Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: Maurice Wurts McEntee



Headstone of Maurice Wurts McEntee (1836 - 1983). Taken March 10, 2008. Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston, NY. Digital image. Privately held by Thomas MacEntee, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Chicago, Illinois. 2008.

Maurice Wurts McEntee was my 1st cousin 4 times removed and was born at Kingston, NY on January 30, 1836, the son of James Smith McEntee and Sarah Jane Goetschius. He was a brother of the famous landscape painter, Jervis McEntee.

Maurice graduated from the Clinton Institute at Clinton, New York (Clinton was known as the "village of schools" due to the large number of private schools located there). He later attended the United States Naval Academy.

During the Civil War, he was a 1st. Sergeant, 1st. Lieutenant and Adjutant, 20th New York State Militia, April-August, 1861. Maurice was Acting Master in United States Navy under Admiral David Farragut and was honorably discharged on May 14, 1867.

Besides his military service, Maurice was a reporter and editor for the Kingston Daily Freeman newspaper. In addition, he wrote tales of the sea for youngsters, under pen name, "Uncle Blue Jacket" (in reference to his military service), for St. Nicholas and Harpers Our Young Folks.

Maurice never married and died at Kingston, NY on June 14, 1883.

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