He was born in May 1845 (18; 11 (20 in 1862); 4 [21 in 1864?], 16 [25 in 1870], 17 [35 in 1880], 18 [55 in 1900], 19 [64 in 1910], 20 [74 in 1920], 22 [84 in 1930]). He was born in Easton, Pennsylvania (4, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22).
When he enlisted, he was a gilder (4, 11 [laborer]).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (4, 11 [5'6", fair complexion, gray eyes, brown hair]).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 29 January 1862, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 11 [as corporal], 13 [4 Feb], 21 [2 Feb]). He was a private, in company E (1, 11 (corp), 24 (pvt)).
On 16 December 1862, his company was trapped on the enemy side of the Rapahannock River after the battle of Fredericksburg, the rest of the Army of the Potomac having crossed the River. He swam across the Rapahannock River, so that his company could get across the river (2; see also 3 and 4).
He was discharged because of disability, arising from an illness he contracted while swimming the Rapahannock River (1, 4, 5). The details differ from source to source. According to Bates (1) and the company descriptive roll (4), he was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability; according to the register of men discharged (5), he was discharged by order of General Martindale. According to Bates (1) and the register of men discharged (5), he was discharged on 3 September 1863 (also 11); according to the company descriptive roll, he was discharged on 21 August 1863. The consolidated morning reports record his discharge on 10 September 1863 (10).
He later re-enlisted in the same company (4). I do not know whether this is his re-enlistment as a veteran volunteer, or an earlier re-enlistment.
He was promoted in December 1863 to corporal, for bravery at the Battle of Fredericksburg (3).
He enlisted [i.e. reenlisted as a veteran volunteer] for three years in company E on 4 February 1864, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania (1, 4). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Shipley and mustered into service by Lieutenant Hilderburn (4).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (6).
On 7 October 1864, Sellers reported that he was missing in action on 30 September 1864 near Peeble's House (8). He went with Joseph Green to the Division Hospital, because Green was ill, and couldn't move quickly because had to keep stopping because of his illness (23).
On 11 October 1864, he was reported returned from being absent without leave (14).
On 4 November 1864, he testified at the General Court Martial of Joseph Green (23). I do not know Green was court martialed and Clark was not (23).
On 26 January 1865, company E published resolutions mourning the death of sixteen comrades, and sympathizing with their families (15). He was on the committee (15).
On 7 June 1865, he went on a furlough, which expired on 22 June 1865 (9). He returned on 25 June 1865 (9).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 13 [Apr 65], 21). He was a private, in company E (24).
In 1864/1865, he married Hannah M [unknown surname] (18, 19, 22). In 1900, she reported having had 5 children, 2 of whom were alive (18). In 1910, she reported having had 5 children, 3 of whom were alive (19).
In 1870, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (16). He was living with his wife Hannah and children Alfred and Anna (16). He was a house painter, and owned $200 in personal property (16).
In 1880, he was living in ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (17). He was living with his wife Hannah, and children Alfred, Margaret, and Henry (17). He was a collector (17).
In 1890, he was living at 2208 Christian Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (13).
On 20 December 1892, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (12, 21).
In 1900, he was living at 2137 Federal Street, ward 36, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (18). He was living with his wife Hannah, daughter Maggie and her husband, and a boarder (18). He was a messenger at the US Navy Yard (18).
On 19 August 1907, he again applied for a pension (21).
In 1910, he was living at 2320 Morris Street, ward 36, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19). He was living with his wife Hannah, daughter Margaret and Margaret's husband and child (19). He was a messenger for the US Navy (19).
In 1920, he was living at 5405 Norfolk Street, ward 46, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (20). He was living with his wife Hannah, and daughter Margaret and her family (20). He was not working (20).
In 1930, he was living at 5405 Norfolk Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (22). He was living with his wife Hannah, his son-in-law Frank E William, and Frank's wife Margaret (22). He was not working (22).
He died on 7 December 1931, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (21).
