Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Charles Porter Bonzey

b. 19 December 1831, d. 12 February 1885

Father: Alexander Bonzey b. between 1796 - 1797, d. before 1860
Mother: Roxana Cheney b. between 1794 - 1795, d. 26 Jul 1872

Company: D

Charles Porter Bonzey was born on 19 Dec 1831 at Auburn, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Alexander Bonzey and Roxana Cheney.
Charles Porter Bonzey was enumerated in the household of Alexander Bonzey and Roxana Cheney in the 1850 US Federal Census on 1 Aug 1850 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Alexander Bonzie (sic), 53, laborer, b. MA (as were all)
Roxana, 50
Charles, 18, in mill
Ora, 15, in mill.
On 21 Sep 1852 Charles Porter Bonzey, 20, married Lydia Dorinda Dyke, 17, daughter of James Dyke and Calista White, at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 16 Oct 1855 his infant daughter, Luella Maria Bonzey, died at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of cholera.
Before 1860 his father, Alexander Bonzey, died apparently.
Charles Porter Bonzey and Owen McCann were enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census in Jun 1860 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as close neighbors:
Michael McQuinn, 65, and wife Bridget, 53, and seven children, b. Ireland
**Owen McCann, 19, operative, b. Ireland
(Note: unclear exactly what the relationship of these people is. He is in enumeration position as a boarder.)
... and a few doors away
**Charles Bonzy, 25, weaver, b. MA (as were all in family)
Lydia, 23
Elura J., 3
Roxanna, 65 (his mother).
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Charles gave his occupation as mechanic in MASSCW, and carpenter in Ford's history.
In 1861 Charles was living at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 12 Jul 1861 Charles mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 29 years, 6 months and 23 days old.
He 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, Charles Porter Bonzey was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Charles Porter Bonzey was listed as a prisoner at Richmond.
On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Charles P. Bonzey was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
On 22 Feb 1862 at "The New York Times", New York City, New York, C. B. Bouger was mentioned in an article about the return of prisoners under a flag of truce.
The 1870 roster reports him died on 31 May 1862 at Ft. Monroe, VA, but this is an error. Both Ford's history and the MASSCW say he mustered out in 1864.
On 27 Jun 1862 his daughter, Elura Jane Bonzey, died at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of rubeola at age 5.
On 28 Jul 1864 Charles ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by mustering out.
He was enumerated in the household of James Dyke and Calista White in the 1870 US Federal Census on 27 Jul 1870 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, with his in-laws as:
Dike James, 64, blacksmith, b. MA (as were all)
---, Calesta, 60
Bonzey, Charles, 38, laborer
---, Lydia D., 35
Pettybone, George, 23, clerk, b. CT
---, Mary, 19, b. MA.
Charles Porter Bonzey and Lydia Dorinda Dyke were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 2 Jun 1880 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Bonzey, Charles P., 48, edge tool grinder, b. MA (as were all)
---, Lydia D., 46, wife
---, Lula M., 6.
Charles Porter Bonzey died on 12 Feb 1885 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption. He was 53 years, 1 month and 24 days old.
He was buried in Feb 1885 at Central Cemetery, Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts,
"The funeral of Chas. P. Bonzey took place at the residence of James Dike Saturday afternoon and was attended by man friends and relatives, including old shopmates from Buck Bros. chisel works, where the deceased had been employed as a grinder for 14 years, and veterans of the late war, in which Mr. Bonzey served as a member of Company D, 15th Mass. regiment. Rev. D. W. Hoyt officiated. The bearers were four near relatives of the deceased. The remains were interred at Central cemetery." (Worcester Daily Spy, 16 Feb 1885).
On 2 May 1885 Lydia Dorinda Dyke received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Charles's service; his wife, receiving certificate number 284468.
Lydia Dorinda Bonzey was enumerated as the widow of Charles Porter Bonzey, of the 15th Massachusetts, in the 1890 Veterans' Schedules of the US Federal Census in Jun 1890 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 18 Nov 1896 Charles's daughter, Lula May Bonzey married James McCool at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.

