He was born on 27 February 1838, in Duncannon, Perry County, Pennsylvania, or in Ireland, to Thompson Kirkpatrick and Elizabeth Storey. (The earliest source I have is the 1850 census, according to which he was born in Pennsylvania. That census has his brother John born in 1835/36 in Ireland, and his sister Mary born in 1849/50 in Pennsylvania.) [sources: date: 13, 22; 4 (24 in 1861), 7 (41 in 1880), 9 (22 in 1860), 10 (32 in 1870), 14 (Feb 1840; 60 in 1900), 15 (72 in 1910), 16 (81 in 1920), 24 (12 in 1850). place: 7 (Ireland), 9 (Ireland), 10 (PA), 13 (Duncannon PA), 14 (Ireland), 15 (Ireland), 16 (Ireland), 17 (Duncannon Perry Cty PA or Ireland), 21 (Duncannon), 24 (Pennsylvania). parents: 9, 13]
In 1850, he may be the William Kirkpatrick living with Cornelius Baskins and others in Penn Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania. (His parents and siblings were living in Petersburg, Perry County.) He had attended school within the year. [source: 24]
He was educated by his father, and in common school. He studied singing, theory, harmony, composition, and organ, with various people. [sources: 13, 17]
According to the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses, he immigrated in 1850 or 1851. This seems implausible, since the 1850 census reports that his (younger) sister Mary was born in Pennsylvania in 1839/40, and since his parents were living in Perry County Pennsylvania in 1850 [sources: 14, 15, 16, 24]
In 1854, he came to Philadelphia to study music and to learn a trade. In 1855, he joined the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in Philadelphia. [source: 17]
In 1858, his first published composition, "When the Spark of Life is Waning", was published in the Musical Pioneer. He edited a collection of music called Devotional melodies in 1859. He received this job by impressing Mr A.S. Jenks by transcribing and arranging a song while someone was singing it, at the end of Sunday School. [source: 17]
In 1860, he was living in the first ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a musician. He was living with his mother Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, and Martha L Kirkpatrick (his sister?) and Ellen Gilkinson. [source: 9]
In 1861, he married Susanna Doak. She was born in 1840/41, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Doak and Mary [unknown family name]. They had three children:
[sources: 17; 13 has 1878, 30, 32]
He enlisted on 1 November 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was mustered into service as Fife Major on 4 December 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 25, 33 (fife major)]
He was discharged by general order, on 9 October 1862, apparently because his position was abolished (presumably by the act of Congress ending regimental bands). He was a principal musician, in Field and Staff. [sources: 1, 2 (of the Secretary of War), 3, 4, 5, 17, 33, 35]
In 1870, he was living in the first ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a clerk in a store. He was living with his wife Susanna, their children George, Martha, and Mary, and with Elizabeth Peterson. [source: 10]
On 29 May 1878, his wife, Susannah J Kirkpatrick, died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She died of peritonitis. On 31 May 1878, she was buried, in the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church Vault. She died at, or was buried from, 1109 South Third Street, ward 2, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 30, 32]
In 1880, he was living at 1204 3rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a music teacher. He was widowed. He was living with his children George, Nattie, and Marey, along with a servant and a housekeeper. [source: 7]
From 1880 through 1897, he published forty-nine books with John R Sweney. [source: 17]
From 1886-1896, he was music director of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. [sources: 13, 17]
In October 1889, he spent several days in Lock Haven, visiting his sister, Mrs. Samuel Lay. [source: 17 (citing Lock Haven Express 16 Oct 1889)]
In 1890, he was living at 2009 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a music teacher. [sources: 5, 6]
He was naturalized about 1890. [source: 16]
