Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image
He was born on 23 September 1826, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Closson and Mary Libhart Loukes. [birth: 6, 7, 8, 26, 37 (35 in 1861), 54 (32 in 1860), 55, 57. parents: 55]
Starting around 1850, he was a coachmaker, at Division Street above Ann Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 70]
In 1850, he was living in ward 6, Spring Garden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a wheelwright. He was living with Mary (presumably his mother), and Barbara, Mary, and Eliza (presumably siblings). [source: 71]
He married Martha Jane Josephine Baines ("Josephine"), on 23 September 1851, at Logan Square Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born on 24 June 1829, at Matanzas, Cuba, to Joseph Banes and Hannah Foster. They had these children:
Only James Harwood Closson Junior survived him. [6, 7, 8, 55, 57 ("Banes"), 63; cauises of death and burial places are from the Philadelphia death certificates, on FamilySearch (accessed 28 August 2011), which I have not transcribed]
About 1852, he moved to 406 Coates Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 70]
On 28 August 1855, his son Edmund Marion Closson, died. The funeral was held on 8 October 1861, from their residence, 2105 Sharswood Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 66]
On 24 January 1858, his son Franklin Banes Closson, died. The funeral was held from their residence, 2105 Sharswood Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 68; see also 70]
In 1860, he was living at 2105 Sharswood Street, in the 20th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Josephine Closson, and their children Bobb, Ed, and Allice. He was a coach maker, at 1371 Ridge Avenue, and owned $1,200 in real estate and $300 in personal property (54). [sources: 54m, 70]
On 6 October 1861, his son Edward Foster Closson, died. The funeral was held on 8 October, from their residence, 2105 Sharswood Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 67]
On 11 October 1861, his son Robert Dickinson Closson, died. They were living at 2105 Sharswood Street. The funeral was held on 15 October, from their house. [source: 65]
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 37]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 19 November 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was first lieutenant of company G. [sources: 1, 22, 37 (9 Sep 61), 37, 38 (19 Nov), 47, 58 (19 Nov), 61, 75]
He enlisted William Pritchett on 2 October 1861. When he did not report, Closson visited his home, and spoke to his mother, who attempted to convince him that Pritchett couldn't serve because of eye problems. [source: 9]
On 29 June 1862, he, along with the other commissioned officers in the regiment (except Colonel Gregory), signed a statement denying accusations that they were on the verge of open mutiny, that the regiment had been reduced to 400 men, and that Colonel Gregory was too lenient to Confederates and too harsh to men in the regiment. [source: 46]
On 31 July 1862, his wife, Josephine Closson, died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of consumption of lungs. She died at, or was buried from, 1107 Brown Street, her mother's residence. She was buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery. [source: 8, 55, 56, 60, 63]
On 26 August 1862, he signed his last will and testament. [source: 62]
In August 1862, he was a recruiting officer for the regiment. He enlisted George W Cline Jr on 23 August 1862. [sources: 49, 50]
At some point (perhaps before the regiment reenlisted as veteran volunteers in December 1863?) he and Justus Gregory were recruiting for the regiment in Philadelphia. [source: 43]
On 7 February 1863, he was sick in Philadelphia. He was returned to duty on 11 February 1863. [source: 24, 25]
He was appointed captain on 12 May 1863. On 13 May 1863, as a lieutenant, he was assigned to company H. [sources: 22, 27, 40]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. [source: 45]
On 16 August 1863, he was assigned to lead a detail on picket duty. [sources: 10, 28]
On 20 August 1863, he was transferred from company H to company G. [source: 29]
On 24 August 1863, he led a picket detail. On 25 August 1863, he was on picket duty. [sources: 11, 30]
He was acting adjutant on 17 September 1863, 18 September 1863, and 19 September 1863. On 20 September 1863, he accompanied a fatigue detail. [sources: 12, 13, 14, 15, 31]
He seems to have been assigned to a special duty beginning 4 November 1863, but I do not know what it was. It had ended on 15 November 1863. [sources: 31, 33]
He was on leave from 16 December 1863 to 26 December 1863. [sources: 34, 35]
He was mustered in on 1 March 1864 as captain of company H He was reported mustered in as captain, on 13 April 1864 [sources: 1, 22, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 58, 63]
On 4 July 1864, he transmitted to Benjamin Tayman (the regimental adjutant) a request by five men of his company to be transferred to a newly forming battalion of sharpshooters. None were transferred. On 5 July 1864, he was assigned to command company C also. On 10 July 1864, he was appointed to a Board of Survey to determine what government property was in company D. [sources: 17, 19, 20]
On 18 July 1864, he certified that Samuel Sweeney was killed in action. [source: 73]
On 23 July 1864, he certified that James Hood died in the Division Hospital near Petersburg on 19 June 1864, of wounds received in battle. [source: 74]
