Joseph Wilkinson
Joseph Wilkinson served in the 41st United States Colored Troops with Company D from September 21, 1864 to September 30, 1865. He was born in Philadephia County, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1841 to Pennsylvania-born parents, David Wilkinson and Keziah Wilkinson.1 His census records and military records suggest that he stayed in the Philadelphia County area for most of his life until his discharge period. According to the "1850 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson", Joseph was nine years old and lived in Newville, Cumberland with his parents and six-year-old brother, James Wilkinson.2 In the "1860 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson", he was 19 years old and lived in Dickinson, Cumberland, Dwelling 1243 with the David Lee family.3 He was working as a "farmers apprentice" to (presumed, not stated) 30-year-old farmer, Charles Lee.4 At about 23 years old, Wilkinson joined the 41st troops on September 21st, 1864.5 In volunteer form, he was described as a man of average stature, measuring five foot, six and a half.6 Assigned to the 41st Regiment of the United States Colored Troops in Philidelphia, Wilkinson served his one year commitment to the army. On September 30, 1865 he discharged at Edinburg, Texas with good remarks.7 His "U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Joseph Wilkinson" claims that he owed money (possibly $100 as his record states) for "1 gunsling", "1 screw driver", and other unrecognizable items.8
There is currently no marriage record dating Mr. Joseph Wilkinson's marriage, but the "1870 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson" that he was living with 19-year-old spouse, Susan A Wilkinson.9 After the war, his "U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Joseph Wilkinson", says he returned to Cumberland County and fathered daughter, Kate, with Susan Wilkinson.10 Ten years after that, he was living alone in Carlisle, North Street, Pennsylvania as a "widower".11 There is no obituary stating Susan Wilkinson's death, but it is possible she passed away in 1880 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Before 1889, Wilkinson moved back to Carlisle, where he became a pensioner and was given the nickname "Hopty".12 In his later life, Wilkinson had a number of legal issues. Wilkensen was brought up on anumber of larceny charges, earning short stints in jail for each. In February 15, 1889, Joseph and two other individuals - John Boney and Henry Taylor - were charged with "disturbing the opera house" and were sentenced to three months in jail plus a $50 fine.13 On Thursday evening of July 22, 1897, Joseph Wilkinson left to stay in the Hampton soldiers home in Virginia; this newspaper clipping stated that other Carlisle soldiers were living there at the time.14 According to the "1900 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson", he was living in Carlisle Ward 1, Cumberland Locust Avenue 414 as a "hostler" - an occupation in which an individual cares for horses at an inn.15 In 1910, he was arrested on the charge of "furnishing liquor to a person of known intemperate habits", and was later charged for assult and battery and carrying concealed deadly weapons.16 On November 8, 1912 (approximately 70 years old), he passed away at 24 Locust Avenue, Carlisle, Registration District 439, from "infirmities of age" and "heart failure".17 Wilkinson is burried at the Union Colored Cemetery in Carlisle. His burial record shows that his grave was located in Section C, Range 18 and it was "marble".18 The image on the right - Tombstone of Joseph Wilkinson [online image] - shows a current image of Joseph Wilkinson's tombstone from 2019.19 His death record also states that he was known in "race circles", but it does not state what horse company.20 There are currently no digitized or print records of Joseph Wilkinson.
1. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Joseph Wilkinson, 2012; "1850 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson."
2. 1850 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson, 285B.
3. 1860 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson, 289.
4. 1860 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson, 289.
5. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Joseph Wilkinson, 2007.
6. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Joseph Wilkinson, 2007.
7. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Joseph Wilkinson, 2012; U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Joseph Wilkinson, 2007.
8. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Joseph Wilkinson, 2007.
9. 1870 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson, 263B.
10. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Joseph Wilkinson, 2012
11. 1880 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson, 210A.
12. "Arrested for Stealing." The Sentinel, 1.
13. "Prisoners Sentenced." The Sentinel, 1.
14. "Will Go to Hampton." The Sentinel, 3.
15. Hostler. FamilyTreeResearcher: USA.
16. "Monday Afternoon: Furnishing Liquor." The Sentinel, 4.
17. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967 for Joseph Wilkinson, 2014.
18. Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 for Joseph Wilkinson, 2010.
19. Tombstone of Joseph Wilkinson [online image], 2017.
20. "The Death Record." The Sentinel, 2.
Bibliography:
"Arrested for Stealing." The Sentinel, December 2, 1884. https://www.newspapers.com/image/343941383.
Boarder. Dictionary.com: USA, n.d. dictionary.com/browse/boarder
1850 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pg. 285B. NARA: Washington, 2009. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/8054/4204716.
1860 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pg. 289. NARA: Washington, 2009. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7667/4288995.
1870 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pg. 263B. NARA: Washington, 2009. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7163/4278552.
1880 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pg. 210A. NARA: Washington, 2010. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/6742/4244330.
GRR1430. Tombstone of Joseph Wilkinson [online image]. Find A Grave: USA, 2017. findagrave.com/memorial/130701661/joseph-wilkinson
Hostler. FamilyTreeResearcher: USA, n.d. familyresearcher.co.uk/glossary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations-jobs-beginning-I-14.
"Monday Afternoon: Furnishing Liquor." The Sentinel, May 10, 1910. newspapers.com/image/344439230.
1900 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pg. 6. NARA: Washington, 2004. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7602/4115075.
1910 United States Federal Census for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pg. 5A. NARA: Washington, 2006. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7884/4450030.
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967 for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission: PA, 2014. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/5164/41381.
Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Series 1. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission: PA, 2010. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1967/31501.
"Prisoners Sentenced." The Sentinel, February 15,1889. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32208379/the_sentinel/.
"The Death Record." The Sentinel, November 9,1912. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32206412/death_record_for_joseph_wilkinson/.
U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2007. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1107/31039.
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Joseph Wilkinson. Ancestry.com. Find A Grave: USA, 2012 .https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130701661.
"Will Go to Hampton." The Sentinel, July 22, 1892. newspapers.com/clip/32208123/joseph_wilkinson/.