He was born about 1845, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thomas and Susanna Simpson. [sources: date: 2 (19 in 1864), 6 (15 in 1860), 8 (5 in 1850). place: 2, 6, 8. parents: 8]
In 1850, he was living in Lombard Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents Thomas and Susanna Simpson, and with others (presumably his siblings). [source: 8]
In 1860, he was living in ward 7, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Thomas and Susanna Simpson (presumably his parents), and with Mary, Susanna, and Matthew Simpson (presumably siblings). He had attended school in the past year. [source: 6]
His father Thomas died on 23 November 1862. [source: 9]
When he enlisted, he was a clerk. He earned about $5 per week in the year before he enlisted. He supported his mother, including giving her the bounty he received for enlisting. [source: 2, 9]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. [source: 2]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 15 February 1864. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Hildeburn. He was a private in company A. [sources: 1, 2, 10-11]
On 9 October 1864 he wrote a letter to his mother. He had sent money home with Lieutenant Brass, and asked her to sent him $10. He reported that they had spent the previous day establishing a new picket line, and had come under fire from a house, which the Second Division Artillery then destroyed. He asked his mother not to worry, saying "I feel as safe here, as if I was at home, as I will not die before my time comes". [source: 9]
He was wounded in action on 27 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia. [sources: 1, 2]
He died on 28 October 1864 of those wounds. He was a private, in company A. He was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was not married. [sources: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10-11]
On 25 May 1865, his mother, Susannah Simpson, successfully applied for a pension. She was living at 636 Johns Street Camden, New Jersey. Her application was accepted on 28 July 1865, retroactive to 27 October 1864. She initially received a pension of $8.00 per month. [sources: 3, 4]
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) (Thomas W Simpson)
2 company A descriptive roll, entry 143 (Thomas W Simpson)
3 pension index, by regiment (Thomas R [sic] Simpson)
4 pension index, by name (Thomas R [sic] Simpson)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 1 November 1864 (Privt Simpson)
6 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 7, microfilm series M653, film 1157, page 600 = 144 handwritten (Thomas Simpson)
7 Find a grave, memorial 47013068, created by Russ Dodge, added 23 Jan 2010, accessed 26 July 2011 (Thomas W Simpson)
8 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Lombard Ward, microfilm series M432, film 812, page 200 = 395 handwritten (Thomas Simpson)
9 pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, certificate 52,775 (Susanna mother of Thomas W Simpson)
10 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Thomas A Simpson)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Thomas W Simpson)
| line | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 |
| Dwellings visited | 93 | |||||||
| Families visited | 100 | |||||||
| Name | Thomas Simpson | Susanna " | Mary " | John " | Alexander " | Susan " | Thomas " | Matthew " |
| Age | 40 | 40 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Sex | m | f | f | m | m | f | m | m |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Labourer | Carpenter | ||||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||||
| Birthplace | Ireland | " | " | Pa | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| Dwelling number | 829 | |||||
| Family number | 876 | |||||
| Name | Thomas Simpson | Susanna " " | Mary " " | Susanna " " | Thomas " " | Matthew " " |
| Age | 54 | 53 | 25 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
| Sex | m | f | f | f | m | m |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation | Laborer | Sales Lady | Pub Sch Teacher | |||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | |||||
| Place of birth | Ireland | Do | Do | Penn | Do | Do |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
BRIEF in the case of Susanna Simpson, mother of Thomas W. Simpson, private Co. A, 91 Penn. resident of Camden County and State of N.J. Post Office address Camden, N.J.
| Service. | Reported a Private, + -- |
| Death. | "Killed at Hatcher's Run Oct. 27, 1864." Lt. Beaver of Co. A. certifies that he was killed in action at Petersburg, Va. Oct. 27 1864. |
| Celibacy of Soldier. | Established by two credible witnesses. |
| Relationship. | Established " " " |
| Death or disability of husband. | Died Nov. 23, 1862. |
| Dependence. | He contributed his wages, with which she paid house rent + other family expenses. He gave his bounty money to his mother + sent home, his money after entering the army. She has no private property, or other means of support. |
| Loyalty. | In due form. |
| Agent and his P.O. address. | W. R. Ashman, Philadelphia, Penn. |
Admitted July 28, 1865 to a Pension of $8.00 per month, commencing Oct. 27, 1864.
