Thomas Mason Antrim

Date Plan made: March 7, 2013        Researcher: Linda Newman

Objective(s):

1. To discover what school(s) Thomas attended while studying to become a minister.

2. To get Thomas’ full pension file from NARA.

3. To discover how Lucinda Teichmann of Philadelphia, Rev John G Brown of Philadelphia, Caroline H Kirby (widow of Job Kirby) of Philadelphia and Thomas J Antrim of Camden, NJ are connected to the Antrim family.

4. To discover if the Masonic Lodge has any records regarding Thomas.

5. To get a copy of all information that is in the records at Mt Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia for all people buried in the plot purchased by Thomas.

Known Facts (with sources):

1. Thomas was born in New Egypt, NJ in 1840 per application form for G.A.R. Post #2 in Philadelphia.

2. Thomas was born 20 September 1840 to Sarah and John Antrim per Sarah’s application for mother’s pension based on Thomas’ civil war service. File included affidavits from Lucinda Teichmann of Philadelphia and Thomas J Antrim of Camden, NJ, stating the fact.

3. Thomas was baptized 24 June 1849 Calvary Episcopal Church Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Record states Thomas was born 20 Sept 1840

4. Thomas first appears in the 1850 census Philadelphia with parents John and Sarah Antrim. It says he is 11 years old and was born in New Jersey

5. Thomas appears in the 1860 census Philadelphia with parents John and Sarah Antrim. It says he is 20 years old and born in Pennsylvania. Occupation Bricklayer.

6. Thomas served in the Pennsylvania Volunteers during the civil war.
      a. He enlisted on April 26th, 1861 as a private in Company D of the 20th PA Volunteers for 90 days' service. He was discharged at end of his 90 day service in August 1861.
      b. He reenlisted March 24th, 1862 as a corporal, Company H, 109th PA Volunteers and was discharged on the 25th of March, 1864, as First Sergeant of Co. H.
      c. He then reenlisted as a veteran volunteer and was finally discharged on June 14th, 1865, at the Draft Rendezvous at Louisville, KY, by reason of a surgeon's certificate of disability due to a wound suffered on October 29th, 1863 at the Battle of Wauhatchie, TN. From Andy Waskie and Kerry Bryan, Museum historians/archivists Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, civil war pension file for Thomas Mason Antrim.

7. Thomas appears in the 1870 census Smyrna, Deleware with parents John and Sarah Downey. It says he is 29 years old, born in New Jersey. Occupation Student of Divinity.

8. The Rev. Thomas M. Antrim has become assistant to the Rev. Dr. John W Claxton, rector of the P. E. Church of the Advocate. (Religious. News for the Week from the Different Denominations-Holmesburg Baptist Church-Twenty-Eighth Street M E. Church-Trinity P E. Churches (News Article) Date: 1875-12-10; Paper: Philadelphia Inquirer; genealogybank.com accessed 20 April 2010)

9. in Bible originally belonging to Louise S. Cox-- (handwritten note) “On Sep 4, 1878 (Thomas) Mason Antrim and I were betrothed.”

10. In 1879 Thomas was living at 2025 Parrish Street in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia. He listed his occupation as "clergyman." per application form for G.A.R. Post #2 in Philadelphia.

11. Thomas was elected to membership in GAR Post 2 on January 23, 1879 and was recommended by John H. Storrey, a comrade from the 109th PA who was a Medal of Honor recipient.

12. Thomas appears in the 1880 census Neptune, New Jersey with parents John and Sarah Antrim. It says he is 39 years old and born in New Jersey. Occupation Clergyman.

13. Thomas purchased a plot in Mt Vernon Cemetery. Deed in my possession.

14. Thomas’ pension certificate is 208.634

15. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificate - Thomas died 8 July 1886 in Philadelphia, buried at Mt Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia.

16. Handwritten note in Bible originally belonging to Louise S Cox - “July 8 1886 Mason left me for that blessed country, where parting is not known, and I am sadly waiting here until I can join my darling and be happy with him & my Savior for evermore. Mason may my tarrying not be long.”

17. Obit: The Rev. Mr. Antrim Buried.
      a. The funeral services of the Rev. Thomas M. Antrim, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, were held in the Church of the Annunciation, corner of Twelfth and Diamond Streets, yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Dr. H. G. Batterson, rector of the church, officiating. Representatives were present from a Camden Masonic lodge and Post No. 2 Grand Army of the Republic, of which organizations deceased was a member. The remains were interred in Mount Vernon Cemetery. From a Bible that belonged to Louise S Cox (ed. Note: Thomas and Louise were betrothed) with the above newspaper clipping attached to the inside of the cover.
      b. 1886-07-12; Paper: Philadelphia Inquirer ANTRIM - Departed this life July 8, 1886, Rev. THOMAS M. ANTRIM, in the forty-sixth year of his age. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at the Church of the Annunciation, corner Twelfth and Diamond streets, this afternoon, punctually at 3 o'clock."
      c. 1886-07-10; Paper: Philadelphia Inquirer "Rev. Thomas M. Antrim, a minister of the P. E. Church, died, after a lingering illness from cancer of the mouth, on Thursday. For a short time, years ago, Mr. Antrim was assistant in the Church of the Advocate, now St. Philip's Church, Spring Garden street, below Broad. The deceased never had charge of a church, for the past ten years being incapable of doing any active work in the ministry. He was forty-six years of age."

Working Hypothesis:

Son of John Antrim and Sarah Downey. Brother to Sarah Antrim, John E Antrim, Anna Louisa Antrim, George W Antrim, Emma Antrim, and Kate Antrim

He was born in 20 Sept 1840 in New Egypt, New Jersey.

He was an Episcopalian.

In his early adult years he was a brick mason.

He served in the Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War.

He went to Divinity School and became a minister after the war.

He was betrothed to Louse S Cox, but they had not married by the time of his death.

Member of a Camden Masonic lodge and Post No. 2 Grand Army of the Republic

He died 8 July 1886 in Philadelphia, Pa at 46 years of age, and was buried in Mt Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Research Strategies (specific records to check):



Note:
Research plans for other members of this family group were posted in January 2012, with addition innformation posted on 7 Feb 2012.