Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Ithiel Town Johnson

b. 24 July 1849, d. 4 July 1931

Ithiel T. Johnson

Father: Lewis A. Johnson b. between 1816 - 1817
Mother: Lucy Ann Larned b. 9 Feb 1817

Company: MASCOT

Ithiel Town Johnson was born on 24 Jul 1849 at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Lewis A. Johnson and Lucy Ann Larned.
Ithiel Town Johnson was enumerated in the household of Lewis A. Johnson and Lucy Ann Larned in the 1850 US Federal Census on on 25 Sep 1850 at at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
In "The Story of My Life or Forty Busy Years," (Evangelist. Burlington, Vt.: Free Press Printing Company, 1912. 231 pages.), Ithiel T. Johnson recounting his experiences with the 15th Massachusetts at Ball's Bluff. (Click the document icon to read it here.).
Later in during the war, Johnson returned to Washington D. C. and was there at the time of Lincoln's assassination. Read his account here.
Many thanks to Ed A. Schofield who provided the source reference to these two stories. slh Dec 2003.
In 1880 Ithiel Town Johnson was clergyman.
He was enumerated in the household of Lewis A. Johnson and Lucy Ann Larned in the 1880 US Federal Census at at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 1 Jul 1881 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Rev. Ithiel T. Johnson was reported as attending the fourteenth annual meeting of Co. E. Association, 15^th Regiment, Mass. Vols.
On 9 Jul 1886 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel Town Johnson was reported as having attended the 19th reunion of Company E, 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 5 Jul 1887 at G. A. R. Hall, Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel Town Johnson attended the 20th reunion of Company E.
On 5 Jul 1889 at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel Town Johnson attended a reunion of Company E. (click icon to read report).
On 28 Jun 1890 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel Town Johnson attended the 23rd annual reunion of Company E, 15th Massachusetts Infantry.
On 24 Jun 1891 Ithiel Town Johnson, 41, married Mary H. Lawrence, 28, daughter of Harvey B. Lawrence and Georgianna [--?--], at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 2 Sep 1892 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel was mentioned:
"Rev. I. T. Johnson has returned from a trip to Yarmouth, N. S., to which place he carried the large tabernacle tent from the East Douglas camp grounds to be used there for religious meetings."
On 30 Sep 1892 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel was mentioned.
On 28 Jun 1894 at Grand Army Hall, Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Ithiel Town Johnson attended a reunion of Company E, as reported in the Worcester Daily Spy the following day.
In Apr 1896 at Fresno, California, Ithiel had some trouble. (click icon to read the report.).
Ithiel Town Johnson was Methodist Clergyman.
Before 1920 Mary H. Lawrence, his wife, died.
Ithiel Town Johnson was enumerated in the 1930 U. S. Federal Census on 10 Apr 1930 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, where he is retired and lives with his daughter, son-in-law, and her two step-daughters.
He died on 4 Jul 1931 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He was 81 years, 11 months and 10 days old.
He was buried in Jul 1931 at North Cemetery, Main Street, Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Descendant(s): Johney Larned, distant relation through common ancestor Isaac Learned III.

Last Edited: 22 Aug 2010

Family: Mary H. Lawrence b. Dec 1862, d. before 1920

Evelyn M. Johnson b. Dec 1894
Ithiel Town Johnson Jr. b. 18 Jun 1897, d. 28 Aug 1966
Earl C. Johnson b. between 1900 - 1901

James Nathaniel Johnson

b. 20 June 1828, d. 17 August 1875

James N. Johnson

Father: Capt. Nathaniel Johnson b. 6 Aug 1799, d. 8 May 1884
Mother: Almira Pierce b. 24 Jun 1804, d. 25 Dec 1905

Company: C

James Nathaniel Johnson was born on 20 Jun 1828 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Capt. Nathaniel Johnson and Almira Pierce, (Capt. Nathaniel 7, Joseph 6, Dorothy Whitcomb 5).
On 4 Nov 1850 James Nathaniel Johnson, 22, married Amanda G. Low, 22, daughter of Edward Low and Content [--?--], at Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 10 Sep 1852 Amanda G. Johnson, his wife, died at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, being thrown from a carriage at age 24.
On 14 Apr 1856 James Nathaniel Johnson, 27, married Esther A. Bickford, 18, daughter of George W. Bickford and Olive Parcher, at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for him and the first for her.
James Nathaniel Johnson and Esther A. Bickford were enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census on 4 Jul 1860 at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
James N. Johnson, 32, combmaker, b. MA
Esther A., 22, b. NY
Edward E., 2, b. MA
(nextdoor to:)
Joseph P. Johnson, 25, combmaker, b. MA (as were all)
Kesiaih, 21
Frank M., 1
Nellie M., 1/12
Eliza Montjoy, 50.
Before 1861 at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, James Nathaniel Johnson as a resident, was a member of "The Clinton Guards."
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, James gave his occupation as comb-maker.
James Nathaniel Johnson and Joseph Peirce Johnson, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Co. C.
At least four Johnson men of the 15th were second cousins -- James N., Joseph P., Adelbert and Augustus -- all great-grandsons of Dorothy WHITCOMB, a 5th generation descendant of John White of Wenham.
On 1 Aug 1861 James mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant, being credited to the quota of Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 33 years, 1 month and 12 days old.
On 14 Aug 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, James Nathaniel Johnson was mentioned in an article about the departure of the Fifteenth Massachusetts from Worcester.
On 16 Jan 1862 James ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by resignation from officer rank.
On 31 Mar 1862 James mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry having reenlisted with the rank of Private, being credited to the quota of Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 33 years, 9 months and 11 days old.
On 4 Oct 1862 his brother, Joseph Peirce Johnson, died at Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, DC, of wounds received at the Battle of Antietam at age 28.
On 27 Jul 1864 James ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by transfer to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 27 Jul 1864 James N. Johnson appeared on the muster rolls of the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as having officially transferred into the unit, but he was not assigned to a specific company.
He and Esther A. Bickford were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 22 Jun 1870 at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Johnson, James N., 41, saloon keeper, b. MA
---, Esther A., 33, b. NY
---, Edward E., 12, b. MA
---, Dora A., 9, b. MA
Bickford, Dora, 26, works in saloon, b. NY
Flagg, Emma E., 27, milliner, b. MA
Gise (?), Walter, 22, clerk in bank, b. MA.
On 17 Sep 1870 James Nathaniel Johnson was included on the Civil War memorial at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
He died on 17 Aug 1875 at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of heart disease. He was 47 years, 1 month and 28 days old.
On 29 Nov 1882 James's daughter, Dora Augusta Johnson married William H. Elward at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
In Mar 1888 Esther A. Bickford received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on James's service; his wife, received certificate number 289429.
Esther, his wife, outlived James and died on 25 Aug 1898 at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of carcinoma at age 60.
From Crane's History of Worcester -- he "served with honor throughout the Civil War, returning with badly broken health, and never recovered from his disabilities."

Last Edited: 31 Jul 2010

Family 1: Amanda G. Low b. 24 Jan 1828, d. 10 Sep 1852

Family 2: Esther A. Bickford b. 31 Dec 1837, d. 25 Aug 1898

Edward Everett Johnson b. 2 Mar 1858
Dora Augusta Johnson b. 25 Jul 1861

John Hawkins Johnson

b. 17 February 1842, d. between 1905 and 1906

Father: Waldo Johnson b. 16 Sep 1807, d. 25 Jul 1876
Mother: Hannah Palmer Holmes b. 22 Dec 1809

Company: F

John Hawkins Johnson was born on 17 Feb 1842 at North Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Waldo Johnson and Hannah Palmer Holmes.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, John gave his occupation as shoemaker.
In 1861 Emery Warner Johnson his brother, served in the 31st Massachusetts Regiment Infantry.
In 1861 Palmer Pellet Johnson his brother, served in the 25th Massachusetts Regiment Infantry.
In 1861 Henry Sanford Johnson his brother, served in the 25th Massachusetts Regiment Infantry.
On 12 Jul 1861 John mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a musician, being credited to the quota of Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 19 years, 4 months and 25 days old.
On 28 Jul 1864 John ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
On 2 Jun 1869 John Hawkins Johnson, 27, married Alice C. Amidon, 20, daughter of Frederick S. Amidon and Dorothy Jane Kingsbury, at North Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
John Hawkins Johnson and Alice C. Amidon were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 8 Jul 1870 at North Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Johnson, John H., 28, in shoe factory, b. MA, married in June
---, Alice A., 20, b. CT.
In 1886 John was living at West Natick, Massachusetts.
He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at North Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Co. F.
John Hawkins Johnson was described as 5' 8", with a light complexion, gray eyes and gray hair, and unmarried.
On 4 Nov 1890, at National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Togus, Kennebec County, Maine, John was admitted.
He made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension on 7 Aug 1891, and received certificate number 658836.
On 12 Jul 1892, at National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Togus, Kennebec County, Maine, John was discharged and dropped from the rolls.
He died between 1905 - 1906 noted that he had died between 39th and 40th Regimental Reunion.
On 20 Oct 1906 John Hawkins Johnson was noted as deceased during the previous year at the 40th annual reunion of the 15th regiment association. (Click icon to read the report, believed to be from the Worcester Spy.).

