Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 13, 2013

According to information released by the United States Postal Service, a postage stamp commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg will be released with First Day of Issue at Gettysburg on 23 May 2013.  Ceremonies will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Gettysburg National Park Visitors Center and are open to the public.

Simultaneously, another stamp commemorating the Battle of Vicksburg, will be issued at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  The stamps are part of a series of ten stamps, two issued each year during the Civil War Sesquicentennial, 2011-2015.  The stamps are being issued in two formats:  (1) a sheet of twelve stamps, six of each design (Gettysburg and Vicksburg); and (2) a souvenir sheet of two, with one stamp in each design.  The first issue in the series, for Fort Sumter, issued in 2011, was reported and pictured in the blog post Fort Sumter – The War Begins.

At the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, a commemorative stamp in blue and gray was issued at Gettysburg.  See:  Commemorative Postage Stamps for the Civil War Centennial, 1861-1865 to 1961-1965.

The stamp to be issued on 23 May 2013 was designed by art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Virginia, who created the stamp using an image of the Battle of Gettysburg which reproduced an 1887 lithograph by Thure de Thulstrup (1848-1930), a Swedish-born artist was an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly after the Civil War.  Thure de Thulstrup was previously mentioned in the blog post entitled Civil War Illustrations by Lewis Prang, and a picture the lithograph upon which the 2013 stamp design was based is shown below.

The Prang lithographs were created for the 25th Anniversary of the Civil War.

The United States Postal Service sells products related to the First Day of Issue of stamps.  For the 2013 Gettysburg stamp, a variety of items can be purchased through the web site and some of the items are available at postal stores throughout the country.  One such item is shown below, the first-day-canceled souvenir sheet and sheet of 12 stamps.

Other items available can be found at the USPS web site (search for Gettysburg) with ordering instructions provided.

Because of the huge quantity of these stamps that will be issued, they probably will never have any value beyond that of the current postage rate – it they are unused (not canceled).  They are being issued as “Forever” stamps, meaning that if purchased on the day of issue, their face value is that of the current first-class letter rate.  When the letter-rate rises, they will be “re-valued” at the new letter rate.  If they are canceled, their value decreases significantly.  This will not stop individuals from collecting items such as First Day Covers (which are canceled stamps, on envelopes, bearing an “official” postmark, supposedly imprinted on the day of issue, but usually imprinted well in advance of the first day).  Bear in mind, that re-sale value of any these items will depend on the quantity issued and the future demand.  If purchased, they should be looked at as souvenirs rather than as “investments”.

Note:  As part of a Civil War sheetlet of 20 stamps that was issued in 1995, a Battle of Gettysburg stamp was included.  This stamp will be discussed in a future post.

See also:  Battle of Gettysburg Stamp to be Issued May 23.

Category: Events, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Stamp for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg
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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 12, 2013

Daniel Bonawitz, who died in the Civil War, was born on 11 April 1831 in the Tremont and Pine Grove area of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and was the son of George Bonawitz (1805-1860) and Mary [Koons] Bonawitz (1810-1871).  He was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pine Grove on 22 May 1831.  In 1850, at the age of 19, he was recorded as living in Pine Grove in the household of Henry Suckenganst, a carpenter, perhaps where he was learning the trade as an apprentice.  He was also recorded, in the same census, in the household of his parents where he was listed as a laborer, an occupation also held by his father George.

In 1851, Daniel Bonawitz married Sarah Ann Greager, and to the couple, four children were known to have been born prior to Daniel’s Civil War service.  These children were:  Sarah Ann Elizabeth Bonawitz, born about 1852; Arthur Peter Bonawitz, born about 1857; George Bonawitz, born about 1859; and Lucy Ann Bonawitz, born about 1861.

On 2 September 1861, Daniel Bonawitz enrolled in Company B of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, at Pine Grove, and on the same day he was mustered into service as a Corporal.  He was 30 years old at the time.  Records of the regiment show that he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 30 October 1862.  At this time, not much is known about his service, except that the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Index Card from the Pennsylvania Archives (shown above) notes that on 10 May 1864, he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Spotsylvania.  He never returned from the war and it is presumed that he died while a prisoner.

The Gratz Historical Society has a copy of a Civil War diary kept by Henry Keiser of Gratz and Lykens Borough which he kept throughout his entire service in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry.   Most entries in the diary were brief, except where major incidents or battles took place, and then Henry Keiser usually gave a detailed accounting which included names of casualties and those taken prisoner.

