-----Original Message----- From: RDown3657@aol.com <RDown3657@aol.com> <snip> > Just thought I'd share this bit of Americana with y'all....... <snip> > Thomas Ellsworth Downing was named after Ephraim Ellsworth, a Union >Colonel in the Civil War, and the first fatality of the <Civil> war. <snip> > Winfield Scott Downing was named after a famed American general, >Winfield Scott, who led the army in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American >War. He, too, was idolized in the 1800's. <and was still a general at the start of the Civil War> > And if I have to tell you who George Washington Downing was named after, >it's probably not worth the effort. > Three children named after famous Americans in the same family. Pretty >interesting, and a unique insight into our nation in the 1800's. Ray Dear Ray, Having been a Civil War buff for going on thirty years now, you didn't need to tell me about who they were named for. I recognized the obvious when I first came across their names several years ago. But, I'm glad you posted it to the group. Somewhere out there lurks a "newbie" and it will make their day to find out that there was historical significance in all three names. You were referring to George Washington Carver weren't you ? :-) Jim Downing Sarasota, FL