91st PA: William S Shaw

William S Shaw

picture of William Shaw in uniform
Thanks to Susan Stickles for this image from the papers of William C Reiff

Before the war

He was born on 16 January 1845, in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey, to William J Shaw and Sylvia Ann Hawkins. He was living with Sylvia Ann Shaw (apparently his mother), Josiah I Shaw (perhaps his brother), and various Hawkins (presumably his mother's family). [sources: date: 3, 5 (17 in 1861), 9 [24 in 1870], 10 [34 in 1880], 11 [55 in 1900], 12 [66 in 1910], 13 [74 in 1920), 16 (6 in 1850), 17 (15 in 1860), 18. place: 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18. parents: 16, 17, 18 ('Hankins'; I've corrected that tentatively based on the 1850 census)]

In 1850, he was living in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was living with Sylvia Ann Shaw (presumably his mother), Josiah (presumably his brother), and various Hawkins (presumably Sylvia's family). [source: 16]

In 1860, he was living in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was living with Sylvia Shaw (presumably his mother), and Henry (perhaps his brother). He had attended school within the year. [source: 17]

On 10 November 1861, he and William C Reiff ran away from their homes in Millville, to enlist. When he enlisted, he was a farmer. [sources: 3, 5, 15]

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 4 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, gray eyes, and brown hair. (According to his discharge certificate, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, light eyes, and light hair. And according to his 1879 declaration, he was 5 feet 6-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.) [sources: 3, 5 (5'6", light complexion, light eyes, light hair)]

During the war

He enlisted and was mustered into service on 14 November 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Gilbert. His post office was then Millville, New Jersey. (He claimed to be 18 years old when he enlisted, but his discharge shows his age as 17 years.) He was a private in company H. He had rifle number 0. [sources: 1, 3, 5, 7, 20]

About 10 September 1862, he and others (including Charles Holcomb) guarded a wagon train from Clouds Mill, Virginia, to Fairfax Court House. While returning to Clouds Mills, he "made a misstep", which strained his left foot and ankle, leaving him lame. He stayed with the regiment for about two weeks, and was then treated in the US Hotel Hospital, and the US Primary School Hospital at Frederick, Maryland. [source: 3]

He was discharged on 17 December 1862 on surgeon's certificate, at Frederick City, Maryland, USA General Hospital number 6. He was a private, in company H. He had been unfit for sixty days of the previous two months. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 19, 20]

His discharge certificate lists the reason as:

Periastitis of tarsal and metatarsal bones of left foot, occurring four months ago, disabling the foot, and causing permanent lameness. Disease occasioned by an incised wound received while in the [line?] of his duties Degree of disability - one fourth

The certificate was signed by Surgeon J B Lewis, who was in charge of the hospital, and Colonel SH Allen, commanding. However, Shaw claimed that he was never wounded, but instead "strained his left foot ankle and leg at the knee, by making a misstep". [source: 3]

After the war

On 18 December 1862, he applied for a pension under the Act of 14 July 1862. [sources: 3, 6, 7]

On 11 June 1864, he married Almira Fifer. She was born in 1838, and died in 1880, in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. They had one child:

They separated by mutual agreement, through [illegible word] court. [sources: 3, 18]

In 1870, he was living in ward 1, Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was living with his wife Almira, and son Thomas. He was a laborer, and owned $500 in real estate and $100 in personal property. [source: 9]

He applied for a pension on 29 August 1879. He then lived at the corner of Mulberry and Eighth Streets, in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Since his discharge, he had worked as a laborer. [source: 3]

In 1880, he was living on Board Street, 2nd ward, Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was living with his wife Elmira and son Thomas. He was a carpenter. [source: 10]

He was married to Ida Burow on 13 October 1888, at Atlantic City, New Jersey, by Reverend JC Cobb. She was born on 9 April 1865, in Richmond Virginia. They had four children:

[sources: 3, 18]

Ida died on 19 January 1899, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. [sources: 3, 18]

In 1900, he was living in Landis Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was living with his daughters Martha and Bernadine. He was widowed. He was a farmer. [source: 11]

On 11 February 1907, he applied for an invalid pension. He lived in the Borough of Vineland, in Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was unable to earn a living by manual labor because of the injury to his left foot and increasing disability. His application was approved, and he received a pension. [source: 3, 7 (11 Feb)]

He was a member of the General Nathanial Lyon Post number 10, of the Grand Army of the Republic, in Vineland, New Jersey. He was 64 when he was admitted, on 7/29 (presumably 29 July 1909). [source: 2]

In 1910, he was living in Landis Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was living with his daughter Berna. He was not working. [source: 12]

On 20 May 1912, he again made a declaration for pension, applying for a pension under the Act of 11 May 1912 He was still living in Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey. [source: 3]

In 1920, he was living in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was not working. [source 13]

He died on 16 August 1922, at Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. [sources: 7 (16 Aug), 19 (19 Aug)]

Researcher

Jennifer Sikorski is researching him; contact her at [email protected] (Note: an e-mail to her failed in December 2009. Please contact me with the correct address!)

