Nicholas Pomeroy – American Civil War Veteran

Nicholas Pomeroy in a photo from c.1900

Nicholas Pomeroy is one of only two veterans of the American Civil War buried in County Cork. In fact, he is buried beside the Church in Millstreet. Here is a short overview of his story:

Nicholas Pomeroy was born about 1835 at Claramore to Robert Pomeroy and Harriet Justice. He was one of six children. His father worked hard on the farm and the family were brought up very respectably. Time passed, and the children went to school and when his older brother Tom got old enough to travel, he went out to a relation of his father’s in Missouri. When Nicholas was old enough, he followed around the end of 1858 in order to make a living.

As time passed, he got bored, and decided he wanted to see more of the world. So in October 1860 first visited his brother Tom in Ray County, and from there headed to St. Louis and took a steamboat down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where he had a nice time for a few days. From there he crossed the Gulf of Mexico to Galveston, Texas, and then onto Houston where he found employment.

There he fell into the ways of the local people, and their manners and customs became natural to him, and he liked the people and the weather and the nature around him very much, and life was uneventful.

But in Spring 1861, war was brewing, the southerners blood was up and Nicholas was ready for an adventure, and at the end of April 1861 he volunteered to fight for the Confederates at Houston. There they trained in a camp for several months before setting out for the seat of war in Virginia, and it was two months before they arrived at the Potomac River, facing the Federal Army across the river.

There was no fighting due to the winter. The army was reorganised, but and the biggest problem was to get enough food, heat, and shelter until the following Spring, when the action started. Many got sick at this time.

Here is a brief overview of the places that Nicholas saw action during the war as part of Company A 5th Regiment Texas Infantry:

  • Yorktown and coming to Magruder’s Assistance (April 1862)
  • The retreat from Yorktown and The Battle of Eltham’s Landing (May 3rd 1862)
  • The Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks (31st May-1st June 1862)
  • The Relief of Richmond and the Battle of Gaines’ Mill (Battle of Chickahominy River) (June 27, 1862)
  • Battle of Malvern Hill (1st July 1862)
  • The Second Battle of Bull Run or Battle of Second Manassas (August 28–30, 1862)
  • The Battle of Antietam (the Battle of Sharpsburg) September 17, 1862
  • The Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
  • The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1st-3rd, 1863). There he was shot twice: “at last I was struck by a bullet that glanced along my tight side tearing the flesh and lacerating my ribs, and at the same instant one passed through the lower joint of my little finger of my right hand. Though the wound in my side was not serious, it was very painful and I had great difficulty in breathing for quite a while”.  He was taken prisoner that day July 2nd  and sent to Fort McHenry (or Fort Delaware?). He met a man there who knew his brother Tom, and he told Nicholas that Tom had died accidentally. On July 31st he was  of the month he was paroled in a prisoner exchange.
  • Furlough – After his release he was given leave for 30 days, which really didn’t seem like very much.
  • Campaigning in Tennessee, where he got very sick with fever/malaria  in November 1863
  • The Battle of the Wilderness (May 5–7, 1864)
  • The Battle of Spotsylvania (May 1864)
  • The Siege of Petersburg (June 1864 to April 1865)
  • He surrendered with the remnants of General Lee’s army at Appomattox on April 9th 1865.

After the war his brother Robert wrote to him that they had been told that he was killed, and it was like he was risen from the dead. Robert urged Nicholas to come home, but he hesitated as he was now doing well in Texas. But in the summer of 1866, his mother summoned him home urgently as Robert was now ill. When he arrived home in September, Robert had passed with two weeks, and had left all his possessions and lands to Nicholas.
Nicholas had every intention of returning and making his fortune, but his mother begging him not to leave her and my father in their old age, so he remained.

He married Hannah Twomey from Minehill (Dromtarriffe) in 1869, and they lived and farmed at the home-place at Claramore, alas there were no children.

Many years later he wrote down his memories of the American Civil War. Titled “Reminiscances of the American Civil War”, they were never published, but to this day, they are one of the best sources of information on what happened at battles available to researchers. An extract from his memories is below.

Nicholas died at Claramore in 1919, and is buried in the church graveyard. His wife Hannah died in 1925. The house at Claramore was left to his cousin Nicholas Pomeroy on his death.

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This is an extract from his memoir:

Battle of Sharpsburg (Battle of Antietam)
September 16, 1862

About 5 o’clock on the 16th September our division at the head of Longstreet’s Corps after a hard days marching arrived close to the town of Sharpsburgh, and formed in line of battle off the road. The position of the 5th Texas was along the edge of some woods. Not far to our left and out in an open field was a little framed church, which was now to become historical from the position it occupied in the great battle before us, and how many narrow escapes it had from the numerous shells that were falling and exploding around it that evening and next day. The Federal batteries were posted on the hill in a semi-circular line in our front. Their shells were dropping and exploding all round us whilst taking up our position. About dusk the Federal batteries on the surrounding hills opened up with gill grater violence. At the same time our pickets in front were now falling back to take their places with the regiment. The enemy were now advancing in a heavy line of battle and our division was immediately under arms and moved forward to meet them. The 5th Texas passed through the wood, met the enemy in an open field in front—we got the order to charge and then fell back before us into the opposite wood. We followed up the retreating enemy almost to the other side of the woods when our line was halted. It was now dark. We held this position till we were relieved about 10 o’clock that night by another troops. We then fell back a short distance to the rear. We were without rations, and had not partaken of any food since morning and were now anxiously waiting for it to come. The flour we generally made into biscuits, and baked in pans but the bacon for economy we ate raw. I recall taking half a dozen canteens (my own and comrades) to procure some water to wet the flour whilst the others were starting fires to cook. I went round to the rear and turned to the left searching for the water, when I met one of our men coming against me with a number of canteens filled, and he directed me to a good spring, but cautioned me to be very careful as there were stray bullets dropping about it. I soon found the water, and when In the act of filling the canteens, a number of stray bullets struck the ground near me, showing that the enemy was not far off. I hastened back to camp, and just as I was in the act of reaching it, shells from the Federal batteries were exploding in our midst. Cooking utensils and rations were now abandoned and immediately the Texas Brigade were under arms. It was broad daylight now. [ref]

Reminiscances of the American Civil War” is available from the University of Texas at Austin. To get a digital copy, you will probably have to request a duplicate from the University of Texas. It is listed as:
“POMEROY (NICHOLAS) REMINISCENCES, 1861-1865, 1908-1911”

 

“Reminiscences of the American War 1861-1865 by Nicholas Pomeroy” – a family copy (S.R.)

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Bits and Pieces on the War

In his payment documents 1865, he is noted as:
5ft 10inches tall, of fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair.
He was enlisted 19th July 1861 by General Batts(?) at Houston (the rest is illegible)

(1) POMEROY, NICHOLAS – W. (hand & side) & POW, Gettysburg (July 2, 1863): Confined at Ft. McHenry, Md.: Exchanged, July 31, 1863. [Hood’s Texas Brigade]

Nicholas is listed in “Confederate Casualties at Gettysburg: A Comprehensive Record” (TODO: find that record)

Hood’s Texas Brigade” mentions that he was “wounded at Second Manassas“, but it is not mentioned in his memoir. [ref]

Pomeroy mentioned that the Texas infantry were armed with P1853 Enfield RM’s after arriving in Virginia [the AC]. Below is a video showing the loading and firing the P1853:

 

TODO: newspaper cuttings in Reminisences

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Commemorative Cross
(1908)

