Cpl. David Gillmor, Co. I - Regimental Mail Carrier
David Gillmor was born October 7, 1830 (Andrew Jackson was President) in Birdsboro, Berks, Pennsylvania. David was number five of nine children born to his parents Elizabeth Millard and David Gillmor. His parents are buried at St. Paul’s M.E. Cemetery in Geigertown, Berks County.
David appears in October 1850 in the South East Ward of Reading. Rev. Newton Weston at the Central United Methodist Church, Reading married David and Sarah Ann Doyle on September 22, 1853. In most of the census records his occupation is listed as a painter. David and Sarah had eight children.
24 Sep 1861– 4 Mar 1864 were the years of his military enlistment in Company “I” of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was a Mail Carrier. Some of the original permission letters that he carried when riding through the lines have been donated to the Reading Historical Library. He achieved the rank of Corporal.
He was admitted to the McClellan U.S. Army Hospital in Philadelphia on October 26, 1863. He was discharged on surgeon’s notice on 7th March 1864 from McClellan. At that time he was 33 years old, 5 foot, 7 1/2 inches tall light complexion, hazel eyes and had brown hair. He “contracted cold which settled on his lungs” while doing duty on picket at Camp at Fletcher's Chapel, below Fredericksburg, Virginia in February of 1863. He received a disability discharge on 07 March 1864.
In July 1870 he was a locomotive painter journeyman. He continues as a painter and laborer through the rest of his life.
He is listed on the 1890 “Special Schedule-Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines” as having chronic bronchitis.
He received a pension of $24.00 per month for 'disease of the lungs’. The pension papers are dated 10 Nov 1890.
He died on March 14 1897 in Reading and is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery.
Louise Kennedy, a descendant of David Gillmor, supplied the information for this blog post.
Note: David’s brother-in-law was Col. Joseph A. McLean, Commander of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. Joseph was killed on the field at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. The enemy on the field buried him where he fell and his body was never recovered. McLean Post, G.A.R. was named after Joseph in Reading, PA, there is a Memorial Stone for him in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA.
David appears in October 1850 in the South East Ward of Reading. Rev. Newton Weston at the Central United Methodist Church, Reading married David and Sarah Ann Doyle on September 22, 1853. In most of the census records his occupation is listed as a painter. David and Sarah had eight children.
24 Sep 1861– 4 Mar 1864 were the years of his military enlistment in Company “I” of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was a Mail Carrier. Some of the original permission letters that he carried when riding through the lines have been donated to the Reading Historical Library. He achieved the rank of Corporal.
He was admitted to the McClellan U.S. Army Hospital in Philadelphia on October 26, 1863. He was discharged on surgeon’s notice on 7th March 1864 from McClellan. At that time he was 33 years old, 5 foot, 7 1/2 inches tall light complexion, hazel eyes and had brown hair. He “contracted cold which settled on his lungs” while doing duty on picket at Camp at Fletcher's Chapel, below Fredericksburg, Virginia in February of 1863. He received a disability discharge on 07 March 1864.
In July 1870 he was a locomotive painter journeyman. He continues as a painter and laborer through the rest of his life.
He is listed on the 1890 “Special Schedule-Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines” as having chronic bronchitis.
He received a pension of $24.00 per month for 'disease of the lungs’. The pension papers are dated 10 Nov 1890.
He died on March 14 1897 in Reading and is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery.
Louise Kennedy, a descendant of David Gillmor, supplied the information for this blog post.
Note: David’s brother-in-law was Col. Joseph A. McLean, Commander of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. Joseph was killed on the field at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. The enemy on the field buried him where he fell and his body was never recovered. McLean Post, G.A.R. was named after Joseph in Reading, PA, there is a Memorial Stone for him in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA.