He was born in 1821/22 (3 (42 in 1864)). He was born in Denighal, Ireland (3).
On 25 November 1846, he married Sarah Ritchie, at Corrick Presbyterian Meeting House, Tyrone County, Ireland (10). They were married by Reverend Reid (10). They had three children, including:(10)
When he enlisted, he was a laborer (3).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and sandy hair (3).
He enlisted and was mustered into service, as a recruit, at Philadeplhia, Pennsylvania, on 16 March 1864 (1, 3, 5 [16 Mar 63], 10). He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Gregory (1, 3). He was mustered into service as a private in company E, by Nickols (1, 3, 11-12).
He died on 12 May 1864, of wounds received while charging the enemy's works at Laurel Hill, Virginia (Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 [24 May], 7, 10). He was a private, in company E (11-12). (According to Bates (1) and the descriptive roll (3 and also 4), he was killed in action.)
On 26 January 1865, company E published resolutions mourning his death (and fifteen others), and sympathizing with their families (8).
On 29 August 1864, his widow, Sarah Monteath, applied successfully for a pension (6, 9). She was living at the northwest corner of 15th and Bedford Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). Her application was delayed by her having wrongly claimed initially that he was in company I (10). Statements from Matthew Hall (dated 20 June 1864) and John L Graham (dated 14 May 1865) certifying that Monteath served in company E and was killed in battle helped (10). (The company in Hall's statement appears to be '3' written over 'I'; perhaps that is what led to the error) She did have to file a sworn statement changing the company, which she did, dated 25 July 1865 (10).
On 28 July 1865, her application for pension was approved, retroactive to 14 May 1864 (10). She initially received eight dollars per month (10).
On 5 October 1866, Sarah Monteith applied for an increase in pension of $2 per month, under the act approved 25 July 1866, because their child Thomas was less than 16 years old (10). She was living at 1443 Bedford Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). Her application was approved, on 17 August 1867, retroactive to 25 July 1866 (10).
In 1890, his widow, Sarah Monteith, was living at 907 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5).
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, number 13
3 descriptive roll, company E, entry 145
4 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (John Monteith)
5 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 62, page 3 (image 289 on Ancestry), line 29 (John Monteith)
6 pension index, by name (John Monteath)
7 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (John Monteith)
8 'Headquarters company E', Philadelphia Inquirer 26 January 1865 page 5 (John Monteith)
9 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (John Monteath)
10 widow's pension certificate file, NARA, certificate 52,669 (Sarah widow of John Monteath)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Monteeth)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Monteith)
No Monteith is living at 907 S 13th St, and there is no Sarah or S Monteith or Montieth (searched transcription on Ancestry, January 2005).
BRIEF in the case of Sarah Monteath, widow of John Monteath priv. Co. "E." 91. Pa. Vols. resident of Philadelphia County and State of Pennsylvania. Post Office address N.w. Corner 15th + Bedford Sts.
Admitted July 28, 1865, to a Pension of $8.00 per month, commencing May 14, 1864.
Exd Chas. T. Cotton, Examining Clerk.On this 6th [?] day of June A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty four personally appeared before me, an Alderman and ex-officio Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Sarah Monteath a resident of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania aged fifty-six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress approved July 14th, 1862: That she is the widow of John Monteath who was a Private in company "I", commanded by [blank] in the 91th regiment of Penna. Vols in the war of 1861, who died of wounds received in action near Spotsylvania Va. May 14. 1864. She further declares that she was married to the said John Monteath deceased, on the 25th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, at Corrick, Co of Tyrone, Ireld, by Rev. Mr. Reid, that her husband, the aforesaid John Monteath died on the day above mentioned, that she has remained a widow ever since that period, and that deceased left surviving him three children, Eliza Jane born Sept 16 [?], 1847, John, born July 2. 1849, Thomas born Jan. 24, 1858 all of whom live with claimant in Philadelphia as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She also declares that she has not in any manner been engaged in, or aided or abetted, the rebellion in the United States.
She hereby appoints W. N. ASHMAN, No. 1307 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., her true and lawful attorney, with full power to present and prosecute her claim, and to receive and receipt for any order, certificate or money which may be payable under it.
Also personally appeared Sarah Armorer [?] and Margaret Bayle residents 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 said claimant sign her name to the foregoing declaration, and power of attorney, and
they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim. Deponents further declare we have known claimaint 19. and 30 years respectively. Know that she is the lawful widow of John Monteath, who was a private in Co. "I" 91st Regt. P.V. and that she has not married since his death. Know that deceased left surviving him three children, Eliza Jane born Sept. 16. 1847 - John, born July 2, 1849, and Thomas born Jan 24. 1858. know that claimant has by word and deed always been loyal to U.S. Government. the above facts we know from the above mentioned friendly intimacy, + the contents of within paper were made known to us before signing.
Sworn to and subscribed and the power of attorney duly acknowledged before me, the day and year first above written, and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this Claim. Witness my hand and seal. And I certify that the full contents of the foregoing deposition were made known to the deponents before signing.
