Pvt. William Edward Harlow, CSA

William Edward Harlow was a wagonmaker, farmer, American Civil War veteran for the Confederacy, notary public, and long-time justice of the peace in Virginia. During the Civil War, he was at (but did not fight in) the battles of Manassas and Bull Run.

Obituary

From the Richmond Dispatch of July 11, 1902, p. 1:

Wm. E. Harlow's Death
Greene County Citizen Had Been Justice for Fifty Years.

QUINQUE, VA., July 10.--(Special.)--

The venerable William E. Harlow, died at his home near Quinque from a complication of diseases on July 8th, at 5 o'clock P. M. He was in his 76th year, having been born in 1826 in Fluvanna county, Va., of poor, but industrious parents. He served his apprenticeship at the wagon-maker's trade, and followed that occupation for about thirty years. Since then and up to the time of his death he was a farmer. He was so eager to lay aside something for his family's benefit that during his early life he was known to work at the bench until 10 o'clock at night during the short winter days, and very often he would go to the woods after sundown to get a week's supply of fuel. In 1845 he led to the altar Miss Sarah Ann Herring, and set up a shop at Stony Point, Va. Right children were born to them, give of whom are now living.

On August 4, 1865, his wife died at Quinque, Va.,[sic]. A few years later he married Pollie W. Herring, a sister of his former wife. Both ladies were daughters of the late James and Mary Herring, of Ablemarle county. As the result of this second union seven children survive them.

Deceased was made to face the world when a mere child and had only a few week's schooling, but possessed a wonderful knowledge of human nature, which he utilized in life. He was chosen as justice of the peace when quite a young man, and was re-elected successively for about fifty years. Upon the recommendation of Hon. N. B. Early he was appointed a notary public about two years ago.

His judgment was sought after on many occasions by the leading attorneys of our county and his decisions from the bench were rarely appealed from.

He was a man of unimpeachable integrity, and lived and died in the firm belief that we will be held responsible for every act in this life. He was heard to say that he did not dare do an evil thing, because he knew he would certainly some time have to stand before his God.

During the civil war he was pressed into service with what was known as the State militia,and was at the battles of Manassas, and Bull Run, but not in the fights. He was then exempted from active service, as he was a wagon-maker and justice of the peace. He lost a considerable sum of money loaned the Confederate Government.

After the war Mr. Harlow bought a poor farm in which he labored to the time of his death.

He was a faithful husband and fond father, and indulged his children to an extent that worked greatly to his disadvantage.

He was a member of the Baptist church, but had a strong leaning to the Methodist doctrine of open communion. His religious convictions were of the most pronounced and exemplary character. His observance and belief in family prayer-service was one of the strongholds of his faith in his Master. He always participated in religious meetings, and was for a number of years superintendent of Sunday schools. He was often called upon to conduct the burial services of his neighbors and friends.

Mr. Harlow was a Master Mason, and was buried by thatorder [sic].

One peculiar circumstance connected with his sickness and burial was that he was taken violently ill during a thunderstorm at midnight and the funeral cortege was interrupted and stopped about midway to the grave where it remained for about one hour by another thundershower.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. Mr. J. J. White, and the Masons who performed the burial rites were, of Stella Lodge, No. 214--viz.: A. C. Herndon, worshipful master; D. B. Herndon, senior warden; J. D. Yowell, junior warden; J. W. Almond, secretary; T. B. Jennings, senior deacon; W. K. Jennings, junior deacon; J. M. Shotwell, tiler; H. P. Keyseer, marshal; J. R. Deane, treasurer; George W. Lamb.

The pall bearers were: Eugene Stephens, George Roberts, Utz Mitchell, Charley Dulaney, Charley Parrot, and Bunk Herndon.

Military Service

He was enlisted in the Army of Northern Virginia and fought in "Courtney Light Artillery" under command of Maj Alfred R Courtney. Courtney Light Artillery was also known as "Henrico Artillery", "Courtney Artillery" and "Captain William A. Tanner's Company of the Virginia Light Artillery". On July 8, 1861 he was stationed in the Richmond College Artillery Barracks along with other members of the Courtney Artillery Battalion. See here for full details.

Although he was present at Manassas and Bull Run, his obituary states that he was "not in the fights."

Needing Evidence

Please see the "Discussions" tab for details.

Six claims made by descendant Jim Harlow need evidentiary support:

• That William Edward Harlow was adopted at the age of 8 by neighbor John Augustus Harlow;
• That his name was changed to William Edward Harlow;
• That he was baptized into the Church of the Brethren, a Protestant credobaptist denomination, as a child;
• That there is DNA evidence of him being of a different gene pool than the Harlows;
• That he was living in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1882;
• That a eulogy of unknown provenance and attributed to son James was published in the Greene County Record, which did not exist until 1911.

The questions about these claims are outlined in the "Discussions" tab.

Sources

• Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
  • Year: 1900; Census Place: Ruckersville, Greene, Virginia; Page: 18; Enumeration District: 0032; FHL microfilm: 1241711.
• Ancestry.com. Virginia, Compiled Marriages, 1740-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.
  • Marriage Date: 3 Dec 1845; County: Albermarle; State: Virginia.
• Gallagher, Brian. "William Edward Harlow." FindAGrave, published 3 April 2015. < link > Accessed 7 December 2019.
• Manarin, Louis H. and Lee A. Wallace, Jr. Richmond Volunteers: The Volunteer Companies of the City of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia, 1861 - 1865. Official publication No. 26, Richmond Civil War Centennial Committee. Richmond, VA; Westover Press, Richmond, 1969. (See pgs. 30 - 33 of book for info on this company.)
  • Transcribed by Susan Shields Sasek at RootsWeb
• National Park Service. U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
  • Regiment: Courtney Artillery, Virginia (Henrico Artillery); Rank In: Private; Rank Out: Private; Film Number: M382 roll 24.
• "Wm. E. Harlow's Death." The Richmond Dispatch, published 11 July 1902, p. 1. < link > Accessed 7 December 2019.