Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Henry L. Berry

b. 21 March 1840, d. 7 May 1905

Father: Scotto Berry Jr. b. 12 Feb 1779, d. 7 Nov 1864
Mother: Mary Ann Lovet b. 22 Jul 1818, d. 3 Nov 1863

Company: E

Henry L. Berry was born on 21 Mar 1840 at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Scotto Berry Jr. and Mary Ann Lovet.
Henry L. Berry was enumerated in the household of Scotto Berry Jr. and Mary Ann Lovet in the 1860 US Federal Census on 28 Jul 1860 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Scotto Berry, 42, cashier Mechanics Bk., b. MA
Mary A., 42, b. RI
**Henry L., 20, b. MA
M. Florence, 15, b. MA
Frank S., 8, b. MA
F. Cora, 4, b. MA
Alex De Witt, 2, b. MA
Bridget Welch, 35, cook, b. Ireland
Ann Higgins, 17, chamber maid, b. Ireland.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Henry gave his occupation as sailor.
On 30 Jul 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 21 years, 4 months and 9 days old.
On 14 May 1863 Henry ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by transfer to the Western Flotilla, or due to disability.
Starting 8 Oct 1863, Henry also served in the 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. F.
In 1864 Henry L. Berry was a seaman.
On 2 Feb 1864 Henry L. Berry, 23, married Laura M. Yott, daughter of Charles Yott, at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Starting 20 Jul 1865, Henry also served in the the 2nd MA HA.
In 1879 Henry was living at an unknown place.
On 5 Jul 1879 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry L. Berry was mentioned in the report on the 12th annual reunion of Company E, 15th Massachusetts Infantry. (Click icon to read the report.).
He made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension on 9 Jan 1903, received certificate number 1064447.
On 11 Jan 1903 Henry L. Berry moved from Worcester, Massachusetts, to the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea.
Before 1905 Laura M. Yott, his wife, died.
In 1905 Henry L. Berry was a cook.
He died on 7 May 1905 at Soldiers' Home, Crest Avenue, Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, of a concussion of the brain, having been thrown from a runaway team. He was 65 years, 1 month and 16 days old.
He was buried on 9 May 1905 at Rural Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Henry L. Berry was was one of many soldiers who resided at one time or another at Soldiers' Home, Crest Avenue, Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

Last Edited: 28 Jul 2010

Family: Laura M. Yott b. between 1845 - 1846, d. before 1905

William Berry

b. 1825, d. 17 September 1862

Gravemarker of William Berry

Father: William Berry b. 1772

Company: 1_SS

William Berry was born in 1825 at Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, son of William Berry.
On 24 Jan 1855 William Barry married Jane N. Ross, daughter of John Ross and Jane [--?--], at Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for him and the first for her.
William Berry was enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census on 13 Jul 1860 at Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as Wm. Berry, 36, publisher, b. MA. For reasons unknown, his wife is enumerated with her parents in Somerville.
In 1861 William was living at Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment, William gave his occupation as Publisher.
On 19 Aug 1861 William Berry mustered into service with the 1st Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters as a Sergeant, being credited to the quota of Lynnfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was 36 years old.
William was promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant.
In Mar 1862 William Berry was possibly included in the group photo believed to have been taken at this time of the Sharpshooters selected to accompany General Lander's body home to Salem. The officer standing at the far left is Captain John "Jack" Saunders (Click icon to view.).
On 4 Apr 1862 William was promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant.
He died on 17 Sep 1862 at The Battle of Antietam, Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland, killed in battle and found dead on the field. He was 37 years old.
He was buried in Sep 1862 at Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, with an inscription reading:
"First Lieut. Andrew Sharp Shooters, 15th Reg. Mass. Volunteers. Killed at the Battle of Antietam, Va. Sept 17, 1862, aged 37 years.
Mr. B. was one of the founders of the Banner of Light with which he was committed until the breaking out of the civil war."
Note: the "Banner of Light", was a spiritualism periodical.
On 13 Oct 1862 Jane N. Ross received a pension to surviving family member based on William's service; his wife received certificate number 10463.
William Berry and Jane N. Ross had no issue.
William Berry's surviving family was enumerated in the household of John Ross and Jane [--?--] in the 1870 US Federal Census on 18 Jun 1870 at Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, his wife, with her parents.
On 24 Dec 1877 at "Providence Daily Journal", Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, Jane N. Ross, his wife, was the subject of a police report. (click icon to read).
On 24 Dec 1877 from Providence RI - the following is reported: "Friend Wardell, The woman who draws pension as widow of Wm. Berry, late Lieut in 15th Mass -- is reported to be remarried to one Washburn and now lives in Pawtucket, RI. She has been so married for nearly five years past and formerly lived in Boston where remarriage took place. She admitted this as also her ?? hand did to ??, detective at Providence, RI, who ?? and will cheerfully give all the points in the case. Yours truly, R. Buayton."
On 28 Dec 1877 at "Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle", Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island, Jane N. Ross, his wife, was mentioned as follows: "Among those who practiced shoplifting in Providence the latter part of last week was Mrs. Jennie Washburn of Pawtucket. Two Providence officers visited her house on the Plains, where they found considerable property that seemed to be the fruit of holiday raids, and discovered moreover that the woman was drawing a pension from the United States as widow of Lieut. William Berry, 15th Massachusetts Volunteers. She seems to have done a wholesale business in shoplifting, as about a bushel of stolen goods were recovered by the officers."
On 8 Jan 1878 Jane N. Ross was the subject of an investigative report: (click icon to read).
On 10 Jan 1878 a complaint was officially lodged by the Pensions Commission that Jane N. Berry, widow, had remarried or was living with a man while continuing to collect her pension. An investigation was begun.
On 24 Jun 1878 One Patrick Parker, policeman, age 32, signed an affidavit concerning his arrest of Jane N. Berry. (click icon to read).
After the investigation, a report was filed by a special agent. (click icon to read).
On 8 Jul 1878 The Pension Commission determined that there was not enough evidence to conclude that Jane N. Berry had in fact remarried.
On 17 Sep 1900 1st Lieut. William Berry was included on the Civil War memorial at Antietam Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 35th anniversary of the battle. (Articles from the Fitchburg Sentinel about the planning for the memorial.).
On 17 Jan 1901 Jane N. Ross denied having been married Leonard Washburn when his rightful widow wanted to claim a pension after his death, according to a note in Jane's own pension file.
William Berry is mentioned the History of the 1st MA Sharpshooters by Dave McGlaughlin. Click HERE.

