Thanks to Susan Stickles for this image from the papers of William C Reiff
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 10 August 1849, to George Black (first lieutenant of company H) and Elizabeth Jones. [sources: date: 30, 31; 12 (less than 12 in 1861), 15, 22 (10 months in 1850); 11 (13 in 1861), 14 (30 in 1880), 15 (50 in 1900), 16 (60 in 1910), 17 (70 in 1920), 20 (11 in 1860), 24 (61 in 1910), 25 (61 in 1910), 34 (just over 12 at enlistment). place: 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25. parents: 12, 30, 31]
In 1850, he was living in Richmond District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents George and Elizabeth Black, along with others. [source: 22]
In 1860, he was living in the 19th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents, George and Catharine Black, along with other people. He was attending school. [source: 20]
When he enlisted, he was a dru[mmer]. [source: 11]
When he enlisted, he was 4 feet 5 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, black eyes, and lightish [?] hair. [source: 11]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 12 December 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain O Brown. He was mustered in as a musician in company H. [sources: 1, 9 (4 Jan 62), 11, 21 (4 Jan 62), 24, 25, 36]
William Reiff (H) later remembered Black as being almost the same height as his drum. [source: 34]
He was Jim Thompson's tent-mate. [source: 12]
Although urged by other men in his company to stay back, he took part in the charge against Marye's Heights, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on 13 December 1862, because he intended to go wherever his father went. Jim Thompson threw him to the rear of the line, but he went as far as the division advanced as a body. [sources: 12, 34]
He was at the battle of Chancellorsville, and again insisted on staying as near his father as possible. This time William Reiff threw him backwards. His father was mortally wounded there, and died on 6 May 1863. "[T]hereafter the spirited boy was filled with sorrow". [source: 12]
On 28 July 1863, he was reported as having been dropped because he was missing in the campaign (probably after 11 June 1863). [source: 7]
Near Culpepper Court House, he prevented a retreat:
Later on, near Culpeper Court House, he prevented a stampede of our forces by placing his horse midway of the road and firing shot after shot into the head of the retreating column. A shell burst, killing his horse, wounding the lad in one wrist, and the horse falling upon him broke the other arm..
[sources: 12; see also 9 and 34]
He was admitted to the Armory Square Hospital because of that injury. [source: 19]
On 26 September 1863, he was reported returned from missing in the campaign. [source: 8]
On 2 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him for duty with the recruiting service in Chester, Pennsylvania. On 27 April 1864, Sinex asked that he be returned to the regiment. [sources: 2, 3, 4]
On 16 September 1864, Sellers suggested that he be detached for duty in the Fifth Corps Hospital at City Point, Virginia. [source: 5]
He mustered out on 4 January 1865 when his term expired. He was replaced by John Fall (H). He had served for thirty-six months. He was a musician, in company H. [sources: 1, 6, 9, 10, 11, 18, 21, 24, 25, 36]
In 1870, he may be the George Black living with George and Lydia Wilfong, apparently in Manayunk, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. If so, he was working in a cotton mill. [sources: 26, 27]
On 8 October 1874, he applied successfully for a pension. [sources: 13, 21]
On 18 December 1875, he married Agnes McCallum, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born in October 1853, in Scotland. They apparently had at least one child:
[sources: 15 (25 years, no children, in 1900), 16 (34 years in 1910), 28, 32]
Perhaps he is the George Black, plasterer, living at 2304 North 5th Street, 2352 Memphis, 556 E Fox, and/or 616 Wrekin Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between 1876 and 1879. [source: 27]
In 1880, he was living at 530 Charter [?] Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Agnes, and son Theodore. He was a plasterer. [source: 14]
On 1 February 1881, his son, Theodore Black, died, at 530 Charter Street, 31st ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of marasmus. On 4 February 1881, he was buried, at Franklin Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 28]
In 1890, William Reiff described him as 'now living, a man nearing 40, ... still as modest as he is brave'. [source: 34]
In 1890, he was living at 2167 Manakin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His arm had been broken at Culpepper. [source: 9]
In 1900, he was living at 2167 Reece Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Agnes. He was a plasterer, and had not been unemployed in the previous year. [source: 15]
In 1910, he was living at 2167 Reese [?] Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Agnes. He was a plasterer, and had not been out of work in 1909. [source: 16]
On 16 December 1910, he was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. [sources: 24, 25]
In 1911, he was present at the Southern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He was receiving a pension of $12 per month. [source: 24]
On 23 July 1912, a new pension certificate was issued, for $16 per month retroactive to 16 May 1912, under the Act of 11 May 1912. [source: 33]
On 19 November 1915, a pension certificate was issued, increase his pension to $19 per month, retroactive to 10 August 1913 (presumably the day he turned 66, under the Act of 11 May 1912). His pension was scheduled to increase to $25 per month on 10 August 1919, and to $30 per month on 10 August 1924. [source: 33]
On 17 March 1917, he was discharged from the Southern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He was receiving a pension of $16 per month. [sources: 25, 33]
Effective 10 June 1918, his pension increased to $30 per month. [source: 33]
Effective 1 May 1920, his pension increased to $50 per month, under the Act of 1 May 1920. [source: 33]
In 1920, he was living at 440 N [?] Paul [?] Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Agnes. He was retired. [source: 17]
Effective 10 August 1921, his pension was scheduled to increase to $40 per month. [source: 33]
He died on 14 December 1922, at 444 St Paul Street, ward 33, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of bronchopneumonia (duration 7 days). He was a plasterer. Members of Posts 2 and 51 of the Grand Army of the Republic were invited to attend. The funeral was held at his late residence, 444 West St Paul Street. On 18 December 1922, he was buried at Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 21, 23, 29, 31, 33]
On 28 December 1922, his widow, Agnes Black, successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 13, 21]
On 6 June 1923, the Pension Bureau issued an order for his accrued pension to be payed to his widow Agnes Black, of 4213 North Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 33]
Perhaps Agnes Black is the Agnus Black who died in Philadelphia on 8 May 1924, or the Agnes Black who died in Philadelphia on 10 February 1929.
