Hertford County, NC - Solon Borland's Children
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"Solon Borland & FAMILY"
Chapter 3: "Solon's Children"
THOMAS BORLAND
(11/09/08), (01-15-13)
Solon BORLAND (1811VA-1864TX) may have had seven children?
Thomas & Harold ("Little Solon") with first wife Huldah, possibly (?)
one with second wife Elizabeth, rumored to have had one (?) by creole
lady friend, George Godwin, Fanny Green & Mary Melbourne with third and
last wife Mary.
We find documentation that the five known children, Thomas, Harold
("Little Solon"), George Godwin, Fanny ("Fannie") Green, twice married
Mary ("Mollie") Melbourne plus Solon's two granddaughters Grace
("Darce") Melbourne and twice married Mary Borland BEATTIE, lived lives
any parent should be most proud about. We were unable to trace his four
grandsons, Russell & Charles BORLAND (Veterans of World War I), Godwin
Borland MOORES, or George Melbourne BEATTIE (with Oliver Typrwriter Co
in NY, 1903), --- hopefully they too lead good lives.
Material used herein from The College of William & Mary archives is
noted with (WM).
3B. HAROLD (Little Solon) BORLAND (1835NC-1921AR):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His ancestry.
HAROLD BORLAND (Little Solon) was second known born to Solon
BORLAND and first wife Huldah G(Godwin?) WRIGHT (1809VA-1837TN), 18
September 1835 in North Carolina after father's received from
University of Pennsylvania his first of two medical degrees, raised
until 1854 as "Little Solon", following mother's death in 1837 till
1845 by his youngest uncle Euclid BORLAND (1809VA-1881VA), in Marshall
county, Mississippi, attended United States Military Academy
(1854-1860), married twice, two known sons, died 20 July 1921 at
Confederate Home, Sweet Home, Pulaski county, Arkansas, buried, plot
#1001, in Confederate section establshed in 1884 adjacent to the 1868
created Little Rock National Cemetery.
www.argenweb.net/washington/misc/obits/bormajharold.html
(WM) 30 May 1837 letter from Euclid in Holly Springs, Marshall county,
Mississippi to uncle George GODWIN (1787VA-1866VA) at Suffolk,
Virginia mentions Solon, Huldah, Thomas (who looked "delicate") and
Solon (Little) had visited him.
(WM) 16 May 1838 letter from Euclid, near Holly Springs, to George
GODWIN said no sign of Solon since January wrote Solon's Thomas is in
fine health, "Little Solon", looked "delicate".
It appears from (WM) letters, following mother Huldah's death, 25
August 1837, www.rootsweb.com/~tnnews/shelby.htm Harold and older
brother Thomas were with uncle Euclid in his father-in-law Augustus
MOORE's (1778VA- 1843MS) household at Mississippi, Harold staying till
1845, moving with father, Thomas, having moved back with George and
Fanny (Green) GODWIN's, born 1785, at Suffolk, Nansemond county,
Virginia. In 1840 census it appears Thomas is being raised by Solon's
uncle George and aunt Fanny (Green) GODWIN in Nansemond County,
Virginia, listed; 1 male 5 and under 10, with Harold at uncle Euclid's
in Mississippi also with unknown male 5 and under 10.
"Little Solon", 14 y/o, is in Hot Springs, Hot Spring, now Garland
county, Arkansas for the 1850 census, then at 18, 1 July 1854, is
documented as Harold at the United States Military Academy with
records showing he enrolled while Robert Edward LEE (1807VA-1887VA)
was Superintendent, 1852-1855, and served in Mexican war with Solon
and William Joseph HARDEE (1815GA-1873VA) was Commandant of Cadets,
1856-1860. Federal census of 1860 has Harold 40th of 200 cadets in
West Point. His friend and classmate, General "Fighting" Joe WHEELER,
graduating 1859, sending December 1901 letter of support was found in
Harold's pension file.
Blue eyed Harold gained nickname of "Ginger", because of his hair color.
Cadets from the South tended to lag behind Northerners at this time.
There were a lot more prep schools in the North where students could
learn French and advanced math, the two subjects that tripped up the
most cadets, according to historian, Bruce S ALLARDICE, author of
"More Generals in Gray", "Confederate Colonels: A Biographical
Register"(Solon included) and other works.
Harold was the 1887th graduate on 1 July 1860, at age 24, ranking 41st
in class of 41 cadets. Also consider, if you would, General Ulysses S.
GRANT (1822-1885), (also serving with Solon BORLAND at end of Mexican
War), the 21st in his class of 39, but became president, then General
"Fighting Joe" WHEELER Class of 1859, in 1901 sending letter of
support for his pension, and General George Armstrong CUSTER
(1839-1876) also graduated last in his Class of 1861, the following
year.
Harold was commissioned a Brevet Second Lieutenant of Infantry,
stationed at Newport Barracks, Kentucky until resigning the 5th Army
Infantry 31 March 1861.
One story is: - - to enlist with Jefferson DAVIS (1808KY-1889LA)
(served with Solon in the Mexican war and the United States Senate),
at age 25, who appointed him a Major in the Confederate Army. He
served in Engineer and Quartermaster Departments and for a spell was
Adjutant General on staff of General James Edwin SLAUGHTER
(1820-1901MEX).
West Point records show Major BORLAND;
"...was, August 16 1863, captured aboard vessel "Alice Vivian" which
was endeavoring to run the blockade from Mobile to Havana with 550
bales of cotton. He was held prisoner at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor
[6th from left, top row in photo],
Pic- Collection of New York Historical Society, Neg # 56776
until exchanged October 1 1864."
www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h52000/h52793l.htm (Major Boland)
http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/records/ (search, "Borland" or
"Circassian") last viewed 21st February 2007.
(Page 867 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION AND CONFEDERATE.)
(partial message)
"NAVY DEPARTMENT, September 24, 1864.
"Rear-Admiral JOHN A. DEHLGREN, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading
Squadron, off Charleston:
"SIR: On the 7th instant I advised you of the intention of the
Department to send to you by the Circassian on her next trip all the
officers and seamen of the so-called Confederate Navy now imprisoned
in the North, with a view to their exchange for our Navy officers in
the South.
(partially complete)
"In addition to the Navy officers sent down, there are two officers of
the so-called Confederate Army, viz, Major Harold Borland and Major G
A Preston. The former can be offered in exchange for Major Forbes, of
Boston, who was captured near Aldie Gap.
"The Department, in a letter to Major Borland, has informed him that
he could remain in the Department of the South until an answer is
received in reply to the offer, or until Major Forbes should be
delivered to you.
"It will not be necessary to detain the Circassian at Port Royal. The
prisoners can be transferred to some other vessel or to some place on
shore for safe custody should there be delay in effecting the
exchange. The Circassian must return without any delay to resume her
regular trips.
"Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
~~~~~~~~
His Pension records (6 pages, obtained February 2007) say: After
resigning U S Army, he was appointed second lieutenant March 16, 1861,
reporting to General Braxton BRAGG in Pennsacola, Florida. He applied
for rank of captain January 13, 1863 approved by Generals James Edwin
SLAUGHTER & Braxton BRAGG, then February 23, 1863 applied for rank of
major which he says in letter to the Inspector General October 22,
1864, he received his rank of major May 19, 1863! The capture is as
above noted. He was transferred for exchange October 1, 1864 for union
Major FORBES, and on October 24, 1863 was ordered to report to General
Edmund Kirby SMITH, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department.
Bruce ALLARDICE and B HOLT's research revealed Harold married 16/17
y/o Katie DAVIS, 21 April 1871 in Johnson county, Arkansas where he is
listed as a civil engineer in 1870 Federal census age 30 and in 1880
census they had half-sister Fanny's orphaned son, George Borland
MOORES, at Cadron, Faulkner county Arkansas. Later he married Janie
FRITH, 26 April 1891 in Prairie county, Arkansas, who died ca 1902,
most likely mother of the two known sons.
Bruce also found he was a civil engineer and has him 'trying his
father's shoes' in 1868, with a newspaper for 16 months, at
Clarksville, Johnson county, Arkansas later a bookkeeper in Faulkner
county.
United States Military Academy (USMA) records say Harold taught school
for a while and then worked for United States Revenue Service.
We provided USMA documented corrections concerning Solon BORLAND for
which they say will be incorporated in their files, and will forward a
copy of this for their records.
The pension office letter was to U S Senator John Henderson BERRY
(1841AL-1913AR), a civil war veteran who lost a leg, ---- and
following The Brooks-Baxter War of 1874, became speaker of the state
house, then governor 1883-1885, later filling Augustus H GARLAND's
(1832TN-1899AR) senate seat in 1885-1899 when GARLAND was appointed U
S Attorney General.
With the above said, we found:
a)- Harold BORLAND's 22 July 1921, obituary in The Arkansas Gazette,
p.7,c.3, states he was captured by the Fed's and imprisoned at
Fortress Monroe, Virginia exchanged prior to war ending, promoted to
rank of major near end of war.
b)- West Point records show Major Borland rejoined his group serving
until end of war, then with General James Edwin SLAUGHTER (1820-1901),
went to Matamoris, Mexico,
c)- Major Harold BORLAND is noted in Virginia Davis GRAY's (wife of O
C GRAY), 1863-1865 diary, published by Dr. Carl H MONEYHON in Arkansas
Historical Quarterly of 1983, Part II, page 162.
