He was born about 1811/1817, in Chester, Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 3 (46 in 1863, 43), 15 (36 in 1850), 16 (48 in 1860). place: 3, 7 (Philadelphia PA), 15, 16]
On 2 May 1836, he married Ann Powers. They were married by Reverend S C Brinkle, at the St James Church of Kingsessing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born about 1811/15, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They apparently had at least these six children: [sources: 14, 15, 16, 18 (Ann 56 at death in 1873)]
In 1850, he was living in West Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. He was living with Evan Evans, his wife Ann, six children, and Richard Bird. [source: 15]
In 1860, he was living in ward 24, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Ann, and children Em, Matt, Mary, Ellen, Elizh, and Wm. He was a basket maker, and owned $200 in personal property. [source: 16]
When he enlisted, he was a basket maker, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 3, 7]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5-3/4 inches tall, had a light complexion, blue eyes, and grey hair. [sources: 3, 7 (5'6")]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in company K on 22 October 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1, 7, 19]
He was transferred on 24 December 1861 to company E. [sources: 1, 7, 9]
He fought at the battle of Gettysburg. [source: 4]
On 6 October 1863, he returned from hospital. [source: 5]
On 27 October 1863, he was detailed as cattle guard. [source: 6]
He re-enlisted for three years as a veteran volunteer, at Bealton Virginia, on 24 December 1863 (1, 3). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter. On 26 December 1863, he was mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann. [sources: 1, 3, 7, 14]
He was killed in action on 12 May 1864 at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia (Laurel Hill), by being shot in the head while charging the enemy's works. He was a private, in company E. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 19]
On 26 January 1865, company E published resolutions mourning his death (and fifteen others), and sympathizing with their families. [source: 11]
On 30 August 1864, his widow, Ann Riley, successfully applied for a pension. Her post office address was No 11 Market St above 33rd, Jenkins Row, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her application was accepted on 5 January 1865, retroactive to 12 May 1864, and the certificate was dated 16 January 1865. She received $8 per month. [sources: 12, 13, 14]
On 2 August 1873, his widow, Ann Riley, died, of apoplexy. She was living at Market Street, below Thirty-Seventh, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 6 August 1873, she was buried at St James Episcopal Church of Kingsessing. [sources: 14, 17, 18]
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 97
4 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Thos D Riley)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 6 October 1863 (Pri Riley)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 October 1863 (Priv Riley)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (Thomas D Riley)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (Thos D Riley)
9 company K, list of men transferred, #19 (Thomas D Riley)
10 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (Thomas D Riely [sic])
11 'Headquarters company E', Philadelphia Inquirer 26 January 1865 page 5 (Thomas Riley)
12 pension index, by name (Thomas D Riley)
13 pension index, by regiment (Thomas D Riley)
14 abstract of widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate 38,120 (Ann Powers widow of Thomas D Riley)
15 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, microfilm series M432, film 823, page 554 recto = 443 handwritte (Thomas Riley)
16 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 24, precinct 7, microfilm series M653, film 1175, pages 899-900 = 111-112 handwritten (Thos Reily)
17 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 6 August 1873, page 5 (Ann Riley)
18 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2 August 1873 (Ann Riley)
19 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Thomas D Riley)
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| Dwellings visited | 708 | |||||||||
| Families visited | 805 | |||||||||
| Name | Evan Evans | Thomas Riley | Ann " | Emily " | Mathew " | Mary " | Ellen " | Elizabeth " | William " | Richard Bird |
| Age | 28 | 36 | 35 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 19 |
| Sex | M | M | F | F | M | F | F | F | M | M |
| Color | ||||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Farmer | " | ||||||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 1 | 2 |
| Dwelling number | 603 | |||||||
| Family number | 705 | |||||||
| Name | Thos Reily | Ann | Em | Matt | Mary | Ellen | Elizh | Wm |
| Age | 48 | 48 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 11 |
| Sex | m | f | f | m | f | f | f | m |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation | Basket Maker | Umbrella Maker | Labourer | |||||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | |||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penn] | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
RILEY.--On the 2d inst., ANN RILEY, aged 56 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this (Wednesday) afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from her late residence, Market street, below Thirty-seventh, West Philadelphia.