On 8 August 1864, at Camp near Petersburg Virginia, he certified that William Hooven, a private in company C, was killed on 18 June 1864 in action at Petersburg. [source: 69]
On 24 September 1864, he was appointed to a board of survey to determine how much government property John Hamill was responsible for. [source: 5]
On 28 September 1864, he was ordered to turn over to Theodore Hope company H's surplus ordnance and ordnance stores [source: 21]
On 21 October 1864, he was appointed to a regimental court martial to try George Justice (D). [source: 23]
He was wounded on 28 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, while "gallantly charging the enemy's works". [sources: 1 (roster, p.192), 2, 3, 4, 72]
On 6 November 1864, he was reported absent sick. [source: 42]
On 19 November 1864, Sellers recommended that he receive a brevet appointment, effective 28 October 1864, for meritorious conduct during the battle at Hatcher's Run. [source: 18]
He died at City Point, Virginia, on 22 November 1864 of those wounds, from secondary hemorrhage following a limb amputation. He was captain of company H. He was buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was married. [sources: 1 (23 Nov), 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 (23 Nov), 26, 37 (23 Nov), 44, 53, 55 (23 Nov), 58 (22 Nov), 63 (22 Nov), 64 (22 Nov), 72 (22 Nov), 75]
His mother was the executrix of his estate, and guardian of his son. [source: 62]
On 27 January 1865, the officers of the 91st Pennsylvania adopted resolutions remembering him, to be published in four newspapers. [source: 72]
On 25 February 1865, his mother, Mary Glin Closson, successfully applied for a pension on behalf of his son James H Closson Jr. On 24 October 1865, a pension of $20 per month was granted, retroactive to 22 November 1864, and ending on 27 November 1877. [sources: 41, 52, 63]
On 6 October 1865, his mother was appointed his son's guardian, after submitting $1,000 as surety. [source: 63]
On 9 July 1873, his mother applied for a pension increase, which was accepted on 2 October 1873, retroactive to 25 July 1866. She was living at his house, 2105 Sharswood Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 63]
On 6 February 1889, his son, James Harwood Closson, was elected to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States He had insignia number 6758. [sources: 58, 59]
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, and on page 192.)
2 'Address of Chaplain Joseph Welch', in Pennsylvania at Gettysburg, Volume 1: 1914, pp.500-507, at p.506.
4 [replaced by #72]
5 special order 84, headquarters 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 24 September 1864
6 gedcom, on RootsWeb WorldConnect. Supplied by Craig Beeman. Searched 9 January 2001.
7 gedcom, on RootsWeb WorldConnect. Searched 9 January 2001. Information from Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French, Volume I, published privately in Philadelphia, Pa, 1909 page 439.
8 gedcom on Ancestry. Submitted by [email protected]. Retrieved 10 Jan 2001.
9 letter, Gregory to Thomas, 21 November 1863
10 special order 56, HQ 91st PA, 16 August 1863
11 special order 60, HQ 91st PA, 24 August 1863
12 special order 81, HQ 91st PA, 18 September 1863
13 circular, HQ 91st PA, 17 September 1863
14 special order 84, HQ 91st PA, 19 September 1863 [dated 19 September 1862]
15 special order 85, HQ 91st PA, 20 September 1863
16 special order 30, HQ 91st PA, 28 March 1864
17 letters, Fraley et al. to Closson, and Closson to Tayman, 3 and 4 July 1864 (James H Closson)
18 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 19 November 1864
19 special order 62, HQ 91st PA, 5 [?] July 1864
20 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 10 July 1864
21 special order [unnumbered], HQ 91st PA, 28 September 1864
22 regimental descriptive book
23 special order 99, HQ 91st PA, 21 October 1864
24 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863
25 consolidated morning report, 11 February 1863
26 West Laurel Hill cemetery records, on http://www.thefinalwalt.com (thanks to Amy Waltz!) (James Closson)
27 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 13 May 1863 (Lt Closson)
28 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 16 Aug 1863 (Lt Closson)
29 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 20 Aug 1863 (Lieut Closson)
30 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 25 Aug 1863 (Lieut Closson)
31 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 21 Sep 1863 (Lieut Closson)
32 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 4 Nov 1863 (not named)
33 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 15 November 1863 (not named)
34 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 16 December 1863 (not named)
35 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 26 December 1863 (not named)
36 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 13 April 1864 (Lieut Closson)
37 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 21 January 2005 (James H Closson)
38 company G, list of commissioned officers (James H Closson)
39 company G, register of men discharged, second list, #2 (James H Closson)
40 company H, list of commissioned officers (James H Closson)
41 pension index, by name (James H Clossen)
42 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 6 November 1864 (Capt Closson)
43 recruitment poster (Lieut Jas H Closson)
44 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 24 November 1864 (Jas H Closson)
