91st PA: John Allen

John Allen

Before the war

He was born in Down, Ireland, in 1819/20. [sources: date: 3 (40 in 1861), 5, 6 (60 in ?1882 or (more likely) 1880), 7 (55 in ?1880 or 1886), 8 (60 in 1880), 10 (30 in 1850), 11 (49 in 1870), 12 (60 in 1880). place: 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12]

He may be the John Allen who was living in ward 6, Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1850. If so, he was a weaver, and was living with Jane Young and others. [source: 10]

Perhaps he is (a) the John Allen, weaver, living at 345 Master Street, or (b) the John Allen, weaver, living at 6 Deringer's Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1860. [source: 13]

When he enlisted, he was a weav[er]. [source: 5]

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. [source: 5]

During the war

He enlisted and was mustered into service on 8 November 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Gilbert. He was mustered in as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a private in company G. [sources: 1, 3, 5, 8, 14, 15]

On 20 December 1862, at Fredericksburg, Virginia, he contracted chronic diarrhea. [source: 8]

He was transferred to company C of the 6th Veterans' Reserve Corps on 20 or 30 June 1863. When he was transferred, he was a private, in company G. [sources: 1, 2, 3 (30 Jun), 4 (30 Jun), 5 (30 Jun), 8, 14, 15]

He served for 24 or 36 months. [sources: 6 (36), 7 (24)]

After the war

He lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 8]

He is probably the John Allen who was living at 1933 Blair Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1870. If so, he was a carpet weaver, and was living (probably) with his brother Joseph, and others, including John Jr, who may be his son. [sources: 11, 13]

In 1880, he was living at 562 East Dickinson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a carpet weaver. He was living with his brother Joseph Allen, and others. He was suffering from debility. [sources: 12, 13]

He was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers on 27 May 1880. He had chronic diarrhea. He was not receiving a pension. He was a widower. He was a weaver. His nearest relative was Joseph Allen, of 562 Dickinson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 6, 7, 8]

In 1882, he was present in the Central Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. [source: 6]

As of 12 June 1883, a semi-annual [physical exam?] was no longer required. [source: 8]

He died on 21 November 1885, at the Central Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He died of consumption. He was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Apparently, his gravestone mistakenly reads "1st Pa.". [sources: 7, 8, 9]

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) (John Allen)

2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 1 August 1863 (Private Allen)

3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 Aug 2004 (John Allen)

4 company G, register of men transferred (John Allen)

5 company G, descriptive roll, entry 21 (John Allan [sic])

6 Annual report of the Board of Managers of the National Soldiers Home, 30 December 1882 [for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1882]. Serial Set volume 2115, session volume 1, 47th Congress, 2nd Session, House Miscellaneous Document 13, page 378 (John Allen)

7 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. Serial Set volume 2488, session volume 1, 49th Congress, 2nd Session, House Miscellaneous Document 1, page 194 (John Allen)

8 US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938, Dayton, Registers, C, transcribed from Ancestry (image 654/5222), 12 February 2011 (John Allen)

9 Find-a-grave, memorial 272354, imported from US Veteran's Affairs, added 25 February 2000, accessed 13 February 2011 [identification seems to be secured by the date and location, although the Find-a-grave memorial claims he served as a private in the cavalry] (John Allen)

10 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kensington, ward 6, microfilm series M432, film 807, page 482 recto = 965 handwritten (John Allen)

11 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, division 60, microfilm series M593, film 1405, pages 326 verso = 42 handwritten to 327 recto = 43 handwritten (John Allen)

12 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 183, microfilm series T9, film 1190, page 571 = 20 D handwritten (John Allen)

13 selected Philadelphia city directories

14 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Allen)

15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Allan)

