Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Franklin C. Benton

b. 25 December 1838, d. 26 March 1898

Father: Henry Franklin Benton b. between 1794 - 1795, d. 29 Dec 1855
Mother: Betsey M. Chase b. between 1811 - 1812, d. 1896

Company: A

Franklin C. Benton was born on 25 Dec 1838 at West Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, son of Henry Franklin Benton and Betsey M. Chase.
Franklin C. Benton was enumerated in the household of Abigail Chase in the 1850 US Federal Census on 28 Aug 1850 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Nabby Chase, widow, 66, b. Leominster, MA
Mary A. Chase, 40, b. Leominster, MA
Josephine M. Faindl (?), 10, b. NY
Hannah Maria Fischer, 9, b. Fishersville, CT
**Francis Benton, 11, b. Newbury, MA
Maria Benton, 7, b. Newbury, MA
(Note: the exact relationship of Frank to these other people is unknown. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.).
On 28 Dec 1860 Franklin's sister, Caroline Elizabeth Benton, married William Everett Wheelock at Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Franklin gave his occupation as tanner.
In 1861 Franklin was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Franklin C. Benton and William Everett Wheelock, brothers-in-law, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 12 Jul 1861 Franklin mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 22 years, 6 months and 17 days old.
On 21 Oct 1861 Franklin C. Benton was wounded at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, on the wrist.
On 31 Jan 1862 his brother-in-law, William Everett Wheelock, died at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 23.
On 30 Jun 1862 Franklin C. Benton was wounded at Nelson's Farm, Virginia, and missing.
On 4 Aug 1862 Franklin ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
On 4 Jan 1863 Franklin C. Benton, 24, married Louretta W. Bitters, daughter of Lorenzo C. Bitters and Sarah [--?--], at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Franklin C. Benton and Louretta W. Bitters were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 8 Jun 1870 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Benton, Frank E., 29, house carpenter, b. MA
---, Loretta, 24, b. PA
---, Neziah B., 4, b. MA
---, Henry B., 7/12, b. MA
Bitters, Mary E., 20, b. PA.
Franklin C. Benton and Louretta W. Bitters were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 17 Jun 1880 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where a Frank BENTON, 40, b. MA, who Works In Comb Factory, with his wife "Lizzie" (sic) , 38, b. PA, and 3 children.
Franklin C. Benton made application for a veteran's pension on 21 Jun 1880.
On 9 Oct 1883 Franklin C. Benton included on the official government pension rolls for Fitchburg and Leominster, as published in the Fitchburg Sentinel.
He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company A.
About 1893 Franklin becomes excentric. Read the story in the Fitchburg Sentinel.
He died on 26 Mar 1898 at Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of kidney disease and gangreen, according to a report in the Fitchburg Sentinel two days later. He was 59 years, 3 months and 1 day old.
The funeral was held in Leominster on 28 March 1898 at the Unitarian chapel.
He was buried in Mar 1898 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 4 Apr 1898 Louretta W. Bitters received a pension to surviving family member, in Massachusetts based on Franklin's service; receiving certificate number 472419.
On 7 Jul 1902 his daughter, Jessie Field Benton, died at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 23.
Louretta, his wife, outlived Franklin and died on 8 Dec 1918.

Last Edited: 26 May 2010

Family: Louretta W. Bitters b. between 1845 - 1846, d. 8 Dec 1918

Neziah Bitters Benton b. 17 Feb 1866, d. 29 Aug 1935
Harrison Bryant Benton b. 21 Oct 1869
Jessie Field Benton b. 22 Nov 1878, d. 7 Jul 1902

