James Fielding: Civil War

This is the second in a series of posts about my ancestor, James Fielding, an illustrious man.  To read the first post about his early life, click here.

Like most of the men in his generation, James Fielding was part of the great conflict known as the Civil War.

James volunteered for service at Pittsburgh on 21 August 1862 for a three-year term.  He had been married to his wife, Sarah McDonald, for nine months, and their first child, a boy they named James Henderson, was just nine days old when James signed up.  Information seems to suggest that the couple was living with Sarah's mother, Emeline, at 56 Fourth Street in Allegheny at the time, though they could have also been staying at John Fielding's home on Ohio Street as well.

He was twenty-four years of age.

James was assigned to Company E of the 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Captain Joseph B. Sackett.

The regiment was organized at Camp Copeland, three miles outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and moved by cattle cars on a train first to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to collect the last two companies of the regiment.  It then moved on 4 September 1862 to Washington, D.C., where it was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac.

This regiment was also the one that a man named William Woods was assigned, though he was assigned to Company B.  William Woods' nephew, Charles Wesley Chapman Wood later married James' youngest daughter, Birdie.

James' stay was extremely brief.  

According to pension records he filed in later years, James was assigned to assist the quartermaster in moving supplies.  Some time on either the 8th or 10th of September, 1862, just a few days after establishing camp in Alexandria, Virginia, he incorrectly lifted a barrel off the wagon.  In doing so, he apparently injured his right shoulder, dislocating it, but he merely got some liniment from the medical supplies and applied it to the hurt shoulder.  He assumed it would heal soon, so he refused to seek correct medical treatment.

On 11 September 1862, James was assigned the duty of waking the officers for the day.  He rose before four in the morning and began his trek to the officers' tents.  However, because it was still fairly dark that time of the morning, he could not see well.  In the darkness, he tripped over a bayonet left out of a recruit's tent.  The bayonet impaled the upper part of his foot, disabling him.

The incident was memorialized in the regiment's history, Under the Maltese Cross, which had this to say about it:

"This claim of first blood, however, was later seriously disputed on behalf of Private James Fielding, of Company E. Fielding insists that a jab from a protruding bayonet, which a recruit carelessly left sticking out of a tent at night, drew blood from his big toe. From this wound Fielding was forever afterward rendered hors du combat." (Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 155th (1862-1865), Under the Maltese Cross, Antietam to Appomattox, (Pittsburgh: 1910) 55)

He was taken to the field hospital, where he was treated for his wound.  The injury had to have been serious because he was never given active duty again but was released from the Union Army on 4 Jan 1863 with a certificate of disability.

James never saw combat, but because he was injured in the line of duty, he did receive a pension for his injuries.  His commander, Captain Sackett, wrote an affidavit for him.

Undated Affidavit of Capt. Joseph B. Sackett in Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863, from James Fielding's civil War Pension File, copy provided to Kelley Wood-Davis by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist

James was eligible to apply for the pension due to the Act to Grant Pensions that was passed by Congress on 14 July 1862 (37th Congress. Sess. II. Ch. 166. 1862), as he had been partially "disabled by reason of any wound received.... while in the service of the United States."  Being as how the ratio of men wounded in the war to the general population was nearly 14 per one thousand per Rothbard's "Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions" (70), James was one of many who applied.

Witnesses for the original affidavit for pension file claim (filed 8 Jan 1863) were Alexander McCracken, aged 40, and John Flinn, aged 43, both residents of Pittsburgh.  The affidavit was signed by W. A. Herron, clerk of the orphan's court.  The surgeon's certificate attached to this claim was not filled out.

Fielding was entitled to a pension beginning 4 January 1863 of $5.33 a month on account of the bayonet wound.  One inflation calculator equates that to $113.75 per month in 2020 money.  Incidentally, one of the physicians who examined him in August of 1863 stated that the disability was "probably temporary."

James returned to his previous life before the military, having served in active duty less than a month.  He moved in with his mother-in-law at 172 Robinson, and it is that address from whence he applied for his first military pension.  Both his shoulder and the wound from the bayonet plagued him for the rest of his life, according to documents he filed.

Interestingly enough, because he was back amongst civilians in late spring and early summer of 1863, he was recorded in the Civil War Registrations done in Pennsylvania at that time.  He was recorded as living in the Second Ward of Allegheny City and had no occupation at the time of the registration.  No mention of his service was given in the column listed "Former Military Service." Because of his disability, he of course was not drafted back into the war.

**Note here: I had done a bit of digging on the other men mentioned above, as I am a firm believer in the FAN method, as I have stated in other blog posts. **

Joseph B. Sackett, the captain of James' company, met with a sad fate a year after James had been discharged.  While returning from a picket near Warrenton, Virginia on 24 January 1864, he attempted to cross Kettle Run, fording the river on horseback.  He drowned in the process.

William Wood, who is also related to me as a second-great-granduncle, did survive the Civil War and probably saw many battles with his unit.  He eventually was promoted to Corporal on 14 March 1865 and mustered out with his company on 2 June 1865. (Side note here: he died in 1885 unmarried and childless, long before his nephew married his comrade's daughter.)

