He was born in February 1843, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Samuel Jeffers and Elizabeth A Welsh. [sources: date: 22 (Feb 1843); 3 (22 in 1863), 8 (19 in 1861), 13 (72 at death in 1914), 14 (7 in 1850), 15 (17 (?) in 1860), 20 (26 in 1870), 20 (26 in 1870), 21 (36 in 1880), 23 (69 in 1910), 24 (1842). place: 3, 13, 14 (Ireland), 15, 20, 21, 22, 23. parents: 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23]
In 1850, he was living in ward 1, Moyamensing, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents Samuel and Elizabeth Jeffries, and with Mary H, Eliza, and James Jeffries (presumably his siblings), along with Catharine Burk. He had attended school within the year. [source: 14]
In 1860, he was living in ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents Samuel and Elizabeth A Jeffries, and with Mary, Samuel, and Eliza Jeffries (presumably his siblings). He was a varnisher. [source: 15]
When he enlisted, he was a varnisher, and was living in Philadelphia. [sources: 3, 8]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6-1/4 inches tall, had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. [sources: 3, 8 (5'7")]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 20 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a private in company E. [sources: 1, 8, 9, 12, 24, 27, 28]
He was slightly wounded on 13 December 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia. [sources: 1, 3 (which has 10 December)]
On 3 May 1863, he was captured, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, along with Martin Blake. They were paroled after having been held for a week. He was reported missing in action on 7 May 1863. He was then a corporal. [sources: 7, 16, 17 (missing), 18]
He was promoted to fourth corporal, on 1 October 1863. [source: 6]
He re-enlisted for three years, as a veteran volunteer, at Bealton, Virginia, on 24 December 1863. He was enlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter, and mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann (this may relate to his original enlistment). [sources: 1, 3, 8 (26 Dec 63)]
He was promoted to corporal for soldierly conduct. (However, the list of non-commissioned officers does not list him as a corporal.) [sources: 2, 3]
He was promoted on 16 September 1864 from corporal to sergeant, for bravery on the battlefield. [sources: 2, 3, 5]
He was again wounded, this time in the wrist, on 27 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia. [sources: 1, 3]
He was discharged, at US General Hospital Summit House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 9 June 1865 by War Department general order 77, because of a gunshot wound. He was a sergeant, in company E. [sources: 1, 4, 8, 9 (10 Jun), 11, 12, 24, 27, 28]
On 20 August 1866, he applied successfully for a pension. [sources: 10, 12]
On 9 September 1867, he provided testimony about Martin Blake (E), to support Blake's widow's pension application. On 11 September 1869, to support the reliability of that evidence, John D Lentz affirmed that Jeffries was always a good and faithful soldier, and that 'he [sc. Lentz] is satisfied that any statement made by said soldier can positively be relied upon as being correct'. [source: 18]
In 1870, he was living in ward 26, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents Samuel and Elisabeth, with his wife Rebecca, with his siblings Samuel, Elisa, and Kate, and with William (presumnably their son). He was a laborer. [source: 20]
He married Rebecca [unknown family name]. She was born in 1846/47, in Pennsylvania. They seem to have had at least these children:
[sources: 21, 22, 26]
In 1880, he was living at 1036 Federal Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his mother Elizabeth, his wife Rebeca, his siblings Samuel and Kate, and his children Kate and Elizabeth. He was a watchman, and had been out of work for six months in the previous year. [source: 21]
In 1890, he was living at 1119 Federal Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 9]
In 1891, he was a watchman, living at 1119 Federal Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
On 18 July 1893, his wife, Rebecca Jeffers, died, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She died of inflammation of bowels. On 20 July 1893, she was buried in Fernwood Cemetery, from William's residence, 1119 Federal Street, 26th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 25, 26]
In 1895, he was a laborer, living at 1119 Federal Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
In 1897, he was a laborer, living at 1119 Federal Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
