HomeMy WebLinkAboutCharlesJAMES CHARLES AND HIS WIFE LAURA (LOLA) DOOLITTLE CHARLES
James Charles (son of Thomas, Aaron, John 3rd, John 2nd,
John Ist) was born 25 October 1781 at Brimfield Mass. During the War of
1812 he enlisted at Suffield Conn. in Captain Seth Phelps Company 25
Regt. Regular Army, Infantry. His patriotism was no doubt influenced by
his Father, Thomas, who had been a soldier in the Revolution and also his
Grandfather who had been a Captain in the Revolution.
I
Soon after enlistment his company marched to Litchfield,
Conn., Greenbush, NY, Whitehall, NY and then took boats to Plattsburg,
NY and to Saratoga, NY, where they wee in the lines a number of days.
They then returned to Plattsburg where they remained 1 week. They
arrived-in1ote December at Burlington, VT. where they took up winter-•- -- --~
quarters.
During the second week of January 1813 an alarm was
sounded and during the ensuing scuffle James Charles received a
severe wound in the knee. In March 1813 he was still confined to the
hospital, and could have been discharged but volunteered to stay on
and assist the Surgeon in the hospital. The 5th of February 1814 he was
discharged from the service having served 18 months. At the time of
discharge he was described as age 33 years, height 5 feet 8 inches, light
complexion, light hair, light eyes and his occupation was a Farmer.
At the time of discharge he was placed on the pension list for
half pay by order of the Surgeon General. James Charles had an Army
buddy by the name of Titus Doolittle whom he accompanied to the
Doolittle home where he met Titus Doolittle's sister -Laura Doolittle -also
known as Lola. Laura was the daughter of Titus Doolittle Sr., Benjamin,
Theophilus and Abraham Doolittle.
In the Spring of 1832 James and Laura decided to move to
the Cayuta Lake area of New York State. This decision was no doubt
influenced by the fact that Laura had a twin sister -Polly Doolittle Rumsey,
wife of Jonathon Rumsey, then living in Enfield, Tompkins County. At the
time of their departure for New York State, James and Laura had seven
children -six boys and one girl named Mary born about 1831.
James Monroe
b. 17 Sept. 1819
Thomas Jefferson
b.
22 Feb. 1821
George Washington
b.
18 Mar. 1822
John Adams
b.
20 Apr. 1823
Aaron Lafayette
b.
28 Sept. 1824
Simeon Bolivar
b.
3 Feb. 1826
• In early summer of 1832
family made the trip in a covered
Cayuta Lake area. They arrived on 2
another son, Andrew Jackson was
Charles.)
0
G —90
James Charles with wife Lola and
wagon from Brimfield Mass. to the
August 1832. Soon after their arrival
born. (The Grandfather of Orman
On the trip the family would eat lunch at noon, prepared
before they started and placed in a chest in the wagon. At night they
stayed at Taverns along the way, were they had supper and breakfast.
The first winter they stayed with Laura's sister Polly, who had
nine children of her own, making a total of sixteen children with her
guests. The beds were prepared so the children could sleep crossways
of the bed --one head East and another one West. About four could
sleep iri one bed. -
Several months later James, Laura and family moved to the
Cayutaville area where another daughter, Sarah, was born.
The present marble tombstone was erected by John
Adams Charles at his own expense.
Sources: *Pension Records, National Archives. History of Brimfield
*The Doolittle Family by William Frederick Doolittle
•Story of Pioneer Days in Montour Falls by Mary Quick
Charles
•History of Catherine by Cleaver (neva Charles—Aunt of
Rex Charles)
(nephew)
Rexford Charles Dr. Albert Weeks Charles (PhD) Orman Charles
225 Santa Monica Blvd. (Suite 210)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(213) 393-2298
7/90
(His sister)
Mrs. Nancy Wash(?)
2148 Reservoir Road
Greely, CO 80631
(she teaches genealogy)