Lewis Reed (1842 - 1925)

Born 26 Oct 1842 in Abington, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Died 1925 at about age 82 in United States

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Biography

Lewis Reed was born in 1842 in East Abington, Massachusetts and was a lifelong resident of Abington (Rockland after 1874.) He was the son of Catherine Stetson and Dexter Reed. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

Occupations

• 1910: Real estate
• 1860, 1880: Shoe cutter
• 1870: Shoe manufacturer
• 1863: Stitcher (shoe making)

His father and brother Frederick also worked as shoemakers.

Residences

• 1920: 40 Highland, Rockland, Massachusetts (widowed)
• 1910: 40 Highland, Rockland, Massachusetts with his wife and daughter Ella
• 1880: Rockland, Massachusetts with his wife and children two houses away from his parents
• 1870: Abington, Massachusetts with his wife and children two houses away from his parents
• 1863: Abington, Massachusetts (military enlistment)
• 1860: Abington, Massachusetts (post office: East Abington) with his parents and siblings
• 1850: Abington, Massachusetts with his parents, siblings, and 19-year-old English immigrant shoemaker Robert Wright

The northeastern region of Abington, settled mostly by European immigrants, was officially incorporated as Rockland, Massachusetts in 1874.^[1]

Land Owner

• 1870: $1,800 real estate value.

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a white commissioned officer - Captain of Company K - in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, the first regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. The highest rank soldiers of color could attain at this time was Sergeant Major, though the fight was on for the first commissioned officers of African descent and the first would be among the 54th. He was about 21 years old, single and working as a stitcher when he enlisted as a Second Lieutenant on 9 July 1863 from Abington, Massachusetts. Mustered 26 November 1863. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 4 February 1864, mustering 26 March 1864, and to Captain on 19 June 1865, mustering 17 July 1865. He briefly served as a Provost Judge in Charleston, South Carolina in the summer of 1865. Discharged 20 August 1865 with his regiment.^[2]

Prior to his service with the 54th, he also served as a Corporal and Sergeant with Company G of the 12th Massachusetts in 1861.^[3]

Potter's Raid

Our regiment marched with six hundred and seventy-five enlisted men and the following officers: Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper, Major Pope, Surgeon Briggs, Acting Adjutant Whitney, and Acting Quartermaster Bridgham; Company F, Captain Bridge; Company C, Lieutenant Spear; Company B, Lieutenant Hallett; Company H, Captain Tucker and Lieutenant Stevens; Company A, Lieutenant Rogers; Company D, Captain Chipman and Lieutenant Swails; Company G, Captain Appleton; Company E, Lieutenant Emerson, commanding, and Lieutenant Cousens; Company I, Captain Howard; Company K, Lieutenant Reed. Lieutenants Newell and Joy took part on Colonel Hallowell's staff. Lieutenant Leonard was directed to remain in charge of the camp. A pioneer corps of twenty men was placed under Sergeant Wilkins of Company D for this field service.^[4]

Race

• 1870, 1880, 1910: White
• 1850, 1860: Unspecified

Death

He passed away in 1925 and is buried at Spring Lake Cemetery in Rockland, Massachusetts.

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

1. ↑ About Rockland, Massachusetts
2. ↑ Emilio, McKay Roster p. 334
3. ↑ Emilio, McKay Roster p. 334
4. ↑ Emilio, p. 291

• 1850 United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: Abington, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: M432_332; Page: 219B; Image: 439
• 1860 United States Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Abington, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: M653_518; Page: 412; Family History Library Film: 803518
• 1870 United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Abington, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_638; Page: 80A; Family History Library Film: 552137
• 1880 United States Federal Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Rockland, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: 551; Page: 578B; Enumeration District: 573
• 1910 United States Federal Census Year: 1910; Census Place: Rockland, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_613; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 1244; FHL microfilm: 1374626
• 1920 United States Federal Census Year: 1920; Census Place: Rockland, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_727; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 142
• 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.)
• Find A Grave: Memorial #82282573