Last Edited: 26 Feb 2011

Family: Jane N. Ross b. between 1835 - 1836

Louis Berthiaume

b. July 1842, d. 17 February 1905

Father: Francois Berthiaume
Mother: Elizabeth Paquet

Company: D

Lewis Brigham was an alias used in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, according to his pension file.
Louis Berthiaume was born in Jul 1842 at Canada (French), son of Francois Berthiaume and Elizabeth Paquet.
Louis Berthiaume was enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census on 4 Jun 1860 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Lewis Brigham, 20, blacksmith, b. Canada
living in the boarding house of:
David Baker, 40, b. Canada.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, Louis gave his occupation as blacksmith.
In 1862 Louis was living at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 18 Feb 1862 Louis mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 19 years and 7 months old.
On 3 Feb 1863 Louis ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
On 19 Jul 1864 Tancrede Berthiaume married Celina Gaudette, 24, daughter of Michel Gaudet and Josephte Dupont, at Contrecoeur Ste-Trinité, Quebec, Canada.
Louis Berthiaume was a "forgeron" (blacksmith) at the time of his marriage.
He was included in the city directory at Contrecoeur, Vercheres County, Quebec, Canada, as a blacksmith (in Lovell's Province of Quebec Directory for 1871, John Lovell & Son, Montreal) in 1871.
He and Celina Gaudette were enumerated in the 1881 Canadian census in 1881 at Contrecoeur, Vercheres County, Quebec, Canada, where he is a "Forgeron", a blacksmith.
Louis Berthiaume made application for a veteran's pension on 15 Dec 1883, and received certificate number 456514.
He emigrated in 1886 from Canada presumably for a second time.
He and Celina Gaudette were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 27 Jun 1900 at Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, as:
Berthaume, Louis, head, 59, married 35 years, b. Canada (as were all in the family), retired
---, Celina, wife, 60, eight of her 11 children are still living
---, Victoria, dau, 22
---, Phileas, son, 20
---, Elyear, son, 18
---, Odilan, son, 16.
Louis Berthiaume died on 17 Feb 1905 at Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, of heart failure. He was 62 years and 7 months old.
He was buried on 20 Feb 1905 at Mt. Coemil Cemetery, Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
On 8 Mar 1905 Celina or Alma G. Gaudette received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Louis's service; his wife, received certificate number 607719.

Last Edited: 15 Apr 2010

Family: Celina Gaudette b. Mar 1840

Louis Berthiaume b. between 1866 - 1867
Delvina Berthiaume b. between 1870 - 1871
Stanislas Berthiaume b. between 1872 - 1873
Melvina Berthiaume b. between 1876 - 1877
Victoria Berthiaume b. Feb 1878
Phileas Berthiaume b. Apr 1880
Elziar Berthiaume b. May 1882
Joseph Odilon Berthiaume b. 7 May 1884

Frederick Litchfield Bestwick

b. 23 March 1823, d. 19 June 1899

Father: John Bestwick b. between 1789 - 1790
Mother: Mary [--?--] b. between 1793 - 1794

