Julia was born May27, 1819 in New York City’s Battery district. On her father’s side of the family she had strong Rhode Island roots. Her grandfather was Lt. Col. Samuel Ward , Jr. who commanded the First Rhode Island Regiment during the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. Samuel led the regiment of Black and Indigenous troops at a crucial time in the battle. They held the Hessian troops through three attacks and gave the Americans more time to get away. Her great-grandfather was Rhode Island’s Governor at the cusp of the Revolutionary War. Governor Samuel Ward refused to enforce the Stamp Act and was a member of the First and Second Continental Congress. He died in spring of 1776 and did not live long enough to sign the Declaration of Independence. Julia notes that “he was one of the first men to prophesy the separation of colonies from the mother country.” (Reminiscences – page 3). Julia had Rhode Island roots on her mother’s side with connections to Block Island families and the Greene family.

Grandfather Samuel Ward, Jr.

Julia’s mother died in childbirth when Julia was very young. Her father had difficulty coping with being a mother and father to his children. Julia was “home schooled” at first but when she was nine she was allowed to attend a school nearby. Her family led a secluded life, but they spent much time with the household of grandfather Samuel Ward, Jr. Julia describes him as “a stately old gentleman, a good deal more than six feet in height, very mild in manner, and fond of a game of whist.” (Rem. – page 19).

Julia lost her father, Samuel Ward III, when she was twenty and her Uncle John came to live with the family.