Thomas Edward Platner (abt. 1846)

Born about 1846 in New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: K Raymoure [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Platner is a part of US Black heritage.

Thomas Edward Platner was born about 1846 in New York. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

Occupations

• 1889: Steward at 53 S. Clinton in Rochester, New York
• 1887: Janitor at 30 N. Fitzhugh in Rochester, New York
• 1863, 1870, 1875: Laborer

Residences

• 1889: 53 South Clinton, Rochester, New York with Anna E. Platner
• 1887: 152 Caledonia Avenue, Rochester, New York
• 1875: Prison al[ley] bel[ow] Third, Hudson, New York
• 1870: Hudson, New York with his wife Mary, 9-year-old student Dora Miller, and 70-year-old Mary Miller
• 1860: Hudson, New York with white school teacher Emma Humphrey and her family, 26-year-old black servant Hannah Peterson, and Cuban American language teacher George Taegint

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a non-commissioned officer - Principal Musician - in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, the second^[1] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 17 years old, single and working as a laborer when he enlisted in Company A on 10 March 1863 from Hudson, New York. Promoted to Principal Musician 12 June 1865. Mustered out with his regiment 20 August 1865.^[2]

Race

• 1860, 1870: Black

Research Notes

Possible city directory matches in Watertown, NY 1898-1903? Thomas E. Platner, but wife is Rosa J. Platner instead of Mary J. Platner. More research needed...

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

1. ↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th
2. ↑ Emilio, McKay Roster p. 339

• 1860 United States Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Hudson Ward 3, Columbia, New York; Roll: M653_738; Page: 930; Family History Library Film: 803738
• 1870 United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Hudson Ward 2, Columbia, New York; Roll: M593_921; Page: 327B; Family History Library Film: 552420
• 1875 Hudson, New York city directory
• 1887, 1889 Rochester, New York city directories
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)