On 23 October 1893, he married Sarah Kellogg Bourne, in Manhatten, New York. This was his second marriage, and also her second marriage; she apparently had two children by her first husband. [sources: 13, 15, 17; 14 has 1880, 18 (1893), 29]
In 1900, he was living at 2009 N 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Professor of Music. He was living with his wife Sara B, and a servant. [source: 14]
In 1905, he and his wife travelled through Europe, visiting France, Germany, Switzerland, and England. [source: 17]
He applied successfully for a pension on 7 January 1907, apparently under the Act of 27 June 1890. He applied again on 20 June 1907, apparently under the Act of 6 February 1907. He received $12 per month, retroactive to 20 June 1907; the certificate was dated 18 January 1908. [sources: 3, 26, 34]
On 2 June 1908, his pension was increased to $15 per month, retroactive to 5 May 1908. [source: 26]
In 1910, he was living at 2009 N 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was involved in musical books and publishing. He was living with his wife Sara Dewine Kirkpatrick, and a servant. [source: 15]
On 23 April 1913, his pension was increased to $19 per month, retroactive to 13 June 1912. His pension was then increased to $22.50 per month, retroactive to 27 February 1913. [source: 26]
On 29 March 1915, his second wife, Sarah Kirkpatrick, died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Funeral services were held at her husband's residence, 2009 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 31 March 1915, she was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 18 (1917), 27, 28 (29 Mar 1915), 31 (29 Mar 1915)]
In 1918, his address was 807 Chestnut Street, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
His pension was increased to $32 per month, retroactive to 10 June 1918. [source: 26]
He married (third) Mrs John R Sweeney. [source: 18]
His pension was increased to $50 per month, retroactive to 1 May 1920. [source: 26]
In 1920, he was living in Selham Court, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a music composer. He was living with his third wife Lizzie E. [source: 16]
He was the editor or associate editor of more than one hundred collections of religious music. [source: 13]
He died on 29 September 1921, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while working on music. He died at Pelham Court Hotel, in Germantown. His funeral was held at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Broad and Master Streets, Philadelphia, where he had been a trustee for many years. He was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 3, 8 (21 Sep 21), 17 (20 Sep), 18, 19, 20, 21 (20 Sep 21), 22 (20 Sep 21), 23 (29 Sep 21), 25 (29 Sep 21), 26 (29 Sep 21)]
His widow, Lizzie E Sweeney Kirkpatrick, was paid the pension due to him when he died, on an order dated 15 April 1922. [source: 26]
Perhaps his widow is the Elizabeth Kirkpatrick who died in Philadelphia on 20 February 1926, or the Elizabeth Kirkpatrick who died in Philadelphia on 7 March 1928 (or even the Eliza J Kirkpatrick who died in Philadelphia on 20 January 1923).
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) (Wm I Kilpatrick)
2 regimental descriptive book (William J Kirkpatrick; I assume this is not William Kirkpatrick of co.K)
3 pension index, by regiment (William J Kirkpatrick; I assume this is not William Kirkpatrick of co.K)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at Pennsylvania State Archives (searched 5 May 2004) (Wm I. Kilpatrick; some records have Kirkpatrick)
5 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district [1], enumeration district [762], page [2] (image 2431 on Ancestry) (William J Kirkpatrick)
6 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (William J Kirkpatrick)
7 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 35, microfilm series T9, film 1167, page 62 = 5 handwritten (Wm Kirkpatrick)
8 West Laurel Hill Cemetery [dead link, in October 2013] (William Kirkpatrick, Chf Musician)
9 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, microfilm series M653, film 1151, page 401 = 141 handwritten (William J Kirkpatrick)
10 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, microfilm series M593, film 1387, page 416 = 145 handwritten (William Kirkpatrick)
13 César Saerchinger. International who's who in music and musical gazetteer: a contemporary biographical dictionary and a record of the world's musical activity. New York: Current Literature Publishing Compnay, 1918. 1st edition (William James Kirkpatrick)
