Pvt. Edward Arrington

Throughout Franklin County’s history, there have been numerous white Arrington families. Because of this, it is believed that Edward Arrington was born enslaved. In 1887, a pension claim was filed by Arrington at the Department of Interior Pension Office records. This document revealed that Arrington was enslaved at the Dickinson Estate before the war, from around 1850 to 1862, with Humphrey Anderson in Kanawha County, WV. The Dickinson Estate was owned by William Dickinson and his brother-in-law and business partner Joel Shrewsbury. They operated a salt works business together. It is unknown how Anderson and Arrington gained their freedom, but according to a deposition made by Anderson they left in the fall of 1862 and lived in Wilkesville, Ohio.

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Pvt Edward Arrington enlisted with the 17th USCT, Company F, in Vinton, OH. From August to November 1864, he was on duty in McMinnville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, working as an Engineer. In December, Pvt Arrington fought under General James B. Steedman in the Battle of Nashville. After the defeat of the Confederate General John B. Hood, Arrington’s company pursued the fleeing confederate troops to the Tennessee River. What remained of Hood’s troops retreated to Tupelo, Mississippi. Their defeat at Nashville effectively marked the end of the Confederate Army of Tennessee and Hood’s military career.

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After his participation in the Battle of Nashville, Arrington remained on duty at Nashville until he mustered out on August 30th, 1865. At the time, Arrington had received a bounty of $66.66 and was due $33.34. He owed $1.11 for arms and equipment.

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After his military service, Arrington returned to Vinton, OH. He married Mary J. Mitchell on November 6th, 1868. They had one child together, Dinah Arrington, but the 1870 census record indicated that there were also four other children in the household: Billie (7 years old), Ann (9 years old), Floyd (11 years old), and Judah (13 years). Arrington’s occupation was listed as a Teamster, a position that involved hauling cargo with a team of animals. Both Mary and Edward were listed as not being able to read or write.​

 

In the 1880 census, his occupation changed to Farmer. Arrington had acquired around 40 acres of land by this point. This can be seen in a real estate map of Wilkesville, OH, recorded in 1876. In the 1890 census, Edward Arrington’s occupation was described as Miner. He had begun to have health problems and applied for an invalid pension, which was awarded on May 21st, 1883. In 1891, he was proclaimed fully disabled by physician Dr. G. K. Ewing, who diagnosed chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

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After receiving his pension, Edward Arrington was listed in the 1900 census with no occupation attached. Arrington, his wife Mary, and grandson, Floyd Tyler, were located in Vinton, OH, and Arrington could now read and write.

On January 25th, 1905, Edward Arrington succumbed to pneumonia and passed away. His final resting place is the Wilkesville Cemetery, located in Wilkesville, OH. Upon his death, Mary Arrington applied for a pension. She was awarded a sum of $8 per month, which later increased to $20 per month in 1916. Mary passed away on August 8th, 1918, in Lorain, OH.​

 

Contributors: Toni Smith, Olivia Adkins, Ryan Venkatachalam, Mary Gahagan