91st PA: Samuel Burnes [or Burns]

Samuel Burnes [or Burns]

Before the war

He was born in 1820/21 (3 (40 in 1861), 4 [40], 11 [58 at death in 1878], 15 [40 in 1860], 16 [49 in 1870]), 17 [29 in 1850]. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 11, 15, 16, 17).

In 1850, he was living in Moyamensing, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (17). He was living with Marg. [presumably his wife] and with Cath. and Eliz. [presumably their children] (17). He was a brickmaker (17).

In 1860, he was living in ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (15). He was living with Margaret (presumably his wife), and with Catharine and Elizabeth (presumably their children (15). He was a brickmaker, and owned $1,000 in real estate (15).

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

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9-1/2 inches tall, had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair (3).

During the war

He enlisted and was mustered into service on 20 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3, 8). He was enlisted by Captain Lentz, for three years (3). He was mustered into service by Colonel Reiff (3). He was a private, in company E (18).

In the 1861 election in Philadelphia, he was (probably) an inspector at a poll at Broad and South Streets, Philadelphia (14).

He was promoted to corporal on 25 February 1862, for soldierly appearances, replacing Michael Snyder, who had been discharged (2, 3).

He fought, as a corporal, at the battle of Gettysburg (7).

On 12 October 1863, the Philadelphia Press published a letter signed by men on duty at Camp Cadwalader, including Samuel Burns, asking Pennsylvanians to re-elect Governor Curtin (13).

On 27 October 1863, returned to duty from the RS [recruiting service?]. [source: 21]

On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 38 men who had less than fifteen months to serve who were unwilling to reenlist (19). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (20).

He was wounded on 12 May 1864 at the Battle of Laurel Hill (1, which has Spottsylvania; 3, 10).

He mustered out on 9 September 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when his term expired (1, 3, 8, 9). He was a corporal, in company E (18).

After the war

He applied successfully for a pension on 25 November 1864 (5, 12).

In 1870, he was living in ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (17). He was living with Margarett (presumably his wife), and with Catherine, Elizabeth, Samuel, Amanda, John, and Margarett (presumably their children (17). He was a brickmaker (17).

He died of phthisis at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 18 November 1878 (11, 12). He was then a brickmaker (11). He either died at or was buried from 1120 Peirce Street (11). He was buried on 21 November 1878, at Philanthropic Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11).

He (presumably his widow) was living at 1814 Pallas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a brickmaker, in 1890 (6).

His widow, Margaret Burns, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension on 2 July 1890 (5, 12).

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 non-commissioned officers, company E

3 descriptive roll, company E, entry 18 (Samuel Burns)

4 company E, register of men discharged, number 22 (Samuel Burns)

5 Veterans' administration. Pension index, by name. (Searched 13 Jan 2001, on <www.ancestry.com>.) (Samuel Burns)

6 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, 1890. (Searched 13 Jan 2001, at <www.ancestry.com>.) ("Burns Samuel brickmkr h 1814 Pallas")

7 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Samuel Burns)

8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 17 May 2004 (Samuel Burnes; rolls have 'Burns')

9 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 10 September 1864 (Corp Sam'l Burns)

10 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (Samuel Burns)

11 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 18 November 1878 (Samuel Burns)

12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (Samuel Burns)

13 'An urgent appeal from the soldiers', Philadelphia Press, 12 October 1863, page 2 (Samuel Burns)

14 'The Sheriff contested election case', Philadelphia Press Monday 23 June 1862 page 4 (Samuel Burr)

15 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, microfilm series M653, film 1151, page 671 = 205 handwritten (Samuel Burns)

16 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, division 7, microfilm series M593, film 1387, page 369 = 51 handwritten (Samuel Burns)

17 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Moyamensing, microfilm series M432, film 809, page 471 recto = 937 handwritten (Saml Byrnes)

18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Samuel Burns)

19 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863

20 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Burns)

21 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 October 1863 (Corp Burns [?])

Sources checked unsuccessfully

1890 US census, veterans schedules
Ancestry index (accessed April 2007)
RootsWeb WorldConnect
accessed December 2009

1850 census

[1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Moyamensing, microfilm series M432, film 809, page 471 recto = 937 handwritten]
line30313233
Dwellings visited219   
Families visited343   
NameSaml ByrnesMarg "Cath "Eliz "
Age292953
SexMFFF
Color    
Occupation of males over 15 years" [sc. Brick-maker]   
Real estate owned    
Birthplace" [sc. Penna]"""
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 1, microfilm series M653, film 1151, page 671 = 205 handwritten]
[This entry is missing two children who should be there, based on the 1870 census. However, the next household is headed by 'Samuel "'. Perhaps the copyist's name jumped from Samuel's child 'Samuel' to the next Samuel. This would explain why the 49-year-old Samuel, a shoemaker, is marked as having attended school within the last year.]
line15161718
Dwelling number1181   
Family number1513   
NameSamuel BurnsMargaret "Catharine "Elizabeth "
Age40391413
SexMFFF
Color    
OccupationBrick Maker   
Value of real estate owned1000   
Value of personal estate    
Place of birth" [sc. Phila]"""
Married within year    
Attended school within year  XX
Cannot read & write    
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.    

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, division 7, microfilm series M593, film 1387, page 369 = 51 handwritten]
line1011121314151617
Dwelling-house number463       
Family number425       
NameBurns Samuel- Margarett- Catherine- Elizabeth- Samuel- Amanda- John- Margarett
Age49492422181585
SexMFFFMFMF
ColorWWWWWWWW
OccupationBrick makerKeeping HouseDressmakerOperator, Sewing Machworks in Brick YardAt SchoolAt School 
Real estate value        
Personal estate value        
BirthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Father foreign born        
Mother foreign born        
Birth month if born within year        
Marriage month if married within year        
Attended school past year     11 
Can't read        
Can't write        
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.        
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1       
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...       

index to compiled service records

[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 10 Mar 2014, from Fold3]


Burns, Samuel
Co. E, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt | Corpl.
See also [blank]

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

death certificate

[death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 18 November 1878, Samuel Burns]
[source: www.familysearch.org (viewed 2 November 2008)]

RETURN OF A DEATH
IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATE.
1. Name of Deceased, Samuel Burns
2. Color, White
3. Sex, Male
4. Age, Years 58 y
5. Married
6. Date of Death, Nov 18th 78
7. Cause of Death Phthisis
W Mantall [?] M.D.
Residence, 1825 Passyunk Avenue
UNDERTAKER'S CERTIFICATE IN RELATION TO DECEASED.
8. Occupation, Brickmaker
9. Place of Birth, Pennsylvia [sic]
10. When a Minor, [blank]
11. Ward, 2d
12. Street and Number, 1120 Peirce St.
13. Date of Burial, Nov 21st
14. Place of Burial, Philanthropic Cemetery
J E Chees Undertaker
Residence, 2031 Ellsworth

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revised 26 Mar 14
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