The Oldham Families.

A while back a lady wrote me asking help on her family and I happen to notice her last name, which was ( Oldham ), how interesting I thought and began looking into this name and found many interesting people. Many of the names were of the Civil War but there were a few from other wars as while. When any one writes me asking for help I always look at their last name, that’s how some of the families get on my site just like in this case.

Many names are harder to work with then others, like in this case, as I thought this name was a little uncommon but soon found that was not so. I found there were Oldham roads, Oldham Counties and Creeks and so on, but in the end I found more the enough information to make this page. I hope those of the Oldham’s families who find this page will enjoy reading about their families.

1. James Oldham, of the city of Baltimore, Maryland praying for a pension on account of his services as a soldier of the American army in the war of the Revolution.
Note; found no record that he got one?

2. Anna Oldham, of Maryland widow of Captain John Oldham, was as asking for a Revolutionary Pension, her paper were withdrawn.

3. Susan Dougherty, heir at law of Moses Oldham, deceased, the value of a wagon and team, the property of the said Moses Oldham, which was impressed into the service of the United States during the Revolutionary war.
Note; found no record that she got one?

4. John P. Oldham, of Louisville, Kentucky, 1836, to be postmaster of said state.
He resigned in 1837.

5. Montcalm Oldham, sr., of Virginia, 1870, praying the removal of his political disabilities.

6. W. E. Oldham or William S. Oldham, was from Texas and a member of the Congress of the Confederate States of America.

7. Thompson B. Oldham, Kentucky, to be collector of internal revenue for the ninth collection district of Kentucky, 1866.

8. A petition of 1858, for the heirs of Isaac Oldham, who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, praying for bounty land, also in 1860, a petition of Edward T. Oldham, administrator of Isaac Oldham and Winefred Oldham, praying for a pension.

9. The petition of 1869, of Leroy Oldham, praying the removal of political disabilities.

Note. I know there wasn’t much information on the above names, however there could a lead on where to look for more information on your ancestor, or you may have already learned something about your ancestor you did not know.

The Civil War.

John Oldham.

No. 18. Report of Major James W. Hewitt, Second Kentucky Infantry.
CAMP MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., December 9, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report, in pursuance of your orders, I formed my regiment on the left of the Ninth Kentucky, opposite the enemy's camp near Hartsville, a portion of General Morgan's cavalry being at the same time on my left. When the order came for me to advance, of the ground was such that I deemed it advisable to deploy my regiment, and therefore gave the order to deploy. In this was we drove the enemy from their first camp, and continued to drive them until they surrendered.

The officers, without an exception, behaved in the most gallant style. They were continually in advance of their men, urging them forward, and where all behaved so well it would be impossible to particularize. Each seemed to vie with the other in deeds of gallantry. The whole command, I am pleased to say, behaved in a most unexceptionable manner.

I cannot conclude my report without referring to Color-Sergt. John Oldham, whose conduct and carriage during the whole engagement elicited the encomiums of both officers and men.

John Oldham, Sergeant.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, Camp near Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 11, 1862.

In pursuance of the order of General Bragg, I proceeded with my command on the 5th instant to Baird's Mills, and remained two days, making, as directed, reconnaissance toward Nashville. General Morgan designated the Second and Ninth Kentucky and Cobb's battery as the troops he desired to accompany him upon the Hartsville expedition. They were detached under the command of Colonel Hunt. I in close herewith his report of the battle of Hartsville and the reports of his subordinate officers. I wish to call attention to the honorable mention that is made in Major [James W.] Hewitt's and Colonel Hunt's report of the gallant conduct of Sergeant Oldham, of the Second Kentucky Regiment, with the hope that the proper steps may be taken to procure for him the proper reward for his conduct. Sergeant Oldham was the color-bearer of the Second Kentucky Regiment at the battle of Donelson, and acted with great gallantry upon that occasion. He is a suitable man for a lieutenancy, being well qualified as well as truly brave.

D. W. Oldham.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DEPT. OF EAST TENNESSEE,
September 12, 1862.

D. W. Oldham, left at Pine Knot wounded, is not a members of the C. S. Army and cannot be received as prisoners of war.

Martin Oldham .

The following case was disposed of: State vs. Odell, Maples, Weddell, and Leadbetter, murder (killing Martin Oldham), change of venue to Audrain County.

