He was born in Antrim, Ireland, about 1822/23. [sources: place: 3, 5, 8 (Young Wirlem (?) Ireland). date: 3 (38 in 1861), 5 (37 in 1860), 8 (38 in 1861).]
On 15 August 1850, he married Sarah Devlin. She was born in 1829/30, in Ireland. They had five children: [source: 5, 8, 11 (1834/35, PA)]
Mary, Anna, and Clara were baptized at the St Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sarah and Theresa were baptized at St Anne's Roman Catholic Church. [source: 8]
In 1860, he was living in ward 19, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a clerk, and owned $13,500 in real estate, and $500 in personal property. He was living with his wife Sarah, their children Mary, Anna, Clara, Sarah, and Teresa, and two others. [source: 5]
In 1861-62, he was living at Frankford Avenue near Cumberland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked in lumber. [source: 9]
When he enlisted, he was unemployed. [source: 8]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 3, 8]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 22 November 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by C L Zinn. He was mustered in as a private in company H. [sources: 1, 3, 8 (mustered in on 25 Nov), 12]
He was discharged at Camp Stanton, Washington, DC, on 11 March 1862 on surgeon's certificate of disability. He was discharged because he had an inguinal hernia and phthisis pulmonalis. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 8 (certificate signed 8 Mar 62), 12]
On 3 May 1862, he unsuccessfully applied for a pension. [sources: 4, 6]
On 17 April 1862, he died. He died of subacute inflammation of the liver, with dropsy of the chest and abdomen. [source: 8]
On 30 January 1863, his youngest daughter, Teresa, died. [7, 8]
In 1863 and 1864, his widow Sarah lived at Frankford Avenue above Cumberland. [source: 9]
On 19 October 1864, his widow, Sarah McIlvaine, successfully applied for a pension. She was living on Frankford Road, above Cumberland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her application was accepted on 14 March 1866, retroactive to 17 April 1862. (The certificate was dated 28 Marhc 1866.) She initially received a pension of $8 per month. [sources: 4, 6, 8]
On 3 October 1866, she applied for an increase in her pension of $2 for each child under sixteen years old. On 3 August 1867, her application was accepted, retroactive to 25 July 1866. [source: 8]
In 1870-1872, his widow, Sarah, was living at 2641 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 9]
In 1874-1876, his widow, Sarah, was living at 2643 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 9]
In 1878-1883, his widow, Sarah, was living at 267 Firth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1880, she was living with her daughters Mary, Annie, Clara, Sallie, Adela, and Ella. [sources: 9, 11]
In 1888-1892, his widow, Sarah, was living at 2425 Jasper Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 9]
In 1894, his widow, Sarah, was living at 2346 Hancock Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 9]
His widow, Sarah, was last paid to 4 November 1894, at $12 per month. [source: 8]
On 23 January 1895, his widow Sarah died. The funeral was held from her late residence, 2346 Hancock Street, ward nineteen, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A requiem mass was held at the Church of the Visitation. She was buried at the New Cathedral Cemetery. [source: 10]
His widow, Sarah, was reported dropped from the pension rolls, on 31 March 1898. [source: 8]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (Charles McIlvain)
2 company H, register of men discharged, #10 (Charles McIlain)
3 company H, descriptive roll, #78 (Chas McIlvaine)
4 pension index, by name (Charles McIlvaine)
5 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, microfilm series M653, film 1169, page 115 = 115 handwritten (Chas McIlvain)
6 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (Charles McIlvane)
7 death notice, Public Ledger 31 January 1863 page 2 (Teresa McIlvaine)
8 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, certificate 67,926 (Sarah McIlvain widow of Charles McIlvain)
9 various Philadelphia city directories, 1861-1894
10 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 January 1895, page 9 (Sarah McIlvain)
11 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, microfilm series T9, film 1190, page 465 = 16 D handwritten (Sarah McIlvain)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Charles McIlvaine)
| line | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Dwelling number | 851 | ||||||||
| Family number | 933 | ||||||||
| Name | Chas McIlvain | Sarah | Mary | Anna | Clara | Sarah | Teresa | Mary Rea | Edgar " |
| Age | 37 | 30 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5/12 | 14 | 8 |
| Sex | m | f | f | f | f | f | f | f | m |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation | " [sc. Clerk] | Servant | |||||||
| Value of real estate owned | 13,500 | ||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 500 | ||||||||
| Place of birth | Pa | Ireland | Pa | ||||||
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | Firth Street | ||||||
| street name | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| house number | 267 | ||||||
| dwelling visit # | 136 | ||||||
| family visit # | 146 | ||||||
| name | McIlvain, Sarah | -, Mary | -, Annie | -, Clara | -, Sallie | -, Adela | -, Ella |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| age | 45 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 10 |
| month born if born in year | |||||||
| relationship | Daughter | Daughter | Daughter | Daughter | Daughter | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| married | |||||||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | ||||||
| married during year | |||||||
| occupation | Keeping house | Fringe [?] weaver | Fringe knotter | Spooler | Hosiery operator | Works in hosiery factory | At school |
| months unemployed | |||||||
| currently ill? | |||||||
| blind | |||||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||||
| idiotic | |||||||
| insane | |||||||
| disabled | |||||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | |||||
| can't read | |||||||
| can't write | |||||||
| birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| father's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
McILVAINE.--On Friday, January 30th, TERESA, youngest daughter of the late Chas. and Sarah McIlvaine, aged three years.