The deepest appreciation of the South’s greatest and best war heroes survives in the hearts, of every son and daughter of the area. Confederate veterans who followed, the tom and batterer  standard of Jefferson Davis Snr II hundredth xxxxx(band), will be celebrated loyalty by the Robert E. Lee and Oran M Roberts chapters of the umsj.'aaue"nierB of the confederacy today. In the Sunday School rooms of Christ church St MM xxxxx the following program will, be rendered In honor of the occasion: Invocation, J Masterson. Vocal solo, Mrs. It P. Davits. Address.-: John Charles Harris. Yoea duet Mrs. H. G. McMahan and Mrs. Bajus Allen; Vocal solo. O. W. Hard. Heading, Mrs. Fred, J. Heync. nano sqio, ssm Swraioni; Address. Mrs. Mary Hunt Affleck. Marshall Carlisle. Vocal sola, Mrs. r crosses erans by , Mrs. M. E. Bryan and Mrs. Wharton Bates. Vocal solo, oe Bruckmuller Accompanist, Mrs. T. C. Rowe. Crosses of eon or will be bestowed under the auspices of the Oran M. Roberts chapter Upon Thomas J. Chambers, tendon C. Chambers, W. J. Swelley and C. C. Tarver of Liberty County and upon Frank R. Jones, A. M. Pillow, C. C. Ilat-ten, W. H. Banuson and J. L. Burney of Houston. At the time these crosses are being conferred by careful planning of the chapter It is expected that a cross mailed some days ago by the chapter under direction of Its president, Mrs. Mary E. Bryan, will reach Nicholas Pomeroy at Cork, Ireland.
[June 3, 1908 The Houston Post from Houston, Texas · Page 11]

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Shamrock of Erin
(1909)

 

Visitors to his Grave

Here, Nicholas is of interest to American Civil War researchers because he is one of only two American Civil War Veteran buried in Cork County. Re-enactors Liam McAlister and LaDona have visited his grave a number of times [2016] [2016] [2020]:

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Raiding for Arms in the South

In October 1881 a young man from Ballydaly by the name of John Hickey was shot at Clara House as a result of a shooting between police and a gang of men who were raiding the Pomeroy house for guns. This is an extract from that story:

“… The attack was made upon the house of Mr. Nicholas Pomeroy, a man of independent means, and who holds a property of about two hundred acres, a couple of miles from the town. It would appear that as early as nine o’clock on Thursday night the raid for arms was made on this residence, which ended so disastrously for one of the parties concerned. Mr. Pomeroy alleges that there are no grounds for any popular hostility towards him, and, indeed, in those raids for arms no other feeling on the part of the raiders is manifested than to possess themselves of the weapons, whether belonging to friend or foe. At the hour mentioned, Mr. Pomeroy, who was within his house, heard a tapping at the door, and on being called on to open it he did so. He was then confronted by three men, who had masks over their faces, and one of them, addressing him, said, ‘We want your gun.’ He hesitated and said, ‘Are there only three of you there ?’ intending, if there were no more present, to resist their demand. The spokesman replied, ‘Oh, we have forty men here,’ and on looking round Mr. Pomeroy saw a large number of men standing between the gable of the house and the thickly growing trees further on. Seeing that they were in such number, he felt that resistance would be worse than useless. He went upstairs, brought down his gun, and handed it over to the leader of the party, who thanked him very politely. The police at once appeared on the scene, and the shooting commenced…” [1]

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About Nicholas Pomeroy (c.1835-1919)

Born about 1835 at Claramore, the son to Robert J. Pomeroy and Harriett Justice.

The six brothers and sisters were:

  • Anne – (c.1834-1903) The oldest, she married Henry Eagar and had a daughter Aileen, and lived in later on east of Glenflesk.
  • Mary – never married (always lived at Willowbrook)
  • Robert Richard  (c.1834-1866) Took over the farm c.1852, and left it to Nicholas when he died
  • Tom (c.1834-c.1862) – moved Missouri in the 1850’s. Died in an accident about 1862’s (in the war?)
  • Nicholas (c.1835-1919) –  our man here
  • Henry (c.1843-1908) – (noted as a bit wayward and unlucky) married twice, 6+children, a farmer & horse dealer. He stayed local.

Nicholas left for America most likely in late 1858, or maybe early 1959.  He says in Reminiscences: “A few months after I left home, Uncle Henry Justice died, and by his will left the house and land we occupied to brother Robert.” Henry Chinnery Justice died on April 13th 1859 [Grave at St.Anne’s, Millstreet]. Elsewhere he mentions that in February 1861, “It was not then quite three years since I left home at Claramore”.

Nicholas states that he arrived home about two weeks after his brother died (12th August 1866), so that most likely arrived home in September 1866.