T. R. Oldham .

No. 152. Reports of Lieutenant Colonel P. A. Work, First Texas Infantry, of operations August 29-30.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1862.

The following report of the participation of the First Texas Regiment in the engagement of August 29 is respectfully submitted:

Having laid in line of battle near the enemy during most of the day of Friday, August 29, the regiment after sunset was ordered forward to the attack. Having advanced some 250 yards to an open field, the enemy opened upon us with grape and canister. Advancing steadily, the regiment approached a wood, in or near which the enemy's battery was stationed, and when within 100 or 150 yards the artillery firing ceased. After having advanced a short distance into the above-mentioned timber, and when some two companies of the left wing, having passed through the point of timber, emerged into the open field beyond, the regiment became engaged with the Seventy-ninth New York Regiment (as stated by prisoners), and after one volley fired by this regiment and some little desultory firing the cry of friends was raised. During the confusion consequent upon this false cry the regiment with which we were engaged took occasion to make its escape in a disorganized state. It was by this time too dark to distinguish friend from foe at a distance of 20 paces.

Here we had 4 killed and 15 wounded, a list of whom, giving mane, rank, where wounded, and character of wound, accompanies this report, marked A.* Some 30 or 40 paces to our front the ground was thickly strewn with the dear and wounded of the enemy.

From this point this regiment continued to advance to the front, and soon met with the Eighteenth Georgia and Fourth Texas Regiments, of this brigade. The brigade, having been collected, moved still to the front, crossing a small stream by the flank, upon a ridge beyond which this regiment rested for the night, in its position in the brigade, within some 150 or 200 yards of the enemy.

As an incident of the battle I would mention that while I was seeking the position assigned me for the night, marching by the left flank, to wit, with my left resting upon the turnpike road, the second Mississippi Regiment, Colonel Stone commanding, which was moving in the same direction, having recrossed the Creek, but in advance and to the left, became entangled with the thirty-third New York Regiment, when Colonel Stone sent me a message requesting me to move up to this relief, which I did. Upon consultation we again recrossed the creek, moved to rejoin the third Brigade. I would mention also that the fourth texas and Eighteenth Georgia, who were informed of my moving to the relief of Colonel Stone, pressed closely on after me to offer any assistance that might be required. The regiment kept well together, evincing unusual eagerness to engage the enemy, and advancing with a yell, which was taken up by the other regiments of the brigade and continued until the very woods resounded.
Respectfully submitted.
P. A. WORK,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding First Texas Regiment.

P. S. - Two privates of Company H., T. R. Oldham and J. M. Streinsipher - were killed during the day of the 29th while lying down at their place in ranks in front of the enemy by a discharge of grape-shot which remained in the tin case unexploded.

William Felland Oldham.

Numbers 1. Report of Brigadier General Clinton B. Fisk, U. S. Army, commanding District of North Missouri.

SAINT JOSEPH, MO., June 12, 1864.

A detachment of militia were attacked by a band of guerrillas yesterday at Ridgeley, in Platte County, and a desperate little fight ensued. Captain Hoberson [Overson], late of the rebel army, now recruiting under Colonel Calhoun Thornton, C. S. Army, and leader of the gang, was killed outright, and his lieutenant, William Felland [Oldham], son of a planter in this country, was wounded and taken prisoner. He was shot to-day. His confession will be valuable to us in securing scores of the black-hearted villains in the country. We captured several fine horses and revolvers. We lost 1 brave boy; only 2 others were slightly wounded. the brigands were the same party that committed the nursers at Arnoldsville. Eleven of them were on the muster-rolls of a militia company in this county, and they carried a Federal musket all winter. I am pushing after the villains day and night, and my limited force of reliable troops are nearly worn out. I can get help from General Curtis, who has kindly tendered it to-day, but I dislike to have the Kansas troops come over here if it can possibly be avoided. I shall go to Platte Cunty again to-morrow if able to ride. We captured 2 more of our escaped prisoners to-day, McConly and Briggs; the altter was killed.
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.

Feelan Oldham.

JUNE 13-16, 1864.- Scout from Fort Leavenworth, Kans., to Weston, Mo.
Report of Major Robert H. Hunt, Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry.
FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANS., June 16, 1864.