On 17 December 1931, his widow, Hannah M Clark, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (12, 21).
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 Lentz, John D. Report of events on 16 Dec 1862. Dated Camp in the field, near Fredericksburg, Va., December 17, 1862. Official Records series 1 volume 21 page 403.
3 list of non-commissioned officers, company E
4 company E, descriptive roll, entry 107 (James A Clark)
5 company E, register of men discharged, number 19 (James A Clark)
6 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
7 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
8 letter, Sellers to Tayman, 7 October 1864
9 enlisted men's furloughs (James Clark)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 September 1863 (Corpl James Clark)
11 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (James A Clark)
12 pension index, by name (James A Clark)
13 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 728, page [1] (image 2321 on Ancestry) (James A Clark)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 11 October 1864 (Prvt Clark)
15 'Headquarters company E', Philadelphia Inquirer 26 January 1865 page 5 (James A Clark)
16 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, district 84, microfilm series M593, film 1413, page 169 = 34 handwritten (James Clark)
17 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1st ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 21, microfilm series T9, film 1167, page 309 A = 1 handwritten (James A Clark)
18 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 36, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 918 [?], microfilm series T623, film 1477, page 290 B = 1 handwritten (James A Clark)
19 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 36, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 896, microfilm series T624, film 1407, page 201 = 6 B handwritten (James A Clark)
20 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 46, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 1744, microfilm series T625, film 1647, page 27 = 12 A handwritten (James A Clark)
21 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (James A Clark)
22 1930 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 46, supervisor's district 30 [?], enumeration district 51-527, microfilm series T626, film 2141, page 200 = 15 A handwritten, lines 30-33 (James A Clark)
23 court martial record, Joseph Green, National Archives and Records Administration, RG 153, file #LL-2715 [see manuscript page 7-8 (numbered 5-6)] (Private James A Clark)
24 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James A Clark)
line | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Dwelling-house number | 227 | |||
Family number | 262 | |||
Name | Clark James | - Hannah | - Alfred A | - Anna M |
Age | 25 | 21 | 1 | 43 |
Sex | M | F | M | F |
Color | W | W | W | W |
Occupation | H. Painter | Keep house | At home | At home |
Real estate value | ||||
Personal estate value | $200 | |||
Birthplace | Penn | Penn | Penn | Penn |
Father foreign born | ||||
Mother foreign born | ||||
Birth month if born within year | ||||
Marriage month if married within year | ||||
Attended school past year | ||||
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 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 |
street name | [illegible] St | ||||
house number | 1718 | ||||
dwelling visit # | 8 | ||||
family visit # | 9 | ||||
name | Clark James A | - Hannah M | - Alfred A | - Margaret M | - Henry R |
color | W | W | W | W | W |
sex | M | F | M | F | M |
age | 35 | 31 | 11 | 6 | 4 |
month born if born in year | |||||
relationship | Wife | Son | Daughter | Son | |
single | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
married | 1 | 1 | |||
widowed/divorced | |||||
married during year | |||||
occupation | Collector | Keeping House | At School | At home | At home |
months unemployed | |||||
currently ill? | |||||
blind | |||||
deaf/dumb | |||||
idiotic | |||||
insane | |||||
disabled | |||||
school this year | 1 | ||||
can't read | |||||
can't write | |||||
birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Penna | Penna | Penna |
father's birthplace | England | Ireland | Penna | Penna | Penna |
mother's birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland |
line | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 |
street | Federal St | ||||
house number | 2137 | ||||
dwelling number | 16 | ||||
family number | 20 | ||||
name | Clark James A | - Hannah M | Williams Maggie M | - Frank E | Urbach [??] Thomas |
relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Son-in-law | Boarder |
color | W | W | W | W | W |
sex | M | F | F | M | M |
