material for any purpose.
In his Civil War records, Sebastian reports that he was born in Goshen, New York. On his marriage certificate he reports that his parents were Sebastial Merkel, Sr. and Magdalene (Lang) Merkel. Recently discovered information tells us that Sebastian Merkel, Jr., son of the above-named couple, was baptised in Goshen, New York, three months before "our" Sebastian's self-reported birthdate, and died 17 months later. He was buried in Goshen on Septmeber 18, 1844.
More research needs to be conducted on this matter in order to ascertain if Sebastian adopted the identity of a dead child or if both the baptism AND the death records for that child are wrong. Independent information (not self-reported by Sebastian)tips our proof toward Sebastian being an imposter, especially since we can find no record of him prior to his enlistment in the Union Army in 1861.
Sebastian may have been too young (or too old) to enter the army, so he adopted the identity of the dead child. He could have a criminal past he wanted to hide. We just don't know.
On Sebastian Sr's naturalization card, the witness is listed as "Christian Lang" and he is probably a relative of Sebastian's purported mother. It may have been from this person that Sebastian obtained the identity of the dead child that he later used as his own.
The witnesses to the marriage of Sebastian, Jr. and his first wife, Eleanore "Lena" Meyer, are George and Sarah Lang, also probably relatives of Sebastian Sr's wife, and Valentine Falger, the relationship to the couple unknown.
Sebastian was among the first to enlist in the 45th NY (volunteer) Infantry, mustering in on September 2, 1861 in New York City. He mustered out of the 45th on October 8, 1864 in Nashville, Tennessee. During the three years in which he served in the 45th, they were involved in crucial Civil War battles, including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. There is a large monument dedicated to the 45th at Gettysburg.
The military records indicate that Sebastian was sick during the war and was transferred to different units while he was in the hospital recovering. I am analyzing the data and will post the results soon.
After the war, Sebastian returned to New York and resumed work as a grocer.
In 1868, while still living in New York, Sebastian married Elenora "Lena" Meier (sometimes spelled "Meyer"), a German immigrant and daughter of Friederick Meyer and Anna (Gunther) Meyer. (In later records, Anna's surname is listed as "Von Eichert" and we are assuming this is the name of another husband, but more research is needed for a definitive verdict on that score.)
Sebastian and Lena had two children in New York and one child born in Oregon:
George Frederick, Dec 6, 1869, New York
Henry William, Dec 2, 1871, New York
Caroline "Lena" Henrietta, Aug 2, 1878, Oregon
By the time of the 1880 census, Sebastian is living in San Francisco, and this is where he stayed for the rest of his life. Just a few years after that census, in July of 1884, Sebastian and Lena divorced. Lena's youngest child was only 6 years old.
In 1895, Sebastian married a French woman named Marie Louise (Voinchet) Vimont, previously married to Edmond Vimont. She is sometimes referred to as "Mamie." She was born in January of 1860, if her census reports can be believed, which means that she would have been 17 years younger than Sebastian. Theirs was a tempestuous relationship, the fallout from which was sometimes played out in the San Francisco newspapers. Marie sued him twice for divorce, but did not follow through with either suit, except for a few hearings, the result of which were some highly comedic passages in the San Francisco Call in which he passionately pleads his love for her and kisses her while she is on the witness stand.
Over the years, Marie wrote several newspaper blurbs, mostly in the fields of "household hints" such as "How to be Your Own Plumber" and French cooking, such as "Fish a la Bechamel" and "Fromage de Pied de Cochon." I have meant to try some of her recipes one day. She also wrote an article somewhat slamming the male sex. From all accounts, Sebastian must have been a handful, and she was his equal in that regard.
Sebastian had one child with Marie, a girl named Marcella, who was born in about December of 1897. In 1928 Marcella married a man from Austria by the name of Andrew Urdovich, according to the 1930 census. At this writing, I have lost track of them, but I would love to make contact with descendants, if any exist.
In his later years, Sebastian was often invited to give talks about President Lincoln and the Civil War. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Lincoln Post No. 1 in San Francisco.
Sebastian's children from his first wife, Lena, have MANY living descendants, a great number of whom I have found and included on my Facebook page where we enjoy a perpetual virtual reunion. One of those cousins, Diane Pedersen, is very good at finding official documents for our ancestors, and I am indebted to her for sending me copies and helping me untangle the history of our family. We continue to work together in a happy collaboration of talents, and I am thrilled to have found this 3rd cousin, once removed!
