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Sarah A. Palmer. The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life. New York: John F. Trow, 1867.
Sarah Palmer was an Ithaca woman who served as a nurse with the 109th New York Regiment. An article in the Ithaca Journal, December 28, 1864, referred to her as "Our 'Florence Nightingale.'"
Aunt Becky was born in 1830 as Sarah Graham in Ithaca. About 1850 she married Abel Palmer and so became Sarah Palmer. Abel died shortly before the start of the Civil War, leaving Sarah
a widow with two very young daughters, Isabel and Alice.
Her brother Theodore Graham answered the call for volunteers in the summer of 1862, joined two weeks later by her brother John. Both were members of Company A of the 129th New York Infantry.
Although nursing was not regarded as a proper thing for a woman to undertake, Sarah’s brothers asked that she accompany them into the field to care for them if they fell ill.
On Sept. 3, 1862 Sarah Palmer left Ithaca on the train to Owego, then she took the cars to Baltimore. She was 32 years old. Going off to war could not have been an easy decision for
she had two young daughters she left behind with members of her large family. Following her brothers might have been an economic, as well as a patriotic option, for she did draw army
pay while in service.
Her brother Theodore Graham answered the call for volunteers in the summer of 1862, joined two weeks later by her brother John. Both were members of Company A of the 129th New York Infantry.
Although nursing was not regarded as a proper thing for a woman to undertake, Sarah’s brothers asked that she accompany them into the field to care for them if they fell ill.
On Sept. 3, 1862 Sarah Palmer left Ithaca on the train to Owego, then she took the cars to Baltimore. She was 32 years old. Going off to war could not have been an easy decision for
she had two young daughters she left behind with members of her large family. Following her brothers might have been an economic, as well as a patriotic option, for she did draw army
pay while in service.
1870 Federal Census, Samuel V. Graham (52) Farmer, Ann E. (51) Keeping House, Henry A. (26) School teacher, George (19) school, Will t. (16) school; Isabella (13) school, James C(?)
76 (at home). Everyone listed as born in New York as Ann who was born in NJ.
This 1870 location was on Bostwick road was referring to 1853 and 1866 Town of Enfield maps.
graham May 8th 1895 Mrs. S.V. Graham for the burial of ner husband S.V.Graham
graham March 28th 1905 Mr Henry Graham for the burial of nis mother Ann Eliza Graham
graham August 15th 1912 Mr. Henry Graham for the burial of his wife Jerrie H. Graham
graham October 16th 1921 Mr. Samuel Graham for the burial of his father Henry A. Graham
Graham, John Private Co A 109th NY Inf Enlisted Newfield as a Private on 7 August 1862 at the age of 19. Enlisted in Company A, 109th Infantry Regiment New York on 12 Aug 1862. Mustered
Out Company A, 109th Infantry Regiment New York on 4 Jun 1865 at Delaney House, Washington, DC. . Graham, Theodore H. Private Co A 109th NY Inf 11Aug1862, 3yrs.
Promoted to Full Corporal. Enlisted as a Private on 6 August 1862 at the age of 22. Enlisted in Company A, 109th Infantry Regiment New York on 12 Aug 1862. Promoted to Full Sergeant
on 1 Mar 1865. Promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant (Not Mustered) on 8 Mar 1865. Mustered Out Company A, 109th Infantry Regiment New York on 4 Jun 1865 at Delaney House, Washington, DC. promoted
to Corp. & Sergt. June 1864
Reference list
1860 Federal Census Town of Enfield New York
1870 Federal Census Town of Enfield New York
Hertiage Quest On Line – via cornell University Library Data Base
1853 Tompkins County Map – Town of Enfield
1966 Tompkins County Map – Town of Enfield
Barn census done by Enfield Town Historian 2004 – 2005.
Land marks of Tompkins County