Company K 1st Michigan Sharpshooters: 2019

James Watson was born c1819 in what is now Kalamazoo.

He married Mary and their son, Amos, was born c1845 in Ontario, Canada

By 1860 the family had returned to the US and is found in the federal census of Cheshire, Allegan county.

Dwelling #413, family #386 Joseph Kao-kee, 45, farmer, real estate valued at $200, personal estate valued at $200, born Michigan.

Dwelling #413, family #387 James B. Watson, 40, no occupation given
Mary B., 34, occupation - farm laborer [this is probably an error and should be James' occupation]
Ames, 15. All are listed as born in Michigan.

James enlisted as a private, Company K, First Michigan Sharpshooters, on 4 Jul 1863 at Elbridge, Oceana County by E.V. Andress. He was mustered in on 11 Jul 1863 by Col. Smith in Detroit, Wayne County. James age is given as 44.

He is found on the Muster-In rolls, line #65

James was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, with dark eyes, hair and complexion

He was on furlough Aug 1863 while stationed as guard with his regiment at Camp Douglas, Chicago, then marked as present in September and October.

Becoming ill James was at the post hospital in November and December suffering from scrofulous diathesis often a lethal disorder in the 19th century. Medicinenet.com decribes it as relating to scrofula (tuberculosis or TB like bacteria) of the lymph nodes, particularly of the neck.

"The disease progresses slowly with the development of fistuals and abscesses that ooze pus and heal with difficulty. The doctors were uncertain as to whether he incurred this disease while in the service or from a relative before enlistment." [from Warriors in Mr. Lincoln's Army by Quita V. Shier]

James remained in hospital when regiment left Chicago on 17 Mar 1864. He was discharged on 20 Jun 1864 at Camp Douglas and paid money owed to him for his service at his discharge. James returned home, probably Pentwater. That is the last record found for him. There is no pension record, widow's pension or minor's pension.

Son Amos married Elizabeth (widow of John Bazil).

The Potawatomi of Indiana and Michigan census of 5 Aug 1895 lists #241 as Elizabeth Watson, age 49, resides Athens, MI, 1st husband #48 John Bazil, dec'd; now wife of Watson.. Her children are Henry Bazil, 23, son of #48 and #241
Agnes Bazil, 26, daughter of #48 and #241
Watson, Nancy Jane, 10, daughter of #241
Watson, Sarah Ann, 8

The 1900 Federal Census, US Indian Industrial School, City of Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county, lists:
Nancy, born Nov 1884, age 15
Sarah, born Jan 1888, age 12

Nancy, age 16, daughter of Amos, married Lewie Rogers, 25, son of J. Rogers and Blinda Libhart on 31 Aug 1901 in Fredonia township, Calhoun County.

Sarah Ann died 18 Feb 1902, age 13 years, 11 months, 26 days, daughter of Amos, in Mt. Pleasant.

Amos died 13 Oct 1926 in Athens, Calhoun county. He was listed as widowed.

Both Tabasash and Tabasasch have been used as his surname, but his real name/given name is Taw baw sosh. He acquired the name Francis from the Catholic Church.

Francis was born 29 Dec 1827 in La Croix (Cross Village), Emmet county, Michigan. He was the son of Francis Assinauby and Theressa.

Francis married Mary Wobigog on 28 Feb 1851 at Cross Village in the Holy Cross Catholic Mission

The couple's children were Madeline born 1855; John born 1857; Rosa/Louisa born 1859; Louis born 1861, Agatha born 1864; Joseph born 1866 and Anna (date unknown).

In the 1855 land allotment Francis Taw baw sosh received 80 acres - the N1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Section 34 in T38N R6W. He is part of Chief Naw we maish co tay's band in Cross Village. In the annuity roll of the same year he receives $33.28 for 1 man, 1 woman, and 2 children.

"This band was located at the 'Village of the Cross' at the present day Cross Village. The chief of this band in 1836 was Naw we maish co tay and this band had a population of 305 individuals. At the time of the 1855 treaty, this band had a population of 254 individuals." [From Larry Wykoff].

1857 annuity roll #7 Francis, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received $20.24 under Chief Naw we maish co tay.

1858 annuity roll - #6 Frn. Taw baw sosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received $16.84 under Chief Naw we maish co tay.

1859 annuity roll - #6 Fr Tay baw sosh, man, 1 woman, 3 children, received $24.85 under Chief Naw we maish co tay.

The 1860 Federal Census of LaCroix township, Emmet county lists the family as Francis Assinnaby, 34, farmer mechanic, value of real estate is $600, value of personal estate is $625; Mary, 22; Madeline, 6; John, 3; and Louisa, 1.

Living in the next house is Francis' mother, Theresa Okata Assinaby, 60, with real estate valued at $110 and personal estate valued at $50.

1861 annuity roll - #6, Francis Taw baw sosh, man, 1 woman, 3 children, received $23.10 under Chief Naw we maish co tay.