birth date | May 1845 [?] | July 1858 [?] | Feb 1876 | Mch 1875 | Apl 1854 |
age | 55 | 53 | 24 | 25 | 45 |
married? | M | M | M | M | M |
# years married | 35 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 20 [?] |
mother of how many children? | 5 | 0 | |||
# of children living | 2 | 0 | |||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | England |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | England |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | England |
immigration year | 1890 | ||||
# years in USA | 9 | ||||
naturalized citizen? | Al | ||||
occupation | Messenger Navy Yr. | Shipping Clerk | [illegible] maker | ||
# months not employed | |||||
# months in school | |||||
can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
owned/rented | R | ||||
free or mortgaged | |||||
farm/house | H | ||||
# of farm schedule |
line | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 |
street | Morris St | ||||
house nr | 2320 | ||||
dwelling nr | 111 | ||||
family nr | 113 | ||||
name | Clark James A | - Hannah N [?] | Williams Margarett [sic] | - Frank E | - Mary H |
relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Son-in-law | Grand daughter |
sex | M | F | F | M | F |
color | W | W | W | W | W |
age | 64 | 62 | 35 | 35 | 5 |
marital status | M1 | M1 | M1 | M1 | S |
#years present marriage | 45 | 45 | 12 | 12 | |
mother of # children | 5 | 1 | |||
mother of # living children | 3 | 1 | |||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
father's birthplace | England Eng | Ireland Eng | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ireland Eng | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
immigrated | |||||
naturalized/alien | |||||
speaks English | English | English | English | English | English |
occupation | Messenger | none | none | Shipping Clerk | none |
nature of industry etc. | U.S.N. | Gate Works | |||
employer etc. | W | W | |||
out of work 15 Apr 1910? | no | no | |||
# weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 0 | |||
can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
school since 1 Sep 09 | |||||
owned/rented | R | ||||
owned free or mortagaged | |||||
farm/house | H | ||||
nr on farm schedule | |||||
civil war vet | [blank] | ||||
blind | |||||
deaf & dumb |
line | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
street | Norfolk Street | ||||
house number | 5405 | ||||
dwelling visit number | 254 | ||||
family visit number | 252 | ||||
name | Williams Frank E | - Margaret | - Mary H | Clark James A | - Hannah M |
relationship | head | wife | daughter | father in law | mother in law |
own/rent | O | ||||
free/mortgaged (if owned) | M | ||||
sex | M | F | F | M | F |
race | W | W | W | W | W |
age at last birthday | 42 | 33 | 14 | 74 | 71 |
marital status | M | M | S | M | M |
year of immigration | 1850 | ||||
naturalized/alien | Na | ||||
year of naturalization | 1861 | ||||
attended school since Sept 1919 | Yes | ||||
can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
birth place | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Ireland |
native language | Irish | ||||
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Ireland |
father's native language | Irish | ||||
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Ireland |
mother's native language | Irish | Irish | |||
can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
occupation | Shipping Clerk | none | none | none | none |
industry, business | Instalment | ||||
employment status | W | ||||
number of farm schedule |
line | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
street | NORFOLK STREET | |||
house number | 5405 | |||
dwelling visit # | 262 | |||
family visit # | 270 | |||
name | William Frank E | - Maragret [sic] M. | Clark James A. | - Hannah M |
relation | Head | Wife | Father-in-law | Mother-in-law |
owned/rented | O | |||
value or rent | $500 | |||
radio | R | |||
farm | ||||
sex | M | F | M | F |
color | W | W | W | W |
age | 55 | 55 | 84 | 81 |
married? | M | M | M | M |
age 1st marriage | 21 | 21 | 20 | 16 |
school/college since 9/29 | No | No | No | No |
can read & write | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Within [?] Ireland |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | England | Within [?] Ireland |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Within [?] Ireland |
native language | ||||
immigration year | ||||
naturalization | ||||
can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
occupation | Shipping Clerk | none | none | none |
industry | Department Store | |||
worker class | W | |||
at work yesterday | Yes | |||
unemployment schedule # | ||||
veteran? | No |   | Yes | |
war | Civ | |||
farm schedule # |