Weston Wagons West - Ep T8 - Oliver Weston Meets Elias Williams and Ann Eliza Duncan

Charles Weston (T7) is now 68 years old and had turned over his farrier and blacksmith business to his oldest son, Orin, aged 24. Orin’s younger brother, Oliver, age 22, also worked with him in the business but had begun to think it may be time for him to go out into the world on his own. Charles, with his wife Lucy, wanted to encourage his sons to do what was best for each of them, but reminded them they were still very young, and many opportunities still lie ahead. Don’t get in a rush to make changes. Orin seemed to be happy in Mercer county, so that pleased Charles. Oliver was another story. And, that is the rest of the story.

Late in the spring, Oliver had attended a ‘box social’ at the community building. This was a regular event that he had participated in regularly over time. It was set up, in no small part, to help young single men meet young single women in a friendly, chaperoned environment, and financially benefited a local cause, usually the local school, in this case. The young women would pack a lunch basket, or box, with a meal she had prepared herself. The young men would then bid on each box, and the winner of the box got to share the box with the maker, a social hour or so with the young lady, in a non-threatening setting. Frequently there were informal agreements made ahead of time as to who would bid on which boxes. Other times, the bidding was highly competitive. The men obviously had the upper hand in the outcome, but, other adult supervision of the event normally kept feelings under control, in any event.

At this particular event, Oliver had bid on a box prepared by a young lady, 18-year-old Ann Eliza Duncan (T7). However, he had been outbid by a young Welsh coal miner named Elias Williams. It had been friendly bidding. Miss Duncan, if fact, was so pleased with the attention of both young men that she asked Mr. Williams if he would be willing to share with Mr. Weston as well…she had a full basket, she said. It was not unheard of to do this, if all agreed, though certainly unusual. In this case, they all agreed. And, in this case, in short order, they all became close friends. As luck would have it, however, Miss Duncan and Mr. Williams, in this case, in a short period of time, became more than just friends. Within the year, they were talking of marriage…but Oliver was still a friend to each of them. He encouraged the relationship, saying he had no interest in marriage at his young age (about the same as theirs!) anyway.

Although Ann Eliza was a niece of the founding settler of the township, any influence that may have entailed did not trickle down to her. As we pick up her story, both of her parents were deceased, and she had been working as a domestic servant with a local farm family. They were supportive of her social needs. The ‘box social’ for example was likely an example of them allowing her a ‘free evening’ from her work obligations. It is not hard to imagine how pleased she was to have had two young men vying for her attentions. It was likely beyond her fondest expectations.

Elias Williams had apprenticed as a stone mason, but such work was hard to come by for a recent immigrant to the United States. He had grown up near coal mines in his native Wales. He had no doubt done work in the mines there prior to earning his apprenticeship. Somehow he had learned that Mercer County was home to coal mines. They were looking for able young men willing to do the hard work in their mines. Elias saw this as his way to earn a basic living working there until a better opportunity came available. Finding a young lady to share his dreams would become a bonus.

In the spring of 1861, the Southern States seceded from the Union, throwing uncertainly into the lives of people across the country, both North and South. Was this war going to be a short affair so that folks could get on with their lives? Were more young men going to called to military duty? Some men signed up immediately, many thinking any fighting would be over quickly and they would be returning home in a few months. Many more viewed the situation with caution and adopted a wait and see approach. Our young men of interest to this latter approach.

The romance between Ann Eliza Duncan and Elias Williams did not grow overnight, but grow it did. Their friend Oliver Weston was happy to assist that growth in a number of ways, always positive with both of his friends. Oliver even hosted them at this parents ranch when they could each get away. They enjoyed being around the Weston family and their horse herd, as well as taking rides across the pasture and through the nearby woods.

Elias and Ann Eliza were married at the Weston ranch on April 20, 1862. They were able to rent a small cottage nearby so they could continue their visits to the ranch. Later in 1862, it was learned that Congress had approved the establishment of three new arsenals across the country. One was to be built on the Government owned Island of Rock Island in the Mississippi River. This was only about 25-30 miles to the north of Mercer County.

Elias knew this was an opportunity that he could not pass up. They would need stone masons to construct the stone buildings required to build an arsenal. He immediately started to plan for how to get in on the ground floor. They would be moving to Rock Island to be on the spot, in line, when hiring started. Ann Eliza supported him fully. Oliver saw this as a possible way for him to get a fresh start, so he offered to go along and support their plan. He would pack up his tools, and knew he would find work there as people gathered for this new effort for the Union. They would have horses that needed tending. He was the one to do that. They would always need blacksmith services, as well. If that were the greater need, he could adapt to that situation quickly. He was young, he was ambitious. He was ready to work. They all three looked forward to the new opportunities.

As noted in Episode T1 of this series of historical fiction family saga stories, all of the characters in this episode are fictional except as noted. Activities and events are consistent with known historical facts, but are entirely fictitious.

While each of the Weston family and extended family members are fictitious, all the other persons mentioned are actual historical figures used fictitiously based on the best information available at the time of the writing.

Elias Williams and Ann Eliza Duncan were the author's great-great grandparents so the other Duncan family members were comparably related as well.