Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image
Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image
He was born in 1832, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Nathan W Eyre and Mary Ann Wagner. (Nathan and Mary Ann were married on 13 June 1825, at the Gloria Dei Protestant Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had four daughters and three sons.) [sources: date: 7, 23, 26; (9 (29 in 1861), 10 (29 in 1861), 17 (32 at death in 1862), 30 (1832). place: 17. parents: 23, 26]
His mother's father died several years before Nathan Eyre did, and they moved into his house on Bread Street. [source: 23]
His father, Nathan Eyre, died on 1 January 1842, at 32 Bread Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of pulmonary consumption. His mother received one piece of property in Philadelphia from her father, and two houses in Philadelphia from her brother. She had to mortgage them to survive, and eventually (about 1847 or 1848) had to sell them because she could not pay the interest. They lived initially on the rent from the properties, and then from the profit from the sale of the properties. [sources: 21, 23]
Probably from the fall of 1853 through the fall of 1856, he was a clerk at 11 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his mother at 298 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 31]
Probably in the fall of 1857, he was a merchant, at 240 Church Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living at 916 Marshall Street, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. [source: 31]
Probably in the fall of 1858, he was living at 916 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with his mother. [source: 31]
Probably in the fall of 1859, his mother, Mary A Eyre, widow of Nathan W Eyre, was living at 916 Marshall Street. (Marshall is between 6th and 7th; Poplar is 900 north.) His brothers Benjamin B Eyre, a clerk, and Robert Eyre, a dentist, were also living at 916 Marshall. [source: 18]
Probably in fall 1860, he was an importer, at 5 Bank Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylania, living with his mother at 916 Marshall Street. [source: 31]
Probably in the fall of 1861, his mother, Mary Ann Eyre, widow of Nathan W, was living at 870 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. No other Eyre is living there; no Benjamin, George, or Robert Eyre is listed in the directory. [source: 19]
He was living in Philadelphia when he enlisted. His brother Benjamin Eyre enlisted in the same regiment. [sources: 10, 23]
He initially recruited for company I of Edgar Gregory's regiment. At some point, he offered $100 bounty for twenty men to finish recruiting. However, when Gregory's regiment and Edward Wallace's were combined, he seems to have lost his position. [source: 12]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 20 August 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Starr. He was a private in company A. [sources: 1, 9, 10, 23, 29, 32, 33, 34]
He was promoted, by order of Colonel Gregory, on 26 August 1861 or 4 October 1861 to quartermaster. [sources: 1 (4 Oct), 6 (7 Oct), 8 (26 Aug), 9 (4 Oct), 10 (4 Oct), 14, 23 (mustered in 4 Oct)]
In February 1862, a pseudonymous letter claims he "possesses the confidence of the entire regiment". [source: 28]
He was paid in March 1862 and sent his mother $100. [source: 23]
He was paid in May 1862 and sent his mother $100. He asked his mother to pay $10 or $15 on his $46.50 debt to a tailor, Leupold, on Race Street opposite Crown. He noted that many troops were leaving for Manassas, and that they could leave at any moment, but did not know what orders they would receive. [source: 23]
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: 13]
He was paid in July 1862 and sent his mother $150. [source: 23]
He seems to be the officer whom Walter says never returned after unsuccessfully trying to find the knapsacks that had been left behind when the regiment started on the Maryland Campaign in 1862. [source: 4]
On 8 September 1862, his brother Robert W Eyre died, of bilious remitting fever, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of 8 September 1862. He died at, or was buried from, 870 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 11 September 1862 he was buried at Glenwood Cemetery. [source: 22]
He became sick with diarrhea about 1 December 1862. He was then acting Brigade Quartermaster. About 27 December 1862, he went home on a surgeon's certificate, for a twenty day leave. [source: 23]
On his way home, he stopped in Washington to get his pay. A check for about $480 was sent to his mother's house; they received it on Monday 30 December, after he died. [source: 23]
The family physician, Dr William Gregg, attended him. [source: 23]
He died of disease (enteritis, superinduced upon diarrhea), on 31 December 1862 at his mother's house, 870 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A family friend, Eliza Scott, was holding his head as he died. He died at, or was buried from, 820 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was single. He was the regimental quartermaster. On 4 January 1863, he was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. He was buried from his mother's residence, 870 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 (Glenwood Cem), 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34]