Last Edited: 28 Jul 2010

Family: Lydia Dorinda Dyke b. 5 Dec 1834

Luella Maria Bonzey b. 16 Mar 1855, d. 16 Oct 1855
Elura Jane Bonzey b. 3 Nov 1856, d. 27 Jun 1862
Lula May Bonzey b. 20 Nov 1873

Edwin Booth

b. between 1834 and 1835, d. 20 September 1868

Company: E

Edwin Booth was born between 1834 - 1835 at Ireland.
He was married at the time of his enlistment according to Ford's history.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Edwin gave his occupation as farmer.
On 3 Jan 1862 Edwin mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 10 Nov 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Edwin Booth was mentioned as being on the sick list.
On 27 Jul 1864 Edwin ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by transfer to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 27 Jul 1864 Edwin Booth 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 ended his service with by discharge for disability on 31 Dec 1864 at Dale General Hospital, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
He made application for a veteran's pension on 20 Jan 1865, and received certificate number 41957.
He died on 20 Sep 1868 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, (Note: this is not documented and needs further investigation. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.).
He was buried in Sep 1868 at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Div. 2, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Southeast Part.
In 1890 Edwin Booth was included on the Civil War memorial at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, on the memorial tablets.

Last Edited: 30 Jul 2007

George L. Boss

b. between 1841 and 1842, d. 2 July 1863

George L. Boss

Father: George H. Boss b. 28 Nov 1819, d. 16 Mar 1902
Mother: Catherine L. Boss b. between 1823 - 1824

Company: B

George L. Boss was born between 1841 - 1842, son of George H. Boss and Catherine L. Boss.
George L. Boss was enumerated in the household of Catherine L. Boss in the 1850 US Federal Census in 1850 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Catherine L. Boss as the head -- the boys' mother. She is 26 and born in VT. Why their father is not with them at this time is unknown. I thought at first she was widowed, but it seems not. The boys are George L., age 8, Orlando, age 6, and Adelbert, age 1.
In 1861 George was living at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, George gave his occupation as building mover, acording to Ford's history, and mechanic according to the MASSCW.
On 12 Jul 1861 George mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
He died on 2 Jul 1863 at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
He was buried at Soldiers National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Sec. D Grave # 10 - recorded with surname BASS.
He was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Div. 3, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, (South Side of Pilgrim Path and Locust Avenue) Laurel Avenue (Note: this is possibly a memorial only).
On 22 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, George L. Boss was listed as a casualty of Gettysburg.
In A Vast Sea of Misery:A History and Guide to the Union and Confederate Field Hospitals at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863-November 20, 1863, by Gregory A. Coco, 1988, Thomas Publications, the following is found:
Pvt. George L. Bass (sic), Company B, wounded in the hip by a shell on July 2, died July 5, buried on the Schwartz Farm on Rock Creek opposite the George Bushman Farm, reinterred in D-10 of the Massachusetts plot, age 19.
Between 1861 - 1864 Orlando Phidelio Boss, his brother, served in the 25th MVI and was a Medal of Honor man - "rescued his Lieutenant who was lying mortally wounded between the lines; this under a heavy fire of the enemy."
After 1863 Catherine L. Boss received a pension to surviving family member, in Massachusetts based on George's service; mother, receiving certificate number 450096 (date on card difficult to read).
He's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Orlando Phidelio Boss in the 1870 US Federal Census in 1870 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where his brother, Orlando, and wife Jennie live.
On 25 Nov 1892 John White Kimball gave his eye-witness account of the Battle of Ball's Bluff to the Boston Journal, and it was reprinted in the Fitchburg Sentinel.
On 12 Mar 1897 Catherine L. Boss received a pension to surviving family member based on George's service; his mother, received certificate number 450096.
On 29 Dec 1931 his brother, Orlando Phidelio Boss, died at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as noted in the "Springfield Republican," - "Orlando P. Boss, 88, a past commander of Edwin B. Sumner post of the G. A. R., died at Burbank hospital this morning. He enlisted in Co. F, of the 25th Massachusetts infantry volunteers. He held a Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 8, 1864." at age 88.
Researcher: Kim E. Brown, who has reserched George L. Boss and his brother Orlando, from the 25th Massachusetts.
Credits: Portrait photo by permission from Isn't This Glorious!, by Edwin R. Root and Jeffrey D. Stocker, Moon Trail Books, 2006.

