Levi Whitaker

1825 – 1864

LEVI WHITAKER[1] was born 12 August 1825 to Cyrel and Almira (Horton) Whitaker in Ash- ford, Windham County, Connecticut.[2] He was one of six children, the others being Henry[3], Amos[4], Sarah Ann[5], Lucius[6], and Almira[7].

Levi's father, Cyrel Whitaker, descended from the Rehoboth, Massachusetts Whitaker Family.

Both Levi’s grandfather Amos Whitaker and great-grandfather Lieutenant Richard Whitaker were officers in the American Revolution.

Levi Whitaker volunteered as a Union soldier during the Civil War. He ultimately died from disease contracted while a prisoner of war. We will learn more details shortly.

Levi Whitaker married Sarah Jane Martin 05 July 1846 in Chaplin, Connecticut.[8] Sarah was born about 1828; she died at the young age of nineteen on 06 November 1847 in Eastford, Connecticut.[9] Levi and Sarah had no known children.

Almost one year after his first wife Sarah’s death, Levi married Susan M. (Shurtleff) Williams[10] on 29 October 1848 at Thompson, Connecticut.[11] Susan was born Susan Maria Shurtleff on 28 December 1820 to Sylvanus and Elizabeth (Chaffee) Shurtleff in Ashford, Connecticut.[12]

When Levi married his second wife, she was a widow, having been previously married to Dwight Williams, who died 04 April 1846 at the age of twenty-five.[13] Susan and her first husband Dwight Williams had had a son, Milan Dwight Williams who died 11 April 1847 at the age of one year and ten months.[14] Both father and son are buried in the North Cemetery, Hampton, Connecticut.

Levi and Susan (Shurtleff) (Williams) Whitaker had three sons. Their first son, George F., they adopted.[15] Levi and Susan’s other children were their biological offspring: Dwight Levi (born 23 April 1853),[16] and Clayton Lucius (born 16 February 1862).[17] They also had one daughter, Katy Jane (born 28 January 1861),[18] who died of pneumonia 01 December 1862 in Eastford, Connecticut.[19]

Levi volunteered for duty in the war of 1861. He enlisted (for 3 years) at Hartford, Connecticut on 25 October 1861, as a Private in Company H of the 11th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteers.[20] His enlistment papers state that he was a farmer who was 5 feet, 5 3/4 inches tall, with brown eyes and black hair.

Several of Levi Whitaker’s first cousins also soldiered for the Union Army during the Civil War. Perhaps the most well-known was Edward W. Whitaker, (see photo at left) who at the age of 23 became the youngest Union Army General in the Civil War. Three of Edward’s brothers (also Levi’s first cousins) also enlisted as Union soldiers: Daniel Whitaker, William Whitaker and George Whitaker.[21]

Timeline for Levi Whitaker 1861-1864[22]

1861 December 16 - Levi Whitaker was mustered into active service as a Private in Company H of the 11th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteers.[23] Nicolas Robbins gives us some background on this regiment’s activity:

“According to the regiment history, Levi traveled first to Annapolis, Maryland, where the regiment was assigned to ‘Burnside’s Expedition.’ He then sailed for 29 days to a camp on the coast of North Carolina, almost getting shipwrecked in the process.

“Over the next two years, Levi’s regiment was engaged in at least six major Civil War battles.”[24]

1862 March 14 – Levi participated in the Battle of New Bern (New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina).

1862 April 05-May 04 - Levi participated in the Battle of Yorktown (York County and Newport News, Virginia).

1862 September 14 – Levi participated in the Battle of South Mountain (Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s Gaps, Frederick County and Washington County, Maryland).

1862 September 16-18 - Levi participated in the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland); he was wounded on 17 September 1862 and hospitalized at United States Army General Hospitalin Chester, Pennsylvania.

1863 March - Levi was transferred to the United States Army General Hospital at Fort Schuyler, in New York Harbor.

1863 April 29 - Levi was transferred to the United States Army General Hospital at New Haven, Connecticut.

1863 October 14 - Levi was discharged from the New Haven hospital and admitted to Fort Wood Convalescent Hospital on Bedloe’s Island[25] (now called Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty) in New York Harbor. From there, Levi was sent back to active duty. Nicolas Robbins writes:

“His regiment, at that time, had returned to Gloucester Point, Virginia, to occupy Fort Keyes and to perform garrison duty at Yorktown.”[26]

1863 November and December - The Company roster shows Levi on duty.[27]

1864 January 01 - Levi began recording almost daily events in a pocket diary.[28] His brief penciled entries begin on 01 January 1864. Levi’s three-year enlistment period was about to expire. Nicolas Robbins shows us that, at this point in time, the decision of each soldier whether to re-enlist or not, for an additional three years, was crucial for the future of the regiment:

“[M]ost of the 11th regiment re-enlisted in January of 1864 for three more years. They were given a one month veterans furlough which allowed them to return to Connecticut.”[29]

1864 January 05 – Levi had decided to not re-enlist, so did not get a furlough to Connecticut. Little did he know that he would never see his family again. He writes:

“Today is the last day of enlisting for the Government bounty and I have not enlisted yet. The boys are expecting every day to go home”[30]

1864 January 12 - Levi began about one month of detached service with the 148th New York Volunteers near Williamsburg, Virginia.[31] He writes:

“The vetrons start for home today and the ref -- [i.e., rest] go over to the 148 N. Y. where we are very well treated.”[32]

1864 February – Levi returned to duty with the 11th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteers.[33]

1864 early May – Levi’s regiment advances toward Richmond, Virginia. Nicolas Robbins describes what happened next:

“[I]n early May, the 11th Regiment followed gunboats up the James River toward Richmond. They engaged in battle at Swift’s Creek and then, during a battle at Drury’s Bluff, the regiment was almost surrounded. On May 16, 1864, Levi and several fellow soldiers were left behind by the retreating regiment and taken prisoner by the Confederate forces.”[34]

1864 May 16 - Levi was taken as a prisoner of war at Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia. Along with other prisoners from his Company, Levi was taken to Richmond, Virginia and lodged for one week at Libby Prison.[35] Nicolas Robbins notes that

“Levi made daily entries in his diary, recording things like the weather, the food rations he received, and his general state of health.”[36]

1864 May 23 - Levi was among the many prisoners of war taken from Libby Prison and loaded like cattle into freight cars. He writes:

“was woke up at three in the morning to get ready to leave Richmond[.] marched over the bridge along side of the [railroad] cars[.] waited till morning and loaded in[,] fifty in a car[,] being at that time sum 9 or 10 hundreds of us[.]”[37]

1864 May 23-30 - It took this train seven long days to transport Levi and fellow inmates approximately 690 miles into the Deep South, far away from any battle lines and from any chance of being rescued. The slow train with its human cargo lumbered along from Richmond, through Charlottesville, Virginia, through Danville, Virginia and Greensboro, North Carolina, finally arriving at Andersonville, Georgia on 30 May 1864.[38] The last half of this excursion grew especially uncomfortable, as Levi notes on May 26th:

“changed cars at Greensboro[;] jammed eighty into a car so close that it is impossible to sit down all at a time . . . . am all out of rations & getting hungry[.]”[39]

1864 May 30 - Levi and fellow inmates joined between sixteen thousand and eighteen thousand other prisoners of war at the Confederacy’s infamous Camp Sumter, also known as Andersonville Prison.[40] Nicolas Robbins summarizes the overcrowding and horrific living conditions which Levi and his fellow captives endured and documented at Andersonville:

“Over the next six months Levi faithfully recorded daily entries in his diary which tell of the ever-increasing misery of his life in Andersonville Prison. Daily rations were barely enough to keep a man alive, and prison conditions were very unhealthy. Prisoners stole personal possessions from each other, and the declining health of Levi and his prison ‘buddies’ is sketched out.

“Occasionally, near the end of his diary, Levi mentions hearing rumors of a prisoner exchange. This apparently offered the only hope that Levi would survive his imprisonment at Andersonville.”[41]

1864 September 13 - After almost four months at Andersonville, on 13 September 1864 Levi and other prisoners were again loaded onto a train, presumably to be exchanged for Confederate prisoners and released. However, the train was in an accident and again the prisoners found themselves in a prison camp.[42]

1864 September 27-28 - Levi and fellow prisoners entrained again on September 27th. They were taken overnight to Savannah, Georgia. Levi expresses some hope in the midst of his misery, as he writes in his diary on September 28th:

“sat curled up in the [railroad] car all night last night without any sleep[.] remained on board till sunset[.] arrived at Savannah & went in to another Bull pen[.] how long to stay, God only knows[.] I am in hopes to get exchanged before I die here any way[.] weather showery[.]”[43]

1864 October 12 - After two more weeks had passed, Levi and fellow captives were taken by train on 12 October 1864 from Savannah to Camp Lawton, a newly-constructed prison camp at Millen, Georgia.[44] Historian Dale Cox explains that