His mother, Mary A Eyre, successfully applied for a pension on 23 March 1863. She was living at 870 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was initially pensioned at a rate of seventeen dollars a month. Her application was approved on 4 January 1864, retroactive to 31 December 1862. [sources: 2, 11, 23]
In 1870, his mother, Mary A Eyre, was living in the 20th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with his sisters Mary and Lydia. She owned $5,000 in personal property, and her daughters also owned property. [source: 20]
In 1880, his mother, Mary A Eyre, was living at 1637 North 13th Street, 20th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with his sisters Mary and Lydia. She was not working. [source: 24]
His mother last claimed her pension for 4 June 1885, and was dropped in July 1889 because she hadn't claimed her pension. [source: 23]
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 pension index, by regiment (George W Eyre)
3 Welch, pp.500-1
4 Thomas Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail 16 Aug 1884, volume 3 number 36 page 2
7 West Laurel Hill cemetery records, on http://www.thefinalwalt.com (thanks to Amy Waltz!) (George Eyre)
8 register of transfers, company A (George W Eyre)
9 company A descriptive roll, entry 12 (George W Eyre)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (George W Eyre; rolls have 'Ayers')
11 pension index, by name, searched 21 May 2004, at <www.ancestry.com> (George W Eyre)
12 recruiting poster, Colonel Gregory's regiment, company I (Geo W Eyre)
13 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (Geo W Eyre)
14 'Camp Chase at Gray's Ferry' Philadelphia Inquirer 19 October 1861 page 8 (Geo W Eyres)
15 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (G W Eyre)
16 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (G W Eyre)
17 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 31 December 1862 (George Eyre)
18 city directory, Philadelphia, Biddle, 1860, page 288 (accessed on Footnote, 31 May 2009) (Mary A Eyre)
19 city directory, Philadelphia, Biddle, 1862, page 198 (accessed on Footnote, 31 May 2009)
20 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 20th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1407, page 554 = 77 handwritten (Mary A Eyre)
21 death record, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1 January 1842 (Nathan Eyre)
22 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 September 1862 (Robert W Eyre)
23 widow's pension certificate file, Mary A Eyre, certificate 12,069, application 15,805, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15 (available on Footnote, accessed June 2009)
24 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 20, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 405, microfilm series T9, film 1180, page 290 = 9 A handwritten (Mary A Eyre)
25 anonymous, 'From the Ninety-first Penna Regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 9 March 1863, page 2 (George W Eyre)
26 death notice, Public Ledger 1 January 1863 page 2 (George W Eyre)
27 death notice, Public Ledger 3 January 1863 page 2 (George W Eyre)
28 'Letter from the Ninety-first', Philadelphia Inquirer 5 February 1862, page 2 ("Our Quartermaster")
29 Pennsylvania veterans burial records, available on Ancestry (transcribed 3 April 2012) (George W Eyre)
30 Find a grave, memorial 9584106, created by Gregory Speciale, added 11 October 2004, accessed 12 July 2012 (George Eyre)
31 selected Philadelphia city directories
32 Pennsylvania veterans burial records, Montgomery County, available on Ancestry, (transcribed 13 July 2012) (George W Eyre)
33 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George Ayers)
34 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George W Eyre)
Of relationship, claimant's widowhood, dependence upon Dec'd soldier and that he contributed thereto, leaving no widow nor child.
Of Power Aty in due form
Admitted Jan 4th, 1864, to a Pension of $17 00/100 per month, commencing Dec. 31st, 1862.
Name and Residence of Agent.On this thirteenth day of March, A.D. 1863, personally appeared before me J Ross Snowden Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for the Eastern District, a Court of Record within and for said County, Mary Ann Eyre, aged sixty-two years, a resident of the City of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, 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 14, 1862: That she is the widow of Nathan W. Eyre deceased, and mother of George W. Eyre, deceased, who was QuarterMaster of the 91st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Edgar M. Gregory in the war of 1861, who died at Philadelphia aforesaid on the thirty first day of December A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty two of inflammation of the bowels arising from a diarrhea contracted by him in camp while in the line of duty in the service of the United States.
She further declares, that her said son, upon whom she was wholly dependent for support, having left no widow or minor child under sixteen years of age surviving, 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 receipt of a pension under the second section of the act above-mentioned, or under any other act, nor has she again married since the death of her son, the said George W. Eyre.
