Over the years, I’ve explored both my own ancestry and that of my late husband. Like many people who enjoy genealogy, I built folders full of names, documents, and notes. But in recent years, I slowed down. Life has a way of filling up, and honestly, I thought I had uncovered most of what there was to find.
Carol Grant
Still, little hints and updates would pop up now and then. Most of the time, I gave them a quick glance and deleted them — a lot of the information was repetitive. But just one week before the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, I saw a name I didn’t recognize: Joseph Bartholomew.
An article about General Joseph Bartholomew in the Indianapolis News, November 18, 1893. Source: OldNews.com
I had some information about his children and his wife’s family, but I had never heard of Joseph himself. So I opened the update. And that small decision opened a window into a remarkable life — one that I’m proud to say is part of my family’s story.
A boy who couldn’t wait to serve
Joseph Bartholomew — my 3rd great-grandfather — was born in 1766. By the age of 10, he was already an expert rifleman and eager to serve. Too young to officially join the Continental Army, he joined the local militia instead. I was astonished. Here was a little boy, still years away from manhood, determined to be part of the fight for a country that wasn’t even fully formed yet.
The Battle of Long Island, a National Guard Heritage Painting by 21st century artist Domenick D’Andrea depicting the Delaware Regiment at the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776
His military service didn’t end there. Joseph went on to serve in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and several campaigns often referred to as Indian battles, including the Battle of Tippecanoe. Over time, his dedication and leadership earned him the rank of Brigadier General.
19th-century depiction of the Battle of Tippecanoe by Kurz and Allison
But one story stood out to me more than any other: when his own son was called up to fight in the War of 1812 but was too ill to go, Joseph — already retired from military service — signed up again, this time as a private, just to take his son’s place.
Who does that?
That story says so much about the kind of man he was — someone who never stopped serving, never stopped showing up.
A life beyond the battlefield
Joseph wasn’t only a soldier. After his military service, he became involved in politics in the state of Indiana, where he served in the General Assembly of the Senate. He even had a hand in naming the city of Indianapolis and another nearby town.
A portrait of General Joseph Bartholomew
Until this discovery, I had always assumed that most of my ancestors were farmers — and many of them were. But to uncover someone who played such a significant role in shaping our country, both in war and in peace, changed how I see my family’s place in history.
Learning all of this right before the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary gave the entire celebration a much deeper meaning for me.
A personal connection across generations
My husband spent 22 and a half years in the United States Air Force, and I know firsthand what it means to live with someone in military service: the long absences, the sacrifices, the strength it takes on the home front. Joseph had 10 children, and I found myself thinking often about his wife, managing the family while her husband was away so often. We had 3 children, and even with that, I know how much falls on a military spouse’s shoulders.
This discovery connected me not only to history but to a long line of resilience — of women and men alike — who held their families together and served their country with pride.
Grateful for a curious moment
At 85, I don’t have the time or energy to dig into genealogy the way I used to. I still have questions, especially about my husband’s Bond and Grant ancestors, and my own Wright line. But I’m also a seamstress, a choir singer, and an active member of my church, and I stay busy sewing for friends and enjoying the life I have now.
That said, I’m thankful that I paused just long enough to read a little more about this man in my family tree. I’m proud to carry the legacy of Joseph Bartholomew — a boy with a rifle and a big heart who never stopped answering the call to serve.
Many thanks to Carol for sharing her incredible story with us. If you have also made an amazing discovery with MyHeritage, we’d love to hear about it! Please send it to us via this form or email it to us at stories@myheritage.com.
The post I Discovered My 3rd Great-Grandpa Was a General Who Helped Shape American History appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage