He was born in 1824/1825, in Monaghan [?], Ireland [sources: date: 4 (36 in 1861), 6 (25 in 1861), 10 (36 in 1861), 15 (71 at death in 1891), 25 (56 in 1884), 26 (29 in 1860), 27 (45 in 1870). place: 10, 15, 25, 26, 27]
On 24 July 1857, he married Eliza Black. This was his second marriage, and her first. They were married by Mr Black. She was born in May 1840, in Ireland. They apparently had at least these children:
[sources: 26, 27, 28, 29]
In 1860, he was living in ward 19, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (apparent) wife Eliza, and with their (apparent) children Elizabeth and Jane. He was a carter. [source: 26]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. [source: 10]
When he applied for a pension in 1884, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a dark complexion and blue eyes. [source: 25]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 24 September 1861. He enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was mustered in as a private, in company D, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1, 4, 6, 7 (24 Dec 61), 9, 10, 14, 25, 33, 34, 35]
He was transferred on 31 October 1861, probably to company K. [source: 5, 34, 35]
He was transferred on 24 December 1861 to company H. [sources: 1, 4, 6 (from H to D), 9, 11), 34, 35]
He was promoted to musician. [source: 4]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. [source: 12]
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 31 December 1863. [sources: 1, 4, 25]
He seems to have been transferred from company A to company H on 16 February 1864 (probably because he was mustered in to the wrong company when he reenlisted). [source: 24]
On 30 July 1864 Colonel Gregory ordered him to report to the Fifth Corp Hospital at City Point, as a nurse. The detail was to report to brigade headquarters at 8 am on 1 August 1864. On 10 September 1864, Sellers asked that he be returned, because the drum corps was "entirely broken up". Sellers repeated the request on 16 September 1864, this time suggesting a replacement. [sources: 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 (1 Aug), 23]
On 9 January 1865, he was ordered to replace musician George Black, when Black was discharged because his term expired. [source: 20]
On 3 February 1865, he went on a furlough, which ended on 18 February 1862. He returned on 25 February 1865. [source: 21]
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company He was then a musician in company H. [sources: 1, 4, 7, 13, 25, 33, 34, 35]
In 1870, he was living in ward 19, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (apparent) wife Eliza, and their (apparent) children Elizabeth, Jane, Andrew, Margaret Ann, and James L. He was a carpet weaver, and owned $2,000 in real estate and $300 in personal property. [source: 27]
In 1880, he was living at 2106 North Second Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Eliza and children Elizabeth, Jane, Andrew, Margaret A, James, John, and Mamie M. He was a carpet weaver. [source: 28]
On 30 October 1884, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. He had lived in Philadelphia since the war, and was a carpet weaver. [sources: 2, 3, 13, 14, 25]
In 1890, he was living at 2106 North Second Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city directory does not record an occupation for him. [sources: 7, 8]
On 31 March 1891, he died, of valvular heart disease. He died at, or was buried from, 2106 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a gentleman (that is, he was not working). He was married. He was buried on 4 April 1891, in the Palmer Vault. On 5 April 1891, he was buried, in Mt Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 15, 25, 32]
On 8 April 1891, his widow, Eliza Falls, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension, under the Act of 27 June 1890. She had previously applied under the "Old Law" (sc. presumably the Act of 14 July 1862). Her post-office address was 2106 North Second Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 2, 3, 13, 14, 25]
In 1900, his widow, Eliza Falls, was living at 2106 North Second Street, ward 19, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her daughter Jane Catherwood, and Jane's family. [source: 29]
On 7 October 1905, his widow, Eliza Falls, died, in Camden, New Jersey. She died of apoplexy. She was a dressmaker. On 10 October 1905, she was buried, in Mt Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 25, 30, 31, 32]
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 Veterans' administration. Pension index, by name. (Searched 12 Jan 2001, on Ancestry) (John Falls, alias John Kelley)
3 Veterans' administration. Pension index, by name. (Searched 12 Jan 2001, on Ancestry) (John Kelley, alias for John Falls)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John Falls)
5 company D, register of men transferred, entry 11 (John Kelley)
6 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 9 August 2004 (John Kelly; roll has 'John Kelley')
7 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district [1], enumeration district [373], page 4 (image 810 on Ancestry), line 46 (John Falls)
8 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (John Falls)
9 company H, register of men transferred (John Kelly)
10 company H, descriptive roll, #18 (John Falls)
11 company K, list of men transferred, #20 (John Talls [?])