Exd. M. L. Story, Examining Clerk.On this 2nd day of May A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty five personally appeared before me, Prothonotary of the District Court, in and for the said County Susanna Simpson a resident of Camden in the County of Camden and State of New Jersey aged 60 [?] 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 Thomas Simpson and mother of Thomas W. Simpson who was a private in company "A", commanded by [blank] in the 91st regiment of Penna Vet Vols in the war of 1861, who killed [sic] in action at Petersburg Va Oct 27th 1864
She further declares, that her said son, upon whom who was wholly or in part dependent for support, having left no widow or minor child under 16 years of age surviving, declarant makes this application for a pension under the above mentioned act, and refers to the evidence filed herewith, and that in the proper department to establish her claim.
She also declares that she is not in receipt of a pension under the 2d section of the act above mentioned, or under any other act, nor has she again married since the death of her son, the said Thomas W Simpson; that her husband the said Thomas Simpson died on the 23d day of Nover A.D., 1862; and she further declares, that she has not, in any way, been engaged in, nor 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, to present and prosecute this her claim, for pension, and to receive and receipt for any order, certificate or money which may be payable under it.
Susanna SimpsonAlso personally appeared James B. Agnew and Edward B. Schneider residents of Philada 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 the 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; that she is the widow of Thomas Simpson and mother of Thomas W Simpson; that she was partially dependent upon her said son for support; that he left no widow, minor child or children under sixteen years of age; that the said applicant is now a widow, and has
not again married since the death of her son, the said Thomas W Simpson and that she has not in any way been engaged in, nor aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States; and further, that they have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. They further declare, that they are not near relatives of claimant; that they have known her during five + three years last past; know that her husband, the said Thomas Simpson died 23d Nov 1862; that she has no property, or other means of support than as hereinafter stated; that her son, the said Thomas W Simpson, deceased, was a clerk by trade; that he earned, on an average, per week, five [??] dollars during one year before the date of his enlistment, and that he contributed to his mother, the said claimant, during the whole of the said time, for her support, at least the whole of it which was used by her as follows: In paying house rent and buying such things as were necessary for the maintenance of the family that he sent her from the army for her use and support, money as follows: regularly after pay day he received but one payment we have seen the letter and the money that claimant has five children surviving, aged [blank] years, who contribute to claimant's support, as follows: [blank] that claimant has no property; and that deponents have derived their knowledge of the above facts as follows, viz: from long personal acquaintance with family. Claimant has five children surviving Two of which are married away from claimant have [?] no means of support. Three are working for themselves and as what they can [sic] towards support of claimant We know that claimant depended mainly on deceased for support. Also that he contributed to her support as above stated.
Jas B AgnewSworn to and subscribed, and the foregoing power of attorney duly acknowledge before me, the day and year first above written, (the full contents of the foregoing deposition having been first by me made known to claimant and deponents,) and I hereby certify, that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this Claim. Witness my hand and seal of Court.
J Augs [??] Trego [seal]I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 95,061, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
There is no evidence on file in this Office that Thomas W. Simpson was enrolled and mustered into service in Co. "A", 91st Regiment of Penna. Volunteers. But on the Muster Roll of Co. "A" of that Regiment, for the months of Nov. and December, 1864, there is the following evidence of service: He is reported a Prvt "Killed at Hatcher's Run Oct. 27th 1864" (last paid by Maj. Grisson to Aug. 31st 1864 on rolls for Sept. and Oct. 1864) He is first taken up on the rolls as Thomas A. Simpson. The name of Thomas R. Simpson does not appear on any rolls of that Co. on file.