“Most of the [more than 10,000] prisoners of war sent to Camp Lawton in the fall of 1864 came from the overcrowded Camp Sumter at Andersonville. Brought in by rail to nearby Millen, they were marched the remaining 5 miles to the prison.”[45]

1864 October 25 – Levi Whitaker had been a prisoner of war for over five months and was suffering the effects. He was sick, malnourished and growing weaker. Levi writes his very last diary entry on 25 October 1864:

“S[46]* my drawers last night[.] got up as soon as daylight[.] went down to the brook to wash them[.] when I got back[,] found my haversack gone and the contents [also.] drawed rations as usual[.] weather fare[.]”[47]

Levi Whitaker was now too unwell to continue recording daily events in his diary. Had he the strength to do so, Levi may have documented this fortuitous development, described by historian Dale Cox:

“Some of the prisoners left [Camp Lawton] in an exchange of sick or wounded POW's at Savannah worked out by the two armies.”[48]

1864 November 19 - Levi Whitaker was officially exchanged on 19 November 1864 and sent north. This was just seven days before part of Union General William T. Sherman’s army arrived at Fort Lawton, on their infamous “March to the Sea.”

1864 November 25 - Levi was “attached” (admitted) to the United States Division Number 1 General Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland.

1864 December 17 - Levi died of “Chronic Diarrhoea” at the Annapolis hospital on 17 December 1864.[49]

Levi Whitaker is buried in the General Lyons Cemetery, Phoenixville, Connecticut, alongside his first wife, Sarah Jane, and his daughter, Katy Jane.[50]

Because she was the widow of a Civil War soldier, Susan M. Whitaker applied for and was granted $8.00 a month for support.[51] This was increased in 1867 to $12.00 a month.[52] Susan lived out her life in Connecticut and never remarried. She died "of cancer of the stomach and old age" at the home of her son Dwight Whitaker in Woodstock, Connecticut on 17 December 1905. She was eighty-five years old. She is buried in the Litchfield Cemetery in Hampton, Connecticut.[53]

[1] This present biographical sketch is largely taken from an earlier work, Levi Whitaker, a typewritten manuscript by Albert Preston Whitaker, Senior, copies of which he distributed to close family members about 1979. A copy of his original version is archived as an electronic file: < a96bio

.

For this present version of Levi’s biography (electronic file < a96bio_Levi

; last modified 27 December 2013), extensive editing and revision has been done to the earlier work. And new information has been added from the research and files of Albert P. Whitaker, Junior, Stephen and Dale (Whitaker) Robbins, Nicolas Levi Robbins, and others.

[2] "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, _FamilySearch_ (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F748-D98 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Cyril Whitaker in entry for Levi Whitaker, 12 Aug 1825. Transcript only ; “No image available”].

[3] Henry Whitaker, born 11 September 1820 in Ashford Township, Windham County, Connecticut [source: "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F748-D9H : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Cyrel Whitaker in entry for Henry Whitaker, 11 Sep 1820. Transcript only ; “No image available”].

[4] Amos Whitaker, born 01 November 1821 in Ashford Township, Windham County, Connecticut [source: "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F748-D9S : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Cyrel Whitaker in entry for Amos Whitaker, 01 Nov 1821. Transcript only ; “No image available”].

[5] Sarah Ann Whitaker, born 15 September 1823 in Ashford Township, Windham County, Connecticut [source: "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7W3-B7M : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Cyrel Whitaker in entry for Sarah Ann Whitaker, 15 Sep 1823. Transcript only ; “No image available”].

[6] Lucius Whitaker, born 29 August 1830 in Ashford Township, Windham County, Connecticut [source: "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F748-D9X : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Cyrel Whitaker in entry for Lucius Whitaker, 29 Aug 1830. Transcript only ; “No image available”].

[7] Almira Whitaker, born 20 August 1834 in Ashford Township, Windham County, Connecticut [source: "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7W3-B3Y : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Cyrel Whitaker in entry for Almira Whitaker, 20 Aug 1834. Transcript only ; “No image available”].

[8] An Ancestry.com Family Tree cites this source for marriage data: Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection); online access limited to individuals paying $ for an advanced membership level.

