RIchard Homan (1839 - 1897)

Born 1839 in Yaphank, Brookhaven, Suffolk, New York, United States

Husband of Georginna Overton — married 25 Sep 1862 in Middle Island, Brookhaven, Suffolk, New York, United States

Died 1897 at about age 58 in Yaphank, Brookhaven, Suffolk, New York, United States

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Biography

Richard Homan, Private, 2nd New York Cavalry, Company B & D Yaphank

Richard Homan was born in Yaphank in 1839. Homan, a sailor by trade, was 21 when he enlisted with the 8th New York State Militia for three months from April 16 to August 21, 1861. He stood five feet eight inches tall at the time, and had blue eyes and brown hair.

After completing his three months of service with the militia, Homan returned to Yaphank. A year later, however, he re-enlisted. This time he joined the 2nd New York Cavalry, known as the "Harris Light," in honor of New York Senator Ira Harris, who helped to raise the regiment.....Homan was paroled from prison on March 14, 1865, and reported to Camp Parole in Maryland. He was granted a thirty-day furlough and returned to Yaphank. While at home, his health deteriorated; local physician, Dr. James Baker, wrote a letter to Homan's superiors requesting a leave extension. Homan returned to duty, but not for long; he was mustered out of the service at Annapolis, Maryland, on June 21, 1865.

Homan gladly returned to his home in Yaphank. He and Georgianna had a son, Benjamin, in 1874. Although the 1880 census lists Homan's occupation as a sailor, he spent much of his life unable to work. His doctor, James Baker, died in 1886, and his son, Clarence Baker, took over his father's patients. In Homan's pension affidavit, the younger Doctor Baker declared Richard unable to work, caused by total paralysis. Neighbors swore that Homan was unable to leave his home for months at a time. Richard Homan died at this home in Yaphank in 1897, after suffering for many years from the effects of being a prisoner of war.

Before the regiment left for Washington, D.C., Homan returned home to marry Georgianna Overton of Yaphank. Reverend Francis Drake conducted their wedding ceremony at the Middle Island Parsonage on September 25, 1862.

Sources

• http://longwood.k12.ny.us/cms/one.aspx?portalId=2549374&pageId=5748889