I am, Sir, very respectuflly,
Your obedient servant,
Sam. Breck
Assistant Adjutant General.
(75)
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Memoranda.
Name of applicant, [blank]
Address, [blank]
W.E.W.
[page 6]
PROTECTIVE WAR CLAIM AGENCY
OF THE
U.S. Sanitary Commission,
Philadelphia, June 2d 1865
DEAR SIR:
The United States Sanitary Commission, acting under the approval and with the co-operation of the Departments at Washington, have established an office in this city, for the prompt and faithful collection of the Pensions, Bounty and Back Pay of Invalid Soldiers, and the relatives of deceased soldiers, Free of Charge.
In applications for Pensions, the Department requires a certificate to be furnished by the Surgeon of the regiment, or by any other Commissioned Officer who may be cognizant of the facts, showing that the disease or wound of the soldier originated in the military service of the United States, and in the line of duty. If the disability is the result of disease, the name and character of the disease, when and how it originated, and, if possible, its symptoms, should be stated.
Will you be kind enough to fill up and sign in your official capacity, the annexed blank Certificate in the case of Thomas W Simpson late private Co. "A", 91st Regiment Penna Vols or, if you are not personally acquainted with the facts, procure the signature of any other Commissioned Officer who may have such knowledge. When executed, please forward the Certificate to the Pension Department, addressed to Hon. JOSEPH H. BARRETT, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Yours very respectfully,The above information concerning the soldier, although forbidden by the War Department to be communicated to private parties, is allowed and ordered by the Adjutant General, to be furnished to the Pension Office, and Auditors at Washington.
I Certify on honor, That Thomas W. Simpson was a private in Company "A" 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 killed in action at Petersburg Va Oct 27th 1864 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 mother's claim for pension, and that my knowledge of the above facts is derived in the following manner, viz: I Jacob P Fisher was present when the above named man was wounded and took him to the field Hospital he was wounded in the left side of his groin.
Dated at Camp in the Field on this Fifth day of June 1865
William BeaverBefore me, an Alderman + Ex Officio Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared William Calhoun + James Gillespie resident of Philada + Camden whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn according to law, depose and say: we have no interest, direct or indirect, in the claim for Pension of Susanna Simpson Mother +c and we are not near relative [sic] of said claimant. We have known claimant 20 years respectively and were intimately acquainted with her and the deceased Claimants [sic] husband died Nov 23rd 1862. Deceased was a clerk by trade and earned about five dollars per week during one year prior to his enlistment. He lived with claimant and contributed his wages to the payment of house rent and other necessary expenses of the family. Claimant has no private property or other means of support, claimant has five children surviving two of which are married away from claimant and do what they can towards support of claimant Deceased was paid but once while in the service. he sent his money to claimant, we know that he gave his bounty $250 to his mother we know above from long personal acquaintance with family
William CalhounSworn to and subscribed this Eighteenth day of May 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.
W. Turnigan [?]Mary's letter of the 5th was received this (Sunday) morning, and am glad to hear that you are all well, and that you received the money $150. I sent as I before mentioned $50 by Lieut Brass, which I guess you had received before this. I was unable to get change at the time, as I expected to go into a fight soon, I thought I would sent it home with Brass as he was going home that day. I wrote for a shirt in the last letter. I suppose you had [?] sent. You will please to send me $10. as soon as you receive this as I have a use for it, and have no change left. We are once more settled in a
Camp, and the shovel + pick is [sic] again in use. We were out all day yesterday establishing a new picket line and advancing the pickets. We had some difficulty from sharpshooters who were lodged in a house, and the 2nd Division played a battery on it, and they soon got up + got away, and the House was soon in flames. I hope the money sent will be of some service to you all this winter as I guess things must be pretty dear in Philada. There is a very perceptible change in the weather here, it is beginning to grow cold. Dear Mother, I hope you will not let news worry you, as I feel as safe here, as if I was at home, as I will not die before my time comes. No more at present.
Your affectionate son,