He was born in September 1840, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, probably to Joseph P Weightman and Sarah [unknown family name]. [sources: date: 4 (21 in 1861), 8 (21 yrs 11 months at death on 18 Aug 1862), 11 (10 in 1850), 12 (20 in 1860). place: 7, 11, 12. parents: 11, 12]
In 1850, he was living in ward 5, Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Joseph and Sarah Whitman (presumably his parents), and with Margaret and Isaac (presumably siblings). He had attended school within the year. [source: 11]
His brother Isaac died on 15 August 1854, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Old Kensington Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 15]
On 17 January 1860, he married Amelia Bowers. They were married by Reverend T A Fernley, of the Cohocksink Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in 1838/39. [source: 10]
In 1860, he was living with Joseph and Sarah Wightman (presumably his parents), and with Margaret, Amanda, and Casper (presumably relatives--but note that Amanda wasn't in the 1850 census). He had been married within the year (but no one else in the household had). He was a farmer (12). [source: 10]
He enlisted and was mustered in, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted on 16 November 1861. He was mustered into service as a corporal in company F on 16 October 1861 or 16 November 1861. [sources: 1 (16 Oct), 4 (pvt), 10 (enlisted 16 Oct, mustered in 20 Nov), 15-18 (pvt)]
He was transferred on 4 December 1861 to company D. [sources: 1, 4, 5]
He died of typhoid fever, at Alexandria, Virginia, on 18 August 1862. Isaac D Knight, the 91st's Surgeon, signed the death certificate. He was a corporal, in company D. He was a farmer. He was buried on 24 August 1862, at Franklin Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1 (18 June), 2 (18 June), 3, 4, 7 (18 August), 8 (18 Aug), 10 (18 Aug), 13, 15-18]
On 29 August 1862, his widow, Amelia Wightman, applied sucessfully for a pension. She applied under the act of 14 July 1862. Her application was approved; she initially received a pension of $8 per month, beginning 18 August 1862. [sources: 6, 9, 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) (William B Whitman)
2 company D, register of deaths (William B Weightman)
3 company D, list of non-commissioned officers (William B Weightman)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 27 July 2004 (Wm B Whitman; roll also has 'William B Weightman')
5 company F, register of men transferred (William B Weightmann)
6 pension index, by name (William B Wightman)
7 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 18 August 1862 (Wm B Wightman)
8 death notice, [Philadelphia] Press 23 August 1862 page 3 (Wm B Wightman)
9 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company F (William B Wightman [sic])
10 pension file (source: Footnote (viewed 7 Dec 08)) (William B Wightman [sic])
11 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kensington, ward 5, microfilm series M432, film 807, page 307 (Wm Whitman)
12 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadephia, 23rd ward, division 1, microfilm series M653, film 1174, page 442 = 4 handwritten (William B Wightman)
13 Find a grave, memorial 45305634, created by Pat Callahan, added 10 Dec 2009, accessed 7 Jan 2012
14 Philadelphia Pennsylvania death certificates, 1803-1915, 15 August 1854, Isaac A Whitman [not transcribed; see also death notice, Public Ledger, 17 August 1854, page 2, which gives his parents' names as Joseph P and Sarah Wightman]
15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William B Weightman)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William B Whiteman)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William B Wieghtman)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William B Wightman)
| line | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Dwellings visited | 92 | ||||
| Families visited | 108 | ||||
| Name | Joseph P Whitman | Sarah do | Wm " | Margaret " | Isaac " |
| Age | 33 | 30 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | M |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Lumberman | ||||
| Real estate owned | |||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Dwelling number | 21 | |||||
| Family number | 22 | |||||
| Name | Joseph P Wightman | Sarah | William B. | Margaret | Amanda E | Casper S. M. |
| Age | 43 | 40 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 8 |
| Sex | m | f | m | f | f | m |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation | Farmer | " | Seamstress | " | ||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | |||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | 1 | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | |||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
I do hereby certify that Corporal Wm B Wightman died on the morning of the 18th of Aug. [sic] 1862 of Typhoid Fever.
I. D. KnightWIGHTMAN.--On the 18th inst., Corp. Wm. B. Wightman, Co. D, 91st Regiment P.V., at Alexandria, Va., aged 21 years and 11 months.
On this twenty sixth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty two, personally appeared before me, the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, for the City and County of Philada, Amelia Wightman aged twenty three 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 William B. Wightman dec who was a Corporal in Company F commanded by Captain [blank] 91st Regt Pa Vols Commanded by Col Gregory, in the war of 1861, who died while in the United States Service at the U.S. Hospital at Alexandria, Va. on the 18th day of August AD 1862, of Typhoid Fever a disease contracted while in the said service and in the line of his duty.
She further declares, that she was married to the said William B. Wightman on the Seventeenth day of January AD 1860, as will fully appear by a certified entry of the Church Register hereto annexed.
That her husband, the aforesaid William B. Wightman, died on the day above mentioned, and she has remained a widow ever since that period-as will 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 further states that she has no children now living.
She constitutes and appoints B. T. Foulks + Co of said city her Attorneys in fact, to prosecute her claim for Pension, and to receive her Pension Certificate.
Amelia WightmanAlso, personally appeared Thomas R Cook and John Huber residents of the city aforesaid, 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 Mrs Amelia Wightman 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 long 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 and that she is still a widow.
Thomas R CookThe foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed, and the Power of Attorney acknowledged, before me this twenty sixth day of August AD 1862 and I certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Chs. D KnightI, Chs. D Knight Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, DO CERTIFY, that Geo H Mecke before whom the Affidavit was made, was at the time, and now is an Alderman and ex-officio Justice of the Peace of the City of Philadelphia, duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and affirmations, and to take acknowledgments &c, and to all whose acts, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, as well in Court of Judicature as elsewhere. I believe his signature thereto to be genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this 26th day of August A.D. 1862.
Chs. D Knight Prothonotary.I hereby certify that William B Wightman was married to Amelia Bowers on the 17th day of January [sic] AD 1860 at Philadelphia by the Rev T A Fernley Pastor of the Cohocksink M.E. Church as appears by the Church Record. Witness my hand and seal this 22nd day of August 1862
John W. SteinmanPersonally appeared before me an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia came [?] John W Steinman who being duly sworn according [sic] deposes and lays the certificate above mentioned is [sic] true and correct in every particular + further saith not.
John W. SteinmanI have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 2043, 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 Wm B. Weightman was enrolled at Philadelphia Oct 16/61, in Co. "F", 91st Regiment of Penn. Volunteers, 3 years and mustered into service as a Private at Phila. Nov: 20. 1861. in Co. "F", 91st Regiment of Penna. Volunteers. On the Muster Roll of Co. "D" of that Regiment for the months of July & August, 1862, he is reported as a Corporal and that he died of Typhoid fever August 18 1862.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,