[9] "Connecticut, Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7K1-PZZ : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Sarah Jane Whitaker, 06 Nov 1847; citing reference 505-10, FHL microfilm 3330; transcript only; “No image available”. Also, Gravestone in General Lyons Cemetery (also called Phoenixville Cemetery), Phoenixville (village), Eastford (town), Windham County, Connecticut. Part of the gravestone inscription reads: “Sarah Jane, Wife of Levi, Died Nov 6 1847, Age 19 yrs” source: “Sarah Jane Martin Whitaker”, Find A Grave (online database), memorial # 68857532: < [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68857532](http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68857532)

(accessed 23 December 2013). It is from this inscription that her Sarah’s birth year is inferred to be about 1828. No other birth record has been discovered for a Sarah Jane Martin born in 1828. However, there is a record transcription showing a Sarah Jane Martin born 12 August 1823 in Chaplin Township, Windham County, Connecticut, daughter of James and Sarah ( ) Martin [source: "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7WK-D3T : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Sarah Jane Martin, 12 Aug 1823. Transcription only ; “No image available”. The original record should be consulted to verify whether the year is actually 1823 or 1828].

[[10] Residences of Susan Maria (Shurtleff) (Williams) Whitaker: Ashford, Connecticut; Eastford, Connecticut by 1853; Living in Eastford, Connecticut in 1870 [1870 census]; Woodstock, Connecticut by 1905.

[11] A marriage record has yet to be found.

[12] "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7WG-6B4 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Susan Maria Shirtleff, 28 Dec 1820; transcript only; “No image available”. Also, an Ancestry.com Family Tree cites this source for birth data: Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection); online access limited to individuals paying $ for an advanced membership level.

[13] Gravestone inscription in North Cemetery, Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut source: “Dwight Williams”, Find A Grave (online database), memorial # 80726167: < http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=80726167

(accessed 23 December 2013). Susan’s first husband, Dwight Williams, was "of Hampton, Conn." at the time of their marriage, 30 November 1843 at Willington, Connecticut. Susan was a member of the Willington [Connecticut] First Congregational Church.

[[14] Gravestone inscription in North Cemetery, Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut source: “Milan D Williams”, Find A Grave (online database), memorial # 80726192: < http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=80726192

(accessed 23 December 2013).

[[15] George F., adopted by Levi and Susan, was born in 1852. Certified affidavits note that George was not an issue of either Levi or Susan.

[16] A. P. Whitaker, Sr., in his notes, also gives dates of 23 April 1853, 24 April 1853 and 26 April 1853; which date is correct? The 1900 census gives only month and year “Apr 1853” ["United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11900-19874-39?cc=1325221&wc=M94Y-P95:440604889 : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Connecticut

Windham > ED 527 Windham town (excl. Willimantic city); citing NARA microfilm publication T623].

[17] The 1900 census gives only month and year “Feby 1862” ["United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11900-19874-39?cc=1325221&wc=M94Y-P95:440604889 : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Connecticut

Windham > ED 527 Windham town (excl. Willimantic city); citing NARA microfilm publication T623]. Also, an Ancestry.com Family Tree cites: Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 ; online access limited to individuals paying $ for an advanced membership level.

[18] An official source for a birth date has yet to be found.

[19] “Connecticut, Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7K1-PZD : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Katie J. Whitaker, 01 Dec 1862; citing reference 505-10, FHL microfilm 3330. Transcription only ; “No image available”. Also, Gravestone in General Lyons Cemetery (also called Phoenixville Cemetery), Phoenixville (village), Eastford (town), Windham County, Connecticut. Part of the gravestone inscription reads: “Katie J Whitaker, Died Dec 1 1862, Age 1 yr 10 mos” [source: “Katy Jane Whitaker”, Find A Grave (online database), memorial # 68857870: < http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68857870

(accessed 23 December 2013)].

[20] Compiled Service Record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf.; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[21] General Edward Washburn Whitaker was born 15 June 1841, son of George and Mary (Colgrove) Whitaker and grandson of Amos and Bethiah (Allen) Whitaker. Edward died 30 July 1922 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 3, Lot 1324) in Arlington, Virginia. For a short biography and photos of Edward W. Whitaker and his gravestone, see “Edward Washburn Whitaker,” Arlington National Cemetery Website, updated 30 March 2007: < http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ewwhit.htm

(accessed 24 December 2013); Also the Find A Grave web site:

< http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7907640

(accessed 23 December 2013). A public domain photo of Edward W. Whitaker is available online for copying from the Library of Congress’ web site: < http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/cwp2003001194/PP/ > (accessed 23 December 2013).

[22] The outline of this timeline is largely based on: Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington. Details fleshing out the story are quoted from an unpublished manuscript, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker,” written by Nicolas Levi Robbins about 1998.

[23] Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington.

[24] Nicolas L. Robbins, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker” (typescript, ca. 1998), leaf [1]; copy in possession of Stephen L. Robbins, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Warsaw, Indiana, 2013. Stephen L. Robbins is the father of the author.

[25] Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington.

[26] Robbins, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker,” [2].

[27] Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington.

[28] Levi kept a written diary between Friday, 01 January 1864 and Tuesday, 25 October 1864. The transcribed text of Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers, as transcribed by Albert P. Whitaker, Senior in December 1979, is in a separate electronic file: < a96diary

.

Levi’s original diary, handwritten in a (now faint) pencil script, was passed down through the Whitaker family. The latest family custodian, Albert P. Whitaker, Junior, donated the diary to the Andersonville National Historic Site at Andersonville, Georgia in 1992. The Whitaker family is commended for entrusting the original diary into the hands of professionally trained museum conservators, who will ensure its proper preservation.

[29] Robbins, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker,” [2].

[30] Albert P. Whitaker, Senior, transcriber, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers” (typescript, 1979), p. 2; copy in possession of Dale E. (Whitaker) Robbins, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Warsaw, Indiana, 2013.

[31] Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington.

[32] Whitaker, Albert P., Senior, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers,” 3.

[33] Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington.

[34] Robbins, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker,” [2].

[35] Whitaker, Albert P., Senior, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers,” 24-26.

[36] Robbins, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker,” [2].

[37] Whitaker, Albert P., Senior, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers,” 26.

[38] Ibid., 26-27.

[39] Ibid., 26.

[40] Ibib., 27.

[41] Robbins, “Pvt. Levi Whitaker,” [2-3].

[42] Whitaker, Albert P., Senior, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers,” 46.

[43] Ibid., 49. The distance between Andersonville, Georgia and Savanna, Georgia is about 203 miles.

[44] Whitaker, Albert P., Senior, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers,” 51. The distance between Savannah, Georgia and Millen, Georgia is about 81 miles.

[45] Cox, Dale. “Camp Lawton Civil War Prison Site – Millen, Georgia.” ExploreSouthernHistory.com, c2011. Online at: < http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/camplawton.html

(accessed 24 December 2013).

[46] A four-letter vulgar euphemism for “Soiled”; Stephen Robbins replaced the last three characters of the word with asterisks.

[47] Whitaker, Albert P., Senior, “Diary, Levi Whitaker,Eastford, Connecticut : written during his service in the Civil War, 1864 as a Private in Co. H, 11th Regiment of the Conn. Volunteers,” 53.

[48] Cox, Dale. “Camp Lawton Civil War Prison Site – Millen, Georgia.” ExploreSouthernHistory.com, c2011. Online at: < http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/camplawton.html

(accessed 24 December 2013).

[49] Gravestone inscription: “Levi Whitaker, Co H 11th Conn Vols, died Dec 17 1864, Age 39 yrs”. Gravestone is in General Lyons Cemetery (also called Phoenixville Cemetery), Phoenixville (village), Eastford (town), Windham County, Connecticut [source: “Levi Whitaker”, Find A Grave (online database), memorial # 68857112: < http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68857112

(accessed 25 December 2013)]. Unfortunately, Find A Grave’s brief biographical paragraphs about Levi on the same web page give his death date as 18 December 1864.

The U.S. Army’s official records consistently record Levi’s death date as 17 December 1864 [source: Compiled military service record, Levi Whitaker, Pvt., Co. H, 11 Connecticut Inf., Civil War, RG 94, NA-Washington].

However, Levi’s widow Susan states in various documents related to her pension application that Levi died on 16 December 1864 [source: Deposition of Claimant, 06 January 1865, Susan Whitaker, widow’s pension application no. 78,655, certificate no. 62,254; service of Levi Whitaker (Pvt., Co. H, 11th Conn. Vol. Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications …, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.].

[50] According to notes written by Albert P. Whitaker, Senior, "Levi's grave in Phoenixville Cemetery is on top of the hill in the back row, on the right, under a large tree."

[51] Deposition of Claimant, Susan Whitaker, widow’s pension no. 78,655, Civil War, RG 15, NA-Washington. Her final pension was paid 04 December 1905 and she was dropped from pension rolls 17 December 1905, apparently at her death.

[52] Ibid.

[53] This death date and burial location are from Albert P. Whitaker, Senior. An entry on the Find A Grave web site has the correct death date but assumes that Susan is buried with Levi Whitaker in the Phoenixville Cemetery in Eastford, Connecticut [source: “Susan Maria Shurtleff Whitaker”, Find A Grave (online database), memorial # 68857683: < http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68857683

(accessed 24 December 2013). A visit to these two cemeteries might reveal which one is where Susan buried.