Rainey, Philip Family




The above picture was taken between Sept. 1888 and Dec. 1889. The child on chair, lower left, is my grandfather. I had the picture restored many years ago, the original looks like it is a hundred and fifteen.

From left in front: General Robert E. Lee Rainey, Philip Rainey, Elizabeth Burwell Rainey, Marcia Helen (Rourke) Rainey holding Marcia Cecelia.

Back from left: James Robbins Rainey, Anne Lewis Boyd Rainey, John Brahm Rainey and the last two boys are Philip Brahm Rainey & Alexander Frederick Rainey but I'm not sure which of the two is which.

PHILIP RAINEY
of
Mecklenburg Co., VA.

Compiled by Lee Rainey of Kettering OH and submitted by Peter Rainey

Philip Rainey was born in Boydton, Mecklenburg Co., VA on 7 Oct 1829, and was one of five children (two sons and three daughters) of Philip and Anne Lewis Boyd Rainey.

"Belonging to a well-to-do family, [Philip Rainey] improved his early educational advantages until the California gold rush excitement in 1849, when he prevailed upon his parents to let him seek his fortune beyond the Rockies. With a hundred other adventurers he made the voyage 'round the Horn and landed safely in California, where he remained eight years and then returned to Virginia and engaged in agricultural pursuits on a large plantation near Boydton. He was successful as a farmer until interfered with by the ravages of war."

Philip Rainey enlisted in the Confederate Army on March 13, 1862 at Boydton, VA, joining Company G of the 38th Virginia Infantry. (This company had been recruited in Boydton and contained two other Boydton Raineys.) He actually reported for duty with the regiment on 5 April 1862. At that time the 38th Virginia was part of Wilcox's brigade, G. W. Smith's Division, and was encamped at Orange Court House, having just taken part in the retreat from Manassas.

The regiment shortly moved to the Yorktown front and served in the fortifications there until early May, when it was transferred to Early's brigade in D. H. Hill's division. On May 5, it saw combat for the first time at Williamsburg, and then joined the retreat to Richmond. Late in May, the regiment was assigned to Garland's brigade of Hill's division, and participated in the battle of Seven Pines, where 42% of its men became casualties.

Records indicate that sometime prior to the end of May, Philip Rainey was detailed as Commissary Sergeant for Garland's brigade commissary. He apparently served in this post through the month of September, although the 38th Virginia had been transferred to Armistead's brigade of Huger s (later Anderson's and then Pickett's division). Apparently in July he also served for a short time as a messenger.

On September 14, Garland's brigade suffered heavily in the battle of South Mountain. A few days later, it was hotly engaged at the battle of Sharpsburg. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Philip Rainey did not appear on any of his company's monthly reports after September. The next and last reference to him in the Confederate records indicates that he was discharged on 3 Jan 1863. The records do not indicate any reason, nor do we know how he spent the remainder of the war years.

"In 1867 he visited [Petersburg, Illinois] and concluded to close up his business in Virginia and become a citizen of Illinois, which he did in the fall of the same year. He purchased the Eagle mills and engaged in the milling and grain business, which he developed until it is one of the leading industries of the county. He practically controlled all the mills in [Petersburg] and the one at Athens [and dealt in] an immense amount of grain at these places and neighboring railroad stations. he also built several business and dwelling houses, and in various ways contributed to the material advancement of the city. For many years he was closely identified with municipal affairs, being repeatedly elected to the city council, a position which he filled with honor to himself and fidelity to the city's interests."

ON 11 Jan 1889, Philip Rainey apparently became ill while visiting a Mr. Bennett. A doctor advised him "not to attempt to walk". Mr. Bennett then went to order a buggy. he returned before the vehicle arrived and while waiting for it he and the doctor stepped into the conservatory to look at the flowers. Mr. Rainey rose to join them and had just crossed the threshold when he threw up his hands and began sinking to the floor. The gentlemen caught him and let him gently down and he expired a few moments later."

"An enterprising citizen, a true friend to the poor, an honest man, Philip Rainey's death will be mourned by the entire community as perhaps that of no other man would be."

Philip Rainey was buried at Rose Hill cemetery in Petersburg. At the time of his death, Philip Rainey had three surviving sisters, Mrs. Mary A. Paul of Petersburg, Virginia; Annie, wife of Bishop Wingfield of Benecia, California; and Mrs. J. A. Brahm of Petersburg. "The father [had] died in 1850, the mother about 1875, and the other brother, Dr. Alex. Rainey, a successful young physician who practiced medicine [in Petersburg, Illinois] in 1859.

[Sources: Philip Rainey obituary newspaper clipping
Confederate records in National Archives
Rainey Civil War Library]

Picture & bio submitted by: Pete Rainey


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