John Brown (1820 - 1863)

Born 1820 in Cambria Township, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States

Husband of Lavinia (Sharp) Brown — married 16 May 1839 (to 2 Jul 1863) in Loretto, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 2 Jul 1863 at about age 43 in Gettysburg, Adams, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

Corporal John Brown served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: May 30, 1862, mustered in November 3, 1862
Mustered out: KIA July 2, 1863
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 115th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Cpl. John Brown was Killed in Action at Gettysburg on Jul 2, 1863 during the United States Civil War.

John engaged in farming in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

John was born in 1820. He passed away in 1863 while serving in Civil War and is interred at Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania.^[1]

1860, John (40), a Farmer, and his wife Lavinia (45) were living with their children in Washington, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Their children were William (20), Mary J (18), George (12), David (9), Isiah (6), and James (3).^[2]

Military Service, US Civil War

John enlisted on May 30, 1862, and mustered into Company D, 115th Regiment November 3, 1862 at Harrisburg. He was killed in action at the battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.^[3][4]

When John's wife Lavinia Sharp Brown applied for a widow's pension on April 13, 1864, significant information on both Lavinia, the family, and John's service was provided. There are 26 pages in the file. Below is some of the information contained therein.

• At the time of his death, John was a Corporal in Company D, 115th Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant John B. Fite
• John and Lavinia married on May 16, 1839, at Loretto, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
• John's service began with enlistment on May 30, 1862, at Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.
• He mustered into the unit on November 3, 1862, at Harrisburg, Penn.
• John was killed in battle on July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The letter below was sent to Lavinia to notify her of John's death, dated July 5, 1863. Note: transcribed exactly as written:

Camp near Gettysburg July 5 1863

Mrs. Brown I have the painful duty of informing you that your husband was killed in the battle fought here on the 2nd of July we met the enemy and fought him manfully your husband fell shot through the breast left breast while standing and fighting gloriously for his country he only lived a few moments after he was shot; he was buried in the field I feel deeply sorrowful for you and family and the whole Company simpathizes (sic) with you for the loss of your husband I must close by saying when I get more time I will write more as everything is upside down here now

John B. Fite, Lt

Commanding, Co D.

115th PA

Information about Lavinia contained in the file:

• Lavinia's maiden name is Sharp
• She passed away on November 3, 1909, and was dropped from the pension rolls.

Information about John's children who were under 16 years of age is listed in the file:

George Brown, born December 5, 1847

David Brown, born March 3, 1851

Ezra Brown, born March 30, 1854

James Brown, born January 8, 1857 ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146658012/john-brown: accessed 15 May 2023), memorial page for Corp John Brown (unknown–2 Jul 1863), Find a Grave Memorial ID 146658012, citing Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Albert Ledoux (contributor 46511171).
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXPV-HKH : 18 February 2021), John Brown, Line 17.
3. ↑ Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, compiled 1861–1865. NAID: 656639. Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's–1917. Record Group 94. The National Archives in Washington, D.C. Imaged at Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/3683849?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a22637232786f4e7950612f46765a7a664a6937766e32726d764844745547755076596d6a4e637a73526f58673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d : accessed May 15, 2023)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} "Civil War Widows' Pensions," The National Archives, Cat. ID 300020, Rcd Grp 15, citing Lavinia Brown, multi-image file of 26 pages imaged at fold3.com (https://www.fold3.com/image/239112619/brown-john-wc22702-page-1-civil-war-widows-pensions : accessed May 15, 2023)