Vanderbilt Family Tree

[Deggesty]

Yes, Wayne, Uncle Hamilton died in 1899, 56 years old. My Granfather, Cookman, died in 1926, 83 years old.  They were in the same company of the 45th Virginia Infantry, and it was said that after my great-uncle joined, their company did not worry about food, for they had Cook Degges and Ham Degges.

So far as I know, the only military casualty in my family was my paternal grandfather's maternal grandfather--shot by a redcoat in December of 1814 when, as well as I can tell, a contingent landed at Tappahannock and wrought damage there. Apparently the militia east of Tappanhannock were called out to go to Tappahannock. His father was a captain in the militia during the revolution, as was my great-great-great grandfather John Degge (no "s" on the name until some time in the 19th century).

[Flintlock76]

Here's an interesting thing Johnny.  During the Civil War there was a phenomenon noted in that the regiments raised in the cities were healthier, much healthier, than the ones raised in the country.

The doctors figured it out pretty quickly.  Growing up the city boys had been exposed to and had suvived just about anything contagious back in those days.  The country boys, living in somewhat isolated communities hadn't been exposed, and when a lot of men where gathered together, as in the typical army camp of both sides, the country boys suffered the worst.

The same phenomenon was noticed again during the First World War.  

Your paternal grandfather's brother was wounded four times?  My God.  Sounds like he was what the Marines call a "bullet magnet."  Did he survive the war? 

Confederate general Joe Johnston was a "bullet magnet" as well.  Seems like every time he went into combat he was hit!  

Wayne

[wjstix]

SD70Dude

I did not know about Anderson Cooper's ancestry until today though. I suppose it speaks to his character that he has become successful on his own merits, rather than simply living the easy life on his family's money.

True enough, although it would really have been his Mom's money more than the family's. Her dad went squandered a huge chuck of it before dying when she was a child, she ended up inheriting $5 million back in 1945 - not bad, but nothing like what she earned from her clothing line in the 1970's-80's. She had a pretty tough life really....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/06/17/poor-little-rich-girl-gloria-vanderbilt-was-caught-between-neglectful-mother-an-oppressive-aunt/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3b0dc645774f

https://www.apnews.com/3eef907c05aa4e24898d2d28a78eecf9

 

[Deggesty]

Yes, Wayne, diseases killed many soldiers, some who never saw combat. My maternal grandfather's oldest brother, who was a cadet at The Citadel, died from typhus, without ever seeing combat. My paternal grandfather came out much better. He enlisted at age 18, and went through four years of war without being wounded. His brother, yoiunger than he, was wounded four times.

[Flintlock76]

Interesting chart.  A couple of things...

They've got one part wrong, they're missing a second George Washington Vanderbilt son of the Commodore. He was born in 1839 and named after his brother who died in 1836.  A West Point graduate, he died during the Civil War from a camp-aquired disease without seeing combat.  Very common back then, most of the Civil War dead died from disease. 

Now, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt.  A.G. died on the  "Lusitania" in 1915.  He'd given his life jacket away to a young mother, even tying it on her himself while she held her child, and helped her into one of the few lifeboats that they managed to launch.  He couldn't swim either.  

Well, that's what gentlemen did and were expected to do back then.  His body was never recovered.  

A.G.'s valet, Ronald Denyer, showed just as much class as his boss, assisting other passengers until the ship went out from under him.  He was lost as well. 

I had to ask Lady Firestorm, not knowing much about these things...

"Gloria Vanderbilt?  Isn't she the one who invented 'skinny-chick' jeans?" 

"She was indeed!"

[SD70Dude]

Yes, when I heard that Gloria Vanderbilt had died today I instantly thought of the NYC and that she must be an heir, even before the announcer read out her ancestry.

I did not know about Anderson Cooper's ancestry until today though.  I suppose it speaks to his character that he has become successful on his own merits, rather than simply living the easy life on his family's money.

[Miningman]

The Vanderbilt Family Tree

http://www.iridetheharlemline.com/2011/01/14/railroads-mansions-and-money-the-vanderbilts-in-a-nutshell/#