Last Edited: 30 Jan 2011

Whitman Worthington Bosworth

b. 11 May 1839, d. 10 May 1912

Father: Stillman Whitman Bosworth b. 2 May 1809, d. 23 Aug 1895
Mother: Nancy Moulton b. 1804, d. 1 Jun 1843

Company: I

Whitman Worthington Bosworth was born on 11 May 1839 at Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut, son of Stillman Whitman Bosworth and Nancy Moulton.
Whitman's mother, Nancy Moulton, died and was buried in Jun 1843 at North Ashford Cemetery, Eastford, Windham County, Connecticut, at age 39 years.
Whitman's widowed father, Stillman Whitman Bosworth, remarried to Hannah [--?--].
On 7 Nov 1855 his sister, Sarah Ann E Bosworth, died at age 21.
Whitman Worthington Bosworth was enumerated in the household of Stillman Whitman Bosworth and Hannah [--?--] in the 1860 US Federal Census on 28 Jul 1860 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Stillman Bosworth, 51, farmer, b. CT
Hannah, 46, b. MA (step-mother)
**Whitman, 21, farm labor, b. CT
(plus seven paupers who apparently work and live at the "Paupers Farm" run by Stillman Bosworth.).
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Whitman gave his occupation as painter.
On 12 Jul 1861 Whitman mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Corporal, being credited to the quota of Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 22 years, 2 months and 1 day old.
He was declared missing in action on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
John Maley wrote a letter to The Webster Times, listing his fellow prisoners, on 27 Oct 1861 from Richmond, Virginia,, mentioning Whitman Worthington Bosworth, as follows.
On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Whitman Worthington Bosworth was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
On 2 Nov 1861 at "The Webster Weekley Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Whitman Worthington Bosworth was listed as a Company I casualty of Ball's Bluff.
On 9 Nov 1861 Whitman Worthington Bosworth was mentioned in a report to the Webster Times, by F. Q. Robinson, concerning the aftermath of Ball's Bluff and reporting his status.
On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Whitman W. Bosworth was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
On 22 Feb 1862 at "The New York Times", New York City, New York, Whitman Worthington Bosworth was mentioned in an article about the return of prisoners under a flag of truce.
Whitman was in hospital from January to September 1863.
Whitman wrote a letter on 27 Sep 1863 as follows: (click icon to read text or view original. Transcript generously provided by Dennis Mahar.).
On 6 Aug 1864 Whitman ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
Whitman apparently wrote a number of letters home during his service. If you own one and care to share a transcript please contact the Webmaster.
On 9 Jan 1867 Whitman Worthington Bosworth, 27, married Charlotte L. M. Howland, 20, daughter of Willard Howland and Unis [--?--], at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Whitman Worthington Bosworth and Charlotte L. M. Howland were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 8 Jun 1870 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Howland, Bernice, 62, b. MA
---, Emily J., 31, b. MA
**Bosworth, Whitman, 31, house painter, b. CT
---, Charlotte, 23, b. MA
---, Olin S., 10/12, b. MA in Aug
and seven apparent boarders.
On 30 Dec 1871 Charlotte L. M. Howland, his wife, died at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 25.
Whitman Worthington Bosworth married Elizabeth Jane Davis the widow of Almon A. Keith.
Whitman Worthington Bosworth and Elizabeth Jane Davis were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 15 Jun 1880 at Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut, as:
Bosworth, Whitman, 41, painter, b. CT
---, Elizabeth, 39, wife, b. MA
Keith, Frederick, 16, son, works in woolen mill, b. MA (as were his parents)
---, Emma, 12, daur
---, Emory, 9, son.
On 4 Jul 1907 Whitman Worthington Bosworth 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.).
Before 1910 Elizabeth Jane Davis, his wife, died after which he was enumerated as a widower.
A pension file exists for this man on Roll Number: 209, but details are unknown. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.
Whitman Worthington Bosworth died on 10 May 1912. He was 72 years, 11 months and 29 days old.
He was buried in May 1912 at North Ashford Cemetery, Eastford, Windham County, Connecticut.
NOTE: Whitman W. Bosworth is known to have written a series of letters to his parents during his stay in hospital from January to September 1863. Please contact the Webmaster if you have access to these letters and would like to share transcriptions.