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, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
3 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 27 April 1864
4 special order 14, HQ 91st PA, 2 March 1864
5 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 16 November 1864
6 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 9 January 1865 (Geo Black)
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 28 July 1863 (Musician Black)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 26 September 1863 (Mus Black)
9 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district [1], enumeration district [376], page 2 (image 820 on Ancestry), line 14 (George W Black)
10 company H, register of men discharged, #42 (George W Black)
11 company H, descriptive roll, #88 (George W Black)
12 William C Reiff, 'A boy hero: a young drummer made of the right kind of stuff'. National tribune 3 August 1905, page 3, columns 1-2 (George Black)
13 pension index, by name (George W Black)
14 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 672, microfilm series T9, film 1190, page 426 = 25A handwritten (George W Black)
15 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 380, microfilm series T623, film 1460, page 121B = 3 handwritten (George Black)
16 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 306, microfilm series T624, film 1393, page 217B = 21 handwritten (George W Black)
17 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 33, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 1144, microfilm series T624, film 1626, page 212A = 18 handwritten (George Black)
18 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 5 January 1865 (Mus Black)
19 'From the Army of the Potomac', Philadelphia Inquirer 17 September 1863 page [1]] (GW Black)
20 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1169, page 307 = 307 handwritten (Geo Black)
21 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (George W Black)
22 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Richmond District, microfilm series M432, film 820, page 185 = 371 handwritten (George Black)
23 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 17 December 1922, page 17 (George W Black)
24 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1911. Serial Set volume 6303, Session volume 121, 62nd Congress, 2nd Session, House Document 163. Page 274 (Geo W Black)
25 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. Serial Set volume 7429, session volume 99, 65th Congress, 2nd Session, House Document 577. Page 211 (George W Black)
26 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 21, district 69, post office Manayunk, microfilm series M593, film 1409, page 296 recto = 9 handwritten (FamilySearch) (George Black)
27 select Philadelphia city directories
28 death register, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1881, page 46, Theodore Black (Geo W Black)
29 Pennsylvania death indices, 1922 (soundex is B420) ("420 George W Black 109617 Phila 12/14")
30 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate WC 36,231, Ellen Black minor child of George R Black (George Black)
31 death certificate, Pennsylvania, 14 Dec 1922, file number 199617 (George Washington Black)
32 Pennsylvania marriages 1709-1940, abstracts available on FamilySearch (accessed 6 April 2013) (George W Black m. Agnes McCallum)
33 Veterans administration pension payment cards 1907-1933 George W Black)
34 'Personal'. National Tribune 16 January 1890, page 3 (George Black)
35 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George W Black)
| line | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Dwellings visited | 66 | ||||||||
| Families visited | 66 | ||||||||
| Name | George Black | Elizabeth Black | James Black | Willm Black | Walter Jones | Mary Black | Catharine Black | Ellen Black | George Black |
| Age | 25 | 26 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 40 | 4 | 3 | 10/12 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | M | F | F | F | M |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Plasterer | do | do | do | |||||
| Real estate owned | 1200 | ||||||||
| Birthplace | New York | Penna | N York | do | do | Ireland | Penna | do | do |
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Dwelling number | 2190 | ||||||||
| Family number | 2472 | ||||||||
| Name | Geo Black | Cath " | Ellen " | Geo " | Theodore " | Emma " | Mary Black | Jacob Anhanson [?] | John Emms [?] |
| Age | 38 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 50 | 24 | 22 |
| Sex | m | f | f | m | m | f | f | m | m |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation | Plasterer | Widow | |||||||
| Value of real estate owned | 10000 | ||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 1000 | ||||||||
| Place of birth | NY | Phila | " | " | " | " | Scotland | Phila | |
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Dwelling-house number | 55 | |||
| Family number | 65 | |||
| Name | Wilfong George | - Lidia | Winn Mary | Black George |
| Age | 25 | 52 | 16 | 23 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M |
