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American Civil War

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by rosierez (U3183874) on Monday, 13th February 2006

  My GG served in the American Civil War and left USA we believe in a hurry. He had apparently been given a plot of land in USA but did not disclose where. Could it have been that he changed sides during the conflict and where can I find out where the plot of land was, or were soldiers given some land for doing something good in the war - his name is Richard Morton, born in Gravesend/Sevenoaks Kent England around 1830-40 and emigrated to USA as a young boy. I have found him on the 1881 and 1901 census but cannot find a birth certificate. Can anyone help, I would love to find out if I have any relations still living in USA. It has been a family mystery for many years.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by SerjeantWildgoose - Bandmaster of Noel Conroy's 1-Shot Showband (U3028801) on Tuesday, 14th February 2006

  You can try this simple tool for a starter.
  
  
  
  This lists 19 Richard Mortons, though their records are not complete. If you know where he settled in the States (Presumably you have this info from the census) it may give you some clue as to his service.
  
  I am not aware of any land being given by way of Service pension, though some Southern states did give plots of land to freedmen (Former slaves). It is also possible that he changed sides during the war - many did, though it was not a particularly common occurence among immigrants who to a large extent served in regiments that were predominantly of their native ethnic make-up.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by clankylad (U1778100) on Tuesday, 14th February 2006

  It's also possible he may have deserted. This wasn't uncommon among draftees in the South towards the end of the war (why fight for a beaten cause?) or the North, who offered bounties for volunteers which encouraged the less scrupulous to volunteer, collect the bounty, desert and then volunteer again for more bounty.
  
  I'm not trying to cast aspersions at your ancestor! Just suggesting a possiblity.

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