Marriage of Nicholas Pomeroy and Hannah Twomey at Derinagree Church on November 17th 1869 by John Twomey C.C.; he a farmer of Claragh, son of Robert Pomeroy, a farmer; she a farmer of Minehill, daughter of James Twomey, a farmer; in the presence of Henry R Eagar (brother-in-law), and John Twomey.
(The church register of their marriage states that she is from Gurrane. Minehill and Gurrane are right beside each other)

1901 census: Residents of a house 4 in Claraghmore (Coomlogane, Cork)

Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Pomeroy Nicholas 62 Male Head of Family R Catholic
Pomeroy Hannah 60 Female Wife R Catholic
Pomeroy Mary 67 Female Sister
Boarder
R Catholic
Eagar Aileen 30 Female Niece (Sister Ann’s daughter)
Retired Farmer
R Catholic
Lenehan Mary 18 Female Domestic Servant R Catholic
Murphy Felix 19 Male Domestic Servant R Catholic
Casey Patrick 18 Male Domestic Servant R Catholic

1911 census: Residents of a house 3 in Claragh More (Coomlogane, Cork)

Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Pomeroy Nicholas 72 Male Head of Family
Farmer
Roman Catholic
Pomeroy Hannah 65 Female Wife Roman Catholic
Sullivan Michael 29 Male General Servant Roman Catholic
Casey Bridget 21 Female Domestic Servant Roman Catholic

Death of Nicholas Pomeroy on August 4th 1919 at Claramore; married; aged 84; a farmer; acute Bronchitis 7 days; R.J. Pomeroy (of Willowbrook, Millstreet) cousin of deceased Present at the death; (on the authority of the assistant general registrar)

Death of Hannah Pomeroy of Claramore on June 19th 1925; widow of Nicholas Pomeroy a farmer; aged 85; Gangrene of leg 29 days, exhaustion and heart failure.

 

He is buried in the Church Graveyard in Millstreet. Presumably his wife Hannah is buried there also: His military headstone reads:
“NICHOLAS POMEROY
CO A 5 REGT TEXAS INF CSA
1835-1919″

[Find a Grave] [Historic Graves]

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The entrance to Clara House

Claramore / Clara House

Claramore appears to have been controlled by the Pomeroy family since 1690:

1690. ~ INDEX to DIOCESAN ADMIN. BONDS. CORK and ROSS DIOCESE
Pomeroy, Richard Ballincruohig 16901. 1787 Lease of Claramore,”situate in the Barony of Duhallow and the County of Cork” to Henry Pomeroy of Millstreet, in the County of Cork and others. 360 acres. Leased from Edward Eyre.
1797 ~ Henry Pomeroy leased a house, shop and offices in Millstreet County Cork.
1798 ~ Robert Pomeroy and his son Richard leased Claramore from Richard Hedges (who later took the name Eyre)
(Were Henry and Robert brothers or cousins? Where did they come from?  Henry died about 1810. Robert died before 10/5/1810.) [PomeroyTwohig]

On 11 February 1798 Robert Hedges (who later took the name Eyre) leased the lands of Claraghmore, barony of Duhallow, county Cork, to Richard Pomeroy for three lives renewable for ever. Nicholas’ father Robert had inherited Claramore from his ancestors, and at the time of Griffith’s Valuation (c.1850) Robert Pomeroy held land in the parish of Drishane, barony of Duhallow and occupied a house valued at £4.10 shillings, which he held from the Reverend Richard Davis. Claraghmore, comprised of 462 acres, was advertised for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court in June 1853.

The Pomeroys farmed some of it, and the rest was let out to tenants. It received little or no rental payment during the famine, and thus the financial difficulties that arose. The Freeman’s Journal reported that it was sold to Henry C. Justice (Nicholas’ uncle married to Mary Wallis of Drishane) for £1,550 who leased it back to the Pomeroy family, and left some of it Nicholas’s brother Robert when he died in 1859. Nicholas Pomeroy of Claramore still owned 154 acres in County Cork in the 1870’s.
[Landed Estates]

 

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Nicholas’ Family

Father: Robert Pomeroy (c.1799-1876)

We know relatively little about Robert, other than he farmed Claramore but got into difficulties during the famine, leading to the sale of the lease in 1853.

