VETERAN
Another Civil War Veteran who valiantly served his country in Company E, of the NYS 124 Volunteers, the Orange Blossoms, is buried in the Rossville Cemetery. As I’ve previously stated, I hope to have all of the veterans buried in the Rossville Cemetery properly identified and documented by next year’s Wreaths Across America celebration.
This is an example of how names get misconstrued and misspelled. The marker declares the soldier’s name is John H. Servis, and proudly states he was in Co. E Reg 124 NYSV, Died Aug 17, 1864, Aged 28 Years, 1 Month, 25 Days. This calculates to a birth date of June 23rd, 1836.
What is interesting here is the location of his grave. It is adjacent to a number of Halstead family markers. Normally a plot will consist of a number of individual graves, which include family members.
Looking through the records for the 124th Orange Blossoms, it was quickly determined there was no soldier named John H. Servis, but there was one named John H. Sarvis. Misspelling of John’s surname is obvious, but further confirmation was needed.
Diving in the military records, I was able to locate a page of his widow’s pension application. He perished from consumption from the doctor’s statement. Further searching located records which stated he enlisted on August 12th, 1862, in Newburgh. He mustered in as a Private on September 5th, 1862, in New York.
Another record states he was married and his occupation was noted as laborer. Interestingly, his surname is spelled Sarvice this time. Again, another spelling error. So, who was his wife? Before going there, there is a record we need to look at which provides the dates of his hospitalization. On this one, we learn he was born in Haverstraw, NY, and was 5’ 9”, with black eyes and hair, with a dark complexion.
John first entered the Mount Pleasant Hospital in Washington, D.C. on November 11th, 1862. Subsequently, he was readmitted a number of times continuing all the way into 1864. Sadly, he never regained his health and passed away on August 17th, 1864.
Poking around in genealogical databases, I learned he had married Mary Jane Halstead on November 1st, 1855. So, the geographical location of the grave to Halstead family members helped to validate the connection. I’ve provided a record of the genealogy of the immediate family. Thank you for your service, soldier. Oh, I didn’t mention it earlier, John H. Sarvis is a 2nd Great Grand Uncle to me.