The relatives and friends of the family are requested to attend the funeral, from her mother's residence, Frankford Road, above Cumberland street, on Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clk. To proceed to St. Anne's Cemetery.
BRIEF in the case of Sarah McIlvain, Widow of Charles McIlvain priv. Co. "H" 91. Pa. Vols. resident of Philadelphia County and State of Pennsylvania. Post Office address Philadelphia, Frankford Road above Cumberland.
| Service. | Adjt. Genl's report shing [sic] muster as priv. Nov. 25 /61. Same shing [sic] discharged for disability March 11. /62. |
| Death. | Certificate of disability shows dicharged March 8 /62 because of inguinal hernia + phthisis pulmonalis.-- Affidavit by late Capt. + family M.D. shows soldier able bodied when entered service, + in good health + of good habits, + died April 17. 1862 of "subacute inflammation of liver + of dropsy of chest + abdomen" contracted in service in line of duty from exposure to wet + storm. |
| Marriage. | Shown by copy of church record verified by affidavit of proper custodian (Aug. 15 /50.) |
| Names and dates of birth of children. | of four children. |
| Loyalty. | Duly averred. |
| Agent and his P.O. address. | Jos. E. Deitz + Co. 427. Walnut St. Phila. Pa. |
Admitted March 14, 1866, to a Pension of $8 00 per month, commencing April 17, 1862.
Chas .T. Cotton, Examining Clerk.On this 14 day of October A.D. 1864 personally appeared before me Frederick S. Wolbert Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State, aforesaid [sic] Sarah McIlvain a resident of Philadelphia in the County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania aged 29 years, who being by me duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress approved July 14th, 1862, and any subsequent acts relative thereto. That she is the Widow of Charles McIlvain who was a Private in Company "H" commanded by Capt. Brown in the (91st) Regiment of Penna. vols. in the War of 1861, who died at his home on the 17th day of April 1862; of subacute Inflammation of Liver + Dropsy of the Chest + abdomen contracted in the service; he having been discharged previously. She further declares that she was married to the said Charles McIlvain on the 15 day of August A.D. 1850 that her husband, the aforesaid Charles McIlvain died on the day above mentioned, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period. That the said deceased soldier left Four children living
As will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She also declares that she has not in any manner been engaged in, or aided, or abetted, the rebellion in the United States, and hereby constitutes, makes and appoints JOSEPH E. DEVITT, J. MORRIS HARDING, NICHOLAS P. MURPHY AND JEREMIAH L. HUTCHINSON, trading as JOSEPH E. DEVITT & COMPANY, Attorneys, &c., No. 427 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Penn'a, her lawful attorneys, and desires that her certificate for Pension, when issued, be sent in their care. That her post office address is No. (Number) Frankford Rd. ab. Cumberland Philada.
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year above written, the contents having first been made known unto her by me. Witness my hand and official seal.
Sarah McIlvainAlso, personally appeared John Devlin and Edward Murray residents of Philadelphia persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Sarah McIlvain sign her name to the foregoing declaration, and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim, that they have known claimant respectively fifteen years, knew deceased soldier, and knew them as man and wife, that deceased soldier left four children living, whose names and ages are correctly stated in the foregoing declaration, as is also her Post Office address. That Charles McIlvain the said deceased husband of claimant was a sound + healthy man prior to his entering the service of the United States.
John DevlinSworn to and subscribed before me, this 14th day of October A.D. 1864, the contents having first been made known unto them by me: and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Witness my hand and official seal.
Fred G. WolbertI have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 69037, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that Charles McIlvaine was enrolled on the 22 day of Nov., 1861, at Philada Pa in Co. H 91 Regiment of Pa. Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a Private on the 25 day of Nov, 1861, at Philada Pa, in Co. H, 91 Regiment of Penna Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. H of that Regiment, for the months of March and April, 1862, he is reported "Discharged for disability March 11" 1862 Camp Stanton Barracks Washington DC."
On Officl Casualty Roll 1862, he is reported "Discharged March 8 1862 Surg. Certificate "Hernia". [sic]
No evidence of death on file.