Last Edited: 1 Nov 2010

Family 1: Charlotte L. M. Howland b. 30 Jul 1846, d. 30 Dec 1871

Olin Seeley Bosworth b. 2 Aug 1869

Family 2: Elizabeth Jane Davis b. between 1840 - 1841, d. before 1910

Sandford Botham

b. between 1842 and 1843, d. 10 September 1864

Father: Pierpont Edward Bates Botham b. 1803, d. 20 Feb 1896
Mother: Esther Minerva Sanford b. 4 Dec 1801, d. 22 Aug 1843

Company: A

Sandford Botham was also known as Pierpont Sanford Botham in some records.
He was born between 1842 - 1843 at Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, son of Pierpont Edward Bates Botham and Esther Minerva Sanford.
On 22 Aug 1843 his mother, Esther Minerva Sanford, died at age 41.
Sandford's widowed father, Pierpont Edward Bates Botham, remarried to Lovina [--?--], son of Frederick Whiting Botham Esq. and Celestine Winslow.
Sandford Botham was enumerated in the household of Pierpont Edward Bates Botham and Lovina [--?--] in the 1850 US Federal Census on 19 Aug 1850 at Wales, Hampden County, Massachusetts, as:
P. E. B. Botham, 49, laborer, b. RI
Lovina, 36, b. CT
**Pierpont S., 7, b. CT
Lucy M., 3, b. CT.
Sandford Botham was enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census in 1860 at Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, a Sanford BOTHAM, 16, farm laborer, b. MA (living alone with no adults)
(note: it is unclear if the right man has been identified here.).
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Sandford gave his occupation as farmer.
In 1861 Sandford was living at Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 31 Jul 1861 Stanford mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 17 Sep 1862 Sandford Botham was wounded at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland, on the wrist.
On 17 Oct 1862 at "The Southbridge Journal", Worcester County, Massachusetts, Sandford was the subject of a letter detailing his wounds, as published in the newspaper. (click icon to read).
On 17 Dec 1862 Sandford ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts for disability due to wounds.
He made application for a veteran's pension in Apr 1863, received certificate number 15247.
Starting 6 Oct 1863, Sanford also served in the 7th New Hampshire Infantry, having enlisted from Hardwick, Massachusetts.
He died on 10 Sep 1864 at Petersburg, Prince George County, Virginia, killed in action.
He was buried on 18 Sep 1864 at Poplar Grove National Cemetery (Petersburg National Battlefield), Petersburg, Virginia, in section D, site 1302, as a member of Co. G, 7th New Hampshire Infantry.
On 24 Oct 1866 Pierpont Edward Bates Botham received a pension to surviving family member based on Sanford's service; his father, received certificate number 103867 for his son's service in the 7th New Hampshire.
An obituary of Frederick Whiting Botham, his uncle, on 12 Apr 1883 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Southbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, provides some family background information. (click icon to read).
Pierpont, his father, outlived Sandford and died on 20 Feb 1896 at Sturbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
He was mentioned in the obituary of Pierpont Edward Bates Botham on 27 Feb 1896 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, (click icon to read).
In 1914 Sandford Botham was included on the Civil War memorial at Southbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
This family appears in "Thomas Sanford, the emigrant to New England : ancestry, life, and descendants, 1632-4."

Last Edited: 28 Jul 2010