Sources

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) (William S Shaw)

2 "Membership roster, General Nathanial Lyon Post # 10, Grand Army of the Republic, Vineland, New Jersey", sent to me by Dennis Clowney, 31 January 2002 (William S Shaw)

3 pension file, William S Shaw (thanks to Jennifer Sikorski for giving me a copy!)

4 company H, register of men discharged, #28 (William S Shaw)

5 company H, descriptive roll, #65 (William S Shaw)

6 pension index, by name (William S Shaw)

7 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (William S Shaw)

8 [deleted] (William C Shaw)

9 1870 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Millville, ward 1, microfilm series M593, film 859, page 482 = 41 handwritten (William Shaw)

10 1880 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, City of Millville, 2nd ward, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 87, microfilm series T9, film 776, page 446 B = 34 handwritten (William Shaw)

11 1900 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Landis Township, supervisor's district 6, enumeration district 184, microfilm series T623, film 961, page 49 A = 8 handwritten (William Shaw)

12 1910 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Landis Township, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 115, microfilm series T624, film 875, page 58 A = 9 handwritten (William Shaw)

13 1920 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Bridgeton, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 133, microfilm series T625, film 1026, page 32 B = 8 handwritten (William Shaw)

15 inscription on back of photo, by William C Reiff

16 1850 US census, New Jersey, CUmberland County, microfilm series M432, film 446, page 142 recto = 283 handwritten = 15 handwritten (FamilySearch) (William Shaw)

17 1860 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Millville, microfilm series M653, film 687, page 34 handwritten = 698 handwritten (FamilySearch) (William S Shaw)

18 'Descendants of Thomas Ryan 1803, an Ancestry family tree, owner PCarter1417, accessed 1 May 2013 (William S Shaw)

19 Applications for headstones for military veterans, 1925-1941 (William S Shaw)

20 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William S Shaw)

Sources checked unsuccessfully

1890 US census, veterans schedules
Ancestry index (accessed 4 May 2013) (searched by name; also read through Millville NJ and Landis NJ [see the 1900 census])
a William C Shaw is at 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Millville, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 43, page 3, line 39
However, he served in company B of the 24th New Jersey infantry, from 30 August 1862 to 29 June 1863 (according to the 1890 census)
Note that the pension index by unit has a William C Shaw who served in B 24th NJ, successfully applied for an invalid pension on 11 November 1879 (application 323,212, certificate 208,146), and whose widow successfully applied for a pension on 19 October [?] 1901 (application 750,363, certificate 552,246) (abstracted from the image on Fold3, 4 May 2013)
And the pension index by name has his widow's name as Sophia W Shaw (abstracted from image on Ancestry, 4 May 2013)
1930 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 3 May 2013)

Display


William S Shaw in the 91st PA gedcom on RootsWeb WorldConnect

William S Shaw in the 91st PA database

1850 census

[1850 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Millville, microfilm series M432, film 446, page 142 recto = 283 handwritten = 15 handwritten (FamilySearch)]
[identification is likely, since (1) the location matches the location given by William C Reiff (see entry 15 above)]
line2425262728293031
Dwellings visited101       
Families visited        
NameJosiah HawkinsMargarett HawkinsSylvia Ann ShawSamuel HawkinsRichard HawkinsMargaret HawkinsWilliam ShawJosiah I Shaw
Age58562818141266
SexMFFMMFMM
Color        
Occupation of males over 15 yearsFarmer       
Real estate owned800       
Birthplace" [sc. NJ]"""""""
Married within year        
Attended school within year    11  
Over 20 & can't read/write        
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.        

1860 census

[1860 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Millville, microfilm series M653, film 687, page 34 handwritten = 698 handwritten (FamilySearch)]
[identification is likely, since (1) the location matches the location given by William C Reiff (see entry 15 above)]
line272829
Dwelling number247  
Family number263  
NameSylvia ShawHenry "William S "
Age391715
SexFMM
Color   
OccupationHousekeeperOperative [?] cow factory 
Value of real estate owned300  
Value of personal estate50  
Place of birthNJ""
Married within year   
Attended school within year  1
Cannot read & write   
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.   

1870 census

[1870 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Millville, ward 1, microfilm series M593, film 859, page 482 = 41 handwritten]
[identification is uncertain]
line373839
Dwelling-house number279  
Family number304  
NameShaw William- Almira- Thomas
Age24345
SexMFM
ColorWWW
OccupationLaborerKeeps House 
Real estate value500  
Personal estate value100  
BirthplaceNew Jersey" "" "
Father foreign born   
Mother foreign born   
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 old1  
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...   

