Roster Page - 29

James Horatio Belcher

• Father: James H. N. Belcher b. between 1807 - 1808
• Mother: Elizabeth McMellen b. 15 May 1812, d. 13 Dec 1867

• Company: F

• James Horatio Belcher was born on 28 Jun 1843 at Calais, Washington County, Maine, son of James H. N. Belcher and Elizabeth McMellen.
• James Horatio Belcher was enumerated in the household of James H. N. Belcher and Elizabeth McMellen in the 1850 US Federal Census on 14 Sep 1850 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  James H. Belcher, 42, b. England
  Elisabeth, 34, b. Scotland
  **William A., 13, b. ME
  Hugh L., 11, b. MA
  **James H., 8, b. MA
  Elizabeth A., 1, b. MA.
• James Horatio Belcher was enumerated in the household of James H. N. Belcher and Elizabeth McMellen in the 1860 US Federal Census on 12 Jun 1860 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  James H. Belcher, 50, bootmaker, b. England
  Hugh L., 20, b. ME
  Horatio, 17, b. ME
  Elizabeth, 45, b. Scotland
  Douglas N., 11, b. MA
  Washington L., 9, b. MA.
• In 1861 James was living at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, James gave his occupation as shoemaker.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 James mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was 18 years and 14 days old.
• James Horatio Belcher and William A. Belcher, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Co. F.
• James Horatio Belcher was declared missing in action on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, James Horatio Belcher was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, James H. Belcher was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
• On 20 Jan 1862 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, James H. Belcher was mentioned among the released prisoners.
• On 15 Apr 1862 James ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
  
  
• He died on 28 Feb 1865 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption. He was 21 years and 8 months old.
• He was buried in Feb 1865 at Brookfield Cemetery, Rt 9, Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Plot: OSE 030.

• Last Edited: 23 Oct 2011

William A. Belcher

• Father: James H. N. Belcher b. between 1807 - 1808
• Mother: Elizabeth McMellen b. 15 May 1812, d. 13 Dec 1867

• Company: F

• William A. Belcher was born between 1836 - 1837 at Calais, Washington County, Maine, son of James H. N. Belcher and Elizabeth McMellen.
• William A. Belcher was enumerated in the household of James H. N. Belcher and Elizabeth McMellen in the 1850 US Federal Census on 14 Sep 1850 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  James H. Belcher, 42, b. England
  Elisabeth, 34, b. Scotland
  **William A., 13, b. ME
  Hugh L., 11, b. MA
  **James H., 8, b. MA
  Elizabeth A., 1, b. MA.
• William A. Belcher was enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census on 12 Jun 1860 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he is a painter, living in the household of Henry Daniels, a few doors from his parents' house.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, William gave his occupation as painter.
• In 1861 William was living at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 William mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• William A. Belcher and James Horatio Belcher, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Co. F.
• William A. Belcher was declared missing in action on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William A. Belcher was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William A. Belcher was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
• On 22 Apr 1862 William A. Belcher married Susan A. Cutler, 20, daughter of Silas B. Cutler and Sally D. Bond, at Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• On 10 Nov 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William A. Belcher was mentioned as being on the sick list.
• On 28 Jul 1864 William ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
  
  
• On 28 Feb 1865 his brother, James Horatio Belcher, died at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 21.
• William A. Belcher and Susan A. Cutler were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 22 Jun 1880 at Leicester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Belcher, William H., 43, painter, b. ME (fath b. at sea, mor b. Scotland)
  ---, Susan A., 40, wife
  ---, Ethel G., 14, daur
  ---, Cora M., 11, daur
  Adams, Mary A., 38, sister, widow, with general debility due to tumor, b. ME.
• On 24 Jan 1883 William's daughter, Ethel G Belcher married John Herbert Conant at Leicester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• William A. Belcher made application for a veteran's pension on 27 Feb 1886, and received certificate number 1040501.
• He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at East Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company F, noting that he was ruptured at Manassas Gap.
• He died on 21 Mar 1896 at Leicester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and it was reported in the Worcester Daily Spy as follows:
  "Leicester - Death of a War Veteran. William A. Belcher, one of the oldest residents of the town, died at his home, on Pleasant street, at about noon Saturday. He was about 60 years of age, and had lived in Leicester between 30 and 40 years. Mr. Belcher was born in Brookfield. When he came to Leicester he made his home on the old Cutler place, in the northerly part of the town, near the Paxton line, and lived there until the civil war, in which he took an active part, enlisting in Co. F, 15th regiment, Massachusetts volunteers. In the engagement at Ball's Bluff he was captured by the confederates and taken to Andersonville prison, where he was kept for four months. After the war, he returned to Leicester and married. He has lived on Pleasant street many years. The cause of his death was Bright's disease, from which he had suffered for some time. He leaves a widow."
  .
• He was buried in Mar 1896 at Pine Grove Cemetery, Leicester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 24 Apr 1896 Susan A. Cutler received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on William's service; his wife, received certificate number 446651.

• Last Edited: 10 Jan 2011

Rufus H. Belding

• Father: Lemuel Collins Belding b. between 1812 - 1813, d. 5 Apr 1891
• Mother: Lydia Herrick b. 11 Mar 1814, d. 15 May 1871

• Company: H

• Rufus H. Belding was born on 1 Mar 1845 at Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut, son of Lemuel Collins Belding and Lydia Herrick.
• Rufus H. Belding was enumerated in the household of Lemuel Collins Belding and Lydia Herrick in the 1850 US Federal Census on 11 Aug 1850 at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, spelled as Beldan.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Rufus gave his occupation as axe-maker.
  
