91st PA: Peter McCarty Abbott

Peter McCarty Abbott

Before the war

He was born on 4 July 1842, in Pickaway, Ohio. [sources: date: 5, 9 (19 in 1861), 14 (28 in 1870), 15 (39 in 1880), 22, 24 (7 in 1850), 25 (18 in 1860). place: 5, 14, 15, 22, 24 (Fayette County PA), 25 (PA)]

In 1850, he seems to have been living in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He was living with Esquire and Susanah Abet (presumably his parents), and with Margaret and Elizabeth (presumably his sisters). [source: 24]

In 1860, he seems to have been living in Pitt Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with Squire and Susanna Abbot (presumably his parents), and with Thomas Dabney, and Margaret, Mary, William, and Robert Abbott (presumably siblings). He was a day laborer. [source: 25]

When he enlisted, he was a boatman, and was living in Pittsburgh, [Allegheny County,] Pennsylvania. [source: 9]

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, [blank] eyes, and dark hair. [source: 9]

During the war

He enlisted on 4 July 1861, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was mustered into service as a private on 22 July 1861, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He initially served in company F of the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry. [sources: 2, 9, 10, 20, 26]

In October 1861 or 1 November 1862 he was transferred to company M. [sources: 1, 2, 9 (1 Nov 1862), 20, 21]

On 17 July 1864, he was reported returned to duty from absent without leave. [source: 11]

He was transferred to the 91st Pennsylvania on 20 July 1864. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 1, 26]

On 26 July 1864, John Lentz asked for advice about Abbott: a guard from the Provost Major at Brigade Headquarters had brought Abbott to them, but his name was not on the list of men transferred to the 91st, and Lentz thought he might be entitled to a discharge. [source: 2]

He claimed that he left for City Point in the afternoon of 19 July 1864, with companies L and M of the 62nd Pennsylvania. Captain Murry gave him a pass to visit his father, who was at the corps hospital. He was supposed to return by 9 AM, to catch a boat for Washington. Unfortunately, the boat left early, and he went to the provost marshal at City Point to find out what to do. [source: 2]

This account differs significantly from that told by Matthew Wilson, who was then the acting orderly sergeant of company M of the 62nd Pennsylvania. According to Wilson, Abbott had been absent from his company since 2 May 1864, except for eleven days. He had last straggled from his company on 16 June 1864 while they were marching from the James River to Petersburg, Virginia. He was returned under guard on 16 July 1864. [source: 2]

On 2 August 1864, Lentz ordered a guard of one man to be placed on Abbott each day until his court martial. [source: 3]

The court martial found him guilty, and sentenced him to lose all pay due him then or in the future as a soldier, to make good the time lost, and to be dishonorably discharged. He was transferred to company K on 16 August 1864. [sources: 4, 12, 21]

He was dishonorably discharged on 20 October 1864. However, his conviction and dishonorable discharge seem to have been overturned, since the government paid for his tombstone. According to the consolidated morning report, he was discharged when his term expired. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 1, 5, 9 (24 Oct), 10 (19 Oct), 13, 26]

After the war

On 31 March 1869, he married Margaret Jane Doyle, in E Birmingham, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She was born in Maryland, in March 1848. They probably had eleven children (four of whom had died by 1900), including these:

[sources: 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22]

In 1870, he was living in the 23rd ward of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Margaret and (presumed) son John. He was a laborer. [source: 14]

In 1880, he was living in Allegheny City, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Margaret and daughters Mary, Annie, and Margaret. He was a laborer. [source: 15]

On 12 November 1889, he applied unsuccessfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 18, 19]

In 1890, he was living in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He had been shot in the right knee, and had contracted ague at Petersburg. [source: 10]

He died on 22 October 1890, in West Newton, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Salem Church Cemetery, Rostraver Township, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 5, 7, 20, 22]

On 8 [?] November 1890, his widow, Margaret Abbott, applied unsuccessfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 18, 19]

In 1900, his widow Margaret was living in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. She was living with her children Anna, Margaret, Sarah, Peter, Laura, and Bessie. [source: 16]

In 1910, his widow Margaret was living in Rostover Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. She was living with her daughters Anna, Margaret, Laura and Bessie. [source: 17]

On 23 August 1910, his daughter Laura (who was born on 10 January 1887, in Lawrenceville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania) married William Denny St. Clair Jones, in West Newton, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. Their daughter, Vera Elsie Jones, served as President of the GAR and as President of the Pennsylvania Department of the GAR. [sources: 5, 6]

His widow, Margaret J Abbott, died in 1913. She was buried in the Salem Regular Baptist Church Cemetery, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. [source: 23]

Sources

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)

2 letter, Lentz, 26 July 1864

3 special order 69, HQ 91st PA, 2 August 1864

4 special order 72, HQ 91st PA, 16 August 1864

5 e-mail, Marilyn Goodson, December 2003 (Peter McCarty Abbott)

6 'Vera Fennell was devoted to the GAR', Tribune Review. (Thanks to Marilyn Goodson for a copy of this!)

