These biographies were generated by ChatGPT from an RM10 Narrative Report.
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Biography of William H. Roderick
(Ginger’s great-great-grandfather on her mother’s side)
Early Life & Family
William H. Roderick was born around 1839 in Rush, Monroe
County, New York, to Samuel and Sally Roderick. Various records
provide alternative birth years, including 1838 and 1840.
By October 24, 1850, William was living with his family in Rush,
attending school alongside his siblings. In the 1855 New York state census,
at age 16, he continued residing in Rush in a framed house valued at $600.
By 1860, at age 21, he worked as a farmer while living
with his mother and siblings.
Civil War Service (1862–1863)
On August 15, 1862, William enlisted in the U.S. Army,
serving as a Private in the 18th New York Independent Battery Light
Artillery during the Civil War. He mustered in on September 13, 1862,
in Rochester, New York.
The 18th NY Light Artillery participated in several key battles
and campaigns, including:
- Teche Campaign (April 1863) – Operations in Western
Louisiana aimed at disrupting Confederate supply lines.
- Siege of Port Hudson (May–July
1863) – A major Union victory securing control of the Mississippi
River.
- Additional engagements in Louisiana
and Mississippi, including battles at Fort Bisland, Irish Bend, and
Plains Store.
Due to illness, William was discharged with a disability on August
27, 1863, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Military records described him
as having gray eyes, brown hair, a light complexion, and standing 5 feet 10
inches tall.
Post-War Life & Marriage
After returning home, William appeared in the 1865 New York state
census, living with his mother and brothers. By 1870, he had married
Rosetta B. Thomas, a former student of Genesee College, and they
lived in Rush. William worked as a carpenter, and their household
included real estate valued at $1,000.
On July 1, 1876, William and Rosetta welcomed their daughter,
Lillian E. Roderick, in Rush.
By June 3, 1880, the family continued living in Rush, where
William was listed as a carpenter and joiner.
Widowhood & Later Years
Tragedy struck on July 30, 1889, when Rosetta passed away at
age 51. William was appointed administrator of her estate on September
12, 1889, as she died intestate (without a will).
By 1890, William was listed in the Veterans Schedule,
confirming his Civil War service. In the 1892 state census, he
was 52 years old, still working as a carpenter, and living with
his 16-year-old daughter, Lillian.
Passing & Legacy
William H. Roderick passed away on October 26, 1898, at the age of
59, in Rush, Monroe County, New York. His daughter, Lillian E.
Fagan (her married name), was appointed administrator of his estate
on November 12, 1898.
He was buried at Pine Hill Cemetery in Rush, Monroe County, New York.
Lillian later married Daniel James Fagan between 1896 and 1897.
She lived until March 6, 1947, when she passed away in Rochester,
Monroe County, New York.
William was sometimes also known as Thomas Roderick, a name
recalled by his granddaughter, Olive R. Fagan.
Biography of Rosetta B. Thomas
(William’s wife and Ginger’s great-great-grandmother on her mother’s side)
Rosetta B. Thomas was born around 1838 in Rush, Monroe County,
New York, to Christal Thomas and Catherine Thomas.
By October 29, 1850, Rosetta was living in Rush with her family.
Her father, Christal, was a farmer with real estate valued at $5,000. She had
three older brothers: Bradley, William B., and Franklin Thomas.
In the 1855 New York state census (June 20, 1855), she was still
living in Rush with her family. Her father, originally from Maryland,
had lived in the area for 51 years. Her mother, Catherine, was from Pennsylvania.
At the time, Rosetta was 17 years old.
Education at Genesee College (1859)
In 1859, Rosetta attended Genesee College in Lima, Livingston
County, New York, a Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college that
admitted both men and women. During her time there, she would have studied
subjects such as literature, philosophy, history, mathematics, and theology,
as education for women at the time often prepared them for careers in teaching
or missionary work. Given the college’s religious foundation, she likely
attended chapel services and adhered to strict moral discipline. It is
unclear how long she attended or if she graduated, but her enrollment at
Genesee College was notable, as higher education for women was still rare in
the 1850s.
By July 20, 1860, she was still residing with her parents in Honeoye
Falls, Monroe County, New York. Her father, Christal, owned real estate
worth $4,500 and personal estate valued at $530.
Following the death of her father, Rosetta was recorded in the June
14, 1865 New York state census, living with her widowed mother, Catherine
Thomas, in Rush. At this time, Rosetta was 27 years old and unmarried.
Marriage & Family
Sometime before June 4, 1870, Rosetta married William H.
Roderick, a carpenter and Civil War veteran from Rush. The couple
was living together in Rush at the time of the 1870 census, where
William owned real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued
at $150.
On July 1, 1876, Rosetta gave birth to their daughter, Lillian
E. Roderick, in Rush.
By June 3, 1880, the family was still living in Rush, where
William continued working as a carpenter and joiner. Their daughter, Lillian,
was 4 years old at the time.
Later Years & Passing
Sadly, Rosetta passed away on July 30, 1889, at the age of 51
in New York. She died intestate (without a will), and on September
12, 1889, her husband, William, was appointed administrator of her estate.
She was buried at Pine Hill Cemetery in Rush, Monroe County, New York.
Following her death, her daughter, Lillian, continued living with
her father. By 1892, Lillian was 16 years old and still residing
in Rush. She later married Daniel James Fagan between 1896 and 1897.
Lillian lived until March 6, 1947, when she passed away in Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
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