The Annis Family in the War of 1812
Jacob and Sarah (Burnham) Annis
Introduction
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a family history researcher is being able to watch the development of a small bit of information about a particular ancestor blossom into full-fledged documented story. The following story is about Jacob Annis (Benjamin, Rolfe, John, Abraham, Cormac) and his service in the War of 1812.
I first learned of Jacob Annis many years ago when I began research into the Annis family military history. He was mentioned in the unpublished manuscripts assembled by Alonzo Lawson Annis {1863-1923} at the turn of the century and I quote:
"We are told that Jacob Annis was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was wounded and drew a pension during the remainder of his life. He enlisted under Captain Scott at Buffalo, N.Y. and had one particularly thrilling experience. It is said that he was one of a number of soldiers who were crossing the river to Canada in two boats. All were killed but himself and two others, who were promptly made prisoners but were exchanged somewhat later."
To some this information would be enough and although it is undocumented by dates, it would seem to have a ring of truth about it.
I later found that Jacob indeed was a veteran of the War of 1812 and that he was listed as having served with Captain Whiting's Company of the 25th U.S. Infantry from June 1812 to April 1815. For many years, I had no further puzzle pieces, and being a student of United States military history, I believed that I knew the particular battle Jacob had received his wounds. but without a date or corroborating evidence, things were pretty much at a standstill. Jacob's information sat in my files for many years. I did not take the time to send for his military records from the National Archives because past experience had shown that the records from this era are rather spare.
In January 2001, I received in the mail a letter from a descendant of Jacob Annis, Virginia Watterson. She reported that she had just returned from a research trip at the LDS Library in Salt Lake City and that she had found a copy of Jacob's discharge papers on microfilm #810782 "Misc. Public records of Genesee Co., NY, Vols. 1 - 2, 1802-1834. Virginia was kind enough to send me photocopies of the document and asked me to share it with other members of the Annis Family Association. We have several members who are descended from Jacob Annis, including Board member, Ray Mack.
I quote:
"By command of Major General Jacob Brown
To all whom it may concern. Know ye that Jacob Annis a private in Captain Henry Whiting('s) Company, Twenty Third Regiment of U.S. Infantry having served the United States honestly and faithfully for the term of two years nine Mos' & 25 days viz. from the thirteenth day of June eighteen hundred and twelve to the twenty fifth Day of April eighteen hundred and fifteen For consequences of wounds as per certificate hereinto annexed is hereby honorably discharged. The said Jacob Annis was born in the town of Leominster in the county of in the State of New Hampshire is about twenty three years of age is five feet seven inches high light complexion grey eyes Brown hair and is by occupation a farmer. Given at the Inspector Generals Office Sacketts Harbour (NewYork) Headquarters this twenty fifth day of April 1815 Nathaniel W. Hall Registered Inspector General”
Here there is inserted a record of Jacob's signature upon his waiver. This was done to prevent a soldier returning and claiming that he had not been paid, fed, or clothed for a specific time in his service.
“I hereby acknowledge that I have received from the United States of America my pay clothing and substinance according to law from the Date of my enlistment to the date of the within Discharge.” Jacob AnnisBut the conclusive evidence is filed by the Surgeon who reports about Jacob's wounding while he was in service to his country. The Hospital Surgeon filed the following report:
Military District N.Y. General Hosp, Brownville April 25, 1815
“It is hereby certified that Jacob Annis a soldier in the company of Capt. H. Whiting in the 25 regiment of U.S. Infantry is rendered incapable of performing the duty of a Soldier by reason of wounds or other injuries inflicted while he was ____ in the service aforesaid and in the line of duty viz: By satisfactory evidence and examination it appears that on the thirteenth day of October on the year 1812 being engaged with the enemy in Battle at or near a place called Queenston in the State District or Territory of Upper Canada he received a gunshot wound in his left leg which fractured the fibula in such a manner that the wound has never been yet united and he is thereby not only incapacitated for Military duty but in the opinion of the undersigned is one half disabled from obtaining his substinance by manuel labor.
Signed
duplicates
Recorded examined and comp Hosea Blood Hospital Surgeon U.S.A.
Feb 10th 1815 at 5 o'clock p.m.
So, there we have it! Jacob was wounded as reported and we even have the date and the name of the Battle. If you remember, earlier I said that I believed I knew which battle Jacob was probably wounded at, and I was correct in my assumption. The clue to where "he was wounded was in the fact that it was reported that he was one of a number of soldiers who were crossing the river to Canada in two boats."
There was only one area that you can cross a river from the US into Canada and that is at Niagara. Furthermore, although there were several expeditions across the river, one major campaign involved the New York militia and US Regular troops.