1880 census

[1880 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, City of Millville, 2nd ward, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 87, microfilm series T9, film 776, page 446 B = 34 handwritten]
[identification is uncertain]
line484950
street nameBroad Street
house number   
dwelling visit #346  
family visit #349  
nameShaw William- Elmira- Thomas
colorWWW
sexMFM
age344215
month born if born in year   
relationship WifeSon
single  1
married11 
widowed/divorced   
married during year   
occupationCarpenterKeeps houseworks glass factory
months unemployed   
currently ill?   
blind   
deaf/dumb   
idiotic   
insane   
disabled   
school this year   
can't read   
can't write   
birthplaceNJNJNJ
father's birthplaceNJNJNJ
mother's birthplaceNJNJNJ

1900 census

[1900 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Landis Township, supervisor's district 6, enumeration district 184, microfilm series T623, film 961, page 49 A = 8 handwritten]
[identification is uncertain]
line464748
street   
house number   
dwelling number170  
family number177  
nameShaw WilliamMarthaBernadine
relationshipHeadDaughterDaughter
colorWWW
sexMFF
birth dateJan 1845July 1893Feb 1895
age5565
married?WdSS
# years married   
mother of how many children?   
# of children living   
birthplaceNew JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey
father's birthplaceNew JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey
mother's birthplaceNew JerseyPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
immigration year   
# years in USA   
naturalized citizen?   
occupationFarmer  
# months not employed0  
# months in school   
can readYesNoNo
can writeYesNoNo
speaks EnglishYesYesYes
owned/rentedO  
free or mortgagedM  
farm/houseF  
# of farm schedule153  

1910 census

[1910 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Landis Township, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 115, microfilm series T624, film 875, page 58 A = 9 handwritten]
[identification is uncertain]
line4243
streetBoulevard West
house nr  
dwelling nr183 
family nr183 
nameShaw William- Berna
relationshipHeadDaughter
sexMF
colorWW
age66 [?]15
marital statusWS
#years present marriage  
mother of # children  
mother of # living children  
birthplaceNew JerseyNew Jersey
father's birthplaceNew JerseyNew Jersey
mother's birthplaceNew JerseyNew Jersey
immigrated  
naturalized/alien  
speaks EnglishEnglishEnglish
occupationNoneLaborer
nature of industry etc. Hosiery Mill
employer etc. W
out of work 15 Apr 1910? No
# weeks out of work 1909 0
can readYesYes
can writeYesYes
school since 1 Sep 09  
owned/rentedO 
owned free or mortagagedM 
farm/houseH 
nr on farm schedule  
civil war vetUA 
blind  
deaf & dumb  

1920 census

[1920 US census, New Jersey, Cumberland County, Bridgeton, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 133, microfilm series T625, film 1026, page 32 B = 8 handwritten]
[identification is uncertain]
line74
streetBridgeton Road
house number 
dwelling visit number187
family visit number206
nameShaw William
relationshipHead
own/rentO
free/mortgaged (if owned)F
sexM
raceW
age at last birthday74
marital statusWd
year of immigration 
naturalized/alien 
year of naturalization 
attended school since Sept 1919 
can readyes
can writeyes
birth placeNew Jersey
native language 
father's birthplaceNew Jersey
father's native language 
mother's birthplaceNew Jersey
mother's native language 
can speak EnglishYes
occupationNone
industry, business 
employment status 
number of farm schedule 

index to compiled service records

[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 28 March 2015, from Fold3]


Shaw William S.
Co. H, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt | Pvt
See also [blank]

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

headstone application

[Applications for headstones for military veterans, 1925-1941]
[transcribed from FamilySearch 3 May 2013]

APPLICATION FOR HEADSTONE OR MARKER
ORIGINAL
(PLEASE MAKE OUT AND RETURN IN DUPLICATE)
Check Type Stone Desired UPRIGHT MARBLE HEADSTONE
Enlistment dates Do Not Have
Discharge dates " " " [written in a different hand: Dec 17 /62 Hm]
Pension number 174,939
Serial number Do Not Have
Name SHAW, WILLIAM S.
Rank PRIVATE
Company H
U.S. Regiment, State Organization, or Vessel 91 PENNA. VOL. INF.
Date of Death AUG. 19, 1922
Name of Cemetery MOUNT PLEASANT
City MILLVILLE State N.J.
To be shipped to MRS. A. P. ECKENRODE, at P.R.R. MILLVILLE N.J.
Whose post-office address is 208 WHITE HORSE PIKE, AUDUBON N.J.

This application is for the UNMARKED grave of a veteran. It is understood the stone will be furnished and delivered at the railroad station or steamboat landing above indicated, at Government expense, freight prepaid. I hereby agree to accept promptly the headstone or marker at destination, remove it, and properly place same at decedent's grave at my expense. NO FEE SHOULD BE PAID IN CONNECTION WITH THIS APPLICATION.

Mrs A P Eckenrod Applicant.
Address 208 WHITE HORSE PIKE AUDUBON N.J. Date 6-14-40

DO NOT WRITE HERE
For verification JUN 17 1940
Ordered LEE, MASS 22 JUL 1940
B/L 253521
Shipped 8/31/40

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revised 29 Mar 15
contact Harry Ide at [email protected] with comments or questions