45 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (J H Closson)
46 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (James H Closson)
47 'Camp Chase at Gray's Ferry' Philadelphia Inquirer 19 October 1861 page 8 (- Closson)
48 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (JH Closson)
49 '$160 bounty', Philadelphia Inquirer 16 August 1862 page 5 (James H Closson)
50 '$160 bounty', Philadelphia Inquirer 18 August 1862 page 5 (James H Closson)
51 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (JH Closson)
52 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (James H Closson)
53 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 22 Nov [1864] (James H [Closson])
54 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 20th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1171, page 702 = 200 handwritten (Jas Closson)
55 'Cresson/Hoehn/Mattern Ancestry', a gedcom, available on RootsWeb WorldConnect, contact D Cresson Hoehn, last updated 19 November 2005, accessed 30 May 2009 (note: many other gedcoms on WorldConnect had similar information; this had the most extensive notes) (this gedcom cites Lea Simitz Buzby and also "Colonial Families of Phila., PA, Jordan (Closson Family) Vol. II, Pt. I, p.1210") (James Harwood Closson)
56 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 31 July 1862, Josephine Closson, available on LDS pilot site (accessed 30 May 2009)
57 LDS pedigree resource file, compact disc #127 pin# 1366319 (thanks to Dennis Clowney for finding this!) (James Harwood Closson)
58 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania April 15, 1865--September 1, 1902. Philadelphia, 1902. (James Harwood Closson)
59 Register of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Compiled from the Registers and Circulars of the Various Commanderies by J. Harris Aubin. Boston: Published under the Auspices of the Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, 1 January 1906. (James H Closson)
60 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 1862 Aug 01 page 5 (Josephine Closson)
61 'Col Gregory's regiment' (Philadelphia Press 26 November 1861 page 3 and Monday 25 November 1861 page 3 and Saturday 23 November 1861 page 3) (James H Classon)
62 will; transcribed 26 Aug 11 from widow's pension certificate file, on Fold3, pages 19-22 (James H Closson)
63 abstract of widow's pension certificate file (28 pages), National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, certificate WC 58,045 (James H Closson)
64 Find a grave, memorial 9579950, added 10 Oct 2004, created by Gregory Speciale [identity is confirmed by reference to his service] [the Find-a-grave memorial includes two photos]
65 death notice, Robert Dickinson Closson, Public Ledger 15 October 1861, page 2
66 death notice, Edmund Marion Closson, Public Ledger 30 August 1855, page 2
67 death notice, Edward Foster Closson, Public Ledger 8 October 1861, page 2]
68 death notice, Franklin Banes Closson, Public Ledger, 25 January 1858, page 2
69 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate WC 57,677, Louisa Hooven widow of William Hooven (James H Closson)
70 [selected Philadelphia directories]
71 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Spring Garden, ward 6, microfilm series M432, film 819, page 355 recto = 709 handwritten (Jas H Klausen [sic])
72 testimonial to James H Closson, by the officers of the 91st Pennsylvania
73 widow's pension certificate file, widow's certificate WC 43,643, Matilda widow of Samuel Sweeney (James H Closson)
74 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, widow's certificate WC 41,394 (Margaret Edwards widow of James Hood) (James H Closson)
75 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James H Closson)
76 'volunteer enlistment' for George W Cline, Jr (91st PA, unassigned to company), 23 August 1862, Philadelphia Pennsylvania (James H Closson)
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Dwellings visited | 1256 | ||||
| Families visited | 1521 | ||||
| Name | Mary Klausen [sic] | Jas H " | Barbara A " | Mary " | Eliza " |
| Age | 50 | 23 | 27 | 17 | 11 |
| Sex | F | M | F | F | F |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Wheelwright | ||||
| Real estate owned | |||||
| Birthplace | ditto [sc. Pennsylvania] | ditto | ditto | ditto | ditto |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Dwelling number | 1266 | ||||
| Family number | 1606 | ||||
| Name | Jas Closson | Josephine | Bobb | Ed " | Allice " |
| Age | 32 | 28 | 4 | 2 | 8/12 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation | Coach Maker | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | 1200 | ||||
| Value of personal estate | 300 | ||||
| Place of birth | Penn | W. Indies | Penn | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | |||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
CLOSSON--On Thursday, the 31st, Josephine Closson, wife of Lieut James H. Closson, of the Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of her mother, Mrs. H. Banes, No. 1107 Brown street, on Saturday, at 2 o'clock, without further notice. To proceed to Odd Fellows' Cemetery.
Be it Remembered that I James H. Closson of the City of Philadelphia, now serving as first Lieutenant of Company "G" Ninety first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the service of the United States do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
And first. I direct that all my just debts be paid by my Executrix hereinafter named as soon after my decease as can conveniently be done.
