Person:David VanKirk (1)

2010-Jarrod VanKirk's rootsweb page-He may have been born in 1848.

Served in Military Date: 1 JAN 1864 Place: 101st Regm. PA Volunteer Infantry. GAR #861 David was in Company C, 101st Regiment of PA Volunteers. He enlisted. He was captured, with his regiment at Plymouth, NC on April 20, 1864. Under strong guard the prisoners were marched to Tarboro, where they were taken by rail to Andersonville, GA. In the late summer some prisoners were taken to Millen and a few others to Savannah. With the exception of a few retained at Andersonville, and who were afterwards sent north via the Mississippi river, nearly all met at Florence and were exchanged in the Spring of 1865 at Wilmington, NC. All who were left over were exchanged in March 1865, but before the time of release came, over half of them had died. At some time, David escaped before the exchange. An Alexander VanKirk was in the same company as David, and died at Fort Monroe, VA on August 10, 1862. He was likely a relative.

Regimental History PENNSYLVANIA 101ST INFANTRY (Three years) One Hundred and First Infantry.-Cols. Joseph H. Wilson, David B. Morris, James Sheafer, Lieut.-Cols., David B. Morris, Joseph S. Hoard, David M. Armour, Alexander W. Taylor, Melvin L. Clark; Majs., Joseph S. Hoard, David M. Armour Alexander W. Taylor, David W. Mullin, Henry S. Benner. The 101st regiment, of which seven companies were recruited in the counties of Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence, and three in the counties of Tioga, Bedford and Adams, was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, late in the autumn of 1861 and there mustered into the U. S. service for a three years, term. On Feb. 27, 1862, it left for Washington and was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3rd division, 4th corps, under Gen. Keyes. On March 28, it moved to Newport News and was soon actively engaged in the operations on the Peninsula. It took part in the siege of Yorktown, the battle of Williamsburg, and in the battle of Fair Oaks its losses were very heavy but the behavior of the men was most heroic. Various details occupied the regiment during the Seven Days' battles, after which it was stationed at Suffolk from Sept. 18, to Dec. 4, when it was ordered to New Berne, N. C., to join the expedition to Goldsboro. The enemy was encountered at Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro, but the object of the movement, the destruction of the railroad bridge, was accomplished and the troops returned to New Berne, near which city they went into winter quarters next movement of importance was the relief of Little Washington in April, 1863. After an unsuccessful attempt to reach the city by water another effort was made by land and after a sharp encounter with the enemy at Swift creek a force was able to reach Little Washington. The regiment was stationed at Plymouth from July, 1863, to April, 1864, and there early in 1864 a large proportion of the members reenlisted. It made many excursions into the surrounding country, frequently encountering detachments of Confederate troops, and in March, 1864, was ordered for a short time to Roanoke island. Returning to Plymouth in April, Gen. Hoke's large force approached and after three days' resistance the forts were obliged to surrender, the entire 101st being captured. The officers were imprisoned at Macon and the men at Andersonville. A few afterward escaped, some were exchanged during that summer, but the remainder were held in prison until the summer of 1865, and over half of the number died. Those of the regiment who were absent on leave or with the sick at Roanoke island, with such of the prisoners as were exchanged, kept up the regimental organization and received in March, 1865, eight new companies, which were, however, never incorporated with the original members. The regiment was mustered out at New Berne, N. C., June 25, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Battles Fought Fought at Fair Oaks, VA. Fought on 30 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. Fought on 31 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. Fought on 15 June 1862. Fought on 20 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC. Fought on 03 May 1864 at Fort Comfort,VA.

1880 Big Beaver, Beaver Co., PA Census David Van Kirk 33, PA, Coal Miner, PA, PA Nancy J. Van Kirk 33, PA, Keeping House, PA, PA Mary J. Van Kirk 16, PA, Coal Miner, PA, PA William Van Kirk 14, PA, Coal Miner, PA, PA David Van Kirk 13, PA, At Home, PA, PA Barbara A. Van Kirk 10, PA, At Home, PA, PA Archibald Van Kirk 8, PA, At Home, PA, PA Richard C. Van Kirk 6, PA, PA, PA Margaret C. Van Kirk 4, PA, PA, PA Was David senior born in 1847?

David & Nancy Jane Vankirk, per 1910 census, had two children at home: John E. and Chancy, both single. Also two grandchildren lived with them in 1910. Jess Matthews, born in PA (son of Barbara Ann to first marriage) and Tisha or Tishie VanKirk, born in PA. She is Letitia, daughter of William, who died. The above 2 grandchildren also lived with David in 1900. Another grandson, Robert VanKirk, born March 1890 in PA lived with David in 1900. He was not on 1910 census. Living there per 1910 census, Mamie Slater, servant, age 31, married. Later, we show her married to John Ellis VanKirk. David listed on 1910 census as a farmer living on "Palestine Road" per Marge Chilson. Lorilei Schultz says David's farm was behind McRoberts Farm, a few miles outside of Enon Valley.

Ruth Crawford says Darlington School records show Jess VanKirk (must be Matthews) and Tisha attended school in 1904. John, Chancy, Robert, and George attended in 1896

The Daily Times, Beaver, PA-Tuesday, 1 May 1912-Mrs. David VanKirk visited at the home of Joseph Crawford Saturday. The Daily Times, Beaver, PA - Monday, 8 Jul 1912-David VanKirk and wife visited at the home of Joseph Crawford on last Thursday. The Daily Times, Beaver, PA-Saturday, 10 Aug 1912-Mr. and Mrs. David VanKirk visited at the home of Joseph Crawford this week. The Daily Times, Beaver, PA-Thursday, 21 Oct 1912-Mrs. David VanKkirk who has been very ill, was able to be in town Monday. The Daily Times, Beaver, PA-Thursday, 31 Oct 1912-Mrs. Joseph Crawford and sons Chauncey and Richard visited at the home of David VanKirk over Sabbath. The Daily Times, Beaver, PA-Saturday, 10 May 1913-Mr. and Mrs. David VanKirk, of Darlington township, visited relatives here this week. The Daily Times, Beaver, PA-Saturday, 17 Jan 1914-David VanKirk, of Darlington Twp., who has been ill for many weeks, is not improving.

Per Olive Kelly, a niece came from IN and got David's family genealogy Her name was Luella. Per Olive she lived in Green Gables IN in about 1961 or so.

Per information from Joe Benetti, David VanKirk was a principal fundraiser for the Civil War Memorial in Darlington, PA. He enlisted in Co. C., 101st PA Volunteer Infantry and mustered in on 30 Jan 1864 at New Brighton, Beaver Co. at age 19, a laborer from Darlington, Beaver Co. He was captured on 20 Apr 1864 at Plymouth, NC and held captive at Andersonville, GA. and Florence, SC. He arrived at Florence on 2 Oct 1864, escaped 2 Feb 1865 from the Florence Stockade, arrived within the Union lines on 21 Apr 1865, but was absent on furlough when Co. C mustered out due to chronic diarrhea. He was a charter member of the Dan Leasure Post #402, GAR, Darlington, PA. He died on 23 Apr 1914 of chronic diarrhea and is buried at Wilson Cemetery, Darlington, Beaver Co., PA. GAR #861. Per Lorilei's notes, David was a Republican