He was 44 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (10, 11, 19 [37 in 1850], 20 [46 in 1860], 21 [59 in 1870], 22 [66 in 1880]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10, 19, 20, 21, 22).
In 1850, he was living in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (19). He was a tobacconist (19). He was living with his wife Margaret, and (presumed) children Robert, Sarah, Mary, John, and William (19).
In 1860, he was living in the 14th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (20). He was a segar maker, and owned $1500 in personal property (20). He was living with his wife Margaret, and (presumed) children Sarah, Robert, Mary, John, Martha, and Edward (20).
He was a tobaconist (10, 11 [segarmaker]). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (11).
He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (10, 11 [light hair]).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 19 September 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 10, 11, 13 [Aug 61]). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (10). He served as a private in company A (1).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (24).
On 27 August 1863, he returned to duty (8).
He began working as Francis Gregory's cook on 10 December 1863 (3, 9), and was still his cook on 30 December (3).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863 at Bealton, Virginia (1, 11).
On 3 May 1864, he was reported as being on daily duty (12).
On 7 July 1864, he was on daily duty (15). On 8 July 1864, he was reported as an assistant cook (16). And on 9 July 1864, he was reported as servant to Captain Francis Gregory (17).
On 21 October 1864, he was detailed as hospital attendent (5, 7, 23).
On 17 November 1864, Sellers included him in a report "[i]n compliance with S.O. 59 dated Hd Qrs 5 Army Corps November 15" 1864" (4).
On 21 November 1864, he went on a furlough, which ended on 2 December 1864 (6).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 11, 13).
In 1870, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (21). He was a watchman (21). He was living with his wife Margaret, and his (presumed) children Robert, John, Martha, and Elmira (21).
In 1880, he was living at 1306 Carlisle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (22). He was a cigar maker (22). He was living with his wife Margaret and son Robert (22).
He died on 12 September 1888 (2).
On 25 September 1888, Margaret Coster, his widow, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (2, 18).
In 1890, his widow, Margaret Coster, was living at 937 Darien Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (13, 14). Robert E Coster was also living there (14).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 pension index, by regiment (John P Coster)
3 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
4 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 17 November 1864
5 special order 100, HQ 91st PA, 21 October 1864
6 enlisted men's furloughs (John Coster)
7 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (John Coster)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 August 1863 (Pri Coster [?])
9 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 December 1863 (Pri Coster)
10 company A descriptive roll, entry 8 (John Coster)
11 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John Coster)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 3 May 1864 (Private Coster)
13 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia (3rd division, 20th ward), supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 402, page 2 (image 899 on <www.ancestry.com>), line 20 (John P Coster)
14 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory
15 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 July 1864 (Pri Coster)
16 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 8 July 1864 (John Coster)
17 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 9 July 1864 (Pri [?] Coster [?])
18 pension index by name (John P Coster)
19 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Northern Liberties, ward 1, microfilm series M432, film 810, page 10 (John P Coster)
20 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 14, microfilm series M653, film 1164, page 435 = 58 handwritten (John Coster)
21 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, district 29, microfilm series M593, film 1395, page 351 = 119 handwritten (John Coster)
22 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 612, microfilm series T9, film 1188, page 26 = 3C handwritten (John P Coster)
23 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 22 October 1864 (Privt Coster)
24 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John Coster)
| line | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Dwellings visited | 122 | |||||||
| Families visited | 127 | |||||||
| Name | John P Coster | Margaret " | Robert " | Sarah " | Mary " | John | William | Abraham Thachegor [?] |
| Age | 37 | 32 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4/12 | 27 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | F | M | M | M |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Tobacconist | Tobacconist | ||||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | New York | Pa | N York | Pa | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Dwelling number | 408 | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Family number | 408 | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Name | John Coster | Margaret Do | Sarah Do | Robert Do | Mary Do | John Do | Martha Do | Edward Do | William M Daniel |
| Age | 46 | 41 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 20 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | F | M | F | M | M |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation | Segar maker | Dress maker | Carpenter | Milliner | Carpenter | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 1500 | 200 | |||||||
| Place of birth | Do [sc. Pa] | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do |
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Dwelling-house number | 768 | ||||||
| Family number | 775 | ||||||
| Name | Coster John | - Robt | - John | - Margt | - Martha | - Elmira | Smith Mary |
| Age | 59 | 30 | 22 | 50 | 17 | 30 | 24 |
| Sex | M | M | F | F | F | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Watchman | Carptner [sic] | Salesman (Clerk | Keeps House | dress maker | ||
| Real estate value | |||||||
| Personal estate value | |||||||
| Birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | ||||||
| Birth month if born within year | |||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||||
| Attended school past year | |||||||
| Can't read | |||||||
| Can't write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| street name | Carlisle | ||
| house number | 1306 | ||
| dwelling visit # | 21 | ||
| family visit # | 23 | ||
| name | Coster John P | - Margaret | - Robt E. |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M |
| age | 66 | 60 | 40 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Wife | Son | |
| single | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |
| widowed/divorced | |||
| married during year | |||
| occupation | Cigar Maker | Keeping House | Carpenter |
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | |||
| school this year | |||
| can't read | |||
| can't write | |||
| birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Holland | Ireland | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Ireland |