George D. Bennett was a resident of Mansfield on August 19, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged June 8, 1865.
The descriptive muster roll for the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 34 and his occupation as peddler. His is described as 5’10” tall with a light complexion and light hair and blue eyes. His marital status is married.
He was born about 1828 and in the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 32 year old peddler and living in the household of his brother, Theodore Bennett. Theodore also enlisted in Co. D; both are sons of William and Harriet (Dunham) Bennett. A third brother, Seth D. Bennett served in Co. B of the 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. George married Mary E. Hall between 1860 and 1865. Children include William A. Bennett, born about 1866.
On February 29, 1872, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 172,961 that was granted under certificate No. 239,261. His widow applied for a pension on May 13, 1891.
George D. Bennett died on January 23, 1891 in Willimantic, Connecticut and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
Theodore F. Bennett was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was killed in action June 3, 1864 in Cold Harbor, Virginia.
The following account of his death is from the 1864 diary of Alfred P. Hanks, a fellow soldier of Co. D:
“While lying down in the line looking towards the enemy, T. F. Bennett, who lay side of his brother was hit by a Ball… He made no move only to straighten his body & was dead, without uttering a sound.“
The descriptive muster roll for the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 33 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’9” tall with a fair complexion and red hair and dark eyes. His marital status is married.
He was born on December 25, 1829 in Mansfield. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 31 year old farmer and the head of household. His wife, Lucina, 24 and brother, George D. Bennett, 32 are also living in the household. George also enlisted in Co. D; both are sons of William and Harriet (Dunham) Bennett. A third brother, Seth D. Bennett served in Co. B of the 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Theodore married Lucina Dunham on March 20, 1854 in Mansfield. They had no children.
His young widow, Lucina, filed for a widow’s pension on September 19, 1864, No. 35,552 that was granted under certificate No. 45,117. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, she was receiving a widow’s pension of $8 per month that commenced in April, 1865.
Theodore F. Bennett is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
George W. French was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Corporal in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was promoted August 31, 1863 to Sergeant.
The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 22 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’7” tall with a light complexion and light hair and blue eyes. His marital status is married.
On November 27, 1864, he was transferred by promotion to Co. H of the 8th Regiment United States Colored Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant by Major General Benjamin Butler. He was promoted again to 1st Lieutenant on March 5, 1865 by Major General Ord. He was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas on November 10, 1865.
On December 9, 1865, he appeared before an alderman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and testified that he had never received any pay or traveling expenses for his service in the 8th Regiment United States Colored Infantry.
George W. French was born August 4, 1840 in Mansfield to James H. and Mary (Lamphear) French. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 19 year old farm laborer in the household of Nathan F. Palmer. George W. French married Harriet M. Dunham on August 6, 1862 in Mansfield, five days before he enlisted in the army. They had one daughter, Annie L. French, born about 1869. After the Civil War, he returned to Mansfield where he was a farmer and a butcher.
On August 11, 1882, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 458,205 that was granted under certificate No. 522,804.
George W. French died on January 17, 1918 in Mansfield Center and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
French Letter
“I have a great deal to do here but like first rate so far. The 8th is well drilled & are good soldiers, have done good fighting & I have no doubt can do it again. The prejudice against colored troops is dying out pretty fast.”
Letter, George W. French to Ellery, February 16, 1865. George W. French Letters, 1862-1865, Ms 98132, Connecticut Historical Society
The Connecticut Historical Society has in its archives a collection of eleven letters written by George W. French to his friend Ellery Pike, another soldier from Mansfield. In his letter to him dated February 16, 1865, he writes about the 8th regiment US Colored Infantry. A scan of the full letter is attached, courtesy of the Connecticut Historical Society.
Ebenezer Hutchins enlisted in Linden, New York on September 20, 1861 as a Private in Co. A of the 9th Regiment New York Cavalry; he was mustered out April 7, 1862 at Washington, D. C.
