Thomas Wishart was born 1839 in Red River Settlement, Manitoba, Canada to a Scotsman,
Thomas Wishart and a Metis woman, Barbara or Barbary Spence. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Clayton
County, Iowa, where the father, Thomas died in 1840 at Turkey Junction. This is recorded with the probate records
for his estate.
After Thomas' death, the widow went to live and work in the household of Edmund B. Lyons, the probate judge, and
the children went to live in the Pearson household, as recorded in the 1850 census. Thomas Wishart was living in the household of Thomas Wilson in 1860. The 1860 Silver Creek, Stephenson County,
Illinois, Roll: M 653_230, census enumerated on June 21, 1860 by J. A. Bigalow on lines 36-40 and on the next
page on lines 1-11 in household # 446 lists:
Thomas Wilson, 54, male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate--$7,000, Value of Personal Estate--$1100,
born in Pennsylvania;
Atty A., 45, female, born in Pennsylvania;
Mary, age 16, female, born in Illinois, attended school within the year;
Isadore, age 13, female, born in Illinois, attended school within the year;
Lucy, age 11, female, born in Illinois, attended school within the year;
Victora Wilson, age 8, female, born in Illinois, attended school within the year;
Lydia, age 3, female, born in Illinois;
William Rinn, age 3, male, born in Illinois, attended school within the year;
Thos. Washart, age 24, male, born in Iowa, attended school within the year;
Adam Wilson, age 86, male, Farmer, born in England;
Lucy, age 88, female, born in England;
Mary A., age 52, female, born in Pennsylvania;
Jane, age 44, female, born in Pennsylvania;
Maria May, age 23, female, com. s. teacher, born in Vermont;
Urias Eaton, age 28, male, born in New York;
John Storer, age 26, male, Value of Real Estate--$800, born in Wisconsin.
On April 19, 1861, at Freeport, Illinois, Thomas enlisted in the 11 Illinois Infantry Regiment, Company A when
it was first formed and served until it was disbanded on July 30, 1861. Then on August 15, 1861, at Freeport,
Illinois, Thomas enlisted in the 26 Infantry Regiment, Company B when it was first formed and served until his
death on November 21, 1863. This is recorded in "The History of Stephenson County, Illinois", as well
as in the complete military record of Thomas. The company muster roll shows he had been sent sick to Gayosa Hospital
at Memphis, Tennessee on September 30, 1863. Interestingly, on the company muster roll dated February 29, 1864,
it makes note of his death and accounts settled on final statement', but in another handwriting at the bottom,
it states, "Name not borne on Co. muster out roll of Regt."
This is the transcription of his discharge:
I certify, on honor, that Thomas Wishhart a Private of Captain James P. Davis Company (B) of the 26th Regiment
of Infantry VOLUNTEERS, of the State of Illinois, born in Clayton County, State of Iowa, aged 24 years; 5 feet
7 inches high; Dark complexion, Black eyes, Black hair, and by occupation a Farmer, having joined the company
on its original organization at Freeport, Ill., and enrolled in it at the muster into the service of the United
States at Camp Butler, Ill., on the 28th day of August, 1861 for the term of three years and having served HONESTLY
and FAITHFULLY with his Company in 26th Ill. Infantry to the present date, is now deceased. Said Thomas Wishhart
died of disease at the Gayosa Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 21st, 1863.
The said Thomas Wishhart was last paid by Paymaster Major Greenawalt to include the 30th day of June, 1863, and
has pay due him from that time to the present date; he is entitled to pay and subsistence for TRAVELING to place
of enrollment and whatever other allowances are authorized to volunteer soldiers, or militia, so discharged. He
has received 68 28/100 dollars, advanced by the United States on account of CLOTHING.
His clothing account was last settled Aug. 31st, 1862.
Given in Duplicate, at Freeport, Ill., this 25th day of Jan., 1864.
James P. Davis
Captain
Commanding Company.
(I've been unable to locate the gravesite of Thomas, but I've been told he is probably one of the unknown soldiers
buried in the National Cemetery at Memphis, Tennessee)
Contributed by Mary Campbell Ballard
