Private James Chavres
Pvt. James Chavres
Private James Chavres was born in Franklin County, Virginia, c. 1829. He enlisted on September 22, 1864, in Columbus, Ohio, for a one-year period and served in the 9th USCT Heavy Artillery Company E. He would have been stationed at Nashville until the regiment was broken up on May 5, 1865. His muster roll indicated he was then transferred to the 88th USCT Infantry, very near the end of his enlistment period. He is described as 35 years old, with a brown complexion, black hair, and black eyes. His occupation is listed as laborer at the time of his enlistment. Unlike most of the USCT soldiers, Private James Chavres could write his own name, and his spelling of it appeared to be Chavres, on his enlistment record and in several documents among his pension files at the National Archives. But throughout the records for this man’s life, we see a variety of other spellings. Chavis, Shavers, Shafer, and Chafers were all used, which made tracking down accurate records challenging
There is conflicting information in his obituary that suggests he served with Co. H in the 44th USCT. This was likely an error due to the wide range of spellings for this soldier’s surname. In many instances involving both military and census records an individual’s name would have been recorded phonetically by someone listening to it spoken. Historical research completed by Salmon & Salmon (Franklin County Virginia 1786 to 1986) stated that Chafers/Shavers/Chavis family (all spellings) were the same free Black family in the early 1800s and that they intermarried with the Beverly family. At the time of his death, records indicate that James’ parents were Isham Chavis and Agnes Beverly. There were numerous members of these free Black families who migrated from Franklin County VA to Ohio.
James was found on the 1850 & 1860 census in Gallia County, OH. He obtained an education. He married Margaret Ford (1834-1892) on 3 May 1855 in Gallia, OH. James had one child, Harriet Chafers (1856-1902). In the 1870 Census James was enumerated as Shavers in Gallia County, OH.
Daughter Harriet married Rev. James Henry Rickman in 1877 in Gallia County, OH. She had 7 children that survived to adulthood. Researchers believe that her children may have chosen to pass for white.
Widowed, James remarried in 1900 to Mariah Mayo (1830-1927) and resided in Jackson, OH. James died 18 Jul 1907 due to paralysis. His obituary was located, and it gives personal information. The military information shared on Find a Grave -- enlisted in the Civil War in 27th USCT Co B. He served in 44th USCT Co H.-- differs from that was found on Fold3.com, for this Franklin County-born soldier, and the explanation is unknown. However, it is believed that the obituary on Find a Grave does represent our soldier because his parents' names match historical records. The obituary described a disabling wound from the War of the Rebellion, affecting the use of his right arm, for which he was awarded an annuity of $480. The obituary stated that James “was a well-informed old gentleman who knew the plants and flowers with which he came in contact as well as a skilled botanist. He took much interest in farming and gardening.”
Contributors: Lydia Callabresi, Toni Smith and Cathie Cummins