12 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John Falls)
13 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (and second card) (John Falls alias John Kelley)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (but filed under company H) (and second card) (John Falls alias John Kelley)
15 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John Falls, 31 March 1891, #18190 (John Falls)
16 letter, Tayman to Reed, 13 August 1864 (John Falls)
17 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 10 September 1864 (John Falls)
18 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 16 September 1864 (John Falls)
19 special order 186, HQ 5th Army Corps, 30 July 1864 (Jno Falls)
20 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 9 January 1865 (John Fall)
21 enlisted men's furloughs (John Fall)
22 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (John Falls)
23 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 1 August 1864 (Jno Falls)
24 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864 (John Falls)
25 pension documents packet, certificate 394,498 (Eliza widow of John Falls)
26 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, microfilm series M653, film 1170, page 659 = 189 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Falls)
27 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, district 59, microfilm series M593, film 1405, page 293 verso = 116 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Falls)
28 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 361, microfilm series T9, film 1178, page 177 = 3 C handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Falls)
29 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, microfilm series T623, film 1460, enumeration district 377, page 77 = 1 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (Eliza Falls)
30 transit permit # 22772, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania death certificates, 7 October 1905, Eliza Falls (FamilySearch) (Eliza Falls)
31 Find a grave, memorial 92658857, created by Emily Baker, 27 June 2012, accessed 2 February 2014 (Eliza Falls)
32 'Register of interments', Mt Peace cemetery, in Historical society of Pennsylvania, Historic Pennsylvania church and town records, 200 (John and Eliza Falls)
33 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Falls)
34 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Kelly)
35 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Kelley)
[ordered compiled military service record, 16 August 2015, from NARA, order G11-235487829E, to confirm whether he is the same person as John Salls]
Assigning records to this John Falls or the other John Falls (who served in company A) is sometimes difficult. Still, relying on the pension documents packets, on the fact that this John Falls was a musician, and on the difference in their occupations, and assuming that the John Falls who served in company A did not enlist until 1864, I have reasonable confidence in the division I've made of the records.
According to the pension indices (2, 3), John Falls went by an alias, John Kelley. Bates (1) has a John Kelley in company H, who enlisted on the same day as John Falls, and who was not on the muster-out roll. I assume he initially enlisted under the alias, and then reverted to his real name. (The company A descriptive book doesn't mention the transfer--so I'm not confident this is right.) Bates (1) also has a John Kelly in company D, who enlisted on the same day, and was not on the muster-out roll (1; see also 14). I have assumed all of these are this John Falls.
