He was born in 1846/1849, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or in England, to Patrick Flynn and Margaret [unknown surname]. [sources: date: 3 (18 in 1864), 12 (11 in 1860). place: 3 (Philadelphia), 12 (England). parents: 7, 12]
In 1860, he was apparently living in ward 3, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents, Patrick and Margaret Flynn, and one other person. He had attended school within the year. [source: 12]
When he enlisted (and apparently for several years before enlisting), he was a printer. He earned approximately three dollars per week, which he gave to his mother to support the family. [sources: 3, 7]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6-3/4 inches tall, had a light complexion, brown eyes, and light hair. [source: 3]
He enlisted, as a recruit, and was mustered into service for three years, on 27 January 1864, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He was enlisted by Lieutenant Shipley, and was mustered into service by Lieutenant Burke. He was a private in company E. [sources: 1, 3, 13]
On 31 December 1864, he went on a furlough, which ended on 9 January 1865. He returned. [source: 4]
On 25 February 1865, he sent two letters to his parents, enclosing $20 in each. They had been paid the previous evening, but only for four months (apparently through 31 December 1864). [sources: 7, 8, 9]
He was killed in action on 31 March 1865, near Boydtown Plank Road, in Virginia, by a gun shot wound. He was buried at Five Forks, and later reburied in Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia, division A section D grave 64 (grave 0277). He was a private, in company E. [sources: 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 13]
On 2 June 1865, his mother, Margaret Flynn, successfully applied for a pension. Her post office address was 743 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She had no surviving children, and her husband (Patrick Flynn) had been unable to support the family for three years because of chronic bronchitis and complicated asthma. Her application was approved on 7 November 1865. She initially received $8 per month, retroactive to 31 March 1865. [sources: 6, 7]
On 10 April 1896, his mother, Margaret Flynn, died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She died of senility. She was widowed. She died at, or was buried from, 2826 Edgemont Street, the residence of Mrs Mary Dorigan. She was buried in Cathedral Cemetery. [source: 11; see also 7]
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 124 (John Flyn)
4 enlisted men's furloughs (Privt Flynn)
5 Poplar Grove Cemetery records (thanks to Elizabeth Dinger-Glisan for the information!) (John Flynn)
6 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (John Flynn)
7 dependent's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 15, certificate WC 59,310, Margaret Flynn mother of John Flynn (John Flynn)
8 letter, John Flynn to parents, 25 February 1865, from National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, dependents' pension certificate files, WC 59,310, Margaret Flynn mother of John Flynn (John Flynn)
9 letter, John Flynn to parents, 25 February 1865, from National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, dependents' pension certificate files, WC 59,310, Margaret Flynn mother of John Flynn (John Flynn)
10 death notice, Public Ledger 29 April 1865, page 2 (John J Flynn)
11 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 12 April 1896, page supplement 17 (Margaret Flynn)
12 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 3 west of 5th street, microfilm series M653, film 1153, page 442 = 218 handwritten (John Flynn)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Flynn)
| line | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Dwelling number | 1403 | |||
| Family number | 1738 [sic; should be 1739] | |||
| Name | Patrick Flynn | Marg " | John " | John Dorehan |
| Age | 38 | 32 | 11 | 77 |
| Sex | m | f | m | m |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | |||
| Place of birth | Ireland | " | England | Ireland |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | |||
| Cannot read & write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||||
I take my pencil in hand to let you know that I am well hoping these few lines will find yous [sic] in the same: I would not have wrote [sic] now but we got paid last evening and I thought I would send it to yous [sic]: I send you twenti [sic] dollars in this letter and 20 in another write and let me know if you get it we were only paid for four months and I had some stoped [sic] out for that furlough. I had a letter from Leonard this morning he expects to be down in a week or so. it has been [page 13] raining for three or four days pretty hard for three or four days [sic] and is pretty muddy. give my love to my Uncle and Aunts no more at present from your affectionate son
John FlynnI sent you twenty dollars in this letter and twenty in another one I guess you will get them both together write and let me know
John FlynnFLYNN--Killed at the breastworks of Petersburg, March 31st, while nobly fighting for his country a [?] honor, JOHN J FLYNN, of the 91st P.V., in the 17th year of his age, only son of Patrick and Margaret Flynn.
Gone, but not forgotten.Due notice will be given if the body is recovered.
FLYNN.--On April 10, 1896, Margaret, widow of Patrick Flynn, aged 75 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Tuesday morning, at 8.30 o'clock, from the residence of Mrs. Mary Dorigan, No. 2826 Edgemont street, Twenty-fifth ward. Solemn requiem mass at St. Anne's. Interment at Cathedral Cemetery.