M A EyreAlso, personally appeared Peter K Landis and Eliza Scott, residents of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, 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 Mary Ann Eyre sign her name to the foregoing declaration. They further say, that they were acquainted with Nathan N. Eyre, the late husband of said Mary Ann Eyre, in his life-time, and know that
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this Thirteenth day of March, A.D., 1863; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Witness my signature and the seal of said Court, at Philadelphia, the day and year aforesaid.In Testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of March A.D. 1863
M A EyreBefore me the subscriber an Alderman for the City of Philadelphia and ex officio Justice of the Peace within and for the City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania personally appeared this seventeenth day of March AD. 1863 the above named Mary Ann Eyre and in due form of law acknowledged the above written and foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed and desired the same might be recorded as such. Witness my hand and seal the day and year aforesaid.
William OgleI Frederick G. Nolbert Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania do certify that William Ogle Esq before whom the foregoing acknowledgement was taken, was at the time when the same was so taken and still is an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia and ex officio a Justice of the Peace within and for the City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose official acts full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in courts of justice as elsewhere and that the signature purporting to be his to said acknowledgement is his genuine signature. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Philadelphia this Eleventh day of December A.D. 1863.
Fred G Nolbert [illegible]I, Frederick G. Nolbert Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania do certify that James T Harmer before whom the within Affidavit was made and whose genuine signature appears to the jurat thereto was at the time when the same was made and still is an Alderman for the City of Philadelphia and ex officio a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose official acts full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in courts of justice as elsewhere. In Witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Philadelphia this twenty-first day of March Anno Domini 1863
Fred G NolbertJ. C. Clay being sworn, says that he is the present Rector of the Gloria Dei Protestant Episcopal Church in the City of Philadelphia usually called and known as the Old Swedes Church, that by virtue of his office he is custodian of the marriage records of said church which include the marriage records of the Swedish Churches in the State of Pennsylvania whereof Nicholas Collin was Rector; and that the above is a correct extract taken from said records with the exception above named as certified by me.
J. C. ClayI have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 15,805, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that George W. Eyre was enrolled on the twentieth day of August, 1861, at Philadelphia Pa [as] Regt'l Qr. Master 91st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war, and mustered into service as Regt'l Qr. Mr. (1st Lt.) on the fourth day of October 1861, at Philadelphia Pa., in 91st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Field + Staff of that Regiment, for the months of January + February, 1863, he is reported "Died in Philadelphia, December 31 1862." (Reg't Qr. Master)
I am, Sir, very respectfully,I hereby report that the name of Mary A Eyre, who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under Certificate No. 12069, and who was last paid at $17, to June 4, 1885, has been dropped because of failure to claim
Very respectfully,I Benjamin J Tayman Adjutant of the Ninety first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with George W Eyre who was Quarter Master of said Regiment. That said George W. Eyre was taken sick with diarrhea on or about the first day of December 1862 at the Camp near Falmouth Virginia when he was then acting as Brigade Quarter Master. Said George W. Eyre continued sick of said disease in Camp until on or about the twenty-seventh day of December 1862 when he left for home on a leave of absence for twenty days on a Surgeon's Certificate. He died as I am informed and believe on or about the thirty-first day of December 1862 of the disease above named or some disease following and consequent thereon.
B. J. TaymanI, Frederick G. Nolbert, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please within and for the City and County of Philadelphia and State aforesaid do hereby certify that William Ogle before whom the within and foregoing Affidavit was made and taken and whose genuine signature appears thereto, and C. Brazer before whom the hereunto annexed Affidavit of William Gregg was made and taken and whose genuine signature appears thereto were and each of them was at the time respectively when said Affidavits were so made and taken, and are and each of them is, still an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia aforesaid and ex officio a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified and that to all the acts of the said William Ogle and C Brazer as such Alderman and Justices of the Peace full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere. In witness whereof I have herento set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court of Philadelphia aforesaid, thie twenty-eighth day of December Anno Domini eighteen hundred and sixty-three.
Fred G NolbertSworn to and subscribed this Twenty sixth day of December AD. 1863 before me and I certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
William OgleWilliam Gregg, of the City of Philadelphia Doctor of Medicine, aged about Fify Six years being duly sworn according to law says. I reside at No 130 Race street Philadelphia, and have been a practicing physician in said City for upwards of twenty five years. I have been the attending physician in the family of Mrs. Mary Ann Eyre of said city for upwards of twenty years. I knew her son the late Lieutenant George W. Eyre Quarter Master of the Ninety first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for upwards of fifteen years before his death. I was called in to attend said George W. Eyre upon Saturday evening the 27th day of December 1862, and was informed that he had arrived at home sick on that same evening. I found him suffering from inflammation of the bowels, of a typhoid character, superinduced as I should judge from his symptoms, upon diarrhea, or dysentery. I continued to attend him, till the 31st day of December 1862, when he died of said disease, the technical name of which is enteritis. I gave a certificate of his death shortly afterwards as required by the Health Laws of this City and State, + to this was appended the certificate of the Undertaker. A duly certified copy of said certificate as the same remain on file in the Health Office, is hereto annexed marked A. I see the Undertaker has omitted the occupation of the deceased + has also given the wrong number of the house. The said George W. Eyre died at his Mother's house which is number Eight hundred and seventy and not Eight hundred and twenty Marshall st. Mistakes of this kind not unfrequently occur. No other physician attended said George W. Eyre in his said last illness. I have no interested direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
William GreggThis is to Certify, That the following is a Correct Copy of the Certificate of the Decease of George Eyre, filed in this department, as directed by the State Laws.