| line | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Dwelling number | [1394] | |||
| Family number | 1528 | |||
| Name | John Falls | Eliza " | Elizabeth " | Jane " |
| Age | 29 | 29 | 3 | 7/12 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation | Carter | |||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||
| Value of personal estate | ||||
| Place of birth | Ireland | " | Phil | " |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | ||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| Dwelling-house number | 817 | ||||||
| Family number | 931 | ||||||
| Name | Falls John | - Eliza | - Elizabeth | - Jane | - Andrew | - Margaret Ann | - James L |
| Age | 45 | 40 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Sex | m | f | f | f | m | f | m |
| Color | w | w | w | w | w | w | w |
| Occupation | Carpet weaver | Keeps House | works in silk mill | Works in silk mill | |||
| Real estate value | 2000 | ||||||
| Personal estate value | 300 | ||||||
| Birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mother foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 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 old | 1 | ||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 |
| street name | North Second Street | ||||||||
| house number | 2106 | ||||||||
| dwelling visit # | 25 | ||||||||
| family visit # | 30 | ||||||||
| name | Falls John | - Eliza | - Elizabeth | - Jane | - Andrew | - Margaret A | - James | - John | - Mamie M. |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | F | M | F | M | M | F |
| age | 60 | 50 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 6 |
| month born if born in year | |||||||||
| relationship | Wife | Daughter | " | Son | Daughter | Son | " | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| widowed/divorced | |||||||||
| married during year | |||||||||
| occupation | Carpet Weaver | Keeping House | Works in Cotton Mill | " " " " | " " " " | " " " " | " " " " | At School | " " |
| months unemployed | |||||||||
| currently ill? | |||||||||
| blind | |||||||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||||||
| idiotic | |||||||||
| insane | |||||||||
| disabled | |||||||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| can't read | |||||||||
| can't write | |||||||||
| birthplace | " [sc. Ireland] | " | Penna | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| father's birthplace | " [sc. Ireland] | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| mother's birthplace | " [sc. Ireland] | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| line | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| street | N. Second Street | |||
| house number | 2106 | |||
| dwelling number | 4 | |||
| family number | 5 | |||
| name | Catherwood Robert | - Jane | - Jr Robert | Falls Eliza |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Mother |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | F |
| birth date | Dec 1859 | Nov 1859 | Oct 1881 | May 1840 |
| age | 40 | 40 | 18 | 60 |
| married? | M | M | S | W |
| # years married | 20 | 20 | ||
| mother of how many children? | 1 | 1 | ||
| [the '1' in Eliza Falls' row seems to be erased] | ||||
| # of children living | 1 | 1 | ||
| [the '1' in Eliza Falls' row seems to be erased] | ||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Ireland |
| immigration year | 1860 | |||
| # years in USA | 40 | |||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||
| occupation | Carder | |||
| # months not employed | 0 | |||
| # months in school | ||||
| can read | yes | yes | no | yes |
| can write | yes | yes | no | yes |
| speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| owned/rented | R | |||
| free or mortgaged | ||||
| farm/house | H | |||
| # of farm schedule | ||||
This is to Certify, That the following is a correct copy of the certificate of the decease of John Falls filed in this Department, as directed by the State Law:
1. Name of Deceased, John FallsOn this 25 day of [blank], A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eight-four, personally appeared before me, A Prothy of the Court of Common Pleas, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, John Falls aged 56 years, a resident of the City of Philadelphia, county of Phila, State of Pennsylvania, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical John Falls who was ENROLLED on the 24" [?] day of Sept, 1861, in Company H of the 91 Regiment of Pa. Infty commanded by Capt Geo P Finney and was honorably DISCHARGED at Warington [sic] Junction on acont [sic] of reinlistment as a vittren [sic] on the [blank] day of [blank]; that his personal description is as follows: Age, 56 years; height 5 feet 6 inches; complexion, Ddark [sic]; hair, blue; eyes, [blank]. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at [blank] on or about [blank], he [contracted] Rumitism [sic] wich [sic] I contracted in the Armey [sic] of the united States servis [sic] at the Arthmatic [sic] cort [sic] house by lying on the Damp ground and it is so incrased [sic] that I cannot work
That he was inlisted [sic] September 24 1861. Discharged July July tenth 1865 I have two honorable DischargesHe hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, Alexander Mosher of Washington, DC, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has never received nor applied for a Pension. That his POST OFFICE ADDRESS is 2106 No 2d St, Philadelphia State of Pa.
Claimant's signature, John FallsAlso personally appeared Wm Mealey, residing at Philada Pa and Matthew Loughlen, residing at Philada Pa, persons who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw John Falls, the claimant, sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. ['whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit' is crossed out]
William Mealey
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25 day of October [?], A.D. 1884, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words whom I +c. +c. erased, and the words [blank] added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
[illegible]
Deputy Prothy
PENSION OFFICE OCT 30 1884
INVALID.
