Philip M. Batey

We have confirmation that Sarah’s father was Philip Batey as recorded by the family on her death certificate and a family bible.  My father-in-law had been told that Philip had served in the Civil War and had a brother named Squire who rode around in a goat cart due to so deformity or injury.  He also inherited a painting of Philip which he still has in his possession.  He passed down the following story that he heard from his grandmother, Sarah.

The Batey family came from Virginia to Kentucky. Philip’s father came to Kentucky to find a place to settle then sent for his family. Philip, the oldest son had gone off to fight the Civil War so Squire drove the rest of the family and furnishings through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky.

family stories from Sarah Batey Coomer

Using the clues consisting of Squire’s name, Philip serving in the Civil War and an origin of Virginia, I started with the good old trusty census and we easily find Philip and Mary Batey in Danville, Kentucky in the 1870 and 1880 census with children Mary, Sarah, and Nathaniel (surname spelled Beatty).

Prior to 1870, we find an 1860 census entry for Lynn Camp, Knox County, Kentucky for a “Phillip” and Squire “Baity” living in the household of William and Katherine “Baity”.  Also in this household are Rebeca, William, Manerva, and Lucia.  All are presumed the minor children of William and Katherine.  No other Batey families have a Philip and Squire combination – in fact there are no other Squire Batey’s in Kentucky.

Further back to 1850 we find Philip and Squire “Beatty” in the household of William and Catherine Beatty along with Rebecca.  They are in Lincoln County, Kentucky.

But are these the right boys? The story says they were adults when they came to Kentucky.

Next, I looked at Philip’s military service record. He enlisted in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry from Danville, Kentucky on 7 March 1863 as Phllip M. “Baty”. On his enlistment card, he reports his place of birth as Lincoln County, Kentucky abt. 1846 (he reported he was 17 at the time). He serves for the duration of the war and musters out on 30 September 1865.

• His service record provides evidence that he lived most, if not all, of his life in Kentucky., making the 1850 and 1860 census more plausible.
• This service record also confirms his ties to Mary Duggan, children in Danville and his death certificate in New Albany, Indiana.

While in the cavalry, Philip sustains two injuries: a gunshot wound to the left leg during the siege of Knoxville (November 1863) and one to his left shoulder and breast due to a fall from his horse in the fall of 1864 (somewhere between Mt. Sterling and Camp Nelson). It sounds like he led an exciting life during the war and is noteworthy to mention that it was the 1st Ky Cav (the Wild Riders) who routinely chased and eventually captured John Hunt Morgan. Unfortunately, Philip belonged to a Company that was not assigned to this task.

He married Mary F. Duggan in Danville, Kentucky on 24 November 1867. They remained in Danville and raised their family. Mary died there on 6 July 1890 and is buried next to a son, William (who died young), in Bellevue Cemetery.

During the war, Philip’s brother, Squire, had moved to New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana. Squire is found in the 1870 census working as a peddler and living with William and Catherine “Beatty” along with siblings Rebecca, Minerva, Lucy and William. Pulling the string on this Squire, it is found that he was quite famous in New Albany as the street contractor who got around in a goat cart.

• Squire and Philip’s presence in Kentucky as children and Squire’s presence in Indiana as an adult while Philip was in the cavalry provides evidence that Squire most likely did drive the wagons for their move – but from Kentucky to Indiana instead of Virginia to Kentucky as the family lore states.
• Squire’s continued residency with William and Catherine with the same siblings between Indiana and Kentucky increases the probability that the 1850 and 1860 census are the same boys.

After the death of Mary, Philip moved to New Albany, Indiana with three of his children (two minors, Robert and Lillian, and one adult son, Nathaniel). He marries second to Elmira/Almira Chandler, a younger widow with children of her own and lives for a few years in Indiana. It is while in New Albany that he files for his military pension.

Philip dies on 22 April 1900 in New Albany, Indiana but is transported back to Danville for burial next to Mary and his son, William. It is Philip’s Indiana death certificate that finally confirms the names of his parents: William M. “Beattie” and Catherine Minton. Catherine’s surname is also found in association with some of her other children.

Genealogical Summary:

Philip M. Beatie was born 16 March between 1843 and 1846 to William Beatie and Catherine Minton, probably in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He enlisted in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry (the Wild Riders) on 7 March 1863 at Stanford, Kentucky and mustered out of service 30 September 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky.

On 21 November 1867, Philip married 1) Mary F. Duggans in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky. She died 6 July 1890 in Danville. He married 2) Almira Chandler on 20 February 1892 in Jeffersonville County, Indiana (no children were born to this marriage).

He died 22 April 1900 in New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana and was transported back to Danville for burial in Bellevue Cemetery near Mary Duggans Batey.

Philip and Mary had the following children:

1. Sarah Catherine Batey was born 22 August 1867 in Boyle County, Kentucky (most likely Danville). She married Hugh Coomer.
2. Nathaniel B. Batey was born 24 September 1869 most likely in Danville, Kentucky. He never married. He died 30 December 1894 in Floyd County, Indiana (probably New Albany). He was buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Danville, Kentucky.
3. William Frank Batey was born 30 October 1877 and died 22 November 1878, most likely both events occurred in Danville, Kentucky. William is buried in Bellevue Cemetery next to his mother.
4. Robert William or Wesley Batey was born 22 October 1881 in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky. He was a career Navy sailor and died 29 or 30 July 1957 in San Diego, California. He is buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery (sec P, 2472). No known issue.
5. Lillian F. Batey was born 4 June 1887 in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky and died 10 July 1911 at the age of 24 of tuberculosis of the lungs. She had one daughter, Mary Canner who was adopted by Squire Batey after her death.