In 1898, he was probably a stoker, living with his mother Elizabeth, at 1003 Latona Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
In 1899, he was a cutter, living with his mother Elizabeth, at 1212 South Alder Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
In 1900, he was living at 1212 Alder Street, ward 26, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his mother Elizabeth and her grandson Russell. He was a polisher, and had been out of work for three months in the previous year. [source: 22]
In 1901, he was a watchman, living with his mother Elizabeth, at 1212 South Alder Street Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
In 1910, he was living at 1334 Annin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a laborer at the Navy Yard. [source: 23]
On 17 July 1914, he died, at Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a laborer. He was widowed. His usual residence was 1334 Annin Street, ward 26, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of lobar pneumonia, right side. [sources: 12, 13, 19, 24]
On 21 July 1914, he was buried, at Fernwood Cemetery, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 13, 24]
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 non-commissioned officers, co E
3 descriptive roll, company E, entry 43 (William Jeffries)
4 company E, register of men discharged, number 45 (William H Jeffries)
5 special order 79, headquarters, 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 16 September 1864
6 special order 99, HQ 91st PA, 1 October 1863
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 May 1863 (Corpl Jeffries)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (Wm H Jeffries)
9 1890 US Census, Veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 477, page [2] (image 1875 on Ancestry), line 21 (William Jeffers [sic])
10 pension index, by name (William H Jeffries)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 13 June 1865 (Sergt Jeffries)
12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (William H Jeffries)
13 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 July 1914, #13395 and #17587 (William H Jeffries)
14 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Moyamensing ward 1, microfilm series M432, film 809, page 223 = 445 handwritten (William H Jeffries)
15 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, microfilm series M653, film 1151, page 327 = 229 handwritten (William H Jeffries)
16 'The ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Press, Wednesday 13 May 1863, page 2 (Wm H Jeffries)
17 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania at Chancellorville', Philadelphia Inquirer 13 May 1863, page 8 (William H Jeffries)
18 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, widow's certificate 106,758, Hannah Clemons widow of Martin Blake (Wm H Jeffries)
19 Philadelphia city directories
20 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, district 84, microfilm series M593, film 1413, page 170 verso = 37 handwritten (FamilySearch) (William Jeffers)
21 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 549, microfilm series T9, film 1185, p.494 = 11 C handwritten (FamilySearch) (William Jeffries)
22 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 621, microfilm series T623, film 1468, page 81 = 10 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (William Jeffries)
23 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 574, microfilm series T624, film 1400, page 142 = 12 B handwritten (FamilySearch) (Wm Jeffries)
24 Pennsylvania veterans burial cards (William H Jeffries)
25 death register, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1893, page 46 (FamilySearch) (Rebecca Jeffers)
26 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, Wednesday, 19 July 1893, page 7 (Rebecca widow of William H Jeffers)
27 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Jefferies)
28 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William H Jeffries)
Another William Jeffries, born in 1842, served in company A of the 91st, and lived in Philadelphia (before and after the war). See the note on identification on his page for more about him.
The key to separating them is the pension index by regiment card, according to which the company E Jeffries died on 17 July 1914, and 1890 veterans schedules. The pension index, and the Pennsylvania Veterans Burial card, confirms that the death certificate transcribed below is the correct one for the company E Jeffries, which gives us his parents' names and place of death. The parents' names link the 1850 through 1880 census entries, and probably the 1910 census entry, transcribed below.