He was born about 1832 in Windham, Connecticut, probably to James and Lucretia (Jennings) Hutchins. In the1860 U.S. census in Hampton, he is a 28 year old farm laborer in the household of James Hutchins. George Hutchins, a probable brother is a 15 year old in the same household; he served in the Civil War in the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Ebenezer Hutchins married Jane E. Hibbard about 1870 and moved to the province of Ontario in Canada before the 1871 Canadian National Census. He is enumerated in Lake Vernon, Muskoka in Ontario. Lucretia Hutchins, his widowed mother, is living in the previous household that is headed by his brother George Hutchins. Children include: Unine (Eunice?) E. Hutchins, born about 1866 and Louisa Jane Hutchins, born March 17, 1872. Ebenezer was a farmer and is not found in the 1880 United States or the 1881 Canadian censuses. He had moved from Canada to Mansfield, Connecticut between 1873 and 1893.
On March 26, 1863, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 15,387 that was granted under certificate No. 474,130.
Ebenezer Hutchins died on February 7, 1893 in Mansfield and he is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
George A. Hutchins was a resident of Hampton, Connecticut on June 2, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. E of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was transferred to Co. B, 14th Regiment Veterans Reserve Corp. on June 1, 1863 and discharged June 26, 1865.
He was born June 5, 1845 in Windham, Connecticut to James and Lucretia (Jennings) Hutchins. In the 1860 U.S. census in Hampton, he is a 15 year old in the household of James Hutchins. Ebenezer Hutchins, a probable brother is a 28 year old farm laborer in the same household; he served in the Civil War in the 9th New York Cavalry. George Hutchins married Elizabeth Mariah Galvin ? about 1868 and moved to the province of Ontario in Canada before the 1871 Canadian National Census. He is enumerated in Lake Vernon, Muskoka in Ontario. Lucretia, his widowed mother, is living in his household and his brother, Ebenezer heads the following household. In the 1881 Canadian National Census, George is a farmer residing in Proudfoot & Chaffey & Bethune & Perry, Muskoka, Ontario. Children include: George B. Hutchins, born about 1869; Charles E. Hutchins, born August 27, 1871; Harry Gilbert Hutchins, born March 4, 1873; Etty T.F.S. Hutchins born September 20, 1874; Louisa E. Hutchins, born about 1877 and George W. Hutchins, born about 1879.
On September 27, 1887, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 621,832 that was granted under certificate No. 542,954.
George A. Hutchins died on July 15, 1908 in Mansfield and the death record stated that he was a resident of Huntsville, Ontario, Canada; he is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
John Packer was a resident of Coventry on September 9, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. B of the 10th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded March 14, 1862 at Newbern, North Carolina and discharged for disability November 30, 1862.
He was born of August 25, 1833 in Bozrah, Connecticut to John and _____ Packer. It is possible that his mother was the Eunice Randall that married John Packer in Colchester, Connecticut on March 15, 1829; Colchester is not far from Bozrah. In the 1860 U.S. census in Salem, John Packer is a 25 year old farmer and head of household. John Packer married Mary C. _____ between 1850 and 1860. Children include: Caroline Packer, born about 1857; Edward E. Packer, born February 1, 1859 and Cora Packer, born about 1866.
John Packer moved to Mansfield before 1870 and was a farmer there until after 1900. In the 1900 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a widower living in his son, Edward’s household.
On July 26, 1879, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 300,384 that was granted under certificate No. 791,792.
John Packer died on February 27, 1910 at Fitch’s Home for Soldiers in Darien, Connecticut and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
Ellery Clark Pike was a resident of Mansfield on September 8, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. E of the 22nd Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was mustered out on July 7, 1863. He apparently wrote to many family members and friends from 1861 to 1869 as many of the return letters received by him were saved and are in the collection of the Connecticut Historical Society. They provide insight into life on the home front and in the military.
The descriptive muster roll of the 22nd Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 19. No occupation is recorded. He is described as 5’ 11” tall with a light complexion and blue eyes and brown hair. His marital status is single.