14 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 32, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 809, microfilm series T623, film 1473, page 209 = 3 B handwritten (William Kirkpatrick)
15 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 32, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 752, supplemental sheet, microfilm series T624, film 1403, page 142 = 7 B handwritten (William J Kirkpatrick)
16 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 22, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 618, microfilm series T625, film 1624, page 137 = 5 A handwritten (William J Kirkpatrick)
17 "Gwilliam-Watkins", a gedcom on RootsWeb WorldConnect, contact Sheri Graves, last updated 30 October 2006 (viewed March 2007) (William James Kirkpatrick)
18 obituary, Philadelphia Inquirer, 30 September 1921, page 23 (William J Kirkpatrick)
19 obituary, Woodbury Daily Times, 30 September 1921, page 3 (William J Kirkpatrick)
20 'William Kirkpatrick dies', [Pennsylvania] Patriot 30 September 1921, page 13 (William James Kirkpatrick)
21 'William J Kirkpatrick', on Wikipedia, accessed 18 October 2013
22 Find a grave, memorial 17300268, created by CJKirkpatrick, 4 Jan 2007, accessed 18 October 2013 (includes a photograph) (William James Kirkpatrick)
23 Pennsylvania death indices, 1921 ("K621 William J Kirkpatrick 89638 Phila 9/29")
24 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Perry County, Penn Township, microfilm series M432, film 805, page 942 = 462 verso = 1058 handwritten (FamilySearch) (William Kirkpatrick)
25 Pennsylvania, veterans burial cards, 1777-1999 (W J Kirkpatrick)
26 Veterans administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933, National Archives and Records Administration, record group M850, film 1267 (William J Kirkpatrick)
27 91406477, created by Graves, added 5 June 2012, accessed 18 October 2013 [refers to plot Summit 386] (Sara Kb Kirkpatrick)
28 Pennsylvania death indices, 1915 ("Kirkpatrick, Sara K. B.; 31436; Phila.; Mar. 29.")
29 [not transcribed] abstract of marriage record, William J Kirkpatrick to Sara K Kellogg or Bourne, Manhatten, New York, New York, 23 October 1893, on FamilySearch
30 death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania (Susannah J Kirkpatrick)
31 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer Wednesday 31 March 1915, page 16 (Sara Kellogg Bourne Kirkpatrick)
32 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 31 May 1878, page 5 (Susannah J Kirkpatrick)
33 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William J Kirkpatrick)
34 pension index, by name (William J Kirkpatrick)
35 section 3, Act of 17 July 1862, 'An act to define the pay and emoluments of certain officers of the army, and for other purposes.' 37th Congress, session 2, Chapter 200, Statutes at large volume 12 pp.594-597
| line | 27 |
| Dwellings visited | [540] |
| Families visited | [577] |
| Name | William Kirkpatrick |
| Age | 12 |
| Sex | M |
| Color | |
| Occupation of males over 15 years | |
| Real estate owned | |
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] |
| Married within year | |
| Attended school within year | 1 |
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Dwelling number | 1022 | |||
| Family number | 1168 | |||
| Name | Elizabeth Kirkpatrick | William J " | Martha L " | Ellen Gilkinson |
| Age | 53 | 22 | 16 | 15 |
| Sex | f | m | f | f |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation | Musician | Tailores [sic] | ||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | |||
| Place of birth | Ireland [?] | " " | Penna | N. York |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | ||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwelling-house number | 488 | |||||
| Family number | 500 | |||||
| Name | Kirkpatrick William | - Susanna | - George | - Martha | - Mary | Peterson Elizabeth |
| Age | 32 | 29 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 15 |
| Sex | m | f | m | f | f | f |
| Color | w | w | w | w | w | w |
| Occupation | Clerk in Store | Keeping House | At School | |||
| Real estate value | ||||||
| Personal estate value | ||||||
| Birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | |||||