Historical Background
In the late summer of 1812, the United States was in dire straights in their ill-conceived and poorly executed second war against the British Empire. In the west the forts at Detroit, Michilimackinac and Dearborn had all fallen to English General Isaac Brock. This in turn caused the entire territory north and west of Ohio to fall into British hands. After taking Detroit, Brock transferred most of troops to the Niagara frontier where he faced an American invasion force that was assembling at Lewiston, NY, Fort Niagara, and Buffalo. The commanding American general, Major General Stephen Van Rensselar planned to take his combined force of 6,500 Regulars and New York Militia across the Niagara River and capture Queenston and it's heights. This was at a point, which would allow him to command the area and eventually drive the British from the Niagara peninsula. He ordered the attack for the morning of October 13, 1812 and the initial assault force numbered 600 men. Several boats drifted beyond the landing area and the first echelon to land was pinned down for a while on the riverbank below the heights. After finding an unguarded path to the heights, the landing party clambered to the summit and surprising the enemy and overwhelming the fortified battery they drove them down into Queenston. It was here that things fell apart in the American plan of battle. Although 1300 men had been ferried across the river, less than half ever reached the American line on the heights. Most of the New York Militia had refused to cross the river, insisting on their legal right to remain on American soil.
Meanwhile the British had rallied despite the death of their commander General Brock, and now under General Roger Sheaffe, they began to advance on the American position with a force of 800 fresh troops and 300 Indian skirmishers. The American's, tired and outnumbered put up a stiff fight, but in the end were defeated. 300 Americans were killed and nearly 1,000 captured.
Jacob Annis was probably wounded and captured during the initial phase of the battle, that is, when the large troop boats were first landing and meeting resistance on the riverbank.
What happened to Jacob after the War?
He married January 1, 1815, Sarah Burnham at Covington, NY and had a large family. Sarah Burnham Annis was born July 11, 1798 in Massachusetts and was the daughter of Reuben and Sarah Burnham. She died June 2 (or 4), 1864 and is buried at Mt. Morris, NY.
Jacob was a farmer by occupation at Covington and Pavilion, NY, and a member of the Republican Party and the Methodist Church. Late in life he removed to Mt. Morris, NY, where several of his children lived. Jacob received a pension for the remainder of his life for his military service and he died April 21, 1879, nearly 64 years after his discharge from the army. He is buried at Mt. Morris, NY.Sarah Annis, his wife, died June 2, 1864 and her obituary reads:
"Mrs. Sarah Annis, wife of Br. Jacob Annis of Moscow, Livingston Co., N.Y., and mother of Rev. H. W. Annis, of the Genesee Conference, died June 2d, at the residence of her son-in-law, Dr. R. W. Wells, Mt. Morris, ages 66 years.
Our departed sister had been preparing for her exit from this life more than forty five years; having, during that period, been a member of the Church and a growing Christian, ripening for heaven. When death came, though unexpectantly to her friends, it found her ready. In all the relations of life as mother, wife and Christian friend, she exemplified the graces of the Spirit, and possessed in a remarkable degree the patience and gentleness of her Redeemer.
From the nature of her disease, (a cancerous affection of the throat,) her sufferings were very severe, and the difficulty of conversing very great. Yet her own declaration, given to the surviving companion a few days before her end was: "All is clear before me." Death had no terrors. Much might be mentioned in honor of this most excellent Christian woman, but it is enough to say, "Her children rise up and call her blessed, " and never did the language of the Psalmist seem more appropriate in this instance: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."Children of JACOB ANNIS and SARAH BURNHAM are:
1. William Riley Annis, b. 9 May 1816
2. Mary Martha Annis, b. 17 Mar 1818
3. Rueben Burnham Annis, b. 11 Sep 1819
4. Dorothy Marion Annis, b. 18 Oct 1820
5. Philomela Annis, b. 12 Oct 1822
6. Henry Wyley Annis, b. 14 Jun 1824
7. Sarah Jane Annis, b. 7 Mar 1826
8. Prosper Bell Annis, b. 16 Jun 1828
9. Wilber Hoag Annis, b. 31 Dec 1830
10. Lora Lodelia Annis, b. 5 Nov 1833
Truman Annas was born September 2, 1786 at Stamford, VT, the son of James and Beulah (Griffin) Annis. Truman came west to Madison County, NY from Vermont with his parents as a young boy in 1794. He grew to manhood in the area of the town of Nelson, NY. It was near here on the Erieville Creek that his father, a millwright, had constructed one of the first grist mills in Madison County.
On September 9, 1814, at the age of 26 years, Truman joined the New York State Militia and was assigned as a Lieutenant in Captain Levi Brown's Company, 129th Regiment, NYSM, commanded by Colonel E. Farnham. The War of 1812 had begun in earnest on the western and northern frontiers and the State Militia was to play an important and controversial role in the defense of New York. He served a very short period of duty at Sackett's Harbor, NY, and was discharged on November 13, 1814.