Both John Flinn and Alexander McCracken were shoemakers in the area and were probably men James knew from working with his father.

James' stint in the Civil War was a chapter that closed, but a new chapter was just beginning.  But that's a story for the next post.

Sources used:

Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Certificate of Disability for Discharge for James Fielding, Private, Co. E, 155th PA, filed 11 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDonald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 216, "McDonald Emeline, widow Henderson, 172 Robinson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 100, "Fielding James, machinist, 56 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864, 236, "McDonald Emeline, wid Henderson, 46 Fourth".

Evans, Samuel M. Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the war for suppression of the rebellion, 1861-1865: roll of honor, defenders of the flag, attack on Fort Sumter, S.C., April 12, 1861, surrender at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: s.n, 1924), 152.

Examining Surgeon's Certificate for the case of James Fielding, private, Company E, 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 7 Aug 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Hawks, Steve. The Civil War in the East (https://civilwarintheeast.com/ : accessed 11 March 2021), United States Regiments & Batteries > Pennsylvania > Infantry> 155th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Hospital Statement for J Fielding, Co. E, 155 Regiment of Pa Volunteers, no. 11390, dated 13 July 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid Pension Claim Declaration for James Fielding filed 8 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, roll number T288_151, Application number 7786, Certificate number 11390.; Applied 10 January 1863 for pension; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.

Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 155th (1862-1865), Under the Maltese Cross, Antietam to Appomattox: the Loyal Uprising in Western Pennsylvania, 1861-1865; Campaigns 155th Pennsylvania Regiment (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania: 155th Regimental Association, 1910).

Prechtel-Kluskens, Claire. "A Reasonable Degree of Promptitude": Civil War Pension Application Processing, 1861–1885," Prologue, Spring 2010, Vol 42. No. 1; online, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/spring/civilwarpension.html : accessed 4 March 2021).

Rothbard, Murray N."Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions," The Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, 22:1 (Spring 2019): 68-81.

Undated Affidavit of Capt. Joseph B. Sackett inBrief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, born about 1837 from 2nd Ward Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; citing "Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865". NM-65, entry 172, 620 volumes. NAI: 4213514. Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110. National Archives at Washington D.C; listed as married in 1863.

U. S. Congress, The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America, vols. 1-18 (Little, Brown and Company: Boston, 1789–1875), 12: 566-569, 14 July 1862, "An Act to grant Pensions," 165

Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

James Fielding : Early Years

I have been spending some of my personal genealogy research time focusing on my Fielding family, because, well, they fascinate me so.  I don't know if it is because they are the quintessential blue-collar family, or just because I did not know much about them when I was growing up.  Anyway, here is another blog on my Fielding family.

My pap's maternal grandfather was a man named James Fielding, who had lived a very full life, according to multiple documents.  I wanted to find out more about him, as the Fielding family once was one of the biggest brick walls in my tree, and certain records I stumbled upon led me to find a landmine of information.  After spending a great deal of time processing his Civil War Pension file, I knew I wanted to write about him as well.  But I had too much information to write just one blog post on him, so bear with me as I tell the tale of this wonderful man in a series of them.

James was the son of the shoemaker John Fielding, who already has a post written about him, as he is one of my elusive family members.

James Fielding was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania on 14 September 1837 as the third son and one of several children of the aforementioned James Fielding and his wife Martha.  His father at least was English, having been born in Manchester.  

John, I have discovered since I wrote his blog post, likely came over as a "servant" aboard the packet ship Columbia, which arrived on 21 January 1828 in New York City. 

James' mother's parentage remains a mystery, as does her correct surname, but I will keep checking for cracks in that brick wall.

While James is not listed by name on the 1840 census, he is enumerated as one of two free white male children under the age of five in his father’s household in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where John was listed as "Jno. Fealding".  Brother Joseph was enumerated as the other son. James was listed as living with his parents and family on the 1850 census where the family was enumerated in Allegheny City's Fourth Ward. He was marked as having attended school that year, and both of his parents could read and write since neither was marked as illiterate on the census.

By 1860, James had been trained as a machinist and was living on Ohio Street in the Fourth Ward of Allegheny City with his parents, though the census enumerator for that district simply listed each member of the family by their first initial and misspelled their surname, putting Fielden instead of Fielding.

Machinists in the period before the Civil War saw a great deal of change in the way they worked, as many different machines were being invented to make machining more precise and uniform.  After all, it appears that precision machining got its biggest push from the event known as the Mexican-American War, when the U.S. Government requested bids for rifles with interchangeable parts.  Tools, such as planers, presses, and various machines, were invented that allowed machinists to make higher quality and more uniform parts faster.   Apparently, there was still a great deal of hand shaping needed for parts cast by machines, and James was likely trained in this kind of work, as later pension documents suggest.

While no documents state where he was employed, James first appears as a machinist in city directories in the 1861 Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities, residing at 104 Ohio.  Thie address was his father John's and brother Cooper's address of residence as well.  As his father was listed as living on Ohio Street in city directories as early as 1850, it could be assumed that James lived there for a period of years with the family.  Ohio Street was the borderline for the Third and Fourth Wards of Allegheny City according to the 1855 map, The Cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny With Parts of Adjacent Boroughs, Pennsylvania, and since the family lived on the Fourth Ward side in the 1860 census, they had to have lived on the south side of the street.

