Roster Page - 45

William F. Brandes

Grave marker of William F. Brandes

• Father: Frederick Brandes b. 1803, d. 7 Jun 1860
• Mother: Sophia May Boton b. 7 Dec 1800, d. 13 Feb 1883

• Company: I

• William F. Brandes was born between 1842 - 1843 at Hannover, Germany, son of Frederick Brandes and Sophia May Boton.
• On 1 May 1854 William F. Brandes emigrated with Frederick Brandes and Sophia May Boton, his parents, from Germany.
• On 7 Jun 1860 his father, Frederick Brandes, died at Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
• William F. Brandes was enumerated in the household of Sophia May Boton in the 1860 US Federal Census on 18 Aug 1860 at Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, as:
  Sophia Brandis, 61, b. Hanover
  William, 16, farm labor, b. Hanover
  Henry, 12, b. Hanover.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, William gave his occupation as shoemaker.
• 
  On 5 Aug 1861 William mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 9 Nov 1861 William F. Brandes 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 1 Oct 1862 Francis Carpenter, having visited the battlefield, wrote a letter to the Webster Times detailing the status of many men after the Battle of Antietam.
• On 21 Mar 1863 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William Volume V # 2:

  Brave and Lucky William Brantis, one of the original members of company I, 15th Mass. Regiment, is now at his home in this place on a furlough of ten days. Young Brantis has been in every engagement in which the Fifteenth has participated, has never been wounded, never in the hospital, and never before had a furlough. If this is the kind of soldiers to whom General Hooker is now showing favors, “Fighting Joe” is a man of sense in one direction at least.

• He died on 2 Jul 1863 at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, killed in action.
• He was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery (East Village), Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 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, William F. Brandes was listed as a casualty of Gettysburg.
• On 3 Feb 1864 Sophia May Boton received a pension to surviving family member based on William's service; his mother, received certificate number 14765.
• NOTE: The pension file for this man contains a 4-page document in antique German script. It appears to be an original sent from the old country, complete with wax seal.
• Starting May 1864, Henry Brandes, his brother, served in the Twenty-fifth unattached division, as a private, age 17, which was afterward consolidated with the Fourth Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.
• Sophia, his mother, outlived William and died on 13 Feb 1883 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 82.
• On 4 Jul 1907 William F. Brandes 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 was mentioned in the obituary of Hiram J. Raymond on 10 Feb 1916 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, (click icon to read).
• On 1 Nov 1917, William was noted in an article from the Worcester Evening Gazette -
  "Webster Boy Follows Father's Example Fighting For Country"
  about Henry's son Henry Brandes Jr.: "His (Henry's) brother, Sergeant William Brandes, was killed in the battle of Gettysburg." The article was about William's nephew going to fight in World War I.
• On 20 Dec 1923, William was noted again in the Worcester Evening Gazette - Here the article describes the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Brandes. At one point there is mention Henry's brother William --

  The brother was killed at Gettysburg and was one who swam the river at Ball's Bluff.

• Although William sadly became a footnote in the family history, the story somewhat epitomizes the experience of the mid-19th century immigrant to America. For that reason and for the benefit of genealogists, I have included the full Brandes section from the Worcester County History. Crane writes the following about the Brandes family: (click icon to read).
• Descendant(s): David Brandes Perry, a descendant of William's brother, Henry Brandes.

• Last Edited: 2 May 2011

Henry Branner

• Company: B

• Henry Branner was also known as Henry Brennan as alternate spelling in Ford's history.
• He was born between 1835 - 1836 at Germany.
• In 1864 Henry was living at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1864, Henry gave his occupation as clerk.
• 
  On 8 Apr 1864 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and received a bounty of $325, being credited to the quota of Stow, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
• On 5 May 1864 Henry was taken prisoner at The Battle of the Wilderness, Orange County, Virginia.
• On 27 Jul 1864 Henry ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by administrative transfer to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry while a prisoner, and mustered out as a prisoner, according to Ford's history.
  
  
• On 21 Oct 1864, Henry was reported as a deserter, according to the MASSCW.

• Last Edited: 19 Apr 2002

Thomas Breach

• Father: Edward M. Breach b. 1798, d. 15 Jun 1843
• Mother: Sarah Diplock b. 1803

• Company: C

• Thomas Breach was also known as Thomas Beach.
• (Note: records for this family are correctly filed as "BREACH", but some appear as "BEACH").
• He was born on 6 Dec 1828 at Falmer, Sussex, England, son of Edward M. Breach and Sarah Diplock.
• Thomas Breach was baptized on 4 Jan 1829 at Falmer, Sussex, England.
• He was enumerated in the household of Edward M. Breach and Sarah Diplock in the 1841 UK Census in Apr 1841 at Hamsey, Sussex, England, as:
  Edward Breach, 40, Ag. Lab., b. in Sussex (as were all in the family)
  Sarah, 25
  Jane (Corner), 80 (his brandmother)
  **Thomas, 12
  Ann, 12
  John, 10
  Joseph, 7
  Eliza, 5
  Edward, 2.
• On 15 Jun 1843 his father, Edward M. Breach, died at Hamsey, Sussex, England.
• Thomas Breach emigrated in 1860 from England.
• Before 1861 at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Thomas Breach as a resident, was a member of "The Clinton Guards."
• In 1861 Thomas was living at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Thomas gave his occupation as hostler.
• 
  On 24 Dec 1861 Thomas mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 33 years and 18 days old.
• On 31 May 1862 Thomas Breach was wounded at The Battle of Fair Oaks, Henrico County, Virginia, receiving a contusion.
• 
  On 20 Feb 1864 Thomas mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry having reenlisted and received a bounty of $325. He was 35 years, 2 months and 14 days old.
• On 27 Jul 1864 Thomas ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by transfer to Co. E of the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
  
