Mysteries & Questions
1. Did Abel Ide serve in the Revolutionary War, like his father Ezra, as George A. Ide surmises in his memoir? He would have been a young lad of 13 in 1775. However, the hostilities with England wore on for 8 years, making him 21 by War’s end and increasing the likelihood that he might have served his country.
2. Does there exist any additional information on Ezra’s Revolutionary War service, other than what little appears in George’s memoirs?
3. In the most thorough genealogy of the early Ide family in America, published in 1931 and entitled Simeon Ide and the Genealogy of the Ide Family (Flanders), there is an inconsistency regarding Daniel Ide (Ezra’s Father, George’s great great great grandfather):
“ Daniel Ide, b. June 4, 1701 . . . . d. Nov. 13, 1753 . . . . was one of the Minute Men in the Battle of Lexington: a sergeant in the company of Captains Nathaniel Carpenter and Isaac Burr. This company marched on the alarm of Apr. 19, 1775. Was in the service 8 days. “
Either the date of death is wrong (1753) or this particular Daniel Ide did not serve in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). An identical description of War service appears regarding the same Daniel Ide in William B. Ide, President of California (Kirov), page 12. One possible explanation could be that the description actually applies to Daniel’s son (Ezra’s brother), who also bears the name Daniel. This Daniel (William B. Ide’s grandfather) would have been 36 at the commencement of hostilities.
4. Why was George A. Ide turned down, to his “severe disappointment”, when he tried to join the Union Army during the Civil War? Given his vigorous lifestyle and various adventures, he could not have been exceedingly weak from a physical standpoint. Following is quoted from his memoirs:
“A part of my office duties was taking money to the bank. On April 12, 1861 [aged 18] as I was on my usual trip passing the office of the Evening Bulletin Building, a man I knew, stood near the door waving a copy of the paper which announced the news of the firing on Fort Sumpter by the Secessionists. The wave of loyalty and patriotism at once increased in the city and all New England. Much of the events that followed are familiar history. Many boys after working all day, myself among the number, would spend half the night in military drill, expecting to enlist if the beginning war continued. In September 1863, the Eleventh Rhode Island Regiment was recruited. A number of my former school mates and friends volunteered and I felt the call was for me. I volunteered and registered for service in Captain Kendrick’s Company. Conditions prevented my seeing active service. I was rejected because I was unable to meet the army requirements. This was a severe disappointment and has been ever since. Later when the State Militia was organized I served and was appointed Sargeant of the Home Company . . . “
- What happened to William T. Ide Sr.’s farm in section 3 of Grant Township (see map) after he died and his wife and unmarried children moved back to E. Providence? Why wouldn’t one of his sons (George or Willie) have inherited or purchased it?
If you have any thoughts, speculations, clarifications, or other mysteries, email them to jim@theide.net.