He was born in January 1838 (22; 10 (25 in 1861), 14 [68 at death in 1903], 16 [68 at death in 1903], 20 [35 in 1870], 21 [47 in 1880], 22 [62 in 1900]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10, 20, 21).
When he enlisted, he was a tailor (10).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (10). He had a heavy scar on his left wrist (10).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 24 August 1861 (1, 10, 11, 15, 19). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Reiff (10, 11). He was a private in company C (1, 25).
He was appointed corporal on 21 September 1861 (7).
He was promoted to fourth sergeant on 22 December 1862 [?] (7, 8).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (13). He was then a sergeant (13).
On 8 August 1863, he was sent to the Division Hospital (5).
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 (4). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (6).
He was wounded on 18 June 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia (1).
On 29 July 1864, he returned to duty from being absent wounded (12).
He mustered out near Petersburg, Virginia, on 20 September 1864 when his term expired (1, 9, 10, 11, 15, 19). He was a sergeant in company C (9, 19, 25).
In 1867-68, he was a tinsmith, living at 6 Rowland's Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23).
In 1870, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (20, 23). He was living at 2 Lansing Place, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23). He was living with Eliza (presumably his wife), and with James Higgins (20). He was a tinsmith, and owned $150 in personal property (20, 23).
In 1877, he was a tinsmith, living at rear 417 South Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23).
In 1880, he was living at rear 329 St John Street, ward 11, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (21, 23). He was living with his wife Jane E, and daughter Alice H (21). He was a tinsmith (21, 23).
In 1881, he was living at rear 329 St John Street, ward 11, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23). He was a tinsmith (23).
In 1882, he was living at 5 Porter's Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23). He was a tinsmith (23).
On 31 August 1883, his wife, Eliza, died (24). She died at, or was buried from, 329 St John Street, 11th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (24). She died of general tuberculosis (24). She was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (24).
In 1883-85, he was living at rear 329 St John, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23). He was a tinsmith (23).
He applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension on 24 March 1891 (3, 15).
In 1891, he was a tinsmith, living at 907 Noble Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23).
In 1897, he was a tinsmith, living at 257 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23).
In 1900, he was living at 257 Second Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (22). He was a boarder, at Barley Sheaf Hotel (22, 23). He was a tinsmith (22) or lineman (23).
In 1901-1903, he was a tinsmith, living at Barley Sheaf Hotel (23).
He died in Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of nephritis, with myocarditis contributing, on 7 May 1903 (2, 14, 16, 19 [4 May 03]). He was received from 158 Brown Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (16). He was a tinsmith (16). He was widowed (16). The funeral was held on Monday at 441 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia (John A Franks' home) (14). He was buried in plot 362, Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 16, 19).
The death notice confirms that the Charles Higgins who served in the 91st died on 7 May 1903, and was 68 years old (14). The death certificate for that Charles Higgins adds that he died in Philadelphia Hospital, and went to the hospital from 158 Brown Street (16). It may also add that he was a tinsmith, but the fact that a question mark may follow the occupation leaves that uncertain (16). Unfortunately, I have not found a Charles Higgins at 158 Brown Street.
The 1900 census has two Charles Higgins of approximately the right age:
The occupation, and the fact that the Charles Higgins, publisher, was still living in Philadelphia in 1910, make very likely that the Charles Higgons who was a tinsmith is the Charles Higgins who served in the 91st.
The Charles Higgins, publisher, is present in these records (and see also the city directories transcribed below):
Another Charles Higgins served as a sergeant in Miller's Independent Light Artillery Pennsylvania Volunteers from September 1862 through November 1864. In 1890, he was living at 928 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [1890 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, image 1392 of 2610 on Ancestry (accessed 23 March 2011)].
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 Philadelphia National Cemetery, interment records (searched 2 November 2000)
3 Veterans' administration. Pension index, by name (Charles Higgins)
4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 August 1863 (Sergt Higgins)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Higgins)
7 company C, List of non-commissioned officers, page 1, corporals (Chas Higgins)
8 company C, List of non-commissioned officers, page 2, sergeants (Charles Higgins)
9 company C, register of men discharged, number 27 (Charles Higgins)
10 company C, descriptive roll, entry 42 (Charles Higgins)
11 company C, untitled list, probably of status at muster out, entry 9 (Charles Higgins)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 29 July 1864 (Sergt Higgins)
13 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Charles Higgins)
14 [death notice], Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 May 1903, page 15 (Charles Higgins)
15 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (Charles Higgins)
16 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 7 May 1903, #25278 [?? last digit especially unclear] (Charles Higgins)
17 [removed--wrong Charles Higgins]
18 [removed--wrong Charles Higgins]
19 Pennsylvania veterans burial records, available on Ancestry (transcribed 9 March 2011) (Charles Higgins)
20 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, district 14, microfilm series M593, film 1390, page 310 verso = 118 handwritten (Charles Higgins)
21 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 11, first election division, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 187, microfilm series T9, film 1172, pages 398 = 2 B handwritten to 399 = 3 A handwritten (Charles Higgins)
22 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 6, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 111, microfilm series T623, film 1454, page 253 = 4 A handwritten (Charles Higgins)
23 various Philadelphia city directories
24 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, death certificate, Eliza Higgins, 31 August 1883
25 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Charles Higgins)
line | 34 | 35 | 36 |
Dwelling-house number | 759 | ||
Family number | 1107 | ||
Name | Higgins Charles | " Eliza | " James |
Age | 35 | 31 | 15 |
Sex | M | F | M |
Color | W | W | W |
Occupation | Tin Smith | Tinsmith | |
Real estate value | |||
Personal estate value | $150 | ||
Birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
Father foreign born | 1 | ||
Mother foreign born | 1 | ||
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 | 49 | 50 | 1 |
street name | Rear 329 St John St | ||
house number | [329] | ||
dwelling visit # | 21 | 21 | |
family visit # | 21 | 21 | |
name | Higgins Charles | - Jane E | Higgins Alice H |
color | W | W | W |
sex | M | F | F |
age | 47 | 40 | 3/12 |
month born if born in year | Mar | ||
relationship | wife | Daughter | |
single | 1 | ||
married | 1 | 1 | |
widowed/divorced | |||
married during year | |||
occupation | Tin Smith | Keeping house | |
months unemployed | |||
currently ill? | |||
blind | |||
deaf/dumb | |||
idiotic | |||
insane | |||
disabled | |||
school this year | |||
can't read | |||
can't write | |||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
father's birthplace | Ireland | Mass | Penna |
mother's birthplace | Ireland | Delaware | Penna |
line | 18 |
street | Second Street |
house number | [257] |
dwelling number | [27] |
family number | [51] |
name | Higgins Charles |
relationship | Boarder |
color | W |
sex | M |
birth date | Jan 1838 |
age | 62 |
married? | S [sic--but note that everyone on the page is listed as single] |
# years married | |
mother of how many children? | |
# of children living | |
birthplace | Pennsylvania |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania |
immigration year | |
# years in USA | |
naturalized citizen? | |
occupation | Tinsmith |
# months not employed | 0 |
# months in school | |
can read | Yes |
can write | Yes |
speaks English | Yes |
owned/rented | |
free or mortgaged | |
farm/house | |
# of farm schedule |