John Nelson Burton
Representing: Union
Navy Ship
- USS Fair Play
- USS Great Western
- USS North Carolina
Unit History
- United States Navy
Full Unit History
U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA
Constructed: 1818 + Philadelphia Navy Yard Philadelphia, PA
Commissioned: 6/24/1824
Decommissioned: 1866
Fate: 10/1/1867 Sold
U.S.S. FAIRPLAY
Constructed/Launched: 1859 New Albany, IN
Commissioned: 9/6/1862
Decommissioned: 8/9/1865 Mound City, IL
Fate: 8/17/1865 Sold
U.S. S. GREAT WESTERN:
Constructed/Launched: 1857
Commissioned: ca. 2/10/1862
Decommissioned: ca. 3/1865
Fate: 11/29/1865 Sold
U.S.S. FAIRPLAY:
U.S.S. GREAT WESTERN:
Soldier History
SAILOR: (Fairplay)
Residence: Inf. Not Avail. Age: .33.5 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/17/1864 Evansville, IN Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Mustered In: Inf. Not Avail.
Mustered Out: 8/27/1865
Highest Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Rank At Discharge: Ordinary Seaman
SAILOR: (Great Western)
Residence: Age:
Enlisted/Enrolled: Rank:
Mustered In:
Mustered Out:
Highest Rank:
Rank At Discharge:
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
John Nelson Burton was born 3/2/1831. His place of birth was Warren County, OH.
Hiram Burton (b. NC) was John’s father. John’s mother was Sybil/Sybbil/Syble Eliza (nee Dudley b. ME) Burton.
On 10/7/1857 in Wilton Junction Muscatine, IA, John married. His bride was Angeline “Angie” M. Dudley (b. OH).
During their years together John and Angie produced two children: Mettie S. Burton (b. 9/23/1860) and Nelson H. Burton (b. 11/7/1864).
In 1860 John and Angie were residing with John’s parents in Delaware Ripley County, IN.
During the American Civil War (ACW) John enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His service ships were U.S. S. North Carolina, U.S.S Fairplay/Fair Play and U.S.S. Great Western.
North Carolina was a retired sailing “ship-of-the line.” During the American Civil War (ACW) It was utilized in the Brooklyn, NY naval yard as a floating receiving ship (induction center).
Fairplay/Fair Play and Great Western were steam-powered vessels in the inland, “brown water navy’s” Mississippi Squadron. Fairplay/Fair Play was a wooden, “tinclad” gunboat. Great Western was an ammunition supply ship.
The War having ended in 1865, the U.S. Census for 1870 noted John residing as a boarder in Rolla Phelps County, MO. His occupation was “Engineer Steam.” Angie is not mentioned. Her fate is unknown.
At some point in time John moved to the Pacific Northwest either to be close to or reside with married daughter Mettie and family He died 3/18/1913 in Whatcom County, WA. Burial was/is in that county’s Enterprise Cemetery.
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NOTE: The preceding courtesy Whatcom County Genealogical Society. See our Links page for information pertaining to obtaining a copy of the dvd Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (with June 2014 updates) from which much of the above information was obtained.
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Posted: 11/19/2024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at Enterprise Cemetery Ferndale