In the 1841 Parlaimentary Election, Robert Pomeroy of Claramore voted for the Tory Party Candidates – Mr Philpott Leader and Mr Longfield (both of who were defeated) [CorkGen]

Death of ROBERT POMEROY in 1876, aged 77 (this is likely his death)

Mother: Harriett Justice (c.1807-1877)

Nicholas’ mother’s name (Harriett Justice) is never explicitly stated, but “Harriett Pomeroy” is listed in her son Henry’s marriage, and Nicholas refers to “my mother’s brother Henry Chennery Justice” who was of Duarrigle Castle. Thus Harriett Justice.

Death of HARRIET POMEROY (Nicholas’ mother) in 1877, aged 70 (most likely). (Harriett Justice’s death is also noted in the register with the same date and age as Harriet Pomeroy! Maybe they included the maiden names at that time, thus the duplication)

 

She was the daughter of Henry Leader Justice (1755–1815 of Derrinagree), and Ann Anne Chinnery (1760–1815). Her siblings were:

  • Henry Chinnery Justice,  (c.1785 CastleCor, Co. Cork – 1859 Dublin, a slicitor)
  • Mary Wallis (-) Married Harry Wallis, an Officer 52nd Foot, a grandson of HENRY WALLIS (1723–) of Curryglass and Drishane Castle
  • Charles Chinnery Justice (1795–1879 Clonbanin, a gentleman farmer)
  • Marie Monica Justice (c.1797–1870 Millstreet)

TODO: move the information to the page on the Justices

 

Sister: Ann Pomeroy  (c. 1830-1903)

Nicholas’ sister Ann married Henry R. Eagar, and they lived at Spring Field in Fermoy in 1865. He was an assistant County Surveyor. They had one daughter Aileen, who appears in Nicholas’ house in the 1901 census.

County Assises: “… Mr. James French, assistant in the eastern part of the County has resigned, and I have selected Mr. Henry Eagar, and recommend him to yon competent person to fill the vacancy. M I have the honour to be. Gentlemen, your obedient servant” [Cork Examiner – Wednesday 09 March 1864]

Marriage of HENRY EGAR and ANNA (ANN) POMEROY on 9 June 1862; in Millstreet Church, by Fr T. Nolan;  He of Glencleck (Glenflesk?), son of Richard Egar and Ellen Egar; She of Clara, daughter of Robert and Harriet Pomeroy; in the presence of Robert Pomeroy.

Birth of Aileen Elizabeth Egar of Spring Field, Fermoy on January 23rd 1865; to Ann (Pomeroy) and Henry Richard Eager of Spring Field Cottage, Fermoy

Death of husband – could not find it.

1901 census: Residents of a house 4 in Gortahoosh (Brewsterfield, Kerry)
[Townlands: Gortahoosh, Glenflesk]

Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Eager Anne 67 Female Head of Family
Widow
Roman Catholic
Healy John 27 Male Farm Servant Roman Catholic
Healy Kate 23 Female General Servant Roman Catholic

Death of Anne Theresa Eager at Gortaciush, Coom on December 6th 1903; widow; 69 years; Land occupier; Cancer of the breast 2 yrs; Aileen Eager daughter present at death.

1911 census: Residents of a house 5 in Gortahoosh (Brewsterfield, Kerry)

Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Eagar Aileen 39 Female Head of Family R Catholic
Healey John 35 Male Servant R Catholic
Moynihan Catherine 18 Female Servant R Catholic

Aileen died on October 7th 1936 at Gortahoosh, Glenflesk, aged 71, of TB, a spinster.

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Sister: Mary Pomeroy (c.1833-)

The second oldest, “Mary never married and always lived at our old home”.

Failed to find her death registration.

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Brother: Robert Richard (c. 1833-1866)

Took over the farm about 1853 on a lease from his uncle Henry Justice. “Robert young as he was proved worthy of the trust assigned him, and no better son or brother ever lived.” The farm was left to him in 1859 when Henry Justice died, but Robert himself died from poor health in Cobh in 1866, where he was attempting to get better. He left the farm and all his possessions to Nicholas on his death.

