The Renwick Family
Theophilus and Amanda "Matlida" Renwick and their
children lived on a ranch between Cosumnes and Florin, in eastern Sacramento County.
Theophilus H. Renwick was born in Bovina, Delaware Co., New York in 1812, and moved to Illinois in 1834. On December 13, 1838, he married Matilda HATCH. They were married by Reverend ? C. Clerk in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. In 1850 he went to Sacramento, California with a wagon train and returned to Illinois in 1852 where he farmed until the war began. He mustered on August 7, 1862.
During the Civil War he served for 2 years 10
months holding the rank of sergeant in Company "C" 127th Illinois Volunteer
Infantry Regiment. During the Civil War he suffered from Ague (recurring fever and
chills from malaria) and Miasma (caused from poisonous vapors) Disease as well as a
disease of the feet and general debility. This disease was contracted while on a
march from Vicksburg to Memphis, Chattanooga and Atlanta. At that time he had been
detailed to Sherman's Head Quarters as wagon master and had participated in Sherman's
march from Vicksburg, Memphis, Chattanooga and Atlanta to the sea. He fought in
several battles including battles at Vicksburg in May and June, 1863. Sergeant
Renwick was honorably discharged, from the Army, by command of Major General William
Tecumseh Sherman on June 3, 1865 in Washington D.C.
He returned to California, in 1867, with his 3 surviving children ( Myron, Rollin and
Julia) and their families. Upon returning to California Myron went to San Francisco.
Rollin remained in the Sacramento area as did daughter Julia.
Julia Renwick married Morris Baxter and they had a son, Charles. Morris and Julia Renwick Baxter are buried the Masonic Cemetery in Sacramento. Their son, Charles, is also buried at Masonic.
Theophilus and Matilda Renwick lived 5 miles from Cosumnes (his Post Office) and 23 miles from Sacramento, California. He bought a ranch 5 miles from the old mining town of Cosumnes, near Florin, southeast of Sacramento. The ranch, supposedly vineyards, was purchased from Antonio Gerrazzi on August 8, 1883.
Theophilus Renwick died on December 23, 1900, in Florin, at the age of 88. He was buried in City Cemetery.
Obituary
- RENWICK - In Florin, December 23, 1900, Theophilus R. Renwick, father of Mrs. M.A.
Baxter and M. H. Renwick and R. A. Renwick a native of New York, aged 88 years and 7
months. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral
Wednesday at 10:00, A.M. from his late residence near Florin. Interment City
Cemetery.
* The information above was submitted to Sloughhouse Area Genealogical Society by R. Congdon and is presented here with permission of the descendants of the Renwick family. This is for informational use only and for historical interest. No portion of this history may be copied without consent of the submitter. For information, please contact Sloughhouse AGS.
