UNIT: Company G, 5th New Jersey Infantry; also 7th New Jersey Infantry
HOMETOWN: Ireland; later Shamong
BORN/DIED: 1831–1916 (narrative; gravestone reads 1917)
RANK: Private
GRAVE LOCATION: Old Tabernacle Cemetery, Row 56 Lot 1
Approximate Grave Location:
[GRAVE MAP PLACEHOLDER: John R Wilkinson]
Old Tabernacle Cemetery, Row 56 Lot 1
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Hear My Story
[AUDIO PLACEHOLDER: Add John R Wilkinson’s audio story and replace the links on the icon and “Hear My Story” heading.]
Read My Story
My name is John R. Wilkinson. I was born May 1, 1831, in Ireland and came to America in 1850. In 1851 I married Ruth Leeson also from Ireland. Six years later I bought an acre of land in Shamong. Our first child, a daughter, was born in 1859. I worked as a farm laborer until I was drafted in 1864.
During the Civil War I fought on the side of the Union. I served as a private from May 7, 1864, to June 1, 1865, in Co. G of the 5th New Jersey Regiment. Records will show that I also served in the 7th NJ Regiment. At that time, the 7th NJ had four companies. The 5th NJ and the 7th operated in the field as one command during the Battle of Fort Sedgwick September 10, 1864. Eventually surviving members of the 5th joined the 7th NJ officially on November 6, 1864. Most of our weapons consisted of Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber and Enfield Rifles (.577 caliber).
At the end of the war, I returned to my family in Shamong and life as a farmer. My pension was $6.00. By 1870 I had 7 children. In 1878 I was appointed as Supervisor of Highways, however since this was short term I was able to continue my farming duties.
My wife Ruth died in 1879; I was 48 years old. I still lived in Shamong and had 4 children living at home with me. In 1900 I had one son living with me. I shared my home with 70-year-old Rebecca Couples. A 1910 census shows that I lived on Indian Mills Road, Shamong; living with me were 5-year-old William Wilkinson and 68-year-old Elizabeth Sailor. I died on December 28, 1916.
(4 Year Pension Payment summary John Wilkinson)
(John and Ruthann Wilkinson)
John Wilkinson (Old Tabernacle Cemetery Row 56 Lot 1)
(February 5, 1917, John Wilkinson obit – Courier Post )
(1916 court document – family composition)
Timeline
May 1, 1831: Born in Ireland.
1850: Came to America.
1851: Married Ruth Leeson.
1857: Bought an acre of land in Shamong.
May 7, 1864: Began service as a Private in Company G, 5th New Jersey Infantry.
November 6, 1864: The surviving members of the 5th officially joined the 7th New Jersey Infantry.
June 1, 1865: Military service ended; returned to farming in Shamong.
1878: Appointed Supervisor of Highways.
1879: Wife Ruth died.
1910: Lived on Indian Mills Road in Shamong.
December 28, 1916 (narrative): Death date stated in the story; the gravestone shows January 5, 1917, so the date needs verification.