| Birth month if born within year | ||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||||||
| Attended school past year | 1 | |||||
| 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 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| street name | Third St | |||||
| house number | 1204 | |||||
| dwelling visit # | 34 | |||||
| family visit # | 45 | |||||
| name | Kirkpatrick Wm | George | Nattie | Marey | Gross Lizzie | McConnell Lonna |
| color | W | W | W | W | B | W |
| sex | M | M | F | F | F | F |
| age | 41 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 30 |
| month born if born in year | ||||||
| relationship | Son | Daughter | Daughter | Servant | House Keeper | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| married | ||||||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | |||||
| married during year | ||||||
| occupation | Music Teacher | Clerk | At School | At School | Servant | House Keeper |
| months unemployed | ||||||
| currently ill? | ||||||
| blind | ||||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||||
| idiotic | ||||||
| insane | ||||||
| disabled | ||||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | ||||
| can't read | ||||||
| can't write | ||||||
| birthplace | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | N Jersey | Penn. |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Penn | Penn | Penn | Mryd | Penn |
| line | 61 | 62 | 63 |
| street | N 15th St | ||
| house number | 2009 | ||
| dwelling number | 60 | ||
| family number | 60 | ||
| name | Kirkpatrick William | - Sara B | Rayfield Emma |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Servant |
| color | W | W | B |
| sex | M | F | F |
| birth date | Feb 1840 | Aug 1845 | June 1880 |
| age | 60 | 54 | 29 |
| married? | M | M | S |
| # years married | 30 | 30 | |
| mother of how many children? | 2 | ||
| # of children living | 2 | ||
| birthplace | Ireland | New York | New Jersey |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | New York | W. Virginia |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | New York | W. Virginia |
| immigration year | 1850 | ||
| # years in USA | 50 | ||
| naturalized citizen? | Na | ||
| occupation | Professor of Music | Servant | |
| # months not employed | 0 | ||
| # months in school | |||
| can read | yes | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes | yes |
| speaks English | yes | yes | yes |
| owned/rented | 0 | ||
| free or mortgaged | F | ||
| farm/house | H | ||
| # of farm schedule | |||
| line | 82 | 83 | 84 |
| street | N. Fifteenth Street | ||
| house nr | 2009 | ||
| dwelling nr | 80 | ||
| family nr | 166 | ||
| name | Kirkpatrick, William J. | - Sara Dewine | White, Emma R. |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Servant |
| sex | M | F | F |
| color | W | W | B |
| age | 72 | 65 | 28 |
| marital status | M2 | M2 | S |
| #years present marriage | 16 | 16 | |
| mother of # children | 2 | ||
| mother of # living children | 2 | ||
| birthplace | Ire - English | New York | New Jersey |
| father's birthplace | Ire - English | New York | Maryland |
| mother's birthplace | Ire - English | New York | Maryland |
| immigrated | 1851 | ||
| naturalized/alien | Na | ||
| speaks English | English | English | English |
| occupation | Musical [illegible] | None | General housework |
| nature of industry etc. | Musical books + publishing | Private family | |
| employer etc. | OA | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | ||
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | ||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |||
| owned/rented | O | ||
| owned free or mortagaged | F | ||
| farm/house | H | ||
| nr on farm schedule | |||
| civil war vet | UA | ||
| blind | |||
| deaf & dumb | |||
| line | 28 | 29 |
| street | Selham Court | |
| house number | ||
| dwelling visit number | ||
| family visit number | 116 | |
| name | Kirkpatrick, William J | - Lizzie E S [?] |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| own/rent | R | |
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | ||
| sex | M | F |
| race | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 81 | 69 |
| marital status | M | M |
| year of immigration | 1851 | |
| naturalized/alien | NA | |
| year of naturalization | 1890 [?] | |
| attended school since Sept 1919 | ||
