We am searching for the parents and siblings of our Great Grandmother,
Rebecca Cunningham. She married Lemuel Franklin Eastes abt 1856/7.
In the 1860 Census for Van Buren Twp, Madison Co., IN shows Rebecca age 20
and Lemuel age 22. This would place Rebecca’s birth abt 1840. Also the 1860
IN Census shows 2 more Rebecca Cunninghams in Hancock Co. - One in Green Twp
and one in Brown Twp
They had four sons and one daughter.
Jasper Newton Eastes b: 3 March 1858, Prob. WI
Charles Everett Eastes b: 18 June 1864 Prob.; WI
William Holman Eastes b: 7 May 1867 - WI
Anna Belle Eastes B; date unknown
Joseph Frank Eastes b: 9 May 1875 - Born in WI according to family and on
death certificate.
Rebecca Cunningham was killed in a tragic accident 26 December 1878. She was
killed when thrown from a mud boat on the Bradford Pike northeast of Marion,
Indiana in Grant County. Our grandfather, Joseph Frank, her youngest son was
3 1/2 years old. Lemuel died 11 may 1903 in Landessville, Grant Co., IN
In July 1977 the headstones were missing from both Rebecca's and Lemuel's
graves in Tinkle
Cemetery. However, I have a photo of Lemuels stone with dates. Rebecca was
buried next to him. I have been told recently that Lemuel’s grave is now
marked with a Military Stone.
When the Civil War began, Lemuel was enlisted by Capt. Alfred Kilgore at
Muncie, Indiana on 21 August 1861. He enlisted as a Private for 3 years in
the Army of the United States . On the same day he joined his new unit and
was assigned to Capt Hugh A. Stephens, Company B, 36th Regiment of the
Indiana Infantry Volunteers. At the time of enlistment he was 25 years old,
light complexion and had blue eyes. He was married and had one son, Jasper
Newton.
Lemuel was given an Honorable Disability Discharge on 7 May 1863 at
Murfreesbrough, Tennessee. On his Discharge Certificate his home address was
given as Chesterfield, Indiana. Since Lemuel was an Honorably Discharged
Disabled Veteran, he was given a pension. The date of his death is confirmed
as being on 11 May 1903 and was last paid $17.00 on 4 May 1903. A Disability
Certificate dated 29 February 1888 shows his home in New Corner, Indiana,
(later know as Gaston) in Delaware County. The certificate further states
that due to illness contracted in Military Service he was now certified as
being totally unable to work at his occupation as a farmer and blacksmith
According to his obituary Lemuel was a Master Mason and prominent in the
G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) and was the Post Master at
Landissville for many years.
We would appreciate any information on any Cunningham family that could be
related.
Best Regards
Roy Eastes Gulfport, MS Leastes2(a)aol.com
Jim Eastes Minn. MN jeastes(a)aol.com