Last Edited: 24 Jul 2009

Family: Alice C. Amidon b. 2 Mar 1849

Willie Amidon Johnson b. 2 Jun 1870

Joseph Peirce Johnson

b. 25 August 1834, d. 4 October 1862

Joseph P. Johnson

Father: Capt. Nathaniel Johnson b. 6 Aug 1799, d. 8 May 1884
Mother: Almira Pierce b. 24 Jun 1804, d. 25 Dec 1905

Company: C

Joseph Peirce Johnson was born on 25 Aug 1834 at Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Capt. Nathaniel Johnson and Almira Pierce, (Capt. Nathaniel 7, Joseph 6, Dorothy Whitcomb 5).
On 3 May 1857 Joseph Peirce Johnson, 22, married Keziah Wood, 18, daughter of Myles Wood and Melinda Montjoy, at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
James Nathaniel Johnson and Esther A. Bickford, his brother and sister-in-law, were enumerated near by in the 1860 US Federal Census on 4 Jul 1860 at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
James N. Johnson, 32, combmaker, b. MA
Esther A., 22, b. NY
Edward E., 2, b. MA
(nextdoor to:)
Joseph P. Johnson, 25, combmaker, b. MA (as were all)
Kesiaih, 21
Frank M., 1
Nellie M., 1/12
Eliza Montjoy, 50.
Before 1861 at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Joseph Peirce Johnson as a resident, was a member of "The Clinton Guards."
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Joseph gave his occupation as comb-maker.
On 12 Jul 1861 Joseph mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 26 years, 10 months and 17 days old.
Joseph Peirce Johnson and James Nathaniel Johnson, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Co. C.
At least four Johnson men of the 15th were second cousins -- James N., Joseph P., Adelbert and Augustus -- all great-grandsons of Dorothy WHITCOMB, a 5th generation descendant of John White of Wenham.
From Crane's History --
At the battle of Antietam, as orderly sergeant, he became the commanding officer of his company, on account of the deaths or disabilities of his superior officers. He made a gallant stand with his men. In his eagerness to hold their position, he kept reiterating the order: "Close up, boys; don't let them push us back," and in his delirium died with these words on his lips. He was wounded September 17, 1862, and died October 4, 1862, at Mt. Pleasant Hospital, Washington.
His embalmed body was brought home by the town and buried with the highest military and civic honors in Howard Street cemetery, Northborough. Funeral services were held in the old Unitarian Church, October 9, 1862. Post Joe Johnson, Grand Army of the Republic, Northborough, Massachusetts, was named for him, also W. R. Corps of the same town. He was called "Little Joe," by his friends. "Small in stature he had a great heart, a noble, manly, fearless spirit.
Joseph Peirce Johnson died on 4 Oct 1862 at Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, DC, of wounds received at the Battle of Antietam. He was 28 years, 1 month and 9 days old.
He was buried on 9 Oct 1862 at Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
From the Dunster Genealogy, quoting a letter from his father-in-law, Myles Wood --
He was one of those boys who swam across the Potomac, near Balls' Bluff. He was mortally wounded at Antietam, Sept. 7, 1862, was carried to Washington, where the good soldier died in hospital, Oct. 4, same year. He was buried at Northboro, with great military honors. He was a good husband and loved his family much. I took his family to my house in those dark days, and their mother went to work in a shoe shop in Marlboro, about four miles away.
On 4 Feb 1863 Keziah Wood received a pension to surviving family member based on Joseph's service; his wife, received certificate number 5980.
From the Dunster Genealogy --
"She, the widow, married a second time, June 1, 1870, to Charles H. Brigham, son of Hastings and Nancy Brigham, of Boston. He is an engineer. He had by his first wife three boys. Mr. B. is a good man, and very indulgent father. Owns a nice house, and has a salary of $1200 a year." (from Myles Wood's Letter.) "
By her second husband, Keziah had:
(3) Elbert Irving BRIGHAM, born July 12, 1871.
(4) Ruth May BRIGHAM, born March 28, 1874.
On 1 Jun 1870 Joseph's widow, Keziah Wood remarried to Charles Hastings Brigham at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for both.
On 17 Sep 1870 Joseph Peirce Johnson was included on the Civil War memorial at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 21 Nov 1870 Keziah Brigham, Joseph's his remarried widow, made application for a pension as guardian to Joseph's surviving dependants.
On 22 Jun 1879 Joseph's daughter, Mabel Nellie Johnson married Newell Monroe Felton at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Joseph Peirce Johnson's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Keziah Wood in the 1880 US Federal Census on 17 Jun 1880 at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as:
Brigham, Kezia, 42, widow, b. MA
---, Morrice F., 22, son-in-law (step-son), single, works in shoe shop, b. MA
Johnson, Frank M., 21, son, single, works in shoe shop, b. MA
Felton, Mable N., 20, daur, married, b. MA
---, Newell M., 23, son-in-law, married, works in shoe shop, b. MA
Brigham, Elbert, 8, son, b. MA
---, Ruth M., 6, daur, b. MA
Burris, William, 20, boarder, single, works in shoe shop, b. ME
---, Fred, 23, boarder, single, works in shoe shop, b. ME
Fairbanks, Geo. F., 31, boarder, single, works in shoe shop, b. ME.
On 24 Jul 1891 Keziah Brigham, his remarried and re-widowed wife, applied for reinstatement of her widow's pension.
On 26 May 1893 a claim for reinstatement of the widow's pension was rejected as she had remarried prior to 27 June 1890.
On 17 Sep 1900 Joseph P. Johnson was included on the Civil War memorial at Antietam Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Maryland, as having died of his wounds received at the battle. (Read several articles from the Fitchburg Sentinel about the planning for the memorial.).
On 19 Apr 1901 Keziah Brigham 's pension was reinstated.
Keziah, his wife, outlived Joseph and died on 22 Sep 1922 at New Jersey at age 83.

