91st PA: William Bryson

William Bryson

Before the war

He was born in 1845/46 (3 (18 in 1861), 5, 8 [4 in 1850], 9 [14 in 1860]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 8, 9). He was born to John M Bryson and Rebecca [unknown family name] (8). (They were married on 23 December 1844 by Reverend M Thompson (11).)

In 1850, he was living in ward 3, Spring Garden, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (8). He was living with his parents John M and Rebecca Bryson, and other (8).

On 26 October 1857, his father, John M Bryson, died (11).

In 1860, he was living in ward 10, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9). He was living with his mother Rebecca Bryson, and others (9). He had not attended school within the year (9).

When he enlisted, he was a baker (3).

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5-3/4 inches tall, had a light complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (3).

During the war

He enlisted and was mustered into service on 21 December 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3 [date not certain; could be 26 December], 5 [26 Dec], 11 [26 Dec]). He was enlisted and mustered in by Captain Lentz (3). He was a private, in company E (1, 3, 5, 11, 14).

He was killed in action on 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia, while charging the enemy (or the enemy's works) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13). He was a private, in company E (14). (Walter gives a description of the battle on the 3rd of May.) He had last been paid to 28 February 1863 (11). He was not married (11).

After the war

On 9 November 1863, his mother, Rebecca Bryson, successfully applied for a pension under the act of 14 July 1862 (6, 7, 11). She lived at 829 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11). Her application was approved (retroactive to 3 May 1863) on 22 April 1864 (11).

On 1 April 1865, his mother, Rebecca L Bryson, died (10). She was buried in Woodlands Cemetery (10). She died at, or was buried from, 829 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). She died of pulmonary consumption (10).

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)

2 list of deaths, company E

3 descriptive roll, company E, entry 99 (William Bryson)

4 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 May 1863 (Wm Bryson)

5 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 17 May 2004 (William Bryson)

6 pension index by name (William H Bryson)

7 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (William H Bryson)

8 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Spring Garden, ward 3, precinct 2, microfilm series M432, film 818, page 9 verso = [18] handwritten (Wm Bryson)

9 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 10, E.D., microfilm series M653, film 1160, pages 481-482 = 47-48 handwritten (Wm H Bryson)

10 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1 April 1865, Rebecca L Bryson

11 pension certificate file, Rebecca Bryson, National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, certificate WC 19,912

12 'The ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Press, Wednesday 13 May 1863, page 2 (Wm Bryson)

13 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania at Chancellorville', Philadelphia Inquirer 13 May 1863, page 8 (William Bryson)

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

Sources checked unsuccessfully

1870 US census
HeritageQuest index (accessed November 2009)
1880 US census
HeritageQuest index (accessed November 2009)
1890 US census, veterans schedules
Ancestry index (accessed April 2007)
1900 US census
HeritageQuest index (accessed November 2009)
1910 US census
HeritageQuest index (accessed November 2009)
1920 US census
HeritageQuest index (accessed November 2009)
1930 US census
Footnote index (accessed November 2009)

Display



William H Bryson in the 91st PA database

1850 census

[1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Spring Garden, ward 3, precinct 2, microfilm series M432, film 818, page 9 verso = [18] handwritten]
line131415161718
Dwellings visited119     
Families visited130     
NameJohn M. BrysonRebecca DoWm DoAnn C DoGeorge DoEmma Do
Age3326426 days56
SexMFMFMF
Color      
Occupation of males over 15 yearsPainter     
Real estate owned4,000     
BirthplacePennsylvaniaDoDoDoDoDo
Married within year      
Attended school within year      
Over 20 & can't read/write      
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.      

1860 census

[1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 10, E.D., microfilm series M653, film 1160, pages 481-482 = 47-48 handwritten]
line3637383940123456
Dwelling number297          
Family number348          
NameCathn LandisRebecca BrysonWm H "Anna C "George "Francis H BrysonHenry LandisHanna A "Wm H "Mary E "Anna G "
Age713614121052624432
SexFFMFMMMFMFF
Color           
Occupation           
Value of real estate owned20,0004,000         
Value of personal estate1,000          
Place of birth" [sc. Penna]""""Penna"""""
Married within year           
Attended school within year   11      
Cannot read & write           
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.           

index to compiled service records

[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 17 Mar 2014, from Fold3]


Bryson, William
Co. E, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt | Pvt.
See also [blank]