Death: POMEROY – On the 12th inst. at Queenstown, where he went for the benefit of his health, Robert Richard eldest son of Robert Pomeroy, Esq., of Claramore, Millstreet, in this county, aged 38 years. [Cork Examiner – Tuesday August 14th 1866]
Death of ROBERT RICHARD POMEROY in the 3rd quarter of 1866, aged 32 in Cork. (death register)

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Brother: Thomas Pomeroy (c.1834-c.1862)

Older than Nicholas, when Tom was old enough to travel, he went out to a relation of his father’s in Missouri, three years before Nicholas, so that’s about 1855. He was then a very sensible young fellow, and gave Nicholas some good advice in America, and explained the ways of the people etc.

Before going south in 1860, Nicholas visited Tom: “before leaving I went to see my brother who was then farming for himself in Ray County (Missouri). Tom had grown up to be as fine a specimen of manhood as could be found in the country, handsome, gentlemanly, esteemed and respected by all who knew him, and naturally I was very proud of him, and I little thought then when I bade him good-bye, that it would be for the last time.”

Nicholas found out about Tom’s death in prison after Gettysburgh in July 1963: “At last I found a man from Ray County Missouri who knew him. From this man I learned the sad news of his untimely death, how he met with an accident that cost him his life; He lived only three days after the accident that cost him his life; his decent burial etc. all of which would be too painful for me to write in detail. I never got such a shock before of after, for I loved him dearly and always looked up to him as my superior, and am still quite sure had he lived he would be a credit to the family.”

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Brother: Henry Pomeroy (c.1843-1908) 

“The youngest brother… when grown up turned out to be wayward and unfortunate” – Nicholas in Remenisinces. By this I think he means that he fathered a child before marriage, he married that girl, but she died ten years later, leaving him with 3+ children, he married again, and had another 3+ children. He lived at the Clara Road, Gurraneduff, Mount Leader lodge, and the Killarney Road

Marriage of HENRY POMARROY of CLARA and ELLEN CALLAGHAN of CLARA on 16 July 1861 in Millstreet Church; son of Robert and Hariet Pomeroy, daughter of Samuel and Mary Callaghan.

They had:

  • Baptism of JOANNES (JOHN) POMEROY of CLARA on 1 April 1861 (ASSUMED). He emigrated to New Zealand, and married Ellen (Nellie) McKENZIE (1871–1958) in 1902, and they had Ellen Elizabeth POMEROY (1904–2002),  and Mary (Sis) POMEROY (1906–1994).  Died August 28th 1946 in Masterton Wairarapa New Zealand. Buried in Archer Street Cemetery, Masterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand [anc] [1919]  [grave]
  • Baptism of ROBERTUS (ROBERT) POMEROY of CLARA on 27 January 1863. He was involved with the whiteboys / moonlighting and soon after a trial he emigrated to Massachusetts. There he married Hannah Bridget Spillane (1867 [2]–1959) who would have been his neighbour in Gurraneduff growing up, and they had Harry Justice Pomeroy, 1890–1975, John Meredith Pomeroy, 1891–1960, Helen Geraldine (Pomeroy) Tyra, 1894–1971, James Alphonsus Pomeroy 1895–1976, Robert Augustus Pomeroy 1899–1900. He died on July 22nd 1900 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts..[anc]
  • Baptism of SAMUELS (SAMUEL) POMEROY of GRANDAN (Gurraneduff) on 2 February 1865 [birth]

But his wife Ellen died a few years later:
Death of ELLEN POMEROY (Henry’s wife) in 1872, aged 28  (??probably her)

Henry married Hanoria Cotter a few years later in around 1873/1874 (can’t find a marriage cert … from 1911 census). They had:

  • Birth of HARRIETT POMEROY in 1874 at Gurraneduff. died in 1895.
  • Birth of ANNE POMEROY on February 21st 1877 at Gurraneduff. died in 1893.
  • Birth of William Pomeroy on 16th Nov 1878 (no documents, family sources). In 1911 he was a coalmine repairman in in Merthyr Tydfil, and single. William married and had a family. He died in South Wales on  16th June 1950.
  • Birth of Henry POMEROY On December 10th 1879 at Gurraneduff. William is actually written on the birth register, but according to the family this is Henry’s birth record. In any case, the baptism three days later lists him as Henry. Henry was died from wounds sustained at the attack on the Carnegie Hall in 1923.