Henry Keiser described the Battle of Spotsylvania in his diary entry for 10 May 1864.  The “961” at the beginning of the diary entry indicates that this was his 961st day of service in the regiment, which would have been very consistent with the record of Daniel Bonawitz, who also joined the regiment at the time it was being recruited.  However, Henry Keiser‘s muster date into Company G was approximately a month later than Bonawitz’s, making Bonawith’s service closer to 1000 days at the time of Spotsylvania.

From Henry Keiser‘s diary:

961.  Tuesday, May 10, 1864.  The enemy charged our lines twice last night but were repulsed each time.  The rebels shelled us considerably this forenoon.  One shell struck a stack of Company K wounding seven men.  This afternoon our Regiment was moved behind the brow of a hill to protect us from the enemies shells.  Our batteries succeeded in silencing their guns in our immediate front.  There has been hard and heavy fighting on our right all day.  At 5 o’clock this evening we had orders to pile our knapsacks and placed William Buck to guard the —-.  We were then marched a short distance from camp in light marching orders to form a charging line and were also one of the first Regiments to get into line.  We then had orders to lie down the Rebels peppering away at us while the balance of the troops were getting into line.  The Rebs were about two hundred yards away, with strong Rifle Pits with head bags for protection at 6 o’clock p.m. all being in readiness the command to charge was given with instructions to reserve our fire until we jumped the rifle pits, which proved lucky for us as most of the Rebels’ guns were loaded and they were at our mercy, although nearly half of our line was shot down before we reached the pit.  With started on the full run with cheers (a brush pulling my cap off in the start and I went in bare headed). Many a poor fellow fell pierced with rebel bullets before we reached the rifle pits.  When those who were left reached the pits we left them have it.  They were very stubborn and the bayonet and clubbed muskets were used freely before the pit was fully in our possession.  We captured, killed or wounded the big majority of the first pit.  We sent the prisoners to the rear and went for the second pit, about 75 yards away.  Carried that and some of our troops were closing in on the third pit where they had artillery in position, where our support, not giving us the aid expected of them, we were flanked and had to get back losing all we had gained, and having our dead and wounded in the enemies hands, all owing to the supporting Regiments not attending to their duty.  It was dark by the time we got back to our old position where we had our knapsacks.  Just after getting back to the first pit taken.  Henry Romberger of our Company, jumped clear over the rifle pit, as pale as a sheet.  He was shot a little to the left of the navel.  I told him to lean on me and I would take him out, but he said he must rest first.  Just then an officer directed lot of us to the left, and I had to leave him.  Shortly after than Lewis Romick seen him and washed his wound, but could not move him.  Those known to have been killed of our Company (G) are Sergeant B. B. Wagner of Hamburg, Berks County, Sergeant James M. Ferree of Lykens, Dauphin County, Corporal Joshua Workman of Wiconisco, Privates James Betz of Hamburg and Frank Workman, Wiconisco.  Those wounded and got back to camp are 1^st Sergeant John Williams, Hamburg, wounded in right shoulder, Sergeant Joe Alvord, Lykens, left arm and side, John Beard, Hamburg, right shoulder, George C. Bear, Hamburg, top of left hand; Phil Baddorf of Lykens, left arm broken; Josiah Balliet, Hamburg, left leg; Lewis Fritz, Hamburg, through cheek; John Luke, Minersville, in head; Jno. Shollenberger, Hamburg, both legs; Daniel Stahl, Lykens, left leg; Harry Wagr?, Hamburg, not known how wounded; H. Romberger, Wiconisco, left breast.  The following are missing and not known what became of them, Edwin Mayer, Wiconisco, Daniel Betz, Hamburg and Elias Hardinger, Hamburg.  We took about fifteen hundred prisoners.  This is called Spottsylvania [sic].  The Regiment lost 130 men.  Company G, 22 killed wounded and missing.  At the time of re-writing of this (October 24, 1912) and long before, the following is known.  Henry Romberger was never heard from after we left him at the Rebel breast works and certainly died there.  Of those who were wounded and got into our lines, Philip Batdorf died in hospital.  Of those wounded and prisoners, Joseph Workman had left leg amputated at thigh and died in Rebel hands.  David Machamer left leg amputated at thigh and came home some time after.  Henry Wagner not known what became of him, but no doubt was killed or died in Rebel hands.  Of those missing it is now known that Edwin Mayer and D. Betz were killed and Elias Hardinger was exchanged and died in hospital in Annapolis, Maryland.