| can read | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes |
| birth place | Ireland | Pennsylvania |
| native language | English | |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Pennsylvania |
| father's native language | English | |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Pennsylvania |
| mother's native language | English | |
| can speak English | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | Composer | None |
| industry, business | Music | |
| employment status | OA | |
| number of farm schedule | ||
Composer and editor; b. Duncannon, Pa., Feb. 27. 1838, s. Thompson and Elizabeth (Storey) K., ed. common school and by father; stud. singing w. T. Bishop, Ettore Barrilli, Pasquale Rondinella; theory, harmony, composition w. Dr. Leopold Meignen; organ w. David D. Wood; m. 1st, 1878 (wife died); 2nd, Mrs. Sarah Kellogg Bourne, Oct. 23, 1893. Fife major 91st Pa. Vols., 1861-2; mus. dir. Ebenezer Meth. Epis. Ch., Phila., 1865-6; Grace Meth. Epis., 1886-96. Editor or associate editor of over 100 books of music including "Songs of Joy and Gladness," Nos. 1 and 2 (1885, 1891); "Finest of the Wheat," Nos. 1, 2 and 3 (1890-1904); "Organ Score Anthems" (1892, No. 2, 1894); "Unfading Treasures" (1893); "Infant Praises"; "Children's Praises"; "Dew Drops" (1895); "Sacred Songs for Little Voices" (1900); "Young People's Hymnal" (No.1, 1897, No. 2, 1901, No.3, 1905); "Sunday School Praises" (1900); "Songs of the Century" (1901); "Devotional Songs" (1903); "Glorious Praise" (1904); "Jubilant Voices" (1905); "The Redeemer's Praise" (1906); "The Old Story in Song" (1906, No.2, 1908); "Hymns and Spiritual Songs" (No.2, 1909); "Songs of Praise and Power" (1909); "Songs of the Century" (No. 2, 1910); "The Message in Song" (1911); "The Spirit of Praise" (1911); "Songs of Praise and Service" (1912); "Sacred Songs for Little Voices" (1915); "Message in Song" (Nos. 1 and 2, 1915). Address: 807 Chestnut St., Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.
| ISSUES. | |||
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| REISSUE | 12 | June 20/07 | Jan 18/08. |
| INCREASE | 15 | May 5/ 08 | June 2/ 08 |
| REISSUE | 19 | June 13, 1912 | Apr . 23, 1913 |
| 22.50 | Feby. 27, 1913 | [blank, but apparently referring to 'Apr. 23, 1913'] | |
| 32 | JUN 10 1918 | ||
| Inc. | 50 | May 1, 1920 | |
KIRKPATRICK.--On the 29th inst., SUSANNAH J., wife of William J. Kirkpatrick, and daughter of the late John and Mary Doak, aged thirty seven years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, from the residence of her husband, No 1109 S. Third street. To proceed to Ebenezer M.E. Church for service and interment.
KIRKPATRICK.--March 29, 1915, SARA KELLOGG BOURNE, wife of Prof. William J. Kirkpatrick. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services, Thursday, at 2 P.M. precisely, at residence of her husband, 2009 N. 15th st. Interment private.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon in Grace M.E. Church, Broad and Master streets, for William James Kirkpatrick, 84 years old, of Pelham Court Hotel, Germantown. He died there Wednesday night.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was one of the most widely known authors of hymns in this country. He was editor or associate editor of more than one hundred books of church hymns. For many years he was a trustee of Grace M. E. Church. A major [sic] of Pennsylvania Volunteers in 1861 and 1862, Mr. Kirkpatrick was thrice married. His first wife was Miss S. J. Doak, whom he married in 1861. He married Mrs. Sarah Kellog Bourne in 1893, following the death of his first wife. His second wife died in 1917. Mrs. John R. Sweeney, widow of another composer of hymns, was his third wife.
William J. Kirkpatrick, a widely known composer of gospel hymns, died yesterday in Germantown, aged 84 years. Mr. Kirkpatrick was well known to many Woodburians, and his son has sung his hymns at several places in Gloucester County. Besides his son, his wife survives him. He was a Civil War veteran and a member of the Masonic fraternity. His funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon at Grace M. E. Church, Broad and Master streets, Philadelphia, where he was a trustee for many years.
Philadelphia, Sept. 29.--William James Kirkpatrick, author of gospel hymns and sacred music, died here today after a short illness.