William was the son of Richard Reece Rainey and Elizabeth Smith Rainey. He married Effie Susan Johnson June 23, 1895 in Ridgely, TN. When they married, Effie was age 15 and William was 50. (Effie is buried in Big Creek Cemetery, near Millington and Lucy, Shelby County, TN.)
The grave marker includes the inscription "Messenger" because he is reputed to have carried the surrender message from General Lee to General Grant at the end of the Civil War.
William came through the Civil War unscathed but lost his left hand in a cannon accident during a celebration for the election or inauguration of President Grover Cleveland. It is unknown whether it was Cleveland's 1st or 2nd term so the estimated date of this injury is either 1884-1885 or 1892-1893.
The grave marker includes the inscription "Messenger" because he is reputed to have carried the surrender message from General Lee to General Grant at the end of the Civil War.
William came through the Civil War unscathed but lost his left hand in a cannon accident during a celebration for the election or inauguration of President Grover Cleveland. It is unknown whether it was Cleveland's 1st or 2nd term so the estimated date of this injury is either 1884-1885 or 1892-1893.
William was the son of Richard Reece Rainey and Elizabeth Smith Rainey. He married Effie Susan Johnson June 23, 1895 in Ridgely, TN. When they married, Effie was age 15 and William was 50. (Effie is buried in Big Creek Cemetery, near Millington and Lucy, Shelby County, TN.)
The grave marker includes the inscription "Messenger" because he is reputed to have carried the surrender message from General Lee to General Grant at the end of the Civil War.
William came through the Civil War unscathed but lost his left hand in a cannon accident during a celebration for the election or inauguration of President Grover Cleveland. It is unknown whether it was Cleveland's 1st or 2nd term so the estimated date of this injury is either 1884-1885 or 1892-1893.
The grave marker includes the inscription "Messenger" because he is reputed to have carried the surrender message from General Lee to General Grant at the end of the Civil War.
William came through the Civil War unscathed but lost his left hand in a cannon accident during a celebration for the election or inauguration of President Grover Cleveland. It is unknown whether it was Cleveland's 1st or 2nd term so the estimated date of this injury is either 1884-1885 or 1892-1893.
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