He was born on November 21, 1842 in Mansfield to Gardiner C. and Selina (Dunham) Pike. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 17 year old farmer in the household of Gardner C. Pike. Ellery Pike married Martha J. Snow December 16, 1865. Children include: Arthur C. Pike, born about 1867; Walter M. Pike, born about 1868; Helen A. Pike, born about 1871; Mabel A. Pike, born about 1872; Herman E. Pike, born about November 1875 and Bertha Cleopatra Pike, born about May, 1880. After his Civil War service, Ellery was a farmer in Mansfield; in the 1880 U.S. census, he was listed as a butcher.
On April 13, 1891, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 1,011,189 that was granted under certificate No. 788,077. His widow applied for a pension on November 24, 1909.
Ellery C. Pike died on October 18, 1909 in Mansfield and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
George Dallas Reynolds was a resident of Mansfield on August 18, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1864 and mustered out June 16, 1865.
The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 18 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 5” tall with a light complexion and blue eyes and light hair. His marital status is single.
He was born October 21, 1844 in Coventry, Connecticut to William and Eunice Amelia (Stowell) Reynolds of Massachusetts. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 15 year old farmer in the household of William Reynolds. George Reynolds married Francelia Elizabeth McGrath on December 26, 1871. Francelia (McGrath) Reynolds died on June 13, 1875; there are no known children. He married second ______ between 1875 and 1890.
On August 27, 1890, his widow applied for a widow’s pension, No. 481,631 that was granted under No. 309,041.
George D. Reynolds died on January 13, 1890 in Smith’s Falls, Ontario, Canada and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
Orrin E. Squires was a resident of Eastford on November 11, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. F of the 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was wounded September 17, 1862, Antietam, Maryland and discharged for disability, October 24, 1862. He reenlisted December 7, 1863 and was mustered out December 21, 1865.
He was born about 1825 in Ashford, Connecticut to Nathan and Anna (______) Squires. Orrin E. Squires married Cordelia E. Barrows on August 5, 1849 in Ashford. He married second, Abbie _____ between 1860 and 1865. Children from his second marriage include: Frank Squires, born about 1866, Eugene Squires, born about 1868 and an unnamed male Squires born about April, 1870. After the Civil War, he moved to Mansfield and worked as a farm laborer.
On November 30, 1869, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 153,092 that was granted under certificate No. 235,522. A pension application was filed for his minor children at a later date.
Orrin E. Squires died on February 26, 1879 in Mansfield and he is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
Ralph W. Storrs was a resident of Mansfield on September 8, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. E of the 22nd Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged for disability on April 2, 1863.
The descriptive muster roll of the 22nd Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 23. No occupation is recorded. He is described as 5’ 8” tall with a light complexion and blue eyes and brown hair. Hi marital status is married.
He was born in Ashford, Connecticut on July 14, 1839 to Edwin and Laura (Wright) Storrs. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 20 year old farmer in the household.of Edwin Storrs. On November 26, 1861, he married Mary A. Gurley in Mansfield. Children include Eckley R. Storrs, born October 19, 1866, Llewellyn J. Storrs, born May 22, 1868 and Marion Storrs, born August 3, 1874. He was a farmer and served in the following positions in Mansfield: Town Clerk and Treasurer of the town, Treasurer of the School fund, and Clerk of Probate.
Ralph W. Storrs died on October 22, 1904 and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
William P. Traganse was a resident of Hartford on October 16, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. A of the 1st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry. He was promoted to Corporal on January 18, 1862 and to Sergeant on November 1, 1862. He died of fever on December 22, 1863 at Baltimore, Maryland.
He is probably the William Traganza born about 1838 in Connecticut to Daniel W. and Lucy (Pease) Traganza. William Traganse probably married Astonia/Austonia C. Bennett about 1860. Her brothers, George D., Theodore F. and Seth all served in the Civil War from Mansfield.
Austonia Traganse received a widow’s pension and a guardianship pension was filed for her son in 1867.
William P. Traganse is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.