CLAIM FOR PENSION
ORIGINAL.
John Falls Applicant,
Musician Co. H 91" Reg't,
Pa. Ifty Vols.
Enlisted [blank]
Discharged [blank]
FILED BY
Alexander Mosher
Washn
Box 604 D.C.
[page 6 of 11]
[3--1081.]
PENSIONER DROPPED.
United States Pension Agency,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Nov 15, 1905
Certificate No 394,498
Class WIDOW, ACT OF JUNE 27, 1890.
Pensioner Eliza Falls
Soldier John Falls
Service Musc H, 91" Pa
The Commissioner of Pensions.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $8, to Aug. 4, 1905, has been dropped because of death.
Very respectfully,I have the honor to request that you will furnish from the records of the War Department a full report as to the service, disability, and hospital treatment of John Falls, who, it is claimed, enlisted Sept 24, 1861, and served as Nurse in Co. H, 91 Pa Reg't Inf; also in Co. [blank], and was discharged at [blank], July 10, 1865.
While serving in Co. H, 91 Reg't Pa Inf, he was disabled by Rheumatism also [blank] and was treated in hospitals of which the names, locations, and dates of treatment are as follows: none alleged
Very respectfully,On this 16 day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety three, personally appeared before me, a Deputy Prothy Clk [?] within and for the county and state aforesaid Eliza Falls aged 62 years, a resident of the City of Philada, county of Philada State of Pennsylvania, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Falls, who enlisted under the name of John Falls at Philada, on the 24th day of September A.D. 1861 as musician Company "D" 91 Regt Penna Vols + Company "H" 91st Regt Penna Vet Vols and served at least ninety days in the late War of the Rebellion, in the service of the United States; who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED 10 July 1865, and died Philada March 31st 1891 That she was married under the name of Eliza Black to said John Falls, on the 24th day of July 1857, by Mr Black, at Philada Penna there being no legal barrier to said marriage She was never previously married but her Husband was
That she has not remarried since the death of the said John FallsShe hereby appoints JAMES B. O'NEILL, 118 and 120 South Sixth Street, Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim and receive a fee of $10 when the claim has been successfully settled. That her post-office address is 2106 Nth 2nd St Phila county of Philada State of Pennsylvania
Eliza FallsAlso personally appeared Lizzie Burton, residing at 2019 Dreer St Phila, and William J Laughlin, residing at 2019 Dreer St Phila, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Eliza Falls claimant, sign her name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and an acquaintance with her of 27 years and 22 years, respectively, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
(1) Lizzie BurtonSworn to and subscribed before me this 16 day of August [?] A.D. 1893, and I hereby certify that the contents or [sic] the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words [blank] erased, and the words [blank] added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
[illegible name]| REMARKS. | 4" grave west 1st int | 4" " " 2nd " | 1 " " 1 " | 2 " " 1 " | 2 " " 2 " |
| NAME OF PERSON. | Mary M. Falls | William J Falls | John Falls | Eliza Falls | Anna Rartany [?] |
| AGE. | 8 yrs | 13 mo | 71 y | 74 y | 51 y |
| DATE OF DEATH. | Oct 12 1886 | Mar 31 1891 | Oct 7 1905 | July 14 1908 | |
| DATE OF INTERMENT. | Dec 11 1881 | Oct 16 1886 | Apr 5 1891 | Oct 10 1905 | July 17 1908 |
| OCCUPATION. | |||||
| SINGLE OR MARRIED. | Single | " | |||
| NATIVE. | Phil | " | Ireland | " " | Pa |
| RESIDENCE. | 2106 N 2nd St | 2636 N Front St | 2106 N 2nd st | Camden N J | 1302 N Dover st |
| DISEASE. | Removed from Cumberland st Vault | Catarrhal Pneumonia | Heart Disease | Apoplexy | Cancer of Liver |
| IMPROVEMENTS. |