THOMAS COURSEY
Born: 10 August 1832/33 in Valley, Pennsylvania
Died: 9 Feb. 1927
Married: No record
Thomas Coursey: Thomas was born in Valley, Pennsylvania on August 10, 1832/33. He stated that he was 27 years old when he enrolled in 1863. This age is in conflict with the birth date (as above) stated in his Pension Applications. Thomas was listed as 5' 5" tall, colored complexion, black eyes and black hair.
Military Service: Thomas was "Drafted" into the military service. He enrolled as a Private, Company B, 8th USCT on September 25, 1863 at Shelton Hill, Pennsylvania.
The 8th USCT left Camp William Penn for Hilton Head, South Carolina on January 16th, 1864. Evidently, Thomas wass very reluctant to enter into battle and on January 22, 1864 he deserted. He was apprehended on February 9, 1864 and paid a $30 fine. He was returned to duty without trial and served until his discharge. During several months of late 1864 and early 1865 he was sick in the hospital. After returning to duty in May 1865 he was assigned by a Special Field Order to be on board a Transport in care of horses.
After Thomas Coursey's Muster Out at Brownsville, Texas on November 10, 1865, he returned with the Regiment to Philadelphia and was discharged in December 1865.
Family and Friends: No family is listed in the Pension File for Thomas Coursey. However, other Coursey family members are buried in the same cemetery. Examing these other tombstone inscriptions do not give an indication that Thomas was married but do indicate a significant Coursey family in the Coatesville area.
Death: The last entry in the Pension File is notice of Thomas Coursey's death on February 9, 1927.
Associations in Thomas Coursey's Pension File:
Affidavits: Isaac Boyd, Forester D. Stanton, C. A. Wilson, Samuel E. Mobley
Attorney: John Wainwright of Wilmington, Delaware
Justice of the Peace: Henry G. Thomas, George G. Myer
Notary Public: Harry S. Woodward
Physician: E. V. Luing, Coatesville
Witnesses: Lewis J. Henson, James Greenwood, David H. Lewis, John Coursey, Robert H. Bernour, Isaac Reeves, John A. Wright, F. P. Zook, Samuel Greenwood, W. E. Greenwood