The draft register - "Consolidated List of all persons of Class II, subject to do military duty in the Fourth Congressional District...June & July 1863..." show that Francis registered for the draft.

Residence Cross Village, Tausash, Francis, age 38, Indian, farmer, born Michigan. [The name above is John Tudoy, and in the remarks column is "volunteered in Ind Co 1863" - John did not join, but Francis did.]

Muster in roll - Francis Tabasasch, corporal, 38 years, enlisted 11 Jun 1863 at La Croix, enrolled by G. A. Graveraet, mustered in 20 Jul 1863 at Detroit.

In August and September of 1863, Francis accompanied G. A. Graveraet recruiting in Michigan. He then went to Camp Douglas with the rest of the unit. He was assigned to the Quartermaster Department doing construction and repairs in January and February 1964.

Francis became ill at Petersburg and was admitted to the hospital for diarrhea on 24 Jun 1864. On 3 Jul 1864 he was transferred first by wagon to City Point, Virginia and then on 5 Jul 1864 by steamer to Carver General Hospital in Washington, D.C.

On 26 Nov 1864 Francis was promoted to 1st sergeant. For reason not given he was demoted to 5th sergeant on 1 Mar 1865.

Francis mustered out 28 Jul 1865 at Delaney House, D.C. and returned to Detroit on the Steamer Morning Star.

The 1865 annuity roll: #30 - Francis Taw baw sosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received $16.00, under Chief Naw-we-maish-co-tay

The 1866 annuity roll: #29 - Francis Taw baw sosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, received $18.70, under Chief Naw-we-maish-co-tay

The 1867 annuity roll: #34 - Francis Taw baw sosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received $14.28, under Chief Naw-we-maish-co-tay

The 1868 annuity roll: #29 - Francis Taw baw sosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, received $79.25, under Chief Naw-we-maish-co-tay

The 1870 annuity roll: #29 - Francis Taw-baw-sosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received, $61.20, under Chief Naw-we-maish-co-tay

On the 12th of Feb 1870 Francis and Mary sold lot 5 section 13 of T35N R6W to Denis L. Douning for $50. Emmet county land records volume C page 30.

The 1870 Federal Census of La Croix shows the family as Francis Tabasash, 43, carpenter and farmer, real estate valued at $900 and personal estate valued at $800; Mary, 32; Madeline, 15, and John B., 13.

Daughter Madeline died in LaCroix on 4 Dec 1871 at the age of 16.

The 1880 Federal Census of Cross Village, Emmet, Michigan: Francis Tabasah, 51, farming; wife Mary, 38; son John B., 22.

22 Sep 1882 Francis applied for a pension based on his civil war service.

Pension letter 7 Nov 1882

On 15 Jan 1883 in Cross Village, son John Bapt. Tabasash married Anna Jackson. The couples children were Bazile (8 Feb 1881-25 Jan 1892); Paul (5 Jan 1885-15 Jan 1885) Madeline (3 Mar 1888-4 Mar 1888); and Angeline (4 Jun 1886-7 Feb 1949, married to John D. Petoskey).

Francis joined the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Post #106 and served as officer of the guard. [The Traverse Region, page 143].

The Alpena Weekly Argus of 2 Nov 1892 tells of a Mr. Weadock helping soldiers and widows to receive pensions or increases.

4 Jun 1898 - gives marriage information, name and birth of son.

The 1890 Special Schedule of Veterans for Cross Village lists Francis Tabasash, Sgt., Company K, 1st Michigan SS, served from 7 Jun 1863 to 28 Jul 1865, a total of 2 years, 21 days.

The 1900 Federal Census - Cross Village Township - Frank Tabasash, head, born Dec 1825, age 74, married 49 years, occupation - U.S. Pensioner, owns free house,full Ottawa; Mary, wife, born Jul 1838, age 61, married 49 years, 7 children born, 1 living, full Chippewa; in same house - John Tabasash, head, born Aug 1857, age 42, widowed, occupation crossed out, Ottawa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa; Angeline, daughter, born Jun 1886, age 13, occupation - at school, full Ottawa.

Wife Mary died 25 Aug 1900 in Emmet county. Cause given was paralysis. She was buried in Cross Village.

The Charlevoix County Herald of 17 Aug 1907 tells that Francis received $6 from the superintendent of the Poor.

1908 Durant Roll gives the family as follows:

Francis Taw-baw-sosh, age 81, P.O. Cross Village
Wife dead
Child 1 - Madeline dead, no children
Child 2 - John Tabasash, 50, P.O. Cross Village; wife Anna (nee Jackson) dead, daughter Angeline, 22, P.O. Cross Village, single, no children.

Pension declaration - 2 Feb 1910. Francis is described as 5 foot 8 inches tall, black eyes, black hair, and dark complexion.

The 1910 Federal Census - Francis Tabasoch, 83, widowed, own income, owns free house, full Ottawa; John, son, 52, widowed, laborer, odd jobs, full Ottawa.