Noel Howington

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My first known ancestor of my direct line was Noel Howington. Noel first appears in the 1830 Wilkes county, North Carolina census. There he is listed with his wife, Olliff, and son Joseph who was born in February 1828/29/30 (depends on the census). All but the 1860 census has Noel being born in North Carolina (1860 says Tennessee). Noel worked as a farmer/ farm laborer and his family moved many times. By 1850 they were in Washington Co., Virginia farming. In 1860 the entire family was in Watauga Co., North Carolina. Then in 1880 they were back in Washington Co., Virginia.

Noel was never very prosperous. He managed to feed his family and send his children to school, but never had a farm of his own, or a large house, or slaves. 

Noel lived in the mountains and like his neighbors lived, mostly, hand-to-mouth.  In 1860 Noel was 54 years old, ancient considering the average life span was  less than 40. At age 56 Noel enlisted in the Confederate army.

What possessed this old man to become a soldier I can never know. He left his wife and children for a cause that wasn't about slavery, he could never have afforded a slave. What did he care about States Rights, that didn't offer him a better life. But join he did. On September 16, 1862 Noel Howington enlisted in Company D, 58th NC Infantry as a Private. He may have fought in a few battles but there is no record for but one. And that battle would cause him unimaginable suffering.

On November 25, 1863 at Missionary Ridge , Tennessee, about 4000 Confederate troops were captured. Noel Howington was one of them. On December 23, 1863 he was transferred to the Yankee prison camp at Rock Island, Illinois, a hell of disease, starvation and cold. Over 1900 prisoners died in captivity but, somehow, Noel managed to survive for nearly a year. Finally, on October 18, 1864 at 58 years of age Noel Howington signed the Oath of Allegiance and was released.

Noel Howington lived at least 16 more years, appearing in the 1880 Washington Co., Virginia census with his wife and surrounded by his children. Noel must have been a special man to his family. Generations of children have been named for him including my own son.

Over 1900 prisoners died in captivity but, somehow, Noel managed to survive...