Augustus Benway

b. 16 June 1837, d. 10 April 1911

Father: Anthony Benway b. 1790
Mother: Mary Brandamon

Company: I

Augustus Benway was also known as Augustine Benoit 2d on the Webster memorial.
Augustus Benway was also known as Kennedy Benway in Ford's history and the 1870 roster, but the pension file index clearly says "Augustus" BENWAY was in Co. I of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry, as does the MASSCW.
He was born on 16 Jun 1837 at Spencer, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Anthony Benway and Mary Brandamon.
On 7 Feb 1857 Francis A. Benway, 19, married Ellen Champagne, 18, daughter of Joseph Champagne, at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Augustus Benway and Ellen Champagne were enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census on 6 Jun 1860 at Holliston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with daughter, Mary E., age 1 year.
Starting 11 Jun 1861, Augustus also served in the the 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
He ended his service with the 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry discharged for disability on 25 Nov 1861 at Miner's Hill, Virginia.
In 1862 Augustus was living at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, according to the MASSCW.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, Augustus gave his occupation as operative.
On 29 Jul 1862 Augustus mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry according to the MASSCW, but Ford says residence was Worcester, being credited to the quota of Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 25 years, 1 month and 13 days old.
On 2 Aug 1862 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Augustus Benway was mentioned as a new recruit.
On 3 Jul 1863 Augustus Benway was wounded at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
He was mentioned in the obituary of Albert H. Snow on 18 Jul 1863 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 22 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Augustus Benway was reported as wounded at Gettysburg.
On 2 Feb 1864 Augustus ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts at Portsmouth Grove, Newport County, Rhode Island, due to disability from wounds received in action.
He made application for a veteran's pension on 5 Aug 1868, and received certificat number 94466.
He and Ellen Champagne were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 7 Jul 1870 at Webster P. O., Dudley, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Augustus Benway and Ellen Champagne were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 4 Jun 1880 at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Benway, Augustus, 40, laborer, b. MA
---, Ellen, 39, wife, b. Canada
---, Nellie, 19, daur, b. MA
---, Frederick, 14, son, b. MA
---, Ida, 13, daur, b. MA
---, Frank, 9, son, b. MA.
On 21 Oct 1903 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Augustus Benoit attended the 37th annual regimental reunion with some eighty other veterans.
On 4 Jul 1907 Augustine Benoit 2d was included on the Civil War memorial at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, according to an article in the Webster Times. See the "Documents" section at the main website for an account of the festivities of dedication. (Click icon to view original listing of names on the monument.).
He and Ellen Champagne were enumerated in the 1910 US Federal Census on 19 Apr 1910 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Augustus Benway died on 10 Apr 1911 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 73 years, 9 months and 25 days old.
He was buried in Apr 1911 at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Div. 3, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, North Part.
On 15 Apr 1911 Ellen Champagne received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Augustus's service; his wife, received certificate number 723222.

Last Edited: 30 Jul 2010

Family: Ellen Champagne b. Oct 1838

Augustus Benway b. 10 Nov 1857, d. 2 Aug 1858
Mary A. Benway b. 7 May 1859
Nellie Benway b. between 1860 - 1861
Frederick Benway b. between 1865 - 1866
Ida Benway b. 29 Nov 1866
Francis A. Benway b. 17 Sep 1869

William H. Bergen

b. 29 November 1842, d. 4 February 1896

Father: William Bergen
Mother: Harriet Ward b. 1791

Company: D

William H. Bergen was born on 29 Nov 1842 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, son of William Bergen and Harriet Ward.
William H. Bergen was enumerated in the household of Harriet Ward in the 1860 US Federal Census on 20 Jun 1860 at Leicester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Harriet Newell, 69, b. MA
Lucy Ward, 48, b. MA
**Henry Bergen, 18, b. NJ
Mary Newell, 15, b. NJ.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, William gave his occupation as bootmaker.
On 12 Jul 1861 William mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Leicester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 18 years, 7 months and 13 days old.
In Mar 1863 William was promoted to to Corporal.
On 3 Jul 1863 William H. Bergen was wounded at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
On 10 Dec 1863 William was transferred from to the V. R. C.
to.
On 22 Jun 1864 the 1870 roster incorrectly shows him as killed at Petersburg.
On 11 Jul 1864 William ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by mustering out of the 112th Co., 2nd Batallion, V. R. C.
On 30 Dec 1865 William H. Bergen, 23, married Hannah Wakefield, daughter of Israel Wakefield and Almira Cluff, at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
William H. Bergen and Hannah Wakefield were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 4 Aug 1870 at Spencer, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Bergen, Wm. H., 28, hotel keeper, b. NH (sic)
---, Hannah, 25, b. CT.
William H. Bergen provided an affadavit for the veteran's pension of Edwin Goulding on 6 Nov 1877.
William H. Bergen and Hannah Wakefield were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census in Jun 1880 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
William H. BERGEN, 36, b. NJ (father b. NJ & mother b. MA) who works in a boot shop, and his wife Hannah, b. CT.
On 21 Oct 1880 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William H. Bergen attended the 14th annual reunion of the 15th Massachusetts Regiment.
He made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension on 2 Feb 1881, and received certificate number 231110.
He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at 9 Charlton Street, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, where he received a gunshot wound in the shoulder and arm.
In 1894 Hannah Wakefield, his wife, died at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
William H. Bergen died on 4 Feb 1896 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 53 years, 2 months and 6 days old.
On 6 Feb 1896 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William mentioned as follows:
"The flag at the Grand Army Hall building was at half-mast, yesterday, in respect to two veterans who have died. ... and William H. Bergen, 53 years of age, Co. D, 15th Mass."
He was buried on 7 Feb 1896 at Hope Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 8 Feb 1896 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William was mentioned as follows:
"Funeral of William H. Bergen -
The funeral of the late William H. Bergen, a member of Post 10, was held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at Curtis Chapel, Hope cemetery. Rev. Dr. Almon ?? officiated. The pall bearers were Dwight Wood and T. A. Halpine of Post 10; Daniel Furber of Blake Lodge, K. of P., and A. C. Witland of the Union Veteran Legion."

