Grave #2448: William Jones

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

William Jones, 1st Sergeant, Co. A, 73rd New York. Enlisted at age 25 years old in New York City on May 25, 1861 and mustered in as a private in Co. C. Transferred to Co. A on September 1, 1861 and later promoted to sergeant. Reenlisted as a veteran on December 30, 1863. Killed in action May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania and awarded the Medal of Honor.

Images

Muster Roll for William Jones

Jones' widow received a pension after his 1864 death.

Pension file, page 1

Handwriting, Rectangle, Tints and shades, Font

Declaration for Widow's Army Pension (October 1, 1864) (pension file, page 3)

Back of Widow's declaration (pension file, page 4)

Record of marriage for William and Margaret Jones, they were married on November 9, 1857 (October 27, 1864) (pension file, 6)

Back of marriage record (pension file, page 7)

Pension file, page 12

Pension file, page 13

Rectangle, Tints and shades, Font, Paper

Adjutant General's Report for William Jones (January 30, 1865) (pension file, page 5)

Brief in the pension case of Margaret Jones (September 19, 1865) (pension file, page 2)

Pension file, page 10

Pension file, page 11

Claim for an increase in pension after 1866 (pension file, page 16)

Widow's Application for Increase of Pension (October 29, 1866) (pension file, page 26)

Handwriting, Font, Material property, Paper

Back of increase application (pension file, page 27)

Notary for baptismal record (pension file, page 14)

Baptism Record: daughter Susanna Jones was born August 1860 (June 15, 1867) (pension record, page 15)

Pension file, page 17

August 16, 1867 notary (pension file, page 18)

Back of a statement (likely in 1867), but it appears that the front of the document was not scanned (pension file, page 19)

Claim for Increase of Widow's Pension (August 29, 1867) (pension file, page 21)

Handwriting, Font, Material property, Writing

Pension file, page 28

Pension file, page 29

Margaret Jones was on the pension roll until 1908 when she passed away on October 29. (pension file, page 8)

Pension file, page 9

Letter from Susan Jones, Margaret Jones' daughter, inquiring whether she could draw money from the pension due (November 23, 1908)

Jones letter, page 2 (Pension file, page 38)

Reply to Susan Jones, November 24, 1908 (Pension file, page 37)

Application for reimbursement for final expenses paid by Margaret Jones' daughter, Susan Jones (January 12, 1909) (pension file, page 21)

Font, Handwriting, Material property, Parallel

Application for reimbursement, page 2 (pension file, page 23)

Application for reimbursement, page 3 (pension file, page 24)

Application for reimbursement, page 4 (pension file, page 25)

Receipt for medical services to Margaret Jones (January 1909) (pension file, page 35)

Pension file, page 36

Rectangle, Font, Monochrome photography, Paper

Letter from Sister Rodegonde about the nursing services given to Margaret Jones in her last illness (pension file, page 40)

Pension file, page 41

Rectangle, Font, Parallel, Paper product

Receipt for burial services for Margaret Jones (November 7, 1908) (pension file, page 46)

Pension file, page 47

Receipt for headstone for Margaret Jones (February 13, 1909) (pension file, page 48)

Pension file, page 49

Proof of final expenses in order to received reimbursement (February 27, 1909) (pension file, page 30)

Pension file, page 31

Pension file, page 32

Pension file, page 33

Pension file, page 34

Pension file, page 42

Pension file, page 43

Pension file, page 44

Pension file, page 45

Letter to Susan Jones from Bureau of Pensions, April 13, 1909 (pension file, page 50)

Reimbursement claim for Margaret Jones' final expenses from her pension (April 15, 1909) (pension file, page 20)

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Ireland native William Jones of the 73rd New York was killed in action May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania. After his death, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for capturing the flag of the 65th Virginia during the Battle of Spotsylvania. He is one of two Medal of Honor recipients buried in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery; the other is Lieutenant Colonel Edward Hill in grave #6640 who was awarded the medal for his actions at Cold Harbor. Interestingly, there was no 65th Virginia present at the Battle of Spotsylvania; it is possible that the regimental number or even the deed was misreported after the battle.

Jones left behind his widow, Margaret, and two young children: Susan born in August 1860 and William born April 17, 1864, less than a month before William Jones' death. Margaret received a pension for herself and their two children; however, by 1866 when Margaret applied for an increase in her pension she only listed Susan as a child which means that William likely died in infancy.

Sources

Pfanz, Donald C. "Where Valor Proudly Sleeps: A History of Fredericksburg National Cemetery, 1866-1933." National Park Service, 2007. (Available at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP)

Cemetery Roster & Book File, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP

Image Sources(Click to expand)

New York, Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900. New York State Archives, 14-020. Accessed through Fold3, May 17, 2021.

Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900, compiled 1949 - 1949, documenting the period 1861 - 1942. NARA Record Group 15, ID 2588825, T289. Accessed through Fold3, May 17, 2021.

Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Veterans of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, compiled 1861 - 1934. NARA Record Group 15, ID 300020. Accessed through Fold3, May 17, 2021.

Additional Information

Where Valor Proudly Sleeps: A History of Fredericksburg National Cemetery, 1866-1933, by Donald C Pfanz