On 27 November 1861, James married a young woman by the name of Sarah Virginia McDonald (also spelled MacDonald).  

Sarah was the daughter of Henderson McDonald and Emeline Peterson and the stepdaughter of Elmon McLaughlin.  She was born 1 September 1839 somewhere in Allegheny County as Henderson and Emeline's eldest daughter.  Through her mother, she was descended from Anthony Morris, one of the English Quaker founders of the city of Philadelphia, and of whom I am still doing research.

Unlike James' family, the McDonald family appears to have moved around a bit.  In 1840, Sarah was listed as the one free white female under the age of five in the household of Henderson McDonald in Pittsburgh's South Ward on that census, and in 1850 was living probably on Federal Street in Allegheny City's Third Ward, as that census and the 1850 city directory state.  In 1860, she was living with her widowed mother and sister in Allegheny City's First Ward in the household of one Ann Aiken.

The couple was married on 27 November 1861, just as the Civil War was taking place.

Where the couple was married is a bit of a mystery.  It was somewhere in Allegheny County, that much is known, but conflict exists in just where in Allegheny County.  When sent a form asking personal questions in regards to his pension in 1898, James Fielding answered that he and Sarah had been married in Sharpsburg, which was upriver and up the railroad tracks from Allegheny City.  However, a small blurb in the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner in March of 1862 gave the following:

"On the 27th of November, at the residence of the bride's mother, by Rev. John Williams, Mr. JAMES FIELDING to Muss SARAH V. McDONALD, all of Allegheny City." ~ 

"Married," Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 March 1862, page 3

Since the marriage was listed in a Presbyterian paper, it can be assumed that Rev. John Williams was a Presbyterian minister.  However, further research on the man did not yield any information, leaving it a bit difficult at present to locate a church with which the marriage might be registered. 

The city directory for the 1861-1862 period for Sarah's mother lists Emeline as living on Robinson in Allegheny City.  It is possible she resided briefly in Sharpsburg in November of 1861, but it is more likely that James' recollection of where he was wed by 1898 was a bit fuzzy.  

The marriage had but a brief interlude, for James, like most of the young men of his generation, went off to the war.  But that's a story for the next post.

More posts on James Fielding:

• James Fielding: Man of Many Hats
• James Fielding: Police Officer
• James Fielding: The Grand Army of the Republic and the 1890s
• James Fielding: The House on Norwood Avenue
• James Fielding: The Stay at the Home for Disabled Veterans and Death

Sources Used:

Ancestry.com, "1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1840, Census Place: Pittsburgh South Ward Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 441, Page: 373, Image: 764, and Family History Library Film: 0020536 (Entry for Henderson McDonald).

Ancestry.com, "1840 United States Federal Census," database online Entry for Jno Fealding and household, Year: 1840, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 440, Page: 290, Image: 592, and Family History Library Film: 0020536.

Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 3 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 152B, and Image: 310 (Entry for Henderson McDonald and family).

"1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for John Feilding and household, Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 217B, and Image: 440; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 217B, and Image: 440.

Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 1 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1067, Page: 635, Image: 102, and Family History Library Film: 805067 (as Emaline McDonald and daughters).

Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for J. Fielden and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1068, Page: 676, Image: 63, and Family History Library Film: 805068 (enumerated as J. Fielden and family); citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

APIAMS, "The History Of Precision Machining," American Precision Industries, American Precision Industries Metal Specialties, 30 November 2017 (https://apiams.com/blog/appreciating-the-history-of-precision-machining/ : accessed 24 June 2021).

Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

The Cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny With Parts of Adjacent Boroughs, Pennsylvania (New York City, New York: J.H. Colton and Company, 1855); digital images, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 24 June 2021), viewed Ohio Street.

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 93, "Fielding James, machinist, 104 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDonald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(Allegheny)".

Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 30, "Fielding John, shoemr, Ohio, Al"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 61, "McDonald Henderson Capt. Federal, Al(llegheny)".

"Married," Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 March 1862, page 3; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 12 January 2021).

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V. Fielding; died 4 October 1907; Certificate number: 95518; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Smith, Robert F. "Machining and Machinists," article, The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia (https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/machining-and-machinists/ : accessed 24 June 2021).

Soldier's Application for Increase of Pension for James Fielding, filed 14 Sept 1907; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding. 

Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding.

Notable Women: Nellie Grant May Fielding Anderson

A year after I received it, I'm still working on the Civil War pension file of my second great-grandfather, James Fielding.  There is a great deal of information in the file, but alas, between working full time and other commitments, it's been slow going.  Eventually, I will finish the blog post I have already started to put together on his remarkable life.

In documenting each page of the pension file, I have come across the extraordinary life of his daughter, Nellie.  My pap's maternal aunt was a strong and notable woman in her own right.

I should mention that I don't have much on Nellie's ancestry past her parents.  After all, both sets of her grandparents, John Fielding and Martha Gibson, and Henderson McDonald and Emmeline Peterson, are both subjects of "Chasing the Elusive" blog posts I have done.