Last Edited: 29 Jan 2011

Family: Hannah Wakefield b. between 1844 - 1845, d. 1894

John Berkley

b. between 1838 and 1839, d. 13 February 1863

Father: Joseph Berkley
Mother: Mary [--?--]

Company: 1_SS

John Berkley was born between 1838 - 1839 at St. Andrew, New Brunswick, Canada, son of Joseph Berkley and Mary [--?--].
On 21 Feb 1860 John Berkley married Sarah Elizabeth Kimball, 18, daughter of Jesse Kimball and Lydia Barnes, at North Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
At the time of his enlistment, John gave his occupation as Farmer.
In 1861 John was living at North Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts.
On 2 Sep 1861 John Berkley mustered into service with the 1st Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters, being credited to the quota of Lynnfield, Essex County, Massachusetts.
On 29 Oct 1862 John ended military service with the 1st Massachusetts Sharpshooters at Sandy Hook, Harford County, Maryland, by discharge, to enlist in the regular army.
Starting 29 Oct 1862, John also served in the 1st Engineers Battalion Regular Army, Company B.
He died on 13 Feb 1863 at Emory Hospital, Washington, DC, of consumption and measles.
On 27 Apr 1863 Sarah Elizabeth Kimball received a pension to surviving family member based on John's service; his wife received certificate number 2317, for his service in Company B, U. S. Engineers.
John Berkley and Sarah Elizabeth Kimball had no issue.
On 21 Dec 1867 John's widow, Sarah Elizabeth Kimball remarried to William H. Kimball at Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for him and the second for her.
On 31 May 1918 Sarah Elizabeth Kimball, his re-widowed wife, had her widow's pension reinstated, at the rate of $25 per month.
Sarah, his wife, outlived John and died on 24 Dec 1925 at age 84.
John Berkley is mentioned the History of the 1st MA Sharpshooters by Dave McGlaughlin. Click HERE.

Last Edited: 15 Feb 2011

Family: Sarah Elizabeth Kimball b. 12 Apr 1841, d. 24 Dec 1925

Charles William Berry

b. 17 June 1843, d. 23 April 1907

Gravemarker of Charles W. Berry

Father: Nicholas Berry b. between 1816 - 1817
Mother: Ann Keene b. between 1818 - 1819, d. 28 Mar 1872

Company: G

Charles William Berry was born on 17 Jun 1843 at Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, son of Nicholas Berry and Ann Keene.
Charles William Berry was enumerated in the household of Nicholas Berry and Ann Keene in the 1850 US Federal Census on 2 Aug 1850 at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, as:
Nicholas Berry, 33, mariner, b. Switzerland
Ann, 31, b. England
Thomas E., 9, b. MA
**Charles W., 6, b. MA
Elizabeth B., 3, b. MA
John F., 1, b. MA.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Charles gave his occupation as tinsmith, in the MASSCW; incorrectly as teamster, according to Ford.
On 12 Jul 1861 Charles mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 18 years and 25 days old.
On 17 Sep 1862 Charles William Berry was wounded at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland, on the arm.
On 5 Feb 1863 Charles ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by discharge due to disability.
He made application for a veteran's pension on 12 Mar 1863, and received certificate number 10033.
On 8 Nov 1870 Charles William Berry, 27, married M. Frances Peers, daughter of Dixie Peers and Mary Jane Sullivan, at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Charles William Berry and Martha Frances Peers were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 7 Jun 1880 at Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as:
Berry, Chas. W., 35, stove dealer & tin sheet worker, b. MA (fath b. unknown; mor b. England)
---, Frances J.(sic), 24, b. MA (father b. England, mor b. Ireland
---, Charles F., 9, son, b. MA (as were all the children)
---, Ella, 7, daur
---, Josephine M., 5, daur
---, Hannah F., 3, daur
Harrigan, Catherine, 21, tenant, servant, b. MA.
Charles William Berry was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Highlandville, Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, as a musician in Company G.
On 21 Oct 1903 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Charles W. Berry attended the 37th annual regimental reunion with some eighty other veterans.
On 19 Oct 1904 Charles's daughter, Ellen Gertrude Berry married Francis Durbin at Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 23 Jun 1905 Charles's daughter, Francies Annie Berry married John Alfred Oldson at Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 20 Oct 1906 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Charles William Berry attended the 40th annual reunion of the 15th regiment association, with some 75 other veterans of the regiment. (Report believed to be from the Worcester Spy.).
He died on 23 Apr 1907 at Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, of "electric car injuries". He was 63 years, 10 months and 6 days old.
He was buried on 25 Apr 1907 at Needham Cemetery, Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
On 4 May 1907 Martha Frances Berry received a pension to surviving family member, in Massachusetts based on Charles's service; his wife, receiving certificate number 65xxxx ; card difficult to read.

Last Edited: 8 Oct 2010

Family: Martha Frances Peers b. between 1845 - 1846

Charles F. Berry b. between 1870 - 1871
Ellen Gertrude Berry b. Feb 1873
Mary Josephine Berry b. 9 Mar 1875
Francies Annie Berry b. Dec 1877