My great great Grandfather, Nathan Berkey, was the son of Joseph Berkey (b1825) and Mary White (b1813), who had a homestead near Stanton's Mill, MD in southern Somerset County, PA. This is probably where Nathan, one of 10 children, was born. Stanton's Mill was previously known as Little Crossings and was located along the road George Washington and Gen. Braddock used on their way to Ft. Duquesne (Ft. Pitt) in 1755. It is located just north modern Grantsville, MD.
Nathan served as a Private in Co. E of the 171st Pennsylvania Infantry in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was inducted at Camp Curtin, PA on November 2, 1862. The 171st was drafted militia with a nine month term of service. It was part of what was known as Spinola's Brigade or the Keystone Brigade and spent most of its time stationed in New Bern, NC. Grandpa Nathan was involved in repelling a Confederate attack at New Bern on Mar. 14, 1863, at which Rebel Gen. Daniel Hill was repulsed. He also participated in reinforcing the defense of the garrison at Washington, NC from Gen. Hill's troops between Mar. 30 and April 15, 1863. On Apr. 9 Spinola's Brigade was deploying overland to attack the Rebels rear lines when they were caught in an ambush at Blount's Creek. An orderly retreat was made through the night of Apr. 9 and 10 through dark pine forests and cypress swamps with Johnny Reb hot on their tails. They arrived safely back in New Bern on Apr. 10.
Grandpa Nathan's regiment missed the Battle of Gettysburg (Jul. 1-3, 1863), but days later were able to support Gen. Meade's pursuit of Lee by blocking Turner's Gap south of Boonsboro, MD. Grandpa Nathan mustered out on August 7, 1863.
After the war Nathan settled in Elkhart County, Indiana and married Mary Ellen Boyd, with whom he had 8 children. He supported his family by farming. After his first wife's death he remarried to Harriet Shaffer. Both wives are buried near Nathan.
Although Nathan's mother lived to be 102 and he had brothers who lived to be 82, 88 and 94, Nathan lived to bury both parents and all nine of his siblings (except, possibly, younger sister Jane). In later years Nathan lived with his son John. He reached the age of 91.
Nathan served as a Private in Co. E of the 171st Pennsylvania Infantry in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was inducted at Camp Curtin, PA on November 2, 1862. The 171st was drafted militia with a nine month term of service. It was part of what was known as Spinola's Brigade or the Keystone Brigade and spent most of its time stationed in New Bern, NC. Grandpa Nathan was involved in repelling a Confederate attack at New Bern on Mar. 14, 1863, at which Rebel Gen. Daniel Hill was repulsed. He also participated in reinforcing the defense of the garrison at Washington, NC from Gen. Hill's troops between Mar. 30 and April 15, 1863. On Apr. 9 Spinola's Brigade was deploying overland to attack the Rebels rear lines when they were caught in an ambush at Blount's Creek. An orderly retreat was made through the night of Apr. 9 and 10 through dark pine forests and cypress swamps with Johnny Reb hot on their tails. They arrived safely back in New Bern on Apr. 10.
Grandpa Nathan's regiment missed the Battle of Gettysburg (Jul. 1-3, 1863), but days later were able to support Gen. Meade's pursuit of Lee by blocking Turner's Gap south of Boonsboro, MD. Grandpa Nathan mustered out on August 7, 1863.
After the war Nathan settled in Elkhart County, Indiana and married Mary Ellen Boyd, with whom he had 8 children. He supported his family by farming. After his first wife's death he remarried to Harriet Shaffer. Both wives are buried near Nathan.
Although Nathan's mother lived to be 102 and he had brothers who lived to be 82, 88 and 94, Nathan lived to bury both parents and all nine of his siblings (except, possibly, younger sister Jane). In later years Nathan lived with his son John. He reached the age of 91.
My great great Grandfather, Nathan Berkey, was the son of Joseph Berkey (b1825) and Mary White (b1813), who had a homestead near Stanton's Mill, MD in southern Somerset County, PA. This is probably where Nathan, one of 10 children, was born. Stanton's Mill was previously known as Little Crossings and was located along the road George Washington and Gen. Braddock used on their way to Ft. Duquesne (Ft. Pitt) in 1755. It is located just north modern Grantsville, MD.
Nathan served as a Private in Co. E of the 171st Pennsylvania Infantry in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was inducted at Camp Curtin, PA on November 2, 1862. The 171st was drafted militia with a nine month term of service. It was part of what was known as Spinola's Brigade or the Keystone Brigade and spent most of its time stationed in New Bern, NC. Grandpa Nathan was involved in repelling a Confederate attack at New Bern on Mar. 14, 1863, at which Rebel Gen. Daniel Hill was repulsed. He also participated in reinforcing the defense of the garrison at Washington, NC from Gen. Hill's troops between Mar. 30 and April 15, 1863. On Apr. 9 Spinola's Brigade was deploying overland to attack the Rebels rear lines when they were caught in an ambush at Blount's Creek. An orderly retreat was made through the night of Apr. 9 and 10 through dark pine forests and cypress swamps with Johnny Reb hot on their tails. They arrived safely back in New Bern on Apr. 10.
Grandpa Nathan's regiment missed the Battle of Gettysburg (Jul. 1-3, 1863), but days later were able to support Gen. Meade's pursuit of Lee by blocking Turner's Gap south of Boonsboro, MD. Grandpa Nathan mustered out on August 7, 1863.
After the war Nathan settled in Elkhart County, Indiana and married Mary Ellen Boyd, with whom he had 8 children. He supported his family by farming. After his first wife's death he remarried to Harriet Shaffer. Both wives are buried near Nathan.
Although Nathan's mother lived to be 102 and he had brothers who lived to be 82, 88 and 94, Nathan lived to bury both parents and all nine of his siblings (except, possibly, younger sister Jane). In later years Nathan lived with his son John. He reached the age of 91.
Nathan served as a Private in Co. E of the 171st Pennsylvania Infantry in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was inducted at Camp Curtin, PA on November 2, 1862. The 171st was drafted militia with a nine month term of service. It was part of what was known as Spinola's Brigade or the Keystone Brigade and spent most of its time stationed in New Bern, NC. Grandpa Nathan was involved in repelling a Confederate attack at New Bern on Mar. 14, 1863, at which Rebel Gen. Daniel Hill was repulsed. He also participated in reinforcing the defense of the garrison at Washington, NC from Gen. Hill's troops between Mar. 30 and April 15, 1863. On Apr. 9 Spinola's Brigade was deploying overland to attack the Rebels rear lines when they were caught in an ambush at Blount's Creek. An orderly retreat was made through the night of Apr. 9 and 10 through dark pine forests and cypress swamps with Johnny Reb hot on their tails. They arrived safely back in New Bern on Apr. 10.
Grandpa Nathan's regiment missed the Battle of Gettysburg (Jul. 1-3, 1863), but days later were able to support Gen. Meade's pursuit of Lee by blocking Turner's Gap south of Boonsboro, MD. Grandpa Nathan mustered out on August 7, 1863.
After the war Nathan settled in Elkhart County, Indiana and married Mary Ellen Boyd, with whom he had 8 children. He supported his family by farming. After his first wife's death he remarried to Harriet Shaffer. Both wives are buried near Nathan.
Although Nathan's mother lived to be 102 and he had brothers who lived to be 82, 88 and 94, Nathan lived to bury both parents and all nine of his siblings (except, possibly, younger sister Jane). In later years Nathan lived with his son John. He reached the age of 91.
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Nathan Berkey
Co. E
171 PA. MIL. INF.
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