(Note: As of February of 2024, this is all we can find on William Chauncey/Chancey. He apparently died during or just after the Civil War ended and we will probably never know for certain where he is buried, perhaps in the Gallatin, Tennessee area. If he did diein the Gallatin, Tennessee, his mortal remains would have been laid in a temporary Union hospital burying ground. The dead from the hospital Burying grounds from Bowling Green, Kentucky through Gallatin and down to Nashville were exhumed in 1866 and 1867and moved to the Nashville National Cemetery in Nashville. The mortal remains of Private William W. Chauncey very likely lie in one of the grave marked simply UNKNOWN U.S. SOLDIER.)

Private WILLIAM CHAUNCEY, Co. H, 86th Illinois

William W. Chauncey (or Chancey) was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1828) at Coshocton, Coshocton County, Ohio, the son of __________ Chauncey and __________ (__________) Chauncey.

William Chauncey was married to Margaret __________ on ___________ __, 18__ (c. 1851) at __________, Ohio. The Chaunceys came west to Illinois about 1859, where they initially appear to have settled in Fondulac Township in Tazewell County. Carol found a William Chauncy, in 1860, in Fondulac Twp., Tazewell Co. Wm. is 30 years of age, wife Margaret is 24. Children are:

1. Robert Chauncy, born c. 1852 in Ohio.

2. Mary L. Chauncy, born c. 1856 in Ohio.

3. Charles A. Chauncy, born c. 1859 in Ohio. is 1.

All three children are born in Ohio which means Chauncy's family arrived in Tazewell Co about 1859--after the birth of the last child.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT

Name CHAUNCEY, WILLIAM W

Rank PVT Company H Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics

Residence GROVELAND, TAZEWELL CO, IL Age 34 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair LIGHT

Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER

Nativity COSHOCTON, COSHOCTON CO, OH

Service Record

Joined When JUL 18, 1862 Joined Where GROVELAND, IL

Joined By Whom D H MAGEE Period 3 YRS

Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL

Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A

Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A

Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY DEC 27, 1862 AT GALLATIN TENN

A Pension Card on Footnote.com has him listed as William W. Chancey. William apparently died sometime before November 5, 1866, so perhaps he died in the Gallatin Hospital even after being discharged. I should look more in that area. Check the Nashville National and Kentucky Cemeteries. His widow was granted a Widow's Pension on November 5, 1866.

Carol has tried to find something on Margaret in the 1870 census, but haven't found anything as yet. I did find a Robert and Charles in the 1870 federal census (appropriate ages and place of birth) -- both in Brush Twp., Scioto Co., OH. If these are the two sons, then I'm suspicious the mother is also deceased by 1870 or has remarried. Each of the two individuals were working as laborers and in separate families.

by Baxter B. Fite III and Carol Dorward

(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Chauncey family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on William Chauncey and the Chancey family. Baxter would also love to get copies of any pictures that may have still exist of William Chauncey, especially any showing him in uniform, for his Find A Grave site and for the local Historical Societies.)