On this fifteenth day of September 1864 personally appeared before me E. H. Bailey a Notary Public in and for the city and State aforesaid Rev Thomas Kieran resident of said city who being affirmed according to law, declares that the foregoing is a true copy from the record of marriages of St Michaels [sic] Church Philadelphia that said records are in his custody and possession, and that said extract and copy was made by him, and in his own proper handwriting, and he declares that he is a disinterested witness
Thomas KieranAffirmed to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid, and I CERTIFY, That the affiant is a credible person, well known to me, and a minister in good standing in said Church and that I have no interest in the claim of Sarah McIlvain for pension.
E H BaileyOn this 25" day of March 1867 personally appeared before me E. H. Bailey a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid Rev. Thomas W. Bowers resident of said County who being Sworn according to law, declares that the foregoing is a true copy from the record of Baptisms of St. Michael's R. C. Church Philadelphia. that said records are in his custody and possession, and that said extract and copy was made by him, and in his own proper handwriting, and he declares that he is a disinterested witness.
Thomas W. BowersSworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid, and I CERTIFY, That the affiant is a credible person, well known to me, and a Minister in good standing in said Church and that I have no interest in the claim of Mrs. Sarah McIlvain for Increase of Pension
EH BaileyOn this 25" day of March 1867 personally appeared before me E. H. Bailey a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid Rev. Thomas Kieran resident of said County who being sworn according to law, declares that the foregoing is a true copy from the record of Baptisms of St Anne's R C Church that said records are in his custody and possession, and that said extract and copy was made by him, and in his own proper handwriting, and he declares that he is a disinterested witness.
Thomas KieranSworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid, and I CERTIFY, That the affiant is a credible person, well known to me, and a Minister in good standing in said Church and that I have no interest in the claim of Mrs. Sarah McIlvaine for Increase of Pension
E H BaileyI hereby report that the name of Sarah McIlvain, wid. Charles H., who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under Certificate No. 67,926, and who was last paid at $12, to Nov. 4, 1894, has been dropped because of Sec. 4719.
Very Respectfully,Chas. McIlvain of Captain Chas Brown's Company, (H) of the 91" Regiment of Infantry was enlisted by Lieut Geo. Black of the 91" Regiment of Infantry at Philadelphia on the 22" day of September 1861, to serve 3 years; he was born in Young Wirlem [?] in the State of Ireland, is 38 years of age, 5 feet 9 1/2 inches high, dark complexion, blue eyes, Dark hair, and by occupation when enlisted unemployed During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty 50 days.* This mans [sic] sickness has been of long standing
STATION: Camp StantonI CERTIFY, that I have carefully examined the said Chas. McIlvaine of Captain C. S. Brown's Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of † Inguinal Hernia + Phthisis Pulmonalis the Present surgeon was not attached to the Regt when the man enlisted
(Signed) I. D. KnightWhen a probable case for pension, special care must be taken to state the degree of disability--as 1/2, 1/3, &c., &c.; to describe particularly the disability, wound, or disease; the extent to which it deprives him of the use of any limb or faculty, or affects his health, strength, activity, constitution, or capacity to labor or earn his subsistence. The surgeon will add, from his knowledge of the facts and circumstances, and from the evidence in the case, his professional opinion of the cause or origin of the disability. In the case of discharges by Medical Inspectors, the last paragraph will state that the "discharge was given by consent of the soldier, after a personal examination, and for disability, the nature, degree, and origin of which are correctly described in the within certificate."
Par. 1260 Regulations, Edit. 1861.
Medical officers, in giving certificates of disability, are to take particular care in all cases that have not been under their charge; and especially in epilepsy, convulsions, chronic rheumatism, derangement of the urinary organs, opthalmia, ulcers, or any obscure disease liable to be feigned or purposely produced; and in no case shall such certificate be given until after sufficient time and examination to detect any attempt at deception.
This certificate will be made out in duplicate by the soldier's company commander, or other officer commanding the separate detachment to which he belongs, and sent by him to the surgeon who has charge of the hospital where the soldier is sick. The surgeon will then fill out and sign the surgeon's certificate, and forward these papers to the regimental, detachment, or post commander, who will forward them, with his action endorsed thereon, through the proper channel, to his division commander; of, if the troops are not attached to a division, to his corps, department, or other commander or officer to whom the authority to discharge enlisted men may be specially delegated.
These certificates, after having received the action of the highest authority to which they are required to be sent, will be returned through the same channel to the regimental, post, or detachment commander, who will, if the discharge is authorized by the endorsement of the proper authority, sign the soldier's discharge, and the last certificate on this paper; see that the soldier is furnished with the proper final statements in duplicate, and forward BOTH of these certificates direct to the Adjutant General United States Army, at Washington, D.C.; they will not, under any circumstances, be given into the hands of the soldier.