Last Edited: 21 Oct 2011

Family: Keziah Wood b. 17 Oct 1838, d. 22 Sep 1922

Frank Myles Johnson b. 24 Oct 1858
Mabel Nellie Johnson b. 18 May 1860

Marcus R. Johnson

b. 21 November 1838, d. 4 July 1904

Father: Obediah P. Johnson b. between 1810 - 1811
Mother: Abigail M. Reed b. between 1811 - 1812

Company: B

Marcus R. Johnson was born on 21 Nov 1838 at Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, son of Obediah P. Johnson and Abigail M. Reed.
Marcus R. Johnson was enumerated in the household of Obediah P. Johnson and Abigail M. Reed in the 1860 US Federal Census on 27 Aug 1860 at Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as:
Obidiah Johnson, 49, shoe maker, b. MA (as were all in the family)
Abigail M., 48
Edward A., 26, shoe maker
Alfred P., 24, student
**Marcus R., 20, shoe maker
Abby Marie, 15
Abigail L. Payer, 69, b. NH.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Marcus gave his occupation as shoemaker.
In 1861 Marcus was living at Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
On 12 Jul 1861 Marcus mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Sergeant, being credited to the quota of Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was 22 years, 7 months and 21 days old.
On 21 Oct 1861 Marcus R. Johnson was wounded at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, on the shoulder.
On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Marcus R. Johnson was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
On 17 Sep 1862 Marcus R. Johnson was wounded at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland.
On 28 Dec 1862 Marcus was promoted to Corporal.
On 16 Oct 1863 Marcus was promoted to Sergeant.
On 28 Jul 1864 Marcus ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
On 29 May 1867 Marcus R. Johnson, 28, married Nellie L. Wilson, daughter of George W. Wilson and Sally Spalding, at Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Marcus R. Johnson made application for a veteran's pension on 15 May 1879, received certificate number 166946.
He and Nellie L. Wilson were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 3 Jun 1880 at Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, as:
Johnson, Marcus, 40, works watch factory (?), b. MA (as were his parents)
---, Ellen, 36, b. VT (as were her parents)
---, Mabel, 12, dau, b. MA
---, Arthur, 8, son, b. IL
---, Eliza, 5, dau, b. IL
---, George, 3, son, b. IL.
In Jun 1886 Marcus was living at Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
In 1889 Marcus R. Johnson moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Before 1900 Nellie L. Wilson, his wife, died.
On 11 May 1898 at "The Fitchburg Sentinel", Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Marcus R. Johnson was mentioned in an article as an original member of the Fitchburg Fusiliers. (click icon to read article).
On 14 Oct 1899 Marcus R. Johnson was mentioned in the obituary of Joel Pratt, as a close friend, at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Marcus R. Johnson was enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 9 Jun 1900 at Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, where he is a watch tester, and his unmarried daughter, Elsie, lives with him.
He died on 4 Jul 1904 at Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, (Click icon to read the obituary.). He was 65 years, 7 months and 13 days old.
He was buried in Jul 1904 at Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
On 28 Jun 1905 Marcus R. Johnson was noted as deceased at the reunion of Company B.

Last Edited: 11 Sep 2010

Family: Nellie L. Wilson b. between 1843 - 1844, d. before 1900

Mabel W. Johnson b. 19 Mar 1868
Arthur Johnson b. between 1871 - 1872
Eliza Johnson b. between 1874 - 1875
George Johnson b. between 1876 - 1877
Elsie M. Johnson b. Jun 1877