William E. Ferrell

Narrative:

     William E. Ferrell was born about 1845 in Virginia.^5,6,7
     His father apparently died before 1850, when William was about 5 years old.^1,11
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Halifax Co., Virginia, in the household of his mother, Harriett Johannet Flora.¹
     William appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Halifax Courthouse, Halifax Co., Virginia, enumerated 11 Jun 1860, living in the household of Richard E. Landrum, a wheelwright, and his wife and family. William's occupation is also listed as a wheelwright, but at age 15 we might suspect he was an assistant or apprentice.¹² His mother was apparently living close by, as she is listed in the preceding household.¹³

Civil War Service --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     William enlisted as a private in Company F, 34th Regiment Virginia Infantry on 21 Jul 1863, in Halifax Co., Virginia. He carried letters of recommendation by Rev. Henry A. Wise Jr. to his father, Gen. Henry W. Wise, and one from Wm. M. Howerton to the General. Both noted that William was under age 18 but anxious to serve and of a delicate constitution, and noted the General's promise to his son to detail the boy as a wheelwright rather than in field service. William was detailed to work in the shop at brigade headquarters on 28 Jul by the General.¹⁴
     The comments about his delicate constitution seem not to have been misplaced. On 16 Sep 1863 he was in General Military Hospital No. 4, in Wilmington, North Carolina, for two days with "febris intermittens" (an intermittent fever). He was given a 60-day sick furlough 3 Dec 1863. He had returned to duty by 1 Mar, detailed as a carpenter at brigade headquarters by order of Gen. Wise.¹⁵
     William was sent to Chimborazo Hospital No. 4 in Richmond, Virginia, on 17 Dec 1864, diagnosed with "phthisis pulmonalis - advanced" (tuberculosis). He was retired as "permanently disabled and at present unfit for duty in any branch of the military services" on 20 Jan 1865 because of his illness.¹⁶

Return to Civilian Life --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     William married Rebecca E. Webster, daughter of James A. Webster and Sarah [surname unknown], and sister of the man his sister Sarah had married about nine years before, on 14 Feb 1866 in Halifax Co., Virginia.^2,8,9
     He evidently recovered sufficiently to resume civilian work. By 1870 he had become a wagon and coach maker, a trade he continued until at least 1880 and likely thereafter.^17,18
     William and Rebecca appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Chatham, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, enumerated 24 Aug 1870, reporting real estate valued at $300 and personal estate of $300. Their children Catherine, Mary and Lilly were listed as living with them.¹⁹
     William and Rebecca appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, enumerated 12 Jun 1880. Their children Catherine, Mary, Lilly, Edward, Hattie, Mel and Ruby were listed as living with them.²⁰
     William died on 2 May 1893 in Malmaison, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia.¹⁰