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Randolph M Smith

Before the war

He was 21 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (7, 10 [19 in 1860], 11 [29 in 1870], 12 [39 in 1880]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7, 10, 11, 12).

In 1860, he was living in the 13th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). He was a bookbinder (10). He had been married within the year, and was living with his wife Sarah and daughter Isabella (10).

In June 1861, he (or someone else with the same name) was first corporal of Company A, First Regiment, of the Philadelphia Home Guards, from the Thirteenth Ward (with Edgar Gregory as captain) (14).

When he was enlisted, he was a bookbinder (7).

Description

He was 5 feet 8-3/4 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair (7).

During the war

He enlisted and was mustered into service as first sergeant of company A on 20 August 1861 (1, 6, 7, 8, 9). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Starr (7).

He was promoted on 11 June 1862 from first sergeant to second lieutenant, replacing Ansel Hamburg (1, 4 [10 June], 5 [12 (?) June], 6, 7).

On 29 June 1862, he, along with the other commissioned officers in the regiment (except Colonel Gregory), signed a statement denying accusations that they were on the verge of open mutiny, that the regiment had been reduced to 400 men, and that Colonel Gregory was too lenient to Confederates and too harsh to men in the regiment (13).

He resigned on 13 December 1862, because of ill health (1, 2, 3, 4 [10 Dec], 5 [10 Dec], 7 [10 Dec], 8 [10 Dec], 9 [Nov 63]).

After the war

In 1870, he was living in the 14th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11). He was an upholsterer, and owned $400 in personal property (11). He was living with his wife Sarah and children Isabella, Laura, and Robert (11).

In 1880, he was living at 803 Linden Street, Camden, Camden County, New Jersey (12). He was a clerk (12). He was living with his wife Sarah and children Bella, Laura, Lehman, Montroville [?], and Frank (12).

On 28 June 1880 and on 4 March 1907, he applied successfully for a pension (8).

In 1890, he was living in Brooklyn, King County, New York (9).

He died in 1907 (8).

Sources

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 Thomas F Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers Mail volume 3 number 38 page 2

3 Official army register

4 regimental descriptive book (Randolph M Smith)

5 register of commissioned officers, company A (Randolph M Smith)

6 register of non-commissioned officers, company A (Randolph M Smith)

7 company A descriptive roll, entry 84 (Randolph M Smith)

8 pension index, by regiment (Randolph M Smith)

9 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 317, page [1] (Randolph M Smith)

10 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 13th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1163, page 558 = 138 handwritten (Randolph Smith)

11 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 14th ward, 40th district, microfilm series M593, film 1398, page 52 = 103 handwritten (Randolph Smith)

12 1880 US census, New Jersey, Camden County, Camden, 2nd ward, 2nd precinct, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 43, microfilm series T9, film 773, page 126A = 33 handwritten (Randolph M Smith)

13 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (R M Smith)

14 'The Home Guard organization', Philadelphia Inquirer, 29 June 1861, page 2 (Randolph M Smith)

[I did not find him in the index to the pension index cards on <www.ancestry.com> (searched June 2005)]

1860 census

[1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 13th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1163, page 558 = 138 handwritten]
line2930313233343536
Dwelling number949       
Family number964       
NameAnna WeberIsabella "Henrietta "Randolph SmithSarah "Isabella V "Emiline MottElla M Sweeney
Age56403019192/12402/12
SexFFFMFFFF
Color        
Occupation Bookfolder"Book Binder    
Value of real estate owned        
Value of personal estate350       
Place of birthPenna"""""""
Married within year   11   
Attended school within year        
Cannot read & write        
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.        

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 14th ward, 40th district, microfilm series M593, film 1398, page 52 = 103 handwritten]
line2425262728
Dwelling-house number661    
Family number810    
NameSmith Randolph- Sarah A- Isabella V- Laura G- Robert J
Age29291074
SexMFFFM
ColorWWWWW
OccupationUpholstererKeeping House   
Real estate value     
Personal estate value400    
BirthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Father foreign born     
Mother foreign born     
Birth month if born within year     
Marriage month if married within year     
Attended school past year  11 
Can't read     
Can't write     
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.     
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1    
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...     

1880 census

[1880 US census, New Jersey, Camden County, Camden, 2nd ward, 2nd precinct, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 43, microfilm series T9, film 773, page 126A = 33 handwritten]
line32333435363738
street nameLinden St
house number803      
dwelling visit #313      
family visit #313      
nameSmith Randolph M.Sarah A.Bella RLaura GLehman RMontroville [?]Frank G
colorWWWWWWW
sexMFFFMMM
age393920171475
month born if born in year       
relationship WifeDaughterDaughterSonSonSon
single  11111
married11     
widowed/divorced       
married during year       
occupationClerkKeeping House   At SchoolAt School
months unemployed       
currently ill?       
blind       
deaf/dumb       
idiotic       
insane       
disabled       
school this year     11
can't read       
can't write       
birthplacePennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPenna
father's birthplacePennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPenna
mother's birthplacePennaN.J.PennaPennaPennaPennaPenna

1890 census, veterans schedule

[1890 US census, veterans' schedule, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 317, page [1]]
[line] 12
[house] [blank]
[family] [blank]
[name] Randolph M Smith
[rank] Lieut
[company] A
[unit] 91 Penn
[enlistment date] Aug 1861
[discharge date] Nov 1863
[length of service] 2 years, [blank] months, [blank] days
[post office address] 171 11" St
[disability incurred] " " " " " [sc. expiration of term of service] sickness [sic]
[remarks] [blank]

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revised 10 Nov 06
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