Nellie Grant May Fielding was born on 2 August 1872 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (which as I have mentioned before is now the Northside of Pittsburgh).  She was the fourth child and second daughter born to James Fielding and Sarah Virginia MacDonald.  At the time of her birth, the family was living at 186 Rebecca in Allegheny City's Fifth Ward, so this is most likely where she was born.  

As a child, she spent time in Cleveland, Ohio (and maybe a few other locations), as her father worked at the time as a traveling agent for a few publishing companies.  Her younger brother, Edward, was born in Cleveland, which leads to the assumption that the family did travel with James, at least to Ohio.

Younger brother Marcus was the subject of his own blog post as well.

On 19 January 1890, Nellie married Walter Black Anderson in Camden, New Jersey. He was a Scottish immigrant and the son of James Anderson and Balmain Black.  Both Walter and Nellie were seventeen years of age, and it is unclear why they traveled all the way to Camden from Allegheny City where they both lived.  Perhaps it was easier to get married there for them, being underage and all.  

***Note here: As of this blog post, I have ordered their marriage license from the New Jersey State Archives, but will need to wait to receive it.  If it has answers, I will update this blog post with them.**

Walter was trained as a bookkeeper and frequently moved about the general vicinity of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, per his entries in the area city directories.  It is not known if Nellie moved with him or not, but the couple did have two children born in the area.  Nellie Balmain Anderson was born at 5 Jackson Street in Allegheny City on 5 Jan 1891 and George James Anderson was born on 14 August 1894 in Pittsburgh.  

By 1898, the family was living in Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Walter died suddenly here on 20 November 1898 at the age of twenty-six, leaving Nellie a widow with two small children.  He was buried in Highwood Cemetery.  No record of his death was registered at the county level, and as death records were not required until 1906 by the state, it is not known what he died from.

Nellie moved back to Allegheny City after Walter's death, presumably to be closer to her parents, and took in boarders in 1900 to make ends meet.  She spent some time living in Pittsburgh but appears to have moved back into her father's home at 2704 Norwood Avenue in Allegheny City around the time her mother died in 1907.  It was in this house that she was enumerated in 1910, living with her brothers James and Edward.  She probably kept house for her father before he moved to the National Home for Soldiers in Dayton in 1909.

After her father died in 1913, Nellie was responsible for putting his last affairs in order, and as a result of this, she went into a small amount of debt.  Per records found in James' pension file, Nellie applied for reimbursement for expenses of $142.80 on 11 April 1913.  In the same document, she stated that her father was last paid his pension in December of 1912 and that James' home, in which she lived with brothers James, Edward, and sometimes Marcus, was worth $3200.  The house had been left to the children who lived in it at the time of James' death per his will, with their father noting they were to live together as long as possible.  Should the house have to be sold, James Henderson was to inherit $1500, which would be left in the hands of his uncle and James' younger brother John, who was the executor.  Marcus and Nellie both were to inherit $400, while Edward was set to inherit $250. (By contrast, Nellie's sisters Jennie, Emma, and Birdie only received $5 apiece.)

**tangent here: I wrote an article about Nellie's uncle John Fielding and the accident that cost him his leg.**

I'm not sure why Edward and Marcus were included in this stipulation in the will, but James Henderson was blind by the time his father wrote the will and was a feeble man.  In September of 1913, he suffered a stroke, leaving him paralyzed.  Nellie was his caretaker, and likely was taking care of both her brother and her father from the time of her mother's death in 1907 until James the elder moved to Dayton for better care.

Here is why I think Nellie was so notable.... as a widow herself, with two younger children, she managed to not only run her father's household for him when he was invalided but also took care of her eldest brother in his condition as well as her two younger brothers.  Per newspaper advertisements, the family also took in boarders to make ends meet, which added to her work.  She also did some of this while making a living for herself at a time when it was considered low-class for a woman to work outside of the home.

Because of the house, however, the family also ran into some problems.  In the aforementioned application for reimbursement that Nellie submitted, she listed the home's worth, which disallowed her claim due to the fact that the value of the real estate was sufficient to cover reimbursements Nellie had asked for, despite the fact that her father's pension money, which the family appeared to be living off of, had not been paid since December of 1912.  Nellie contacted her local Congressman, Stephen G. Porter, and apparently asked him to look into the matter.  He in turn wrote a letter in July of 1913 inquiring about the status of the final pension payments.

This began a letter-writing campaign between Nellie, Stephen G. Porter, and the commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions that lasted for many years.  Nellie mentioned her invalided brother and the rising costs to care for him but was told that since he was over the age of 16, he was not entitled to his father's pension despite his disabilities.  The commissioner continued to stand his ground, stating that because the house was sufficient enough to cover the costs of the debts Nellie held, they did not have to pay the accrued pension.  However, if the family sold the house, Nellie and James Henderson would have nowhere to live.

By 1920, it appeared that Nellie had ceased fighting the matter.  This was when it appeared she also went back to work, as she's enumerated in the 1920 census and listed in the corresponding city directories as a matron at the Bell Telephone Company in Pittsburgh.