SIR: Pursuant to Special Orders, Numbers 42, dated headquarters District of North Kansas, June 13, 1864, I have the honor to state that, as directed, I proceeded to Platte County, via Leavenworth City. When near Farley, distant 7 miles from Leavenworth, I was informed that the guerrillas had started toward Platte City, in which direction I went. I had proceeded only about half a mile when I was informed by a resident that some 8 men, supposed to be bushwhackers, had returned to Farley. I immediately countermarched and directed the advance under Lieutenant Gunther, of the Sixteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, to double-quick into town and charge upon the party alluded to. At the same time a party under command of Mr. Losee, of Leavenworth City, charged into town from the east, thereby setting off retreat; but to the disappointment of the command the supposed enemy turned out to be imaginary friends, they being a party of militia from Platte City. While at Farley I learned that the guerrillas and the town militia fought desperately, the citizens having saved their lives and property by the aid of "rifle whisky."

Believing the place impregnable, we directed our course toward Platte City, keeping the main road for a few miles, when we took to the brush, hoping to find the trail. Here Mr. Loose, taking 4 men as a guard and with the militia, started for Platte City. Our energetic David Causort, the scout, soon found where the enemy had passed. We followed as speedily as possible, and soon crossed the Platte, where we had to swim. We trailed them some miles farther, but night coming on we lost all trace of them. We went into Platte City, hoping to receive some tangible information, but were disappointed. We concluded to put up for the night, and, to the credit of Major clark, who is in command of the country, and the citizens, we were provided with a good supper. The major seems to be a very clever officer, and acknowledge that a change of policy is necessary in order to suppress bushwhacking. Some of the citizens seemed to be very glad to see us over there, although there were some remarks made about the Kansas radicals (for which the major apologized), which exasperated some of the men. In the morning early we started toward a little town called Smithville, a distance of 14 miles from Platte City, where we took breakfast; had some horse-shoeing done; talked with the people; glad to see us. They are all Union people, every one. Major Clark accompanied us to the place, from which, I believe, he returned. We proceeded to Ridgeley, some 6 miles, were we learned Captain Fitzgerald was guerrilla-bound. We found the captain and the citizens under arms; glad to see us. There are some true Union men there. Lieutenant Pierce and 16 men of Captain Poe's company opportunely arrived there about an hour and a half before the guerrillas. Captain Overson and Lieutenant Feelan [Oldham] made the raid, they not knowing of the aforesaid arrival. Some of the men fought well, but 7 of them ran away, 3 of whom did not return.

There were at lest 493, Oldham’s in the Civil War, to many to put here. So I will list each state with the number of Oldham’s in each of them. If you had a ancestor in the war and would like to see if I have any information on him you can write to me,you can find my address in my profile.

Here are two examples on the kind of information you may receive.

Example 1.

OLDHAM, JAMES, Rank PVT, Company B., Unit 7th., IL., US INF., Residence NEOGA, CUMBERLAND CO, IL., Age 20, Height 6', Hair LIGHT, Eyes GREY, Complexion LIGHT, Marital Status SINGLE, Occupation FARMER, Nativity LITCHFIELD, GRAYSON CO, KY., Joined When JUL 25, 1861 Joined Where MOUND CITY, IL., for 3, years. Muster In JUL 25, 1861, Muster In Where MOUND CITY, IL., Remarks DIED FORT HOLT KY., 8 NOV 1861.

Example 2.

Charles H. Oldham, of the 69th., E. M. M., rank Corporal, company A. Enlisted April 30, 1864, at Lewis county Mo., went into service on 5, October 1864, relieved from service on December 1, 1864, after only 64, days of service.

The numbers of Oldham's listed for each State.

1. Alabama-15.
2. Arkansas-8.
3. California-1.
4. Confederate Troops-7.
5. Connecticut-1.
6. Georgia-5.
7. Iowa-8.
8. Illinois-17.
9. Indiana-32.
10. Kansas-1.
11. Kentucky-71.
12. Louisiana-3.
13. Massachusetts-13.
14. Maryland-5.
15. Maine-2.
16. Michigan-1.
17. Minnesota-1.
18. Missouri-41.
19. Mississippi-31.
20. North Carolina-38.
21. New Jersey-6.
22. New York-8.
23. Ohio-41.
24. Pennsylvania-18.
25. South Carolina-1.
26. Tennessee-36.
27. U. S. Regular Army-5.
28. Colored Regiment-30.
29. Virginia-8.
30. Veteran Reserves-11.