UNIT: Company C, 34th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
HOMETOWN: Medford Township
BORN/DIED: 1843–1892
RANK: Private
GRAVE LOCATION: Old Tabernacle Cemetery, Row 18 Lot 1
Approximate Grave Location:
[GRAVE MAP PLACEHOLDER: Isaac Taylor]
Old Tabernacle Cemetery, Row 18 Lot 1
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Hear My Story
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Read My Story
I was born in New Jersey in 1843. I was mustered in as a recruit Private in Company C of the 34th NJ Volunteer Infantry on September 6, 1864, and served through the end of the Civil War.
The weapons we received depended on rank. Non-commissioned officers ranked Sergeants and above were typically issued Model 1840 Army Noncommissioned Officers’ Swords. Officers of the rank of Major and above were officially issued the Model 1850 Army Staff & Field Officers’ Sword. The most common shoulder arm, which I carried for the Union, was the Springfield Model 1861 muzzle-loading rifle, although other rifles and smoothbore muskets were also commonly used.
Since I did not join the regiment until late 1864, I did not participate in many of their engagements. However, I was present at the assault and capture of Spanish Fort, Batteries Huger, Tracey, and Fort Blakely located in Alabama. There were over 3,000 in the regiment. Over the course of the war, many regiments lost men to desertion. The 34th has no record of a man running away from the regiment. Overall, the regiment lost during service 3 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 3 officers and 164 enlisted men by disease, totaling 170.
The 34th Regiment remained in service until April 10, 1866; however, the men had been discharged before then on April 30, 1865. I was not discharged until June 6, 1865. Gilbert Knight and David Wells, who are also buried in this cemetery, also served in the 34th NJ Infantry. They were mustered in two days after me. Gilbert Knight was also discharged on June 6, and David Wells three days later.
After I was discharged, I married Rebecca Ann Gaskill. We had eight children – six boys and two girls; they all outlived me. Until my death in November 1892, we lived in Medford Township. I suffered from chronic hemorrhoids. Although not related to a battle injury, it was still debilitating. Under the Act of July 14, 1862, the first pension legislation specific to the Civil War, stated that a veteran was eligible only for disabilities (wounds or chronic illnesses) received during wartime. The Act of June 27, 1890, changed that requirement and expanded eligibility to include disabilities not directly related to wartime experience. In 1890, I filed for a veteran’s pension. In 1892, after my death, my wife Rebecca filed for a widow’s pension.
Isaac Taylor (Old Tabernacle Cemetery Row 18 Lot 1)
(Isaac Taylor’s widow’s pension form)
Timeline
1843: Born in New Jersey.
September 6, 1864: Mustered into Company C, 34th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry as a Private.
1865: Served in the operations against Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely.
June 6, 1865: Discharged.
After service: Married Rebecca Ann Gaskill; raised eight children and lived in Medford Township.
1890: Filed for a veteran’s pension.
November 1892: Died; Rebecca subsequently filed for a widow’s pension.