It is not clear when the home finally had to be sold, but by 1928, a Bonomo family appears to have taken residence of the home.  James was sent to the St. Barnabus Free Home, where he was enumerated in the 1930 census and where he succumbed to chronic asthma on 13 December 1931.

Nellie took up housekeeping once more.  In 1930, she was enumerated in the census in the household of 55-year-old Harry Rushmore, a widower living in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania with his three children as their housekeeper.  Little else is known about her time spent here, however.

The 1940 census found her enumerated in the home of widowed Emma S. Eisenhauer on 3242 Orleans Street, living as a boarder, along with two other boarders.  This census listed that in 1935 she was living in the "same place" but not the "same house," so her stint as a housekeeper with Rushmore appeared to have been short.

Little else is known about her or where she lived or what she did until 24 February 1963 when she died from an intestinal hemorrhage due to a broken hip caused by an accidental fall at the Reformed Presbyterian Home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She was 90 years old at the time and had outlived her parents, all of her six siblings, her husband, a son-in-law, and her only grandson, Walter Anderson, who died in a fiery crash outside Detroit, Michigan in 1949.  Her funeral was held at the Reformed Presbyterian Home three days after her death and then she was buried in Highwood next to her husband, having spent 65 years of her life without him.

One day I would love to see a photo of this formidable woman.  Did she look as strong as the research suggests she was or did she appear fragile?  Was she hardened by her life experiences or did she remain optimistic and flexible to the curveballs that were thrown her way?  I may never know, but she remains a notable woman in my eyes.

Sources Used:

"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Entry for Nellie M. Anderson and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 12, Enumeration District: 0015, and FHL microfilm: 1241355; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 July 2020), Entry for Nellie Anderson and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 4A, Enumeration District: 0634, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H. Fielding and Nellie M. Anderson, Year: 1920, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1526, Page: 3B, and Enumeration District: 729; citing Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H Fielding, Year: 1930, Census Place: Richland Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 18A, Enumeration District: 0773, and FHL microfilm: 2341723; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2021), Entry for Nell Anderson in the household of Harry Rushworth, Year: 1930, Census Place: Swissvale Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 1A, Enumeration District: 0816, and FHL microfilm: 2341725.

"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2021), Entry for Nellie Anderson in the household of Emma S. Eisenhauer, Year: 1940, Census Place: Pittsburgh Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03674, Page: 10A, and Enumeration District: 69-743; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

Allegheny City, Registration of births in the city of Allegheny, 1878-1907 and index 1882-1907, volume 4: page 97, Entry for Female Anderson, born 15 Jan 1891.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding and household; Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Family History Film: 1255086, Page: 132B, Enumeration District: 006, and Image: 0269.

"Anderson," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 26 February 1963, death notice for Nellie Anderson, page 22; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 January 2021).

Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 5 February 2021), Plate 10-11> viewed Rebecca Street in the 5th Ward of Allegheny City.

Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Form No. 37, reporting death of James Fielding, pension cert no 11390, filed 21 Feb 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"Death Record," obituary, The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 7 October 1906, Page 6; Mrs. Sarah V. Fielding; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 July 2016).

"Died," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 November 1898, Walter Black Anderson, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 June 2020).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1872-1873 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1872), 169, "Fielding James, machinist, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 February 2021), memorial page for Nellie Fielding Anderson, Find A Grave Memorial # 184299810, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by FrankA.

Find A Grave, Walter Black Anderson, Find A Grave Memorial # 184299886.

Letter from Acting Commissioner E. C. J. to the Hon. Stephen G Porter, dated 11 August 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from the Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 May 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from E. C. Tieman, acting commissioner, to Hon. Stephen Foster, dated 18 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington

Letter from G.M. Saltzgerber to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 March 1917; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Pension Agent in Washington D. C. dated 9 Jan 1917; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 31 July 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 2 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for male Child Fielding, born 20 April 1876 at 556 Hamilton, Cleveland; Cuyahoga > Birth registers with index 1872-1876 > image 204 of 288; FHL Microfilm number 1986157; citing County courthouses, Ohio.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 February 2020), Entry for James Henderson Fielding, died 13 Dec 1931, cn 112920; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Entry for Nellie Anderson, died 24 Feb 1963.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1899 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1899), 131, "Anderson Nellie, wid, Walter B, h 188 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Univerity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 26 January 2021).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1900 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1900), 132, "Anderson Nellie M, wid Walter, 311 Jackson, A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 January 2021).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1904 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1904), 186, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter V 2033 Center av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1905 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1905), 136, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2033 Center av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1908 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1908), 129, "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter 2704 Norwood av A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1909 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley,, 1909), 119, "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter 2704 Norwood av A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1910 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1910), "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1912 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co and R. L. Dudley, 1912), 112, "Anderson Nellie wid W V 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1913 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co and R. L. Dudley, 1913), 113, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1914 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1914), 142, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1915 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1915), 147, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1922 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1922), 395, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B) Matron Bell Tel Co h2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).

Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1923 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1923), 392, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B) h2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).

Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1924 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co, 1924), 470, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B) h2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).

