That was only the beginning of what I would soon learn about Nelson Fish. I sent out an email looking for information from some of Riverfront’s research specialists. Alice Smith of Delanco/Delran responded right away with obituaries of Nelson and his mother.

A 1910 issue of the New Jersey Mirror contained this entry; Mrs. Eliza Fish, mother of ex-Mayor James D. Fish, died at the home of her grandson Reuben, on Graw's extension about 8 o'clock on Saturday evening(presumably a reference to February 19, 1910). The deceased was 97 years of age and had resided here the greater part of her life, where she raised a large family. She is survived by two sons and two daughters, James D. Fish and Nelson Fish, and Mrs. Julia Lay and Mrs. Garret D. Logan. Up to within a year past she had enjoyed the best of health, her intellect being quite clear. She could converse on the happenings of the past eighty years. Mrs. Fish descended from a family of great longevity.

The second obituary faetured Nelson passing on February 19, 1934. Then I heard from Kathy Karn, another well respected genealogist who grew up in Delanco and married Ed Karn from Edgewater Park. I knew her husband Ed from Beverly Little League. Kathy happily helped me with the history mystery and soon sent census records, pension reports and an article from the February 23 1934 edition of the Beverly Banner. Most of the ensuing article I derived from Kathy’s research information.

Nelson was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey on February 1, 1842 to Charles and Eliza Fish. He was one of five children, four boys and one girl. Nelson was a descendant of Sir Robert Sutton, an English nobleman. Both his grandfathers fought with the colonists during the Revolutionary War and two great-uncles were veterans of the War of 1812. His brother James D. Fish, also fought in the Civil War who later served as Beverly’s mayor for nine years.

During the 1860 census, the enumerator recorded Nelson living in Baltimore, Maryland with George and Emily Williams and working as a farm laborer. In 1861 he joined the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company P. receiving a gunshot wound to the head on June 16, 1864 during the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Throughout his time in the service Nelson took part in combat at nearly forty engagements such as Fair Oaks, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg.

The 71st Brigade was one of the four Pennsylvania brigades to take the brunt of Pickett’s Charge at the “Bloody Angle” at Gettysburg. The Confederates had broken through the Union line and engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Back behind the first line, the 69th, 72nd and 102nd opened fire to finally stop the assault from advancing any further. Inscribed on the soldiers monument at Gettysburg is the name “Nelson Fish, Beverly NJ.”

According to the 1870 census, Nelson had returned to Beverly and resided with his mom and his two brothers. The census taker l;isted Nelson’s1870 occupation as a huckster. By 1880, Nelson had married Pauline Halbert, fathered three sons and worked as a carpenter and a Beverly constable. During those times, veterans would seek to have their military pensions increased to help them keep up with their bills. A veteran would have two witnesses testify to his condition and the problems they had to deal with. Nelson testified to help his step cousin, Judson Bowers who became wounded while a member of the New Jersey Volunteers 23rd Regiment, Company C.

Sometimes the witnesses needed testimony to their character and along comes another important Beverly citizen, Abel H Nichols. A prominent businessman, Mr. Nichols also served as the quartermaster for the 23 Regiment. His signature can be seen on the Beverly Bank Civil War dollars that some Beverly collectors own. The state commissioned Mr. Nichols as a notary public so in 1883 he provided testimony for Nelson Fish to the Department of the Interior.

Beverly NJ Apr 30 1883 Sir: Nelson Fish named within is a carpenter by trade living in this place. I have known him from boyhood. He was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion & I believe a good one. He has sometimes held the position of Constable but is a steady worker at his trade at other times when he can get it to do. He is a little inclined to strong drink, but not to such an extent as to neglect work (or duty as a police officer.) He is rather of the "hail fellow well met" order but I should rely upon his statements under oath as truthful & believe that such is his general reputation in this community. The affidavit was read to him Very respectfully, A.H. Nichols, Notary Public

In the 1900 census Nelson and Pauline had four sons, Walter H. (28yrs), Robert M. (27yrs), Howard (23yrs) and Charles H. (19yrs). Nelson 57 years old still worked as a carpenter. By the 1930 census Pauline had died, leaving Nelson as a widower living with his son Walter and his wife.

Nelson was well known and respected throughout the Beverly area when he passed away at age 92. He was the last survivor of the Joseph R. Ridgeway Post 21 GAR and was possibly the last member of the 71st Pennsylvania regiment to pass on. His body was on view in his son Walter’s home and many townspeople came to pay their respects. Delegations from the American Legion, both Beverly fire companies and the Jr. O. U. A. M. called to pay their respects.

The Rev. James Hawley Randall of the Beverly Presbyterian Church conducted the funeral service. The William A. Cortwright, Jr. Post American Legion also held a brief service, ending with six members serving as pallbearers:Frank W. Parsons, B. Franklin Perkins, Lewis M. Rotenbury, Frank H. Smith, Reuel Steinmann and Frank H. Wing. At Monument cemetery a firing squad from Company K, New Jersey National Guards fired their three volleys and then a bugler sounded taps.

Who would have thought that one carpenter’s plane could generate all that history?

Anyone who would like to see the Nelson Fish carpenter’s plane and commemorative booklet should visit the Riverfront Historical Society’s museum at the Coopertown Meeting House. A big thank you to Alice Smith and Kathy Karn for their research in helping me bring the Nelson Fish story to light for a new generation of local residents.

Beverly Bee May 2009 by Dennis Rogers .