H. Turnigan [?]I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 62 997, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
The name of John Monteith is not borne on Records of Comp'y "I." 91st Penna. Vols on file at this office.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 62,997, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
The name of John Monteith is not borne on Records of Co. I. 91st Penna. Vols on file at this office.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 62.997, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
The name of John Montieth does not appear on any muster rolls of Co. "I" 91st Pa. Vols on file in this office. A report has been made and forwarded to the Pension Office in the case of John Montieth Co "E" 91st Pa. Vols.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 62.997, 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 John Montieth was enrolled on the 16th day of Mar, 1864, at Phila Pa in Co "F", 91st Regiment of Penna Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a private on the 16th day of March 1864, at Phila Pa, in Co. F, 91st Regiment of Penna Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. "E" of that Regiment, for the months of May + June 1864, he is reported "Killed in action at Laurel Hill Va May 12th 1864, while charging the enemy's works" He was assigned to Co "E" 91st Pa Vols
I Certify on honor, That John Monteath was a Private in Company "E" of 91st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the war of 1861; that while in the service of the United States, and in the line of his duty, he was wounded in action at Spotsylvania May. 14. 1864 and died same day. I certify that said John Monteath was Enlisted at Philada Mustered at [blank] and that he was on duty in service with his company up to time of his death that previously to the date of the said disability, he was, to the best of my knowledge and belief, sound and able-bodied. That I have no interest, direct or indirect, in his widows claim for pension, and that my knowledge of the above facts is derived in the following manner, viz: [in a lighter handwriting: 'state means of knowlege [sic']] John Montieth Enlisted at Phila Pa March 16th /64, and Served faithfully in my company until the date of his Death Killed in Action May 14th 1864. near Spotsylvania
Dated at Camp Near Alexandria Va on this fourteenth day of May 1865
John L GrahamI Certify on honor, That John Monteith was a Private in Company "E" [??] of 91st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the war of 1861; that while in the service of the United States, and in the line of his duty, he died May 14. 1864 of wounds received in action near Spotsylvania Va. [the company appears to be '3' written over 'I', which may have contributed to Sarah Monteith's error in initially stating John Monteith's company]
Dated near Petersburg Va on this 20th day of June 1864
Before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared John Armana [?] resident of Philadelphia Pa. whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn according to law, depose and say I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim for Pension of Sarah Monteath widow of John Monteath and I am not a relative of said claimant. I have known claimant for 29 years past, and was an acquaintance of hers in Ireland. I was also personally acquainted with her husband the dec'd. I was present at her marriage in Ireland. It took place about 20 years since. Claimant and dec'd were married at Corrick Meeting house County Tyrone Ireland by the Rev. Mr Reid, who is since dead, search has been made in Ireland for a church or public record of claimant's marriage, but none can be found. I know that claimant and deceased lived together as man and wife, and were always so known, reputed and esteemed among all their friends and neighbors all which facts are true to the best of my knowledge and belief
John ArmorerSworn to and subscribed this 27th [?] day of April A.D., 1865, before me, and I certify that the full contents of this affidavit were first made known by me to deponents, before signing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim of the said parties, or any of them.
T. Currigan [??] Alderman + Ex O. J. of the PeaceBefore me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Sarah Armorer a resident of Philada. Penna whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by my duly sworn according to law, depose and say: I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim for Pension of Sarah Monteath widow of John Do [?] and I am not a relative of said claimant. I have known claimant for a period of more than 20 years past. I knew her in Ireland. I was also personally well acquainted with claimant's husband, John Monteath dec'd. I was present at their marriage ceremony they were married by Rev. Mr. Reid at Corrick Meeting House County Tyrone Ireland I saw claimant and dec'd married. I know that claimant never rec'd a certificate of marriage and that there is no church or public record of the said marriage, efforts have been made in search of the same, but none can be found. Claimant and dec'd always lived together as husband and wife, and were so regarded and so termed among all their friends and acquaintances. I know the above facts from intimate personal acquaintance with claimant.
Sworn to and subscribed this 26th day of April A.D. 1865, before me, and I certify that the full contents of this affidavit were first made known by me to deponents, before signing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim of the said parties, or any of them.
H. Turijen [?] Alderman Ex O. J. of the PeaceBefore me a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, personally appeared the Rev Adam Wallace whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, declares that the above writing is a true and correct copy of the record of Birth + Baptism of Thomas Monteath, son of John + Sarah Monteath as the same appears on the books of the Salem M. E. Church at Philadelphia of which church deponent is now pastor; that the said books are now in his custody; and that he is not related to the said parties or either of them, named in the above writing, and has no interest, direct or indirect herein.
Adam WallaceSworn to and subscribed this 25th day of April A.D. 1865, and I certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect therein.
H. Tunijan [?]I, ALEXANDER HENDERSON, Consul of the United States for Londonderry and its dependencies, do hereby certify that John Rogers Esq who has signed the annexed Instrument, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Tyrone and that to his acts and deeds in that capacity full faith and credit are due, and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Consulate of the United States at Londonderry, this 2nd day of August in the Year of our Lord 1864.
