34: Washington B. Pullis

 

Several times, I had looked at the name of Washington B. Pullis in the 1909 transcription and wondered how he fit into the community of the cemetery. The transcription calls him "Major Washington B. Pullis," and states that he was a member of the 58th Illinois Infantry Regiment. I thought perhaps he was a native of Illinois who had moved to New York later in life - that is, until I saw his actual grave. He is listed on one side of the Williamson monument above. The other sides commemorate Robert and Mary J. Williamson and their four children who died young.

Where does Washington B. Pullis fit into all of this?

The 1850 census provides the answer ... or so I thought. Washington B. Pullis, who was born in December 1836, must be the same person as Washington Williamson, who was 13 in 1850.

1850 US Federal Census

The Williamson family was haunted by tragedy. In 1850, they had already lost one child: Julia E. Williamson, who died in 1848 at the age of five. Their infant son John V. Williamson would die that year. Then, on April 29, 1854, Mary J. Williamson gave birth to twin girls, Mary E. and Anna M. Mary (the mother) died less than one month later; infant Mary died on July 14, and Anna on February 7 of the following year. Robert Williamson was left alone to raise his four surviving children.

By 1860, Washington had left the house, and Robert lived with Lavina (or Malvina), Robert, and Smith. This census indicates that Robert was born in England, even though the 1850 census said he was born in New York.

1860 US Federal Census

The 1870 census also states that Robert was born in England. By then he was living with a family of Cronks.

1870 US Federal Census

Robert Williamson died in 1876.

Now this is where things get tricky. When I try to search for the Williamsons' oldest child Washington, I get no results if I search for "Washington Williamson." However, I get plenty of results when I search for "Washington B. Pullis," without the Williamson, including Washington's Civil War record.

At this point, my guess was that Washington B. Pullis was not the son of Robert Williamson, but rather the son of Mary J. Williamson and her previous husband, whose last name must have been Pullis. Unfortunately, Mary wouldn't have been listed by name in the 1840 census, so I can't use it to confirm my suspicion. I'm pretty sure I'm right, though.

This is Washington's Civil War record:

Rank at enlistment: First Sergeant

Enlisted in Company B, Illinois 58th Infantry Regiment on December 24, 1861. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on March 2, 1863. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant on May 18, 1864. Promoted to Full Captain on November 5, 1864.

Unfortunately, I can't find Washington in any of the censuses besides the 1850 census, so I can't say for sure if he married or had any children.

Washington's brother Smith Williamson graduated from New York University School of Law in 1876. In 1900, he was living in White Plains with his English-born wife Sarah, his daughter Lilian, his daughter Marion, Marion's husband Francis Voss, and two servants.

1900 US Federal Census

According to passenger lists, Smith Williamson traveled extensively, visiting France in 1909 and 1912, Scotland in 1910, and England in 1914. He died before 1920.

Marion's husband Francis Underhill Voss applied for a passport in 1920, which is how I got this awesome picture of him (on the right).

Voss was also a traveler, visiting Bermuda in 1925 and the Dutch West Indies in 1927. It seems that he traveled for business; the 1920 census gives his occupation as "clerk" in a "steamship co." He and Marion lived in New Jersey and had two children, Willard and Marion. According to passenger lists, Marion traveled with Francis on his trips, but I haven't been able to find her passport application. Francis died in 1963.

Since the 1909 transcription is missing the names of Robert and Mary Williamson's children (aside from Washington Pullis), I thought I'd transcribe the entire monument here:

Side #1
Robert Williamson
Born May 30, 1812
Died March 15, 1876
Mary J.
Wife of Robert Williams.
Born August 15, 1818
Died May 24, 1854

Side #2
Mary E.
Born April 29, 1854
Died July 14, 1854
Anna M.
Died April 29, 1854
Died February 7, 1855
Children of R. and M. J. Williamson

Side #3
Julia E.
Born February 7, 1843
Died September 4, 1848
John V.
Born September 11, 1849
Died August 19, 1850
Children of R. and M. J. Williamson

Side #4
Washington B. Pullis
Born December 16, 1836
Died March 21, 1888

1. Mary J. (1818-1854) m. (1) Unknown Pullis; (2) Robert Williamson (1812-1876)
1. Washington B. Pullis (1836-1888)
2. Lavina Williamson (1838-)
3. Julia E. Williamson (1843-1848)
4. Robert A. Williamson (1846-)
5. John V. Williamson (1849-1850)
6. Mary E. Williamson (1854-1854)
7. Ann M. Williamson (1854-1855)
8. Smith Williamson (1852-before 1920) m. Sarah A. (1851-after 1920) in 1873
1. Marion M. Williamson (1874-) m. Francis Underhill Voss (1872-1963)
1. Willard Voss (1904-)
2. Marion Voss (1910-)
2. Lilian Williamson (1876-)