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

mother's pension application file

[National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, pension certificate file, by Rebecca Bryson, certificate 19,912]
[transcribed from Footnote, accessed 7 November 2009]
[this file includes ten manuscript pages]


[page 1]

9 IMAGES
CSS
Cert. 19912
Box 31595
Bundle #31
Rebecca Bryson

[page 2]

[I did not transcribe this, because it merely gives basic information about the pages microfilmed]

[page 3]

WAR OF 1861.
19.912
Brief in the case of Rebecca Bryson mother of William Bryson
priv Co. "E." 91 Pa. Vols.
Philadelphia County, and State of Pennsylvania.
Act of July 14, 1862.
Post Office address of Applicant, Philadelphia, Pa. 829. Cherry St.
Clam for Mother's Pension.
Declaration and Identification in due Form.
PROOF EXHIBITED.

1. Affidavits of identifying witnesses, showing motherhood, widowhood, that soldier left no widow nor [sic] children, + dependence.

2. Adjt. Genl's report showing on Rolls for March + April 1863. he is reported a private. "Killed in action at Chancellorsville May 3. 1863." "Last paid by Major Sheridan to Feby 28. 1863."

3. Power of Atty to Geo. W. Ford, Phila. Pa.



[page 4]
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, SS.

On this Ninth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, personally appeared before me, the Clerk of Orphans Court in and for the City and State aforesaid Rebecca Bryson a resident of 829 Cherry St. Phila State of Pennsylvania aged 39 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, approved July 14th, A.D. 1862; that she is the widow of John M. Bryson and mother of William H. Bryson deceased, who was a Private in Company E, commanded by [blank] in the 91st Pa Vol Regiment, commanded by Colonel E. M. Gregory in the War of 1861, that said son volunteered at Philadelphia on or about the 26 day of December, 1861 and who died on the 3rd day of May 1863. She further declares that her son the said William H. Bryson while in the service and line of his duty was killed at the time and place above mentioned.

And she further declares that she was married to John M. Bryson the Father of the said William H. Bryson at Philadelphia on the 23 day of December, 1844, by Rev M Thompson that her husband, the said John M. Bryson died at Philadelphia on or about the 26 day of October 1857. That her son the said William H. Bryson contributed of his weekly earnings regularly to her support; that he assisted in paying house rent and other necessary expenses, and that she received money from him while in the Army for the same purpose, that she has no other estate coming to her, and further that she is unable to procure [?] any record evidence of marriage.

She further declares that her son, the said William H. Bryson deceased, upon whom she was wholly or in part dependent for support, having left no widow, or minor child or children under sixteen years of age surviving him, declarant makes this application for a Pension under the above mentioned Act, and refers to the evidence filed herewith, and that in the proper department, to establish her claim.

She also declares that she has not in any way, been engaged in, or aided or abetted the Rebellion in the United States; that she is not in the receipt of a pension under the 2nd. Section of the Act above mentioned, or under any other Act; nor has she married since the death of her son, the said William H. Bryson.

And I hereby make, constitute and appoint George W. Ford of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, my true and lawful Attorney for me in my name and place, to prosecute and procure the above claim for Pension,--giving and granting unto said Attorney full power and authority to do and perform every act and thing whatsoever requisite, and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intent and purposes as I might or could do if I were personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or substitute shall lawfully do, or cause to be done by virtue hereof,--hereby revoking all and every other order or power of Attorney, that I may have given or granted to any other person for a like purpose.

Rebecca Bryson
Philada Post Office
Penna.

[page 5]

Also personally appeared, Hannah Landis a resident of [blank], and Hannah White a resident of 1255 No 10th St. Philada. Pa, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present, and saw Rebecca Bryson sign her name to the foregoing declaration and power of Attorney, and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant, and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, that we were acquainted with William H. Bryson deceased, and have every reason to believe that he was the son of the applicant, that he served as aforesaid, and died on or about the time above mentioned,--that he died, leaving no wife or minor, child or children under sixteen years of age surviving him, and have every reason to believe that the declarant was married to the said John M. Bryson on or about the time above mentioned, and that he died as aforesaid, and that the said Rebecca Bryson is still a widow. They further declare that they saw the said William H. Bryson while in the service aforesaid, they know of the death of John M. Bryson the father of said Wm H. Bryson from the fact that they attended his funeral about the month of October 1857. They further declare that they saw the said William H. Bryson deceased give his mother money at various times from his earnings to assist in paying the house rent and for other necessary expenses of the family, that they saw letters from him while in the Army which contained money and which he then stated was for the above mentioned purposes, and that there is no other estate due her. That the said Rebecca and John M. Bryson lived together as husband and wife and were so regarded and respected. and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

Hannah Landis
Hannah White

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 9th day of October A.D. 1863, and I hereby certify that I have no interest directly or indirectly in the prosecution of this claim;--that the said Court is a Court of Record in and for the City and State aforesaid, that I am duly authorized to administer oaths in and for said Court, and have the custody of its official seal.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Philadelphia, Pa., this 9th day of October A.D. 1863.

