Levi Presswood1

#21511, (c 1840 - 1880)
FatherJosiah Presswood (c 1807 - c 1859)
MotherCatherine (-?-)2 (c 1809 - )
RelationshipGreat-grandfather of Wilma Ilene Collins
Extended Family
ChartsAncestors of Wilma Ilene Collins (5 generations)
John Keen - Children & Grandchildren

Children of Levi Presswood and Judah Catherine Keen

Life Events

Overview
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Levi was born about 1840 in Kentucky, a stop as his family migrated from Tennessee to Perry County, Illinois. He was under 21 years of age when he married Judah Catherine Keen. They had one daughter before he enlisted in the Union army.
Levi fought in the Civil war, mustering out in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1865. Levi was a miner and died at the age of 40 from pneumonia. His son Charles Hager is our ancestor.

* * * * *

 
BirthLevi Presswood was born circa 1840 in Kentucky.3
 
Research Note Levi's birthplace when he was at home with his parents in 1850 was given as Kentucky. In 1860, he reported Illinois, in 1870 Kentucky, and in 1880 Indiana. His death certificate said Mississippi. His younger brother Cullen was born in Arkansas, so Illinois is unlikely for Levi. Kentucky is most likely correct. 
(with Parents) 1850 CensusLevi Preswood appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Perry County, Illinois, with his parents. He was 11 and born in Kentucky.3
Note.In this court document Levi Presswood swore that he had his mother's consent to marry, since he was under the age of 21. (The allowed age for females was 18). It was sworn by Levi himself, although such permissions were usually given directly by the parents. Note that he signed with an X.4
Levi Presswood
permission to marry Judah C Keen
MarriageHe married Judah Catherine Keen, daughter of John Keen and Sarah Wells, on 16 Feb 1859 in Perry County, Illinois.
The court documents recorded that JM Montague, JP, married Levi Presswood & Miss Judah C Keen.5
Levi Presswood & Judah C Keen
Marriage Licence & Certificate
1859
1860 CensusLevi and Catherin Presswood appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 4 Jul 1860. Levi was age 20, farming, had a personal estate of $50, and was born in Illinois. Catherine was 18 and born in Illinois. Their daughter, called Catherine, age 1 month, was with them. [Later records call her Melissa]6
MilitaryLevi Presswood joined the 31st IL US Infantry on 22 Aug 1861. He was with Company A. Levi was a private, signed up for a period of 3 years. He was mustered in on 18 September 1861 at Cairo and reenlisted as a veteran at the expiration of his term of service.

Personal characteristics noted were: residence Pinckneyville, Perry County, age 22, height 5' 4 1/2", dark hair, dark eyes, fair complexion, married, farmer, nativity SC.7 
MilitaryHe again joined the 31st IL US Infantry on 5 Jan 1864 in Big Black, Mississippi. He was with Company A. Levi was a private, signed up for a period of 3 years. He was mustered in on 5 Jan 1864 at Big Black, Mississippi by Cpt Goddard and mustered out 19 July 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky by Lt Noyes. It was noted that he was a veteran promoted corporal 30 Nov 1864.

Personal characteristics noted at this time were: residence Pinckneyville, Perry County, age 22, height 5' 4 1/2", dark hair, dark eyes, fair complexion, marital status not recorded, occupation soldier, nativity Holly Springs, Mississippi.7 
1865 CensusLevi Presser [sic] was listed as the head of household on the 1865 state census in Township 5S, Range 3W, Perry County, Illinois. The tally for this household showed 1 male age 10 or under, 1 male & 1 female aged 21-30 for a total of 3.
He had livestock valued at $500, produced $200 worth of grain and 30 pounds of wool.8 
MilitaryHe applied for a civil war pension as an invalid [have sent for the record] on 15 Aug 1867.9 
1870 CensusLevi and Catherine Presswood appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Pinckneyville, enumerated 26 Jul 1870. Levi was 30, a Farmer, owned no real estate, had personal estate of $200, and was born in Kentucky. Catherine was 28, Keeping House, could not read or write, and was born in Tennessee. With them were Melissa (10, attended school) and Charles (4).10
Note.Levi Presswood and his wife were also keepers of a "poorhouse". She was housekeeper and cook and he was manager, caretaker, whatever they called them in those days. There was a little book that was his journal with expenses such as grocery lists etc.(barrel of crackers, 100 pounds, flour 50 pounds, sugar, etc with the cost of everything for each month).1 
DeathLevi died on 9 May 1880 in Beaucoup Mines, Perry County, Illinois.
Information from death register: Levi Presswood, male, white, age 40, occupation miner, died at 5 a.m., married, nationality American, born in Mississippi, resident of Illinois for 27 years, cause of death pneumonia croupus of 12 days duration, buried 3 1/2 miles north of Pinckneyville on May 10, informant Dr A P Owens of Pinckneyville.
The 1880 census mortality schedule included Levi. Details: Levi Presswood, age 40, married, born Indiana, father born Virginia, mother born Pennsylvania, Farmer, died in May of Pneumonia, resident of Perry County 24 years, attended by A P Owens.11,12 
Note.In 1879, Congress extended the privilege of government-provided gravestones to soldiers buried in private cemeteries. Here is the index card for Levi Presswood's gravestone contract in 1888.
Levi Presswood
index card for government-issued gravestone
Last Edited3 Apr 2014

Citations

  1. [S1647] Recollections of Wilma Bartholomew, 2009.
  2. [S657] Online image of the 1860 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequest.com), Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville, Roll 218, Page 90.
  3. [S1554] United States 1850 Federal Census. Illinois, Perry County, family number 966. Image viewed at Familysearch.
  4. [S1695] Permission to marriage for Levi Presswood and Judah C Keen, Perry County, Ohio, Court Clerk, 16 February 1859 (Family History Library, film #975927).
  5. [S1686] Marriage Records of Perry County, Illinois, 1827-1867 & 1878-1916, FHL film # 975923 & 975926 (microfilm of original records in the Perry County courthouse, Pinckneyville, Illinois), Levi Presswood & Miss Judah C Keen, 1859.
  6. [S657] Online image of the 1860 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequest.com), Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville, Roll 218, Page 104.
  7. [S2876] Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls. Database compiled by Fred Delap and viewed online at the Illinois State Archives website.
  8. [S2880] Illinois 1865 State Census. Image viewed at FamilySearch. Levi Presser household, Perry County, Township 5S, Range 3W, Page 26.
  9. [S1881] Original data: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 544 rolls. Images of cards viewed at Ancestry.com. Levi Presswood, Application #127986, Certificate #117551.
  10. [S747] Online image of the 1870 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequestonline.com), Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville PO, Roll 268, Page 220.
  11. [S1898] Death certificate of Levi Presswood, died 9 May 1880, registered 29 June 1880 in Perry County, Illinois, file # 423.
  12. [S2883] 1880 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules. Illinois, Perry County, Levi Presswood. Image viewed at Ancestry.
  13. [S1686] Marriage Records of Perry County, Illinois, 1827-1867 & 1878-1916, FHL film # 975923 & 975926 (microfilm of original records in the Perry County courthouse, Pinckneyville, Illinois), Charles H Presswood & Maggie Robinson, 1888.
  14. [S1688] Marriage Records of Randolph County, Illinois, FHL film # 975011+ (microfilm of original records in the Randolph County courthouse, Chester, Illinois), Charles H Presswood & Lydia Keen, 1891, #74.