Receipt of Payment for Funeral Services For James Fielding from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to R. T. Rodney, Funeral Director; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Reimbursement Card, Certificate number 11390, for invalid pensioner James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1916 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1916), 457, "Anderson Nellie N (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1917 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co., 1917), 429, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1918 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1918), 436, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1919 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1919), 420, "Anderson Nellie m (wid Walter B), r 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1920 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co, 1920), 432, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

"To let," advertisement, The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 August 1915, page 29; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 February 2021).

"United States Marriages," database online, FindMyPast (www.findmypast.com : accessed 5 February 2021), Entry for W B Anderson and Nellie G M Fielding, married 19 Jan 1890, Camden, Camden, New Jersey; citing all the United States marriage records that are currently on Findmypast.

"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for Marcus Fielding, born 2 Dec 1879; Registration State: Illinois; Registration County: Cook; Roll: 1452382; Draft Board: 02; citing United States, Selective Service System. "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Will of James Fielding (1913), Probate Records of Allegheny County: Will Book 120, Number 20, Page 34; Register of Wills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Chasing the Elusive: John Fielding Sr.

Occasionally I write about some of my more elusive family members, in hopes that one day I can break.  I call them "Chasing the Elusive" and John Fielding is one such member, being a maternal great-grandfather of my grandpap.  He was the grandfather to another Chasing the Elusive subject, Mark Fielding.

John Fielding was born sometime in 1801, and was likely baptized 16 August 1801 in Anglican church in the parish of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester, England as the son of one Mathew Fielding.  His mother's name may have been Mary, although records don't give a name for his mother.  Later children's baptisms in the same parish (for Cooper, William and Martha) link Mathew to a Mary, surname unknown.

It is not known when John immigrated to the United States, but it had to have been sometime before 1833 when his eldest son was born in Pennsylvania.  Sometime before that point, he married Martha Gibson (some sources state her surname was Cooper), who was born in Pennsylvania, though her age fluctuates on census records, putting her birth sometimes between 1809 and 1814.

The couple had nine children.  Cooper was their eldest, born March 1833.  Son Joseph was born in 1835, and son James was born 14 September 1837 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.  At some point as well came a daughter who remains nameless at this point, who was born sometime between 1835 and 1840 (she likely died very young).  The 1840 census enumeration lists four children in the household of John Fielding of Allegheny City, as well as John and wife Martha.  The remaining five children were born after that enumeration. Martha was born 16 September 1841. Amos was born 9 February 1844. John was born 10 December 1846.  William was born 28 July 1850.  The youngest, Mathew, was born sometime in 1853 or 1854.

John was a shoemaker by trade, at least from 1850, when he was listed as such in the federal census enumeration.  He was listed as a shoemaker in several Pittsburgh area directories, living on Ohio Street in the Fourth Ward of Allegheny City.

In 1863, son John was injured in an accident involving a steam fire engine, eventually losing a leg from the accident.  John Fielding Sr. sued the company (Oakland Railway Company) that was tasked with maintaining the street on which the accident occurred for medical bills and his son's lost wages.  He won his suit on 22 December 1863, and recouped $1800.  The suit was brought by the company to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who in October of the following year ruled there was no error in the original judgement.

It is not clear however if John Fielding Sr. was able to enjoy his winnings, however.  On 23 July 1864, a petition of guardianship was filed four his four youngest sons in the Allegheny County Orphan's Court, listing them as the minor children of John Fielding, deceased.  The petition was granted and lawyer J. D. Hancock was awarded guardianship of Amos, John, William and Mathew.  Another lawyer, Thomas J. Keenan was awarded letters of administration in the probate of John's estate, as he died intestate. Both of these lawyers handled his suit against the railway company, so it is not altogether surprising that they were involved in handling his affairs after his death.

This is where I am chasing the elusive: I have not found either the date he died or how he died.  Since death records were not a thing in Allegheny City (nor where they a county or state thing either yet), I have not been able to find any mention of a death for either him or his wife in the 1860s.  I have checked available cemetery records available online, online newspapers (though I may not be searching with the correct parameters, as the searches are all OCR readers, so it's likely a death notice does exist somewhere), probate records, even land records available for that time period.  I know he was alive in December of 1863 when he won his suit, and had passed before July of 1864 when his sons became the wards of J. D. Hancock, but the date remains elusive. Given that the four boys show up living with elder brother Cooper on the 1870 census, it is likely that Martha also died in this time period.  Again, no record can be located for her as well.

I may never find the record, or I may crack the case.  Who knows.  One thing is for certain, though.  I will have fun doing the research either way.

Sources Used:
"1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for Jno Fealding and household, Year: 1840, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 440, Page: 290, Image: 592, and Family History Library Film: 0020536; citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for John Feilding and household, Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 217B, and Image: 440; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for J. Fielden and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1068, Page: 676, Image: 63, and Family History Library Film: 805068 (enumerated as J. Fielden and family); citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 March 2020), Entry for Cooper Fielding and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1291, Page: 367B, and Family History Library Film: 552790; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"Coroner's Inquest," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 13 April 1863, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

"The Death of Young Reams," The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 13 April 1863, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1857-1858 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1857), 62, "Fielding John, shoe maker, h Ohio n West"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1858/1859 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1858), 78, "Fielding John, shoemaker, h Ohio n Middle, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 93, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 140 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 90, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 140 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 100, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 40 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016), I believe the 40 should be 140, that it was a typo.

