He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Michael's in Limerick City on May 18, 1832. HIs godparents were John White and Hanora Lea [as per birth date Source].
He arrived in USA on the Ship Franklin Pierce with his parents on April 6, 1853.
A carpenter who lived with and supported his mother, Bridget Blackwell, especially after the death of his father, until his enlistment during the American Civil War in the New York Volunteers, Company K, 99th Regiment, Union Army. Enlisted in Boston on February 13, 1862. Died from "over exposure after standing guard duty," also described as "congestive chills," on October 12, 1862, at Camp Greble (near Norfolk), Virginia.
His name is among 64 names engraved on the first memorial in the entire United States erected to the memory of "that brave and fallen few" who lost their lives in the Civil War. This monument stands in the Somerville Avenue Cemetery, Somerville, Massachusetts and was erected in the summer of 1863 by the Somerville Light Infantry.
He is buried the Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia (located 2 3/4 miles from Ft. Monroe), Row 22, Section B, Grave 30.
Letter written by William to his brother Hugh just prior to his death.
Camp Greble May 31, 1862
Dear Brother Hugh
I rote to you a few days a go and I right you these few lines now. Dear Hugh we were payd this after nune which I sent 20 twenty dolers to you, ten to me mother and ten as a present to the children to get some sumer hats as this the best I can do this time as we were not payd 'cept five dolers for me self as I owd some to grocer.
I want ye to make a jug of punch and sit down and drink me health as I cant be being with ye. I hope we will pretty soon.
William Bonners he sends his wife 25 dolers. Both of us sends it by Adams Express. As soon as you get this letter right to me and let me know if this all right. I have not much to say to ye now. I hope ye all are well.
I got a horseness in me trote this long time now. But the doctor is giveing me som medison now. He is doing me some good. This hanging after me senced I left home. The doctor says twil get better when the hot wether comes here.
Dear Brother, we had one of our men shot by nigar the other night which caused grate excitement in Norfolk. We went to Norfolk to see ded man when every nigar we met we hammered the hell out of them with sticks so as to kil about 10 of them and we don't now how many of them got Scot's Broke free or not. There was 50 to 60 of us there. We hammered away til the long role of the First Delaware. But then we left the City. Some of our boys was taken and send to the fort. The greater part got clear. T'was as good as a fare day in Ireland. We killed General Wurls' nigar he had 17 years. The most of the regiment is under arrest and the Curnil is under arrest. As by Old wool twill be rotting, this is a hard regiment as there is round.
I owe Doctor McJohn one visit and I will pay him next pay.
William Ryan of Boston right me. He wants to send us Boston [illegible]. Right to him next week. If you se him give me best.
Respect to all inquiring friends and to yerself. Let me know how Johana [Ford] is. Your afectinate Brother, William Blackwell. Mother, Matt is goin to right to yo. He says Mat and Conner is well.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st May 1832 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 12th Oct 1862 | |
