Nelson

The Civil War records for William Nelson say he enrolled 7-25-61 at Pittsburgh, PA., M.I. 7-25-61 as Pvt. in K-62 I. He was 28, 6′ 1/2″, with light hair, a fair complexion, and brown eyes. His occupation is listed as “miner.” No date is given for his discharge. A remark on the form states he was “transferred to 2nd U.S. Cav. 1-30-63, Bates.”

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Dept. of Military Affairs “Record of Burial Place of Veteran” lists Nelson’s place of interment as Mary S. Brown Memorial #10. The 1880 census for the 22nd ward of Pittsburgh (what the area around Turner Cemetery was called after it was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1868) lists a William Nelson as being 47, making his birth date 1833. The census also lists his wife, Mary, 45, and a son, James, 22. William and James are listed as “laborer” and Mary as “keeping house.”

William Nelson’s name is listed on the war memorial tablet in the foyer of MSBA Church, along with several other Nelsons.

Christopher Nelson is listed on the war memorial tablet under the date “1815,” but the Military Records form lists Christopher Nelson as a veteran of the Mexican War, 1846-1848 and his place of burial as Mary S. Brown Memorial #10.

Jefferson Nelson, Co. 202 PV (no Co. number) is also listed on the war memorial tablet. His Military Records form says he was buried at Mary S. Brown Memorial #10, but no other source lists him as being buried there.

A typed note with the Military Records forms but with no other documentation says “There is a Nelson listed as Francis C. in Penna. Archives. Enlisted Dec. 15th 1846, Discharged Oct. 29th, 1847, Mexican War.”