The O'Sullivan Family Tree

May Sweetland (O'Sullivan Family Historian, see her record) confirms that Jerry went to the USA and was a "despatch rider" Now (April 2011) certain that this is the who served in the 8th Indiana infantry. His son, also Jerry , served in the same division and died of natural causes, while on active service, at the tender age of 17. (TOS) HE WAS KNOWN AS JERRY SULLIVAN. There is an entry for both himself and his two sons in the "Directory and Soldiers' Registry of Wayne County, Indian" - By R.C. Power, which confirms the information in the notes below. (TOS Sept 2015)

(Document found in O'Sullivan Family papers in Limerick. Handwriting looks modern. Possibly an edited version of the official document in the U.S. army archive) WAR RECORD I, Sullivan enlisted in the 8th Indiana Infantry Company & in "The Three Months Service" on the 14th day of April 1861 1861 under Colonel Benton and took an active part in the battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia and afterwards volunteered in the "Three Years' Service", early in September 1861, under Colonel Benton and remained with him until I was detailed as orderly to General Jefferson C. Davies of Indiana in the beginning of t he year 1862. The next battle in which I took part was Pea Ridge at which engagement my horse was shot from under me by a ball from a Rebel Battery. My next engagement was Shiloh in May 1862. I also took part in the Battle of Stone River in 1863, still under GenDavies. By an order of the War Department, I joined my regiment in June 1863, which was then stationed at Vicksburg Mississipi under Gen Benton. I was at the battle of Jackson, Mississipi under Gen Benton and afterwards to New Orleans and there joined the army of Gen Banks and went with him across the Gulf of Mexico and landed at Brazos, Texas. I took part in almost all the engagements in Texas. I was at the taking of (Hook) Hispaniola, near Indianola, Texas and I remained in the Army of the Gulf until I was discharged at the close of the war in 1865. (TOS April 2011)

(Record found by Rick Barrett for Tony and Ger O'Sullivan in U.S. Army Archive - April 2011. As is noted as illiterate in the U.S. Census of 1870, it is likely that the document was handwritten by his lawyer, as part of a pension application). Richmond, Ind Sep 4th 1881 Sullivan was in born in Limerick Ireland & emigrated to this Country 1851, was one of the 1st men to take up arms in defence of his country in '61. According to Gen Meredith's account, he first enlisted in the 8th Ind(iana) Infantry Co's "3 Month Service" on the 14th day of April '61, under Col Benton. Took an active part in the Battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia. He afterwards volunteered into the "3 Years Service" early in Sep '61 under Col Benton & remained with him until detailed as orderly to Gen Jeff C Davis of Ind(iana), in the beginning of the year '62. He was at the battle of Pea Ridge & whilst in the act of carrying a despatch from Gen Davis to Gen Curtis, had his horse killed by a shot from a Rebel Battery. Hisnext engagement was at Shiloe (sic) in May 62. He also took part in the battle of Stone River in '63, still under Gen Davis. By an order of the War Department, he joined his regiment in June 63, which was when stationed at Vicksburg and was at theSeige of that City in July 63, was at the battle of Jackson Miss under Gen Benton and afterwards went to New Orleans and joined the army of Gen Banks and went with him across the Gulf of Mexico and landed at Brazos Tex(as) & took part in almost all the engagements in that State. Was at the taking of Fort Dasparanza (sic) near Indianola & remained in the Army of the Gulf until discharged at the close of the War in May 1865.

Additional Notes. General Solomon Meredith was from originally from North Carolina but moved to Wayne County, Indiana (where was living, in Milton, Indiana) and organised a muster in Indiana at the start of the Civil War (Wikipedia). In both versions of the memoir, there is a transcription error about the taking of Fort Esperanza, near Hispaniola, Texas. Elsewhere in his record, is noted as being five feet five inches tall, light complsion, hazel eyes, dark hair, born in Limerick ! Given the nutritional standards when he was growing up in Ireland, perhaps this is not too surprising. (TOS Apr 2011) In 's file in NARA in Washington, there is a letter from his commanding officer, Jefferson C Davis, to the Pensions Bureau, supporting 's application. His enlistment is confirmed as being on Aug 13, 1861, in Milton, Indiana (Wayne County). His prior occupation was gardener.

In the 1860 census., Hanorah and were living in Milton, Indiana and had ten children (seven born in Limerick and baptised in St Michael's, Denmark Street) and three born in the USA. The following year, the American Civil war broke out. Also known as "The War of rebellion" (in the north) or "The Great War of Northern Aggression" (in the south). See note on his wife's record for details of the 1870 census. It was taken on June 1 of that year, just a few months before he divorced her and moved to Richmond with most of his family.

was pensioned from 1864, just after the war, until he died on June 26th 1890. The fact that his horse had been shot from under him was a key factor in his pension - mentioned several times in his NARA file (TOS April 2011)

took a divorce action against his wife in November, 1870. She, Hanorah, had testimonials from two quaker worthies in Milton, Indiana - G.W. Callaway and E.B Newman. Nevertheless, was successful and the divorce was formalised. The hearing was in held in Wayne County Court, case number 2679, dated November 1870. " divorced Hanorah". There is a one page document in the file which states that the case against Hanorah was proven and he was, therefore, granted the divorce. After the divorce, , moved to Richmond, Indiana - about forty miles from Milton, where he had been living.

1880 Census Information has moved to Richmond, Indiana and five of his children are living with him - William, Margaret (Maggie) Mary (under her married name of Pulse), Gabriel and Hannah. Both and William have the occupation of school janitor. (TOS May 2011)

Death Certificate of Sullivan, issued by Wayne County, Indiana. Date of Death: June 26, 1890 Place of death: Railroad Yard, Richmond Age: 73 Marital Status: Married (incorrect, unless he remarried; he was divorced from his wife, Hanorah) Cause of death: Apoplexy Certified by: Coroner Zimmerman Birth State: Ireland Occupation: Janitor Industry: Railroad Yard (this is incorrect - he was a school Janitor and had died suddenly while walking home from his morning grocery errands - source: Obit. TO'S March 2013) Address: Richmond Indiana Spouse: Not stated (!!) Father's name William Sullivan, Ireland Mother's maiden name: Fitzgibbons (sic), Ireland Acknowledgement to Jennifer Thompson (Sons of Union Veterans), for forwarding newspaper reports on death of ) TOS May 2011

(Jerry/Jerre) is buried in lot 87, section 3E in the City Cemetery in Connersville Indiana. Hanorah, Jerry Jr and Catherine are in the same plot. (as per Ginny Revalee , of Connersville Library) - TOS Mar 2013 PHOTO OF HEADSTONE COURTESY OF GINNY REVALEE, CONNERSVILLE Headstone reads as follows: Jere Sullivan. Co(mpany) D, 8th IND(iana) INF(antry) Born Jan 6, 1817 Died June 26, 1890 Aged 73 years. (illegible....in the home of God and Angels, thou art numbered in the blest)

Acknowledgement to Kevin Jordan, contributor to FINDAGRAVE.COM, who provided information and photos for Connersville Cemetery (of senior and junior and daughter, Catharine) TOS MAR 2013