John Chubb Drowns in Pennsylvania Canal, 1870

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 27, 2018

John Chubb, a Civil War veteran, accidentally died on 17 April 1870, after falling into the Pennsylvania Canal.

From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 19 April 1870:

MAN DROWNED AT MIDDLETOWN — Last evening, between eight and nine o’clock, a man named John Chubb, aged about forty-five years, originally from the neighborhood of Halifax, this county, who, we are informed, removed his family, consisting of his wife and one child, to this city recently, was accidentally drowned in the outlet lock of the Pennsylvania Canal at Middletown. The coroner was notified, and left for Middletown on the early train this morning, where he summoned the following jurors: A. Metler, Henry Brandt, William Morehead, George Aughenbaugh, D. Stipe and Peter Haffelot, who proceeded to hold and inquest. After hearing the evidence, the jury rendered the following verdict: “That the said John Chubb came to his death by accidentally falling into the outlet lock of the Pennsylvania Canal, and was drowned, there not being sufficient protection at the lock.” They also say that “complaint was made before the jury that others had come very near falling in at the same place for want of protection that we think should be at the bridges.”

The remains were taken in charge by friends of the deceased, who will send them to Halifax for interment.

His Civil War service which is noted at his grave site by the initials “G.A.R.” on his stone and by the G.A.R.-Star-Flag Holder. The following cards were found at the Pennsylvania Archives:

On 18 April 1861, John Chubb, whose residence at the time was Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and whose age was 31, enrolled in the 6th Pennsylvania Reserves [35th Pennsylvania Infantry]. He was mustered into service as a Private at Washington, D.C., on 27 July 1861, in Company G. He was 5 foot, 6 inches tall, had black hair, dark complexion, and blue eyes. He was honorably discharged on 11 June 1964.

On 30 August 1864, John Chubb enrolled in the 200th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, as a Private. The records of that organization indicate that he was “not accounted for.”

Although the notice of his death indicates he was survived by a wife and child, no one applied for a Civil War pension based on his service. It should be noted that in 1870, it was not common for widows to obtain a pension if the veteran’s death was not related to his war service.

The above portrait of John Chubb and wife was posted on a public Ancestry.com tree.

It was previously noted on this blog, in the Halifax Area Civil War Veterans List, that John Chubb is buried in the Matamoras Bethel Union Cemetery. A picture of his grave marker appears at the top of this blog.

In addition, the name of John Chubb appears on the plaque at the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg:

Click on picture to enlarge.

A biographical sketch of John Chubb appears in Captain Enders Legion, pages 40-46. A copy of this book is available from the Enders Family Association.

Civil War Blog