Joe served in the NJ Volunteers, 10th Reg, Co C during the Civil War. A disabled veteran, he died at the soldiers home in Kearney NJ. In 1870, he and Mary were living in the home of her father.
5 July 1886, Joseph Nelson was living on Clinton St in Chambersburg, Mercer Co, according to an affidavit in his pension file signed that date. The Trenton City Directory for 1887-88 lists Joseph Nelson at 636 Clinton, Chambersburg (house). No occupation is given.
from Trenton City Directories, 1886-1892. It appears that the Joseph Nelson family and Robert McClain were living together most of this time. Mystery remains - why doesn't Robert appear anywhere in the 1880 census?
The 1885 census for Chambersburg shows the Joseph Nelson family between Lawrence O'Rourke and John McVey on page 270. Next to McVey is the Peirson family, Aaron, Nancy and sons Joseph, Richard, Edward, Alfred and Lester. Lawrence O'Rourke is Irish born and his wife is other nationality, so they don't appear to be relatives. John McVey and wife are both Irish born. Aaron Peirson and wife Nancy are listed as native born.
In the 1885 census, in addition to children Anna, Clara, Rebecca and Mary, the Joseph Nelson household has a female Abbie Nelson age 0-5 in the household. I have no other information about this child. On May 4, 1898, in a statement for his military pension, Joseph lists the names and birthdates of his children. Abbie is not mentioned. Annie is.
Joseph Nelson and Robert McClain are not yet in Chambersburg for the 1885 city directory. In 1884-8, John McVey is on Jersey St. In 1885-6, Lawrence O'Rourke is on Jersey St. Aaron Pearson doesn't appear until 1886, when he is at 420 Jefferson St in Chambersburg. In 1887, Aaron Pearson is at 642 New Willow St. Trenton.
1886 directory: pg 346. McClain, Robert, Cotton spinner. 636 Clinton
Nelson, Joseph, carder. Boards at 636 Clinton.
1888: McClain, Robert, spinner, 636 Clinton
Nelson, Joseph, dyer bds at 636 Clinton
1889: McClain, Robert, retired, 636 Clinton
Nelson, Joseph, laborer, 636 Clinton
1890: McClain, Robert, retired 636 Clinton
Nelson, Joseph, woolen worker, 13 New (this corresponds with his data in the 1890 veterans census)
1891: no Robert McClain, no McClain at 636 Clinton. Robert McClain died March 1891. Address at that time was 636 Clinton Ave.
1891, Nelson, Joseph, watchman. 636 S. Clinton Ave.
1892: no Joseph Nelson
In the 1891 Veteran's census, Joseph is listed at 13 New St, Trenton. When Mary died in August 1890, the family was living on New St.
1895 Trenton directory: Joseph Nelson, watchman, bds 58 Perrine Ave.
1896 Joseph Nelson, nightwatchman 404 Roebling Ave.
1897 joseph Nelson Watchman 506 Liberty
1898 Joseph Nelson watchman 50 Water St. This co incides with his 1898 address in the pension file. no way to know if these were houses or rooming houses, and whether any of the children lived with him. My grandmother remembered times when they were in an orphanage, and Aunt Mame told of times when the children lived with her father James & his family. No dates, of course.
1899 there is no Joseph Nelson, watchman. By 1900 he was living in Bordentown. South Clinton, Liberty & Roebling ave. are all in Chambersburg. Perrine, New and Water were near the river. Water & New no longer exist, they were near Market & Union, where state buildings and parking lots now are.
1890 veterans census, Joseph Nelson, Trenton, ed. 176.
In 1900 in Bordentown, Joseph Nelson and the younger children Mary and Joe were all living with newlyweds Rebecca & Charles in the 2nd Ward. In 1905 Just old Joe was there, with Rebecca & Charles & their three children on Bank Street in Bordentown. No sign of Mary or young Joe.
