1857-59: Parents unknowingly file for separate divorce decrees, he first in Mitchell Co., Iowa (Judge Samuel Murdock, presiding) then she in Kings Co., New York (Judge James I. Roosevelt, presiding). Both claim custody of their only son, George Elwood Merchant.
1857: Following a move to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa with his father, George (age 12) begins sending financial support to his mother in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York as per her pension application.
20 May 1861: New Oregon, Howard Co., Iowa; enlisted as a Private, Company "F", 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry (age 15 years, 5 months).
08 June 1861: Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa; Mustered in to three-year service.
06 April 1862: Age 16, ". . was shot & instantly killed at the battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing) on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6, 1862," as per mother's pension application.
12 December 1862: Mother's voluminous pension application No. 14694 filed in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY; ". . just before going in to battle he gave his comrade, M.J.B. Arnold, of the same company his Mother's address & desired that his back pay, Bounty & Pension might be forwarded to his Mother."
24 Oct 1890: Father's pension application No. 477079 filed in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; rejected.
1857: Following a move to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa with his father, George (age 12) begins sending financial support to his mother in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York as per her pension application.
20 May 1861: New Oregon, Howard Co., Iowa; enlisted as a Private, Company "F", 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry (age 15 years, 5 months).
08 June 1861: Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa; Mustered in to three-year service.
06 April 1862: Age 16, ". . was shot & instantly killed at the battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing) on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6, 1862," as per mother's pension application.
12 December 1862: Mother's voluminous pension application No. 14694 filed in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY; ". . just before going in to battle he gave his comrade, M.J.B. Arnold, of the same company his Mother's address & desired that his back pay, Bounty & Pension might be forwarded to his Mother."
24 Oct 1890: Father's pension application No. 477079 filed in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; rejected.
1857-59: Parents unknowingly file for separate divorce decrees, he first in Mitchell Co., Iowa (Judge Samuel Murdock, presiding) then she in Kings Co., New York (Judge James I. Roosevelt, presiding). Both claim custody of their only son, George Elwood Merchant.
1857: Following a move to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa with his father, George (age 12) begins sending financial support to his mother in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York as per her pension application.
20 May 1861: New Oregon, Howard Co., Iowa; enlisted as a Private, Company "F", 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry (age 15 years, 5 months).
08 June 1861: Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa; Mustered in to three-year service.
06 April 1862: Age 16, ". . was shot & instantly killed at the battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing) on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6, 1862," as per mother's pension application.
12 December 1862: Mother's voluminous pension application No. 14694 filed in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY; ". . just before going in to battle he gave his comrade, M.J.B. Arnold, of the same company his Mother's address & desired that his back pay, Bounty & Pension might be forwarded to his Mother."
24 Oct 1890: Father's pension application No. 477079 filed in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; rejected.
1857: Following a move to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa with his father, George (age 12) begins sending financial support to his mother in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York as per her pension application.
20 May 1861: New Oregon, Howard Co., Iowa; enlisted as a Private, Company "F", 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry (age 15 years, 5 months).
08 June 1861: Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa; Mustered in to three-year service.
06 April 1862: Age 16, ". . was shot & instantly killed at the battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing) on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6, 1862," as per mother's pension application.
12 December 1862: Mother's voluminous pension application No. 14694 filed in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY; ". . just before going in to battle he gave his comrade, M.J.B. Arnold, of the same company his Mother's address & desired that his back pay, Bounty & Pension might be forwarded to his Mother."
24 Oct 1890: Father's pension application No. 477079 filed in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; rejected.
Inscription
GEORGE E. MERCHANT
KILLED
AT THE BATTLE OF
SHILOH
APRIL 6, 1862
AGED 16 Y'RS 4 MO'S.
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A MOTHER'S OFFERING
TO HER COUNTRY
"SHE HATH DONE WHAT
SHE COULD."
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Gravesite Details
Epitaph citation: Mark 14:6, 8; “She hath done what she could.” Jesus' response to Judas Iscariot re: Mary's act of kindness in the face of Judas' betrayal at the Last Supper.
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