┌── Joshua Henshaw
│ 1765-1840
┌── John Leavitt Henshaw ──┤
│ 1792-1832 │
│ └── Esther Burnham
│ 1768-1853
John Cory Henshaw ─────┤
B: 1815 │ ┌── Ebenezer H. Corey
D: 1877 │ │
No Issue └── Ann Maria Corey ───────┤
1795-? │
└── Phebe (Corey)
M: Amelia Nash Kellogg
| John Cory Henshaw [ID 06012] | Click here to switch to Ahnentafel view:  |
Born May 25 18151,2 [about 18165], New York, New York1,2 [Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island3,4, New Jersey5].
He married Amelia Nash Kellogg1,2,6 [Amelia Edwards6], Jun 18 18381,2,6, New York, New York1,2,6. Amelia, daughter of Edward Kellogg & Esther Fenn Warner2,3,4, was born Jun 25 18202,3,4 [Jun - 18317, about 18215], Northfield, Connecticut2,3,4 [New York5].
John was a major in the United States Army. He served in the Seminole and Mexican Wars as well as the Civil War. In the Mexican War he took part in seven battles, and his regiment was the one to lead the assault on Cerro Gordo, a mountain fortified from base to summit, crowned with a fort nearly impregnable. In the Civil War he served at the Siege of Vicksburg, and as Judge Advocate General of the Department of the South.6
John and Amelia were shown in the 1850 census (Aug 10 1850), living in the household of Amelia's parents in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York:4
John was appointed as Captain Asssistant Judge Advocate of the U.S. Army on Aug 17 1862; promoted to Major Judge Advocate, Feb 29 1864; discharged Sep 30 1864.8
John and Amelia were shown in the 1870 census (Jun 20 1870), living in the household of Amelia's (apparently widowed) mother in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York:5
John was the author of "Recollections of the war with Mexico" (ISBN 0826217990, 9780826217998), which one reviewer critiqued as:9
Major John Henshaw, a dutiful regimental officer in the American invasion of Mexico, was one of only a handful of eyewitnesses to describe the two major theaters of that war from start to finish. But unlike most of his peers, he did not see himself as a conquering warrior and took pride in never having taken a life. He even wrote, "If I were alone, no earthly power could induce me to lend a helping hand in this base and infamous war." This book presents Henshaw's recollections for the first time, covering all the action from the first skirmish in southern Texas to the collapse of Mexico City. As a member of the Seventh Infantry Regiment, this pugnacious line officer from New England served under both of the war's principal generals, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, and survived seven major battles. His writings constitute a virtual "minority opinion" report on the Mexican War. Henshaw's recollections include a rare and highly descriptive account of the siege of Fort Texas (later Fort Brown), plus rich new details of the storming of the Bishop's Palace at Monterrey, the bombardment of Veracruz, the assault on Cerro Gordo, and the savage fighting outside the capital. His records of battles, marches, and maneuvers greatly augment what is already known about the campaign, but in addition to reporting daily occurrences and describing combat in graphic detail, Henshaw also reflected on the strategies and tactics--and what he saw as shortcomings--of officers on both sides. Bitingly critical of those in command, of American volunteers, and of the war's glory hounds, Henshaw admired the valor of ordinary soldiers on both sides of the fighting. And in the midst of the carnage, he also found time to describe Mexico's cities and scenery in rhapsodic prose and express considerable empathy for its people. In addition to the "Recollections," the volume includes vivid passages from letters Henshaw sent back to his wife, which supply additional details of the campaign. Editor Gary Kurutz provides an extensive biography of Henshaw, as well as comprehensive annotations to the text. What Henshaw may have lacked as an unquestioning officer he more than made up for as an astute observer. Offering a decidedly different view of this war of American expansion, these writings with their balanced approach lend a fresh perspective among other primary sources and paint a startlingly honest picture of both Americans fighting abroad and those they fought.
During about 1872-1876, John served as the first Tabasco sales agent for the young McIlhenny Company10 (which had a connection to his uncle, Ashben Burnham Henshaw).
John Cory Henshaw died Oct 30 1877, Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey; buried Nov 3 1877, Section 92 Lot 330, Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, New York.2,3,11
John died leaving no children.6
Widow Amelia was shown in the 1900 census (Jun 18 1900), 58 57th St., Manhattan, New York, New York:7
Amelia died Feb 24 1905, at her home, 58 West 57th St., Manhattan, New York, New York; age 85.3,11,12,13
Amelia's obituary was published in the "New York Times" (New York, New York) on February 27, 190512 (see scan below).
Beatrice Dunham was a daughter of Amelia's sister, Harriet E. (Kellogg) Dunham. Beatrice Dunham authored the book "Aunt Rabbit - a Lover of Animals"; Amelia was the inspiration - Beatrice's actual "Aunt Rabbit".3
Photo: Amelia Nash Kellogg obituary "New York Times", Feb 27 1905
12
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