Chronicles of Boone County

Terrill, Robert Q.

Item

Title

Terrill, Robert Q.

Alias

Terrill, Robert Quinby

Gender

Male

Biography

Robert Quinby Terrill Was born in Petersburg in 1835 to John and Nancy Terrill. He married Miss Katherine Riddell 1856 and together they had several children, four of whom died young.

Robert and his family lived in Aurora, IN in 1860, where he worked as an attorney. In September, 1862, Terrill enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant with the 11th KY Cavalry, Co. E, in defense of the Union. He was captured during a battle in Hartsville, TN in December, 1862.

At this same battle, were the forces of the Confederate Ky 5th Cavalry, Company G. Robert Terrill's brothers: Cpt. George W. Terrill, Joshua Terrill, and Simeon Terrill, and a nephew James Berkshire, were all in this regiment at the time of his capture. Robert was released to the Union. He went on to report for duty at Camp Chase, OH in Jan-Feb. of 1863. His brother George was sent to Camp Chase as a prisoner only five months after Robert's transfer.

Robert resigned from the service May 7, 1863 and returned home, due to muscular problems, rheumatism and heart palpitations, cited by his regiment's surgeon.

He bought the Lawrenceburg Ferry after returning from the war. He was unable to make monthly payment to his ferryman, Maurice McNealy, who then placed a lien on the ferry. Terrill, in an agitated state, went to the ferry to settle the dispute with his employee. They exchanged gunfire; McNealy was wounded and Robert was killed. The court decided that McNealy acted in self-defense.

Member

Terrill family

Birth date

30 Jul 1834

Place of birth

Petersburg (Ky.)

Father

Terrill, John B.

Mother

Walton, Nancy

Life event(s)

Marriage: 3 Apr 1856; Mason County (Ky.)

Mason County (Ky.)

Spouse(s)

Riddle, Catharine A.

Child(ren)

Terrill, Sarah

Terrill, Robert

Terrill, Virginia

Terrill, Jerry

Terrill, James

Terrill, Clay

Terrill, George

Terrill, Cellis

Terrill, Lizy

Death date

29 May 1867

Place of death

Petersburg (Ky.)

Military service

11th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry

Co. E, 11th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry

Allegiance

United States of America

Held rank

First Lieutenant

Place of enlistment

Aurora (Ind.)

Service began

13 Aug 1862

Service ended

15 May 1863

Related resource

'The Haunted Ferry' by David Piatt [PDF]

Source(s)

Seventh Census of the United States, 1850

Kentucky, Marriage Records, 1852-1914

Kentucky, County Marriage Records, 1783-1965

Eighth Census of the United States, 1860

Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Kentucky

Item sets

Civil War, 1861-1865--Veterans--Kentucky--Boone County--S-Z