Company: 1_SS

Frederick Litchfield Bestwick was born on 23 Mar 1823 at Medway, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, son of John Bestwick and Mary [--?--].
On 11 Nov 1845 Frederick Litchfield Bestwick, 22, married Mary S. Thompson, 23, at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
Frederick Litchfield Bestwick and Mary S. Thompson were enumerated in the 1850 US Federal census on 1 Aug 1850 at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as:
Frederick L.. Bestwick, 27, harness maker, b. MA
Mary, 28, b. ME
Estella, 3/12, b. MA
Harriet Johnson, 16, b. ME
Sanford Boyde, 25, harness maker, b. MA
Alfred Bestwick, 16, harness maker, b. MA.
On 2 Mar 1857 Mary S. Thompson, his wife, died at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 35.
On 19 Apr 1860 Frederick Litchfield Bestwick, 37, married Sarah Frances Hubbard, daughter of John Hubbard and Sarah [--?--], at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for him and the first for her.
In 1862 Frederick was living at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment, Frederick gave his occupation as Carriage Maker.
On 10 Oct 1862 Frederick L. Bestwick mustered into service with the 1st Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters. He was 39 years, 6 months and 17 days old.
On 3 Sep 1864 Frederick ended military service with the 1st Massachusetts Sharpshooters by mustering out.
Frederick also served in the 19th Massachusetts Infantry according to the 1870 AG report.
He and Sarah Frances Hubbard were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 21 Jul 1870 at Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as:
Bestwick, Frederick, L., 47, harness maker, b. MA
---, Sarah F, 30, b. MA
---, Mary L., 10, b. MA
---, Charles H., 3, b. A.
On 8 Jan 1885 Frederick's daughter, Mary Frances Bestwick married Edmund Putnam at Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Frederick Litchfield Bestwick was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 1st Co. Andrews Sharpshooters.
He made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension on 8 Jul 1890, and received certificate number 612706.
He died on 19 Jun 1899. He was 76 years, 2 months and 27 days old.
He was buried in Jun 1899 at Old Parish Cemetery, Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
On 27 Jun 1899 Sarah Frances Hubbard received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Frederick's service; his wife received certificate number 484636.
He left a will in 1899 which was probated in at Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

Last Edited: 20 May 2008

Family 1: Mary S. Thompson b. 12 Feb 1822, d. 2 Mar 1857

Isabella M. Bestwick b. between 1845 - 1846, d. 2 Sep 1848
Estella Bestwick b. 25 Apr 1850, d. 10 May 1910
Frederick Bestwick b. 1 Sep 1852
Albert G. Bestwick b. 15 May 1855

Family 2: Sarah Frances Hubbard

Mary Frances Bestwick b. 30 Oct 1860
Charles H. Bestwick b. 2 Mar 1867

Edward Spaulding Betterley

b. 8 December 1832, d. 27 October 1888

Gravemarker of Edward S. Betterley

Father: George F. J. Betterley b. 1801, d. Jul 1875
Mother: Laura W. Wilder b. 13 Sep 1800, d. 1878

Company: A

Edward Spaulding Betterley was born on 8 Dec 1832 at Jaffrey, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, son of George F. J. Betterley and Laura W. Wilder.
On 19 Aug 1854 Edward Spaulding Betterley, 21, married Marietta E. Chaffin, daughter of Charles E. Chaffin, at West Boylston, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 8 Nov 1858 Edward's sister, C. C. Betterley, married C. W. Kendall at Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Edward Spaulding Betterley and Marietta E. Chaffin were enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census on 24 Jul 1860 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Edward S. BETTERLY, 28, fish market, b. NH
Marietta S., 25, b. NH
Arthur RICHARDS, 28, bootmaker, b. MA (relationship if any, unknown)
Francis H. CHAFFIN, 27, (f) shoe stitcher, b. MA (relationship if any, unknown).
In 1861 Edward was living at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Edward gave his occupation as peddler.
Edward Spaulding Betterley and Charles William Kendall, brothers-in-law, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 2 Aug 1861 Edward mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 28 years, 7 months and 25 days old.
On 27 Jul 1864, Edward was transferred to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, according to the 1870 roster. Ford's history says "transferred on detached service." However, there is no record of him in the 20th.
On 27 Jul 1864 Edward S. Betterley 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.
On 5 Aug 1864 Edward ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts according to the MASSCW.
He and Marietta E. Chaffin were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 9 Jul 1870 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Edward's daughter, an unknown person married an unknown person.
He and Marietta E. Chaffin were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 17 Jun 1880 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Betterly, Edward S., 47, watchman in depot, b. NH (of NH parents)
---, Marietta E., 44, wife, b. NH
---, William J., 12 son, b. MA.
Edward Spaulding Betterley died on 27 Oct 1888 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 55 years, 10 months and 19 days old.
An obituary for Edward Spaulding Betterley was published on 28 Oct 1888 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as follows: (click icon to read).
He was buried on 29 Oct 1888 at Grove Cemetery, Holden, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the Chaffin family lot.
On 11 Feb 1889 Marietta E. Chaffin received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Edward's service; his wife, receiving certificate number 264823.
On 10 Mar 1899 his daughter, Carrie C. Betterley, died at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 37.
Credits: Dana Ringquist, who provided the cemetery photography.

Last Edited: 11 Oct 2011

Family: Marietta E. Chaffin b. between 1835 - 1836

Carrie C. Betterley b. 25 Mar 1861, d. 10 Mar 1899
William J. Betterley b. 1868