7 e-mail, Marilyn Goodson, August 2004

8 tombstones (pictures from Marilyn Goodson--thanks!)

9 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 29 May 2005 (Peter M Abbott)

10 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Rostraver Township, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 194 (image 1 of 9 on Ancestry) (Peter M Abbott)

11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 17 July 1864 (Peter M Abbott)

12 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 17 August 1864 (Peter M Abbott)

13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 20 October 1864 (Privt Abbott)

14 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, twenty-third ward, microfilm series M593, film 1298, page 228 = 8 handwritten (Peter Abbitt)

15 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Allegheny City, 3rd precinct, supervisor's district 9, enumeration district 23, microfilm series T9, film 1087, page 605 D = 8 handwritten (Peter Abbott)

16 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Rostraver Township, supervisor's district 16, enumeration district 118, microfilm series T623, film 1498, pages 184 B - 185 A = 16-17 handwritten (Margaret Abbott)

17 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Rostover Township, supervisor's district 20, enumeration district 184, microfilm series T624, film 1431, page 124 B = 3 handwritten (Margaret Abbott)

18 pension index, by name (Peter M Abbott)

19 pension index, by regiment, 62nd PA Infantry, company M (Peter M Abbott)

20 Pennsylvania veterans burial records, available on Ancestry (transcribed 4 December 2010) (Peter M Abbitt)

21 Page 153. Floyd G Hoenstine. Military services and genealogical records of soldiers of Blair County, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA: Telegraph Press, 1940. (Peter M Abbott)

22 Find a grave, memorial 44148977, added 10 Nov 09, by Pat Callahan (maintained by Patti), accessed 22 Feb 12 (Peter McCartney Abbott)

23 Find a grave, memorial 52400769, created 14 May 2010 by Todd Walker, accessed 22 Feb 12 (Margaret J Abbott)

24 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Fayette County, Brownsville, microfilm series M432, film 780, page 308 verso = 612 handwritten (Peter Abet)

25 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pitt Township, microfilm series M653, film 1066, pages 862=68 handwritten to 862 = 69 handwritten (Peter Abbott)

26 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Peter M Abbott)

[requested a copy of the court-martial record, 26 May 2015--it's file NN-2258, ARC identifier 1864304--I'm interested both in the actual trial, and in whether there's any evidence the verdict was ever overturned]

Sources checked unsuccessfully

1920 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 23 Feb 12)
1930 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 23 Feb 12)
pension index, by regiment
accessed December 2008 (91st PA)
US Veterans administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933
Family Search index (accessed 26 May 15)
RootsWeb WorldConnect
accessed 22 Feb 12
Ohio births and christenings, 1821-1962
FamilySearch index (accessed 22 Feb 12)

Display


Peter M Abbott in the 91st PA gedcom on RootsWeb WorldConnect

Peter M Abbott in the 91st PA database

1850 census

[1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Fayette County, Brownsville, microfilm series M432, film 780, page 308 verso = 612 handwritten]
[identity is uncertain, based only on the absence of other candidates; note that according to the 1870 and 1880 censuses, he was born in Ohio]
line3233343536
Dwellings visited554    
Families visited554    
NameEsquire Abet [sic]Susanah "Peter "Margarett [sic] "Elizabeth "
Age3025753
SexMFMFF
Color     
Occupation of males over 15 yearsLabourer    
Real estate owned     
BirthplaceDo [sc. Fayette Co Pa]DoDoDoDo
Married within year     
Attended school within year     
Over 20 & can't read/write1    
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.     

1860 census

[1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pitt Township, microfilm series M653, film 1066, pages 862=68 handwritten to 862 = 69 handwritten]
[identification is uncertain, based only on the absence of other candidates; this is clearly the same family as in the 1850 census]
line38394012345
Dwelling number453 [?]       
Family number454       
NameSquire AbbotSusannaThomas DabneyPeter AbbottMargaret "Mary E [?]WilliamRobert
Age41383 [?]181512 [?]103 [?]
SexMFMMFFMM
Color        
OccupationEngineer [?]  Day Laborer    
Value of real estate owned        
Value of personal estate6       
[I suspect the value is '60', not '6'; that would make the page total correct]
Place of birthPenn""Penn    
Married within year        
Attended school within year     11 
Cannot read & write        
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.        

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, twenty-third ward, microfilm series M593, film 1298, page 228 = 8 handwritten]
[identity is likely, given the pension index cards, location, and spouse's name]
line123
Dwelling-house number48  
Family number48  
NameAbbitt [sic] Peter- Margaret- John W
Age28211/12
SexMFM
ColorWWW
OccupationLaborerKeeps HouseAt Home
Real estate value   
Personal estate value   
BirthplaceOhioMarylandPenna
Father foreign born   
Mother foreign born   
Birth month if born within year  Apr
Marriage month if married within year   
Attended school past year   
Can't read   
Can't write   
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.   
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1  
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...   

1880 census

[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Allegheny City, 3rd precinct, supervisor's district 9, enumeration district 23, microfilm series T9, film 1087, page 605 D = 8 handwritten]
[identity is probable, given the pension index cards, location, and spouse's name]
line678910
street nameHigh Street
house number[39 [?]]    
dwelling visit #54    
family visit #54    
nameAbbott Peter- Margaret- Mary- Annie- Margaret
colorWWWWW
sexMFFFF
age3937531
month born if born in year     
relationship WifeDaughterDaughterDaughter
single     
[all the boxes, including Peter and Margaret, have a dot in them]
marriedMM   
widowed/divorced     
married during year     
occupationLaborerKeeping house   
months unemployed     
currently ill?     
blind     
deaf/dumb     
idiotic     
insane     
disabled     
school this year     
can't read     
can't write     
birthplaceOhioMarylandPennaPennaPenna
father's birthplacePennaIrelandOhioDoDo
mother's birthplacePennaIrelandMarylandDoDo

1890 census, veterans schedule

[1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Rostraver Township, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 194 (image 1 of 9 on Ancestry)]
[identification is confirmed by reference to his service in the 62nd]

[line] 1
[house] 3
[family] 3
[name] Abbott Peter M
[rank] Private
[company] M
[unit] 62 Pa Inf
[enlistment date] 4 July 1861
[discharge date] 19 Oct 1864
[length of service] 3 years, 3 months, 0 days
[post office address] Rostraver township
[disability incurred] Shot in Right knee
[remarks] Contracted ague at Petersburg

1900 census

[1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Rostraver Township, supervisor's district 16, enumeration district 118, microfilm series T623, film 1498, pages 184 B - 185 A = 16-17 handwritten]
[identity is probable, given the pension index cards, location, and spouse's name]
line95969798991001
street       
house number       
dwelling number263      
family number270      
nameAbbott Margaret- Anna- Margaret- Sarah E- Peter H- LauraAbbott Bessie
relationshipHeadDaughterDaughterDaughterSonDaughterDaughter
colorWWWWWWW
sexFFFFMFF
birth dateMar 1848May 1877May 1879Dec 1881May 1884Jan 1887Feb 1890
age52232119161310
married?WdSSSSSS
# years married       
mother of how many children?11      
# of children living7      
birthplaceMarylandPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's birthplaceIrelandPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
mother's birthplaceIrelandMarylandMarylandMarylandMarylandMarylandPennsylvania
immigration year       
# years in USA       
naturalized citizen?       
occupation    At SchoolAt SchoolAt School
# months not employed       
# months in school    777
can readYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
can writeYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
speaks EnglishYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
owned/rentedR      
free or mortgaged       
farm/houseH      
# of farm schedule       

1910 census

[1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Rostover Township, supervisor's district 20, enumeration district 184, microfilm series T624, film 1431, page 124 B = 3 handwritten]
[identity is probable, given the pension index cards, location, and spouse's name]
line5657585960
streetMonongahela Road
house nr     
dwelling nr57    
family nr57    
nameAbbott Margaret- Anna- Margaret- LauraMatthews [?] Bessie [illegible]
relationshipHeadDaughterDaughterDaughterDaughter
sexFFFFF
colorWWWWW
age6531292320
marital statusWdSSSM1
#years present marriage     
mother of # children11    
mother of # living children7    
birthplaceMarylandPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's birthplaceIreland EngPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
mother's birthplaceIreland EngMarylandMarylandMarylandMaryland
immigrated     
naturalized/alien     
speaks EnglishEnglishEnglishEnglishEnglishEnglish
occupationNoneSchool TeacherSchool TeacherSchool Teachersnone
nature of industry etc. Public schoolsPublic schoolPublic schools 
employer etc. WWW 
out of work 15 Apr 1910? NoNoNo 
# weeks out of work 1909 000 
can readYesYesYesYesYes
can writeYesYesYesYesYes
school since 1 Sep 09     
owned/rentedO    
owned free or mortagagedF    
farm/houseH    
nr on farm schedule     
civil war vet     
blind     
deaf & dumb     

index to compiled service records

[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 5 Mar 2014, from Fold3]


Abbott, Peter M.
Co. K, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt. | Pvt.
See also Co. M. 62 Pa. Inf.

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

Pennsylvania veterans burial record

[Pennsylvania veterans burial records, available on Ancestry (transcribed 4 December 2010)]

RECORD OF BURIAL PLACE OF VETERAN
Westmoreland County
NAME Abbitt [sic] Peter M
DATE OF BIRTH [blank]
DATE OF DEATH [blank]
VETERAN OF Civil WAR
SERVED IN ARMY
DATES OF SERVICE 1861
ORGANIZATION(S) Co. M. 62nd Regt. P.V.I.
RANK Pvt.
CEMETERY NAME Salem
[CEMETERY] LOCATION Rostraver Twp.
LOCATION OF GRAVE IN CEMETERY 2nd Row of lots S. of d'way near Center
HEADSTONE Granite - GAR marker #249
INFORMATION GIVEN BY A. W. Hepler
DATE 3/20/34
REMARKS (Disc. unknown) R

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