| Color | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | work in wool mill | no occupation | work in cotton mill | work in cotton mill |
| Real estate value | ||||
| Personal estate value | ||||
| Birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| Father foreign born | ||||
| Mother foreign born | ||||
| Birth month if born within year | ||||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||||
| Attended school past year | ||||
| Can't read | ||||
| Can't write | 1 | |||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| street name | Charter [?] St | ||
| house number | 530 | ||
| dwelling visit # | 188 | ||
| family visit # | 227 | ||
| name | Black George W | - Agnes | - Theodore |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M |
| age | 30 | 27 | 1 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Wife | Son | |
| single | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |
| widowed/divorced | |||
| married during year | |||
| occupation | Plasterer | Keeping house | At home |
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | |||
| school this year | |||
| can't read | |||
| can't write | |||
| birthplace | Penn | Scotland | Penn |
| father's birthplace | Penn | Scotland | Penn |
| mother's birthplace | Penn | Scotland | Scotland |
| line | 99 | 100 |
| street | Block A Reece Street | |
| house number | 2167 | |
| dwelling number | 2167 | |
| family number | 62 | |
| name | 68 | |
| relationship | Black George | - Agnes |
| color | Head | Wife |
| sex | M | F |
| birth date | Aug 1849 | Oct 1853 |
| age | 50 | 46 |
| married? | M | M |
| # years married | 25 | 25 |
| mother of how many children? | 0 | |
| # of children living | 0 | |
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Scotland |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Scotland |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Scotland |
| immigration year | ||
| # years in USA | ||
| naturalized citizen? | ||
| occupation | Plasterer | House Keeper |
| ['House Keeper' seems to be crossed out] | ||
| # months not employed | 0 | |
| # months in school | ||
| can read | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes |
| speaks English | yes | yes |
| owned/rented | R | |
| free or mortgaged | ||
| farm/house | H | |
| # of farm schedule | ||
| line | 74 | 75 |
| street | Reese [?] Street | |
| house nr | 2167 | |
| dwelling nr | 34 | |
| family nr | 39 | |
| name | Black George W | - Agnes |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| sex | M | F |
| color | W | W |
| age | 60 | 56 |
| marital status | M1 | M1 |
| #years present marriage | 34 | 34 |
| mother of # children | 4 | |
| mother of # living children | 0 | |
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Scot English |
| father's birthplace | New York | Scot English |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Scot English |
| immigrated | 1872 | |
| naturalized/alien | ||
| speaks English | English | English |
| occupation | Plasterer | None |
| nature of industry etc. | General | |
| employer etc. | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | |
| can read | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | ||
| owned/rented | R | |
| owned free or mortagaged | ||
| farm/house | H | |
| nr on farm schedule | ||
| civil war vet | ||
| blind | ||
| deaf & dumb | ||
| line | 11 | 12 |
| street | N [?] Paul [?] St | |
| house number | 440 | |
| dwelling visit number | 433 | |
| family visit number | 453 | |
| name | Black George | - Agnes |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| own/rent | R | |
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | ||
| sex | M | F |
| race | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 70 | 66 |
| marital status | M | M |
| year of immigration | 1872 | |
| naturalized/alien | Na | |
| year of naturalization | 1876 [?] | |
| attended school since Sept 1919 | ||
| can read | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes |
| birth place | Pennsylvania | Scotland |
| native language | Scotch [?] | |
| father's birthplace | New York | Scotland |
| father's native language | Scotch | |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylva | Scotland |
| mother's native language | Scotch | |
| can speak English | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | Retired | None |
| industry, business | ||
| employment status | ||
| number of farm schedule | ||
The following soldiers wounded in the late cavalry engagement in the vicinity of Culpeper Court House, were admitted into the Armory Square Hospital today.
BLACK.--Dec. 14, GEORGE W., husband of Agnes Black. Relatives and friends, also Posts Nos. 2 and 51 G.A.R., are invited to attend funeral services, Mon., 2 P.M., at late residence, 444 W. St. Paul st. Int. private. Viewing Sun. eve.
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| REISSUE | 16 | MAY 16 1912 | JUL 23 1912 |
| Inc. | 19 | Aug 10 1913 | Nov 19' 1915 J. |
| 25 | Aug 10 1919 | ||
| 30 | Aug 10 1924 | ||
| 30 | JUN 10 1918 | ||
| 40 | Aug 10, 1921 | ||
| Inc. | 50 | May 1, 1920 |