Starcher, Williams, Camps & Esteps of West Virginia
Brief Information Concerning Grandpa Enoch Philip Camp - Just to give everyone a heads up on Grandpa.At this point some is speculation but speculation upon what Grandpa told everyone, a long with some facts too! Grandpa was born in Kansas City, Kansas November 1886 out of wedlock.He was born a Starcher.His true name was Enoch Philip Starcher.It shows him as a boarder in the 1900 Census tract in Kanawah County, WV along with his mother Susan Elizabeth Estep and her husband George Henry Camp, who were married March 18, 1891 in Kanawha County, WV.Enoch was listed as Starcher and it showed his age as 14.When we look at this census, our best witness to the fact of his birthday was his mother.And she had no reason to lie about his age or birthday that we know of.She had already been married to George Camp for 9 years, and grandpa still had not taken on the Camp last name at this point.Also, there was listed a younger George Henry, being 2 years of age, and a boy named Noah, age 7, who were boarders.This tells me that both of these two boys may have been Susan's children from her marriage to George Camp.In the census Tracts, the head of the household is listed first, then his kin follows and it will state, wife, daughter, son, etc.Then boarders follow.Which Susan and George were the two older boarders, and shows 3 children under them. Rumor has it that Grandpa told everyone his mother passed away when he was 9.Nadine says that a gentleman by the name of Osborne told them that they helped raise grandpa, and that he was found in a barn at the age of 9, and homeless. Well, when this 1900 cenus was taken, grandpa was 14 going on 15 and his mother still living.It just so happens that they were living with someone from his mother's family, Samuel Estep.I am still checking this all out.And I see in that same family tree of the Esteps, there is an Osborne listed also.Like I said I am still investigating it.Perhaps like adults do sometimes, Mr. Osborne may have jokingly told the kids, "we found him in a barn".Trying to be funny just like the ole sayings, "I'm going to sell you to the gypsy's", or "the cats drug you in", etc.Grandpa may have been 19 and not 9 when his mother passed away, which I am still researching to get records. Rumors were that grandpa lied at some point so that he could enlist in the Army.There are no records that we know of yet, except for when he enlisted in WWII in August 1, 1917, but I was told he was in the service twice.It was said that he went awoll the first time, and also that was when he lied about his age.When he re-enlisted is when he may have taken on the name Camp.Back then, going AWOLL was a very serious crime, especially when there was an actual war going on.So now I am going to check to see if when he first enlisted, if he was listed as Starcher.That is probably why we can only find him once enlisted, and as a Camp.And when he did enlist the first time as Starcher, he probably did lie about his age then, but we won't know till we get his military records for Starcher.But from what we do have, he told them his name was Enoch Philip Camp (perhaps from his step dad) from Cambrake, Kansas (there is no such place, but it is even listed in his military records) so they wouldn't find out who he really was.Then at some point he acquired a SS# in which it showed him as a Camp.I am sure the reason he kept the last name Camp, was for his enlistment in the forces.Even upon leaving the military, it was to his advantage to of acquired these services for future references.From the website http://www.ssa.gov, it shows history of the Social Security Act, which looks like about 1935 it came into place.Grandpa had an Honorable Discharge from The United States Army August 13, 1919. Continue here for the rest of the story and more updated info: http://www.theforensicartofnames.com/grandpastarcher.htm | Starcher, Williams, Camps & Esteps of West Virginia Updated January 31, 2003 |
Carolyn Sue Logan 6801 S. Wall Street Tampa,Florida 33616 United States 813-758-1305 [email protected] | |
Family Photos | |
| |
Related Links | |