Cummings, John

Birth

John Cummings was born in Ireland in 1833

Marriage & Children

John married Ellen Shay or Elen Shea (1831-1919), who was also born in Ireland. They had five known children:

• James Cummings (June 25, 1857, D. after March 31, 1905)
• John Cummings Jr. (May 20, 1859, D. after March 31, 1905)
• George Cummings (born June 1, 1861, D. May 11, 1880)
• Ellen Cummings Van Schaack ((b. December, 1866, D. after March 31, 1905)
• Thomas Cummings (B. Dec 11, 1866, D. Dec 29, 1882)

Occupation

John was a farmer for his entire life.

Military Service

Name:	John Cummings
Residence:
Enlistment Date:	30 Mar 1864
Enlistment Place:	Berne, New York
Enlistment Rank:	Private
State Served:	New York
Regiment:	81st Infantry
Company:	Company B
Wounded in Action on:	13 May 1864
Wounded at:	Drurys Bluff, VA(Drewry's Bluff)
Discharged for wounds on:	7 Jun 1865
Discharged at:	General Hospital, Point Lookout, MD

Additional Remarks: Enlisted at the age of 32 to serve three years. He was wounded in the hand and lost one finger. Born in Ireland, Age 32, Laborer, Gray eyes, Dark hair, Dark complexion, 5'5" tall.

Sources Used: Ancestry.com, American Civil War Soldiers; 1865 census, Berne, Albany Co., NY; Howell, George Rogers, History of the County of Albany, NY from 1609-1886, W. W. Munsell & Co., 1886, page 817; 1890 US Veterans Census Berne, Albany County, NY, Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York

Life

John was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in about 1851. It appears that he married Ellen in the US as she immigrated in 1854 with her brother Patrick Shay and their first child was not born until about 1858. Neither John, Ellen or Ellen's brother Patrick could read or write, which indicates that they got little education during their childhood. Records vary on whether John was naturalized or not.
By 1860 John and Ellen had settled in Berne where John owned land and was a farmer. They were to live there for the remainder of their lives. John's property was recorded in the 1866 Beers map as being in lot 463 grid 463. In the 1865 NY State Census, Ellen's brother Patrick was living with the family and was apparently taking over the farming responsibilities since John had been in the army. John continued to farm throughout his life even in 1900 when he was about 70 yrs of age. After John died in 1905, Ellen lived in Berne with her brother Patrick, who still reported his occupation as farmer. By 1915 she was apparently living alone in East Berne at the age of 85 years.

Landmarks of Albany County, NY, Edited by Amasa J. Parker, Albany, NY, page 125

John Cummings, was born in the city of Clonmell, Ireland, in 1829. He was one of four children of Patrick Cummings. John was a miller in his native place. He came to America and direct to the town of Berne, where he engaged in farming which he continued until recent years, when he retired to the village of Reidsville and leased his farm.
In 1864 he enlisted in Co. B, 81st Regiment N.Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war, participating in the battle of the Wilderness, where he received a wound and lost part of his hand. He was under General Butler in five active engagements.
His wife was Ellen Shea, a native of the city of Clonmell. Ireland, and daughter of Thomas Shea; to them were born five children: James, born June 25, 1857; John, born May 30, 1859; George, born June 1, 1861, and died at the age of nineteen; Ellen, born in October, 1862; and Thomas, born in December, 1866, and died at the age of sixteen.

Death

John died March 31, 1905. He was buried in Reidsville Cemetery in Reidsville. His wife Ellen survived him and did not die until 1919 when she was buried at Reidsville Cemetery with John and her two young sons.

John Cummings monument at the Reidsville Cemetery. Photo courtsey of Thomas Dunne

Obituary

From The Altamont Enterprise (Altamont, NY), 1905

Death has again entered our midst and taken an old resident and veteran of the civil war. John Cummings passed away March 31st. His funeral was held at his late residence, Sunday, April 2nd, Rev. A.D. Lamb officiating. He leaves a wife, two sons, James and John Cummings of Voorheesville, and one daughter, Mrs. James Van Schaack or Dormansville.

Additional Media

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Sources