A Family Rough Rider Discovered in
Arizona Cemetery!
Family Genealogy Search Sheds Light on an Unknown Gem
Two Henderson Brothers Graves Located
George Washington Henderson (1869-1943) was part of the large Henderson family, and served as a Deputy under Sheriff to John Henry "Rim Rock" Thompson in Gila County. Several in his family were lawmen. George married Annie Belle Carlos in 1900. They raised six children, and all lived in and around the Globe-Miami area.
George Washington Henderson (1869-1943) was part of the large Henderson family, and served as a Deputy under Sheriff to John Henry "Rim Rock" Thompson in Gila County. Several in his family were lawmen. George married Annie Belle Carlos in 1900. They raised six children, and all lived in and around the Globe-Miami area.
Next to George's grave was his Brother, Sebird B. Henderson (1858-1925), and it had an interesting headstone which read "CO. B, 1 U.S. V. CAV. SP/AM WAR." Being an avid history buff, my husband immediately recognized the designation...Sebird Henderson was a Rough Rider!
Teddy's Rough Riders
The Rough Riders unit was mustered into service in May 1898, with 47 officers and 994 enlisted men who came from each of the 45 states at the time, four U.S. Territories, and 14 Countries. Even 60 Native Americans were on the roster. It's interesting to note that 39-year-old Sebird, only 5 foot 4 inches tall, was a tough, wiry cowboy, just the type that Teddy Roosevelt wanted to recruit into theRough Riders.
The Rough Riders unit was mustered into service in May 1898, with 47 officers and 994 enlisted men who came from each of the 45 states at the time, four U.S. Territories, and 14 Countries. Even 60 Native Americans were on the roster. It's interesting to note that 39-year-old Sebird, only 5 foot 4 inches tall, was a tough, wiry cowboy, just the type that Teddy Roosevelt wanted to recruit into theRough Riders.
Locating Service Records
Returning home, I set out to prove my Great Grand Uncle's Rough Rider status. After searching the web and the National Archives, proof was found in military records, and a photo of him in uniform. Sebird Henderson was mustered in and served from May 1 through September 30, 1898. He saw action on Kettle Hill (next to San Juan Hill) in Cuba during the Spanish/American War. He contacted either typhoid fever or malaria, which was noted on his military records, and was mustered out on September 30, 1898. Sebird later married Mattie Claire Delbridge in 1904, and they raised two children. He died in 1925 at 67.
Returning home, I set out to prove my Great Grand Uncle's Rough Rider status. After searching the web and the National Archives, proof was found in military records, and a photo of him in uniform. Sebird Henderson was mustered in and served from May 1 through September 30, 1898. He saw action on Kettle Hill (next to San Juan Hill) in Cuba during the Spanish/American War. He contacted either typhoid fever or malaria, which was noted on his military records, and was mustered out on September 30, 1898. Sebird later married Mattie Claire Delbridge in 1904, and they raised two children. He died in 1925 at 67.
Sebird Henderson's Grandfather
I was lucky enough to find a notation online at a "Find A Grave" site about his namesake Grandfather,Sebird Henderson (1805-1862). Grandfather Sebird Henderson was hanged by Confederate Colonel James Duff's regiment at Spring Creek, Texas along with three other men (Hiram Nelson, Frank Scott and Gus Tegener) because they wouldn't renounce the Union! They were buried by their families at the same site where they met their fate. This site is now the Spring Creek Cemetery in Harper, Gillespie County, Texas.
I was lucky enough to find a notation online at a "Find A Grave" site about his namesake Grandfather,Sebird Henderson (1805-1862). Grandfather Sebird Henderson was hanged by Confederate Colonel James Duff's regiment at Spring Creek, Texas along with three other men (Hiram Nelson, Frank Scott and Gus Tegener) because they wouldn't renounce the Union! They were buried by their families at the same site where they met their fate. This site is now the Spring Creek Cemetery in Harper, Gillespie County, Texas.
My Grandfather's name I always wondered where my Granddad, William Sebird Edwards (1885-1970), got his unusual middle name. Now I know! As a young man William got the nickname of Buffalo Bill, and it was later shortened to "Buff." From 1926 until 1966, "Buff" was a Deputy Sheriff, Cattle Inspector, Florence Prison Guard, San Carlos Reservation Special Officer, and Constable of the Globe Precinct (25 years) in Gila County.
I guess you'd have to say that being a lawman was in his blood!
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