• Rufus was living at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Rufus mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 16 years, 4 months and 11 days old.
• Starting 19 Aug 1862, Lemuel Collins Belding, his father, served in the 51st Massachusetts Infantry, mustering out for disability on 12 Jun 1863 at New Berne, NC.
• On 17 Sep 1862 Rufus H. Belding was wounded at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland, on the hand.
• On 2 Feb 1864 Rufus was promoted to Corporal.
• On 10 May 1864 at "The New York Times", New York City, New York, Rufus H. Belding was mentioned on page 8, among others, as having made his way north after the battle. (click icon to read partial article).
• On 18 May 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Rufus H. Belding was noted among the wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness.
• On 25 May 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Rufus H. Belding was mentioned among the casualties.
• On 28 Jul 1864 Rufus ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to expiration of his term of service.
  
  
• He was enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 11 Aug 1870 at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he is 25, an axe temperer, b. CT, apparently a single man.
• In 1879 at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Rufus was included in the town history for his Civil War service in the 15th Massachusetts.
• He was enumerated in the household of Lemuel Collins Belding in the 1880 US Federal Census on in Jun 1880 at at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Lemuel C. Belding, M, W, 67, b. NY, Fa: b. NY, Mo:b. NY
  Addie Adams,Other, F, W, 36, b. CT, Occ: House Keeping (apparently his widowed sister)
  Augustas, Other, M, S, 9, b. MA
  **Rufus Belding, Son, M, S, 28, b. CT, Occ: Axe Temperer, Fa: NY, Mo: MA.
• On 7 Aug 1880 Rufus H. Belding, 35, married Imogene Amanda Reynolds, daughter of William Reynolds and Susan [--?--], at Nashua, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
• Rufus H. Belding was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Nashua, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, however, no details of his service are given.
• He and Imogene Amanda Reynolds were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 5 Jun 1900 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, as:
  Belding, Robert (sic), b. Mch 1845, 55, married 20 years, b. CT (of CT parents)
  ---, Imogene, wife, b. Aug 1859, both her children living, b. CT (parents b. VT)
  ---, Raymond, son, b. Nov 1882, 17, single b. Mich (parents b. CT)
  ---, Cherry, daur, b. July 1887, 12, single b. NH (parents b. CT).
• Rufus H. Belding made application for a veteran's pension on 15 Jun 1900, and received certificate number1055223.
• He died on 1 Mar 1902 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He was 57 years old.
• On 10 Dec 1902 Imogene Amanda Reynolds received a pension to surviving family member in Illinois based on Rufus's service; his wife, received certificate number 548149.
• On 3 Apr 1912 Rufus's daughter, Cherry L. Belding married Vigo A. Anderson at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
• Imogene, his wife, outlived Rufus and died on 9 Feb 1939 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, at age 79.

• Last Edited: 18 May 2011

Alonzo Boardman Belknap

Gravemarker of Alonzo B. Belknap

• Father: Joseph Belknap b. between 1789 - 1790, d. 8 Mar 1861
• Mother: Eliza White b. between 1794 - 1795, d. 10 Aug 1875

• Company: G

• Alonzo Boardman Belknap was born on 11 Oct 1826 at Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Joseph Belknap and Eliza White.
• On 16 Jun 1844 Alonzo Boardman Belknap, 17, married Mary A. Paine at Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut.
• Alonzo Boardman Belknap and Mary A. Paine were enumerated in the 1850 US Federal census on 13 Aug 1850 at Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Alonzo Belknap, 23, shoemaker, b. MA (as were all in family)
  Mary, 22
  Malissa, 5.
• Before 1861 Mary A. Paine, his wife, died apparently, since he was a widower at the time of his death.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Alonzo gave his occupation as bootmaker.
• On 8 Mar 1861 his father, Joseph Belknap, died.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Alonzo mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 34 years, 9 months and 1 day old.
• On 21 Oct 1861 Alonzo Boardman Belknap was wounded at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, in the breast.
• He died on 24 Oct 1861 at Poolesville, Montgomery County, Maryland, of wounds received at Ball's Bluff. He was 35 years and 13 days old.
• He was buried on 24 Oct 1861 at Poolesville Cemetery, Poolesville, Montgomery County, Maryland.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Alonzo Boardman Belknap was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• On 2 Nov 1861 at "Worcester Aegis & Transcript", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Alonzo Boardman Belknap was mentioned among the casualties.
• He was buried at The Wilkinsonville Cemetery, Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where there is an inscription in commemoration reading "gone but not forgotten."
• On 20 Sep 1866 Eliza White received a pension to surviving family member based on Alonzo's service; his mother, receiving certificate number 87738.
• Since Alonzo was apparently married, it is an open issue as to why his mother received the pension. What happened to his wife and child? Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.
• He's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Eliza White and Melissa Hannah Belknap in the 1870 US Federal Census on 17 Aug 1870 at Spencer, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Belknap, Eliza, 75, b. MA (his mother)
  ---, Melissa, 25, b. MA (his daughter)
  ---, Irving, 1, b. MA.
• Eliza, his mother, outlived Alonzo and died on 10 Aug 1875 at Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• Credits: Gerry Dahlstrom, who kindly contributed the cemetery photography.

• Last Edited: 30 Apr 2011

William D. Bell

• Company: D

• William D. Bell was born between 1832 - 1833 at Scotland.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1863, William gave his occupation as sailor.
• 
  On 23 Aug 1863 William mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
• On 23 Apr 1864 William ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by transfer to the U. S. Navy.
  
  
• According to the MASSCW, "Name not found on the keys of enlisteded in Navy of transfered soldiers for 1864."

• Last Edited: 11 Jan 2008