Gilbert (no middle name) Strait
Looking for information about my great grandfather Gilbert (no middle name) Strait who was born at or near
Otego(now Oneonta), Otsego County New York Oct. 7, 1831. Records state that his father was David Strait, his
mother was Delight Griffith who died about 1834, but before her death she married a second time to George Porter.
Info is sketchy, but in my great grandfather's own words, he was a "shun colt", or a person of questionable birthright
and stated in his application for military pesion that he never knew who his parents were. Some years ago I had the
good fortune to make the aquaintence of a gentleman by the name of Mr. George D. Straight who lived in California,
and wrote a book about the Straits and their kin. I never saw the book because a limited amount were ever published,
but I have it on good authority that a book does exist in the library there in W. Greenwich Rhode Island.
Some time around 1860-62, Gilbert moved with his family from New York (Gilbert married Abigail Mariah
Raymond at Prattsburg, Steuben County, New York February 24, 1853, census records for the year 1850 show
Gilbert living alone near Wheeler, Steuben County, age 19, a farmer and born in New York). to Vandalia Illinois
where he enlisted in the Union Army of the United States (14th Illinois Cavalry)there at Wilberton Township, his
description given at that time as being age 31, 5' 10" inches in height, dark complexion, hazel eyes, black hair, and
stated that he had been born in Otego, Otsego County, N.Y. on 7 Oct.1831. More information can be found at my
Genealogy website at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jstrait3/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jstrait3/