"...one of the persons not expected but most welcome, came. Mollie and
Fannie are in a blissful state of mind."
this in Princeton, Dallas county, Arkansas, Friday morning, 30
December 1864, nearly a year after father's death. He was mentioned
five times during ensuing eight months, moving in and out of
Princeton, lastly, Dr. MEADOR of Little Rock and Colonel KYLE of
Arkadelphia, in diary entry 18 August 1865, reporting he had;
"... gone to Mexico."
Arkansas' Hempstead County Probate Court appointed Harold BORLAND
administrator for his father's estate, 21 April 1865, for will signed
31 December 1863 near Houston, Texas, --- court papers "fictitiously"
established Solon's death date as 15 December 1864, when in fact it
unquestionably occurred nearly one year earlier, as recorded in afore
said published diary's entry of 4 March 1864 --- nine and one half
months before the date established by Hempstead county, Arkansas to
wit:
"...near Houston, Texas,---the first day of 64."
Solon's estate was probated in
href=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=409>Pulaski
county, Arkansas, 24 July 1866, signed by 31 y/o son, Harold BORLAND,
merchant, Sterling H. TUCKER, and 34 y/o Augustus Hill GARLAND, Esq
(married Hempstead County Clerk's, Simon T. SANDERS, oldest daughter
in 1853, then in 1885 to '89 appointed United States Attorney
General),--- Solon leaving estate to daughters, poetess Fanny Green
BORLAND, then age 18 & Mary Melbourne BORLAND, age 16, for their
education etc., with explanation for not including Harold. Sons Thomas
and George were dead.
November 1867 Major Harold BORLAND assisted Virginia Davis GRAY
(1832ME-1886AR) (Mrs O C GRAY) and her new born son, Carl Raymond GRAY
(1867AR-1939DC) (70 years later, vice-chairman Union Pacific RR), on
an overnight Chidester stagecoach trip to Little Rock from Princeton,
where Colonel GRAY was newly employed to re-open and teach for seven
years (last three years its president) at Masonic's prestigious Saint
Johns' College of Arkansas
www.arkansasties.com/Pulaski/OldLittleRock/StJohnsCollege.htm , first
created institution for higher learning in Arkansas.
Harold broke in the door that cool evening of arrival, after having
waited all day to gain entry, now, from the cold evening air. Colonel
GRAY arrived home about nine.
Strangely and questioningly, Solon's will was entered in probate court
of Shelby county, Tennessee, 23 June 1876. Both daughters were then at
home in Memphis where two years later during the 1878 yellow fever
epidemic both husbands would die and Fanny the following year.
Harold is mentioned several times in Virginia Davis Gray's diary of
her son Carl, as visiting from Memphis with half-sister Fanny,
bringing gifts for little Carl.
Harold applied for pension so allowed under state's act of March
11,1901. His pension papers show he and wife living in Nashville,
Howard county, Arkansas June 22, 1902, he destitute and ill, seeking
an Army pension. An amount of $50.00 was authorized to draw such 12th
day August 1902.
Major Harold BORLAND, following death of wife, resided in Confederate
Veterans' Home at Sweet Home, Pulaski county, Arkansas, located on top
of Granite Mountain, with, reportedly the first hard-surfaced rural
Arkansas road passing by, --- starting 3 January 1908 for 13½ years,
reportedly, building built 1892, remodeled 1911, housing 130 in 1915
and is where he died Wednesday, 20 July 1921. He was buried in the
1884 Confederate section where 640 were reinterred from Mount Holly
cemetery, an eleven acre adjacent addtion to 1868 Little Rock National
Cemetery, in plot #1001, with a white marble headstone (see above),
questioningly, as "LIEUT" (his U.S. Army rank inscribed, when he's
documented as a Confederate Major by USMA, Union's Secretary of Navy
and pension records), with "ARK. INF.C. S. A." inscribed on lower
half.
His obituary www.argenweb.net/washington/misc/obits/bormajharold.html stated,
"...wife died about 20 years ago."
Its unclear to us who mothered Harold's son Charles but reasoned it
may have been his 2nd wife. USMA says both sons served in World War I,
one Navy, other a machine gunner, from 18 July to 11 November 1918 on
France's Western Front.
3B-a. RUSSELL BORLAND, (1893AR-1966OH)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Social Security (obtained in Ohio) death lists him born 20 October
1893 which we now know would be to Harold BORLAND and second wife
Janie FRITH Served in World War I, in Little Rock at father's death.
Died May 1966 at Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, cause & burial site
unknown.
3B-b. CHARLES BORLAND, (189xAR-19xx)
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Birth likely of second wife, Jane (Firth) BORLAND, unknown if second
born, served during World War I, where-abouts unknown at father's
death.
Harold's son Charles and nephews history and where-abouts are unknown to us.
Curiously; there was a "Harold BOURLAND" living in Howard county,
Arkansas, whose son "J B BORLAND", died and was buried about June 22,
1935, same date but 33 years after Harold BORLAND.
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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
William S. Boggess - bog417@gmail.com
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