Death of Anne Pomeroy of Mount Leader on January 20th 1893; spinster; 15 years old; daughter of Henry Pomeroy a lodge-keeper; Chronic peritonitis 2 months; Henry Pomeroy father present at the death Mount Leader

Death of Harriet Pomeroy of Mount Leader on June 21st 1895, 18 years old, a spinster, daughter of Henry Pomeroy a lodge keeper, disease of hip joint 2 years exhaustion 1 month. Henry Pomeroy father present at death.

1901 census: Residents of a house 2 in Killarney Road (Coomlogane, Cork)

Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Pomeroy Henry 57 Male Head of Family
A horse dealer
Catholic
Pomeroy Hanora 50 Female Wife Catholic

Death of Henry Pomeroy of West End, Millstreet on May 9th, 1908; 65 yrs; farmer; cerebral haemorrhage; Hanoria Pomeroy widow of the deceased, present at the death.

1911 census: Residents of a house 6 in Killarney Road (Coomlogane, Cork)

Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Pomeroy Hanoria 66 Female
Widow
Head of Family. married 37 years
4 children, 2 alive
Roman Catholic
Pomeroy Harry 29 Male Son Roman Catholic
Death of Harry (Henry) Pomeroy on 19th January 1923 at the Mercy Hospital of Secondary Haemmorage from gunshot wounds [The Attack on the Carnegie Hall (Jan 4th 1923)]  [other notes].
Death of Hanoria Pomeroy (Henry’s wife) at Millstreet Hospital in 1932, aged 80, widow of Henry Pomeroy a farmer.

 

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Other Millstreet connections in the American Civil War

Two other Millstreet Men were in the American Civil War:

1. Fireman 2nd Class Jeremiah Donoghue; USS Ohio. Liscahane, Millstreet, Co. Cork
2. John Noonan; Rathduane, Millstreet, Co. Cork. John Noonan’s pension says that he was a member of the 69th NY, but there is no record of him on the muster rolls. However there is John Noonan from Ireland who served with the 88th.  [see notes]

Also, there is Captain Timothy Deacy who was from Clonakilty. He commanded the Fenian Uprising here in Millstreet in 1867, and was a veteran of the American Civil War

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With thanks to those who helped to contribute to this article: Bridget, Liam, and Mary.

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TODO: maybe some more on his parents would be useful.

 

8 thoughts on “Nicholas Pomeroy – American Civil War Veteran”

  1. Brilliant article; thank you for bringing this man’s story to a wider public.
    The only other American Civil War veteran’s grave LaDona and I have, thus far, discovered in Cork is that of Sgt Humphrey Lynch, 4th US Light Artillery.
    On his return to Ireland, he established t”The Cotton Ball” pub in Mayfield, Cork City (still operating in family hands today). Sgt Lynch died in January 1905 and is buried in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Tory Top Road, Cork City.
    Once again, many thanks for the article.

  2. Really well done.
    My grandmother was from Knocknaloman and said there were two local veterans. She said one man had been in the Union Army and received a pension. The other had been a Confederate who had been wounded. I’m guessing the Union veteran was John Noonan and the Confederate was probably Nicholas Pomeroy.
    Thanks for the great work.

  3. John Noonan was my maternal great-grandfather. I have found two muster roll abstracts that show he was in the 88th; he was wounded at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, then returned to Ireland.

    1. Great find, all I have access to is Folder & they only have “Index Cards” for NY regiments. Would it be possible for you to share these?

      1. Liam – I’d be glad to share what I have, but I don’t know how to attach the files. Any suggestions?

  4. Liam and Maryanne did you ever find more on John? I think I found some info for him. He was almost certainly wounded at Gettysburg near where Nicholas was wounded and about the same time. I’m a bit of a history buff and find this fascinating.

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