Black History Month was commemorated at the Oyster Bay Historical Society with an illustrated talk and book lecture by cousins Denice Evans-Sheppard and Francis “Frank” S. Carl. They discussed their collaboration on the book, In the Footsteps of A Forgotten Soldier, the story of David Carll, who served in the Civil War. Evans-Sheppard is also the author of The Constant Struggle Within, a book about her family in Oyster Bay that includes stories about their great-great-grandfather, David Carll. He and other Civil War veterans are buried in the Pine Hollow Cemetery in Oyster Bay.
Evans-Sheppard, Carl and Butch Garrison are working to get recognition for the cemetery from the NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. Actress Vanessa Williams is another descendant of David Carll, interested in the project.
Evans-Sheppard said that a representative of the office will be visiting the Hood AME Zion Church to discuss it with them. The church is a link between the past and the present in that the descendants of many of the Civil War veterans still attend the church, pastored by the Rev. Linda Vanager.
Diane Evans Cortes, who took photographs at the OBHS event, explained, “Frank Carl wrote the book with [cousin] author Denice Evans-Sheppard. Denice’s mother, Barbara Carl, and Frank’s father, Frank Carl, are brother and sister.”
She added, “This story should lead to the Pine Hollow Cemetery becoming a national landmark.”
Understanding the story of the family’s history is a way for people to appreciate the struggle their ancestors experienced, she said, “to help the progress today.”
The book Footsteps talks about the history of Carll as he served with the 26th United States Colored Infantry. It was written using military documents and pension files. It talks about the regiment, in detail, with quotes from people instrumental in getting him into the service. Evans-Sheppard is currently writing a sequel that will be about Carll’s life after returning home from the war.
“This book pushes Frank and I forward in writing our family history,” said Evans-Sheppard. “It is a family history book, not just the history of a black family.”
When Carll was mustered out of the army to return to civilian life in Oyster Bay, his separation papers listed him inaccurately as Charles Carll.
“He didn’t read or write,” explained Evans-Sheppard.
His wife Louisa, who was from England (they were an interracial couple) could read, and told him it wasn’t his name on the document. At the time it didn’t seem important to him, but when he went to receive his pension, he had to prove to the War Department that there had been an error. The result is that the National Archives includes, in his pension file, depositions from people in Oyster Bay who were his character witnesses. They include Oyster Bay Town Supervisor George Downing, who accompanied the 19-year-old Carll to the Syosset railroad station where he set off to join his regiment. His brother-in-law George Appleford was also there.
“The next book will be about his employment in Oyster Bay,” said Evans-Sheppard. “Before he enlisted he was working at a boat yard and on a schooner. When he returned, the new immigrants had taken those jobs. Using his own entrepreneurial skills he worked with people from Oyster Bay, including Alex Conklin, Simon Rapalyea and David Cisco. They worked with him on his boat.”
She noted that the men had “a great camaraderie” before he went into the service and said, “It’s really a good story of both before and after the war.”
The story in Footsteps includes other black men from Long Island who joined to fight in the Civil War, even though they were initially not allowed to serve in the Army.
“They wanted to free others. Those who joined from Oyster Bay were free and they wanted others to enjoy the freedom they experienced,” she explained.
Pine Hollow Cemetery
The work toward getting recognition for Pine Hollow Cemetery has begun.
“We have a Boy Scout from Troop 253, Andrew Busch, who is earning his Eagle rank by doing a community service project by cleaning up the cemetery,” Evans-Sheppard said.
She said he started in October; in the spring they will continue the project. It includes cleanup, restoration, beautification and preservation.
“When completed, we can look for historic designation and recognition for the Civil War veterans interred there,” she said.
OBHS Executive Director Philip Blocklyn said, “This is an important story to tell. This is a part of Oyster Bay history that doesn’t always get told. Oyster Bay is a treasure trove of historic information and stories that all need telling, retelling and sharing.”
This month the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library has family photographs of the Carls on display that includes a photo of David Carll with his children and grandchildren.
