Colonel William M Searing (1821-1895)

Jim Searing has suggested we include Colonel William M Searing (1821-1895) who served our country during the Civil War from 1861-1863. He served in the 30th New York State Volunteers, and was a Lt. Colonel. He fought at the 2nd Bull Run, Antietam (the corn field, which was one of the most ferociously fought battlegrounds in the Civil War), Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. His unit was decommissioned just before the battle of Gettysburg.

Details obtained from: www.dcnyhistory.org/books/breview.html
Leading citizens of Delaware County NY

William M. Searing was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, assisting in its labors during the years of his boyhood and youth, but not neglecting his educational advantages. After mastering the common branches of learning, he taught school several terms with unquestioned ability and success. Having a logical and analytical mind, with a taste for jurisprudence, he began the study of law in the office of William A. Beach in Saratoga Springs, and subsequently entered upon the practice of his profession in that place. He has always taken an active interest in works of philanthropy and reform, ever being foremost in the cause of the oppressed, and was prominent among the Free-soilers, who spent some time in Kansas in the stirring period of its settlement. During the late Civil War he won a record as a brave man and a loyal officer, of which he and his descendants may well be proud. He enlisted in the service of his country in 1861 as Major of the Thirtieth New York Volunteer Infantry, and for gallant conduct was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and subsequently was appointed Colonel of his regiment, serving as such until honorably discharged in 1863. He was an active participant in several heavy engagements, being at the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and others, and at one time having his horse shot out under him. Returning to Saratoga Springs, he resumed his law practice, and is still an honored resident of that place, where he is filling the office of Pension Agent.

He married Caroline M. Huling, daughter of Beekman and Maria (Smith) Huling, the former of whom was born in the town of Beekman, Dutchess County, N.Y., being the son of John Huling, a native of the same place and a pensioner of the Revolution. Jacob Smith, the father of Maria Smith Huling, was a resident of Kinderhook, Columbia County, where the latter was born, December 8, 1799. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William Searing seven children were born, namely: Beekman; William, deceased; Richard C.; Edmund; Carrie; Samuel, Chaplain of City Institutions, Boston, Mass.; and Hannah, deceased. Both parents are esteemed members of the Bethesda Church at Saratoga

2 Responses to “Colonel William M Searing (1821-1895)”

  1. searing22 says:

    I just want to reply to this post, this history. My father James L. Searing fought in WW2 as a Sargent, platoon leader of a mortar platoon. His unit fought in the Phillipines and New Guniea. His troop transport was sunk by a Kamikazee and he survived, though he couldn’t swim, by klinging onto some debris. He was rescued by General Douglas McArthur’s flagship and directly accounted to him for the survivors of his platoon.

    My father received a battlefield commission by his actions in WW2. A Jewish Colonel made this happen. Anyway his career in the US Army covered over 30 Years and he retired a Full Colonel in 1973. The other thing that is notable about his career in the Army is that he served in the Chemical Corp. for most of those years. He transported Truckloads of Nerve Agent and worked at most of the Chemical Weapons depots in the USA and even one in Panama. Not bad for a kid with no college education and joked at an officers function that he got his degree at “HKU”.

  2. searing22 says:

    Check this out! This my GR GR GR Grandfather. I hope I have enough greats in there! Anyway this is VERY interesting stuff! Can you imagine living to be 104 years old back in the 1700s! This is why there is actually information on him. Not your average Joe!

    Register Report

    Generation 1

    1. SOLOMON SERRING-1. He was born Abt. 1757 in Union (Connecticut Farms), Essex County, New Jersey. He died Abt. 05 Aug 1861 in Liberty, Union County, Indiana.

    Notes for Solomon Serring:
    General Notes: What became of Solomon and Joshua? I know Solomon married Rachel Adams
    in Harrison Co., Kentucky in 1800. Where was he between 1768 and 1800?
    Debbie gave me a clue with this: “Liberty Herald” August 7, 1861 – “A
    few days ago, Solomon Sering, aged 104 years old, died in Liberty, Union
    County, Indiana. Born in Pennsylvania. Prisoner of Indians at 10 years
    for 7 years. Served in the Army with Wayne.” He was not born in
    Pennsylvania – rather Morristown, New Jersey. And he was still in
    Morristown when he was ten. And as for serving in the Army with (Mad
    Anthony) Wayne? The information given to the newspaper was second-hand
    from a grieving daughter or son or an acquaintance- who knows- and
    obviously inaccurate – to a point. But it leaves tantalizing clues!

    General Anthony Wayne served during the Revolutionary War and the Indian
    War for the Old Northwest Territory in 1792-1795. So Solomon probably
    served in the Revolutionary War, but I’m certain he served in the Indian
    War for the Northwest Territory – maybe taken prisoner. Broderbund, the
    creator of Family Tree Maker, has a CD-ROM #146 titled “Military
    Records: U.S. Soldiers 1784-1811”. Solomon’s name is on it. I’ve
    searched for a look-up but no one listed has a copy of that CD-ROM.

    Information From John Sering

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