Sources checked unsuccessfully

1860 US census
FamilySearch (accessed 22 March 2012)
his brother Joseph (33, weaver, b. Ireland) is living with Elizabeth (29, b. Ireland), John (6, b. Phil), Elizabeth (5, b. Phil), and Letitia Irwin (27, tailoress, b. DE), at Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, microfilm series M653, film 1170, page 614 = 144 handwritten
1890 US census, veterans schedules
Ancestry index (accessed September 2006)
note that some John Allen's had no identifying information
1900 US census
FamilySearch (accessed 22 March 2012)
1910 US census
FamilySearch (accessed 22 March 2012)
1920 US census
FamilySearch (accessed 22 March 2012)
1930 US census
FamilySearch (accessed 22 March 2012)
pension index by name
Ancestry index (accessed September 2006)
RootsWeb WorldConnect
accessed 13 September 2011

Display


John Allen in the 91st PA gedcom on RootsWeb WorldConnect

John Allen in the 91st PA database

1850 census

[1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kensington, ward 6, microfilm series M432, film 807, page 482 recto = 965 handwritten]
[identification is speculative, based only on his age and occupation]
[I did not transcribe the other people in this household, headed by Jane Young (55, b. Ireland), and also including Thos Quig (55, weaver, Ireland), David Hamilton (17, weaver, Ireland), and John Early]
line8
Dwellings visited[1123]
Families visited[1338]
NameJohn Allen
Age30
SexM
Color 
Occupation of males over 15 yearsweaver
Real estate owned 
BirthplaceIreland
Married within year 
Attended school within year 
Over 20 & can't read/write 
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. 

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, division 60, microfilm series M593, film 1405, pages 326 verso = 42 handwritten to 327 recto = 43 handwritten]
[identification is likely, given the 1880 census entry transcribed below]
[note that the only Jacob Allen in Gopsill's 1871 Philadelphia directory (on p.143) is 'Allen Jacob, driver, h 2023 Sepviva'. his age and occupation, and his apparent children John and Mary, match the 1880 census entry below; combined with John, this strongly suggests that Jacob is the Joseph in the 1880 census]
[note also the following correspondences to the city directory:]
1870 census | 1871 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory
pagedwellingfamilynameoccupation | pagenameoccupationaddress
326v312319Mason Johnoak cooper | ? 998Mason Johnmodelmaker [no cooper]h 1947 Blair
326v313320Hamilton Williamboiler maker | [either 'Hamilton William, boilermaker, h 1715 Cuba'
or 'Hamilton William H., boilermkr, h 1430 Fkd av' (both p.656)]
326v314321McClary Josephcarman | 918McClary Josephdriverh Blair c Norris
326v315322Allen Jacob [sic]carpet weaver | 143Allen Josephweaverh 1933 Blair
327r316323Chaimberland Williamworks in mill | 336Chamberlain Williamwarperh 1929 Blair
? | 140Patton Robertweaverh r 1929 Blair
327r317324Cully Richardsaw grinder | [couldn't find]
327r318325Alexander Robertcarpet weaver | 140Alexander Robertweaverh 1929 Blair
327r319326McCalla Ellenkeep house | [couldn't find]
327r320327Ramage Jamescarpet weaver | 1168Ramage Jamesweaverh 4 1921 Blair
line383940123
Dwelling-house number315     
Family number392     
NameAllen Jacob [sic]JohnElizabethAllen MaryJohnJohn Jr
Age45161494917
SexMMFFMM
ColorWWWWWW
OccupationCarpet WeaverWorks in MillHouse Keeper Carpet WeaverCarpet Weaver
Real estate value      
Personal estate value200     
BirthplaceIrelandPennaPennaPennaIrelandPenna
Father foreign born111111
Mother foreign born111111
Birth month if born within year      
Marriage month if married within year      
Attended school past year   1  
Can't read      
Can't write      
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.      
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1   [blank] 
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...      

1880 census

[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 183, microfilm series T9, film 1190, page 571 = 20 D handwritten]
[identification is probable given the address--see source #8; note also his occupation when enlisted matches the occupation here]
line101112131415
street nameEast Dickinson Street North Side
house number562     
dwelling visit #197     
family visit #230 231   
nameAllen JosephJohnGraham SamuelMaryJoseph AAllen John
colorWWWWWW
sexMMMFMM
age55252519 60
month born if born in year    6/12 [sic] 
[the census date was 1 June]
relationship SonSon in lawDaughterGrand childBrother
single 1  1 
married  11  
widowed/divorced1    1
married during year      
occupationCarpet WeaverCarpet WeaverForeman in Carpet MillKeep House Carpet Weaver
months unemployed      
currently ill?     Debility
blind      
deaf/dumb      
idiotic      
insane      
disabled      
school this year      
can't read      
can't write      
birthplaceIrelandPennsyPennsyPennsyPennsyIreland
father's birthplaceIrelandIrelandIrelandIrelandPennsyIreland
mother's birthplaceIrelandIrelandIrelandIrelandPennsyIreland

