Foster, William, 1772-1863

William Foster, Junior, 1777-1863, was the eldest son of William Foster, 1746-1821, merchant of Boston and his wife Grace Spear Foster, 1751-1816. His father sent him to Cadiz, Spain at the age of fourteen to study languages and learn business methods. In 1794, he went to France, married Marie Hortense Perron, 1779-1838, the daughter of a French merchant and settled in Normandy. In 1809, he returned to Boston with his wife and two daughters, Melite, born 1796 and Virginia, born 1797. Melite, who never married, died of some lingering disease in 1843. Virginia married James E. Coppinger and lived in France until her death in 1884. The Fosters had a third daughter, Fanny, born 1813, who married in 1844 Henry James Tudor (see Mss 29), brother of Frederic Tudor, the "Ice King."

From the description of William Foster papers, 1734-1879. (New England Historic Genealogical Society). WorldCat record id: 70879605

William T. Foster was a Civil War soldier in the 84th Illinois Regiment, Company F, from Astoria, Fulton County, Illinois.

William T. Foster enlisted with Company F of the Illinois 84th Volunteer Infantry in 1862 as a private. During the war he traveled from Louisville, Kentucky through contested territory to Silver Springs and Whiteside Station, Tennessee. Though he spent time in a hospital due to an ankle injury that rendered him unable to walk, he survived the war and was mustered out June 8, 1865 with the rank of Corporal.

From the description of William T. Foster letters, 1862 Oct. 7-1863 Dec. 26. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 46595666