[seal]I do hereby certify that there is no record or entry made in any book of the Marriage of John Monteith and Sarah Richy [?] as far as I know. I was told after I came to this place that Mr Reeds [?] books were Lost This is all I know
Samuel Black [?]Before me, an Alderman and ex-officio a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, personally appeared James Monteith of Unnaduff [??] County of Tyrone who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says, that I was present on the 24th of November 1846 at the marriage of John Monteath and Sarah Ritchie which took place at Corrick Presbyterian Meeting House in this County and that he is a disinterested witness.
James Monteith X his markSworn and subscribed this 11th day of July A.D. 1864, before me at N Y Stewart [??]
John MorrisBefore me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared, J [?] M Reid M.D. resident of Philada Pa whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly affirmed, according to law, deposes and says: I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim for pension of Sarah Monteath widow of John Monteath Co E 91st Pa Vols, and I am not a near relative of said claimant. I am a regular practising physician residing as aforesaid I attended the above named Sarah Monteath professionally during her confinement whe[n] her son Thos was born viz
Thomas born Nov 7. 1854that my means of knowledge as to the birth of said child was derived from my book of professional records + from being present as aforesaid all of which facts are true to the best of my knowledge + belief
Affirmed to and subscribed this twentieth day of October A.D. 1866, before me, and I certify that the full contents of this Affidavit were first made known by me to deponents before signing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim of the said parties or any of them + I certify that deponent is a practicing physician of good standing
[seal]I, JOHN R. GRIGG, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Montgomery, in the State aforesaid, Do hereby Certify that William Haywood Esq., whose genuine signature in his own proper handwriting is affixed and subscribed to the foregoing Certificate was, at the time of signing the same, and now is, a justice of the Peace in and for said County of Montgomery, in the State aforesaid, duly elected, commissioned and qualified, and legally authorized to administer oaths and affirmations for general purposes, and to take acknowledgements, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such, and that said Court is a Court of Record.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Norristown, this twentyfifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Jno R Grigg Prothonotary.On this 5th day of October, A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-six personally appeared before me, Prothonotary of the District Court, in and for the said County, Sarah Monteath aged about 58 years, a resident of Philada County of Philada, State of Penna who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the second section of the act of Congress, increasing the Pensions of Widows and Orphans, approved July 25, 1866:--That she is the widow of Jno Monteath, who was a Private in company E, commanded by [blank] in the 91st Regiment of Penna Vols., in the war of 1861; and that, by reason of his death in the service aforesaid, she has been granted a pension of eight dollars per month, in accordance with a certificate numbered 52.669, bearing date Augt. 3. 1865. She further swears that she has the following named children of her deceased husband and herself, under sixteen years of age, who are now living, the dates of whose births were as given below, to wit:
Thomas, born Novmr 7 1854She further declares that she has not remarried since the death of her said husband, nor has she abandoned the support of any one of the children above named, nor permitted any one of the same to be adopted by any other person or persons as his, her, or their child.
She hereby appoints WILLIAM N. ASHMAN, No. 1307 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., her true and lawful attorney, with full power to present and prosecute her claim, and to receive and receipt for any order, certificate or money which may be payable under it.
My post office address is as follows: 1443 Bedford St Philada
Sarah Monteath X her markAlso personally appeared Fannie Ritchie and Margt Bale residents of Philada Pa 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 claimant make her make [sic] to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Margaret Bale X her markSworn to and subscribed before me, this 5th day of October, A.D. 1866; and I hereby certify that the full contents of the foregoing affidavits were made known to deponents before signing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
F. Aug. TregoAccounting officer's settlement No. 4058 for $18 00 to Secretary for requisition.
Jan. 4, 1892 CRU [?]Before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Sarah Monteath a resident of Philada, Penna whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn according to law, depose and say: [blank] have no interest, direct or indirect in the claim for [blank] of [blank] and [blank] not near relative of said claimant.
I am the widow of John Monteath late a Private of Company "E" and not Company "I" 91st Regiment Penna Vols. When first my husband enlisted in this Regt. I understood that he belonged to Company "I" afterwards I found out that he belonged to Company "E." Company "E" and not "I" was the right one he belonged to. All which facts are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Sarah Monteith X her markSworn to and subscribed this Twenty fifth day of July A.D. 1865, before me, and I certify that the full contents of this affidavit were first made known by me to deponents, before signing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim of the said parties, or any of them.
N. Turriyen [?] Alderman + Ex O. J. of the Peace| Abandonment or adoption. | No abandonment + no adoption permitted, duly averred |
| Date of Marriage of Parents | November 25. 1846. |
| Names and dates of birth of children | Thomas Monteath, born November 7, 1854, who will be 16 years old November 6, 1870 |
| Proof of ages. | Affidavit of witnesses present at birth.--Attending M.D.; Date as furnished in original, Copy of Baptismal record, is Decr 5. 1854. |
| Only children | As per birth applications: except two others over age. |
| Agent and his P.O. address. | W. N. Ashman 1307 Chestnut St. Phila. Pa. |
Issue certificate for -8- dollars per month, commencing May 14, 1864, and two dollars per month addition for the above-named child, commencing 25th day of July, 1866, deducting former payments.
Chas. T. Cotton, Examiner.