PM Batters [?]
Dep [illegible]

[page 6]

[seal, reading: ] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Nov 9 1863 PENSION OFFICE

APPLICATION.
Rebecca Bryson
Mother of William H. Bryson
Late a Private Co. "E"
91st Regt. Pa. Vols.
Col. E. M. Gregory
War of 1861.
FOR PENSION.
Act of July 14th, 1862.

GEORGE W. FORD,
ATTORNEY;
No 241 Dock St. PHILADELPHIA

[page 7]

Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, D.C.,
December 30th 1863.
Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 38.070, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.

There is no evidence on file in this Office that William Bryson was enrolled and mustered into service in Co "E", 91st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. But on the Muster Roll of Co. "E" of that Regiment, for the months of March + April '63 + dated May 10th 1863, there is the following evidence of service: He is reported a Private "Killed in action at Chancellorsville May 3 1863" "Last paid by Major Sheridan to Feby 28" 1863"

I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Sam G Preck [?]
Assistant Adjutant General

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Memoranda.
Name of applicant, Rebecca Bryson
Address, 829 Cherry St. Philadelphia, Pa.
J.R.

[page 8]

No. 19.912
Pennsylvania
Rebecca Bryson
Mother of William Bryson
Rank Private
Company E"
Regiment 91st Regt Pa. Vols
Philadelphia Agency.
Rate per month, $8 00/100
Commencing 3d May 1863
Certificate dated 22nd April 1864.
and sent to George W. Ford
241 Dock St. Philadelphia
Pa.
Act 14th July, 1862.
Book A Vol. 5 Page 6
[illegible] Wm H
D D Addison

[page 9]

19.912
No. 38,070
ACT OF JULY 14, 1862.
Rebecca Bryson, Phila Penn
Mother of Wm H. Bryson
pri Co "E" 91 Penn Vols
Died at Chancellorsville Va
May 3. 1863 in battle
Pension Office,
Nov. 11" 1863.
Respectfully referred to the Adjutant General, for official evidence of service and death.
Joseph H. Barrett
Commissioner.
Admit.
Received, Nov 9 1863
George W. Ford
Philadelphia
Penn
Attorney.

[page 10]

I, Matthew Hall hereby certify on honor, that William H. Bryson who was a Private in Company "E" 91st Regiment Pa. Vols. commanded by Col. E. M. Gregory and who volunteered at Philada. Pa on or about the 26th day of Dec. 1861 while in the service of the United States and in the line of his duty, he received a gunshot wound while engaged at the battle of Chancellorsville Va May 3rd 1863 from the effects of which he died on the 3rd day of May 1863 on the field of Battle.

And I certify to the above from a personal knowledge of him and of his services.

In Testimony whereof, witness my hand and seal this First day of November A.D. 1863 at Camp near Warrenton Junction Va

Matthew Hall Capt [seal]
Com. Co. "E" [91] Reg. P.V.

mother's death certificate

death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1 April 1865, Rebecca L Bryson
RETURN OF A DEATH,
IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATE.
1. Name of Deceased, Rebecca L Bryson
2. Colour, white
3. Sex, female
4. Age, 41 years
5. widow
6. Date of Death, April 1st '65
7. Cause of Death, Pulmonary Consumption
Bernard Berens, M.D.
Residence, 909 Arch St
UNDERTAKER'S CERTIFICATE, IN RELATION TO DECEASED.
8. Occupation, [blank]
9. Place of Birth, Phila
10. When a Minor, [blank]
11. Ward, 10 Ward
12. Street and Number, 829 Cherry St
13. Date of Burial, April 5 1865
14. Place of Burial, Woodlands
D P Moore UNDERTAKER.
Residence, N 829 Vine St
Date of Certificate. April 1 /65

top of document | home
revised 17 Mar 14
contact Harry Ide at [email protected] with comments or questions