He was born in 1822/23, in Albany, New York. [sources: date: 6 (38 in 1861), 9 (35 in 1860). place: 6, 9]
On 23 May 1850, he married Sarah McGlawn (or McGlone). She was born in 1828/29. They were married at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Williamburg, New York. They had five children:
[source: 10]
In 1860, he was living in ward 9, Albany, Albany, New York. He was living with his wife Sarah, and children John, Mary, and Catherine. He was a stove moulder. [source: 9]
When he enlisted, he was a clerk. [source: 6]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. [source: 6]
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Parsons, on 15 October 1861. He was mustered into service as a private in company F on 20 November 1861. [sources: 1, 6, 10 (enlisted 17 Oct), 12-13]
He deserted from Alexandria, Virginia, on 21 or 27 June 1862. He returned to duty on 18 August 1862. [sources: (5 (21 Jun), 6 (27 Jun)]
On 8 September 1863, Sinex reported that he was in Philadelphia and able to rejoin the regiment, and requested his return. [source: 2]
On 14 November 1863, he died in Stone General Hospital, Washington DC, of chronic diarrhea. He was a private, in company F. He had last been paid through 28 February 1863, by Major Sheridan. He was buried at the Military Asylum Cemetery, Washington, DC. [sources: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12-13]
On 30 January 1864, his widow, Sarah Van Buren, successfully applied from New York for a pension under Act of 14 July 1862. She was living in Albany, Albany County, New York (post office address 61 Lafayette Street, Albany). Her application was accpted on 19 September 1864, and she received $8 per month, retroactive to 14 November 1863. [sources: 7, 8, 10]
On 16 November 1866, his widow, Sarah Van Buren, applied for an increase of pension under the Act of 25 July 1866. She was living in Albany, and her post office address was 90 Canal Street. On 21 October 1867, her application was approved, retroactive to 25 July 1866. [source: 10]
On 7 October 1867, Sarah Van Buren was living in Albany, and her post office address was 19 Canal Street. [source: 10]
In 1890, his widow, Sarrah, was living at 122 Bradford Street, Albany, New York. [source: 11]
On 28 January 1901, Sarah Van Buren was dropped from the pension rolls, because she had died. On 23 February 1901, the accounting officer issued a certificate for $21.20 (presumably as reimbursement for medical or funeral expenses, from her unpaid pension). [source: 10]
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 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 8 September 1863
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 20 Nov 1863 (Van Buren)
4 company F register of deaths (Peter Van Buren)
5 company F, register of deserters, #21 (Peter Van Buren)
6 company F, descriptive roll, #56 (Peter Van Buren)
7 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company F (Peter Van Buren)
8 pension index, by name (Peter Van Buren)
9 1860 US census, New York, Albany, Albany, ward 9, microfilm series M653, film 720, pages 406 = 89 handwritten to 406 = 90 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Peter Van Buren)
10 abstract of widow's pension certificate file, WC 30899 (Sarah McGlone widow of Peter Van Buren)
11 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, New York, Albany County, Albany, enumeration district 25, page 1 (image 64 of 166 on Ancestry) (Sarrah [sic] widow of Peter Van Burren [sic])
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Peter Van Buran)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Peter Van Buren)
| line | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Dwelling number | [535] | ||||
| Family number | [692] | ||||
| Name | Peter Van Buren | Sarah " | John " | Mary " | Catherine " |
| Age | 35 | 32 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | F |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation | Stove Moulder | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||
| Value of personal estate | |||||
| Place of birth | do [sc. New York] | Ireland | New York | do | do |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |