He was 22 years old when he was enrolled (11, 12 [24 in 1863], 17 [71 in 1910]). He was born in Pennsylvania (17).
He was a fisherman (11, 12). He was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he was enrolled (11).
He was 6 feet 0 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (11, 12).
He was enrolled and mustered into service as a private on 7 October 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 11, 13, 15). He served in company B (1).
He re-enlisted for three years, as a veteran volunteer, on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 11, 12 [25 Dec]). He was reenlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter, and mustered in by Lieutenant Swann (12). He was then a corporal (11).
He was promoted from corporal to sergeant, before July 1863 (1, 7 [simply lists him as sergeant], 18).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (18).
He was wounded on 27 October 1864 (1, 11).
On 1 January 1865, Sellers asked that he be discharged to allow him to accept a commission as first lieutenant (4). He was discharged near Petersburg, by order of Major General Meade (9). He was promoted to first lieutenant on 4 January 1865 (1, 8, 9, 11, 19).
On 27 January 1865, he and other officers met near Petersburg Virginia and adopted a testimonial to Captain James Closson, who had died in November 1864, of wounds received in action (2).
He went on leave on 1 February 1865; it expired on 16 February 1865 (5, citing SO 29, 5th Corps).
On 25 June 1865, he went on a leave, which expired on 10 July 1865 (5, citing SO 141 HQ 5th Corps). He was absent, on furlough, when the regiment mustered out on 10 July 1865 (1, 11, 13 [10 Jul 65], 15 [10 Jul 65]).
In 1865/1866, he married Phillipine Godfrey (17, 20). She is the sister of Amos Godfrey and Stephen Godfrey, who also served in the 91st (20). In 1910, she reported having had four children, all of whom were alive (17).
On 16 July 1890, and again on 15 February 1907, he successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension (2, 15).
In 1890, he was living at 825 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (13, 14). He probably was running a restaurant (14). William Knapp, Junior, was also living there; he was a salesman (14).
In 1910, he was living at 631 Keller Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (17). He was living with his wife Philipina, and daughter Ella (17). He was a day watchman (17).
He died on 26 December 1919, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (15, 16). He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (16). His death notice refers to three organizations: Newhall Post No. 7 GAR, US Mint Beneficial Society, Nevada Tribe Number 76 Improved Order of Red Men (16). His funeral was held at 1621 East Eyre Street (16).
Contact his descendent Sue Chiaverini at geo_sue_chiaverini@verizon.net.
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 testimonial to James Closson, adopted 27 Jan 1865
3 Pension index, by name. (Searched 8 May 2001, on <www.ancestry.com>.)
4 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 1 January 1865.
5 undated officers' furlough list, in regimental letter, order, guard, and furlough book (Wm Knapp)
6 [undated and untitled chart with officers' names] (Lt Knapp)
7 list of non-commissioned officers, co.B (William Knapp, 2 entries)
8 company B, list of commissioned officers (Wm Knapp)
9 company B, register of men discharged (Wm Knapp)
10 company B [first] descriptive roll, entry 4 (William Knapp) [no information]
11 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 30 May 2004 (William Knapp)
12 company B, [second] descriptive book, entry 2 (William Knapp)
13 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 355, page [1] (image 759 on <www.ancestry.com>, line 7 (William Knapp)
14 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (William Knapp)
15 pension index, by regiment (William Knapp)
16 [death notice], Public Ledger [?] 28 December 1919, page 17, column 7, on DistantCousin.com (searched February 2006) (William Knapp)
17 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 18th ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 283 [?], microfilm series T624, film 1392, page 180 = 9 handwritten (William Knapp)
18 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (William Knapp)
19 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 5 January 1865 (Sergt Knapp)
20 e-mail, Sue Chiaverini, 16 January 2007
| line | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| street | Keller Street | ||
| house nr | 631 | ||
| dwelling nr | 185 | ||
| family nr | 190 | ||
| name | Knapp William | - Philipina | - Ella R |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter |
| sex | M | F | F |
| color | W | W | W |
| age | 71 | 59 | 29 |
| marital status | M1 | M1 | S |
| #years present marriage | 44 | 44 | |
| mother of # children | 4 | ||
| mother of # living children | 4 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Switz - German | Fr - French | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Fr - French | Pennsylvania |
| immigrated | |||
| naturalized/alien | |||
| speaks English | English | English | English |
| occupation | day watchman | none | Tracer |
| nature of industry etc. | [illegible] | shipyard | |
| employer etc. | W | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | No | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 0 | |
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |||
| owned/rented | R | ||
| owned free or mortagaged | |||
| farm/house | H | ||
| nr on farm schedule | |||
| civil war vet | UA | ||
| blind | |||
| deaf & dumb | |||
Dec. 26, William Knapp, husband of late Philippine Knapp, aged 80. Relatives and friends, Newhall Post No. 7, G. A. R.; U.S. Mint Beneficial Society, Nevada Tribe No. 76, I. O. R. M., invited to funeral, Tues., 2 p.m., 1621 E. Eyre st. Int. private, Greenwood (K. of P.) Cem. Friends may call Mon., after 8 p.m.