All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate whatsoever and wheresoever, I give devise and bequeath unto my mother Mary Closson and her heirs In Trust nevertheless to keep all moneys belonging to me invested in good securities, to collect the interest thereof and the rents of any real estate belonging to me and to apply the same to paying the taxes and keeping my house No 2105 Sharswood Street in good order and repair and to the maintenance and education of my only child now living James H. Closson Junior, until he shall arrive at the full age of twenty one years, and whenever and so soon as my said son shall attain the full age of Twenty one Years, my will is that my whole estate shall be transferred, assigned and conveyed to my said son absolutely.
In case my said son shall not live to the age of Twenty one years, I give and devise my whole estate to my mother Mary Closson for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease to be equally divided among my brother and sisters, to wit Josiah S. Closson, Bar. Cara Cook, Mary Closson and Eliza Closson share and share alike, but in case my brother or either of my sisters be then deceased, leaving lawful issue, such issue to take and if more than one equally divide the part or share, his her or their deceased parent would have taken if then living [an '*' is in the margin next to the line beginning 'ful issue' and ending 'more than one']
I nominate and appoint my mother Mary Closson to be the guardian of the person and estate of my said son James H. Closson Junior but if my said mother should not live until my said son attain his majority my will is and I hereby nominate and appoint my mother in law Hannah Banes to be the guardian of the person and estate of my said son with full power to receive the interest and rents of my estate and apply them as hereinbefore directed.
If my said mother shall deem it advisable to sell and dispose of my house No 2105 Sharswood Street I authorize her to do so either at public or private sale, but always subject to the approbation and approval of the Orphans Court for the City and County of Philadelphia and to make, sign, seal execute and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof in fee free clear and discharged of and from all trusts whatsoever and without any liability on the part of such purchaser or purchasers to see to the application or appropriation of the purchase money but said purchase money to be vested in such good interest paying security or securities as are now provided for by law in like cases. [an '*' is in the margin next to the line beginning 'public or private' and ending 'subject to the']
I nomination, constitute, and appoint my said mother Mary Closson to be the sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of August in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty two
James H. Closson ['LS' is written inside a line with curliques]CLOSSON.--On the 11th instant, ROBERT DICKINSON, son of James H and Josephine Closson in the 7th year of his age
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of his parents, No 2105 Sharswood street, this afternoon, the 15th instant, at 3 o'clock, without further notice.
On the 28th inst., EDMUND MARION, son of Jas. H and Josephine Closson, aged 13 [? could be 18] months.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of his parents, No. 38 Sharswood street, west of Ridge Avenue, this (Thursday) morning, at 9 o'clock, without further notice.
CLOSSON--On the 6th instant, EDWARD FOSTER, son of James and Josephine Closson, in the 5th year of his age.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of his parents, No 2105 Sharswood street, this (Tuesday) afternoon, at 3 o'clock, without further notice.
On the 24th inst., FRANKLIN BANES, eldest son of JAMES A. and JOSEPHINE CLOSSON, in the 6th year of his age.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of his parents, No 2105 Sharswood st., on Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, without further notice.
Whereas, By the will of an all-wise and over-ruling Providence to Whose will and decree we must at every moment bow in humble resignation and submission, and as it has been His pleasure to take from our midst our dear and much beloved brother officer and agreeable Companion, Captain JAMES H. CLOSSON, who departed this life November 22nd, 1864, from wounds received on the 28th day of October, 1864, while gallantly charging the enemy's works at Hatchers Run, Va.
And Whereas, during our association with him we have always found in him a true soldier, a warm friend and an agreeable Companion therefore be it
Resolved. That we deeply deplore the loss of our much esteemed friend and companion, and we ask leave to tender our warmest sympathy and condolence to his bereaved family and beloved friends.
Resolved. Although we shall see his form no more on earth, yet we feel assured that his spirit is in the land of the blessed, to share in the joys of the many patriots who have gone before, where the din of battle is unknown and where the thunder of cannon and crash of musketry is never heard.
Resolved. That a copy of the above preamble and resolutions be forwarded to his family and also published in the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Press, Sunday Transcript and Sunday Dispatch.
| Lieut. Col. ELI G. SELLERS Com'g Reg't | |||
| Lieut. ADAM H. MURPHY | Acting Adj. | Lieut. JOHN L. GRAHAM | Comdg. Co. A |
| Capt. JOHN S. DONNELL | Co. I | Lieut. JOHN EDGAR | Co. G |
| Capt. WILLIAM E. MICHAEL | Co. F | Lieut. GEORGE G. COSTER | Co. K |
| Capt. GEORGE P. FINNEY | Co. H | Lieut. WILLIAM KNAPP | Co. B |
| Capt. JOHN C. PARTENHEIMER | Co. B | Lieut. WILLIAM H. FRALEY | Co. H |