He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5) or Newcastle, Delaware (6 [Delaware], 8 [DE], 10 [Newcastle DE]). He was born in 1827/28 (2 (34 in 1862), 5 (34 in 1862), 6 (57 in ?1885), 8 (57 in ?1885), 10 (64 at death in 1892)).
When he enlisted, he was a bla[cksmith?] (5).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (5).
He enlisted in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry on 7 August 1862, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 3). He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Termany [?] (5). He was in company E (9). He was mustered into service as a private in the 118th Pennsylvania on 7 August 1862, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 2).
On 2 June 1865, he was transferred from the 118th Pennsylvania to the 91st Pennsylvania (1, 2, 4). He was a private in company I of the 91st Pennsylvania (1, 11).
He was sentenced by general court martial to forfeit all pay and allowances, and to make good the time he was absent (two months and ten days) (5).
He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865 (1, 2, 3). He had served for thirty-five months (6, 8). He w-as a private, in company I (11).
On 26 July 1885, he was admitted to the National Soldiers Home (6, 8). He was admitted from Pennsylvania (8). He suffered from rheumatism, but was not receiving a pension (6, 8).
In 1886, he was present at the Southern Branch of the National Soldiers Home (6).
In 1890, he was living in the National Soldiers Home, Southern Branch, in Elizabeth City County, Virginia (3). He had rheumatism (3).
On 18 March 1891, he successfully applied for a pension (9).
On 1 August 1892, he died, apparently in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (or perhaps in the Southern Branch of the National Soldiers Home?) (8, 9, 10). He died of dropsy (10). He was a watchman (10). He died at, or was buried from, 1752 Birchwood, 29th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). He was apparently not receiving a pension (8). On 3 August 1892, he was buried, at Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10).
On 27 October 1893, his widow, Mary E Woolson, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (7, 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) (John S Wootson)
2 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 January 2005 (John S Wootson)
3 1890 US census, Virginia, Elizabeth City County, National Soldiers Home, page 30, line 21 (John L Woolson)
4 company I, register of men transferred (John L Woolson)
5 company I, descriptive roll, #99 (John L Woolson)
6 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 195 (John L Woolson)
7 pension index, by name (John L Woolson)
8 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1893. Serial Set volume 3151, session volume 1, 53rd Congress, 1st Session. House Miscellaneous Document 35. Page 717. (John L Woolson)
9 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company I (John L Woolson)
10 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1 August 1892 (John L Woolson)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John L Woolson)