Peter K. Landis of the City of Philadelphia Merchant being duly sworn according to law, says that he is the first cousin of Mrs Mary Ann Eyre widow of Nathan W Eyre and Mother of Lieutenant George W Eyre who was Quartermaster of the 91st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers commanded by Colonel Edgar M. Gregory in the war of 1861, whose application for a Pension No 15805 is now pending.
That the Father of said Mary Ann Eyre and the Mother of this deponent were own brother and sister; that deponent has known said Mary Ann Eyre from his childhood up and has been well acquainted with her circumstances and those of her family.
That said Mary Ann Eyre had one small piece of real estate in the City of Philadelphia left to her by her father, and two small houses in the same City left to her by her Brother.
That her said husband Nathan W. Eyre died in the latter part of 1841 or the beginning of 1842, leaving no property whatever, and leaving his widow the said Mary Ann with a family of small children dependent upon her for support.
That the only property she had was the real estate left her by her Father and Brother as above stated, and upon the rents of these she managed to struggle along until finally about 1847 or 1848 as near as deponent can recollect this property was obliged to be sold owing to her inability to pay the interest on the Mortgages thereon.
That upon the surplus proceeds of these sales she continued to struggle along till her children were able to aid her in the support of the family.
Her oldest son Robert died in the army or in some position connected with the military service about November 1862, prior to the death of her said son George.
That prior to George's entering the army he lived
[page 22]
with his mother the said Mary Ann and contributed to the support of his Mother and two sisters.
And while he was in the army, this deponent knows that said George W. Eyre contributed to his Mother's support from the fact that in the visits which took place between the families of this deponent and said Mary Ann, she and her daughters would frequently mention having heard from said George W. and of his having sent money to his said Mother.
deponent does not recollect that they ever mentioned the amounts.
They always spoke to deponent and in his presence, when speaking of these matters of Robert and George being their dependence [sic] for support, and Robert having died before George W. this deponent always believed that [sic] from his own knowledge of the circumstances of said Mary Ann, and what he had heard from her and the daughters in the intercourse which was had between the families, that George was her sole dependence for support.
The said Mary Ann Eyre was never in any business or occupation for herself which could contribute to her support; nor did her daughters contribute to her support; her youngest son Benjamin who was in the army, deponent believes sometimes made remittances for the support of the family, but not more than sufficient, even if as much, to support his sisters.
George was the only one to whom his Mother looked for support and on whom she depended.
He was in an excellent business and doing well before he went into the army and used to do a great deal for his Mother, and supported her very comfortably.
Deponent is forty-six years old and has lived in the City of Philadelphia all his life.
The said Mary Ann has lived in Philadelphia ever since this deponent knew her; and deponent
[page 23]
and his family have always been on terms of constant, intimate and very pleasant intercourse.
Peter H. Landis
Sworn to and subscribed this Twenty third day of November AD. 1863 before me, and I certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of his claim.
William Ogle
Alderman
Ex Officio Justice of the Peace
[page 24]
Peter K Landis
Affdvt [?]
[page 25]
Lydia W. Eyre being duly sworn according to law says that she is the sister of the late Lieutenant George W. Eyre, who was in his lifetime Quarter Master of the Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and that she is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Ann Eyre the Mother of said George W. Eyre whose application for a pension is now pending No 15,805.
That deponent is the next oldest child to the said Lieutenant George W. Eyre, of her said Mother.
Deponent was about ten years old when her Father Nathan W. Eyre died.
The family consisting of deponent's said Mother, deponent herself, the said George W. Eyre, his two brothers Robert and Benjamin, and four sisters, all lived together until the marriages of three of deponent's sisters, when they left as soon as they were married, except the youngest who left shortly afterwards.
The said Lieutenant George W. Eyre died on the 31st December 1862, at his Mother's house in Philadelphia.
