Civil War veteran - no info

Question

I was taking photos at the local cemetery of the Civil War veterans to add profiles here, but this one has me stumped.

All I have is the headstone info - John Thompson, US Navy. He's buried at the Old Soldiers Home section of Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden, MA (so he probably died at the home in Chelsea, MA). FindAGrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104730283/john-thompson) says he died in 1902, but offers no further info or source.

How does one go about finding more info on this man? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Answer 1

Upper right image gives dod April 11, 1902 and cemetery : https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TD-KSR2?i=769&cc=1913388
Source: "United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6HH-RDM : 12 March 2018), John Thompson, 11 Apr 1902; citing Malden, , Massachusetts, NARA microfilm publication M1845 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 20; FHL microfilm 2,155,595.

Source: "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWL3-F1M : 11 March 2018), John Ii Thompson, 11 Apr 1902; citing Chelsea, Massachusetts, v 531 cn 187, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,057,763.

Massachusetts Deaths
Name     John II Thompson
Death      11 Apr 1902     Chelsea, Massachusetts

Burial Malden

Residence Place     Soldiers Home, Boston
Male       Widowed
Occupation     Seaman
Age 72 yrs 3 mos 1 day
Birth  (Estimated)     1830  Birthplace     England
Father     John   Birthplace     England
Mother     Mary

Comments

You amaze me! Thank you so much! I hate to see anyone, but especially a veteran, without information to remember him by. This gives me something to go on. Thank you so much!

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There were a lot of John Thompsons that died in 1902 in MA.  Fortunately the US Headstone submission gave his exact dob - which led to the death record - that matched very well.  Pure luck on this one!

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Love it when that research magic works!  Good job!

Answer 2

THOMPSON -- At Soldiers home, Chelsea, April 11.  John Thompson, seaman ship Minnesota, USN, 72 yrs.  Born in Jersey, Eng. Admitted to the home April 9, 1902, from Boston.

"Deaths," The Boston Globe, 12 April 1902, page 12.

Answer 3

John Thompson, an inmate of the Chelsea Soldiers' home, died at the institution yesterday afternoon.  He was 72 years of age, and was born in England.  During the civil war he served as a seaman on the U S navy ship Minnesota. He has no relatives in this country.  Mr. Thompson was admitted to the home two days before his death.

"Veteran Dies in Chelsea," The Boston Globe, 12 April 1902, page 4.