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1864-1865 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1864), 95, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 140 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitial Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 7 April 2020).

"Distressing Accident: A Man Killed and a Boy Maimed by Steam Fire Engine," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 11 April 1863, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 30, "Fielding John, shoemr, Ohio, Al"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 30 July 2016).

"Heavy Verdict," The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 8 April 1864, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

"Heavy Verdicts," The Daily Evening Express (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), 15 December 1864, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2020).

"Important Trial in the District Court," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 24 December 1863, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

"Lease for Sale," advertisement, Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 6 July 1866, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 March 2020), Allegheny County Orphans' Court docket 19, June term 1864, page 199, no. 109, entry for petition of Amos, John, Matthew and William Fielding for guardianship, filed 23 July 1864, image 127 of 650; FHL microfilm number 866215; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 March 2020), Allegheny County Orphans' court docket, v. 21, page 226, No. 75, petition of Martha Caskey in estate of John Fielding, deceased, filed 9 June 1866; image 141 of 679; FHL microfilm number 872591; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 March 2020), Allegheny County Orphans' court docket, v. 21, page 456, no. 18, Account of Thomas J. Keenan administrator of John Fielding Sr., deceased, filed 3 Dec 1866, image 262 of 679; FHL microfilm number 872591; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.

"Sad Accident - Man Killed and Boy Seriously Injured," The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 11 April 1863, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).

Woodward & Rowlands' Pittsburgh directory for 1852: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 1852 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: W.S. Haven, 1852), 107 (page 7 of Allegheny Directory), "Fielding John, shoemr, 7 Ohio st."; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 30 July 2016).

Wright, Robert E. State Reporter, Pennsylvania State Report, Volume 48 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Kay and Brother, 1865), 320-328; online images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books : accessed 24 March 2020).

Documenting Family Trees with Vital Records.... or not?

I belong to a number of genealogy groups on Facebook and via mailing lists.  Often, I read the following statements:

"I would like to locate a birth certificate for my John Doe, who was born around 1850 in Pittsburgh.  Can someone help?"

"I am looking for a marriage certificate for my ancestors Simon Johnson and Jane Doe, who married sometime around 1800 in Philadelphia."

"I need a death record for my great-great-uncle 2 times removed, who died in Western Pennsylvania around 1840.  Why can't I find it?"

(Yes, I know there is no such thing as an uncle 2 times removed.... and I use Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas as an example because I am most familiar with those records.)

The modern day notion that EVERYONE was issued a birth certificate, a death certificate, or a marriage licence is just that, a modern notion.  Many births, deaths, and even marriages were not registered by a civil government at all, and often the records may not exist even at a church level.  Often time, one may not find what they seek because they don't know the history of the area in which they are seeking and the history of vital records themselves.

BIRTH RECORDS

Let's start with birth records.

Before the United States were born (and in some places in the United States, long after the creation of the country), birth records were limited to baptism records done by churches (often with baptism dates standing in as proxy for birth dates since the birth date wasn't registered).  Some colonies, like Massachusetts, had implemented laws instituting the registration of births as early as 1639, although actually enforcing and following the law was a seemingly foreign matter since most births took place in private homes and ministers thought the idea of the government getting into the birth and baptism registration business was a matter to raise eyebrows at.

Philadelphia required births to be registered in 1860, but in practice not every birth was registered.  For example, my great-grandmother Julia Ann Vautier had ten siblings, and while I have registrations for nine of the siblings and my great-grandmother, the tenth sibling, Miriam Crosby Vautier, who was the fifth born child, doesn't appear to have been registered at birth. (Sister Laura's birth return is pictured below).

Laura Elizabeth (Vautier) entry, Return of Births in the City of Philadelphia 1860-1903, Doctor's Returns: Return of Births September 1890 for Mary Leichsenring, midwife, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Even though a number of high population cities had created some sort of registration of births to help track population, most states didn't even implement birth registrations as a whole until the advent of the 20th century.  An Act of Congress in 1902 created the permanent office of the Bureau of Census. In that Act on 6 March 1902 was included a provision that gave the Bureau the authority to create birth registrations and certificates.  Even the idea of having a semi-universal birth certificate wasn't fleshed out until World War Two, when people needed to prove their identities to be able to work in defense related plants and register to get social security. An example of one of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's birth records (for one of my great-uncles) is pictured below.

Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906-1910," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2017), Entry for James Newton Cox, born 30 October 1906; certificate number 136053; citing Pennsylvania (State). Birth certificates, 1906–1908. Series 11.89 (50 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

So keeping all of that in mind, sometimes it is important to realize that the elusive birth record might not exisit because the birth happened in a place where either registration wasn't required or during an era when records just weren't kept.  One has to get creative when looking for records of births sometimes because civil registrations just don't exist.

MARRIAGES

The idea of civil marriage licenses, on the other hand, is practically an American invention.  Before the institution of marriage became a civil matter, it was a church matter (a point that some religiously minded people make when they argue that marriages in America should go back to being religious in nature only).  But America was a forerunner in making sure registrations were done civilly.

