Narcissus Throckmorton (c.1826-c.1878)

Narcissus Throckmorton was born c.1826 ¹⁾ in either Kentucky or Ohio. ²⁾ Her parents were Daniel Throckmorton and Margaret Snook.

In the 1850 census record, her name is shown as “Narcissa,” but in the 1860 and 1870 census records, as well as in two records for her children, it is shown as “Narcissus.” In general, spelling in records of the time was variable. ³⁾

On 10.Aug.1846, Narcissus married Joshua Marshall. The marriage took place in Jackson County, OH with James B. Johnson, Elder performing the ceremony. ⁴⁾ Joshua died in July 1859.

On 15.Nov.1860, Narcissus married Soloman Altman. The marriage took place in Scioto County, OH. Soloman Altman had been married previously to Mary Throckmorton, who was Narcissus' sister. Mary died in March 1859 and was survived by two children who are shown in the household Daniel Throckmorton (Mary's father) in 1860 census records. ⁵⁾

During the Civil War, Solomon Altman served in the Ohio Volunteer Army, 56th Infantry, Company D (Union Army) at the rank of private. His enlistment and muster date was 8.Oct.1861 and his discharge date was 15.Oct.1864. Solomon would have been encamped at Portsmouth from mid-December 1861 to 12.Feb.1862. After their first engagement in Tennessee (Battle of Fort Donelson), the 56th Infantry was engaged in various battles and marches as they worked their way south. On 22.May.1864, after the Red River Campaign, the regiment went by steamer to New York and then by train to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. They were given a 30-day furlough to return to their homes, and then returned to New Orleans to perform guard duty until discharge. ⁶⁾

For the better part of three years, then, Narcissus would have been raising three young children (the oldest born in 1857) and looking after the family farm while her husband was away at war. During the Civil War, this was the situation of many young women. Afterwards, if the husband returned at all, families had to deal with the aftereffects of a destructive war. While Narcissus and her children may have been luckier than many, the traumatic effects of the Civil War should not be underestimated.

It can be inferred that Narcissus died sometime before the marriage of Solomon Altman and Lavina Gray in Oct.1878. There are no known records of her death and no known gravesite.

Narcissus Throckmorton + Joshua Marshall