It is hard to believe that Henry Keiser did not know Daniel Bonawitz, although they were in different companies, and the regiment consisted of nearly 1000 men. Keiser was serving at the rank of Corporal and near the end of the war was promoted to Sergeant.  Bonawitz began as a Corporal and was promoted to Sergeant early in the war.  Nevertheless, he did not mention Bonawitz in the diary.

After receiving news that her husband was missing, Sarah Ann [Greager] Bonawitz applied for a widow’s pension.  The Pension Index Card (below) shows that she applied on 14 November 1865 for herself and on 3 August 1872 for her minor children.

The card notes that “S. A. Dinger” was the designated guardian for the children, the guardian being appointed most likely because Sarah could not read or write.  Sarah did receive a pension as a result of her deceased husband’s service, and she could continue to do so as long as she did not re-marry.  But, the record shows that she did re-marry – to Nathan S. Dinger, also a Civil War veteran.  At this time it is not known how and if Nathan was related to the the “S. A. Dinger” who served as guardian for Sarah and Daniel Bonawitz‘s children, or if it was the same person.  Nathan S. Dinger had served in the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D, as a Private and during his war experience, was wounded at Bull Run and Gettysburg.  The extent of his wounds were described in the 1890 Census when he reported that he had been shot in the left leg and that he also lost his left eye.  Nathan S. Dinger, applied for his pension on 28 July 1865 – a pension which he received and continued to collect until his death on 1 July 1916.  Sarah and Nathan had children together, and from the Census of 1870, it appears that Nathan adopted some of Sarah’s children with Bonawitz, since in the census they appear with the Dinger surname.

Research is on-going into the military service of Daniel Bonawitz and the circumstances of his death.  The pension application file of Sarah Ann [Greager] Bonawitz has not yet been posted to Fold3, put should be posted soon as the files are being scanned and uploaded in the order of application.  Those researchers impatient with the Fold3 process can visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and view the files and make copies of them by referencing the numbers on the Pension Index Card shown above.

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The Pension Index Card is from Ancestry.com.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Daniel Bonawitz of Pine Grove – Taken Prisoner at Spotsylvania and Died
Tags: Gratz Borough, Lyhkens Borough, Pine Grove, Tremont, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 11, 2013

The Gratz Historical Society has a collection of compiled and original copies of records from most of the churches in the Lykens Valley area.  One of the most useful sets of book is the nine-volume edition of Dauphin County Church Records.

These volumes contain a variety of records for the indicated churches, including birth and baptisms (giving dates and the names of parents and sponsors), confirmations, communicants, deaths (funerals and burials), marriages (name of groom and maiden name of bride), and the names of ministers.

Today’s post includes the complete table of contents of the 9 volumes, with the names of the churches, locations, and the date ranges of the records available in the 9 volumes (see below).

Church records are invaluable for researching Civil War veterans and their families.  Nearly all of the war veterans were members of churches and their names and the names of members of their families can be found in the records, many times in multiple places.  Church records are acceptable proof of births and marriages which are needed for those applying to patriotic societies where descent must be documented.

Table of Contents of Each of the Nine Volumes:

Simeon Lutheran Church, c. 1883.
Parish Register, 1889-1950 is found in Volume 1.

VOLUME 1:

St. Peter’s Reformed Church (Hoffman’s Church), Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Records, 1781-1937.  Prepared by Paul H. Noll, Harrisburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1956.  Index.

Simeon Lutheran Church, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Register, 1889-1950.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1969.  Index.

St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Coleman’s Church), Lykens Township, Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1871-1966.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1970.  Index.

Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church (Klinger’s Church), Erdman, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Baptisms, 1787-1874.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1970.  Index.

VOLUME 2:

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lykens Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Register, 1853-1933.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1970.  Index.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lykens Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Register, 1873-1942.  Unknown preparer, no date.  Index.

VOLUME 3:

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (The Hill Church), south of Berrysburg, in Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Records, 1780-1830.  Prepared by Paul H. Noll, Works Project Administration (W.P.A.), Pennsylvania Historical Survey, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, 1941.  Index.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (The Hill Church), south of Berrysburg, in Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1780-1888.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, no date.

VOLUME 4:

Salem Reformed Church (Killinger’s Church), near Berrysburg, in Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (the Lykens Valley “Mother Church”).  Parish Records,, 1774-1847.  Prepared by Rev. A. S. Leiby, Pen Argyl, 1947.

Salem Union Church, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Records, 1844-1939.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1967.  Index.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pillow, Dauphin County Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1830-1958.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1970.  Index.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Registers, 1889-1964.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1971.  Index.