That same Massachusetts legislation that required births to be registered also required marriages to be civilly recorded, and for one reason or another, registering marriages came easier to the same people who balked at registering births.  Perhaps it was because unlike births or deaths, marriages joined (usually) unrelated people and their property together in legally binding contracts.

By the mid 19th century, most counties and states in the United States had some sort of marriage registration or another.  In 1885, ALL counties in Pennsylvania required marriages to be civilly registered, although the larger cities, like Philadelphia, had begun requiring registrations of marriages as early as 1860 or before.  My great-grandparents' marriage return is an example of what could be found.

Charles W C Wood and Birdie B. Fielding Marriage License and Certificate, (23 April 1901), Allegheny County Marriage Licenses: File Number 13279; Department of Court Records, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania.

If a marriage record can't be located, don't despair.  There are other ways to find such records besides civil registries....... one just has to look.

DEATHS

Death records are in the same boat as are birth certificates.  Before the modern death certificate, churches kept records of burials, which often, like baptisms, stood as a proxy for a death date. Why people died often was a mystery before the advent of modern medicine, so death records were just merely records of when a person was buried.

In fact, the modern death record can be attributed to an English practice of issuing a Bill of Mortality when someone died, a practice that had roots in the Great Plagues of Europe in the 16th century.

Often, the same jurisdictions that required birth registrations at particular times in history also required death registrations, but the concept of a actual death certificate is about as modern as a birth certificate is.  Death records in a number of jurisdictions actually precede birth records, especially in large cities such as Philadelphia, which had a form of death registration as early as 1803, though there are gaps.  Below are two different jurisdictions for the same death of my ancestress, which demonstrate that even in death differing registrations could be made, recording facts in many ways.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V. Fielding; died 4 October 1907; Certificate number: 95518; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Sarah V. Fielding entry, Allegheny City Registration of Deaths, volume 15: page 95, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Deaths were more likely to be recorded in earlier days than were births, given that death statistics were tracked with far more watchful eyes than were birth statistics.  Given that diseases and natural disasters wiped out a vast number of people in a relatively short amount of time, some sort of registration and acknowledgment of those deaths needed to be made.


NOW WHAT?

Something to keep in mind while searching for vital records.... especially in the early days of such vital record registering, some people were suspicious of the government getting involved in vital record keeping and as a result they purposely would not register their births, marriages, or deaths.  There was also the issue that not everyone thought everyone else was equal, and therefore did not count as being someone who needed a registration of a vital statistic.

Another thing to remember is that even the modern day system of vital records in the United States also relies on the fact that information being reported to whatever jurisdiction is being consistently reported by a number of people, including doctors, parents, registrants themselves, or funeral home directors. What happens if information isn't reported or is reported incorrectly?

Also, just because some counties, states or even countries have their vital records available for research doesn't mean the next county, state, or country will.  Different jurisdictions will have different rules on who can access their vital records and how one can access them.  For instance, only births from 1906-1913 and deaths from 1906 up to 1968 can be accessed for genealogical reasons via the Pennsylvania Museum Historical Commission.  Births and deaths before then (from about 1893 onward) are located at county level in Pennsylvania, and again, some cities (Pittsburgh, Allegheny City and Philadelphia in particular) can be found for years even earlier.

The best way to research whether or not vital records are available for a certain time or place is to use a search engine like Google, or FamilySearch's various free Wiki Research guides.

Some other good sources to help you find what you might be looking for:

• U.S. Vital Records Overview on FamilySearch 
• Finding The One: The Search For Vital Records on Ancestry.com
• A Guide to Using the Records of Civil Registration from Society of Genealogists at the National Family History Centre (Great Britain)
• Marriage Records : Types of Marriage Records for Family History Research on Thought.co

Sometimes, that elusive record won't be found, and that's okay as well.  There is more to genealogy than just recording birth, marriage, and death of an ancestor.

Sources Referenced to Help with this Research
Blakemore, Erin. "The History of Birth Certificates Is Shorter Than You Might Think." History.com. August 08, 2017. https://www.history.com/news/the-history-of-birth-certificates-is-shorter-than-you-might-think.

Brumberg, H. L., D. Dozor, and S. G. Golombek. "History of the Birth Certificate: From Inception to the Future of Electronic Data." Journal of Perinatology 32, no. 6 (2012): 407-11. doi:10.1038/jp.2012.3.

Schulz, Katheryn. "Final Forms." The New Yorker, April 7, 2017. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/04/07/final-forms.

Siri, Michael J., and Daniel L. Cork. Vital Statistics: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2009. https://www.nap.edu/read/12714/chapter/1.

"United States Death Records." FamilySearch Blog. January 17, 2019. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States_Death_Records.

"Unlocking the Past: Marriage License History." Marriage.com. October 30, 2017. https://www.marriage.com/advice/license/unlocking-the-past-marriage-license-history/.

"What Every Genealogist Needs to Know about American Marriage Records." Findmypast Blog. October 13, 2017. https://blog.findmypast.com/what-every-genealogist-needs-to-know-about-american-marriage-records-1785493041.html.