| line | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Dwellings visited | 844 | ||||||
| Families visited | 1129 | ||||||
| Name | Samuel Jeffries | Elizabeth M do | William H do | Mary H do | Eliza do | James do | Catharine Burk |
| Age | 45 | 26 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2/12 | 16 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | F | M | F |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Cloth Dealer | ||||||
| Real estate owned | |||||||
| Birthplace | do [sc. Ireland] | do | do | Penna | do | do | Ireland |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | S | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Dwelling number | 1609 | |||||
| Family number | 1832 | |||||
| Name | Samuel Jeffries | Elizabeth A | William H " | Mary A " | Samuel F | Eliza |
| Age | 54 | 35 | 17 [?] | 15 | 7 | 10/12 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | M | F |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation | Laborer | Varnisher | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | 450 | |||||
| Value of personal estate | 150 | |||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Ireland] | " | Penn | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Dwelling-house number | 247 | |||||||
| Family number | 284 | |||||||
| Name | Jeffers Samuel | - Elisabeth | - William | - Rebecca | - Samuel | - Elisa | - Kate | - William |
| Age | 60 | 42 | 26 | 24 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 10/12 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | M | F | F | M |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | At home | Keeps house | Laborer | At home | App to Stone Cutting | At School | At School | At home |
| Real estate value | ||||||||
| Personal estate value | $200 | |||||||
| Birthplace | Ireland | Penn | Penn | Penn | Penn | Penn | Penn | Penn |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Mother foreign born | 1 | |||||||
| Birth month if born within year | ||||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school past year | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Can't read | ||||||||
| Can't write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| street name | Federal Street | ||||||
| house number | 1036 | ||||||
| dwelling visit # | 82 | ||||||
| family visit # | 93 | ||||||
| name | Jeffries [?] Elizabeth | - William | - Rebeca [sic] | - Samuel | - Kate | - Kate | - Elizabeth |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | F | M | F | M | F | F | F |
| age | 54 | 36 | 34 | 25 | 18 | 10 | 5 |
| month born if born in year | |||||||
| relationship | Son | Daughter in law | Son | Daughter | G Daughter | G Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | ||||||
| married during year | |||||||
| occupation | Keeping House | Watchman | At Home | Stone Cutter | At Home | At School | At Home |
| months unemployed | 6 | 6 | |||||
| currently ill? | |||||||
| blind | |||||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||||
| idiotic | |||||||
| insane | |||||||
| disabled | |||||||
| school this year | 1 | ||||||
| can't read | |||||||
| can't write | |||||||
| birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Penna | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Penna | Ireland | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| line | 41 | 42 | 43 |
| street | Alder St | ||
| house number | 1212 | ||
| dwelling number | 174 | ||
| family number | 205 | ||
| name | Jeffries Elizabeth | - William | - Russell |
| relationship | Head | Son | G Son |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | F | M | M |
| birth date | July 1825 | Feb 1843 | Mar 1893 |
| age | 74 | 57 | 7 |
| married? | Wd | Wd | S |
| # years married | |||
| mother of how many children? | 9 | ||
| # of children living | 5 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | |||
| # years in USA | |||
| naturalized citizen? | |||
| occupation | Polisher | At School | |
| # months not employed | 3 | ||
| # months in school | 9 | ||
| can read | yes | yes | |
| can write | yes | yes | |
| speaks English | yes | yes | |
| owned/rented | R | ||
| free or mortgaged | |||
| farm/house | H | ||
| # of farm schedule | |||
| line | 53 |
| street | Annin St |
| house nr | [1334] |
| dwelling nr | [181] |
| family nr | [202] |
| name | Jeffries Wm |
| relationship | Boarder |
| sex | M |
| color | W |
| age | 69 |
| marital status | M1 |
| #years present marriage | 27 |
| mother of # children | |
| mother of # living children | |
| birthplace | Penny [?] |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania |
| immigrated | |
| naturalized/alien | |
| speaks English | - |
| occupation | Laborer |
| nature of industry etc. | Navy Yard |
| employer etc. | W |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | |
| can read | |
| can write | |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |
| owned/rented | |
| owned free or mortagaged | |
| farm/house | |
| nr on farm schedule | |
| civil war vet | |
| blind | |
| deaf & dumb |
JEFFERS.--On July 18, 1893, Rebecca, wife of William H. Jeffers, aged 45 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services, on Thursday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at her husband's residence, 1119 Federal street. Interment private.