He was born in 1816/17 (3 (44 in 1861), 4 (44 in 1861), 7 (59 in 1862 at death)). He was born in Lanchisier [sic; perhaps Lancaster] England (3, 7).
When he enlisted, he was a weaver (3).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6-1/2 inches tall, had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and grey hair (3).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private for three years in company E, on 6 September 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3, 4, 10). He was enlisted by Captain Lentz, and mustered into service by Captain Starr (3).
He died on 8 January 1862, at the Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of typhoid fever (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) or of peritonitis (7). He was a private, in company E (10). The funeral was held on 10 January 1862, from 1168 South Thirteenth Street (his residence) (5, 6). Captain Lentz and company C [probably company E?] attended the funeral (6). He was buried at New Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7).
On 15 August 1862, his widow successfully applied for a pension (8). The certificate number suggests that her application was not successful for years. Also, the pension index card refers to a widow's certificate for widow of W H Wince [?], who served in companies B and D of the 31st Pennsylvania Infantry (8). Perhaps her initial application failed because she remarried, or perhaps because she was unable to prove that his death was caused by his service--which was required until the Act of 27 June 1890.
On 5 March 1882 [??], a minor dependent, William Thompson, successfully applied for a pension (8, 9).
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 list of deaths, company E (John Thompson)
3 descriptive roll, company E, entry 72 (John Thompson)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 1 Jun 2004 (John Thompson)
5 [death notice], Philadelphia Inquirer 10 January 1862 page 5 (John Thompson)
6 'Interment', Philadelphia Inquirer 11 January 1862, page 8 (John Thompson)
7 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 February 1862 (Jno Thompson)
8 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (John Thompson)
9 pension index, by name (John Thompson)
10 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Thompson)
THOMPSON.--On the 8th inst., at the Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon Hospital, Mr. John Thompson, of Col. Gregory's Regiment.
The relatives and friends, and Capt. J. Lentz's Company, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from his late residence, No. 1168 S. Thirteenth street, above Federal, this (Friday) afternoon, at one o'clock.
INTERMENT.--The funeral of Mr. JOHN THOMPSON, a member of Company C, of the Ninety-first Regiment, P.V., Colonel GREGORY, who died at the Cooper Shop Hospital, took place from the residence of his sister, at No. 1168 S. Thirteenth street, yesterday afternoon. His remains were followed to the grave by Company C, Captain LENTZ, and a large number of friends.