VOLUME 5:

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Registers, 1890-1961.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1969.  Index.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church (Werth’s Church), Killinger, Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1770-1859.  Prepared by Rev. A. S. Leiby, Pen Argyl, 1947.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church (Werth’s Church), Killinger, Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1770-1859.  Prepared by Rev. A. S. Leiby, Pen Argyl, 1947, revised and edited by Rev. Frederick S. Weiser, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1966.  Index.

VOLUME 6:

St. Jacob’s Lutheran Congregation (Miller’s Church), Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1869-1965.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Church Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1968.  Index.

Fisherville Lutheran Charge:  (1) St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Fetterhoff’s Church), south of Fisherville, Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  (2) Zion Lutheran Church (Straw’s Church), near Enders, Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  (3) Bowerman’s Lutheran Church, b, Wayne Township, Dauphin County.   Parish Register, 1895-1965.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1971.

St. James Union Church, Carsonville, Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Records, 1857-1934.  Prepared by Cornelius E. Koppenheffer, Emporium, 1965.  Index.

Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church (Straw’s Church), Enders, Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Records, 1845-1922.  Prepared by Cornelius E. Koppenheffer, Emporium, 1965.  Index..

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and United Church of Christ (Reformed), Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Records, 1788-1903.  Prepared by Cornelius E. Koppenheffer, Emporium, 1967.  Index.

VOLUME  7:

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Parish Records, 1766-1941, including records of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Middletown, 1781-1788.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1968.

VOLUME 8:

Records of Rev. E. S. Brownmiller of Union Deposit, South Hanover Township, Dauphin County Pennsylvania, including Wenrich’s Lutheran Church, Sand Hill Lutheran Church and Sand Hollow Lutheran Church.  Baptisms and Marriages, 1876-1881, with Record of Cemetery at Wenrich’s Reformed Church, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (a Union Church at one time).

Rev. George H. Martz.  Records, Harrisburg, 1856-1869.  Records, Lebanon, 1880, 1882-1887.  Pastoral Acts at the Following Lutheran Churches:  Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Swatara; Shoop’s Lutheran Church, Dauphin County.  Prepared by Mrs. Chester E. Shirk, Harrisburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, no date.  Index.

Wenrich’s Reformed Church (now St. Thomas United Church of Christ), Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Cemetery Record and Baptisms, 1791-1938.  Prepared by Nevin Moyer and Earle W. Lingle, no date.  Indexes.

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Middletown.  Parish Records, 1794-1859.  Prepared by Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, no date.  Index.

VOLUME 9:

Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Baptisms, 1795-1816, in Harrisburg and Elsewhere in Dauphin County.  Preparer not given, no date.

Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Marriages, 1819-1869.  Prepared by Mrs. Chester E. Shirk, Harrisburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1948.  Index.

Salem Reformed Church, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Baptisms, 1790-1854.  Confirmations, 1808-1836.  Marriages, 1791-1850.  Burials, 1808-1855.  Prepared by Harrisburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1947.  Indexes.

Category: Resources | 3 Comments »
Tags: Berrysburg, Carsonville, Elizabethville, Enders, Enterline, Erdman, Fisherville, Gratz Borough, Halifax, Halifax Township, Jackson Township, Jefferson Township, Killinger, Lykens Borough, Lykens Township, Mifflin Township, Millersburg, Pillow, Upper Paxton Township

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 10, 2013

Located at the “The Crater” at the Petersburg National Battlefield, is a monument to the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery.  The monument is in the design of a stone podium with inscriptions on the top face and on the front side.

The front face of the monument reads:

Went into action 30 July 1864, 780 men – Answered roll call after battle, 280 men – Lost, killed and wounded, 494 men, including 8 officers.

The top face of the monument indicates that it was placed at the “advanced position”, 30 July 1864, the day of the mine explosion at “The Crater.”

Two ground markers note the “right” and “left” extent of the position of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery.

The following men who have some connection to the Lykens Valley area have already been identified in the Civil War Research Project as members of 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery:

[CW#A004] Joseph Albright (1834-1911) ——–  [CW#B178] Abraham L. Boyer (18xx-xxxx) ——–  [CW#D065.5] Abraham T. DeWitt (1837-1911) ——–  [CW#F005] Abraham F. Fairchild (1842-xxxx) ——–  [CW#H227.5] William H. Hoover (1833-1865) ——–  [CW#P042] John Wesley Pike (1832-xxxx) ——–  [CW#R042.76] Michael Reigle (1831-1901) ——–  [CW#R170] Daniel K. Ruch (1832-xxxx) ——–  [CW#Z008] Joseph R. Zeiter (1828-1900).