On this 10th day of March 1866 before me a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared S. R. Morris M.D. a resident in said County and State, who being by me duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Charles McIlvain late Private of Co. "H" 91st Regt. P.V. for about one years [sic] previous to his enlisting in the U.S. Service + that during that time + at the time of his enlistment he was healthy [sic] able-bodied man + further that I have no interest in this claim.
S. [?] R. Morris MDSworn and subscribed to before me the day and year first above written + I certify the affiant to be a credible person + a physician of skill and reputation + that I have no interest in this claim; that the contents of the above was [sic] made known before signing.
EH Bailey| Abandonment or adoption. | No abandonment, + no adoption permitted, duly averred. | ||
| Date of Marriage of Parents. | August 15. 1850. | ||
| Names and dates of birth of children. | Mary E. McIlvan, | born April 19 1853, | who will be 16 years old April 18, 1869. |
| Anna R. " " | " November 9 1854, | " " November 8, 1870. | |
| Clara " ", | " September 5, 1856, | " " September 4, 1872. | |
| Sarah " ", | " August 22 1858, | " " August 21, 1874 | |
| Proof of ages. | Copies of Church baptismal records verified by affidavits of respective pastors. | ||
| Only children. | As duly appears from both applications. | ||
| Agent, and his P.O. address | Jos. E. Devitt + Co. 427 Walnut St. Phila. Pa. | ||
Issue certificate for 8 dollars per month, commencing April 17, 1862, and two dollars per month additional for each of the above-named children, commencing 25 day of July, 1866, deducting former payments.
Chas. T. Cotton, Examiner.On this third day of October A.D. 1866, before me, a Prothy. of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State above-named, personally appeared Sarah McIlvain a resident of Philadelphia County of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania aged 39 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the 2d section of the Act of Congress increasing the pension of widows and orphans, approved July 25, 1866; that she is the widow of Charles McIlvain who was a Private in Company "H" commanded by - - - of the 91st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the war of 1861, and that by reason of his death in the service aforesaid, she has been granted a pension of eight dollars per month in accordance with the certificate, numbered 67.926 bearing date on the 28th day of March 1866, and that she is a Pensioner of the United States, duly enrolled at the Pension Agency at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania She further swears that she has the following named children of her deceased husband and herself, under Sixteen years of age, who are now living. That the following are the names, dates of birth, and present places of residence, of all the children of her deceased husband and herself, who are now under sixteen years of age, to wit:
| Mary Elizabeth McIlvain | born April 19th 1853 | [the first four children are connected by a curly brace, linked to this comment:] and residing with claimaint at 2017 Cedar St. Philada. Pa. |
| Anna Regina " | " Nov. 9" 1854 | |
| Clara " | " Sept. 5" 1856 | |
| Sarah " | " Aug. 22d 1858 | |
| Teresa " | Dec. 18" 1859 | Died Jany 14" 1863 |
That the deceased soldier left no child or children by any former marriage That she surrenders the aforesaid Pension Certificate, No. 67.926 She further declares that she has not remarried since the death of her said husband, nor has she abandoned the support of any one of the children above named, nor permitted any one of the same to be adopted by any other person or persons as his, her or their child. That she hereby constitutes and appoints JOSEPH E. DEVITT & CO., No. 427 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., her true and lawful attorneys, and authorizes them to present and prosecute this claim, and to receive and receipt for all orders or certificates that may be issued in consequence thereof, hereby revoking all Powers of Attorney, if any, heretofore given by her for a like purpose. Her Post-office address is No. 2017 Cedar St. Philada. Penna.
Sarah McIlvainAlso personally appeared before me, at the time and place aforesaid Ellen Entwistle of Philadelphia, and Jane Doran of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania whom I certify to be credible persons, who being duly sworn according to law, declare, each for herself that they well know Sarah McIlvain widow of Charles McIlvain
deceased. That they were present and saw Sarah McIlvain sign her name to the foregoing declaration, that they have been acquainted with the said applicant and the said deceased for 10 and 13 years respectively, and have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and believe the foregoing statement relative to the names, birth, and ages of the children of deceased husband and herself, to be true and correct, and that the said statement is believed to be true and correct by the community in which they resided. [sic] That the deceased soldier left no child or children by any former marriage. That she is still remaining the widow of the said Charles McIlvain
They further swear that they have no interest in this claim, either present or prospective, and that they are not concerned, directly or indirectly, in its prosecution.
Ellen EntwistleSworn and subscribed to before me, this third day of October 1866; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. That I believe the affiants to be credible persons. And that the contents of the above was [sic] made known and explained to applicant and witnesses before signing.
Fred G Wolbert, ProthyMcILVAIN.--On January 23, 1895, Sarah, widow of Charles McIlvain. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Saturday morning, at 7.30 o'clock, from her late residence, No. 2346 Hancock street, Nineteenth ward. Requiem mass at the Church of the Visitation. Interment at New Cathedral Cemetery.