Lives Behind the Letters#
This page offers full-length biographies of the Wade family of Williamsburg, Brooklyn—parents James and Eliza Ann Wade, and their sons James D. Wade and William H. Wade—whose letters from the Civil War form the heart of Brothers at the Front.
James M. Wade (Father)#
James M. Wade, born c.1820, married Eliza Ann Marvin in 1844. By the 1860s, they lived at 183 South 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A steady and capable father of seven, James managed family finances and wrote supportive letters to his sons during their military service. His sons trusted him deeply, sending money home for him to manage. In 1863, he wrote to Willie while both sons were serving in the Gulf. James worked in Brooklyn and likely died around 1885. His role as a moral and financial anchor shaped the paths of his children.
Eliza Ann (Marvin) Wade (Mother)#
Born March 1, 1816, in Manhattan, Eliza married James M. Wade in 1844. She raised seven children, including James D. and William H., and maintained the family home in Brooklyn during the war. Her letters offered comfort and religious encouragement to her sons at the front. She received regular remittances from James, who instructed her to keep part for herself. After the war, she lived with her son Dr. John E. Wade. She died on December 15, 1915, at age 99. Her faith and constancy sustained the family through war and change.
Dr. James D. Wade (Son)#
Born c.1838, James enlisted in the 176th New York Infantry in 1862, rising from private to First Lieutenant in the 87th U.S. Colored Infantry. Captured at Brashear City, LA in 1863 and later exchanged, James led Black troops in Texas by 1864. His letters home show leadership, discipline, and emotional depth. Postwar, he became a physician in Brooklyn, married Harriet Ricker, and had at least one son, Henry. He died suddenly on October 19, 1902, while attending a patient. His life bridged military duty and civilian healing.
William H. Wade (Son)#
Born c.1842, William (“Willie”) enlisted alongside James in 1862 in the 176th NY Infantry. He served honorably and returned home in late 1863. His letters reveal humor, faith, and warmth—especially when describing baseball games at Fort McHenry or daily life in camp. After the war, he became a carpenter in Brooklyn and married, fathering William Jr. He lived into the early 20th century, likely dying around 1921. William was the steadfast, practical brother who supported his family in both wartime and peacetime.
This page draws from family letters (1862–1864), census records, military rosters, and FamilySearch profiles. It preserves the memory of the Wade family’s experience across generations.