  
• Starting 28 Jul 1864, Thomas also served in the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company E.
• On 26 Nov 1864 Thomas Breach, 35, married Betsy A. Lowe, 22, daughter of Joseph Lowe and Mary [--?--], at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• Thomas Breach ended his service by mustering out on 16 Jul 1865.
• On 17 Sep 1870 Thomas Breach was included on the Civil War memorial at Northborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• He and Betsy A. Lowe were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 1 Jun 1880 at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as:
  Beach, Thomas, 52, shoemaker, b. England
  ---, Betsy A., 38, wife, b. England
  ---, Mary E., 13, dau, b. MA
  ---, Lizzie M., 11, dau, b. MA
  ---, Amme L., 9, dau, b. MA
  ---, Joseph E., 7, son, b. MA
  ---, Annie G., 4, dau, b. MA
  ---, Nettie M., 1, dau, b. MA.
• Thomas Breach made application for a veteran's pension on 22 Dec 1884, received certificate number 304721.
• He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company C, noting that he was shot in the groin.
• On 11 Nov 1890 Thomas's daughter, Lizzie Maria Beach married George F. Hollis at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for him and the first for her.
• Thomas Breach and Betsy A. Lowe were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 15 Jun 1900 at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as:
  Beach, Thomas, head, b. Dec 1828, 71, married 36 years, b. England (of English parents), immig 1860
  ---, Betsey, wife, b. Jan 1842, six of eight children living, b. England (of English parents), immig 1849
  ---, Annie F., b. May 1876, single, b. MA (of Eng parents)
  ---, Nettie N., daur, b. Apr 1879, single
  (nextdoor)
  Low, James, b. Sep 1836, widower, b. England of English parents, immig 1848
  Pine, Joseph A., son-in-law, married 10 years, b. Italy
  ---, Alice V. daur, b. Oct 1867, no children, b. MA of English parents.
• On 17 Jun 1900 Thomas's daughter, Nettie May Beach married George E. Cushman at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• Thomas's wife, Betsy A. Lowe, died and was buried on 28 Dec 1903 at Maplewood Cemetery, Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. At age 61 years and 11 months.
• Thomas Beach died on 8 Apr 1905 at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, of heart disease. He was 76 years, 4 months and 2 days old.
• He was buried on 11 Apr 1905 at Forest Hills Crematory, Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
• On 3 Oct 1906 Thomas's daughter, Amy Louisa Beach married Hiram T. Bean at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.

• Last Edited: 18 Jan 2010

Matthew Brennan

• Company: E

• Matthew Brennan was born between 1840 - 1841 at Ireland.
• Matthew Brennan married Bridget [--?--].
• Matthew Brennan was not enumerated in the household of Winiford Killgariff in the 1860 US Federal Census on 18 Jul 1860 at Milford P. O., Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Wineford McCarty, 29, Ireland
  Mary, 11, b. MA
  **Margret Kallidriff (sic), 27, weaver, b. Ireland (future guardian of his children)
  Bridget, 70, b. Ireland
  **John F. Brennan, 1, b. MA (his son).
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Matthew gave his occupation as mechanic.
  
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Matthew mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• Matthew Brennan and Patrick Brennan, both from Oxford, and both b. Ireland, and possibly brothers or cousins, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Co. E. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.
• On 9 Feb 1863 Matthew ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
  
  
• He made application for a veteran's pension on 19 Feb 1863, received certificate number 12508.
• On 11 Apr 1863 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Matthew Brennan was included in the published list of Oxford volunteers.
• He's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Margaret Killgariff in the 1870 US Federal Census on 10 Aug 1870 at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Kearney, Bridget, 70, b. Ireland
  McCarty, Mary, 19, works in woolen mill, b. CT
  Kilgarten (sic), Margaret, 22, works in woolen mill, b. Ireland
  **Brennan, Sarah, 8, b.MA
  **---, John, 10, b.MA
  Keenan, Edward, 3, b.MA.
• Matthew Brennan died on 25 Dec 1874 at Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, (and registered in Blackstone, MA).
• On 4 Oct 1875 Margaret Killgariff made application for a pension as guardian to Matthew's surviving dependants, with application number 222966, but no certificate is recorded. (Relationship, if any, unknown).
• He's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Margaret Killgariff in the 1880 US Federal Census on 16 Jun 1880 at Millbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Killgariff, Margaret, 50, single, keeping house, b. Ireland (who was named guardian in Matthew's pension file)
  Brennon, Sarah M., 20, boarder, single, cloth finisher, b. MA (of Irish parents).
• On 28 Jan 1885 Matthew's son, John Francis Brennan married Minnie Webster at Huntington, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.

• Last Edited: 27 May 2011

Patrick Brennan

• Father: John Brennan

• Company: E

• Patrick Brennan was born in 1819 at Ireland, son of John Brennan.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Patrick gave his occupation as spinner.
  
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Patrick mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 42 years old.
• Patrick Brennan and Matthew Brennan, both from Oxford, and both b. Ireland, and possibly brothers or cousins, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Co. E. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.
• On 17 Dec 1862 Patrick ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
  
  
• On 11 Apr 1863 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Patrick Brennan was included in the published list of Oxford volunteers.
• In 1879 Patrick was living at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he works at Slaters Mill, according to an article in the Webster Times.
• On 5 Jul 1879 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Patrick Brennan 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 for a veteran's pension on 1 Mar 1880, and received certificate number 405584.
• He died on 9 Oct 1895 at Dudley, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 76 years old.
• He was buried in Oct 1895 at Calvary Cemetery, Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 27 Jun 1896 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Patrick was mentioned as deceased at the company reunion.

• Last Edited: 24 Feb 2009