His brother Robert died September 8th 1862.
And at the time of the death of said George W. Eyre, he was and for some time previously had been the sole support of his said Mother Mrs. Mary Ann Eyre.
Before he went into the service of the United States, the said George W. Eyre had been in good business in the City of Philadelphia, and at that time his said Mother had been wholly dependent upon him for support, and she continued to be so dependent afterwards up to his death.
The said Robert Eyre was not in circumstances, either before or after he went into the Sutler's department in connection with the army, to contribute anything to his Mother's support.
He was very glad if he could manage to do enough for his own support.
Before deponent's other brother the said Benjamin Eyre went into the army he
[page 26]
was not in circumstances to and never did contribute towards the support of his Mother or the family.
At the time of the death of said George W. Eyre, and ever since their Father's death up to that time, this deponent + her unmarried sister [sic] had lived with their said Mother; and they were in a great measure dependent upon their said brother George W. for support.
After deponent's said brother Benjamin entered the army, he occasionally remitted some of his pay, but not enough to defray the expenses of deponent and her sister, so that what was remitted by said Lieut. George W. Eyre was not only applied to the support of his said Mother (and she had no other means of support) but also partially to the support of deponent + her said sister.
The said Mary Ann Eyre was never in any business, and had no way of doing + never actually did work or labor or do anything for her own support.
What property the said Mary Ann Eyre had was sold + the proceeds expended long before the death of her said son George W. Eyre.
The said George W. Eyre entered the military service of the United States in August or September 1861 as a private in said 91st Regiment and was shortly afterwards appointed Quarter Master of the Regiment, though he did not receive his Commission till some time in December of that year as deponent believes.
The regiment remained encamped near this City (Philadelphia) till some time in January 1862.
Said George W. Eyre was paid near as deponent recollects in December 1861, and was not paid at any other time in Philadelphia as deponent recollects and verily believes.
Said George W. Eyre was paid in March 1862 and out of the pay he then received sent to his Mother the said Mary Ann Eyre one hundred Dollars.
He was paid
[page 27]
again in May, and sent his said Mother another One hundred Dollars.
In July 1862 he was paid again and sent his said Mother One hundred + fifty Dollars.
All these sums were received by said Mary Ann Eyre, and deponent annexes hereto the original letter which was sent with the second remittance of One hundred Dollars above mentioned (marked A), also the envelope of the Adams Express Company in which the said One hundred and fify Dollars was enclosed marked B, and also three Receipts given by the Adams Express Company to the said George W. Eyre, for said three remittances, which Receipts are marked C D and E, and were found among the papers of said George W. Eyre after his death.
Said George W. Eyre had not been paid at the time he left the army on his return home on the furlough which terminated by his death, for some six months or nearly that time as deponent was informed by him + believes.
On his way home said George W. Eyre stopped in Washington City as he informed deponent long enough to get some pay, + then received the amount of four months pay or thereabouts which he brought home with him; or I should say that he reached home on Saturday night December 28th 1862 and a Check was sent him for this pay, and reached him on Monday the 30th.
This check was for some Four hundred and eighty odd dollars as deponent recollects.
This check he gave to his Mother the said Mary Ann Eyre and she received the money upon it, and it was applied for her support and the family expenses, and also for the expenses of the funeral, of deponent's said brother Robert who had died at home leaving no estate or property.
The said George
[page 27]
W. Eyre in writing home always wrote to his Mother, and not to his sisters, and remittances were made to her, but applied to the household expenses, including in part the expense and support of deponent and her sister.
No separate account of the monies remitted by said George and by said Benjamin was kept; but the greater part of Benjamin's remittances (and in the whole they were not near the amount of what George sent) we had to pay out for bills which he owed.
Deponent further says that she has no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim further than the interest which she naturally takes as a daughter in her Mother's welfare and concerns.
Lydia H. Eyre
Sworn to and subscribed this Fourth day of December AD. 1863 before me and I certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
William Ogle,
Alderman
Ex officio Justice of the Peace
[page 29]
A
Dear Mother
Enclosed is $100 from me and $25 from Ben, making in all $125 We are all well. From the tone of the Phila. papers we have made up our minds that you have a great deal more excitement than we have although many troops are leaving here for Manassas. We are under orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice to assist Genl. Banks, we presume, but cannot of course tell anything about it, as nothing is known until orders are received. There is a tailor in Race St. opposite Crown by name of Leupold
Eliza Scott of the City of Philadelphia, single woman aged about forty years being duly sworn says that she has known Mrs. Mary Ann Eyre widow of Nathan W. Eyre and Mother of Lieutenant George W. Eyre deceased who was Quarter Master of the Ninety-first Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers commanded by Colonel E. M. Gregory, and whose application for a Pension No 15805 is now pending, for about twenty five years at least.
