New Hampshire’s Last Civil War Veterans

Goffs Falls’ and New Hampshire’s Last Civil War Soldier

James Marion Lurvey

Died April 7,1950

James M. Lurvey was born in Palmyra, Maine on December 2,1847When he was 10 years old his family moved to Lowell, Mass. On July 19,1862 he enlisted as a drummer boy in Co. A, 40^th Mass, he was 14. At 15 years old he was discharged at Portsmouth, NH on Oct. 3,1863 and re-enlisted Aug. 25,1864 at 16 years old into Co. H, 4^th Mass., heavy artillery.

James was the last New Hampshire Civil War Veteran, and for 8 months New England’s sole remaining Boy in Blue. He was also the last soldier to have served in a Mass., Unit and the 21^st to survive the Union Army.

His funeral was at his home in Goff Falls (now part of Manchester, NH) and he was buried in Londonderry’s Pleasant View Cemetery.

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Alton

Charles H. Estes

Died July 17, 1933

Charles H. Estes, 91 years of age, passed away at the Huggins, Hospital in Wolfeboro on the 17^th, as a result of a broken hip. He was born in Lebanon, Me., and had been a resident of Rochester for a number of years; he also resided in Farmington and Alton. He served in the third New Hampshire regiment, and at the time of the assassination of Lincoln, him and some comrades help to carry the President out of the theatre across the road to a house where he died. In 1932 he was a state commander for the G.A.R. The funeral service was held in Alton and was conducted by the Rev. E.J. Abar, pastor of the Baptist church. The American Legion and Sons of Veterans attended in body, and the legion performed a full military service. The burial was in the family lot in the Alton cemetery.

East Rochester

Anthony Cilley

Died April 9,1927

Anthony Cilley, aged 88 years, a well-known Civil War veteran, answered the last roll call at his home on Spring Street early Saturday morning April 9,1927 following a long illness due to old age. The end came peacefully to the last of the Civil War Veterans in East Rochester. He was born in Plymouth, N.H., the son of Andrew and Charlotte (Leeds) Cilley, he came here in 1905 to live, purchasing a home on Spring Street. Severe injuries received in his term of service in the Civil War preventing his doing very much work. He enlisted in Company D, 7^th N.H. Regt., and in an engagement in Lester, Fla., he received an ugly bullet wound in the forearm. At Morris Island, S.C., he was blown up with an ammunition wagon and when he struck the ground, in some manner he received a bayonet thrust. A comrade took him off the field and he was given medical attention. Had it not been for this comrade, he would have lost his life. For a number of years he endeavored to learn who this comrade was and finally learned that it was the late John McLaughlin of South Lebanon section. He was a good soldier, brave and fearless and received an honorable discharge. Mr. Cilley was an excellent citizen and neighbor, quiet and unassuming in disposition and never would wrong a person or say anything against him. In spite of his infirmities, he was always ready to aid the sick and distressed in every possible manner. He held membership in Bell Post, G.A.R., of Manchester and is survived by his widow, two sons, Police Officer Irvin H. Cilley and James Cilley, World War Veteran, also two daughters, Miss Mattie Cilley and Mrs. Frank Ames. The funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon and full military honors were given by Rochester Post, No. 7, American Legion, of Rochester, Roy Shaw, commander. The Legion performed the burial ceremony, furnished bearers, firing squad and did escort duty. Relatives and friends largely attended the services and many gathered in the cemetery for the final rites. Rev. Donald Fraser, pastor of the Congregational Church of Rochester, officiated and he was assisted by Rev. Roger Thompson, pastor of the Bethany Methodist Church. Adjutant Clarence Mallette representing Sampson Post, G.A.R. Under Legion escort, the procession moved to Cold Spring cemetery, the color bearers being Thomas Varrow, and Arthur York, and the color guards, Morrill Sanborn and Walter Morrison. The pallbearers were Philip Hubbard, Earl Jenness, Jude Rainville and Ernest Winkley. At the cemetery, Commander Shaw and Chaplain Edward L. Bacon performed the last rites and Rev. Donald Fraser assisted. Buglers Frank Twitchell and Joseph Jandrow sounded taps. Under the command of Sergeant Warren Snitcher, Harry Berry, Karl Mitchell, Howard Robbins, Ernest Turmelle, Clifford Breton and Frank Libby fired a volley over the grave and East Rochester’s last veteran was mustered out.

Farmington

George V. Card

Died January 17,1937

Farmington’s last Civil War Veteran George V. Card died January 17,1937 at his North Main street home at the age of 96. He was born in Newcastle, July 28,1842, the fifth in a family of ten children of Edward and Frances Card. His parents moved to Farmington when he was young.

When George was 20 years old he married Miss Nancy J. Sampson and less then a week later enlisted in the Farmington Co. of the 13^th N.H. Volunteer Infantry, commanded by First Lieut. Charles H. Curtis.

On November 15,1862 he was promoted to Corporal and was with his company in the bloody battle of Fredericksburg following a few days of training at Lee’s Plantation, Virginia. At the siege of Suffolk he was under continuous fire for 30 days and at the slaughter of Cold Harbor, he was wounded and knocked unconscious by a limb blasted from a tree. He took part in the battle of Drury’s Bluff and met steel with steel when the Confederate forces charged the Union Lines at Bermuda Hundred. He fought through the storming fury of the siege of Petersburg and escaped the fate of hundreds of Union soldiers in the charge after the famous mine was exploded and with the remnant of his proud old regiment, carried the first Union colors into Richmond when the rebel capitol surrendered.

He was mustered out of the service on June 21,1865 at Richmond after having seen three years of service that was equaled by few men in the Union Army.

Mr. Card returned to Farmington to take up civil pursuits with the same steadfast courage and persistence that marked his career as a soldier. He was a strong Republican and represented Farmington in the state legislature in 1897. For 25 years he was chairman of the Republican club and presided at party caucuses and had served various town offices.

He was a member of Carlton Post, G.A.R., for 50 years and had filled all the offices of the post. He also served on the staffs of four state commanders of the order.

He joined the Baptist church soon after his return from the war and was a faithful and valued member throughout his life.

Although he only received a minor education he energy and ambition led him to continued self-improvement and his native ability combined to endow him with a high place in the minds of his fellow townsmen.

Over the years he retained his faculties to a remarkable degree and it was only within the past year that failing eyesight and other infirmities of age had confined him to his home.

Mrs. Card died about 10 years earlier, but leaves three daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Card who for many years cared for him, Mrs. Gertrude Hurd of Lawrence, Mass., and Mrs. Faith Miller of Dover, also on son Edward F. Card of Farmington; two granddaughters, Mrs. Vera of Rochester and Mrs. Clifford Salisbury of Farmington; two grandsons, Earl D.V. Richardson and Ray Miller of Farmington; as well as a number of great grandchildren, Eaton V. Young of Boston, Ray Miller Jr., Edward R. Miller, Lyndall Salisbury and Beverly Ann Miller of Farmington.

Members of the Clarence L. Perkins Post, American Legion, laid Mr. Card to rest. The blue clad veterans of 1917-18 in full military honors paid their respects to the last gallant representative of the “Boys in Blue of 1861-1865” in one of the most impressive funeral services seen in Farmington in many years. A guard of honor from the Legion Post escorted the cortege to the cemetery and fired a volley at the grave.

Rochester

Charles R. Brackett

April 15,1937

Last Civil War

Veteran Dies

Charles R. Brackett, 92, sole remaining member of Sampson Post, G.A.R., died at his home at 20 Jackson Street where he had been confined since Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Brackett celebrated their 67^th wedding anniversary just a month ago on March 12.

Mr. Brackett was active up to last Friday when he returned from his morning walk downtown. He complained of not feeling well and went to bed. He suffered a shock and pneumonia developed.

At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted in Co. B, 4^th New Hampshire Infantry. He served throughout the war, receiving only minor wounds.

Following Lee’s surrender, he came to Rochester and found employment in the old E.G. & E. Wallace shoe shop, which was located, near the B & M Railroad Station. He had charge of the heeling department before the company moved to its large brick plant on South Main Street.

For 16 years he was janitor at the old Maple Street School where daughter Mrs. Ida B. Meader now teaches.

He was a charter member of Sampson Post, G.A.R. and also of the Fort Fisher Command.

On March 12,1870 he married Miss Clara H. Howard, with the Rev. John Nutter, a retired Methodist minister, and a neighbor of his sister, who lived on Charles Street, performing the ceremony. At that time Charles Street was of dirt and there were few houses in the vicinity, even cattle roamed the street.

He is survived by his wife and daughter with whom he lived and a son, Russell, who also lived at home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon from the late house. Burial will be in the Rochester ceremony under the direction of J. Harvey Edgerly.

Somersworth

Charles F. Davis

Died July 9, 1937

Charles F. Davis, former Police Chief of Somersworth and the last member of the local Grand Army of the Republic, passed away July 9,1937, thus adding another post to that vast army of the G.A.R., who have fought their battles, completed their rolls, and past into history.

Mr. Davis has been remarkably active and enjoyed excellent health until within a few weeks and death came suddenly after a short period of illness.

Davis was born at Wayne, Me., on December 20,1847, the son of Mr. And Mrs. Edmund Davis. The family moved to Winthrop, Me., when Mr. Davis was very young and here he received his education. At the age of 18 he came to Somersworth where he has since made his home, and went to work at the Great Falls Iron Foundry. Later he served the city for many of years as chief of police and was at one time during the early years of the appearance of the electric cars here, a conductor on the Somersworth and Dover Line.

As a young man Mr. Davis was an ardent lover of horses. Always owning a number of thoroughbreds was an enthusiastic horseman and an accomplished jockey.

Mr. Davis’s wife, who died a number of years ago, was the former Mrs. Evelyn Davis.

The deceased saw service during the Civil War and enrolled in Company F, 11^th Regiment, Me., Infantry. Besides being the last member of the local G.A.R., of which he was a former commander, he also was the oldest member of the Libanus lodge of Somersworth.

He leaves a sister, Mrs. Abbie D. Ramsdell of Eastport, Me., a niece, M. Estelle Ramsdell, master’s assistant in the public schools of Cambridge, Mass, a cousin, Herbert Davis of Berwick, Me., and a brother’s widow, Mrs. Mary Davis of Tottenville, NY.

Flags at half-mast dotted the streets in honor of the deceased whose remains were escorted by an honorary delegation of the American Legion and a detachment of police, to the Memorial hall, where impressive funeral services were held at 2 o’clock.

The American Legion was in charge of the guard during the two-hour period while the body lay in state at the hall previous to the funeral service.

Rev. Elmer West, pastor of the United Baptist church, officiated and full Masonic rites were accorded by members of the Libanus Lodge, A.F. and A.M. At the grave in Forest Glade cemetery the committal service was conducted by Mr. West and final military honors given by the American Legion with farewell volleys by the marine firing squad from the Portsmouth Nay Yard who also played taps.

Clarence Bell, Frank Howe, Albert Colburn and Fred Legro represented the Masons. Henry Mullen, James Perreault, Placide Lagueux and Thomas Hanagan of the American Legion acted as bearers