It is possible that some of the above men did not participate in the Siege at Petersburg and it also possible that additional men will be identified who should be included in the Civil War Research Project.  The “CW” number preceding the name is the project file number and the dates following the name are in some cases best estimates at this time of the birth and death years of the veteran.  Where a year has not yet been determined, an “x” is used as a placeholder.  Blog readers who have additional information about any men who served in the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery are urged to contribute it to the Civil War Research Project, particularly if there is a connection to the Lykens Valley area.  Please add comments to this blog post or submit the information in an e-mail.

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For a previous blog post on the role of artillery in the Civil War, see Forts and Artillery.

For all previous blog posts on the Siege at Petersburg, see Petersburg National Battlefield.

Another web resource on the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery:  Chronology of Events.

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Search Term (also found as): 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery.

Category: Memorials | Comments Off on Petersburg National Battlefield – Monument to the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery at the Crater
Tags: Monument

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 9, 2013

Jonathan Brenner, who was mustered into service as a Private in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, on 9 September 1861, died from wounds received at the Battle of Antietam,  17 September 1862.  He was a coal miner from Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, who was 28 years old at the time of his enrollment.

As the above letter from the Surgeon General’s Office shows, the date and place of death of the soldier, as well as the actual cause of death, were reported to the Pension Bureau, when Sarah [Shuger] Brenner, Jonathan’s widow applied for survivor’s benefits.  Death occurred at Fort Schuyler, New York, on 23 December 1862, from ersyipelas, infectious skin lesions which usually occur on the extremities.  The letter is dated 10 July 1863.

After the report of his death, Sarah made contact with W. Ramsey Potts, an attorney from Pottsville, Schuylkill County, who compiled her Widow’s Pension Application, which, according to the record, was submitted in January 1863.  Potts’ signature (below) appeared on the cover page of the filed documents.  Sarah was applying for benefits for herself and for her young son, John Wesley Brenner, who was born 21 January 1860.

However, the Pension Index Card (shown below) only indicates that she applied for widow’s benefits – not benefits for a minor.

During the application process, Sarah became impatient with the government and with its requirements of her.  In July 1869, she sent the following letter to the Pension Bureau:

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Tremont, 5 July 1869. 

Sir,

Having waited a long time for my money as pension for my child and others are receiving it and I had my papers fixed and had Potts of Pottsville to attend to it for me.  I have a child that his father was shot in the army.  The child’s name is John Wesley Brenner.  The father’s name was Johathan Brenner.  Did Potts get the money or did he not attend to it.  I need it bad.  Answer. 

Yours,

Sarah Brenner

It is not known who wrote the letter for Sarah (she could not read or write as evidenced by the mark of “X” that she made on the pension application), but her assumption that her attorney, Potts,  may have received the money and not given it to her may have been a common one among those who had losses and the workings of government were too slow to meet their needs.  Did Sarah supply everything that was needed in order for her pension to be approved?

Included in the pension application was a copy of the required certification of marriage between Sarah Shugar and Jonathan Brenner, such marriage performed by Adam Wolf, Justice of the Peace, at Tremont, 10 October 1858.  There was also a statement proving that Adam Wolf was a Justice of the Peace at the time and was authorized to perform marriages.

Click on document to enlarge.

To prove that John Wesley Brenner was her son (and the son of Jonathan Brenner), Sarah had to produce a witness, which she did on 5 March 1869.  In a sworn statement, Elizabeth Barr, indicated that she was present in the same room where Sarah delivered the child, John Wesley Brenner.  She also named the “professional midwife,” Catherine Batenstein, “of skill and reputation.”  The late date (1869) on this affidavit is a possible indication that the application, as initially filed by Attorney Potts, may not have been complete – and because this required paperwork was not submitted with the original application in January 1863, Sarah had to wait more than six and half years before receiving any benefits for her child.

When she eventually did receive the pension, it was paid back to the day of death of her husband.  The standard rate at the time was $8 per month for the widow, and $2 per month per child (to the age of 16).

At this time, it is not known what happened to Sarah [Shugar] Brenner, or to her child John Wesley Brenner.  They have not yet been located in later censuses.

Perhaps a reader of this blog can fill in the missing details.  Comments are welcome via e-mail or can be attached to this post.

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The pension application file of Sarah Brenner (30 pages) is available on Fold3 and the portions of documents pictured above are from that file.  It is also available at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.   Pennsylvania Veterans’ Index Cards are available from the Pennsylvania Archives.  The Pension Index Card is from Ancestry.com.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Jonathan Brenner – Coal Miner of Tremont – Died at Fort Schuyler, New York
Tags: Tremont