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]


Allen, John
Co. G, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt. | Pvt.
REFERENCE CARD.
Original filed under
Allan John

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

[second card, transcribed 5 Mar 14]

Allan, John
Co. G, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt | Pvt.
See also Inv. corps

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

Philadelphia city directories

[selected Philadelphia city directories]
[transcribed from Fold3, March 2012]
1861 Biddle's Philadelphia directory, page 11 [all John Allen]
Allen John, bricklayer, 714 S 10th
Allen John, tinsmith, Desota
Allen John, laborer, Cuthbert n N 25th
Allen John, fish dealer, 479 Franklin
Allen John, carter, r 412 Poplar
Allen John, shoemaker, 864 Charlotte
Allen John, com. mer, 10 N Del av, h 479 Franklin
Allen John, weaver, 345 Master
Allen John, engineer, 510 Pierce
Allen John, weaver, 6 Deringer's av
Allen John, gentleman, 926 N Front
Allen John, wool goods, Miller bel Wister
Allen John A., segars, 100 Lombard
Allen John B. A., merchant, 14 S Del av, h 1909 Chestnut
Allen John B. A., jr, clerk, 14 S Del av, h 1909 Chestnut
Allen John C., mer, 321 N Front, h 335 S 5th
Allen John C., dentist, 315 Spruce
Allen John C., silversmith, Bringhurst, Gtn
Allen J. C., music engraver, office & h 722 Chestnut
Allen John F., carpenter, 607 S 8th
Allen John G. (c), r 607 Ronaldson
Allen John H., grocer, Brabant & Sorrel
Allen John H., brooms &c., 4 & 6 Chestnut, h Summit Union co. NJ
ALLEN JOHN H. & CO. (John H. Allen, George F. Gale, Foster Newell), wholesale brushes, brooms, &c. 4 & 6 Chestnut
Allen John M., carpenter, Oak ab 36th
1871 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, page 143
Allen John, weaver, h 1933 Blair
Allen Joseph, weaver, h 1933 Blair
1881 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, page 96
Allen Joseph, h 560 Dickinson
Allen Joseph, weaver, h 562 Dickinson

Register of the National Military Home

[US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938, Dayton, Registers, C, transcribed from Ancestry (image 654/5222), 12 February 2011]

John Allen
9398

MILITARY HISTORY
Time and Place of Each Enlistment.Novr 8. 1861
Philadelphia Pa
Rank. 
Company and Regiment.G 91 Pa. Vol.
Transferred to Co. C 6 Vet. R. Cor
Time and Place of Discharge.
Cause of Discharge.G.O. 365 A.G. Office Novr 13. 1863
Kind and Degree of Disability.Chronic Diarrhoea
When and Where Contracted and Received.Decr 20. 1862.
Fredericksburg Va


DOMESTIC HISTORY
Where Born.Ireland
Age.60
Residence Subsequent to Discharge.Philadelphia
Occupation.Weaver
Social Condition.Widower
Number and Kind of Relatives Requiring his AssistanceNone
P.O. Address of Family and Nearest Relatives.Joseph Allen
562. Dickinson St Philad Pa


HOME HISTORY.
Rate of Pension.Date of Admission Re-Admission and Transfer.Condition of Re-admission.Date of Discharge and Transfer.Cause of Discharge.Date of Death.Cause of Death.
  May 27. 1880      
 
Stone reads "1st Pa."
Nov 21 /85     E-15-24 Consumption

GENERAL REMARKS

Semi-Annual no longer acquired [sic] June 12 /83.

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revised 5 Mar 14
contact Harry Ide at [email protected] with comments or questions