Biography Copyright (c) 2010,
Silver Rose Parnell
All rights reserved.
Written permission required to use copyrighted material for any purpose.
More research needs to be conducted on this matter in order to ascertain if Sebastian adopted the identity of a dead child or if both the baptism AND the death records for that child are wrong. Independent information (not self-reported by Sebastian)tips our proof toward Sebastian being an imposter, especially since we can find no record of him prior to his enlistment in the Union Army in 1861.
Sebastian may have been too young (or too old) to enter the army, so he adopted the identity of the dead child. He could have a criminal past he wanted to hide. We just don't know.
On Sebastian Sr's naturalization card, the witness is listed as "Christian Lang" and he is probably a relative of Sebastian's purported mother. It may have been from this person that Sebastian obtained the identity of the dead child that he later used as his own.
The witnesses to the marriage of Sebastian, Jr. and his first wife, Eleanore "Lena" Meyer, are George and Sarah Lang, also probably relatives of Sebastian Sr's wife, and Valentine Falger, the relationship to the couple unknown.
Sebastian was among the first to enlist in the 45th NY (volunteer) Infantry, mustering in on September 2, 1861 in New York City. He mustered out of the 45th on October 8, 1864 in Nashville, Tennessee. During the three years in which he served in the 45th, they were involved in crucial Civil War battles, including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. There is a large monument dedicated to the 45th at Gettysburg.
The military records indicate that Sebastian was sick during the war and was transferred to different units while he was in the hospital recovering. I am analyzing the data and will post the results soon.
After the war, Sebastian returned to New York and resumed work as a grocer.
In 1868, while still living in New York, Sebastian married Elenora "Lena" Meier (sometimes spelled "Meyer"), a German immigrant and daughter of Friederick Meyer and Anna (Gunther) Meyer. (In later records, Anna's surname is listed as "Von Eichert" and we are assuming this is the name of another husband, but more research is needed for a definitive verdict on that score.)
Sebastian and Lena had two children in New York and one child born in Oregon:
George Frederick, Dec 6, 1869, New York
Henry William, Dec 2, 1871, New York
Caroline "Lena" Henrietta, Aug 2, 1878, Oregon
By the time of the 1880 census, Sebastian is living in San Francisco, and this is where he stayed for the rest of his life. Just a few years after that census, in July of 1884, Sebastian and Lena divorced. Lena's youngest child was only 6 years old.
In 1895, Sebastian married a French woman named Marie Louise (Voinchet) Vimont, previously married to Edmond Vimont. She is sometimes referred to as "Mamie." She was born in January of 1860, if her census reports can be believed, which means that she would have been 17 years younger than Sebastian. Theirs was a tempestuous relationship, the fallout from which was sometimes played out in the San Francisco newspapers. Marie sued him twice for divorce, but did not follow through with either suit, except for a few hearings, the result of which were some highly comedic passages in the San Francisco Call in which he passionately pleads his love for her and kisses her while she is on the witness stand.
Over the years, Marie wrote several newspaper blurbs, mostly in the fields of "household hints" such as "How to be Your Own Plumber" and French cooking, such as "Fish a la Bechamel" and "Fromage de Pied de Cochon." I have meant to try some of her recipes one day. She also wrote an article somewhat slamming the male sex. From all accounts, Sebastian must have been a handful, and she was his equal in that regard.
Sebastian had one child with Marie, a girl named Marcella, who was born in about December of 1897. In 1928 Marcella married a man from Austria by the name of Andrew Urdovich, according to the 1930 census. At this writing, I have lost track of them, but I would love to make contact with descendants, if any exist.
In his later years, Sebastian was often invited to give talks about President Lincoln and the Civil War. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Lincoln Post No. 1 in San Francisco.
Sebastian's children from his first wife, Lena, have MANY living descendants, a great number of whom I have found and included on my Facebook page where we enjoy a perpetual virtual reunion. One of those cousins, Diane Pedersen, is very good at finding official documents for our ancestors, and I am indebted to her for sending me copies and helping me untangle the history of our family. We continue to work together in a happy collaboration of talents, and I am thrilled to have found this 3rd cousin, once removed!
Biography Copyright (c) 2010,
Silver Rose Parnell
All rights reserved.
Written permission required to use copyrighted material for any purpose.
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