Her Father lived in a house in Bread street in the City of Philadelphia, in the same neighborhood where I was living and he died there about three or four years I think before the death of Mrs. Mary Ann Eyre's said husband Nathan W. Eyre, who died on New Year's day I think of 1841 or 1842.
After the death of her Father the family of said Mary Ann and Nathan W Eyre came to reside in the house her Father had occupied before his death, and though I had known her for several years previous, yet I became more intimate and better acquainted with her after that.
I have known her and the family ever since and have been on intimate terms with them visiting them frequently and they visiting me.
I was more particularly acquainted among the children with the said George W. Eyre.
The Father of said Mary Ann Eyre left her some property
It was clear when she got it, but she had to raise money by Mortgage upon it after her husband's death to raise her family, + it has all long since been sold, the last of it I think under the Mortgage she had created upon it.
Her husband was a very sickly man for a long time before he died.
He was in no business, and left no property.
His widow the said Mary Ann Eyre struggled along and kept her family together and supported them until her sons were old enough and able to assist in
[page 35]
the support of the family.
The said George W. Eyre was the main stay of his said Mother and the family.
He started both his brothers in business, but they were not successful, and his Mother and his sisters looked to him and depended upon him for support.
I have heard of his sending money for the support of his Mother from the letters which he wrote to her informing her of his having made remittance.
I have seen nearly all his letter to his Mother from the Army particularly toward the last, and I know his remittances were not unfrequent.
His Mother was in no business and did nothing for her own living. She must be now over sixty years of age, and is not able to earn a living for herself.
Her oldest son Robert died in September 1862, and she was thus deprived of what little she might naturally have expected to receive from him for her support.
He was clerk to a sutler in the army.
I think he was a clerk but at all events he was connected with a sutler in some capacity.
Her youngest son who was at the time of his brother George's death a Lieutenant in the army, but has resigned some time since, contributed comparatively little towards the support of the family, certainly not more than enough for the support of his sisters who were living with their Mother, and not even that much.
The said George W. Eyre was always very anxious about the family and took great care of them.
The responsibility of the family rested upon him and he was a great deal more like a Father than he was like a Son; his Mother depended upon him as the head of the family, and every one in the house looked up to him.
I Frederick G Noblert Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania do certify that William Ogle Esquire before whom the three foregoing and hereunto annexed Affidavits were made and taken was at the times respectively when the same were so made and taken and still is an Alderman of the said City of Philadelphia and ex officio a Justice of the Peace within and for the City and County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose official acts full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere, and that the several signatures purporting to be his to the jurats of said Affidavits are the genuine signatures of the said William Ogle. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Philadelphia this Eleventh day of December AD. 1863
Fred G. Noblert| line | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Dwelling-house number | 526 | ||
| Family number | 567 | ||
| Name | Eyre Mary A | - Mary | - Lydia |
| Age | 70 | 43 | 29 |
| Sex | F | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Keeping house | At home | |
| Real estate value | 4500 | ||
| Personal estate value | 5000 | 1500 | 1000 |
| Birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| 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 | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| street name | North 13th Street | ||
| house number | 1637 | ||
| dwelling visit # | 61 | ||
| family visit # | 75 | ||
| name | Eyre, Mary A | " Mary E | " Lydia W |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | F | F | F |
| age | 79 | 53 | 50 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Daughter | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | |
| married | |||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | ||
| married during year | |||
| occupation | Keeping house | ||
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | |||
| school this year | |||
| can't read | |||
| can't write | |||
| birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
Mr Nathan Eyre residing in Bread [?] St No 32 died this day of Pulmonary Consumption aged 39 years
Samuel FreedleyEYRE--On the 31st ult., GEORGE W. EYRE, Quartermaster of the Ninety-first Pa. V., son of May A. and the late Nathan W. Eyre. Due notice will be given of the funeral
EYRE.--On Wednesday, Dec. 31, GEORGE W. EYRE, Quartermaster of 91st Regiment, P.V., son of May Ann and the late Nathaniel W. Eyre.
The friends, relatives, and members of Columbia Lodge, No. 91, A.Y.M., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of his mother, No. 870 Marshall street, on Sunday, January 4th, at 2 o'clock P.M.