Truman sold the original gristmill built by his father at Erieville, NY, to Oliver Pool in 1818. After leaving Nelson, as a newly married man, he resided at Fenner, and York Hill, NY before moving north to Oneida County. His military duty in northwestern New York state may have led him to this area. He was at Whitestone, NY during the 1850 Federal census at which time his two eldest sons, Lura and John, resided at nearby Florence. In 1851 Truman than removed to Springvale Township in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin where he lived for three years. About 1854 he removed to Ripon, WI where he is listed in the City Directory for that year and in 1859. He made his home near the corner of Hall and Sumner (now Shepard) Streets and his family is listed as: Addison, (James Addison Annas) cabinet maker; Clarinda S., tailoress; Diancy, tailoress, and Elizabeth J., milliner. He was a cabinet maker and mechanic by trade, and many of his sons and grandsons followed him in this profession. In 1860, the Federal Census shows him still residing at Ripon and he is listed as a Joiner, age 73. His family consists of his wife Excha, age 70, and unmarried daughters, Minerva, age 41; Sophronia, age 39; Archnia, age 36; and Elizabeth, age 35.
As a member of the Methodist Episcopal church (now the (Immanuel United Methodist Church) at Ripon, we have access to church records that show events in the life of his family while they resided there.Book Dated 1855-1856
Membership Roll - Truman Annis, Achsah (wife Excha), Archna (daughter), Diancy (daughter), Elizabeth (daughter)
Book Dated 1856-1865Membership Roll - Minerva Annis, Elizabeth Annis
Marriages - July 3, 1859: Diancy Annis to Luke M. VeronianBook Dated 1866-1876
Deaths - Acsah Annis - departed this life July 15, 1871; Truman Annis - died (no date)
Membership Roll - Elizabeth Annis - withdrawn Dec. 26, 1876; Minerva Annis - removed with letter, Feb. 1, 1876
Truman died October 22, 1865 and his wife, Excha died July 15, 1871. Her obituary in the July 20, 1871 issue of the Ripon Free press reads:
"Mrs. Echa (Excha) Annis died July 15, 1871 in the 81st year of her age. She was born in Brattleboro, Vt. Jan. 1, 1790, and at an early age removed to Oneida Co., N.Y. and came to Wisconsin about 1851, spending three years in Springvale, and the past 17 in Ripon. Some 5 years since, she lost her husband by death. About forty years ago she united with the M E church, from which church she was buried, Rev. Dr. Miller officiating."
Truman spelled his surname ANNAS, as did his brothers and father, although the name is frequently spelled ANNIS in many official records. Truman's two older sons used the common, ANNIS, and his two younger sons, who removed to Wisconsin with him, used their father's spelling. Truman and his wife are buried at Lot 25, Block A, Hillside Cemetery, Ripon, WI.
Truman's lineage: James Annis 1743-1829, John Annis 1700-c.1771, Abraham Annis 1668-1738, Cormac Annis 1638-1717Children:
1. Lura Annis, b. Oct 2, 1811, Nelson, NY; d. Jan 22, 1871, Vienna, NY; m. 1837, Rebecca Ann Brown
2. John Matteson Annis, b. Aug 23, 1813, Nelson, NY; d. Mar 25, 1876, Linden, MI; m. Oct 3, 1834, Jane Ann Benton,
3. Arvin Annis, b. Oct 26, 1815, Fenner, NY; d. before 1820.
4. Minerva Annis, b. Nov 29, 1817, Fenner, NY; d. Nov 25, 1898, De Pere, WI; m. Alfred Matteson.
5. Clarinda Sophronia Annis, b. Mar 8, 1820, Fenner, NY; d. Oct 30, 1863, Ripon, WI; never married.
6. Diansa Annis, b. Oct 14, 1822, Fenner, NY; m. Jul 3, 1859, Luke M. Veronian, Ripon, WI.
7. Achna Annis, b. Feb 22, 1824, Fenner, NY; d. Oct 27, 1860, Ripon, WI; never married.
8. Elizabeth Jane Annis, b. Jun 5, 1825, Fenner, NY; d. Oct 15, 1871, Fond du Lac, WI; never married.
9. James Addison Annas, b. Sep 12, 1827, York Hills, NY; d. Feb 9, 1885, De Pere, WI; m. Sep 16, 1855, Esther Ann Loper, Omro, WI.
10. Bradford Annas, b. Oct 20, 1831, Fenner, NY; d. after 1909, Waukau, WI; m. Sarah Cooley.
I am deeply indebted to the late Esther (Salter) Watson (1916-1999), author of an excellent family history book, Charter Member of the Annis Family Association, and beautiful friend and cousin. Her dedication to the research and preservation of her personal family history should prove to be of great benefit for generations to come. Esther was the 2nd great grandaughter of Truman and Excha (Matteson) Annas. Her lineage is: George Hodder Salter 1889-1954; Sarah (Annas) Salter 1865-1944; James Addison Annas 1827-1885; Truman Annas 1786-1865; James Annis 1743-1829; John Annis 1700-c.1771; Abraham Annis 1668-1738; Cormac Annis 1638-171
Annis Family Association Members who are descended from Truman Annas
Harold Robert Annis and Family of Michigan
Alan Robert Annis and Family of Michigan
Michael James Annis and Family of Michigan
Adrienne Bradford and Family of New York
Richard Watson and Family of Virginia
Gary A. Annis and Family of New York
Marilyn Hooper of Illinois
Annis Family Association
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