Ford, George

Birth

George Ford was born in Westerlo, Albany County, NY on July 28, 1844, the son of Gilbert Ford and Sarah Kenyon. He had a older brother Grant Ford (B. Oct 7, 1841). Note: Robert Keating in the book Carnival of Blood wrote that George and Grant were twins, but this is not correct.

Marriage & Children

He married after he served in the Civil War. He married Louisa Lapaugh (B. abt 1836-8, D. after Aug 1, 1890), who was the daughter of Maria Lapaugh (B. about 1807, D. after 1880). They appear not to have had any children.

Occupation

George worked as a farmer and a laborer before his service during the Civil War. After the war George worked as an expressman or driver in the city of Albany.

Military Service

Residence:	Westerlo
Place of Birth:	Westerlo, NY
Date of Birth:	28 July 1844
Names of Parents:	Gilbert (Ford) and Sarah Kenyon
Marital Status:	Married
Occupation:	Farmer
Term of Enlistment:	3 years
Enlistment Date:	11 Aug 1862
Enlistment Place:	Westerlo, NY or Albany, NY
Enlistment Rank:	Private
State Served:	New York
Regiment:	7th Regiment NY Heavy Artillery
Company:	Company K
Promotion Date:	24 Apr 1865
Promotion Rank:	Corporal
Muster Out Date:	17 Jun 1865
Muster Out Place:	Baltimore, MD

Additional Remarks: Enlisted at the age of 21. His twin brother Grant Ford also served in Company K of the 7th HA Regiment and survived the war."Promoted to Corp April 24, 1865-- before being promoted was Ambulance Driver" Born in Westerlo, Age 21, Farmer, Dark eyes, Dark hair, Light complexion, 5'10" tall.

Sources Used: Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for the year 1898; Keating, Robert, Carnival of Blood: The Civil War Ordeal of the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, Published by Butternut and Blue, Baltimore, Md 1998; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War; Civil War Pension Index, www.ancestry.com; 1890 US Veterans Census, Albany;

Military Service

Despite serving in the 7th Regiment NY Heavy Artillery for three years, George had reasonably good health for the remainder of his life as he never filed for his Civil War pension.

Life

It appears that George's father died before 1850, as in 1850 George, his mother Sarah Kenyon (B. abt 1815) Ford and brother Grant Ford were living in Westerlo with his maternal grandparents. His grandfather, Robinson Kenyon (B. abt 1786), was a laborer, while his uncles Henry Kenyon (B. abt 1822) and Dewitt Kenyon (B. abt 1827) were farmers. Also in the house were his grandmother Ruth (B. abt 1788, D. bef 1860) and aunt Elizabeth Kenyon (B. abt 1830). By 1860, George was out of the house and was working for Charlotte A. Whitbeck in Coeymans, Albany co, as a day laborer. After serving in the Civil War, George returned to Albany county where he married and settled in the city of Albany. George, his wife Louisa and brother Grant would live together for the remainder of their lives. In 1870, living in a multi-family home, George and Grand were both drivers. By 1880 they were all living at 47 Division Street in a two family home with Maria Lapaugh (B. abt 1806), who was Louisa's mother.

Death

George's brother Grant died first on January 6, 1886 and he was buried at Westerlo Rural Cemetery. George died next, on March 28, 1890, and is also buried at the Westerlo Rural Cemetery.

George Ford memorial at the Westerlo Rural Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Thomas Dunne

Postscript

After his death, his wife Louisa filed for his Civil War pension on August 1, 1890. The same year she was also recorded in the 1890 US Veterans Census in Albany and at the time she lived at 25 Orange Street.

Additional Media

Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Sources